Dear Gattonian,
 
On behalf of the Gatton Association committee, may I thank you in advance for the support that you have offered the Association in years past, and we sincerely hope that such support will continue into the future.

It is with great pleasure that I write another introduction for this edition of the Gattonian.  For a number of years, The Gattonian has been a very useful vehicle for imparting information to the wider family who once resided in Gatton Park. Of course, Gatton Park is now a focal point for “family gatherings”, but it is important to be mindful of the fact there are older Gattonians who will have fond memories of Maitland Park, Collingwood Court and Bishopswood Camp.

Indeed it would be very remiss of me to think of the Gatton Family as having its roots in Gatton Park. The family, as we are all aware, is much older than when the Royal Alexandra and Albert School was born, and existed before the School called Jeremiah Colman's Gatton Park "home". Indeed  "home" has been in different locations and has given Gattonians many memories and tales to relate of boarding days gone by. Of course, now with the evolution of the School, tales in the future will be told by Boarders and Flexi Boarders, the latter being local school children who only board 7-10 per year. The Gatton Family and all the relations has certainly grown!
 
In other introductory messages, I have quite often mentioned two key members of the School’s Marketing and Admissions Department, Helen Pollard and Sefora Dias. Their names will be familiar to many of you if you have enquired about Gattonian business, visits to the school or general information about the day to day business of the School. These two key personnel, as many of you will know, have provided invaluable professional help to the Gatton Association and have been hugely instrumental in the ongoing development and growth of the Association. They have kept members informed of any events, provide a listening ear for those who wish to suggest any ideas, and act as very valuable intermediaries between your good selves and those who wish to move the Association forward.

At this point, I would like to introduce you to another member of the Marketing and Admissions team, Rebecca Fitch-Carpenter, who will also be lending a professional and positive hand in matters relating to the Gatton Association. I am sure that you will all wish to endorse my very warm welcome to Rebecca.
 
I must also state at this point that such help, which has been so invaluable, has been willingly made available by the School and therefore a huge thank you needs to be offered to Headmaster, Mark Dixon. Mark, as many of you will know, is a very active supporter of the Association, and it is through his good offices that help of the three latterly named ladies allow us to move from strength to strength.
 
I can hear the thought processes whirring as many of you are reading this introduction! Is he going to mention anything that is going to happen this year and beyond!?
 
Yes, my friends, we are indeed looking to the future and offering a variety of Gatton related things to do and activities for the forthcoming year. Activities and things to do that will draw many us together on certain days and certain events. Activities that will involve further evolution of the Association and will draw you nearer to the development of the School. There will be actvities, because of technological innovation, making communication and on-going relationships with OG members easier, more regular and hopefully more fruitful. Of course, activities that will allow us at certain times of the year to come together, both young and old, to share in friendship and companionship in the lovely surroundings of Gatton Park.
 
I think 2020 will be a positive and fruitful 12 months for the Gatton Association family
 
Cheers
Benny