The chance to not only play netball in South Africa and see the sights of Cape Town, but also watch the Vitality Roses win a silver medal at the Netball World Cup, for our netball players. Trips to Boulders Beach, Cape Point and Seal Island were included in their packed itinerary, as was helping in the kindergarten of the Goedgedacht Trust, a programme seeking to transform the chances of children in rural communities. 

More wins for Gordon’s Boat Club in the Staines Regatta, with a double success for Mimi in the Womens' Single Scull events in both the 850m and 500m. In the Open Double Sculls 850m, Ben and Tom triumphed in the J15 and Charlie and Robbie in the J14. Great performances all round, with finalists in other events, ending a fantastic season.

Determined to leave a lasting legacy at Gordon’s, in the form of bagpipes, School Bursar Susan Meikle has achieved this, raising not only enough money for one set of pipes, but for five! Mrs Meikle, who retires at the end of August after 11 years at Gordon’s, had twice tandem-jumped out of an aeroplane to raise funds for school projects but the challenge of mastering the chanter and passing the Level 2 of the Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board was her biggest test to date. Since November, she has been attending weekly lessons on the chanter (the part of the bagpipe used to create a melody), spurred on by sponsorship by parents, students, staff and friends of the School. Now, as well as passing her exam, she has learned that £2,515 has been raised – enough to buy five new sets of bagpipes for use by the school’s pipers. Mrs Meikle said: "This was an unusual challenge to set myself but one that I am proud to have achieved, particularly encouraged by such generous donations for which I thank everyone most sincerely. The Pipe Band is an iconic aspect of Gordon’s and I now have some understanding of their hard work and commitment".

Congratulations to U14s cricketer Hridaan Kohli, who has been awarded a Bedser Scholarship. The leg spinning all-rounder, who turns out for Valley End Cricket Club; Twenty20 Community Cricket Academy; Gordon’s for the U14s and the First XI Team (as well as training at the MCC Hub!) is one of six children aged between 8 and 16 years old from Woking schools who have been identified as having the potential to become performance cricketers.  

The 138th Annual Parade and Prize Giving ended the academic year on a high, with a whole-school Parade on the Front Field. The Guest of Honour and Inspecting Officer was the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey and Vice President of Gordon Foundation, Michael More-Molyneux. Mr More-Molyneux told assembled parents, students and staff: “I have now been visiting Gordon’s for over 20 years and I still go away feeling better than when I arrive. There is an energy, enthusiasm, interest and excitement about the school”.

The Parade, led by the school Sergeant Major Sophie Bodell, marched on behind the Pipes and Drums playing Piobaireachd of Donald Dubh. 

Mr More-Molyneaux also presented prizes including House cups. Two new cups, the Steve Monk Cups, in memory of Steve Monk, a former Director of Sport at Gordon’s for 20 years by his granddaughter, Gordonian Carys Monk were presented to the winning girls’ and boys’ Houses - Buckingham and Victoria.

The Scottish traditional song of farewell ‘Parting Glass’, dedicated to the school Bursar Susan Meikle, who retires after 11 years at Gordon’s, brought the proceedings to a wonderful finale.

Flying the flag for England today in Portugal, Betty Walden, who is taking part in the Opening Ceremony of the Dance World Cup, before competing on Sunday and Monday. Betty will perform in two categories, ballet and acrobatics, in what is the largest all-genre international competition for children and young adults, attracting competitors from over 60 nations. Wishing her the best of luck!