Across the College, our pupils, staff and the wider Gordonian community are celebrating the Royal Coronation through various events this week. We were delighted to speak to former pupil, Sandy Manson who is participating in the official Coronation on Saturday.  

Nursery 

During their outdoor sessions at Countesswells this week, our youngest pupils held their own afternoon tea, ‘Cake for the King’. They had a wonderful time eating some sweet treats with their ‘royal’ visitors, Charles and Camilla. 

Can you guess who is behind the mask?

The children have also been getting crafty in their specialist art sessions with Miss Holdsworth by creating royal themed bunting. Crafting the decorations with union jack paper and string, they had a brilliant time decorating the nursery garden just in time for the weekend's celebrations. 

Junior School

Meanwhile in the Junior School, our pupils have been creating memories for future Robert Gordon’s College pupils with time capsules. Each pupil has produced written pieces describing what it is like to be in their classes, year groups and things that they particularly enjoy in school.  The time capsules will be opened in the year 2100 by future pupils and archivists, sharing insight into what the Junior School was like in 2023. 

In anticipation of the upcoming Royal Coronation, Primary 1 pupils, alongside their Primary 5 buddies, participated in a colourful crafting session. Using paper plates and decorative jewels, the pupils had a fantastic time creating royal carriages fit for a King and Queen.

During their specialist art timetable, Primary 5 pupils have been creating fantastic collaborations as part of The Tower of London Schools Coronation Competition. Working together on different sheets of paper, the pupils created fantastic works of art showing King Charles III, the Crown Jewels and also a Union Jack flag. 

A Coronation Lunch menu competition was held across the Junior School with over 80 entries submitted. The Junior School Pupil Council along with Inspire Catering judged the entries. Congratulations to the following winners:

• ‘Royal Tomato Soup’ - Elsbeth (P4)

• ‘Coronation Chicken Burger with Coronation Sauce’ - Lyle (P6)

• ‘Happy and Glorious Gnocchi’ - Aled (P5)

• King Charles Coronation Quiche - Collectively chosen by Junior School

• Cornetto Ice Cream - Provided by the RGC Parents Association

On Friday 5 May, our Junior School enjoyed their Coronation Lunch in the Thomas Mackie Dining Hall and also at Countesswells. A great time was had by all and the pupil designed menu went down a treat

Some of our younger Junior School pupils reflected on meeting King Charles III and Queen Camilla on 21 September 2021 when they opened the newly refurbished Aberdeen Art Gallery. Excited Primary 1 pupils waved RGC flags and chatted with them before cheering them off into the gallery. 

Senior School

In the Senior School some of our pupils hosted a music concert in honour of the Coronation. 

‘The Crowning Concert’, held in the Senior School Library, saw pupils from across the Senior School gather to watch a number of fantastic musical performances from six of our S5 and S6 pupils. The afternoon started with a traditional reading from Mr Clement, Head of Senior School Library before moving onto the performances, some which were accompanied by Mr Pearson, Assistant Head of Music. 

Each musician performed a solo, showcasing music from a number of composers such as Handel, Finzi, Elgar and Purcell. Well done to Caitlin, Ishbel, Chengong, Megan, Isabella and Mhairi. 

In October 2022, Daisy (S6) Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet attended an event where King Charles met refugee families from Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan who have settled in Aberdeen. 

Daisy reflects: "Attending the event where King Charles welcomed the refugees to Aberdeen was an insight to the unique and historic relationship between Aberdeen and the Monarchy. I am looking foraward to honouring His Majesty and his connection to the city further at the upcoming Aberdeen coronation ceremony."

Alumni 

Sandy Manson, Class of '79, Lord-Lieutenant for Aberdeenshire, spoke to Mrs Lee as he boarded a flight to London for the official Coronation. Recognising the affinity Their Majesties have with Aberdeenshire and reflecting on his school days, Sandy shared:  “It is enormously exciting and a huge honour to be attending the Coronation and the pageantry and the history will be like nothing I have ever witnessed before in my life.

“It will be an incredibly special day for us all but particularly for Their Majesties. They really are two remarkable people and in Aberdeenshire we are very fortunate to enjoy such a close relationship with Their Majesties where they are so supportive and engaged with the local communities.

“I well remember that legendary music teacher at school, Douglas Tees, telling us all about the significance of that stunning piece of music by Handel, Zadok The Priest, and how it was played at Coronations. I recall wondering then when I might hear it played at a Coronation and roll on 50 years and that momentous moment is almost upon us.

“After the Coronation I am heading back north to spend Sunday at some of the many Coronation celebrations throughout Aberdeenshire and it’s great to see how many towns and villages have parties planned as well as various activities organised for The Big Help Out on Monday.

“God Save The King.”