Our U13 Chess team from the Prep School recently went pawn to pawn for a full hour against 26 other leading IAPS schools, showing real focus and determination throughout the tournament. After a series of tightly contested rounds, they secured an impressive 5th-place finish overall. Congratulations to our top scorers: Hansen W, Ella P, Archie C and Freddie P, whose strong performances helped drive the team up the leader board. We now wait eagerly to find out whether this result will be enough to earn us a place in the final.

Our U9 team also put in a spirited effort. Cleo, George W, Arthur A and Athena played with great enthusiasm and resilience, finishing 12th in a competitive U9 section. A big well done to all involved!

Year 5 pupils from the Prep School recently enjoyed a fascinating and educational visit to Norwich Synagogue. The visit provided a wonderful opportunity to deepen their understanding of Judaism through first-hand experience and engaging discussion. Their host, Deborah, warmly welcomed the children and was full of praise for their exemplary behaviour, curiosity and enthusiasm throughout the day.

The pupils took part in a range of hands-on activities that brought their classroom learning to life. They explored the Torah and learnt about its importance within Jewish worship, discovered the meaning and traditions of Shabbat, and gained insight into the many Jewish festivals that shape the year. A particular highlight was learning to write in Hebrew – this experience inspired much excitement and concentration!

The day offered not only a rich learning experience but also a valuable opportunity to appreciate and celebrate cultural diversity and religious traditions. Overall, it was a visit that pupils will remember for a long time to come.

Year 3 pupils from the Prep School recently enjoyed an exciting and educational trip to Norwich Castle Museum, bringing their history lessons to life with a special focus on Ancient Egypt.

During the visit, pupils had the chance to view genuine Egyptian artefacts up close, deepening their understanding of this fascinating ancient civilisation. They also took part in interactive workshops, where they learned about the mummification process, prepared a traditional Egyptian-style feast, and crafted their own decorative collar necklaces to take home as a souvenir.

The trip was a memorable experience that helped reinforce the children’s learning in a fun and engaging way.

This week, three pupils from Year 8 attended a debating tournament at King’s Ely. There were twelve teams in total from six schools –  King’s Ely, South Lee Prep, Culford, Langley Prep, The Perse, Cambridge and Gresham’s.

Our Year 8 team scored the most points after two rounds to gain a place against South Lee Prep in the final, in which we narrowly came second. All schools showed excellent debating skills.

The U13 boys’ cricket team delivered another impressive performance, this time in the U13 County Cup Final, held at Gresham’s on Wednesday.

Gresham’s won the toss and decided to bat, opening with the two best players and co-captains, Finley S and Oli C. Both boys batted brilliantly for the whole 20 overs, ending with both Finley (114 not out) and Oli (103 not out) making centuries and amassing a whopping 248 for 0. This was Finley’s first, but Oli’s third hundred of the season for the school. 

The partnership of 248 between Finley and Oli is a Prep School record, and made in just 20 overs; it is a benchmark that is very unlikely to ever be broken.

This was an incredible way to end a phenomenal season for the U13A boys. They were unbeaten in all matches against school sides on Gresham’s circuit, only losing to The Perse in the National Cup in the early weeks of the term.

On Sunday, a group of 10 pupils from the Gresham’s community and Mr Stephenson took part in the Discover Your Ability event led by the charity Able2B. Able2B is a community interest company set up to develop services that help improve function for children and adults with a disability.

The pupils were paired up with children who have varied disabilities to support and encourage them in completing the biking and walking challenges. It was a wonderful community fundraising event and the pupils were a credit to the school for the authenticity and genuine care they showed to support the children.

It was nice to have Gresham’s families also join the fun on a sunny Sunday in Norwich.

Year 8 pupils recently travelled to the stunning Ardèche region of France for an exciting multi-activity week packed with unforgettable experiences. The highlight of the trip was an exhilarating 26km paddle through the breathtaking Ardèche Gorge, with overnight bivouac on the bank of the river under the stars.

In addition to the river adventure, the group enjoyed a memorable visit to the a trip to the Med and spent a day at a high-rope course, along with on-site activities such as combat archery, leap of faith and more!

The trip offered Year 8 a fantastic mix of outdoor adventure, personal challenge, and cultural exploration, creating lasting memories for all involved.