Schola Cantorum were on top form for their performance at Cromer Church
News > Schola Cantorum were on top form for their performance at Cromer Church
Schola Cantorum hit the ground running with a concert in the first week of the Summer Term. Cromer has an impressive church which served as a fine venue for what was the final Schola community concert of the year and a farewell concert for the Year 13s. For those who had braved the cold and wet, the programme celebrating Sir Charles Villiers Stanford’s centenary, sung superbly by the choir, provided a memorable evening of choral singing. Favourites such as Stanford Magnificat in C, Beati Quorum Via, Parry I was Glad, and Wood O Thou the Central Orb were joined by Stanford For Lo I Raise Up and Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis in G among others and the Crickets performance of Sullivan The Long Day Closes and O Love I Wrong Thee Much. While mention must be made of assured solos from Jimmy T (including his performance on the organ), Ruby S, Tamsin S, Milan H and Zinnia-Claire B, the choir were clearly enjoying themselves and were on top form. Thanks too to Martin Holford, our School organist, for his accompaniment on the splendid church organ.
Team Frog reflect on their incredible journey to the VEX World Finals in Dallas, Texas
News > Team Frog reflect on their incredible journey to the VEX World Finals in Dallas, Texas
As Team Frog prepared to catch their flight home, they reflected on their journey over the past three years.
They have competed in multiple regionals across the UK and reached two National finals. They have achieved multiple awards including their Innovate award that ultimately got them to the VEX World Finals in Dallas, Texas.
They were among over 850 teams in Dallas which puts them in the top 5% of teams from across the world. They finished in the top 200 in the skills challenge which puts them in the top 1.2% in the world.
Georgina, Chloe-Leila and Emily have shown such resilience and determination over the past 3 years in VEX and the confidence and maturity at finals was a product of all this hard work. They plan to mentor upcoming VEX groups at Gresham’s to support future teams wishing to reach the dizzy heights of worlds.
There were over 115,000 people who visited the finals in Dallas with robotics teams from over 45 different countries, it was a wonderful experience for all, and lots can be taken from it.
On the final day in Texas, they explored Dallas city centre via a tour bus and soaked up some of the atmosphere and culture.
Many thanks for all the support to get these young women to World’s!
The History Society met to commemorate St George’s Day and the anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birth and death
News > The History Society met to commemorate St George’s Day and the anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birth and death
Pupils studying History in Years 11 and 12 met on Tuesday evening to commemorate St George’s Day and the anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birth and death. They explored the life of St George and his significance in English history, especially to monarchs such as Edward I, Edward III and Henry VIII, and considered the importance of the life and works of Shakespeare. Two quizzes took place testing pupils’ knowledge of St George and Shakespeare.
Prep pupils have started their study skills and revision sessions
News > Prep pupils have started their study skills and revision sessions
Pupils in Years 5 to 8 have started their study skills and revision sessions on Saturday mornings though the Summer term. Year 7 and 8 pupils are applying various study skills to prepare for their upcoming examinations, and Year 5 and 6 pupils are learning about the various ways to self-study and are revising for some in-class assessments. Good luck, everybody!
Nursery children have been working on their Pawprint badges during Outdoor Wild Learning School (OWLs)
News > Nursery children have been working on their Pawprint badges during Outdoor Wild Learning School (OWLs)
The children in our Nursery classes have been working towards achieving three Pawprint badges this year. During their Outdoor Wild Learning School (OWLs) sessions they have been completing lots of exciting and interesting activities and challenges in order to receive their Stick Man Challenge badge in the Michaelmas term, Birdwatching Challenge badge in the Lent term and finally the Outside Challenge badge during the Summer term. A lot of fun has been had, whilst the children have been learning and developing new skills.
Year 3 enjoyed a great time at Amazona Zoo as part of their topic on Rainforests. They looked at how the animals had adapted to live in their different habitats, and naturally the children enjoyed the play park too!
Pupils have been benefitting from work experience opportunities and a visit from the Royal Navy Engagement Team
News > Pupils have been benefitting from work experience opportunities and a visit from the Royal Navy Engagement Team
Visit of Royal Navy Engagement Team
The Royal Navy Engagement Team visited the senior school to do an exercise with Year 9 pupils who have signed up for CCF Royal Navy for the next academic year.
The pupils had a great time, with the Royal Navy instructors feeding back that the pupils were superb in engagement and ability. We look forward to welcoming the Engagement Team back next year.
Careers – Work Experience
Over the Easter holidays, Year 13 pupil Fred had an excellent week with Burgess Yachts at their London Head Office. The week was facilitated by OG Joff Beckett (OSH 1971 – 75).
Fred said “I had an amazing time there, everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable in their field, and they all gave me a great insight into the industry”.
Joff is also hoping to be able to offer work experience placements to other current Gresham’s Sixth Form pupils.
Furthermore, Duncan Baker MP is facilitating summer work experience to three current Sixth Form pupils in his North Norfolk Constituency.
Work Experience is such an added plus for a young person’s next steps post Sixth Form education, giving an added dimension to next stage studies, knowledge and employment.
If you want to discuss, please contact Sue Osborne, Head of Careers [email protected]
Exclusive Screening of Amy Winehouse film ‘Back to Black’
Debra Hayward, Producer of ‘Back to Black’, provided the opportunity in her role as a Gresham’s
Governor and former parent. Debra gave a brief Q&A before pupils and staff enjoyed the screening.
Colloquium talk with Dr Maria Serba, Department of Philosophy, University of East Anglia
We welcomed Maria who delivered a superb talk to pupils from all year groups on ‘Navigating AI & Human Futures – reflections on existential risk and governance’.
It was an extremely thought provoking talk with pupils deeply engaged.
OG Jack Stewart-richardson spoke to pupils interested in joining the Marines
OG Jack Stewart-Richardson, who joined the Marines 2 years ago, came back to talk to current pupils interested in joining.
Jack gave them an honest insight into his journey from school to joining, the necessary prep, the training and the day to day life of a Marine.
During the Prep School’s Monday assembly, the green team delivered a presentation all about Earth Day. The pupils came in wearing pre- loved clothes and brought donations to Friends of the Earth, and they raised a grand total of £219! Pupils also brought in books they no longer needed for a book swap and took part in a litter pick on the school site on Wednesday.
OG George Stiles gave a special presentation to pupils on his career in musical theatre
News > OG George Stiles gave a special presentation to pupils on his career in musical theatre
On 16th April George Stiles (OG) came back to the School to give a special presentation on his career in musical theatre to both Gresham’s pupils and pupils from local schools. In addition to this, George conducted two workshops focussing on audition room performances and the process by which you conceive and develop a score or script for the stage. The pupils learnt a great deal about the industry and how to go about putting on a play, whilst a number of Gresham’s pupils performed both musical numbers and monologues that were critiqued by George.
George is a prolific composer and producer and has made significant contributions to musical theatre. Collaborating with Anthony Drewe, he crafted successful shows like “Honk!” and “Mary Poppins.” As a producer, his co-production of “Six – the musical” continues to be a global sensation, earning multiple awards and full houses around the world. His work has earned critical acclaim, including an Olivier award and Tony nominations, showcasing his talent for creating memorable melodies and engaging productions.
Our international pupils, in conjunction with the Diversity and Inclusion team, did an assembly to share their cultures
News > Our international pupils, in conjunction with the Diversity and Inclusion team, did an assembly to share their cultures
On Wednesday 17th April some of our international pupils, in conjunction with the Diversity and Inclusion team, did an assembly aimed at sharing a little of their cultures and educating us about the French concept of dépaysement: literally “to be uncountried”. Alma R explained that, for our overseas pupils, their experience at Gresham’s is coupled with adapting to a different country with different customs, traditions, language, music, food and so on. Grace S introduced our speakers, starting with Aziz.
Aziz told us all about Ramadan and how, before Islam, Ramadan in Arabia was a sacred time marked by prayer and communal gatherings, charity and fasting. From the evening of Sunday 10th March until Tuesday 9th April, the Muslim members of our school community had been fasting and this was concluded by Eid Al Fitr, a day of gatherings, prayers and joy shared with loved ones, embodying the spirit of gratitude and unity.
Then Alma and Iciar told pupils about aspects of France and Spain which differ from English ones:
While English people have dinner at 5pm, Spanish people are just finishing their lunch and getting ready for ‘siesta’; while in England you enjoy tea time with tea and cake, in France we have this thing called ‘apéro’ where we have a glass of wine, some savoury snacks and cheese and come together with guests before having dinner; English sports are very formal and civilized and then we have Spanish people who enjoy being chased by bulls! Iciar is from the Basque Country where there is a sport called ‘eskupilota’ which involves wrapping a stone in leather and bouncing it against a wall. It’s like squash but instead of a ball is a stone and your hand replaces the racquet; French food is considered to be of UNESCO cultural heritage and includes such delights as escargots, boeuf bourguignon and an array of cheeses; in Spain, every region has a different dialect and even language. In the Basque Country, Euskera is spoken and that is a huge part of the culture. For us to see the difference between these two languages Iciar introduced herself in Spanish: ‘Hola me llamo Iciar y soy de Bilbao’ and then in Basque, ‘Kaixo nire izena Iciar da eta Bilbotarra naiz’.
The assembly finished in a very moving way with Heidi W playing the piano and singing ‘Irgendwas bleibt’ by Silbermond.
The audience was captivated by the beauty of the music and Heidi’s haunting voice.
The Headmaster echoed Alma’s words, encouraging us to “look outwards”. Our hope was that pupils would leave chapel reflecting on the wealth of life experiences in our midst and to recognise how our own lives may be enriched by the ways in which others live, honour and celebrate life.
