A Celebration of Enduring Values: 90 Years of Gordonstoun

by Amelia Rocos On a warm November day in Athens, alumni, educators, and friends from Gordonstoun School, the Anavryta Classical Lyceum and Schule Schloss Salem came together to honour an extraordinary legacy — 90 years since the founding of Gordonstoun. Held at the iconic Grande Bretagne Hotel on November 9, 2024, the gathering was more…

by Amelia Rocos

On a warm November day in Athens, alumni, educators, and friends from Gordonstoun School, the Anavryta Classical Lyceum and Schule Schloss Salem came together to honour an extraordinary legacy — 90 years since the founding of Gordonstoun. Held at the iconic Grande Bretagne Hotel on November 9, 2024, the gathering was more than a milestone celebration. Bridging Scotland and Greece, the event spotlighted the longstanding bond between Gordonstoun, Anavryta Classical Lyceum and Schule Schloss Salem — three schools founded on Dr. Kurt Hahn’s visionary principles that share a commitment to fostering character, intellect, and leadership.

Head of Gordonstoun, Simon Cane-Hardy, offered reflections on the school’s founding ethos rooted in Plato’s philosophy, classical education and its historical links with Greece. Meanwhile, alumnus and co-host Capt. Stephanos E. Angelakos extended a warm welcome, paying tribute to Greece as the birthplace of Hahn’s foundational pillars. He highlighted the classical Greek ideals that nurture intellectual, moral, aesthetic, and physical development, as well as the tradition of seamanship (‘Naftosyni’) — a concept that harmonises art, science, and ethos. As an alumna myself, I was honoured to contribute my own experiences and reflect on one of the most enduring lessons Gordonstoun instilled in me: to rise to the challenge. Hahn’s timeless ethos inspired me to read Classical Civilisation at university — a pursuit that allowed me to cultivate a philosophical grounding from which to engage with the world and embark on a dynamic career path with courage, discipline, and purpose.

The event was made possible through the generous support of Capt. Angelakos and Mr. Spyros Niarchos, whose contributions highlight the enduring spirit of community among the alumni networks. In the spirit of rekindling the bonds formed through Hahn’s legacy, Capt. Angelakos hosted an intimate dinner the evening prior at The King George Hotel, bringing together Gordonstoun staff, alumni, and members of the Anavryta community. Earlier in the week, a corresponding celebration was held in Cyprus on November 7, graciously hosted by Mrs. Ria and Mr. Antonis Mikellides of Olympia Ocean Carriers Ltd at the Four Seasons Hotel in Agios Tychon. The 90th anniversary celebration concluded with a visit to the Olympias in Athens, the world’s only commissioned Ancient Greek trireme and the emblem of Gordonstoun.

KURT HAHN’S VISION

Kurt Hahn believed education should test the spirit, challenge the body, and nurture the soul — making him a key figure in the development of experiential education. Hahn envisioned a revolutionary kind of school — one that prioritized helping students build character through holistic education. Through action, adversity, and service, he believed that education should involve active engagement, encouraging students to do and experience rather than passively receive information.

In 1920, Hahn, alongside Prince Max von Baden, brought this vision to life by founding Schule Schloss Salem, or Salem Castle School, in the prince’s family castle. A co-educational private boarding school in Germany, Salem continues to thrive to this day. His “Seven Laws of Salem” — principles like fostering imagination, giving children opportunities for self-discovery, and cultivating humility — became the guiding principles of Salem and other institutions that now span decades and continents.

GORDONSTOUN

After fleeing Germany during the rise of Nazi power, Hahn founded Gordonstoun in 1934 on the rugged coast of the Moray Firth in Scotland to continue his educational vision. Among the school’s earliest pupils was Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, followed by his three sons, including King Charles III. Today, Gordonstoun is recognised as one of Britain’s most prestigious private boarding schools, now fully co-educational for over 50 years. Central to Gordonstoun’s philosophy is to create responsible, compassionate, dynamic individuals with the confidence to be all they can be.

For Hahn, education’s value lay in character building by challenging students to push their limits, encapsulated by the school’s motto: Plus Est En Vous (there is more in you). Today, Gordonstoun continues to foster character development through these values. Current students undertake a wide array of services including first aid, mountain rescue, coast guard, and most impressively, firefighting in the local area through a fully operational fire department. Furthermore, students must participate in outdoor activities such as hiking expeditions in the Scottish highlands and sailing voyages in the North Sea, which are integral to the school’s holistic education. Hahn believed that while academic rigor was essential, real-world challenges were equally important for developing resilience, leadership, and a strong sense of responsibility.

Character development through service and challenge extends far beyond the school grounds. A powerful early example of this can be traced back to 1954, when Gordonstoun students took part in a rebuilding initiative in Kefalonia, Greece, following a devastating earthquake. The initiative brought together students from other schools including Anavryta, with Mr. Evangelos Angelakos among those who took part — and who was also present at the Athens celebration event. This tradition is continued through international service projects as a part of the Duke of Edinburgh awards, a global youth award programme launched by Gordonstoun alumnus Prince Philip at Hahn’s suggestion. These experiences test students in ways the classroom could not, shaping young individuals to be prepared for personal growth, responsibility and meaningful contributions to society.

ANAVRYTA CLASSICAL LYCEUM

Though not as known internationally, the Anavryta Classical Lyceum represents an important chapter in the broader Hahnian narrative. Founded with the vision of continuing the tradition of educating members of the Greek royal family in Hahn schools,

Anavryta was established in Greece in 1940 as a boys’ boarding school modelled after Salem and Gordonstoun.

The school’s mission was revived in 1949 by King Paul of Greece, Queen Frederica, and Jocelin Winthrop Young, who became its first headmaster and personal tutor to Crown Prince Constantine. The initiative gained support from the Greek academic community, drawn by the strong alignment between Hahn’s educational philosophy and classical Greek ideals.

Anavryta’s legacy is closely linked to the Greek royal family, with King Constantine II, class of 1958, among its most distinguished alumni. Anavryta has since produced an impressive list of alumni, including notable public figures, academics and business leaders in Greek society. Even after the abolition of the monarchy in 1974, the school continued to uphold its reputation for excellence, adapting to changing times while remaining a key piece of Greece’s educational heritage. Although the character of the Anavryta evolved in the late 20th century amid a series of reforms, its legacy has cemented its place as an influential institution in shaping young leaders.

The involvement of the Greek royal family in championing Hahnian education was more than symbolic, it reflected a commitment to shaping future leadership through a values-based educational model — one that aimed to equip them not only with intellectual training, but with strong moral grounding. Their support lent Anavryta both prestige and purpose, embedding it within a broader cultural narrative where leadership was seen not as privilege, but as responsibility — a notion that remains profoundly relevant in today’s educational discourse.

ENDURING LEGACY

Kurt Hahn once said that education must preserve “an enterprising curiosity, an undefeatable spirit, tenacity in pursuit, readiness for sensible self-denial, and above all, compassion.” These qualities echoed throughout the celebration in Athens — not as abstract ideals, but as lived values upheld by generations of alumni.

The event was a testament to the enduring legacy of Kurt Hahn’s vision, uniting generations through a shared commitment to the timeless values that continue to inspire all three schools — values that remain as relevant today as they were at their founding.