Over half term the CCF invested in a new DryFire software and laser clay target shooting system. Using a real shotgun mounted with a trigger sensor and laser, the DryFire system is able to simulate life-like clay targets and, unlike many of its competitors, is able to calculate the amount of lead ahead of the clay required to break it. It provides the shooter directly after a shot with an image of their shot and spread, so they can learn from mistakes and make adjustments. Different simulations of all disciplines can be applied. The system can also include varying speed, wind, cartridges and bore of gun to name but a few of its options. 

This half of term and into next term, cadets from all three sections will be given the opportunity to use and train on the equipment. It will also be used for supportive training for the clay shooting team. It still requires some tweaking of the projection system to improve image and reduce shadow, but we have already had a very competitive start last week with the Year 12 Army cadets, with Hector L. achieving the high gun and this week with four Navy cadets achieving 10/10 – a big well done to Mia W, Will B, Luca H and Severin G! 

This is a fantastic opportunity for the cadets to be able to practise shooting clays throughout the year, come rain or shine. 

This will not completely replace live clay shooting, which will continue once the better weather and lighter afternoons commence as we head into Spring and Summer. 

For further information about the system, do look up DryFire on https://dryfire.com/ or contact Mr Detnon at [email protected].

During Remembrance Week, all Year 9 pupils spent one History lesson exploring original artefacts from the Gresham’s School Archive related to the experience of Gresham’s School staff and pupils during the First World War. 

Year 9 pupils had the opportunity to get hands-on experience handling items such as contemporary newspaper cuttings, school magazines, the 1903 prospectus, the Vellum Roll of Honour for the boys of the junior school who were killed in action, recently donated photo albums and diaries from Dallas Wynne Willson, the housemaster of Old School House between 1905 and 1920, and special items relating to OGs Alec Heron and George Goodall who were both killed in action during the conflict. 

A special light installation named ‘The Light of Peace’ was set up in Chapel during Remembrance week. The evocative combination of smoke, music and a vast circular wall of light proved to be very popular with pupils, parents and staff alike. The stunning work gave visitors the opportunity to pause and reflect on those who are still living in places of conflict in our world today. It also encouraged them to pray and strive for a more peaceful future when the light of peace might finally be a reality for all.

Pupils at our Senior School have once again been awarded a coveted Eco-Schools Green Flag with distinction.

The Eco-Schools Green Flag is an international accreditation that recognises efforts to raise environmental awareness amongst young people, whilst taking action to make their school more sustainable. Gresham’s has now retained its status as an accredited Eco-School, following our achievement last year.

Eco-Schools England Manager, Adam Flint, said: “The Eco-Schools Green Flag award is an internationally recognised symbol of high environmental standards. The pupils and school staff that earn the award deserve immense credit for their hard work, determination, and creativity. Their passion for protecting our planet is an inspiration to us all. ”

The Eco-Schools programme was established in 1994 and is now delivered in more than 70 countries across the globe. The programme prompts young people to explore a variety of environmental issues, including climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Pupils are then empowered to plan and deliver environmental actions in their school, local community, and beyond.

Since Gresham’s began working towards an Eco-Schools Green Flag during 2020, achievements have included more recycling bins, improving the biodiversity and making our chapel more eco-friendly too.

And this year, pupils at our school have built on these strong foundations ensuing we achieved more points than last year. One highlight was a brilliant chapel service delivered by our Eco Team. We are currently applying for 2024 so if anyone has any ideas or would like to support our Eco Team please contact Miss Mitchell [email protected]

Year 9 produced a fantastic series of trench cakes, models and sketches for this year’s History STEAM model trench competition. This was kindly judged by Mr Hazelwood, Gresham’s Head of STEAM. The results were: 

1st – Aydan M – for a fantastic example of STEAM modelling complete with lighting and sound effects 

2nd – Darcy G-R – for a very original German trench model and research into the German perspective and anti-war sentiment 

3rd – Isaac B and Alex H – for a very original Dardanelles trench model complete with explanatory PowerPoint and modelling kit 

4th – life size trench system constructed by Charlie S, Digby D and Ben B 

All of the winning pupils received Amazon gift vouchers. Well done to them all. 

Pupils have been gearing up for the graded LAMDA drama exams, which are taking place at the Senior School on 24th November. Will B will be taking the final grade, which is Grade 8 – Gold Medal, and Ilana B will be taking Grade 7 – Silver Medal. There are a record number of Prep and Senior pupils taking the exams this year. Good luck to them all!

As part of the GCSE Spanish course on festivals, pupils in Year 10 have been learning about the ancient Mexican festival of “El Día de los Muertos”. This festival, celebrated on the 1^st and 2^nd of November, is to honour and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed away. In Mexican culture, El Día de los Muertos is a lively celebration of colour, music, food, and traditions that acknowledges the beautiful lives of those who are no longer with us.

This year’s Fright Night production took us to the circus with some chilling performances by the Ringmaster and his acts. The audience met the Dolls in the Auden Theatre and braved a trip into the woods to meet the rest of the weird and wonderful circus performers, experiencing their terrifying tales and scares along the way. The makeup team truly excelled themselves, creating some truly horrifying and detailed makeup designs and the production was expertly supported by a circus themed soundscape which provided a chilling atmosphere throughout. A huge thank you goes to all of the Fright Night performers, makeup team, lighting team and the Music Tech students and staff who all contributed to a fantastic set of performances. Will you be brave enough to join us next year? 

We were delighted to welcome enriching speaker Jess Roper to talk to current Year 13 pupils. This was thanks to Marcus Maddison-White, a former pupil of the school, who had heard Jess speak at Sandhurst College and highly recommended her talk for current pupils.

Jess’s talk was inspirational and gave insight to her beginnings and personal journey that led her to kickboxing and how with her motto of ‘Dream BIG, start small and NEVER GIVE UP’ led to her becoming a 2 x English kickboxing champion and 2nd-degree blackbelt.

It was a superb talk giving such encouragement to the pupil audience on becoming the best they can be with empowered action, increasing aspiration, health, wellbeing and raising resilience.