Sports Update

GORDONIAN RUNNERS

The Gordonian Runners continue to impress with their race achievements this year. While the rest of us were hunkering down to avoid Storm Franklin, Gordonian Runner Mark Bissett 8077 (1982) was running The Brecon to Cardiff Ultra Marathon 2022. Mark, pictured on the left, said that his Gordon’s Odd Ball Beanie Hat was essential in keeping him warm and focused whilst Storm Franklin blasted them from start to finish with freezing gales, torrential rain, sleet and hail. ‘This was some of the worst racing conditions I have experienced’ said Mark who completed the 43 miles – in an impressive 8hrs 25 mins. Well Done Mark!

Steve Davis 7930 (1980) has been very busy running many races this year. In March, he completed The Limassol, Cyprus Half Marathon in 1:59:16. Well done Steve!

Graham Bartlett 8114 (1983) also went overseas in March to complete the Benidorm Half Marathon in 2:23:59. Well done Graham! If you are interested to join the Gordonian Running Club please email gordonians@gordons.school

OLD GORDONIANS FC ‘THE CAMELS’

We are thrilled to share the news that Old Gordonian FC football team, ‘The Camels’, have signed a renewed Sponsorship deal with Boz’s Fruit and Veg in Woking. We would like to thank them for their continued support. The boys designed a new Home kit, pictured below, in time for next season where they will continue to compete in The Aldershot and Camberley Sunday League. The Camels ended the 2022 season in 3rd place in Division 4. If you are interested to play for The Camels please get in touch via email at gordonians@gordons.school

FONDEST MEMORIES

My fondest memories come from the camaraderie and the many adventures through the CCF. From the first time experiencing zero-G in a glider with the RAF to the survival skills learnt from camping in the bush at military camp. I remember one evening particularly vividly, caked in camouflage and crawling across the local heath to capture a target guarded by Mr Fox. I was wet, I was cold, I failed miserably, but it was tremendous fun and there was always tea and toast waiting back at Sandringham House.

LIFE AFTER GORDON’S

After Gordon’s, I chose to study Economics and German at Aberystwyth University – with its sandy beaches and three National Parks on its doorstep you won’t find a more stunning setting to study. I then left University with no clue what to do and spent the next three years working for a German market research agency. I had really great times with the company, but ultimately felt that it wasn’t the career for me. I resigned from the job and spent the next three months backpacking across South-East Asia, before moving to New Zealand. I landed several policy roles across New Zealand’s Civil Service, with my final post in the Department for the Prime Minister. I recently moved back to the UK to spend more time with family and now lead a team in government as Head of Space Strategy – a role that has taken me to visit a fusion reactor, satellite vacuum chambers, driverless car test sites, and all being well the first rocket launch from the UK by the end of this year!

ADVICE TO YOUR 16-YEAR-OLD SELF

Most people don’t know what they want to do immediately after school (and in my case even long after university!) – and that’s ok. The important thing is to start exploring your passions and use your time out of school wisely to build skills around these. Whether it’s advocating for change, gaining work experience, making connections, volunteering... Finally, University is one option, but not the only option. It worked for me, but many of my colleagues in the UK Space team come from all walks of life – there are many doors that lead to a career in civil service (and space!).

LAUREN SULLIVAN 10501 (2009) WINDSOR.

WHEN WERE YOU AT SCHOOL:

2002–2009

FONDEST MEMORIES

Hockey with Miss Clarke was one of the best times each week, playing a sport with friends and going away and competing against other teams. Loved being in Windsor house, I made friends for life and memories I will never forget. As much as I didn’t enjoy marching as much as hockey, it’s now an excellent party trick ;) My friends constantly make me march as they have never done it!

LIFE AFTER GORDON’S

I left Gordon’s and went to Exeter university, studied history and then moved to London and started working in sales and marketing. I eventually realised I loved fitness so decided to take a PT course and pursue a career in personal training. I now work at a gym called MANOR in Victoria and do classes, personal training and I run the operations. I work with amazing people and love my job. I’m glad I took the risk.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHALLENGE AND SUPPORTING ROCK2RECOVERY

I’ve always loved burpees and during lockdown I decided I wanted to do something different and raise money for charity. I saw a 1 hour record and then thought why not try 24 hours. I didn’t realise quite how tough it was going to be, but looking back I’m so happy I did It. The previous record was 5,555 and I managed to do 6,427 burpees. I couldn’t have done it without the people there supporting me and staying with me the entire time. I chose rock2recovery as it’s a charity close to our hearts at MANOR and the work they do to support the fight against stress in our armed forces, veterans, 999 communities and their families is incredible.

WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON FOR YOU?

Ultra marathon 135 miles in September and an ironman in October, I can’t really swim though so need to start learning!

ADVICE TO YOUR 16-YEAR-OLD SELF

Be yourself and stop worrying about what other people think, easy to say now, but eventually you will realise the main person that matters is yourself and how you think and feel about yourself!

WHEN WERE YOU AT GORDON’S

2010–2014

FONDEST MEMORIES

Miss Ashton’s English class in Year 8 – it was loud and rambunctious. There was space for neurodiversity to thrive. Your value wasn’t determined by how quietly you lined up for class, or how often you remembered to bring a pen, but by how hard you tried and how much you cared. The environment forged friendships – in fact, the boy I sat next to in Miss Ashton’s class I now work and live with – he went on to get an English literature degree from Queen’s University Belfast. Mr Wadey for caring enough to notice I was different and not obstinate. Him referring me, leading to an ADHD diagnosis, was without a doubt the most positively impactful thing to ever happen to me. I hated him for it, which I’m sure he knew would happen, but I could not be more thankful for it as an adult.

LIFE AFTER GORDON’S

After eventually accepting that further education wasn’t for me, I fell into an admin role at an IT distributor. I discovered a latent interest in software (and money) and grew to understand myself more. I decided to pursue a career I could succeed in because of my personality, not in spite of it. 5 years later, I now work for a unicorn startup (google it) responsible for delivering projects that enable the biggest companies in the world to foster an environment of togetherness and inclusivity.

ADVICE TO YOUR 16-YEAR-OLD SELF

You do not have to choose between doctor, lawyer and homeless. There are infinite paths to success, and those who carry the drive and vision to be successful will always find it, no matter where they begin their journey. During my career at Gordon’s, some words used to describe me were: Bright, disruptive, unfocused, distracting, loud, class-clown, frustrating. If you’re a student or parent of a student who is also described like this and you would like to chat about how to get out of your own way (or just want reassurance that you’re not going to be a failure) please email me at maxhenderson45224@gmail.com. I will always make time for you.

RICHARD J PALMER 7949 (1979) WOOLWICH

FONDEST MEMORIES

I joined in 1975 and it was a very different school to what we see now, despite many of the old buildings being largely unchanged! In terms of school activities, I was a keen swimmer and loved shooting but wasn’t great at football or rugby, so at the time I think I just ‘did my time’ and tried to do reasonably well academically. Like many boys, I was at Gordon’s because my parents were always moving (Dad was in the Royal Marines, then the Royal Navy). I enjoyed playing trumpet and for some reason became a bugler, which meant getting up early and going to bed later than everyone else during the weeks when on duty to wake everyone up every morning at 7am and play the various calls needed during the day and for Sunday parades. All that for an extra 5p per week (meaning 35p per week pocket money!). When I left, I did miss the place in some ways but to be honest, I’m not sure why. Maybe the sense of belonging somewhere for 4 years was novel in itself. On reflection, I think those 4 years in what was a tough environment, were the making of me, but to be honest, any favourite memories would be related to when we were able to get out of grounds and up to a bit of mischief, away from the constraints of the school itself!

LIFE AFTER GORDON’S

I went to Exmouth Upper School to do my A-levels in 1979 and then Warwick University where I received my BSc(Hons) in Microbiology & Virology in 1984. That convinced me that although I wanted a science-related career, I didn’t want to work in a laboratory, so in September 1984, I was fortunate to get a job as sales representative for Janssen Pharmaceuticals, selling to pharmacies in the NW of England. This was great grounding for me, after which I took a Diploma in Marketing and then progressed over the next 30+ years through various management positions in UK pharmaceutical organisations, finishing my career in a number of general management and global executive positions in the US, Switzerland and finally back in the UK. The Covid pandemic brought an end to the weekly, worldwide travel schedule and I decided to leave full-time employment and set up as a management consultant, specialising primarily in strategic planning in the Global veterinary pharmaceutical market.

ADVICE TO YOUR 16-YEAR-OLD SELF

Work hard and try not to take things too seriously. If you don’t enjoy the job, bite the bullet and look for another one. Life’s too short. To be honest, I wouldn’t do anything differently if I had to start again because I felt I always followed my own internal code for better or worse. Sometimes my approach to life held me back, but things always worked out in the end and overall, I have enjoyed my career and life to-date, whilst maintaining my own standards.