100 volunteers helping the local community

Around 100 pupils in the services programme volunteered in the local community. There were many groups scattered across North Norfolk such as at Eve’s Hill Veg company, the Felbeck trust and along the River Glaven. Students worked in allotments, in gardens and at commercial vegetable growing sites. Jobs included: weeding, clearing beds for new crops, potting on young plants and watering.

At the Treehouse community café in Holt there was outdoor furniture to paint for their new sensory garden. At St Andrew’s church a team were working in the churchyard garden and also at St Martin’s church, Hindringham.

Twelve students volunteered at Holt and Kelling Primary schools where they assisted with an Art workshop led by artist Mary Blue. Another group were at Holt Youth Project helping to sort clothes for their second-hand shop and there was lots of maintenance jobs too. Rose T and Sophia P created a piano and voice recital which they performed to residents at Lloyd court, Kelling and Heath Lodge Care in Holt.

There was a jaunt to Norwich with a visit to the shrine of Julian of Norwich and the Castle Museum with the Roger Ackling exhibition whilst another group hiked to the coast and picked litter along the shingle beach.

Meanwhile in school there was plenty to be done with the charity knitting group, making the labyrinth in chapel and maintenance work and gardening in Tallis.

It was a brilliant two days of volunteering and well done to everyone who got involved.

Pupils working towards the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award have enjoyed recent successes

Gresham’s DofE participants have received a certificate recognising their contribution towards volunteering in the twelve months ending April 24. They have achieved 6,162 hours with a social value of £32,534.

Pupils have also been working hard to complete their Gold award.

Four Year 9 pupils delivered an excellent talk on Diabetes

Last week four Year 9 pupils bravely stood up in front of the whole school in Chapel to deliver an excellent talk on Diabetes. Harry, Isaac, Will and Alex included a fun quiz in their presentation which ensured everyone left feeling both entertained and better informed.

Languages Symposium 

Year 12 pupils studying languages joined for a language symposium in TIG’s cafe where they showcased their chosen research topics for their A level oral exam. Pupils and staff asked questions and discussed the various subjects, enabling pupils to expand upon and refine their avenues of research. Well done to all on their efforts and good luck for their research over the summer. 

Maddi W – The Mental Health Crisis in Spain 

Josh K – The Spanish Aviation Industry 

Lucio C – Biodiversity/Conservation in Madagascar 

Bea C-L– Notre Dame and the role it plays in French heritage 

Faith R – The Haitian revolution and its legacy  

Tara G – Haute couture versus the rise of ‘Prêt-à-Porter’ (off the peg clothing) 

Isabelle H – Marie Curie’s key findings in developing cures for cancer 

Amelia H – Existentialism as a product of post-war France 

Sophie L – Debussy & peers, how their music put French music onto the international stage 

LAMDA pupils spent the afternoon with The Norfolk Photographer to film showreel material

An afternoon was recently spent with The Norfolk Photographer, filming LAMDA drama pupils for showreel material and taking a few informal headshots in the Fishmongers’ Hall. Many pupils are keen to collate footage of their performances to use for possible casting agents and drama school auditions – quite apart from it being a lovely reminder of fun times spent living the lives of many and varied characters!

Pupils created a special Labyrinth on the floor in Chapel

Pupils created a special Labyrinth on the floor in Chapel in the penultimate week of term. Labyrinths are ancient pathways found across the world, most famously in some of Europe’s major Cathedrals. They offer space for reflection and inner stillness in a busy world.

The beautiful pathway was constructed by a group of pupils using natural materials. Staff and pupils have the opportunity to walk around the Labyrinth, taking time to reflect and unwind at the end of a busy school year.

Year 12 UCAS Discovery Exhibition

On 10^th June the whole of Year 12 went on a morning of ‘Discovery’ to the UCAS exhibition at the Norfolk Showground.

They are working hard on researching their next steps after Gresham’s and took advantage of chatting to over 100 university and apprenticeship representatives to find out more.

Hopefully this has inspired them to start work on their personal statements or CVs over the long summer break!

Gresham’s has once again submitted an application for the Green Flag Award

The Green Flag Award is a prestigious international accreditation granted to schools participating in the Eco-Schools program. Administered by Keep Britain Tidy, this award recognises schools that excel in environmental education and sustainable practices. To achieve the Green Flag, schools must follow the Seven Step Framework and complete at least three themes related to environmental awareness, conservation, and community engagement. It’s a symbol of commitment to fostering eco-consciousness among students and promoting positive environmental impact.

Team Eco have been working hard this academic year to meet the requirements. This year they have recycled more, reduced both the school’s electricity cost and plate waste in the CFB. The biodiversity is improving on the school grounds with areas for rewilding, reconstructing the pond to have different depths to support more wildlife and also recycling crisp packets as well as clothes. Macey T and Tara G delivered a brilliant chapel talk to inform the school of achievements. Inez C and Jemima C helped to write the talk.  Team Eco recognise the importance of being positive and that everyone can make a difference to our natural world no matter how big or small. To quote Barabara Milkulski, “Each of us can make a difference, together we can make a change.

CCF Summer Field Days

The 17th & 18th June were action packed CCF days. The whole of the Year 9 recruit cohort were involved in assessment of their expedition skills with navigation, campcraft, first aid and trekking activities. They also had the chance to try archery, air rifle target sprint and clay simulator shooting.

Year 10 experienced military training according to section with the Royal Navy section afloat doing sailing qualification courses at Hickling Broad, the Army section completing field craft skills including blank firing battle simulations as well as live firing at Swanton Morley and the RAF section learning skills as varied as archery, rocketry, raft building and paddlesport. This also gave opportunity to see the senior NCOs develop their leadership skills, whether leading a section attack, coordinating a team or delivering a lesson. The full range of military and adventurous activities available through the CCF were on display over these two days.

Pupils have been benefitting from opportunities provided by the Careers Department

Trip to Norwich Research Park

Five current Year 12 pupils, Olga B, Iciar C-B, Rose T, Freddie B and Pearl Y, all with a strong interest in Science, Medicine, Technology and Research, attended ‘Enterprise Tuesday’ at the John Innes Conference Centre. They heard talks from the Earlham Institute, Quadram Institute, John Innes Centre  and UEA highlighting the technology platforms developed at Norwich Research Park, revealing their origin, and presenting case studies on their applications and discoveries.

Contemporary Art Lecture

We welcomed Celia from Art History Abroad to talk to all of Year 12. 

Celia gave a superb talk, giving a new perspective on contemporary art and making it accessible to all whilst showcasing the variety of careers within the creative sector such as Marketing, Finance, Event Management and Business.

We look forward to welcoming them back to Gresham’s for further insight and talks. 

Law Insight Day

Thank you to OG Katy Warren (k 2001 – 07) for flagging the opportunity of The Leap into Law Insight Day at global law firm Watson Farley & Williams to our Sixth Form pupils interested in a future Law career.

Eva O’D was successful in her application and enjoyed a day with Watson Farley & Williams hearing from trainee lawyers, taking part in workshops and learning the different routes into law.

WORK EXPIERIENCE AT BAKERS AND LARNERS

Fritz S and his family had requested for Fritz to have some work experience before his return to Germany. Thank you to local employers Bakers and Larners, Holt, for facilitating this request and for sending the following superb feedback:

“I would just like to say what a star Fritz has been. Every staff member that has worked with Fritz over the course of his work experience has commented on what a lovely young man he is. He was well mannered, polite, friendly and very engaging. We have a very diverse staff demographic and Fritz was able to connect with everyone with ease. While working on the shop floor Fritz had no hesitation in talking to customers and offering assistance. Again, this showed great maturity and a willingness to get stuck in a try something new. He threw himself into all tasks and it really felt like he wanted to get as much out of the experience as he possibly could.”

Talk FROM OG HATTIE REYNOLDS ABOuT HER USA STUDY EXPERIENCE

Thank you so much to OG Hattie Reynolds (c & Q 2023 – 16) who came back to talk to current Sixth Form pupils Lucy O, Albert W and Rory R about her experience of USA study and athletics training. It was a super helpful, lively and informative chat. Thank you Hattie and congratulations for the return in August for your second year of USA study at the prestigious Duke University, North Carolina.