The Gresham’s Agriculture Conference was a great opportunity for pupils to hear from industry experts
News > The Gresham’s Agriculture Conference was a great opportunity for pupils to hear from industry experts
Gresham’s pupils, along with pupils from surrounding Norfolk schools, attended the first Annual Gresham’s Agriculture Conference organised by our Careers and Agriculture Departments. During the morning’s formal lectures, they heard from industry experts on the direction of travel of the sector, all aimed at trying to find solutions that enable us to feed the world while being sympathetic to the environment. Thanks go to Phil Jarvis and Anthony Blanchfield from Albanwise Farming, John Purslow from Farmacy, Mark Nicholas from the RNAA, Ali Cargill from Pitt Farms Ltd and Andy Coecup from Wildfarmed for engaging with participants so expertly. The afternoon’s interactive workshop saw representatives from all corners of the industry interacting with pupils as they explored careers, education pathways and gap years in the sector. Our thanks go to all those who gave so freely of their time to support the pupils’ development. See you all next year!
Two pupils have completed work experience with Leathes Prior
News > Two pupils have completed work experience with Leathes Prior
Work Experience
During the Christmas holidays, current Year 13 pupils, Freddie and Nico, took the opportunity of a work experience day with law firm Leathes Prior, to go and see for themselves what it’s like working in a law firm. They were given a great insight into the variety of routes to qualification in the modern world; from a Solicitor Apprenticeship route, to the CILEX path, and to practising as a solicitor. The day celebrated the importance and positivity of learning about next steps through work experience.
Enrichment talk
Our Head of Agriculture, James Beales, gave an academic enrichment talk to Year 13 pupils which expanded on the depth and breadth of the agriculture sector and emphasised the importance of taking an interest in the World. It helped pupils to understand how a career that you think you have no interest can be an enriching experience.
The Music Department have had a busy start to 2023
News > The Music Department have had a busy start to 2023
Music and Munch
The first Music and Munch of 2023 featured a real mix of musical genres, from classical piano to musical theatre, and from film score to funky saxophone! The next Music and Munch is on Friday 3rd February.
CHAPEL SERVICES
Recently Chapel has celebrating several different musical traditions with lots of wonderful music. A Gospel Service took place, featuring Michelle W, Jemima T, Summer H, Beatrice G, Levin R, Edward D M, Eduvie O, Jake O and Mr Myers. Their band brought plenty of energy and excitement to the proceedings! The whole school also had a chance to join in with the gospel hits ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘Make Me A Channel’ and, of course, ‘Shine Jesus Shine’.
Returning to the traditional format during the termly service of Choral Evensong, Chapel Choir sang to boarders, parents and staff. The candlelit Chapel created a special atmosphere whilst the choir performed music by Stanford, Balfour Gardiner, Wilby and Parry.
During Monday morning Chapel, Schola Cantorum performed ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, arranged by Turner, bringing another genre of music to our versatile Chapel space.
Thank you and well done to all the pupils who shared their music.
CHORAL SOCIETY
Calling all singers – Lent Term Choral Society
Our chosen work for the annual March Choral Society Concert is Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Rehearsals have already started but anyone wishing to join is more than welcome to come along at between 7 – 8.15pm on a Thursday evening. The concert will take place in the Auden Theatre on Sunday 5th March. Please email Fiona Ross, [email protected] for further details.
Upcoming events
CHORAL CONCERT
3rd February, 7pm – Gresham’s Chapel
Listen to the beautiful sound of Gresham’s choral ensembles from within the atmospheric setting of the school Chapel.
80 pupils enjoyed a performance of ‘The Mousetrap’
News > 80 pupils enjoyed a performance of ‘The Mousetrap’
80 pupils made their way to Norwich Theatre Royale to see Agatha Christie’s play ‘The Mousetrap’. The pupils were enthralled by the murder mystery, which kept them guessing throughout.
Some of the pupils will document this experience as part of their Bronze Arts Award qualification, whilst others will use this experience to inform classroom discussion in English and Drama lessons. A great day out!
Well done to all who have competed in Cross Country recently
News > Well done to all who have competed in Cross Country recently
East Anglian League
The yearly cross-country battle between Ipswich, Norwich, RHS and Gresham’s has got underway with a very positive start for Gresham’s Cross Country team. With two competitions completed, the girls team has secured two wins. With Maya P and Grace H leading the team of Lily C, Alice D and Tanya P, they have all contributed to the result with their top ten finishes. They are all training for the Cambridge half marathon and are making great progress.
Norfolk Schools Cross Country Championship.
The first of the qualifying rounds for the English school’s cross country was held at Wymondham College and our teams demonstrated a fine performance. Lottie H and Edie C were first away in the Junior girls race and Lottie had a cracking start leading for the first lap. However, she was caught on the second and finished in a close second place qualifying for the next round of the competition. Edie had a strong race and finished in the top half of the main pack.
Ted K and Connor M were up next and showed some promise in a strong field. They finished in 36th and 63rd respectively. The Year 10 boys’ races was a long 6.3km. Ben W and Ollie M competed in a strong field and finished 16th and 52nd respectively.
The Year 11 girls’ race was a fast and furious event with some falls at the first corner. Our four worked hard and finished with Charlotte G in 12th claiming the last qualification spot, closely followed by Evie H 13th, Poopy G 17th and Poppy G 32nd.
The senior girls’ race was dominated by Hattie R fresh from her GB debut in Belgium. She led from start to finish and eased back on the second lap to conserve energy for the South of England Cross Country Championship on the 28th January. Maya P also put in a great effort finishing 7th so both girls qualify for the next round of the competition.
Well done to all.
The Gresham’s archives have uncovered a natural Science collection
News > The Gresham’s archives have uncovered a natural Science collection
Over in the Dyson Building, a wonderful collection of historical Natural Science objects has recently been uncovered in the Biology Department, pictured here with Mr Wight. Miss Gathercole’s classroom collection includes Coleoptera, butterfly specimens, an elephant tooth, tusk, and an African Crowned Crane’s wing, alongside other treasures. A century ago, items like these would have enabled Gresham’s pupils to gain a better understanding of the rich and diverse natural world beyond our Norfolk borders. The fact that they are still being preserved and used as an inspiration for others in the field of Science and Biology is wonderful to see.
Natural history wingElephant’s tooth
Year 13 pupil Alfie has used computer science to give our history a future.
An A level Computer Science project has been in the works behind the scenes in the Gresham’s archives. As a result of Alfie K’s work, we will be able to improve the search capabilities for records in the online catalogue. This will make our records more accessible for researchers who are working remotely.
Year 11 pupil Milan reflects on a visit from pianist Nicholas McCarthy
News > Year 11 pupil Milan reflects on a visit from pianist Nicholas McCarthy
“Nicholas McCarthy is a concert pianist specialising in left-hand repertoire, and Gresham’s School created a brilliant opportunity for him to visit our school and showcase his musical ability as well as share his backstory. Across the two-day visit, there is not a shadow of a doubt that Nicholas gained the greatest respect of all the pupils and staff of Gresham’s School.
On Friday 13th January, a selected group of musicians at Gresham’s were treated to a masterclass by Mr McCarthy and then he demonstrated left-hand repertoire with a performance. Some lucky pianists were given a one-to-one session with Nick to improve their piece of choice and how to enhance the performing aspect of playing the piano.
On Saturday 14th, Nick McCarthy gave an inspirational talk during the School Chapel Service and also demonstrated left-hand piano-playing. His talk was on the topic of his life story and how, even though he was born with one hand only, he decided, after seeing a friend play the piano at school, that he too would like to not only play the piano but become a concert pianist. Initially, he did not even have a piano, although he did get a keyboard for the following Christmas; he taught himself to play, and used Radio 3 as his inspiration and teacher. One day, his father told Nick to turn the radio down, and in fact it was Nick playing! This was when he knew he was good and he subsequently applied for multiple music colleges across the UK. He made history when he became the first one-handed pianist to graduate from the prestigious Royal College of Music in London. Ultimately the main takeaway from the talk was: no matter how many people put you down or discourage you, no matter what the obstacles standing in your way, nothing is impossible and no matter how crazy your dreams may be, you’ll be able to achieve them if you put the effort in.”
Three Sixth Form pupils have made it to the third round of the ESU Mace Debating Competition
News > Three Sixth Form pupils have made it to the third round of the ESU Mace Debating Competition
Debating is already in full swing this term. Many congratulations to Sixth Formers Miranda H-S, Georgie C and Tillie C who progressed to the third round of the ESU Mace Debating competition by successfully defending the motion This House Would abolish trial by jury in the second regional heat held at Langley School. Only two teams progressed to the next stage of the competition, so this was an outstanding performance from three very talented debaters.
The Year 10 and 11 Inter-House Debating Competition is also moving through the first round. Oakeley saw off the challenge of a strong Tallis team, successfully defeating the motion This House would make the study of mathematics compulsory until the age of 18. Howson’s also overcame Edinburgh in opposing the motion This House supports Scotland’s gender recognition reform bill.
Our VEX robotics teams achieved a top 5 place in the regional competition
News > Our VEX robotics teams achieved a top 5 place in the regional competition
The VEX Robotics teams have been working hard since September to prepare for the regional competitions for the ‘Spin Up’ challenge this year. They travelled to Colchester and displayed excellent teamwork, problem solving skills and resilience to reach the top 5 position out of 20. They hope to improve further in other upcoming competitions to enable them to attend the National competition in March.
Year 8 enjoyed a chilly Winter Beowulf camp
News > Year 8 enjoyed a chilly Winter Beowulf camp
The pupils braved some very low temperatures to camp out in the school woods during a January weekend. They enjoyed a take-away curry, flame-grilled popcorn and a breakfast fry-up, as well as sleeping in the outdoor cabin’s hammocks. This was a great opportunity to develop resilience in both staff and pupils; a great time was had by all!
