Sheep and bantam chickens from Waterloo Farm played a starring role in the Pre-Prep Nativity Service on Friday, creating a memorable live manger scene.
A Year 10 pupil, who volunteers on the farm as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award, proudly introduced one of the animals to the delighted Pre-Prep children.
Adding to the festive spirit, free-range eggs from an agri-enterprise led by Year 13 pupils were available for purchase on a ‘select your own eggs’ basis.
Year 10 Spanish pupils recently delved into the vibrant traditions of Las Posadas, a significant celebration that originated in Mexico and has since spread to parts of Latin America, including Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.
During the lesson, pupils learned that Las Posadas spans nine days, a period known as the novena. They explored the various elements of this festive event, gaining a deeper understanding of its cultural and historical significance.
The lesson was a rich cultural experience, leaving pupils with a greater appreciation of Latin American traditions.
This term, Big School was transformed into the Old Bailey for Agatha Christie’s Court Room Drama Witness for the Prosecution.
A company of 30 actors, makeup artists, and lighting technicians transported the audience back to the 1950s, where the accused faced the death penalty. The plot, with its many twists and turns, kept the audience guessing right up to the final surprise ending.
Overall, this was an atmospheric production created by a committed and focused ensemble, and an impressive group of pupils who brought the trial vividly to life.
In November, two Sixth Form historians delivered fascinating talks at the Gresham’s History Society with thought-provoking presentations on key moments in history.
Amelia P delivered an animated talk on the 2012 discovery of King Richard III’s remains beneath a Leicester car park and how recent state-of-the-art technology had recreated his voice, even replicating his Yorkshire accent.
Following this, IB historian Eva O’D’s presentation discussed the significance of the 1982 Falklands War in shaping the emerging relationship between US President Ronald Reagan, and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
The talks were a testament to our pupils’ passion for history and their ability to connect the past to the present through research and engaging storytelling.
The two Year 13 BTEC Business classes were hosted this week by Sponge to learn about their Marketing and Production functions.
Each trip was hosted by Mark Joll, (Director and OG c & T 1982 – 91) and Sponge’s Marketing Director, Natalie Douglas.
After a brief history of the company, Mark and Natalie outlined their Marketing aims after talking through their SWOT analysis and the 4P’s.
The pupils will be sitting their external Marketing exam early next year. The visit was particularly appreciated as it covered, in an applied manner, much of what the pupils will need in the exam, to devise a Marketing plan based on a case study that is pre-released the day before the examination.
The pupils unanimously agreed that the visit was extremely helpful and were amazed by the state-of-the-art production facilities at the Sponge factory in Holt. They were able to see the processes involved for cakes and the new brownies being manufactured, right through to the final packing and dispatch from the factory by post. Pupils certainly worked up an appetite during the tour and were particularly delighted with the box of delicious, fresh brownies they each received, in a customised Gresham’s box!
Our thanks go to all the staff at Sponge who were all so welcoming, and in particular to Mark and Natalie for giving their time to provide the students with such a valuable visit.
Pupils of Gresham’s Chapel Choir and Schola Cantorum were thrilled to visit Cambridge for this year’s choir tour, a city celebrated for it’s rich choral tradition. This occasion is always a wonderful opportunity for students from all years of the Senior school to come together and make beautiful music.
The group was lucky enough to visit multiple historic and majestic venues, the first of which was King’s College Chapel. As we entered the chapel, the light was entering the sixteenth-century stained glass windows, and everyone marvelled at the fan vault decorating the ceiling. We were allowed to observe a rehearsal of Cambridge Choral scholars by conductor and organist Daniel Hyde, the quality of which thoroughly astonished our students. Daniel was kind enough to impart some words of advice, recommending our pupils to research into potential Colleges of interest, and to come and sing for him and other choral conductors in Cambridge. The visit concluded with an Eucharist service, led by Daniel and the King’s College Choir.
The next day, our pupils performed a lunchtime concert at St. John’s College. Another beautiful venue, with a distinctive organ featuring Trompeta Royal stops, capable of delivering powerful tones. This was used in full effect by our organist, Mr Holford. Highlights from this concert included a gorgeous solo from Reva S. in “O For The Wings Of A Dove” by Mendelssohn, and Britten’s “A Hymn To The Virgin”, a remarkably mature work which was nevertheless written when he attended Gresham’s School.
That evening, the group went to see “Heathers: The Musical” at the Cambridge Arts Theatre, which delighted pupil and teacher alike (even Choir Master Mr Jones!) with stellar performances, memorable songs and dark comedy.
On the last full day, we had an evening performance in the elegant Clare’s College Chapel. This venue was more intimate in style than the previous, giving a personal touch to the performance. Highlights of this performance included Beach’s “Peace I Leave You”, Rutter’s “I Will Sing With The Spirit”, and a spellbinding solo from Zinny C.-B. in Britten’s “Te Deum in C”.
The final performance took place the next day, in the magnificent King’s Lynn Minster. This was the most varied concert, featuring four-hands organ accompaniment from Mr Brown and Mr Holford in the Vierne’s earth-shattering “Kyrie”. Fergus R. and Mrs Roberts later gave fortissimo brass support in Bruckner’s Ecce Sacerdos magnus. We also heard an equally impressive interpretation of the solo in “Te Deum in C” from Naomi H.-S. Finally, the choir performed the jazz-infused number “Nova, Nova”, complete with clapping and stomping, and accompanied by Mr Brown on the piano.
Head of School Emily M had the honour of opening our fifth annual Christmas Tree Festival on Saturday. The school Chapel has been filled to the brim with beautiful Christmas Trees, all lovingly festooned by members of the school community, a truly magical sight!
You can visit the Christmas Tree Festival at the Senior School FOGS Christmas Fayre on Saturday 7th December, 2.30-5.30pm.
In the last week of November, Gresham’s welcomed back Kitty Whately as part of the Sir John Hurt Masterclass Series, generously supported by Lady Hurt.
Kitty, who teaches English song at both the Royal College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, is also an internationally celebrated Mezzo Soprano.
During her visit, she worked one-on-one with the soloists for the School’s Messiah performance, held later that week. Throughout the day, Kitty helped the young singers refine their vocal technique, focusing on nuance and detail. Her guidance brought a noticeable depth to the performances which was evident in the resulting concert.
This was a fantastic opportunity for the School’s young singers to develop their performance skills and to see what it takes to reach the next level of their vocal development.
Messiah from Scratch is one of the highlights of the music calendar and joyously signals the start of the festive finale to the Michaelmas Term.
It not only provides a wonderful opportunity for pupils to hone their skills as soloists, it gives members of the community, parents and staff an opportunity to come together and sing in the Chorus.
This year’s large and enthusiastic chorus provided the perfect backdrop for exceptional performances from a group of gifted pupils: Milan H, Kai S, Naomi H-S, Sophie L, Douge L, Sebastian C, Meg O, Imogen A, Oliva E, Hennie D, Reva S, Sophia P, Tilly R, Mia W, Fergus R, Emily M, Ilana B, Josh K, Zinnia-Claire B and Rory R.
Accompanied by a guest orchestra, each pupil delivered Handel’s Messiah with great precision, navigating music that’s difficult even for experienced musicians.
Special recognition goes to the younger pupils, many of whom participated in Messiah for the first time this year, and to Kai S and Naomi H-S, who not only sang but also displayed their instrumental skills on the violin and oboe.
Year 13 pupil Sophia P has achieved a remarkable milestone as her art installation, Dei Curatio, has been shortlisted for The Arts Society A Level Competition.
Inspired by Damien Hirst and her visit to the MUSA Anatomy Museum, Sophia created a thought-provoking installation featuring tall glass jars filled with wax and plaster hands. Each hand evokes a haunting sense of time frozen. Adding to the piece’s unsettling impact, Sophia suspended a cast of an ear in oil, creating a scientific display-like illusion that challenges the viewer’s comfort.
Through her work, Sophia explores themes of mortality, preservation, and the blurred boundaries between art and science. By situating biological fragments in an artistic context, Sophia’s installation urges the viewer to ponder what separates art from artefact, and whether either truly holds the power to transcend death.
The winner will be announced in early March, and we wish Sophia the best of luck!
