A highly successful Gathering was held at School at the end of April, attended by 80 former students and their guests. Many were returning to School for the first time since they left and, for some, it was quite an emotional journey. For others it was a long one, with visitors coming from as far afield as South Africa, Canada, Dubai and Co Kildare in the Irish Republic. Students from as far back as 1943 and as recently as 2006 met and mingled to reminisce about their School days with former members of staff from 1958 to 2000.
After meeting for coffee at the start of the day, our visitors were invited to a presentation by staff and students in the South Room on international service projects. After lunch everyone headed over to the Chapel for coffee and a musical presentation in the newly-opened Tennant Room, before gathering outside for the traditional Gathering picture and then taking the opportunity to go on a tour of the School and visit the shop and School Archives. Particularly popular was an invitation to visit and take tea in the boarding houses.
In the evening a drinks reception was held on the South Lawn where the visitors relished the opportunity to meet and mingle with the current generation of Gordonstoun senior students and staff. The whole day was then rounded off with a Gathering Dinner and address by the Headmaster in the Aberlour House Dining Room.
We have had some fantastic feed-back from participants, some of which is reproduced below, and look forward to being able to welcome back old friends, as well as welcoming new ones, to next year's Gordonstoun Gathering.
“The day at school was fantastic, the weather the grounds buildings all were at their best. The talks from pupils, music and singing were all first class, then drinks on the south lawn (fantastic setting) before a great dinner. You really did put on a good show for us.”
“I could see that a great deal of thought and preparation had gone into the day. We were made to feel most welcome and we greatly appreciated it. I was quite apprehensive about returning to somewhere that I had loved and enjoyed. I was at the School in the immediate post-Hahn era and, whilst he and his ideals were greatly venerated, the School had lost some of its sparkle. On Saturday I felt that the school had been reinvigorated. This was apparent from the presentations, the music and in particular the way the children behaved when we had drinks with them on the South Lawn. They were confident, engaging and great ambassadors for the School.”
“I had not been back since I left in 1973 and as you can imagine I saw many changes all to my way of thinking very positive. The pupils I met were polite, enthusiastic, well spoken and confident, a real credit to the school.”
“I was mightily impressed by the International Projects presentation and by the talent and professionalism of the Music School. By far the most impressive aspect of the whole day, however, was the opportunity to meet the young people themselves. What decent, sincere, talented and friendly pupils you have. This was an uplifting experience and a privilege. Gordonstoun must be doing something very right.”
“Although we only spent a few hours there the kids had a wonderful time and came away raving about the place.”