The annual Service of Confirmation was a moving occasion

The annual Service of Confirmation was held at the School Chapel on Sunday 19th March. The Service was officiated by the Rt Reverend Graham Usher, the Bishop of Norwich. 

This special and moving occasion involved thirty pupils and family members. Alec A, Alexander B, Amelia M-L, Andre W, Arthur C, Cameron H, Charles C B, Dian S, Gabriella W, Helen S, Henrietta Croot, Isabella C B, Isaac B, John S, James C, Kathryn S, Laura H, Laurie W, Maddie W, Max C, Miriam G, Monty O , Ralph N, Rosie R, Sophia W, Sophie L, Teddy C, William N, William S, Zara U-B all took part. As part of the Confirmation Service the Bishop of Norwich gave each of the candidates a hazel tree to plant to remind them of the vow they have taken to care for creation. 

This annual service is a wonderful Gresham’s tradition which has seen a real revival in recent years. We have seen a large increase in the number of Baptisms and Confirmations taking place in our Chapel with 95 people taking part in these special moments in the last twenty months alone. We believe this is largest number in over 50 years to take place in such a short space of time.

The Rifle Club have been representing England Schools in the British Schools International match

Ten members of the Rifle Club have recently been representing England Schools in the annual British Schools International match. Each of the Home Nations (including the Channel Islands) select two teams of 12 firers to compete in this match, but with England having considerably more people to select from, than the other Nations, they also select a ‘C’ and a ‘D’ team to shoot for honours in the match. This year, a quarter of the England ‘A’ team are from Gresham’s School, with Georgina B, Hannah B, Georgie C and Belle W all being selected. George B was selected for the England ‘B’ team, Harry P and Jonny W for the ‘C’ team and Xenia P, Oliver R and Alexandre S for the ‘D’ team. Gresham’s has more individuals shooting for England, in this match, than any other school and we wish them all the very best for when the results are announced.

Pupils celebrated Women’s History Month

Gresham’s pupils celebrated Women’s History Month in a variety of ways: by learning about the history of International Women’s Day (Clara Zetkin, communist activist and advocate for women’s rights, founded International Women’s Day in 1910); by photographing themselves “Embracing Equity”, having learned about the difference between equality and equity; by watching films in house which celebrated women’s achievements or told stories of the lives of women, fictional or real (Queens’ girls’ choice was “Little Women”). 

On 8^th March, pupils were invited to wear something purple, the colour most associated with International Women’s Day, to show their support for women around the world, and at lunchtime, celebrated with purple cakes. Assemblies included Anton L sharing the story of his extraordinary multi-lingual grandmother, and Cerys D, Teagan G and Will B telling us about why Women’s History Month is so important. Their message was: “Forging gender equity isn’t limited to women…allies are incredibly important for the social, economic, cultural and political advancement of women.

Rev Jack encapsulated our thoughts and hopes with this prayer, which he read in chapel on International Women’s Day:

“On this International Women’s Day,
as we celebrate and give thanks for the achievements of women,
we remember the women who have played a part in our lives.
Those who have nurtured us, taught us, inspired us, loved us.

On this International Women’s Day, as we acknowledge the challenges women still face, we pray that all women may know equality of healthcare, of education, of wealth, of prospects.

We pray that all women may know themselves to be respected, safe, included, empowered.

Amen”

The swimming team have had a busy Lent term

Gresham’s swimming team have had a busy lent term, with their first match taking place at home against King’s Ely on Tuesday 27th February 2023. It was a close match with the final score resulting in a win. Gresham’s 147, King’s Ely 145.

On Thursday 2^nd March, the swimming team travelled to Oundle, to compete against Oundle and Uppingham. It was a tough match with the final score resulting in us gaining second place. Oundle 220, Gresham’s 158, Uppingham 81.

On Friday 10^th March, the team travelled to the London Aquatic Centre in Stratford to take part in the National Schools Relay Competition, where there were 78 Girls Teams and 70 Boys Teams. This is the biggest event in our calendar so swimmers compete to represent the school. The following teams took part:

                               

Although they did not qualify for finals, all teams gained faster finishing times than expected with seven PB times gained during the races. PB Times gained by Will B, Arthur B, Maddie S and Tilly L in Freestyle Relay, plus Konstantin L, Will B and Tilly L in the Medley Relays. It was a great experience to swim at such a large event.

The Lent term ‘Page to Stage’ evening provided a fantastic selection of performances

In February, the Auden Theatre was buzzing with talent and nervous excitement as the second Page to Stage evening of the academic year took place. It was a showcase of the Year 11 GCSE Drama final exam performances with supporting performances from our wonderful Year 9 and 10 scholars. The audience were treated to performances of scenes from well-known classics such as Journey’s End, Alice in Wonderland, Antigone and The Importance of Being Ernest, as well as scenes from contemporary plays such as Fleabag and The Woman Who Cooked Her Husband. The GCSE pupils demonstrated their costume, set design and acting skills learnt during the duration of the GCSE and used this performance as a valuable dress rehearsal for their final performance which took place the following week. There were also amazing performances from some of our Drama scholars from Years 9 and 10 who chose monologues or a song they wanted to share with their audience, such as Ophelia from Hamlet and Burn from Hamilton. This was a fantastic evening of performances with a hugely supportive audience. Thank you to everyone who took part and attended.  

Pupils have entered the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators

Queens’ College, Oxford launched the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators in 2020, in partnership with the Stephen Spender Trust. It aims to promote language learning and motivate pupils to study modern foreign languages.

Last year, Kitty R in Year 11 and now studying French A level, won the East Region Competition. This year, the French department have extended the competition to Years 9, 10, 12 and 13 and the best entrants have been put forward in each category, having blended accuracy with a creative twist.

In the Year 9 category, translating Victor Hugo’s La Méridienne du Lion Ted Gostling, Charlotte F, Erin O, George R-L and Max C’s translations were submitted. The Year 10 pupils translated a humorous extract from Faïza Guène’s, Un homme, ça ne pleure pas. Zinnia C-B, Romilly H, Oliver M, Kit P, Mia W, Isadora A and Tilly L were put forward. Marguerite Yourcenar’s challenging Vers gnomiques, was the task at Sixth Form level: Kitty R, hoping to repeat last year’s success and Phoebe W were entered.

Well done to all pupils and we wish them the best of luck for the regional and national judging: results will be announced next term.

Year 9 pupils enjoyed their first Chinese dumplings (jiǎozi) making session

To summarise their Lent term learning, Year 9 pupils studying Mandarin have enjoyed their first Chinese dumplings (jiǎozi) making session. This is excellent practice of what they have already learned in their food topic. It is also good practice for them to learn some cooking skills. More importantly, they have learned that the reasons behind Chinese dumplings wraps being round is to represent family, being together and reunion. Well done to Sophia as she made most jiǎozi and she was very pleased about her well-made jiǎozi shapes.