Prep Archives - Gresham's School

News > Gresham’s Giving Day 2025

The Gresham’s Foundation will launch its second ever giving day on the 12th and 13th of March 2025. Gresham’s Giving Day 2025 will be another opportunity for the School community (Old Greshamians, current and former parents and Friends) to come together to celebrate what makes Gresham’s special and donate to help widen access to a Gresham’s education.

Similar to the first giving day in 2023, the campaign will focus on promoting and seeking support for the School’s Bursary Programme. Supporting young people and their families who require bursarial provision is a longstanding and key charitable objective at the School and has been since its founding in 1555. Donations to the Foundation’s Bursary Fund before and during Gresham’s Giving Day 2025 will make a difference and give young people the chance to attend the School and make the most of a Gresham’s education.

Thank you to those who have already donated, we appreciate your contribution. If you would like to donate early, your donation will be matched, doubling the value of your gift. You can make a donation by following this link.

Keep an eye on social media and email communications in the lead up to and on 12th and 13th March. There will be lots going on at Gresham’s.

Thank you for your support!

THE IMPACT OF A GRESHAM’S EDUCATION

News > Prep pupils compete in IAPS online chess tournament

On Thursday, pupils from Years 3 to 8 represented the Prep School in the IAPS U9 and U13 online chess tournament. The competition was tough, with 26 schools taking part in the U13 category and 17 in the U9 category.

Well done to all our pupils who battled hard for an hour over the board. We look forward to sharing the final results soon.

News > Gresham’s Piano Festival 2025

The inaugural Gresham’s Piano Festival took place in Fishmongers’ Recital Hall on Saturday 8 February. This event, open to Prep and Senior School pupils, provided our pianists with a platform to experience formal performance in a familiar, supportive and rewarding setting.

The Music department was able to draw on its own staff for the adjudicators. Chris Green-Armytage and Archie Bonham are both renowned pianists and popular teachers at Gresham’s Senior School. Throughout the day, they gave feedback at the end of each class, and the common theme of which was to congratulate pupils on their performance whilst giving positive critique.

Parents, pupils and staff were treated to some wonderful performances, from pre-Grade 1 or Grade 8 and beyond. Our Prep pupils rose admirably to the task of performing in the recital hall on the Steinway C, a piano which can be a challenge to tame and is very different to the small uprights they have their lessons on!

Bravo to Hummer and Hansen W, Etta F, Francesca E, Pheobe C, Rowan B, Blake P, Ottilie B, Larissa C, Nathaniel G-B, Willow H, Georgie and Oscar B-W and Zia T.

The afternoon session showcased the Seniors in classes starting at Grade 3 and 4, up to recital level. It was clear the pupils had worked hard on their chosen pieces which delighted the adjudicators and audience alike, who were treated to familiar pieces by Chopin, Grieg, Mussorgsky, Debussy, Einaudi and Beethoven.

Congratulations Jack S, Samuel B, Shemi A, Pablo B-G, Tara G, Amelia M-L, Elie G, Lene N, Peter R, Evie M, Amelie B, Naomi H-S, Ferdinand vD, Benny S, Milan H and Hugo J on contributing to an afternoon of impressive musicianship.

The highest achievers from the festival will be invited to play in the Piano Recital on Wednesday 12 March which is open to the public.

News > Year 7 Prep pupils visit Ely Cathedral

The magnificent cathedral at Ely was the destination for the Year 7 trip this term, where pupils learned about monastic life in the 1300s.

As part of their studies, pupils created medieval medicines, concocting their own recipes to cure all ills. They also examined mysterious samples of ‘urine’ to diagnose what might be ailing the patients in the infirmary.

Year 7 pupils also explored other tasks undertaken by monks, such as illuminating manuscripts and making beeswax candles. They gained valuable insight into how the monastery would have existed alongside the cathedral before the Reformation.

News > U13 Boys Hockey

Our U13 Boys hockey team from the Prep School travelled to Framlingham College on Monday to compete in the IAPS East Championship. They won their group, conceding only one goal and playing some excellent hockey.

In the knockout stages, both the quarter-final and semi-final ended in draws, leading to penalty flicks in both. Henry D, Alfie vP, and Finley S scored their penalties, while Oli Cr made three crucial saves across the two shootouts to secure their place in the final.

This achievement also meant that the team qualified for the Nationals in March. Although they lost the final, the boys worked tirelessly throughout the day and are looking forward to the next round.

News > Prep Pupils visit the tranquil ‘Soul Space’ for a moment of self-reflection

The always popular ‘Soul Space’ returned to Chapel this week. Reflective, tactile stations combined with immersive light and sound made Chapel an oasis of calm.

Hundreds of pupils took the opportunity to develop skills of personal reflection and spirituality in a fun, open, safe and inclusive way.

News > Prep School launches Reading Mentor Scheme

This week, the Prep School has launched a new reading mentor scheme. A group of Year 8 volunteers have started to support Year 3 pupils once a week with reading, and are set to continue through the academic year.

Their reasons for volunteering ranged from the desire to work with younger pupils and empathy for those who find reading more difficult, as many of the volunteers have experienced difficulties in their own literacy development.

The younger pupils were thrilled with the positive and kind attention, and the Year 8 pupils thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Before their first session, they all had a training session that introduced the principles of “Pause, Prompt, Praise” so they could keep in mind the need to allow the younger reader to work out the difficult words by themselves, supported by various prompts and clues. The training also instilled the need for positive encouragement.

Studies have shown that such peer mentoring schemes are a win-win situation for both the mentor and tutee, showing gains not only in reading skills for both parties but also in self-esteem.

News > Year 7 pupils get creative with STEAM Wind Turbine Project

As part of their STEAM curriculum, Year 7 pupils at the Prep School recently undertook an exciting project focused on energy innovation. Pupils were all given the same motor and were challenged to design, build, and test a prototype wind turbine.

Pupils brought a wide range of creative ideas to the table, incorporating unique designs and even experimenting with biodegradable materials. The final prototypes showcased an impressive variety of approaches to harnessing wind power, with results that were as varied as the designs themselves.

This hands-on project encouraged problem-solving and teamwork and gave pupils a deeper understanding of renewable energy and sustainability.

News > Prep School Leadership Team 2024/25

The School community gathered on Saturday to celebrate the announcement of the new Prep Heads of School for the 2024/2025 academic year. Reverend Jack kindly helped complete the announcements, adding a touch of fun by answering ‘would you rather..?’ questions before presenting a Head Boy badge.

We are delighted to congratulate the following pupils on their leadership roles:

Heads of School – Martha L, Hetty O, and Sammy B
Head of Dyson – Cameron M

These pupils will head our leadership team in the year ahead, and we look forward to seeing their contributions to school life.

News > Remembrance Day 2024

On Saturday, the whole school attended a service of remembrance in the memorial chapel.

Gresham’s Prep School, Remembrance Day events

The senior NCOs took leading roles with CSM Will N commanding the banner party of FSgt Milan H, PO Charl M and the banner-bearer CSgt Eva O. Contingent officers read the names of the fallen, and NCO’s delivered the reading and the prayers.

On Sunday, a substantial proportion of the contingent marched into Holt, led by banner-bearer CSgt Emily M, to join the town’s remembrance parade with 125 cadets from the Royal Navy, Army and RAF sections attending.

Gresham’s Senior School, Holt Remembrance Parade

Prep and Pre-Prep pupils also observed the two-minute silence, joining the nation in remembrance. During this time, they reflected on the service and sacrifices of those who have contributed to our freedom.

Once again it has been a privilege for the school to be able to play its part in showing due respect to all those affected by conflict.