Cadets out in force for CCF Field Days at Portsmouth and Hampshire. Royal Navy and Air Force Cadets visited the historic dockyard, enjoying a harbour tour by boat where they saw aircraft carriers; frigates and destroyers. They boarded both the Mary Rose and HMS Victory, which offered a fascinating insight into past and modern practices. Army Cadets were at Longmoor Camp where they fired SA80 GP rifles and all qualified for Army Camp in Scotland in the Summer.

Football champs! Fun for over 40 students taking part in ‘Empire Games’, an internal competition with the emphasis on participation and enjoyment. The weekly Empire Games allows students of all abilities to discover and develop their talents in different sporting disciplines on Saturday mornings in a school tournament.

Triple success in the National Schools Golf competition at Crowborough Beacon GC for Gordon’s in the scratch, stableford and team events. Zach Mathews clinched the scratch tournament with a -1 round of 71 by two shots with Ben Lovell finishing runner up with a +1 round 73. In the stableford, Gordon’s came first (Jamie McNeil with 43 points), second (Will Unsworth 42 points), third (Cameron Moulsdale 40 points) and fourth with seven golfers making the top ten. And in the team stableford, the boys in green came away with first,  second, fourth and eighth places. With just three more events and many golfers now qualifying for the national finals, the school looks set to have a record breaking field at the end of the season.

Three new personal bests for Ned Hewson in Sunday’s Surrey Half Marathon! The former Head Boy, who is in training for the Brighton Marathon on 6^th April, is now averaging 31.4km a week in readiness for the big day and has reached his fundraising target for mental health charity MIND of 2025!

The 17 year old, who will run the marathon shortly after his 18^th birthday, set the following pbs on Sunday in the 21.3km course, which he completed in 1:38:55 - 15km (1:09:46); ten miles (1:15:03); 20km (1:33:51). He said: “With one month to go until the marathon we have officially reached my target of £2025. I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has donated and supported my training. It has now been 5 weeks since I set up my just giving page and have managed to run 178.26km, averaging 31.4km a week”.

Donations towards his fundraising for MIND can still be made here.

Thousands of pounds were raised for bursaries for students at a glittering evening hosted by the Girdlers’ Company at Girdlers’ Hall in London. The event, in this the school’s 140th anniversary year, attended by Gordon Foundation Trustees, Governors, staff, parents and supporters of the school, included a live and silent auction with many of those present generously donating items, services and events.

Head of Careers, British soprano Augusta Kennedy, a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music performed for guests and was part of the live auction, offering to sing at a dinner party or event of the highest bidder’s choice! She raised £1,100 for bursaries! Other donations included a flying lesson, polo, golf and stays in Cornwall and Guernsey and a Eurostar break.

Angus Maitland Master of the Girdlers’ Company, spoke of the livery company’s support for Gordon’s bursary students stretching back some 40 years and past and present students described the opportunities their bursaries had given them.

Lieutenant General Richard Cripwell, Chairman of the Gordon Foundation Trustees declared that they were “…enormously important. They change lives”.

Donations to the school’s bursary fund can be made here.