Year 9 pupils heard from Justin Pritchard about the importance of languages in industry

Justin Pritchard, who is a Headhunter in international industry, talked to Year 9 pupils about the Importance of Language in Industry.

The presentation included examples of successful career pathways that include the command of at least one language.

Justin’s talk resulted in a very proactive and engaged Q&A, together with a stimulating conversation about the importance of languages across a range of employer sectors.

Thank you to Gresham’s Languages for organising this opportunity.

Daisy Hughes spoke to pupils about her career journey

We welcomed Daisy Hughes to speak to pupils about her journey to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art straight from school and her performances in numerous plays, TV and film. She then stopped acting in order to fully commit to six years of training to become a stunt woman. Also, she is an athlete, fitness instructor, personal trainer and yoga teacher and founded the charity ‘Girls Who Pull’.

Daisy had a busy afternoon of talks to Year 13 pupils, all the girls from Year 12, and Drama pupils.

Her talk to Year 13s illustrated that, as they come closer to leaving school education and discovering their post school paths, they will take changes of direction. They should not be fearful of failure, and instead embrace new things, do something positive and look after their wellbeing, both mentally and physically.

The girls enjoyed an inclusive talk and Q&A session with Daisy on Inner and Outer Strengthening.

Daisy’s finale was an insightful talk with pupils interested in Drama on applying to Drama School, getting an agent and nailing the interview!

Well done to four members of the Rifle Club who competed in the inaugural CCRS small-bore final

On Sunday 3rd March, four members of the Rifle Club drove the 8-hour round trip down to Bisley to shoot in the inaugural CCRS small-bore final. The team, consisting of Georgina B, Belle W, Marcella B and Ilana B, finished in 3rd place overall with Belle provisionally placing joint first in the individual shoots and then finally placing second after a tense three-way tiebreaker. Georgina then represented Gresham’s in the Barbarian’s team (three shooters from three different schools) in which they made it to the final of the Falling Disc competition. The team would like to thank Mr Grounds and Capt Scoles for all their continued support in organising and supporting events like these. Thank you.

Mr Grounds would also like to publicly thank these four members of Gresham’s Rifle Club, who gave up their Sunday in order to compete in this match. It can not be overstated how hard these young people work, week in and week out, and for one member of the team, they only got back to school at 9pm on the Saturday evening, having represented the school at the Final of the National VEX competition and were then back into school for a 5am departure on the Sunday.  A superhuman effort by every single one of them.

The Rifle Club enjoyed an eventful half term, including a match against OGs and a fantastic England Schools announcement

The Rifle Club enjoyed an eventful Half Term, during which they had a match against the Old Boys and Girls. This was a close event, with Ilana B, Marcella B, Georgie B and Grace S being narrowly beaten, by just six points, by a very strong Old Greshamian Team. The Gresham’s ‘B’ team, made up entirely of Year 9 pupils, Bella B, James M and Morgana M were also beaten by the Old Greshamian ‘B’ Team but they did have two International shots and a third very competent shot. All three of the Year 9 pupils did exceptionally well to keep to within twenty points of their opposition.

Also, during Half Term, it was announced that ten members of the Rifle Club have been selected to represent 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. A third of the England ‘A’ team are from Gresham’s School, with George B, Marcella B, Georgina B and Harry P all being selected. Oliver R, Alexandre S and Belle W have been selected for the England ‘B’ team. Ilana B, Margarethe G and Grace S for the ‘C’ team, with no Gresham’s pupils selected 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 this match and for when the results are announced.

Year 6 have made posters to encourage recycling as part of the Gresham’s challenge

As part of the Gresham’s Challenge, Year 6 have been making posters encouraging people to reduce, reuse and recycle. All of Year 6 have taken part, this is the final group with their posters.

Well done to Team Frog who won a trophy at the VEX Robotics National Competition

Team Frog won a trophy for their innovative design and engineering for a specific part of their robot (the flywheel) that was well documented and seen as more innovative than the other 35 robots in their league, well done, Team Frog! At the end of the two days the team were interviewed along with many other teams. The interviewer and cameraman said that they gave the best interview responses out of any other team (65 teams!). They were confident and enthusiastic.

A large number of pupils, staff and parents took part in our annual Service of Confirmation

A large number of pupils, staff and parents took part in our annual Service of Confirmation on Saturday 2nd March in Chapel. This very special and moving service was officiated by the Rt Reverend Dr Jane Steen, the Bishop of Lynn. 

Elliot A; Imogen A; Jemima A; Arthur B; Charles B; James B; Iciar C B; Lisa C; Oliver C; Lexie C; Digby D; Walt D; Matilda L; Alfie P-T; Sophia P; Charles P; David R; Alfred S; Paulina v A all took part. As part of the Confirmation Service the Bishop of Lynn 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 125 people taking part in these special moments in less than three years. 

James Bracey and Richard Janes told their story of rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic to raise £100,000

We welcomed James Bracey and Richard Janes to tell their story of The Big Ordeal – rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic to raise £100,000 for charity in the World’s Toughest Row – The Atlantic.

They gave the audience a superb insight presented with honesty and depth on the 2-year in total feat of organising and completing. Their talk generated an enthusiastic audience Q&A.

A quite incredible accomplishment. Read more of the story here: https://www.the-big-oardeal.com/

Year 5 enjoyed a trip to the Tower of London

Year 5 enjoyed a trip to the Tower of London to consolidate what they have been learning about the Tudors. They had a guided tour from one of Henry VIII’s wives, Katherine Parr, and they also saw the crown jewels. Fantastic!

Pupils were lucky enough to attend an online conference hosted by the Richard III Society

Year 12 A level History Wars of the Roses pupils were lucky enough to attend an excellent online conference hosted by the Richard III Society on Tuesday 27th February. They listened to lectures on kingship in late medieval England by Professor John Watts, the relationship between Richard Duke of York and Henry VI in the 1450s by Dr James Ross, the kingship of Edward IV by Dr Rachel Moss, Fifteenth Century Parliaments by Dr Hannes Kleineke, Queen Margaret of Anjou by Lauren Johnson, and Professor Steven Gunn on Henry VII and the Pretenders. The day concluded with a fascinating debate between Matt Lewis and Nathen Amin on whether Richard III usurped the English Crown in 1483 and an excellent presentation by Dr Daniel Hucker of Nottingham University on the value of reading History as an undergraduate degree.