Women’s History Month has been marked with a variety of events

The theme this year has been #Inspire Inclusion and, in tutor groups, pupils came up with ideas to support gender equality in different spheres such as Education, Employment, Healthcare, Workplace equality, Representation in media  and Leadership positions.  

In Houses, pupils watched films with a feminist theme or those which showcased the lives and achievements of women. Favourites included ‘WonderWoman’, which is about the first female superhero, and ‘Barbie’, which followed with a lively discussion about the film’s message. In the library, Mrs Corder and her team of helpers produced a colourful display of books for WHM and they celebrated International Women’s Day (8^th March) with purple cakes in the library and a discussion about why we devote a day to celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world. 

The highlight of the month, however, has been the wonderful interviews conducted between our allies in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion group, Tara G, Milan H, Polina Z, Yuqi L and Margie G and six female members of staff: Mrs Brighton-Watt, Mrs Seldon, Mrs Corder, Miss Pink, Miss Mitchell and Mrs Knightbridge. In the interviews, staff answered questions about their childhood and education, their role models and career paths. All gave the inspiring message that although they had faced some challenges they had not allowed their gender to limit their choices nor hold them back.

Furthermore, Arkell pupils partook in several International Women’s Day games to celebrate. To make our pupils aware of the talented women that work at Gresham’s, female staff were also included in the answers to quiz, bingo and cross word questions. This prompted some brilliant discussion as the pupils learned they do not need to look very far to see that there are inspirational women all around them!

We also marked International Women’s Day by joining in with the FA’s biggest girls football session initiative. Teams from all the Houses played in a Junior and Senior competition over on the Jubilee Fields. It was a great evening of football with plenty of skills and future promise on show! Oakeley triumphed in the Senior Competition and Queens’ in the Junior Competition.

The 100th anniversary of inspirational Old Greshamian Tom Bourdillon was marked with a special outdoor service

Our Senior School boarders took part in a special outdoor service to mark the 100^th anniversary of inspirational Old Greshamian Tom Bourdillon. Tom Bourdillon was one of England’s greatest mountaineers in the immediate post-war era and was a key part of the 1953 British Mount Everest Expedition which made the first ascent of Mount Everest. The service took place at The Bourdillon Tower which is named in his honour. Former Prep School teacher, and keen climber, Phil Hawes gave the address and a member of Tom’s old house – Howson’s – laid flowers in his memory.

Pupils in Years 11 and 12 enjoyed the UEA Sacré Theatre production of Toujours 1789

On Wednesday 13th March, a group of 18 pupils in Years 11 and 12 went to the UEA Sacré Theatre production of Toujours 1789. 1789 was originally performed at the Milan Festival in 1970, then taken up by the Théâtre du Soleil in Paris. Sacré Theatre at the UEA is the UK’s longest-running permanent French language theatre company and they are a permanent fixture in our calendar: we are so lucky to have them on our doorstep. It is always an immensely enjoyable evening, and this year was no exception.

This year’s production combined key episodes of the French Revolution, from early attempts to reform the monarchy to the queen’s execution, with light musical intervals largely drawn from the vast repertoire of revolutionary and other contemporary songs. For our pupils, it was an introduction to this cataclysmic episode of French history and a timely response to how revolution, born from a desire to change a tyrannical status quo can itself descend into tyranny. However, it wasn’t all serious: ‘Royals, nobles and clergy vs the People. Marie-Antoinette, Robespierre, The Storming of La Bastille, Declaration of the Rights of Man, jugglers, royals on the run, la guillotine, revolutionary songs, audience participation – something for everyone!’ 

We look forward to next year’s offering. 

Steffan Aquarone spoke to pupils about the importance of ‘soft power’

In the run up to the General Election later this year our pupils will be hearing Chapel talks from a variety of different candidates who are seeking to become the Member of Parliament for North Norfolk. The Liberal Democrat candidate Steffan Aquarone began the series with an interesting talk on the importance of ‘soft power’.

Sixth Form pupils and their parents heard about a variety of Gap Year programmes

A Gap Year Information Session was held in Big School for Sixth Form pupils and their parents to hear presentations from different gap year providers offering a variety of programmes.

It was super to welcome back Old Greshamians Maddie Gainher and Lara King to talk about their respective volunteering programmes in Ghana.

String players from the Senior School were lucky enough to share the stage with the North Norfolk Sinfonia

On Saturday 9^th March, string players from the Senior School were lucky enough to share the stage with the North Norfolk Sinfonia playing suits from Tchaikovsky’s Ballets, such as the Nutcracker and Swan Lake. This gave the pupils the chance to play in larger sections, as well as a full traditional orchestra. Whilst the music was difficult, they did exceptionally well and just took the whole experience in their stride. 

Well done to Oakeley who have won the 2023-24 O’Connell Trophy for Year 10 and 11 Inter-House Debating

The Year 10 and 11 Inter-House Debating competition reached its climax on Monday evening as Farfield (Connor M, Pablo B-G and James C) proposed and Oakeley (Cerys D, Zinny B and Erin O’D) opposed the motion ‘This House believes that the response of the West to Russian aggression in Ukraine has been weak.’ The motion was tackled with great sensitivity and skill by both teams and played out in front of an audience of nearly 100 in Big School. In a very close match, Oakeley’s opposition prevailed and therefore they hold the O’Connell Trophy for 2023-24.

Historians in Years 11-13 listened to two stimulating presentations by Gresham’s A level History pupils

Historians in Years 11-13 were lucky enough to listen to two stimulating presentations by Gresham’s A level History pupils on Tuesday evening. Sarah E spoke about ‘Lessons in Lincoln’, discussing the historical significance of Lincoln Castle, its Magna Carta and the significance of Gerald of Wales. That was followed by Emily G speaking about the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 in a talk which explored its causes, key personalities and significance, whilst drawing on the parallels with the Poll Tax Riots of March 1990.  

Gresham’s Junior Choir took to the stage at the Regional Music for Youth Festival

Gresham’s Junior Choir took to the stage at the Regional Music for Youth Festival in Halesworth on Friday 8 March. The newly formed choir performed a range of popular, musical theatre and rock tunes to a packed theatre, and enjoyed seeing musicians from across the county perform. The choir received feedback from the MFY mentors, giving constructive feedback and next steps.