IB History pupils attend UEA workshop on Art and the Anti-Apartheid Movement
News > IB History pupils attend UEA workshop on Art and the Anti-Apartheid Movement
Last Friday, IB History pupils had the opportunity to attend a unique workshop at the University of East Anglia (UEA), entitled All Shall Be Afforded Dignity: Art and Anti-Apartheid Movement.
The day began with a fascinating talk on the complex history and politics of apartheid in South Africa, and the anti-apartheid movement in the and across the globe, delivered by Dr Nicholas Grant.
Following the lecture, the pupils explored the exhibition and reflected upon the All Shall Be Afforded Dignity exhibition featuring the works of Norman Kaplan. The morning concluded with a hands-on printing workshop led by the artist JMC Anderson. Here, the pupils were guided through the process of creating their own Linograph prints, using protest as their central theme.
Computer Science Department is awarded ‘Innovator’ Credly badge
News > Computer Science Department is awarded ‘Innovator’ Credly badge
Our Computer Science (CS) department has switched to the latest Edexcel GCSE syllabus, which examines candidates via real Python programming tasks ‘onscreen’.
This is a major step up from other paper-based CS exams, giving the school valuable experience with onscreen assessments as exams move from paper to digital. Our pupils also enjoyed the more ‘real-world’ nature of the exams.
In recognition of this forward-thinking approach, our Computer Science centre has been awarded the prestigious Computer Science ‘Innovator’ Credly badge.
Credly, a globally recognised digital credentialing platform, issues badges to institutions that successfully deliver Pearson’s onscreen assessments. This badge highlights the school’s achievement in delivering the GCSE (9-1) Computer Science (1CP2) Paper 2 onscreen and underscores the centre’s commitment to innovative education.
By earning this badge, Gresham’s has aligned itself with a trusted credentialing platform, enhancing the value and credibility of the achievements earned by the centre.
Year 9 language pupils test codebreaking skills with GCHQ staff
News > Year 9 language pupils test codebreaking skills with GCHQ staff
On Thursday 19 September, a group of Year 9 language pupils were lucky enough to join a Teams call with staff from the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). The session offered an eye-opening look at how languages play a crucial role in fighting crime and protecting national security.
The pupils learned about the most sought-after languages, as well as how all languages train the brain to crack codes and spot patterns. Once the call was over, Year 9 pupils tried a fictional exercise to discover the time, location, and mode of transport for a drugs shipment due to arrive into the UK. They used a code to fill in a French dialogue, which they then had to translate and decode to find the answers.
Pupils will now have the chance to enter the National Language Competition (NLC) in November, where they can put their language and codebreaking skills to the test.
The Scholars and Choirs concert is traditionally the first concert to mark the start of a new academic year. While the Year 9 Scholar pupils are introduced in the first Music and Munch of the year, this concert, held on Wednesday 25 September, showcases our older scholars, alongside the Chapel Choir and Schola Cantorum.
The programme for the evening included both solo and choral performances, featuring pieces that marked the anniversaries of great composers such as Stanford, Bruckner, Fauré, and Bairstow. From start to finish, the audience was treated to a series of exceptional performances. Our musicians are all high achieving in so many areas of the school; two performers even rushed back from an away rugby match to participate in the concert, highlighting their unwavering commitment to their craft.
Bravo to singers Olga B, Seb C, Ilana B, Reva S, Emily M, Rory R, Zinny B, Scarlett H and Milan H for riveting performances of classical and musical theatre pieces, and to Sophie L (clarinet), Jemima A (flute), Mia W (cello) and Naomi H-S (oboe) for their impressive instrumental playing.
Our Sixth Form Jazz musicians, Benny S (piano), Timo F (kit) and Ferdinand v-D (trumpet), just can’t resist playing when they spot a piano or drum kit in the room. As well as providing background music as the audience arrived, they entertained with toe-tapping renditions of Autumn Leaves and Comin ’Home Baby.
Early in the term, our Chapel Choir effortlessly tackled the tricky eight-part Ecce Sacerdos Magnus by Bruckner, among other pieces. Meanwhile, Schola Cantorum opened and closed the concert, ending on a high note with a playful rendition of Fats Waller’s classic, Ain’t Misbehavin’.
The first Music and Munch of this term showcased some of our new talented Year 9 Scholars as well as some familiar faces.
Evie M kicked off the event with a confident piano accompaniment to Matthew C’s elegant flute piece, setting the tone for the afternoon. Sisters Lucy and Sophie D followed with a stunning duet on viola and violin, performing Mascagni’s Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana, which earned enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Minky C’s beautiful rendition of Britten’s Salley Gardens added a touch of lyrical charm to the programme. Imogen A’s passion for performing was unmistakable as she delivered a captivating vocal performance of Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera. Grace C then continued the musical theatre theme with her evocative rendition of Maria from West Side Story.
As the concert progressed, Year 11 pupil Edie C (on saxophone) and Meg O (on vocals) rounded off the programme with equally enjoyable performances, bringing the event to a satisfying close.
We are lucky to have so many wonderful musicians just starting their journey at the Senior School.
OGs return to share university journey and career tips
News > OGs return to share university journey and career tips
On Monday 23 September, we were delighted to welcome back OGs Joe, Lucy, and Tilly for an inspiring enrichment talk with our current Year 13 pupils.
Each OG shared their unique university journeys, offering valuable insights and advice for those preparing for the next step in their education. Joe, now in his third year studying History at Durham University, stressed the importance of being proactive in pursuing personal goals. His dedication has certainly paid off, as he managed to secure a summer placement with the multinational accounting firm, Deloitte, and already has a job offer lined up with the company for September 2025.
Lucy, a Marketing and Events Management graduate from Oxford Brookes University, spoke about her experience switching degree courses and highlighted the excellent support available for students with dyslexia. Lucy helped reassure those with learning differences about the help they can expect at university.
Tilly, an English Literature graduate from Edinburgh University, shared her enriching experience, including a memorable Erasmus exchange in her third year at the University of Copenhagen.
So far this term, Monday’s academic enrichment talks have been filled with exciting and engaging speakers. We welcomed Major General Felix Gedney who delivered a thought-provoking lecture about the UK Armed Forces and Society, and Former MP and Old Greshamian, Duncan Baker, who gave an extremely engaging and knowledgeable talk that offered insights into the commitment of being an MP.
We look forward with anticipation to welcoming more exciting speakers throughout the rest of the term.
The Drama Department kicked off the 2024 Ten Minute Play Competition with a scriptwriting workshop led by widely successful stage and screenwriter, James McDermott. Held in The Auden Theatre, the workshop drew over 20 enthusiastic ‘Audeneers’, all eager to sharpen their scriptwriting skills. We hope that this has given our budding playwrights some inspiration for their own work.
In addition to the scriptwriting workshop, Year 10 and Sixth Form Drama pupils, along with Drama scholars, took part in a physical theatre workshop with one of the UK’s best loved theatre companies, Frantic Assembly. Pupils worked in small groups to create movement sequences using Frantic Assembly’s signature techniques, including stylistic physical lifts and expressive choreography.
These workshops have not only sparked creativity among students but have also equipped them with valuable new skills, whether for scriptwriting or exploring physical theatre.
Over the weekend, six members of the Rifle Club: Kyla C, Jonathan zu B, Grace S, Corin H, Alastair S and Ilana B travelled to Bisley to compete in the South London Championships, the London and Middlesex Open Meeting and the school’s Quadrangular match. The conditions were not great for the weekend, particularly on the Saturday morning, as the heavens opened for the latter stages of the first competition.
The poor weather did not appear to dampen the team’s ability to shoot well, as several possibles were scored during the course of the first day. Alastair, Grace and Ilana all shot possibles (the highest score achievable in that shoot). Jonathan also had a hugely successful weekend, shooting in his first ever Open Competition.
Gresham’s did fairly well in the Quadrangular match, considering all other teams were being coached and the Gresham’s team were all self-coaching (due to shooting concurrently in the London and Middlesex competition). Grace was the Gresham’s top shot and was third top shot overall.
During the London and Middlesex, and South London Champs, Alastair won the Cromwell Cup and the Tyro Medal for his score of 50.8 / 50.10 at 300 yards. Grace won the Jubilee Cup for her 50.7 / 50.10 at 500 yards and the Century Range Agg with a 147.13 / 150.30. Finally, the Cantlay Cup was won by Ilana B for her long-range, slightly foggy, shoot at 1000 yards with her score of 48.5 / 50.10. Ilana shot particularly well over the weekend and finished in a very respectable third place in the South London Champs Grand Aggregate.
A good weekend had by all.
£1700 raised for East Anglian Air Ambulance
News > £1700 raised for East Anglian Air Ambulance
On Sunday 22 September, 17 pupils from Gresham’s, including 15 School Prefects, participated in the ‘Only the Brave’ charity obstacle course race in Thetford.
The event challenged participants with a combination of physical endurance and mental toughness across a series of obstacles. The Gresham’s team took on two different versions of the race, with five participants completing the 6-mile course and the remaining twelve tackling the more demanding 10-mile version.
Joining the pupils were Mr. Cox and Mr. Burnett, who also took part in the challenge. Their collective efforts were not only impressive but also for a great cause. The team successfully raised £1700 in support of the East Anglian Air Ambulance, an organisation that provides critical emergency services across Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, and Cambridgeshire.
A huge well done to all the pupils and staff who took part in this fantastic event, showcasing both their commitment to helping others and their resilience in overcoming a tough physical challenge.
Year 13 pupils earn prestigious DELF B1 certification
News > Year 13 pupils earn prestigious DELF B1 certification
Year 13 A Level French pupils recently achieved a significant milestone, successfully passing their DELF (Diplôme d’études en Langue Française) B1 exams. The exams, held at the Alliance Française in Cambridge, involved a full day of testing across four key language skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Conducted entirely in French, the experience provided pupils with complete immersion in the language.
The DELF diplomas, awarded by the French Ministry of Education, certify the level of French-language skills of non-French speakers. Achieving level B1 indicates that you are an independent user of French. You also need to pass the exams to obtain French nationality.
The qualification is recognised worldwide and is valid for life, making it an impressive addition to any CV. All seven A Level French pupils joined the International Baccalaureate (IB) pupils in earning this qualification alongside their regular Sixth Form courses.
Gresham’s is one of the few schools around that offers pupils the opportunity to sit this prestigious exam, reflecting the school’s commitment to fostering language proficiency. A big congratulations to all the students on this remarkable achievement, on this internationally recognised qualification and huge boost to their CVs in a competitive job market.
