Gresham’s RAF Cadets achieve Gold Awards

In July, Sgt N Protzen went off to ACLC (Air Cadet Leadership Course) which took place at RAF Cranwell, the first time a Gresham’s pupil has attended ACLC for several years. Initially placed in a group with 9 other Cadets from across the UK, Sgt Protzen learnt some of the fundamental skills of leadership and how to manage a team through challenging tasks. As the course progressed Sgt Protzen demonstrated a sound ability to absorb the leadership theory and he developed the confidence to become an effective leader. His course report cited that he “has the natural qualities needed to be a very capable leader back at his unit” and he was awarded a pass with merit in his graduation in front of RAF College Cranwell.

In addition to success at ACLC, Sgts K and E Tallinn attended a Gold Cyber Course at RAF Cosford over the summer. Trained by the RAF’s Cyber Security Flight at No1 Radio school, they covered threats, defence, cyber offensive and more specialist subjects like SCADA systems. With only 16 Cadets on the course, they got access to some high-quality training with the RAF that will help them with their IB studies back in the classroom. Once they finished the course, they even got to have a play with an original Enigma Machine that’s kept at RAF Cosford as a reminder of the importance that cyber has had throughout recent history.

A huge well done to all three Cadets who have achieved these prestigious awards.

Howson’s took on Arkell in the first debate of the academic year

Monday evening witnessed a piece of school history as Gresham’s oldest house, Howson’s, took on its youngest, Arkell, as the two teams locked horns over the motion This House prefers Barbie to Oppenheimer. Howson’s – Freddie B, Alex M and Elliott H – presented Barbie as a welcome celebration of female empowerment whereas they questioned Oppenheimer’s appeal as both a mainstream piece of entertainment and as a historical figure. Arkell – Maddi W and Olga B – disagreed, finding Barbie shallow and body-obsessed and the movie to be a marketing sales gimmick, whereas Oppenheimer had depth, complexity and was a brilliantly made film. Avid audience participation and a passionate exchange of views confirmed the success of an entertaining debate. The result was a victory for Howson’s who constructed a strong and unified proposition case, but Arkell walk away with great credit from their first house fixture in any competition.

The U15 girls cricket team travelled to Rugby for the National Cup Finals Day

The U15s travelled to Rugby on Sunday 3^rd September in preparation for the National Cup Finals Day at Rugby School.

First up was the Semi-Final, in which we were drawn against Canford School from Dorset, the champions of the Southwest Region. Batting first, the girls set about posting a daunting total. Amelie H opened with 28 runs, seeing off the best of the bowling, with Georgia D hitting a quick 18 off 8 balls at the other end to set the tone for some rapid scoring. Georgia was replaced by Grace H-K, which precipitated the most impressive innings of Finals Day, as Grace hit a remarkable 95 runs off 63 balls, including eleven 4’s and three 6’s. Etta C and Liv M finished off the innings as the team posted 175 off their 20 overs. Canford simply couldn’t match the run rate and could only manage 130, with wickets falling to Alice H, Esther B, Grace; and Georgia taking 2 for 12 off her 4 overs.

That put us into the National Final against Repton School. It was a quick turnaround for us after the long midday match in searing heat, while Repton had despatched their semi-final opposition quickly and had a 2-hour break in the shade. Georgia again started brightly with an impressive 17 off 13 balls, but was unluckily run out while looking set for a large total. With our opening three batters out, our strength in depth was then on display: Etta scored another 20 before Liv M hit 32 from 30 and Esther B hit 24. Lottie Bowden finished off the innings as we posted a competitive 120, the highest total anyone had scored against Repton this year. However, their batting was incredibly strong, with 2 girls in the U18 regional academy – although both fell to the pinpoint bowling of Alice H, who took 2 for 12. The trophy slipped away, but the girls showed remarkable character to keep taking wickets and catches to the last ball.

The squad was completed by Isobel C, Ella J, Ruby P, and Molly R, all of whom have played a significant part in a 9-game unbeaten outdoor season (to add to the 13 of 14 indoor victories that saw us become runners-up in the region) leading up to the National Cup Final.

It says much about the girls’ character that they were so saddened in defeat and have returned determined to strive for even greater honours in the years to come. The girls can be incredibly proud of their absolutely justified title as the second best cricket team in the country.

Year 13 pupils benefitted from a talk giving insight on perfecting your personal statement

Gresham’s UCAS coordinator organised a help session for Year 13 pupils as they start the UCAS / University application process.

The session was presented by UEA Outreach Adviser, Lucy Nottingham, giving insight and help on how to perfect your personal statement.

The new Chapel hymn books and altar frontals were blessed by the Archdeacon of Lynn

Our Chapel has some new additions this academic year. Over the summer holidays we received delivery of a beautiful new altar frontal and the latest edition of the much-loved Gresham’s hymn book. 

The stunning green frontal has been created by the talented team of broderers at Norwich Cathedral as a kind gift from Fishmongers’ Company. The new expanded hymn books have been enthusiastically adopted by the pupils who have been singing with great gusto during the first two weeks of term.

Both the hymn books and frontals were blessed in a special service by the Archdeacon of Lynn.

The Gresham’s First Team vs OG Class of 2023 football game was a great start to the season

On a gloriously hot and sunny day, the newly formed first team squad for the new academic year took on a team of OGs from the class of 2023, including some who have been stalwarts for the school football team themselves over the previous two years.

The game started positively, with chances for both teams before the first team took the lead with a shot from outside the area by Elliot H. This clearly rattled the OGs and 1-0 very quickly became 2-0, as a run from Max W was not properly tracked and he found the net with a composed finish. Albert W scored his first of three goals for a 3-0 lead, however the OG side did not give up and they scored the goal of the game with Toby P-R letting fly from the half way line to find the top corner to bring his side right back into the game. The celebrations that followed were euphoric and even the opposition had to stop and applaud what was a super goal (whether he intended it, only he will know!).

However, any thoughts of a comeback were soon stopped as Jake F scored on his debut (a similarly impressive celebration followed!) to leave the first team leading 4-1 at half time.

The weather was hot and this started to tell in the second half with many tired legs and lots of substitutions, however the OG side found the energy to score when a great run from Luke W ended with a shot into the bottom corner. However, top scorer from last season Albert W was in the mood for more goals, scoring his second and third to round off a fantastic performance and complete his hat trick, leaving the OGs 6-2 behind.

Former captain Charlie H scored to reduce the deficit, but Ru M finally got the goal his efforts deserved (having had several shots well saved by the keeper) and the match finished 7-3.

This was a great start to the season and the first team learnt a lot from the fixture. It was great to welcome back so many former pupils and we wish them every success as they move on to pastures new away from Gresham’s.

Year 12 IB pupils have completed their Collaborative Sciences Project

Over the past week, the Year 12 IB pupils have been completing their Collaborative Sciences Project (the replacement for the Group 4 Project). All IB Diploma pupils work in groups spending 10 hours investigating a local and global problem in a scientific context. This year they linked to the sixth UN sustainable development goal “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.”

The pupils worked in teams of three to investigate and research both a local and global aspect of water and then presented the results of their research to staff and pupils in the atrium of the Dyson Building.

Dr Taylor was very impressed with how well they all worked together and their presentations were outstanding. He would also like to thank all of the Science Department staff that gave so much of their time to supervise the pupils over the two days and the invaluable support of the Science Technicians.

Geography pupils enjoyed playing the jelly baby population game

A level Geography pupils enjoyed playing the jelly baby population game. This fun simulation game helped pupils explore a range of factors which influence or alter a countries fertility and mortality rates over time. 

Well done to Kitty and Daisy who have completed their DELF (French Language) exams

At the end of Year 12, A level French pupils, Kitty R and Daisy W travelled to Cambridge to complete their DELF (Diplôme d’études en Langue Française) B1 exams, a day of exams in listening, reading, writing and speaking. It is all conducted in French and pupils are fully immersed. DELF (French language), diplomas are awarded by the French Ministry of Education to certify the level of French-language skills of non-French speakers. Level B1 indiciates that you are an independent user of French and you also need it to obtain French nationality. The diplomas are valid for life and recognised all around the world. Kitty and Daisy completed this alongside their A level studies, so a big well done to both on this internationally recognised qualification.

Penny from School Readers spoke to pupils in Chapel after they raised £550 for the charity

It was great to welcome Penny from the charity School Readers to Senior School Chapel on Wednesday morning. She spoke movingly about the difference good literacy skills can make in a person’s life and how reading can be a powerful force for positive social change. She also thanked our Year 10 and 11 pupils for the £550 they helped to raise for the charity during the Big Coronation Help Out earlier in the year.