Major General Felix Gedney kicks off the first academic enrichment lecture of the year

For the first academic enrichment lecture of the year, we were honoured to welcome Major General Felix Gedney who talked to Year 13 pupils about The UK Armed Forces and Society.

It was an extremely informative and thought-provoking talk, giving answers as to why we have the Armed Forces, what the Armed Forces do, and who is in charge. The Year 13 pupil audience were superb, and gave excellent, informed answers to question prompts from Major General Gedney. 

We were grateful to begin the year with such an energised and engaged opening to the new season of academic enrichment lectures.

Superb GCSE results for Year 11 pupils

Gresham’s Year 11 pupils are once again celebrating a superb set of GCSE results, nearly a third of which are at the highest 9 / A* grades. Six pupils have achieved a clean sweep of 9s and 8s, one of whom has achieved an outstanding 11 GCSEs all at grade 9.

As with this year’s A level and BTEC results, Gresham’s continues to buck national trends when it comes to our pupils’ academic outcomes. While nationally the grade 9-4 pass rate fell again to 67.4%, ours is the highest ever at 96.6% and over half of all grades are at the coveted 9-7 level.

Thanks to the hard work of their teachers, along with the support of their families, 83 pupils have managed to achieve at least one grade 9 or 8 this year, showing that this cohort of Greshamians have been recognised for their talents across the full breadth of subjects on offer.

We congratulate the whole Year 11 cohort and are looking forward to welcoming the majority of them back into Year 12 to study A levels, BTECs and the International Baccalaureate!

Exceptional success for our A level and BTEC students

Gresham’s is proud to announce that our A level and BTEC pupils have once again achieved outstanding results. At A level, 46% were graded at A* or A, well above the national average of 28%, while 88% were graded A*-C, a significant increase on last year’s outcomes. Pupils taking BTEC subjects also performed very strongly with 47% of their results at Distinction or Starred Distinction.

Universities have been quick to offer our pupils places with 98% securing their firm or insurance choices. This year, Old Greshamians will be heading off to study in all parts of the UK and around the world including Bath, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Coventry, Derby, Durham, Edinburgh, Exeter, Goldsmiths, Imperial, Leeds, London South Bank, LSE, Loughborough, Newcastle, Nottingham, Oxford Brookes, Queen Mary, Reading, Royal Holloway, St. Andrews, Sheffield, Southampton, Surrey, UCL, UEA, Warwick, York, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Spain.

Pupils have also secured places at top specialist institutions such as the Royal Agricultural College, Harper Adams, Leeds Conservatoire, University of the Arts London, and the Royal Northern College of Music, as well as a range of degree apprenticeships.

These results are a testament to pupils’ consistent hard work as well as the outstanding support they have received with their studies from their teachers, tutors, Heads of House, the pastoral, support and SEND teams, and their families. Well done all!

Rifle Club Imperial Meeting 2024

Fifteen members of Gresham’s Rifle Club were at Bisley this year to compete in the National Rifle Association’s 155^th Imperial Meeting, which took place immediately after the Schools Meeting. Every member of the team shot well in what were generally good conditions in terms of temperature, but at times, the wind conditions were challenging. The newer, less experienced members of the team were all on steep learning curves, whilst the more experienced shooters in the team were trying to compete for the very top scores.

There was national representation on day one for Georgina B, as she was selected to shoot for England in the Cadet National Match. Georgina was the top shot out of all competitors in the match (105 / 105), but the England team still had to settle for second place, just three points behind Wales.

During the Imperial Meeting, there are two Schools team matches that run concurrently with the Grand Aggregate. The Gresham’s Rifle Club team of Georgina B, Oliver R, Grace S, and Alexandre S were able to outshoot all the other schools to take first place and win the Garry Jones Trophy. Things didn’t go quite so well for the Anstey Trophy, as the same Gresham’s team had to settle for a 6^th-place finish in this competition.

Gresham’s were well represented in the 2^nd Stages of St. Georges and His Majesty the King’s Prize this year. Georgina, Oliver, and Grace made the 2^nd Stage of St. Georges, with Grace shooting well enough to progress through to the final. The entire team was there to watch her finish 80^th out of the 700 competitors that started in the competition. Margarethe G, Harry P, and Jonny W all shot in the 2^nd stage of the King’s Prize, and despite having a wonderful time, were unsuccessful at making the final. The other big individual competition during the week was the Grand Aggregate and, out of the 650+ competitors (from around the world) taking part, Georgina B managed to shoot consistently well throughout the week to finish 186^th.  The Grand Aggregate was won by Chloe Evans (OG). Out of the 200 Cadets competing in the Grand Aggregate, Georgina B was the top shot. In the process of becoming Top Cadet, she also won herself a bespoke shooting jacket worth over £1,500, thanks to sponsorship from ‘TenPointNine’.

Several of the team members also shot for the UK Cadets in both the Inter-Services Long and Short-Range matches. Georgina, Harry, and Oliver shot in the Long-Range match, with Alexandre and Jonny as reserves. Georgina then shot in the Short-Range match, with Grace as reserve.

It was a fantastic two weeks of competitive target rifle shooting, and I would very much like to thank every member of Gresham’s Rifle Club for making it such a great trip. You are an awesome group of young people.

Finally, we would like to wish Georgina B all the very best on her tour with the British Cadet Rifle Team (the Athelings) and Marcella B on her tour to the Channel Islands with the UK Cadet Rifle Team. Mrs Liberman will also be going on the UKCRT tour as the team’s Adjutant. Thanks must go to all members of staff who have assisted, in whatever way, with the running of the Rifle Club over the past year. May 2024-25 be just as successful, if not more.

Rifle Club Schools Meeting 2024

During July, the Gresham’s Rifle Team has been at Bisley for the annual Schools and Imperial Meetings. Expectations were not particularly high, due to very little full-bore training during the summer term. However, as the shooting got underway, it soon became apparent that we were not all that far off the pace.

There were early successes during the days building up to the Ashburton Shield. Alex S got the team off to a good start by finishing 2^nd in the Monday Aggregate. Harry P then finished 8^th in the Tuesday Aggregate, with Alex just behind in 9^th. The Wednesday Aggregate didn’t go quite so well for the team, with Oliver R achieving our highest place shot, in 22^nd place. Gresham’s had 11 of their 17 strong team members in the Schools Hundred, which is for the top 100 shots during the week. There were some excellent performances by the new shots in the team, with Bella B and Kyla C being the pick of the bunch. However, Lucy C and James M both also enjoyed a very successful week and acquired huge amounts of experience.

The Rifle Team was supported and assisted by Mr Clarke for the Schools Meeting, and Mrs Liberman oversaw running the Pavilion and the catering for the duration of the trip. The team is very grateful to them both for all that they do and was extremely pleased, and grateful, to have the support of staff members on Ashburton Day. Mrs Ross, Mrs Humphrey, Mr Matthews, Mr Margetson, Miss Grasby, and Mr Liberman very kindly supported the team for the entire day, and many friends and family joined them. Thank you all for your support.

Mr Kinder, as he all too often does, went to huge lengths to support the team this year. Every Wednesday evening, before Ashburton Day, the team gets off camp and visits the Military Cemetery at Brookwood. This has become an annual visit for the team. Kinder arrived at Bisley in time to join the team for their trip to Brookwood this year. In true Mr Kinder fashion, he had gone to great lengths to research three OGs that are commemorated on the WWII memorial in the cemetery. He took time out of his well-earned summer break to tell the stories of these three OGs to the team. Two of the OGs had even represented the Gresham’s School shooting VIII at Bisley, which made it even more relevant to the young people. It was an extraordinary occasion, and I am extremely thankful to Mr Kinder.

Conditions had warmed up throughout the week and Ashburton Day was a warm, but pleasant, day. The wind was tricky at times and certainly caught many teams out at the 600-yard distance (including the Gresham’s team). The VIII got off to a strong start, scoring the third-highest score on the range at 300 yards. Every member of the team scored in the 30s and left the team only 8 points behind the leaders. The team was then hit hard by tricky conditions at 600 yards and the majority of the VIII failed to score above 30. They handled the conditions at 500 yards much better but had other issues to contend with. At some point during the lunch break, one of the teams’ rifles had sustained damage and two members of the VIII had to switch to a completely different rifle. It was very impressive to see the team handle this setback so well. They were able to make up some positions and finished the day in 6^th place, which was very respectable considering the level of preparation they had begun with at the start of the week. Well done to Epsom College on their victory, which was hugely deserved.

Our Under 16 Cadets had an excellent day on the range and managed to finish 6^th in the Cadet Pairs, and 5^th place in the Cadet Fours competitions. Grace S and Corin H both shot very well in their competitions and could have easily represented VIII. Bella B had a real struggle at 300 yards but did not let this affect the rest of her day and went on to shoot fantastically well at the other two distances. Ilana B, Kyla C, Lucy C, James M, and Alastair S all put in some strong performances, and it is looking hugely encouraging for the future of the team. Henry J was the team’s reserve for the day and was able to secure 2^nd place in his competition.

The Schools Meeting was followed by the 155^th Imperial Meeting and 15 members of the team shot in the second week of competition.

Thanks must go to all the staff and pupils who helped to make the summer such a huge success for the Rifle Club.

Excellent IB results

Gresham’s is delighted to announce excellent results in the 2024 IB Diploma Programme. Pupils once again achieved a 100% pass rate and our average point score was 35.5 out of a possible 45, significantly higher than the rolling global average.

59% of examinations were awarded a Level 6 or 7, equivalent to an A or A* at A Level. 23% of our pupils achieved a world class score of 40 points or above (the equivalent of 4 A* grades), while 58% achieved 35 points or above – the equivalent of A*A*A at A Level.

We are incredibly proud of all our IB pupils and would like to congratulate them on their impressive successes. Alongside their IB studies, this cohort have made outstanding contributions to music, drama, sport, debating and other co-curricular activities during their time at Gresham’s.

We wish our IB pupils every success and congratulate them on meeting the entry requirements of a wide range of destinations including; Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, St Andrews, Edinburgh and many other international destinations such as Bocconi.

Revue Concert 2024

Last night, Friday 28^th June, the Auden Theatre hosted the much-anticipated Music Revue 2024, a spectacular concert that celebrated a year of exceptional musical achievements and bid farewell to our incredible Year 13 pupils. The event was a fitting conclusion to the 2023/24 academic year, highlighting the diverse talent and dedication of our pupils. 

The concert opened with Jimmy T’s introduction, where he recounted the excitement of re-establishing the Steinway status and celebration of the new fleet of pianos. This set the stage for the powerful performance of “Jupiter,” featuring five pianos in the foyer, played by Jimmy T, Matilda F, Emily M, Ferdinand v D and Milan H, with support from Mrs. Wolfe, Mr. Jones, and Mr. Carr. 

Tamsin S then took the stage to share her journey that has culminated in her acceptance to the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). Her performance of Glitter and Be Gay accompanied by the orchestra showcased her impressive vocal development. 

Next, Larkin A gave a heartfelt introduction about his experiences, and treated us to his incredible performance of Tonight at Eight, first performed in the A-Level recital – reflecting his growth and dedication over the years.  These vocal performances are testament to the commitment of the pupils and guidance from Toby Girling.  

The evening continued with Alexandre S, George B, Edward D M and Eduvie O, who shared insights into their studio work and the impact of Gresham’s Studio and Music Technology opportunities. Their segment included a showcase of their compositions, highlighting the creative spirit nurtured at Gresham’s, all under the expert guidance of Justin Myers and Chris Cooper.  

Ruby S captivated the audience with stories of her time in various musicals throughout her school years. Her performance of “Cabaret” was a nostalgic nod to her theatrical journey at Gresham’s. 

Michelle W recounted the memorable moments from her Pop Concert experiences and then performed a stripped back version of “Dive”, which was a standout, demonstrating the high calibre of our pop musicians. 

Larkin A, Ruby S, Jemima T, and Tamsin S collaborated on an “Amelie” medley, performing Where Do We Go from Here and Times are Hard for Dreamers, which beautifully captured the essence of their shared musical experiences. 

Jimmy T returned to the stage to talk about his extensive involvement in the Messiah and Choral Society concerts over the last five years. His solo performance of Ombra Mai Fu was a testament to his commitment and passion for choral music. This was followed by Schola Cantorum’s poignant rendition of And So It Goes, providing a reflective moment in the concert. These opportunities have been led and directed by Mark Jones, accompanied by Martin Holford.  

Jemima T then took the spotlight to discuss her journey and achievements, concluding with her emotive performance of Oscar Winning Tears, which left the audience in awe. The orchestra was directed by Thomas Carr, and we sadly bid him farewell after four spectacular years at Gresham’s.  

The concert also served as a farewell to our Year 13 pupils and their contributions over the years, which have left an indelible mark on Gresham’s musical landscape, and their performances at the Revue 2024 were a testament to their talent and hard work. 

Girls Cricket season round up

The girls have had another outstanding season. Yet again we have travelled far outside the county, playing many of the country’s top teams. Overall, the girls have had 21 wins, 3 walkovers from teams that chose not play us, and only 10 losses. The 1st XI and U15 Cup side only lost in cup competitions and in each case, it was either to the team that went on to win the competition or who will play in the finals of that competition.

The cricketing year actually began in September with the U15 National T20 Finals Day at Rugby School. We won our semi-final, but just came up short in the Final against Repton.

Our U15 team began the season in March by winning the County Round of the Indoor Cup to retain our County Champions title from last year. We then travelled to Cambridge in April and were runners-up in the regional finals.

The First XI has been represented by 16 players: 2 in Year 13, 1 in Year 12, 3 in Year 11, 5 in Year 10 and 5 in Year 9, which shows that the future continues to be bright for girls’ cricket at Gresham’s. Outstanding bowling performances this season include 4-wicket hauls for Charlotte T against Norwich, Grace H against Ipswich, Angelica H against Culford, Izzy P against Dereham, Clemmie O against Ipswich and Georgia D against Norwich in the U15 County Cup Final. The top wicket-taker is Angelica H with 19, while Izzy P came second with 13. The best average and best economy rate are both held for the second season running by Katie B.

There have been eight 50’s this season: 3 for Georgia D, 2 each to Grace H and Liv M, and one for Charlotte G. The stand-out performance was Grace’s 108 not out at Culford – the first girls’ century the school has ever had. Grace scored 386 runs at an average of 47, Georgia 281 at 55 and Liv scored 280.

Our season ended with the U17s narrowly losing away against Epsom College in the National Quarter Final of the Cup. Epsom went on to beat Stamford yesterday in the final (a team we beat well at the start of the season) meaning that again we only lost to the eventual winner. Finally, the U15s brought home the County Cup on Tuesday with a resounding win over Norwich.

On Speech Day, we say goodbye to the pioneers of girls’ cricket at Gresham’s: Jemima T (who won Shot of the Season for her back foot pull shot for 6 at Culford) has been an outstanding ambassador for girls’ cricket, while Charlotte T (the school’s top wicket-taker) has been the first girl to play 5 seasons for the school, the last three of those as Captain. Tippers and Toddy will become the first girls ever to play in the Leavers’ Game against the Staff ‘Beaks’ XI, which will be their last ‘first’ ever, as they leave a legacy for Gresham’s Girls’ Cricket that will be long remembered.

Junior Girls Most Improved Player of the Season – Agnes L

Junior Girls Player of the Season – Jolie M

Senior Girls XI Most Improved Player of the Season – Charlotte R

Senior Girls Player of the Season – Katie B

1st XI Most Improved Player of the Season – Angelica H

1st XI Player of the Season – Grace H