Today, the Robert Gordon’s community celebrated our founder, Robert Gordon and the significant contribution the school makes to Aberdeen and the North-east of Scotland.
Walking back through the school gates to the sounds of the pipes and drums, we were delighted to welcome Jackie Frary, Class of ‘05, who delivered the Junior School Oration in MacRobert Hall and the Senior School Oration for pupils in S2-S6 in the Kirk of St Nicholas. Claire Tocher from the Class of ‘02 took on the honour of serving as the S1 Founder’s Day Orator, speaking to pupils in the theatre of the Craig Centre for Performing Arts.
Mrs Tulloch, Head of Junior School, opened the Junior School service. Mr Macpherson then shared a memorial to Robert Gordon, and the congregation joined in song. Mrs Tulloch welcomed Jackie to the stage. Charlotte D (P7) read a prayer, and the service closed with a song, followed by Larry P (P7) piping out the platform party. Jackie then hosted a Q&A with Primary 7 in the Junior School Lecture Theatre.
Returning to Aberdeen from her home in Cardiff, Jackie, Senior Project Manager at Smith Institute, highlighted that her career in the world of augmented reality, AI, and machine learning did not exist when she was in school. Her role in the tech sector enables teams of tech companies to overcome global challenges of hiring talented people into new roles that expand and adapt as the pace of technology evolves. After leaving the gates of Robert Gordon’s, Jackie initially went on to study Innovative Product Design at Duncan of Jordonston in Dundee before moving into the Oil and Gas industry. She has since worked in new technology and research and development for global projects at Dyson and has a strong interest in STEM subjects and their promotion. She developed a love for sport during her time at school and continues to compete in international competitions. Travelling to the Ironman World Championship triathlon in France, Jackie made a quick stop at her old school.
Cameron is first recipient of the Founder's Day Bagpipes
Jackie inspired junior pupils with reflections on her time at school, highlighting: “One thing Robert Gordon’s College and my parents taught me was to be curious and ask questions. Explore what you’re interested in and let your imagination run wild, because the future is there to be shaped and you’re all part of it. How you get to the future will not be a straight line. And that’s ok, because you can always change paths, you can choose and decide if something isn’t right for you. There are always opportunities out there to suit you and your special skills and talents. One of the great things about going to Gordon’s is the offer of all the clubs and activities like sport, arts and music, there is something that suits you so if you’re interested, try it out.”
The Pipe Band then led the S2-S6 procession down Schoolhill and along Back Wynd to the Kirk of St Nicholas. Hosting the formal proceedings, Rev Duncan Eddie welcomed the congregation followed by a tribute to Robert Gordon by Mr Macpherson, Head of College, and readings by School Captains, Isabella and Michael. Jackie was joined by her parents, Neil and Jiurie Frary, and school friend, Sarah McKay for the formal oration. A classical performance by the Chamber Choir preceded the remaining official parts of the service.
Jackie spoke of the founding principle that a Robert Gordon’s College education should be available to any child, regardless of family income, and how a bursary supported her senior education at Robert Gordon’s. She proudly shared: “Without the Robert Gordon’s bursary programme, I would not be the person I am today or be standing here, talking to you about the life enhancing experience of being a Gordonian. I am so passionate about the bursary programme that I donate monthly to the London bursary fund, in the hope that someone else can receive the fantastic education and opportunities provided by the College as I did.
“The values, principles and opportunities at Robert Gordon’s are going to help and equip you for whatever that journey looks like for you, as they have for me. My closing message is be the best YOU can be. That will look different for all of us and be unique to you. Embrace that, be passionate about what you’re interested in, practice kindness and grab those good weather windows when you get the chance.”
Claire Tocher, S1 Orator Jackie Frary, Junior Orator and S2-S6 Orator
Back at Schoolhill, pipers and drummers processed S1 pupils to The Craig Centre for Performing Arts, where Claire Tocher, Head of Global HR Solutions at activpayroll and Director for Scotland at British Powerlifting, delivered the oration for the S1 Founder’s Day service. Having left the College in 2002, Claire went on to study English Literature at University of Aberdeen and has been working in Human Resources for the last 15 years. Claire discovered powerlifting by chance in 2015, and entered her first competition in 2016. She has since represented Scotland and Team GB internationally and was Commonwealth Champion in 2019. While she continues to compete as an athlete, she has also moved into a sports leadership role, being elected as the first female Chair of Scottish Powerlifting in 2022 and appointed to the Board of Directors of British Powerlifting, the National Governing Body, in 2024.
Claire travelled back to Aberdeen from her home in Edinburgh and was accompanied by her parents, Vince and Susan Tocher, along with school friend, Michelle Cutmore. A performance from the S1 Choir opened the service. Mr Shearer, Head of History, shared a memorial to Robert Gordon, which was followed by a reading from Annika S and guitar duet performed by S1 pupils Max G and Oliver P. Claire delivered the S1 Founder’s Day Oration, and closing the service, Mrs Hardie, Head of S1, thanked Claire for sharing her journey and invited everyone to sing.
A clearly planned path took an unexpected turn when Claire realised physiotherapy was not for her. Claire shared: “Saying yes has categorically changed the direction of my life. At the core of that, was a shift change – from saying no because I knew best, to saying yes – not because others knew better, but because saying yes is a risk that sometimes you have to take.
“I went back to university and studied English. When I graduated, I said yes to a temporary office job. I said yes to as many other responsibilities. That opened what has been a 15-year career in HR management with global businesses - something I would never have imagined at 17.
“Saying yes to sport was harder. When something is difficult, the easy thing is to avoid it. Being physically active is so important for so many things, not just your body but your mental health, your sense of wellness and wellbeing, and your sense of self-belief. Despite saying no to the gym for 10 years, it was time to take a risk and say yes to getting a personal trainer. That yes became the most important commitment to my life and opened up the next decade: yes to barbells, yes to a powerlifting competition, yes to national championships, yes to the Scotland Commonwealth Powerlifting team, yes to Team GB, yes to helping the committee that managed the competitions in Scotland, yes to becoming the Chair of Scottish Powerlifting, and yes to becoming Director for Scotland in British Powerlifting. At one competition, I was asked to cover the speaker role once I finished lifting. I was then recommended to Eurosport. Now, when I'm not training, competing, or running the federation, or working my day job, I travel the world announcing at World Championships and international events.
“So, if I can say anything to you now, that you might hopefully remember beyond today, it’s this: Just. Say. Yes.”
As the S2-S6 congregation returned to Schoolhill, and the S1 service concluded in the Craig Centre, the Robert Gordon’s College Pipe Band and Highland Dancers performed in front of the Auld Hoose. Orators, guests and staff, then gathered in the Thomas Mackie Dining Hall where Kevin Reynard, Chairman of Governors, delivered a ‘Vote of Thanks’ to our orators.
Robin Macpherson, Head of College, summarised: “We extend our heartfelt thanks to Jackie and Claire for delivering such inspiring orations, and to everyone who contributed to making this Founder’s Day such a memorable celebration of our Founder, Robert Gordon. Hearing the journeys that Jackie and Claire have been on since they left school are wonderful examples of how a bursary can transform a child’s education. The personal tributes Jackie and Claire have openly and honestly shared with pupils today is a strong indication of how passionately they feel about their education, and we are so proud of everything they are achieving professionally and personally with their sporting endeavours and high levels of success.”