A new chapter in Gordon's history as a signwriter changes the boards on the perimeter of the school to reflect the new Patron, His Majesty King Charles. HM King Charles accepted the Patronage of the school this month and becomes Gordon’s ninth Royal Patron, continuing an unbroken line of Sovereign Patrons since Queen Victoria in 1885.
A win against Eton College has secured Gordon’s a place in the SWIFTS HMC National Final – for the fifth time in the past six years! Team Gordon’s were playing a considerably stronger side (joint team handicaps before play were Gordon’s 39 shots over par v Eton College ten, giving a 29 shot difference in team handicaps to Eton College) at Worplesdon Golf Club. The first match, Ben and Sophie went to the 20th hole and the match was finally conceded having shot a joint one over par 72. Max and Lewy won on the 14th green shooting a joint 73, two over par. And Zach and Fraser shot a fantastic 74, three over par to win, having been three down after three holes! Congratulations all!
A chance for GCSE Art and Photography students to show their exceptional talents last night at an exhibition of their work. Thought-provoking and striking, the pieces were testament to the hard work and creativity of these students. Congratulations to all the students on their creations. Here is just a small selection of artworks exhibited:
Commemorating 130 years since the opening of the School Chapel of St Edward the Confessor. The Chapel is dedicated to the Duke of Clarence and Avondale, the Prince of Wales’ eldest son and a supporter of the Gordon Boys’ Home, who died in a flu epidemic in 1892. The building was instigated by Queen Victoria and among those attending the opening ceremony, led by the Bishop of Winchester on May 21st 1894 was the Prince of Wales and General Gordon’s youngest sister Helen Moffitt. Today the School Chaplain, the Reverend Graham Wright held special commemorative Services in the Chapel for students. In which he spoke about the history of the chapel and boys’ home. As part of the commemorations, the plaque on the wall of the Chapel has been renovated.
Congratulations to all our students, confirmed on Sunday by the Bishop of Dorking, the Right Reverend Paul Davies in the School Chapel. Afterwards the youngest and oldest candidates cut a celebratory cake in the Library.
Life in the Sixth Form annexe in one of the boarding Houses, depicted in a painting by Art Scholar Oluwatosin Osinibi, has been selected by the Royal Academy of Arts for their online Young Artists Exhibition this Summer. Oluwatosin’s A2 oil painting ‘Echoes of Presence’ shows three self portraits of the Year 12 student, socialising online, drawing, and working in her bedroom. Currently studying A Levels in Art, Physics and Maths, Oluwatosin created the painting during her 1:1 scholar sessions and it is one of 500 selected from 21,500 submissions. She said: “At that point in time I was doing a lot of self-portraits and I wanted to do something that explored my identity and who I am in one picture”.
Some of the Confirmation Candidates together with the School Chaplain, the Reverend Graham Wright in the beautiful grounds of Loseley Park, where they spent time reflecting, Bible study and Holy Communion prior to their Confirmation on Sunday. The Bishop of Dorking, the Right Reverend Paul Davies will Confirm the students in the School Chapel. Sending all the candidates warm wishes for Sunday.
As well as the spectacular scenery of Dartmoor, Team Gordon’s, competing in the Ten Tors challenge, were also treated to a magnificent display of Northern Lights as they camped out under canvas during the two day event. The six students joined over two thousand others in students in teams of six spent two days on Dartmoor competing in the Ten Tors Challenge, walking either 35, 45 or 55 miles depending on their age. The Gordon’s boys completed their 35 miles in just over 19 hours!
A taste of life at Oxford University for Year 10 students, who experienced a day in the life of a student in Brasenose College. A tour of the College, with its cobbled streets and limestone edifices was followed by lunch at High Table. Undergraduates from the college talked about entry requirements, life and study at Oxford and there was an opportunity to enjoy a handling session of various species in the majestic Natural History Museum. The day gave students an insight into what Oxbridge life is about and may have sown the seed for future endeavours.
Delighted that His Majesty King Charles has accepted the Patronage of Gordon’s, continuing the tradition of the reigning Sovereign’s Patronage since Queen Victoria became its first Patron in 1885.
Gordon’s was chosen after an analysis of over 1,000 patronages held by the late Queen and the news comes as Their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla mark the first anniversary of their Coronation.
The late Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the late Duke of Edinburgh attended the school’s centenary celebrations in 1985 and unveiled a plaque to commemorate the visit, and together with Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, generously donated to the Centenary Appeal Fund, which raised over £300,000 to modernise school buildings.
While HM King Charles has not visited Gordon’s, his brother the Duke of Edinburgh last came to the school in January 2023 to open the new Sports Hub.
Every year the students, led by the school’s iconic Pipes and Drums Band, honours its Sovereign Patron with its Patron’s Parade in June (pictured below is last year’s Patron’s Parade). This year’s Patron’s Parade on Saturday 8th June promises to be a particularly special occasion.
Gordon’s Headmaster Andrew Moss said: “We are honoured and delighted that His Majesty King Charles has accepted the Patronage of Gordon’s and is continuing this historical tradition. We look forward to welcoming our new Sovereign Patron to the school in the future”.
Winners of the British Schools and Colleges National Nett Competition – for the second year in a row! The Gordon’s team of Zach Mathews, Fraser Brammall, Charlotte Jean and Max MacDonald scored 447 at Belton Woods Golf Club to come out on top with runners-up Itchen in second place on 452. Congratulations all!
Hours of shoe polishing and ironing and days of drill rehearsals in lunch and break times culminated in one of the school's most coveted Inter-House events, the Longmoor Drill Competition. Even the rain failed to dampen the professionalism and precision of those taking part. The judges from Pirbright Army Training Centre, Captain Edmund Peppiatt, WO2 Keiran Cunningham and WO1 Robert Wiseman voted Sandringham House as winners, for the second year running and Kensington House. Congratulations both!
