The Gordonian - Spring 2023

GORDONIAN THE

gordonians@gordons.school

‘Gordonians’ ‘Gordonians’ @Gordonians gordonians.co.uk

Gordonians,

W elcome to the Spring 2023 edition of the Gordonian magazine, which complements the online community website and our social media.

On Saturday 21 st January over 200 students marched behind the Pipes and Drums in memory of General Gordon for the annual Whitehall Parade. The parade made its along Whitehall to the General Gordon statue, where wreaths were laid on behalf of the Gordon family; the Gordonians; Governors; Trustees; staff and students.

CONTENTS:

WELCOME:

COMMUNITY REPORT:

SCHOOL NEWS:

THE GORDON HERITAGE:

CHRISTENINGS: THE WHITEHALL PARADE AND GORDONIAN REUNION:

THE GORDONIAN ADVISORY PANEL MEETING:

GORDONIAN AWARDS:

GOODBYE TO STAFF MEMBER SUE TOZER:

A FAMILY OF GORDONIANS:

GORDONIAN FUNDRAISING:

WONKY HEART CYCLE CHALLENGE:

OLD GORDONIANS FC ‘THE CAMELS’:

GORDONIAN RUNNERS:

OBITUARIES:

PATRICK AND PAULINE QUIGLEY:

UPCOMING EVENTS:

GORDONIAN COMMUNITY REPORT:

Gordonians gathered after Whitehall Parade in January for the first reunion of 2023. We welcomed over 50 Gordonians who left school between 1960 to 2022 and it was wonderful to hear memories and stories from their time. The Gordonian Advisory Panel met the day before Whitehall. In attendance were Paul Ivory 7937 (1980), Jonathan Bell 7918 (1980) and Jess Kruger 11840 (2016). Susan Meikle (School Bursar), Jennifer Taylor (Head of Finance and IT) and myself, Harriet Turk (Gordonian Officer) also attended.

We held our first online Gordonian Pipes and Drums Reunion in November which was led by Gordon’s Senior Pipe Major, Iona Scotson. It was wonderful to chat to past members of the band during this and the following meetings and we look forward to meeting in person later this year!

It was lovely to welcome back Gordonians Tilly Phillips 12284 (2020) and Callum Sumpter 12526 (2018) at the end of the Autumn Term. Callum, who has just completed a degree at Oxford University and Tilly who is currently studying at Pembroke College, Cambridge spoke to students about the application process, the interview and studying at these universities. As part of the ongoing careers programme for current students Gordonians Ellen McCarthy 12714 (2019), Isobel French 12333 (2017), Sammy Norsworthy 10069 (2004), Tom Robinson 11822 (2019) and Jesse Holmes 12100 (2021) came back to School to speak to students about their career journey providing insight on everything from apprenticeships to starting their own business. Thank you to all for giving up your time to help our students.

All students from Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 were given assemblies about LinkedIn; why to use it and how it can work for them, by Ram Banga, a parent of a Gordonian. Ram presented 17 sessions in total, a huge task and we are so grateful to him for giving up this time. Make sure to follow Gordon’s School on LinkedIn to keep up to date with us!

We are looking forward to welcoming back Gordonians to school on Saturday 1 st July for Annual Parade and the Gordonian Memorial Service. Full details can be found on our website and page 12. For those who joined us last year, I’m sure you’ll agree it is a great opportunity to come back to school, catch up with old school friends and meet more of the Gordonian community.

In February the Advisory Panel unanimously agreed that the Gordonians would fund a plaque to commemorate the 156 Gordon Boys who died in World War 1. The plaque will be placed in St George’s Memorial Church, Ypres and the dedication will in July 2024 when our Pipe Band visit. We will share further information on this next year as Gordonians are welcome to attend. Students will also visit this plaque as part of their History trip each year.

Thank you to Robert Hucknell 7258 (1970) and Tony Perry for sharing this photo with us (top right). Robert and Tony managed to catch up with each other whilst Tony and his wife, Angela, were visiting Sydney, Australia.

New website! In May we launched a brand new Gordonian website. The website features increased functionality, events and photos. Please head to www. gordonians.co.uk to keep to up to date! You can also search for old school friends and update your profile.

We do hope you enjoy this edition of the Gordonian.

Harriet Turk Gordonian Officer

Jesse Holmes 12100 (2021)

SCHOOL NEWS:

Aproud moment for our students and staff as The Duke of Edinburgh visited the School on January 17th to officially open the new Sports Hub and unveil a plaque commemorating the occasion. The Duke toured the new fitness suite, rowing centre and watched football and rugby on the sports pitches. His Royal Highness also spent time over a coffee with the School’s student Wellbeing Prefects and mental health first aiders and learned how pastoral staff care for boarding students, particularly those whose families are in the Armed Forces.

As well as chatting to players and teaching staff, His Royal Highness enjoyed the opportunity to take on some of the students in a game of table tennis!

WHITEHALL PARADE AND GORDONIAN REUNION:

Students, led by the Pipes and Drums, brought Whitehall to a standstill for the annual Parade in January in memory of General Charles Gordon, in whose honour the school was founded. Over 200 students took part in the Parade to the General Gordon statue on the banks of the Thames. There, during the Memorial Service, wreaths were laid at the foot of the statue by Tom Gordon, representatives of the School and Paul Ivory 7937 (1980) on behalf of the Gordonians.

After the Parade Gordonians from 1960 – 2022 met to catch up and meet other Gordonians, whether they were at Gordon’s at similar times or had a very different school life. There is no doubt that all Gordonians have different memories from their time at school given how much school has changed over time, but a phrase a Gordonian said during the reunion is the perfect summary: ‘I love Gordon’s for what it was then and for what it is now’. The afternoon really showed how Gordonians from across a wide range of peer groups can always listen and appreciate another’s experience all whilst finding similarities between their times at the School.

Each January Gordon’s welcomes its new cohort of Prefects and student leadership team. The Development Office interviewed students following their application and appointed three new Marketing Prefects. Our Prefects continue to write to older Gordonians to share with them what school life is like now and via their own research in the archives and old school publications learn about how different it used to be.

THE GORDON HERITAGE:

Whilst reading this book our Director of Music, Adam Stanworth, discovered that Lord Tennyson and his son Hallam, were instrumental in fund-raising for the establishment of the Gordon Boys’ Home in the 1880s and Lady Emily Tennyson wrote a morning and evening hymn for the boys which they sang at daily prayers. After finding the tune for the Evening Hymn ‘Great God’, Adam then took it to the Semper Fidelis Choir here at school and has incorporated into our Evensongs. Following a call out on social media we couldn’t find anyone who had memories of this, but from further research it may be that the hymns were still in use in 1984.

CHRISTENINGS: C

ongratulations to Gordonian James Ayres 9822 (2002) and Donna Ayres on the Christening of their son, Edward, on Sunday 23 rd April 2023 in the School Chapel.

Finn Bjerraard, who featured in the last edition of The Gordonian, flew from Denmark to see the Whitehall Parade and meet Gordonians afterwards. Whilst Finn didn’t attend Gordon’s, he has a strong interest in General Gordon and made the trip to London for this special event, expressing his thanks to everyone who welcomed him during the afternoon. Thank you to all those who attended, it was wonderful to see so many of you.

The annual Gordon Memorial Service took place in Guildford Cathedral on Sunday 22 nd January, attended by staff, students, parents and Governors of the School. The service featured readings from the Head Boy and Head Girl with The Reverend Michael Parker, Chaplain-General to His Majesty’s Land Forces delivering The Gordon Sermon. Pipe Major L Massie played the Lament Flowers of the Forest.

THE GORDONIAN ADVISORY PANEL MEETING:

F

ollowing our meeting in January there was overall agreement to increase the size of the panel from three to six members and to ensure that new members would span approximately a decade each, with the aim of raising the Gordonian profile through all age groups. We are so pleased to have welcomed Bryan Allman 6943 (1964), Nigel Parnell 7495 (1972) and Josh Buckland 10751 (2009).

The Panel meets twice a year in person and stay in communication throughout the year as discussions and decisions occur. An important function is to oversee the funds of the Gordonians and the allocation of the provision of the Gordonian Awards. Meet our current Gordonian Advisory Panel:

Paul Ivory 7937 (1980)

I was at Gordons back in the days when it was The Gordon Boys’ School in ’75 – ’80 and was in China House. I was an NCO in the Army Cadets as well as Band Sergeant as we had a marching band as well as the pipe band back then.

After leaving, I did visit the school a few times but then, as it often does, “life” got in the way.

After a good few years, a number of us who were in touch via Facebook all decided to visit the old place for Annual and reconnected with the school.

I was approached, back in 2017 and asked if I would consider becoming Treasurer for the Old Gordonians Association, a role I undertook up until it was dissolved in 2019. I was then asked to become one of the Advisory Panel members which I was more than happy to do.

The school itself may be somewhat different in make-up to those of us who are older, but the heart of the school is still as it was.

The ‘Mission and Purpose’ (if you like) of the Gordonians is to, in a sense, facilitate a connection for life. This is demonstrated in the age range of people currently in contact with the school through it and something I personally would like to see – hence my invitations in Facebook discussions to those who have lost touch to get in touch with Harriet and those in the Development Office. If you’ve read this far and you aren’t in touch with the school, I would encourage you to do so and at the very least get on their contact list because you will then know of the various events and ways that you can reconnect with Gordon’s School Alumni.

Jonathan Bell 7918 (1980)

I joined the Gordon Boys’ School in 1975 in China House, aged 11.  I can still remember arriving on my first day - bugle calls, queuing for uniforms, QM stores, cookhouse, bed-spaces and ‘dugouts’yes, it really was a daunting experience!

This would be home for the next five years.

I got involved in most things at school, but rifle shooting was my main sport - so many long days spent on Bisley Ranges. I also enjoyed the CCF. I ended my time as ‘House Corporal’ for China House and was the Company Sergeant Major in the Cadets.

Boarding from the age of 11 in that sort of environment teaches you to be selfreliant but also taught me the value of good friends - I made some great friends and several from that first day all those years ago.

After I left school I eventually joined the Army and much of what I learnt at the age of 11 set me in good stead for a career in the Infantry. Unfortunately, I was medically discharged after sustaining a serious  injury -  so I went back to college, took my A Levels and went to university as a mature student. It was during my time at York University that I became involved in student journalism. This led me to a second career as a journalist at the BBC where I had an exciting time working for many years at Newsnight.

I’m now enjoying semi-retirement and being a family man in Weybridge. I still keep busy, I like to keep fit,  cycling is my sport (hand-cycling if you’re familiar with it) and I’m also an Ambassador for BLESMA The Limbless Veterans where we work to help veterans lead fulfilling lives after injury.

Finally, for a long time I had little contact with the school and only visited once briefly in more than 30 years! It was only when I moved from West London to the leafy suburbs of Surrey I realised how close I was to the school that I decided to attended an Annual Parade. From there I was invited to join the Gordonians Committee and more recently the Advisory Panel. I have really enjoyed being a part of the panel for the Gordonian Awards - that’s when you get to glimpse the extraordinary talent that seems to fill this school.

I’m glad I decided to reconnect!

Paul Ivory 7937 (1980)

Jonathan Bell 7918 (1980)

Jess Kruger 11840 (2016)

Bryan Allman 6943 (1964)

Nigel Parnell 7495 (1972)

Josh Buckland 10751 (2009)

Gordonian

Fidelis”

Jess Kruger 11840 (2016)

I joined Gordon’s later in my school years, at the beginning of Year 10, and immediately embraced all that the school had to offer. I threw myself into CCF, marching and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and went on to become the 2015 Head Girl, an experience for which I am truly grateful.

In the years following, I remained linked to the school by working in the Development Office in the summers and speaking with students about university and life after Gordon’s.

My work history spans the education and charity sectors with six years of working in a primary school across a variety of roles, and most recently as a CSR executive at a health tech appbuilding strategic partnerships, creating tailored charity campaigns and driving the company’s CSR vision.

In January 2023 I had the incredible honour of being appointed as a Trustee of The Gordon Foundation, as well as becoming a new member of the Gordonian Advisory Panel. I am looking forward to bringing my personal and professional experience to both roles.

Bryan Allman 6943 (1964)

I attended The Gordon Boys’ School as it was then known, between 1960-1964. I had spent much of the time before that in various countries around the world; my parents being in the Army and constantly on the move.

The school band quickly became the centre of activity for me. At that time the band had many engagements in local towns and villages at fetes and openings and my role as solo cornet player added to that in terms of performing fanfares at other venues. The school in those days ran to a timetable signalled by the bugle –from Reveille to Last Post each day. That meant very early rising on most days but a welcome bacon sandwich in the cookhouse before anyone else was up!

My other great passion was engineering and that led to my first real job after leaving the school – working on the design of four and six wheel drive systems for Ford, Massey Ferguson etc. That love also directed me into the early days of computers and a career in IT.

After 15 years at Canon where I became Head of International Business, based in Amsterdam. I left to set up a business consultancy providing advice and the development of go-to market strategies for many of the large organisations within the IT arena.

Needing a break from the corporate world, I looked to my third great love and developed a business as a fashion photographer working with many of the large fashion houses across the world; eventually retiring in 2020 and moving to Italy where I now enjoy ‘la dolce vita’.

The time spent at the Gordon Boys’ School gave much in terms of encouragement and opportunity, along with ambition coupled with a great sense of being able to do whatever interested you.

Nigel Parnell 7495 (1972)

I was a Gordon Boy from January 1969 through to July 1972, during my time at school I played cornet in the school band, and in my penultimate year was ‘Best All Round Cadet’.

In my final year I received the Prize for Best Boy in Academics along with the Maths, Chemistry and Geography prizes. I gained my school colours in cricket and shooting and also represented the school in football, rugby and swimming. After leaving Gordon’s I attended Thorne Grammar School for my A Levels, however instead of going to university, opted to join Cable & Wireless to train in telecommunications. This was the beginning of an exciting and global career. Initially trained as an Engineer, I left as an Executive and Board member and graduated from Harvard Business School in 1994 in Business Management and Development.

My career took me globally from Australia to Canada, Europe to India and the Far East with periods living and working in Bahrain, Mauritius, Yemen, Maldives, Bermuda, Antigua, Japan and Trinidad and Tobago. After leaving C&W I joined Nortel and continued with a global role. This was followed by jobs with Alcatel Lucent, Nokia and my final ‘corporate role’ was with T-Systems. Post this in 2013 I formed my own consultancy company specialising in ‘Complex Operational Management’.

I have four children, two from his first marriage, two daughters and two stepchildren from my second marriage, a boy and a girl.

My sporting interest includes being a private pilot with single, multi engine and aerobatics ratings, qualified rugby coach and referee. These days, now semiretired, I continue to shoot both clay and target, returning to Bisley regularly to re-live the glory days.

Living in rural Oxfordshire I enjoy the country life, walking with the three dogs, fishing and managing a large garden.

I am involved in the local community as Chair of both the Village Hall and Parish Council. I offer coaching and mentoring to young adults as well as interview practice for those needing informal support and advice.

Josh Buckland 10751 (2009)

I was at Gordon’s from 2005 to 2009 and was a boarder in Sandringham House, plus the Headmaster’s Annex for Sixth Form.

Arriving at Gordon’s was a slight shock to the system as our family had come back from Hong Kong the summer before. Giving up 30C heat for brisk early morning training and rugby practice in the dark was hard at first, but I came to enjoy life at the school as much as my school mates did.

My years at the school were filled with a mixture of sport (mostly cricket), CCF and what felt like endless evening prep sessions. Life as a boarder was a brilliant and at times challenging experience, but I made lifelong friends, through not just university but beyond.

Following school I fell into politics, working as a civil servant and latterly as an advisor to various government Ministers. This gave me the slightly odd privilege of visiting various schools right across the country, not just carrying politicians’ bags, but chatting to staff and pupils on the impact that good education and skills development has on people of all ages.

Having left school nearly 15 years ago now (how time flies…) this experience has made me realise just how unique an institution Gordon’s is. The determination to build well-rounded young people is the key differentiator for me. A focus on ensuring students understand the importance of tradition through the formal aspects of school life, combined with a forward-thinking and open culture of discovery through learning. Safe to say I have not seen this combination done so well elsewhere.

It’s a pleasure to serve on the Gordonian Advisory Panel and I would encourage all those with a connection to the school to get involved in some way. Even if it’s simply attending Annual, or reconnecting with an old year group, it’s a great way of playing a part in building the next stage of the school’s legacy.

GORDONIAN AWARDS

Weare thrilled to announce this year’s Gordonian Award winners who were selected from a number of high quality applications and an extremely competitive peer group.

Congratulations to WeiYee Zhou for winning the Creative Arts Award and Nerys Tullett for winning the Sport Award 2022.

We now have six award recipients in school across Years 11, 12 and 13 who are using their awards to excel and further their disciplines. Their award is funded from donations to the Gordonians and we are so proud to be continuing this support to the students. We have an update from all current winners below.

2020 Winner Jason Cave – Music: Jason continues to play the violin and most recently achieved a Merit in his Grade 8 exam. He plays in the school concert band, string band and orchestra. He has spent the last year as Inter-House Captain for Arts, performing in Inter-House Music (although stretching his talents to sing Michael Bublé!) and leading Gravesend House to a brilliant second place. This summer Jason will leave Gordon’s after finishing his A Levels. He hopes to study law at university and is certain he will find an orchestra to join to carry on playing violin.

2020 Winner – Tamara Hibbins – Sport: Tamara, now Year 13, is still achieving in her athletics club and in sport within school. Earlier this year she ran for the county in the Surrey Schools Cross-Country event and now is starting her training for the track season where she competes in the 800 metres for Aldershot, Farnham and District Athletics Club. In school she is a hockey scholar, on the netball team and is the Sports Captain for her House, China. Tamara leaves Gordon’s this summer and is hoping to go on to Loughborough University to study Business Economics.

2021 Winner – Eleanor Scarlett – Music: Eleanor has continued to succeed in her music, playing the clarinet and also the drums in the school Pipes and Drum Band where she takes part in as many events as possible, including Whitehall in January. She has recently passed her Grade 5 theory exam, entered the Concerto competition and performed in the Spring Concert. Eleanor is a very committed member of school, taking part in Inter-House Music, helping teach younger members of the band and now she is also Deputy Head Girl.

2021 Winner – Tommy Oluwasona – Sport: Tommy travelled to Portugal in February as part of the Rugby 7s Tour and continues to play on the school team, most recently in Rosslyn Park National School 7s. He is a Senior Prefect and Student Deputy Head of his boarding house, Balmoral. As part of his role in Balmoral he has spoken to younger students before their rugby tournament, giving them tips and words of encouragement and also tutored them in Biology and Chemistry.

2022 Winner – Wei Yee Zhou – Music: Wei Yee has achieved her Grade 8 piano, Level 4 bagpipes as well as taking up the violin two years ago. She has performed for the school since joining in Year 7 and plays in the pipes band, orchestra, piano trio and the string ensemble as well as now teaching younger students the bagpipes during Period 7. She has recently gained a Pianoman Scholarship and a music scholarship and is planning to complete her gold Arts Award. She has performed in Inter-House Music every year and has represented Gordon’s at a huge number of events with her most memorable performance being getting to play with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Skerryvore in 2022.

2022 Winner – Nerys Tullett - Sport: Nerys’ main focus is athletics. She has set school records and has successfully competed at District Championships and at the South East Schools Regional Finals. She also represents school in hockey and cricket and volunteers to help coach younger years in hurdles. Her commitment to school is clear, choosing to represent her House at Sports Day over attending the InterCounty Championships.

Wesaid a fond farewell in March to our Admissions Registrar for the Main School after 26 years’ service to Gordon’s. Sue joined on 20 th January 1997 and in that time has processed around 16,000 admissions applications. When she first started she processed both the Main School and Sixth Form admissions but after a few years these were separated and Sixth Form applications were passed onto a colleague. Over the 26 years Sue has regularly dealt with over 500 applications every year for Year 7 as well as dealing with many successful and unsuccessful applications for all year groups due to Gordon’s being so heavily oversubscribed. There is no doubt she will have processed a huge amount of your applications, Gordonians, reading this magazine.

Sue originally saw the job advert in a local paper (pictured left) and it was advertised as ‘Secretary to the Headmaster’s PA, dealing with admissions’. Naturally it changed over the years and she left with the title of Admissions Registrar (Main School).

Catching up with Sue before she left was truly wonderful, her knowledge and memories of Gordon’s will rival most. She

A FAMILY OF GORDONIANS!

says the hardest part of the job for her is when a lovely student whose family have stayed in contact throughout the years haven’t succeeded in gaining a place. Whilst this is simply down to the school being oversubscribed it doesn’t make it easier to see their disappointment. On the other hand, the most rewarding part of the job is when a student is on the waiting list and the family are so happy and overwhelmed when they do eventually get their place. When asked what she will miss most, Sue had two things: her colleagues and the parents. Working with the team she does, liaising and solving problems will be very much missed. Whether the parents succeed in getting a place for their child or not Sue has always ensured they leave the process with a warm fuzzy feeling about Gordon’s and are confident that processes were followed correctly; a true testament to Sue’s professionalism and commitment to her job.

Sue is now looking forward to her retirement and spending time with her own ‘boys’, both Gordonians. Sam went onto Exeter University (where he met his wife, Kirsty) and is now working in the McLaren Racing F1 team, and Ben is

I was at the Gordon Boys’ School 197580, (7922) in China House. I left and went to Fareham to do my A Levels and then whilst waiting to join the RAF got a job with Lloyds Bank for 18 months. I was commissioned into the RAF in 1984 and was married to my wonderful wife Tracey in 1985. Since then we have completed 16 tours of duty together as far away as the Falkland Islands, where we were for a year, thence to Northern Norway beyond the Arctic Circle for another two years. I’m still serving with 13 Squadron.

As well as this I run my own business Prospero Professional Solutions providing ‘Conflict Mediation, Conflict Coaching and Conflict Management’ training courses. This will become my full-time passion when I leave the RAF in 2025.

working at Gearset in Cambridge having attended Swansea University after Gordon’s. Ben and his partner, Annabel, welcomed baby Jacob in the Autumn 2022 and Sue is very much looking forward to spending more time with him. There are also step-children, Nik and Pennie, and step-grandchildren locally (Jordan, Jake, Jack and Poppy) to enjoy keeping in touch with.

Sue and husband Mike continue to host Ukrainian family Alina and daughter, Vika, aged 10 since welcoming them in May 2022.

Sue and Mike will continue to enjoy trips away in their motorhome, walking, being members of Trinity Methodist Church and looking after the garden. There will be more time for their hobbies; folk dancing together, Mike’s wood-turning and sailing as well as Sue hoping for more time for swimming, reading books for pleasure and also to continue to research their family history.

Thank you for your service Sue and welcome to The Gordonians!

now works for Everlight Radiology as a Credentialling Co-ordinator. Oliver went to Northampton University and now works for BST Detectable Products. We all still live close together in Nottinghamshire and see lots of each other – often based around the local rugby club where Oliver still plays. All of us have fond memories of Gordon’s as well as some not so fond but one thing’s for sure, the School gave us all the grounding we needed to be successful in our lives. Whilst the school I attended was very different from the ones my children did it still delivered on life’s important skills – integrity, loyalty and honesty which are strong traits in all of us, along with well-developed selfreliance and independence.

C

hris Breedon 7922 (1980) and his three children, Abbie 9989 (2006), Jade 10423 (2007) and Oliver 10547 (2010) all attended Gordon’s and here Chris shares what they got up to once they left and he says ‘one thing’s for sure the school gave us all the grounding we needed to be successful in our lives’.

We have three fantastic children, Abbie, Jade and Oliver. All three followed in my footsteps and went to Gordon’s. Abbie, Jade (both Augusta) and Oliver, (Balmoral – same building as my ‘China’ House).

Abbie went to The University of Kent, married in 2018 and now works in HR with Moy Park. Jade went to Uxbridge and then Lincoln Universities, having completed her A Levels at Henley College and

One of the things that still gets me grinning is playing the ‘Victory Beat’ with pencils or rulers on a desk top which gets my work colleagues sitting up! Strange thing is I was never a drummer – not even close but that tune is engrained in my head. We haven’t been to the school for a while now but hope to catch an Annual soon and see the ‘Victory Beat’ live once again.

GORDONIAN FUNDRAISING

The Danny Jones Prize for most improved Junior Athlete

Gordonians Christian Cullinane 8481 (1990) and Andy Morgan 8411 (1987) have led a fundraising campaign in memory of Gordonian Danny Jones 8499 (1990). Via a Just Giving page set up by Gordon’s they have raised an amazing £1,200 which will secure an annual book prize. The ‘Danny Jones Prize’ for most improved junior athlete will be awarded each year at Prize Giving in memory of Danny, who was a very gifted athlete and is still holder of a number of school athletics records after leaving over 30 years ago!

Andy Morgan writes about his memories of Danny and what he got up to after Gordon’s.

I have been asked to write a few words about Dan, and to be honest I have put it off for a couple of weeks….not because there is not a lot to say or that I didn’t know him well enough to speak about him, more that putting pen to paper seems very final and I guess I am not ready to face that.

Dan would say I’m procrastinating because 1, I do not want to shine the limelight on him (he was perfectly capable of highlighting his own achievements) and 2, because I was never going to be as articulate as him!

Perhaps the latter is true, he had a remarkable mind, quick-witted with a dark sense of humour and a sharp tongue at times. I think of him as one of the cleverest people I’ve ever met.  What he didn’t have answers for in knowledge he made up for in charm. He could talk to anyone about anything. Even the most troubled soul was disarmed by his smile and his gentle approach. Dan was a great psychologist, he offered help to so many and gave people comfort at their darkest moments, and the irony is not lost that the only person he could not fix was himself.

I knew Dan since 1983 when he first came to the then Gordon Boys’ School. Although a year below me we always had a good bond especially in my latter years at the school and once I left school Dan stayed in touch throughout his Sixth Form days at GBS and studying at Collingwood College. He then went on to study Psychology and English Literature at Bristol and Cardiff Universities.

Dan was never one to settle down and spent his entire life travelling all over the world, climbing in the Himalayas, trips to Africa, canoeing the Zambezi and in between working as an educational psychologist at some of Britain’s top schools. He was a free spirit and finally settled down in Switzerland working at various schools there helping in their Psychology Departments. He always had itchy feet and after spending time teaching in Tristan da Cunha Dan eventually followed a path which led him to Moscow working as an educational psychologist at an international school there, unfortunately timing his travels at the time Russia invaded Ukraine.

My resounding thoughts on Dan are that he had many qualities both good and bad, in equal measures. He was my best friend, confidant, and antagonistic life companion. There were times when he would push our friendship to the limits with his erratic behaviour. But he was always there for me, I miss him daily and hope he has now found the peace he could not in life, like many geniuses find in this life.

BRIGHTEST STARS BEREAVEMENT

In February for a mufti day students swapped their green blazers for their own clothes in support of Brightest Stars Bereavement, a charity set up by Gordonian and former Head Girl, Helen Rowell 10117 (2006). Helen tragically lost her husband Mike in March 2022 in a ski accident. Helen was surprised to find that although there were support groups for her and her four year old son, there was very little local to them. Helen and Mike married and had their son Christened in the School Chapel. The vision of Brightest Stars is to create a safe space for bereaved children and their families to meet one another, share experiences and build friendships in Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire.

Students and staff raised an amazing £843.19 which will go direct to the charity. If you can support Brightest Stars or feel you need support from the charity please visit their website https://www.brighteststars.co.uk

The parents of Gordonian, Harry Smith 11178, are taking on a cycle challenge to raise awareness of young people’s mental health, after losing Harry on 15 th August 2013. Here they share with us why they’re doing it and what the challenge involves.

‘By August 2023, it will have been ten years since, totally out of the blue, we lost our eldest son Harry to suicide. He was 17. Not a day goes by when we don’t think about him. Time has now helped to make us strong enough to do something positive in his memory.

We found we were not alone having suicide in our lives; mental health difficulties affect young people, their families, and friends, wherever they may live. Only after losing Harry did we become more aware that there were many others in this unfortunate club, many other ‘Mr and Mrs Smiths’ in the country, all with different stories and experiences. We believe that the rather ordinary fact of being Mr and Mrs Smith illustrates just how this can affect anyone, anywhere, at any time.

To the challenge. Both of us are overweight, unfit, old (if you accept 59 and 60 are old) and inexperienced cyclists. With that, we plan over the course of 19 days to cycle to 17 different destinations around the UK. We want to raise awareness about young people’s mental health, as well as raising money for charity, and doing something that will take us well outside our comfort zones. Inspired also by 3 Dads Walking, we, as an older couple, thought a cycling challenge would tick the right boxes, given that we both don’t really cycle. To illustrate the point, Karen’s bike was bought in 1990, carefully stored seeing little use - it still has those little rubber spikes on the tyres. Paul’s bike was rather elderly, and prior to the purchase of a new one, had been condemned –an attempt to get it roadworthy failed as parts were no longer available, given it was almost a museum piece.

We’ll start our journey on the 15 th of August 2023, ten years to the day since we lost him, the next decade of our life without Harry. The route will be a cycle challenge around England, with a bit of Wales included, starting from Harry’s school with a very vocal send off from Brian Blessed, and finishing near our home in Surrey on the 2nd of September. Please do join us from 9.30am, ready for our send off at 10am. The intended route will be shaped as best as we can as a heart. This will out of necessity be a wonky route which won’t be a perfect heart shape, hence the tag ‘Wonky Heart’

which sort of speaks for itself. Here’s a map of intended stops, the precise location of those in pink to be confirmed.

Whether we blog, vlog or podcast throughout the journey, there will be an uplifting side, a positive story that has come out of such pain (not necessarily the pain of the challenge, but that will certainly be a factor). When our website is up and running, the intention is to have a tracking app so those who wish to, can follow our progress. Joining us in person on bikes is certainly encouraged! Training has now started. A few practice rides have bought home our dire lack of fitness and cycling ineptitude. Challenges with mapping technology (old man playing with technical stuff) led to an early test when we went spectacularly off course, doubling the time we anticipated and taking us on stupidly hilly and fast roads. You learn from things like that. We’re getting there, slowly, and have been generously assisted by our local bike shop, Spokes of Bagshot (www.spokesonline.com) with help in purchasing our new bikes and loads of advice. The next bit is down to us.

As an introduction to Starter For 10, we ran a fundraising quiz and curry night, hosted by ITV’s The Chase star Shaun Wallace in October 2022, ten months to the day before our challenge started and raised just under £8,000 for a suicide charity, Suicide & Co. (www.suicideandco.org).

Our aim for the Wonky Heart Cycle Challenge is to raise funds for Papyrus (www.papyrus-uk.org), a national charity working towards the prevention of young suicide.

A hundred days before the challenge starts on Sunday 7th May 2023 we launched our JustGiving page which can be found here: www.wonkyheartchallenge.co.uk

OLD GORDONIANS FC ‘THE CAMELS’

New players wanted!! If you are interested in joining our football team please email gordonians@gordons.school. All home games are played at Gordon’s on the 3G pitch and The Camels are sponsored by Boz’s Fruit and Veg in Woking. The Camels have sent us this update:

‘I think a fair assessment that the back end of our season would be best described as turbulent.

As our league position changed, so did our results. One week we’re beating a team near the top and we could back it up with a loss to a team struggling to stay in the league! Some would say that’s the joy of Sunday league football.

As a team we had a successful run in the County Cup managing to reach the quarter finals and just fell short of progressing to the next round having lost 2-0. It was a great shame as without all of our injuries, it could have been our year to lift the trophy!

As it stands, we’re currently sitting in Third place with only two league games left. As a team this is a good building block for next season as we continue our quest for our first bit of silverware!

We must say special thanks to Gordon’s School for letting us use their amazing facilities on a weekly basis, Sarah and Harriet for always booking the pitches and helping us in anyway possible. Finally, thank you to Boz Fruit & Veg for the continued support! Without all of this help, none of this would be possible! So from all the Camels, thank you very much and we look forward to flying the Gordon’s flag high next season!’

If you are interested in joining our football team please email gordonians@gordons.school as the team are looking for more players. All home games are played at Gordon’s on the 3G pitch and The Camels are sponsored by Boz’s Fruit and Veg in Woking.

GORDONIAN RUNNERS

Patron Paula Fudge gives a summary of the Endure 24 hour races here together with her completion of her 500 th Parkrun!

‘In June last year I took part in the Endure 24 Hour Race near Reading.  I was in a team of six and we did five miles in a relay over country. It was a great experience for me as in my younger days races like this weren’t around.  I didn’t run through the night like the rest of the team as felt it would be too dangerous for me.  I completed three laps while the rest did five laps.  It wasn’t about winning for us but having an enjoyable competition with friends.

I also completed 500 Parkruns, distance 5k last year.  I always enjoy Parkrun as I have made many friends and like to volunteer as it gives something back to Parkrun.’

Emma Plimmer 9641 (1998) has been a member of Gordonian Runners for four years. Due to health issues, she has been off sport for the last year so has continued to focus her time on volunteering within sport. Emma has told us what she’s been up to over the last year.

‘Already a Level 2 tennis coach and Level 3 personal trainer, in the last year I qualified as a Level 1 official Field Judge, and have taken

on the responsibility of team manager for a local composite team. My team comprises of under 13’s and under 15’s and we travel to different venues to compete in the UK Youth Development league lower age group. Last season we secured promotion to the Premier Division and I am so proud of all the athletes who give up their time to dedicate to our team.

My local club in Dorset awarded me a trophy at their awards evening for all my volunteer work for them and the county and I also won the South West Regional Newcomer to Volunteering. I was honoured to have been awarded these and to have met Jo Pavey, a five time Olympian (pictured with me).

I look forward to volunteering this year in athletics and tennis, and also to get back to running with my fellow Gordonians. If anybody is looking to get into volunteering in sport or wants some advice, I’m happy to be contacted.’

Steve Davis 7930 (1980) sadly passed away on 6th April 2023. Steve was Founder and Club Secretary of the Gordonian Runners and in the last edition wrote about the amazing running challenges he’d set himself. Thank you, Steve, for everything you’ve done for the community and in particular the Gordonian Runners where he was, and always will be, a valued member.

Malcolm Wood 6294 (1953)

We were sad to hear of the news that Malcolm passed away on 20 th November 2022. He was a very popular Gordon boy and played clarinet in the school military band and later as a member of the Royal Engineers staff band.

Gregory Gillham 7274 (1970)

Gregory sadly passed away in November 2022. After leaving Gordon’s Gregory joined the Metropolitan Police and served for nearly 40 years before retiring in 2011. He was based at Buckingham Palace for many years and in the 2008 New Year’s Honours, was awarded the Royal Victoria Medal for Services to Royalty Protection. He has many fond memories and often recounted stories from his time at school.

John Bradley 5545 (1946)

We are sad to hear that John passed away on 28 th May 2022. His widow Margaret shared happy memories of them visiting on Old Boys Day and how John enjoyed playing in the band.

Michael Roberts 5975 (1950)

We were saddened to hear that Michael passed away on 6 th January 2023. He often spoke about the benefits of being at Gordon Boys’ School and went on to be a Press Photographer. Mrs Roberts told us how he loved birds and being outside and on his school report there was a reference to bird watching.

Steve Davis 7930 (1980)

Steve Davis sadly passed away on 6th April 2023. Steve was a much valued member of the Gordonian Runners in particular and will be very much missed by all. Semper Fidelis.

REMEMBERING PATRICK AND PAULINE QUIGLEY

Glen

Glen sadly passed away on 5 th December 2022. Mrs Knox and their daughter Jade shared lovely memories of Glen and told us how he often spoke of his time at school where he enjoyed playing the drums.

Their son, Julian, has written about his parents’ time at Gordon’s between 1974 – 1997. Together with their two other children, Brent and Kirsten, he spent many years living on-site at Gordon’s which became their family home.

‘My Dad, Patrick Quigley, Housemaster of Khartoum (now Balmoral) from 1980 – 1997, as well as History and English teacher from 1974 until his retirement in 1997, died on 9 th February 2023.

Sadly, my Mum, Pauline, who helped in the boarding house and with make-up/costume for pantos and shows, as well as teaching many boys the piano, also died recently, on 27th August 2022.

Many Gordonians have been in touch to offer sympathy and very kind words – for which my brother, Brent, my sister, Kirsten, and I are grateful.

The overwhelming tale of these messages has been how many boys thought my Dad appeared stern at first, before he won them over with fairness and understanding and a knowing sense of humour. Personally, I lost count of how many times I heard boys returning after leaving school and saying, “Your dad was hard when we were here, but I realise now what an excellent teacher and a great bloke he is”.

And, you know what? He was so proud of so many of his students. He and Mum took pride in simply getting some of them through hard times (homesickness hits hard!) or preparing them for life beyond Gordon’s - and also in hearing how well so many did after leaving school. (Almost as much pride as he took in reminding us of abseiling without a safety line on a field trip where Health and Safety was obviously an afterthought!)

Dad was a keen competitor. He liked his teams to win the House cups partly for the bragging rights but also because he knew that the time spent and memories created in winning together would help forge experiences that could be taken and used elsewhere. How often the cry of, “My young daughter could have done better than that!” drove boys on to fulfilling their potential on the playing fields.

He and Mum were a team: organising school trips behind the Iron Curtain to cold war Moscow and Leningrad (as it was) or stoking a keen interest in history for many boys on trips to World War battlefields in Europe, or, indeed, helping so many to thrive in sometimes unforgiving circumstances, miles away from home. They loved their time at GBS.

It is with huge sadness we shared the news that Arthur passed away in March 2023.

We will miss them. And we take heart in hearing that so many others will too.’

Knox 7809 (1976)

Arthur Anderson 5880 (1950)

UPCOMING EVENTS:

JUNE 2023

• Friday 9 th Business Networking Breakfast Sports Hub Café

• Saturday 10 th

Patron’s Parade

JULY 2023

• Saturday 1 st

Annual Parade & Gordonian Memorial Service

SEPTEMBER 2023

• Monday 4 th

Gordonian vs Staff Netball and Football Tournament

• Saturday 24 th

Gordonian Tours of School

OCTOBER 2023

• Sunday 15 th Parade & Chapel Service

NOVEMBER 2023

• Sunday 12th

Remembrance Parade

• Tuesday 21 st

Gordon’s School Careers Fair (tbc)

DECEMBER 2023

• Saturday 2 nd Christmas Fair

• Thursday 14th

Carol Service and Afternoon Tea

ANNUAL PARADE AND GORDONIAN REUNION 2023:

On Saturday 1 st July we are thrilled to welcome back Gordonians. The Gordonian Memorial Service will be held in the Chapel followed by the School’s Annual Parade. Gordonians who RSVP will be entitled to a free drink and there is also an option to book a picnic lunch. To let us know you’re attending or to book your lunch please do so via www.gordons.school/boxoffice

It’s always a great event with over 100 Gordonians visiting, so do come along!

KEEP

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Arrival from 10:00am: Registration and refreshments at the Library

11:00am: Gordonian Memorial Service (Chapel of St Edward the Confessor)

12:00: Gordonian Marquee open for Picnic lunches* and Drinks *picnic lunches must be Pre-ordered - Order your picnic box online before 22/06/23 www.gordons.school/boxo ce

CALEDONIAN CLUB

The Caledonian Club offers Gordonians aged 18-25 a discounted rate of £500 for membership during this age group. A private members club, offering the perfect base for London workers to socialise and network. Gordonians who wish to apply for this membership need to do so with a written reference from the current Head of School. Please email gordonians@gordons.school for more information.

GORDONIAN SCHOOL TOURS

On the day of Annual,you can wander round the outside of buildings of the School but we are so pleased to be able to offer Gordonian School Tours again on Saturday 23 rd September. You may remember we scheduled these in 2021, but were cancelled due to covid restrictions. During these tours you will be able to see inside some of our buildings and boarding houses and enjoy a picnic lunch afterwards. Please book your space at gordons.school/boxoffice

13:45: Take your seats ready for the Parade.

14:00: Annual Parade

15:30: last orders at the bar

16:00: Event Closes

THE GORDON’S LEGACY 1885 SOCIETY

Will you consider leaving a legacy and making a difference to future generations at Gordon’s School? A bequest is one of the most welcome philanthropic gifts you can make and gives the School the opportunity to honour and thank you in your lifetime and keep your connection with Gordon’s in perpetuity.

To make us aware of your bequest, or a confidential discussion please contact the Development Office development@ gordons.school or 01276 858084

MERCHANDISE!

Head to www.gordons.school/boxoffice where you can find Gordon’s Shields, Socks, Gordonian Keyrings and more!