On Saturday, 28 September, the Academy celebrated its first-ever Founders Day as part of a year-long series of events marking the school’s 125th anniversary of Transforming Life Chances.
The school, which is a proud member of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, is passionate about providing a quality education and learning environment to the families it serves across the community.
To mark this occasion, the event featured an array of activities, including stalls, bouncy castles, games, food vans, face painting and performances from current children, including their choir and band.
The event also included a special exhibition, developed in partnership with Medway Archives, which showcased 125 years of Gordon Children’s Academy’s rich history. Visitors explored photos, articles and memorabilia that brought the school’s past to life for both current and former pupils. Visitors were also invited to explore the school, take a digital tour through QR codes, and immerse themselves in the daily life of Gordons Children’s Academy.
A particularly touching moment occurred when Sue Barnard, aged 82 and a former pupil of the school, found herself in a vintage school photo on display in the exhibition.
The Medway Archive Centre played an integral part in supporting the event, bringing along three historic maps of the area dating back to the 1860s, the original school log book (1893-1923), and retained documents detailing the school’s centenary celebrations and early timetables. They also presented a unique historical story about former pupil Frank Goldsmith, whose family were aboard the Titanic, further connecting the school to Medway’s rich maritime history.
The Founders Day event is just the start of Gordons Children’s Academy commemorations. Over the coming terms, the children will participate in lessons focused on pupils been and gone, construct time capsules, and create commemorative mosaics for the playground. The pupil-designed mosaics will be unveiled by the Mayor and Mayoress of Medway during the school's Christmas Fair on 20 December.
Deputy Headteacher of Gordons Children’s Academy, Ella Martin, expressed her joy over the event:
“It was fantastic to celebrate such an incredible milestone with our families at Gordon Children’s Academy. We are lucky to be part of a school with such rich history, and it was lovely to meet so many past pupils and hear about Gordon’s past, while sharing with them what it is like today. We are looking forward to continue celebrating with the community this year.”
Executive Headteacher and Regional Deputy Director for Thinking Schools Academy Trust, Kirstie Jones, said:
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate Gordon’s 125-year legacy with our community. This milestone is not only a reflection of the school’s history and culture but also of the strong bonds we strive to build with generations of families. It’s inspiring to see past and present pupils come together to honour our past while looking forward to the future.
“The school extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Medway Archive Centre and the PTA for their support in making this celebration possible. Their continued dedication helps transform the life chances of our children.”
The anniversary has provided a special opportunity for the school to reconnect with families that have passed through the doors of Gordons Children’s Academy over the years. With many current students descended from former pupils, the celebrations held deep significance for the community.