Gordonian Awards

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. 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.

Harriet Turk (nee McGuire) (2008) Augusta.

Harriet joins the Development team and is responsible for Database Management and supporting the wider team including Gordonian activities. Harriet’s fondest memories of Gordon’s are the Year 7 camp and the Inter-House competitions. Her favourite subject was Geography. Harriet (left) is pictured with her sister Alice McGuire (2004) Augusta (right). Good Luck Harriet!

Chloe Dunne (2017) China.

Chloe is a Hockey Coach. Chloe’s fondest memories of Gordon’s are playing hockey and netball. She says ‘I loved the bus journeys to and from the matches singing at the top of our lungs! When asked why she wanted to come back to work at Gordon’s she says ‘The sports facilities and standard of sport has improved over the years and I was excited to be a part of Gordon’s sport again’ Thank you Chloe! Chloe (left) is pictured with her sister Amy Dunne (2013) who is also a teacher at the school.

Charlotte Winckley (2010) Windsor.

Charlotte is a Maths Teacher and Deputy Head of Windsor House. Charlotte’s favourite subjects were Maths and Science. She says ‘I enjoy being back in an atmosphere that feels so natural to me. In particular I was really looking forward to working in Windsor House. This was the House that I was in as a student and I still very much feel like I am a “Windsor Girl” through and through. I really enjoy and appreciate all of the extra aspects that Gordon’s offers to students. As an adult I can see the “finished product” of these extra experiences and the skills and mind-set that they give you.’ Thank you Charlotte! (Picture 2 is Charlotte on a Duke of Edinburgh expedition with school)

Simon Carr (2017) Khartoum.

Simon is a Sports Coach; he Coaches and Umpires Hockey along with assisting the Rugby team with strength and conditioning and helping provide recovery with Sports Massage. His fondest memories of Gordon’s are representing the School at different sport fixtures. He says ‘my favourite subject was P.E. with Mr King, Mr Harrison and Mrs King. Can’t beat “Cake Friday” with Mr King. ‘Ever since I left Gordon’s in 2017 The Physical Education department have been so supportive. Each year I have gained more responsibility and have taken up more coaching. In recent years the development of Sports at Gordon’s has gone from strength to strength, especially with the new Sports Hub’. After completing the Sports Science Degree at UCF (University Centre Farnborough) – achieving a 2:1, Simon is now studying a Masters in Physiotherapy at St Mary’s University. Thank you Simon!

Victoria Howard-Andrews (2016) Augusta.

Victoria is undertaking her School-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) here in Drama. This follows last year as a graduate assistant in Windsor. Some of her fondest memories revolved around the Arts at Gordon’s; doing shows, concerts and tours. She says ‘I could never pick my favourite subject (a problem I still face!) but from school to present day my passions still include Music & Drama and Biology. I had loads of fun in the House too, both as a day and a boarding student’ Good Luck Victoria! (Picture 2 Victoria staring in ‘Coram Boy’ in 2016)

Ellie is a Sports Coach, coaching Hockey and in the future, Netball. Her fondest memories of Gordon’s are the sports fixtures and the hockey tours ranging from Cheltenham to Amsterdam! She says ‘My favourite subject was Biology with Ms. Ali or P.E. trying out all the sports on offer. I wanted to come to work at Gordon’s as I was really impressed with the expansion of the Sports department in terms of facilities and new staff members!’ Thank you Ellie!

Mike Wheeler (2005) Khartoum.

Mike is not so new to the School; he started teaching here as a peripatetic music tutor about 8/9 years ago for a couple of days a week. He is now a fully fledged member of staff teaching the Highland Snare Drum. Mike’s favourite subjects were English, Music, Drama and DT and his fondest memories of Gordon’s were taking part in the various shows and concerts. He says ‘Gordon’s is a unique school which values every aspect of student life, from academic achievement right through to facilitating social time and stimulating activities for the enrichment of their students’ school life. It is a great feeling to be able to pay that forward to the current students at the school and that is what I am looking forward to doing most’. Thank you Mike!

Amy Dunne (2013) Windsor.

Amy is a Biology teacher, but also teaches Chemistry and Physics. Some of her fondest memories of Gordon’s are spending time with friends, playing volleyball on the front field in the summer and completing her Duke of Edinburgh award. She says ‘I really enjoyed Science and DT at school. It is a brilliant school and I loved my time when I was here, when the job was advertised I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to teach here’ Thank you Amy!

Robbie Olden (2011) Sandringham.

Robbie is Director of Drama. His work experience at Gordon’s began while he was doing his teacher training qualifications. Robbie’s fondest memories of Gordon’s are life in Sandringham House as a full boarder and House Captain. His favourite subjects were Drama and English Literature. His great memories from boarding and school life were what drew him to come back and be a teacher at Gordon’s. (Robbie is pictured playing ‘Fagin’ in ‘Oliver!’ when he was in Year 13 (2011)) Thank you Robbie for all you are doing!

Maddie (Madeleine) Basnett (2016) Augusta.

Maddie joins the Design & Technology (DT) department as a Technician. Maddie’s fondest memories of Gordon’s were the sports and being able to make such a tight knit group of friends that she’s still in contact with. Her favourite subject and department was DT. She says ‘When I was at school I had teachers who really helped me with figuring out what I wanted to do so the chance to also help students will be so rewarding, the Gordon’s bubble is a place where you feel so comfortable so when the chance arose after leaving Uni to come back for a while it seemed like a no-brainer’ Maddie (right) is pictured with Beth (Bethany) Jones (2018) Windsor (left). Good Luck Maddie!

Betty Dempster (2017) Augusta.

Betty is the Graduate Pastoral Tutor for Windsor House. Betty’s favourite memories were playing Hockey and being House Captain. She says ‘I loved being at Gordon’s School. When I finished my Criminology Degree at Bristol University and I saw this job advertised I knew it was the perfect opportunity for me to gain valuable experience working with and supporting young people’ Thank you Betty!