It has been a busy expedition season for DofE participants

It has been a busy time for the DofE participants in recent months. In March, 56 Year 10 pupils completed a two-day assessment expedition in the North Norfolk countryside, camping at Kelling Heath. This was the final part of their bronze award. Their awards are awaiting final approval. 

During the first week of the Easter holiday, 29 Year 12 pupils completed their gold practice expedition in the Peak District. The groups experienced very mixed weather during the four day expedition over some challenging terrain, but all returned to North Norfolk feeling a great sense of achievement on completion of their expedition.

Pupils studying Agriculture have been busy caring for a group of orphan lambs

Pupils studying Agriculture at Gresham’s have been busy over the past couple of weeks caring for a group of very cute orphan lambs on the school site. Last weekend the lambs had a wonderful time exploring Chapel lawn in a special Good Shepherd themed Chapel service. Pupils Jack and Hugo gave an amusing and informative talk before fielding a variety of sheep related questions from pupils and staff.

The CCF welcomed Major-General Felix Gedney for its Review

The CCF welcomed Major-General Felix Gedney for its Review on 26^th April. He was greeted by a full contingent parade and inspected the Guard of Honour, commanded by CSM George P, as well as the Royal Navy, Army & RAF Sections in turn, accompanied by a tri-service repertoire from the contingent band. In the afternoon he enjoyed a tour of training that encompassed a wide range of activities including introductory expedition training for the new recruits, command tasks, communications exercises and shooting on the shotgun simulator. In addition the RAF showed off its flight simulator and rocketry, the Royal Navy demonstrated a range of afloat training activities and the Army section ran through different fieldcraft skills. The cadets and NCOs all delivered an excellent display of what is offered through participation in the CCF.

A Grand Performance at Steinway Hall: A Masterclass Experience

Jimmy T, Milan H, Emily M, Benny S, and Rose T were invited to perform at the prestigious Steinway Hall in London on Tuesday 23rd April and participate in a masterclass conducted by the esteemed Professor of Piano at the Royal College of Music, Andrew Zolinsky. Our pupils had diligently prepared individual pieces, which were then critiqued and developed under the expert guidance of Zolinsky. This was a unique opportunity for them to refine their skills and gain invaluable insights from a world-renowned musician. The day was filled with excitement as our pupils were treated to a tour of the pianos and the restoration department at Steinway Hall. They had the chance to play on the new Spirio model, as well as a piano destined for the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. The highlight of the day was a recital where our pupils demonstrated what they had learned in the masterclass. We were delighted to be joined by friends and family who came to support and share in this memorable event. The maturity and dedication our pupils showed in the preparation and performance of their pieces were truly commendable. As an All-Steinway school, we are proud of this ongoing partnership, our school names featuring on the ‘Wall of Fame’ at Steinway Hall. 

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.

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.  

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.

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.