GORDONIAN AWARDS 2020 This year’s Gordonian Award winners were selected from a number of high quality applications and a competitive peer group. The students have to submit an application form complete with references and then undergo an interview with The Deputy Head (Pastoral), The Head of department for that discipline and a senior Gordonian. These awards are highly regarded and valued within the school. The Award winners’ names are displayed on an Honours board in the dining hall. Each award, worth up to £1,000 over three years, is made directly to the students to support their development in their chosen discipline. Congratulations to our Sports Award recipient Tamara Hibbins. Tamara is a strong Athlete who represents not only the school but the County of Surrey across many sports like Running, Hockey, Netball as well as Cross Country running. The award will be used to fund sports equipment such as spiked shoes for running and possibly Psychology lessons to learn how the power of the mind can contribute to athletes developing themselves. Tamara would like to give back to the School by volunteering to help coach Sports to younger students at the School. Congratulations to our Music recipient Jason Cave. Jason plays the Violin to Grade 7 and has been part of the Strings group and the Concert band since Year 7. He enthusiastically contributes and represents Gordon’s to a high level by playing at Inter-House competitions, Parades, Concerts, Chapel Services and School productions. The award will be used to fund Piano lessons which, so far, have been self-taught. Jason aims to inspire and engage younger students to get involved in Music within his House and Gordon’s. Jason’s older brother Benjamin won the award for music in 2016.
“Semper Fidelis”
2019 WINNERS – UPDATE Last year’s winners have been busy and focused despite the lockdown and COVID-19 restrictions that have led to many of their opportunities either being cancelled or moving online.
Harvey Hewson – Sport
Harvey plays for Woking FC in his spare time along with the Gordon’s 1st XI football team. Harvey planned to use the first year’s Gordonian Award funding to attend an overseas Football camp in Amsterdam; sadly this could not take place due to COVID-19 restrictions. The grant will now be used to purchase new football boots, essential (and expensive) equipment for any football player! He hopes to use the final grant instalment, due in 2022, towards an overseas visit to the USA where he hopes to gain a Football scholarship. As for this year’s funding, any decision will be influenced by COVID-19 restrictions in terms of what it can be used for, so Harvey is waiting a little longer before he can make plans.
Ryan Knight – Drama Thanks to the first year of funding provided by the Gordonian Award for Creative Arts, Ryan spent a week in August training with the National Youth Music Theatre. Originally, the week was scheduled as a residential course at Sevenoaks School, but COVID-19 meant instead that the NYMT are providing the course via Zoom! The course is designed to work on audition technique as well as choreography, musical theatre vocals and acting. As well as group work it includes time for 1 to 1 work with industry professionals. Ryan is really grateful for the financial support provided by the Gordonian Award and has continued his hard work – even during lockdown, school closure and the summer holidays.
The Gordonian
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