On Monday 11th March, the Bold Voices ambassadors (a group of Year 12 pupils) visited the Prep School to deliver workshops to pupils in Years 7 and 8 to raise awareness of, and encourage discussion about, gender stereotypes. This project was the culmination of a 6-month programme run by Bold Voices, to help students tackle issues of gender inequality within schools. The student ambassadors fully immersed themselves in the programme, attending regular webinars and working collaboratively to raise awareness and educate about gender stereotyping. Their final project was ambitious, and was very well received at the Prep School. Well done to Albert, Alma, Amelia, Iciar, James, Reva and Sarah on their excellent work.
The Lent Term has seen the start of a new clay target shooting activity. During the dark, cold months of January & February there have been regular training sessions on the newly purchased indoor clay target simulator, with lots of pupils attending to try out the sport. In the second half of term the action has moved outdoors with live firing on a local site, introducing new pupils to the activity as well as giving experienced shots the chance to hone their skills ready for the competition season. This has all been possible thanks to the dedication of Mr Detnon and Mr Clarke who have taken the time to set up and manage the equipment and logistics. The future looks very bright for Gresham’s clay shooting and we look forward to the chance to defend our national title at the Cadet Clay Championships in the summer term.
This year’s Cross Country fixtures have seen torrential rain, lots of mud and one sunny spring day. The team have been very keen to get miles under their belt training for the half marathon, regularly completing 12km. The girls’ team won the first event and then with strong finishes from Sophia P, helped the team of Evie H, Darcey L, Charlotte T, Rose T, Honor S, Paloma M and Hattie W finish second overall.
The inter boys competition was dominated by our very own Seb W who won all his races and was supported by Tamim R in hot pursuit allowing the two of them to bring home the inters individual and team trophy. A great season had by all.
The Gresham’s runners gave their all and we had some fantastic results:
Year 5
Arthur B – 1st place
Harry B – 24thÂ
Mollie A – 4thÂ
India C – 9thÂ
Year 6
Stanley B – 6thÂ
Oscar B-W – 12th
Mollie O – 19thÂ
Beattie F – 7thÂ
Year 7
Finley S – 1st place
Alfie V-P – 12thÂ
Andreya G – 7thÂ
Jack H – 2nd
Zac D- 7thÂ
Sophie D – 1stÂ
Gresham’s came in 3rd place in the team competition for Years 5 & 6, and in 1st place in the team competition for Years 7 & 8.
It was a pleasure to take everyone, they represented Gresham’s brilliantly and supported each other from start to finish. We have a trophy to defend next year!
In the latter half of term, the Boys’ Hockey Club has enjoyed a successful run. Facing off against Kimbolton in their first block fixture, competitiveness prevailed with no team tasting defeat. Across 8 fixtures, they secured 7 wins and a draw, showcasing the school’s prowess. The following week against Framlingham College proved equally fruitful, with the majority of teams clenching victory.
Later in the half term the U14s and U15s engaged in a closely contested match against Woodbridge with the majority of teams coming out victorious. Further achievements this term were the 2XI reaching and competing at the U18 tier 3 regional finals, displaying commendable hockey skills against formidable opponents.
Wrapping up the term against Ipswich School, the seniors clinched victories. However, the juniors faced tougher challenges, yet demonstrated remarkable progress.
Additionally, the Girls U15A team reached the Tier 2 National Plate Final at the Olympic Park. Meanwhile, the U14Cs showcased promising performances in their inaugural 11-a-side games.
Well done to all players and teams this term, it has been very successful, and the boys have bought energy to all the training and fixtures. We wish everyone a restful Easter holiday!
Massive well done to the 17 pupil runners who joined a Gresham’s Team of more than seventy to take on the Blickling Half Marathon on Sunday 17th March. It was a tough two lap course around the Blickling Estate in pretty damp conditions with a start and finish in front of the iconic Blickling Hall! First home for the pupils was Freddie G on an impressive 1hr 51 and first for the staff was Mr O’Connell with an outrageous 1hr 25. So far we have raised more than £3,000 for Young Minds which is an excellent team effort!! There was outstanding support at the event particularly from parents and OGs, so hopefully this event is ‘a keeper’ for forthcoming years!
Congratulations to Charlotte A, Eliza A, Hippolyte B, Allesandro D, Caspian G, Severin G, Joe G, Freddie G, Sammi H, Darcey L, Alex M, Paloma M, Jude P, George P, Charlotte T, Honor S, Alf S and Rosie W!!
Animals are a very important part of our Gresham’s family and on Saturday we welcomed creatures of all shapes and sizes to our annual Pet Blessing Service. This special event brought all three Gresham’s Schools together to celebrate our wonderful friends from the animal kingdom. Dogs, chickens, rabbits, horses, snakes, tortoises, goats and many cuddly toys were in attendance and a great time was had by all.
Gresham’s entered two young teams in the Great Schools Debate hosted by Aylsham High School on Friday. Gresham’s A – Darcy G, Irene T and Izzie L – spoke about the issues related to animal testing. Team B – Pullo W, Alex H and Will M – discussed the dangers of entitlement for the current generation. Both teams had a great time, and we would like to thank Aylsham for hosting the competition.Â
The U14s travelled to QE Barnett to take part in their annual 7s competition. The U14s narrowly lost to Whitgift School 10-12 in the group stages but went on to beat Brighton College and Mill Hill and Belmont Schools. They made it through to the quarter finals of the plate but unfortunately lost to Abingdon School. A great effort from the U14s and brilliant preparations for Rosslyn Park 7s.
The U15s took part in the County Cup 7s competition which was hosted here at Gresham’s and they had a superb day despite the bad weather. After playing five group games and a final, the U15s came out County Champions. The team manged to score 210 points and only concede 10, a brilliant effort.
Our U18s travelled to a very wet Uppingham for their 7s tournament and played some great 7s at times. Next week they will travel to Rosslyn Park to take part in the world’s largest school boy 7s competition.
The theme this year has been #Inspire Inclusion and, in tutor groups, pupils came up with ideas to support gender equality in different spheres such as Education, Employment, Healthcare, Workplace equality, Representation in media and Leadership positions. Â
In Houses, pupils watched films with a feminist theme or those which showcased the lives and achievements of women. Favourites included ‘WonderWoman’, which is about the first female superhero, and ‘Barbie’, which followed with a lively discussion about the film’s message. In the library, Mrs Corder and her team of helpers produced a colourful display of books for WHM and they celebrated International Women’s Day (8th March) with purple cakes in the library and a discussion about why we devote a day to celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world.Â
The highlight of the month, however, has been the wonderful interviews conducted between our allies in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion group, Tara G, Milan H, Polina Z, Yuqi L and Margie G and six female members of staff: Mrs Brighton-Watt, Mrs Seldon, Mrs Corder, Miss Pink, Miss Mitchell and Mrs Knightbridge. In the interviews, staff answered questions about their childhood and education, their role models and career paths. All gave the inspiring message that although they had faced some challenges they had not allowed their gender to limit their choices nor hold them back.
Furthermore, Arkell pupils partook in several International Women’s Day games to celebrate. To make our pupils aware of the talented women that work at Gresham’s, female staff were also included in the answers to quiz, bingo and cross word questions. This prompted some brilliant discussion as the pupils learned they do not need to look very far to see that there are inspirational women all around them!
We also marked International Women’s Day by joining in with the FA’s biggest girls football session initiative. Teams from all the Houses played in a Junior and Senior competition over on the Jubilee Fields. It was a great evening of football with plenty of skills and future promise on show! Oakeley triumphed in the Senior Competition and Queens’ in the Junior Competition.