The Netball First Team took on the Rugby First Team in a lively and entertaining netball match that proved to be a highlight event. From start to finish, the game showcased impressive skill, teamwork and determination.

While the rugby players brought plenty of enthusiasm and physicality to the court, their unfamiliarity with the rules, especially footwork, led to some amusing moments that kept both players and spectators laughing. Despite this, their effort and willingness to take on the challenge added to the spirit of the occasion. The end score was a Netball win, 18-6!

What truly stood out was the excellent sportsmanship displayed by everyone involved. Both teams played with respect and positivity, creating a fun and inclusive atmosphere that made the event enjoyable for all. Overall, it was a great success, combining competitive play with plenty of humour and camaraderie. 

Sixth Formers Cerys D and Sophie G had a brilliant time at the Oxford Union Schools Debating Finals Day at the weekend, as they took part in four testing debates alongside the best 120 teams from across the world who had qualified for the day.

Each motion was released just 15 minutes before the debate began and participants were not allowed to research any of the issues. Motions explored marginalised groups, whether religious leaders should be allowed to contest political office, the narrative around young men, and the use of a Cordon Sanitaire against extremist parties. 

For the week of our School Musical production of Les Misérables, Year 13 pupils were treated to a series of exceptional enrichment talks that brought the story to life beyond the stage.

Mr Kinder, Head of History, provided a compelling insight into the events of 1832 that inspired Victor Hugo’s novel, giving pupils a deeper understanding of the social and political context behind the story. This was complimented by Mrs Robinson, Head of History of Art, who explored the powerful symbolism within Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, enriching pupils’ appreciation of how the era was captured and represented visually.

Pupils also benefited from a superb session with leading British film producer Debra Hayward, Producer of the 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables. From the scale of the production and casting, to the choice of locations and the technical achievement of visual effects — including the recreation of detailed settings — pupils gained a real appreciation of the enormity of bringing such an iconic story to the screen.

Together, these sessions offered a truly enriching and inspiring experience, deepening pupils’ understanding of the history, art, and modern interpretation of this much-loved production.

On Wednesday 4th March, pupils taking A level Music exams performed their recital pieces in front of an audience at Fishmongers’ Hall.

The A level Recital Evening celebrates pupils’ talent, dedication and hard work. Each performance is recorded and submitted to the exam board, contributing 35% of the final A level grade. Pupils are assessed on the ambition of their programme, as well as their technical control, expressive control and overall performance quality.

Performers included Naomi H-S, Zinnia-Claire B and Seb C (voice), Henry J (saxophone) and Will H (drum kit). Each demonstrated impressive commitment to their music making and gave outstanding performances.

Elsewhere in the department, GCSE and IB music pupils have also been actively developing and sharing their performance work. On Friday, during Music & Munch, they had the opportunity to showcase their skills and technical ability.

Congratulations to Samuel B for his performance of Prelude in C Minor by Rachmaninoff and to Sophie J for singing Hopelessly Devoted to You by John Farrar. Other highlights included a duet of Skye Boat Song by Meg O and Jemima A, Edie C performing Light of Sothis on saxophone, Emma F-B playing Dedication by Schumann on viola, music scholar Mia W singing In His Eyes by Frank Wildhorn, and Hennie D and Olivia E performing I Know Him So Well by Benny Andersson.

Last week, Year 10 and 11 debaters contested a vote of no confidence in His Majesty’s Government in a motion proposed by Edinburgh and opposed by the government, represented by Tallis, in the Final of the Inter-House competition.

Two talented teams clashed in an outstanding debate. Although the Government survived the confidence motion in the division of the House, the three adjudicators, on a split vote 2-1, awarded the tie to Edinburgh, who lifted the O’Connell Debating Cup for the first time.

On Thursday, Jemima, Grace and Lewis took part in the Regional Final of the ESU Public Speaking competition at the Thomas Gainsborough School in Great Cornard. Our young team performed really well in the roles of Chair, Speaker and Questioner but it was our hosts who qualified as the only team selected to take part in the national final. 

On Wednesday, 13th March, a group of pupils studying French in Years 12 and 13 went to the UEA Sacré Theatre production of Eugène Ionesco’s masterpiece Rhinocéros.

The play describes how a peaceful town is shaken as its citizens turn into rhinoceroses, swept up by a strange collective frenzy. Only the very ordinary character of Bérenger is determined to resist, no matter what. Ionesco uses the transformation of the villagers into rhinoceroses as a metaphor for how easily people can be swept up by collective pressures and abandon independent thought. Written after World War II, the play reflects on how many people in France collaborated during the Occupation, which allowed Nazism to spread. Through absurd humour, Ionesco warns of how easily people follow the herd, and why resisting pressure is essential. In an era of the power of the internet, social media and fake news, its central theme still resonates.

Despite the serious themes, the visual theatre made it very accessible to the pupils who also appreciated the absurd comic moments, and the powerful message of the play was understood. The stand-out moment was the immensely talented Erwann Limon transforming into a rhinoceros in front of the audience’s eyes.

Sacré Theatre at the UEA is the UK’s longest-running permanent French language theatre company, and they are a permanent fixture in our calendar – we are so lucky to have them on our doorstep!

It is always an immensely enjoyable afternoon, and this year was no exception. It has provoked thought and debate amongst the group, and links directly with the A2 French syllabus theme of Occupation and Resistance. We look forward to next year’s offering. 

We recently hosted our annual business breakfast for Year 12 pupils. The event brought together a wide range of local businesses to help our pupils develop their networking and communication skills, while exploring future career opportunities.

The morning also opened doors to work experience placements, summer jobs and valuable insights into different sectors, helping pupils to start to consider their post school pathways.

It was a powerful reminder of how strong connections between schools and the local business community can support young people in discovering opportunities and developing the skills they need to succeed.

Thanks go to the local businesses who gave their time and made the event the success that it was.

2026 is the National Year of Reading. This year, World Book Day at the Senior School has tied in with a reading push across the school. Tutor groups took part in our annual contest: a fiendish literary quiz that always involves stiff competition! This year’s quiz featured book-themed connection walls with a Gresham’s twist, and rounds on manga and multilingual Mr Men. The quiz is designed to be challenging, and the contest remains open until the end of term to allow time for team deliberations, with the victorious tutor group being announced after the Easter holidays.

Book hook teaser chapters, intended to share new and different titles with pupils, were read out in lessons, and recommendations from pupils and staff were shared in the Library and classrooms. We launched a new pupil book club at the start of the week, too, to meet regularly to discuss all things reading-related, and to take part in bookish activities, from bookmark making to creative writing, and everything in between.

The Reading Bingo Challenge launched in January, giving pupils the chance to win prizes by completing targets on their bingo cards. The competition runs until the May Half Term break and has already sparked plenty of enthusiastic and competitive reading, particularly among some of the boys.

Last Tuesday, seventeen A level History pupils were treated to an outstanding day of scholarship. They listened to seven stimulating online lectures about key controversies of the Wars of the Roses conflict, organised by the Richard III Society.

The talks included Professor John Watts on late medieval kingship, Dr Joanna Laynesmith on Margaret of Anjou, Matthew Lewis on Warwick the Kingmaker, Dr David Grummitt on Richard III, Lauren Johnson on Lady Margaret Beaufort, Dr Sean Cunningham on the Yorkist Rebellions against Henry VII and Dr Hannes Kleineke and Dr James Ross who debated why Edward IV was able to recover the throne in 1471.