This year’s Year 9 Inter-House Debating Competition came to a fitting finale with an excellent Grand Final held in Chapel on Monday evening. 

Two very talented teams faced each other in debating the motion This House would rather be Pope than President of the USA.

Woodlands – Albert L, Albert P and Bertie B – proposed the motion and they were opposed by Tallis – Lewis H, Arlo G and Olly M. 

The two teams clashed over which position was the better institution from which to provide a moral compass and deliver change and impact on people’s lives. Both teams dealt brilliantly with many challenging questions from the floor, including some put by pupils from our Prep School. 

The result was very close but Tallis just edged home against a very promising Woodlands team and therefore lifted the Carolyn Thomas Trophy. 

Well done to all those Year 9 pupils who have participated in this year’s competition and particularly to Howson’s and Queens’ who both reached the semi-final stage.  

Today, we celebrated our annual Diversity Day at the Senior School. Pupils arrived dressed in ways that expressed their identities—whether through national dress, a favourite hobby or interest, a character from a beloved book or film, a historical figure, or representing a team or community they are proud to be part of.

Pupils were also treated to a fantastic Chapel talk by Mr O’Donnell, who shared insights from his American heritage. His talk marked the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolutionary Wars and offered an engaging and educational perspective on this significant moment in history.

On Sunday 15th June, a team of around eighteen Gresham’s pupils and staff took on the North Norfolk Coastal Challenge Walk to raise money for the Holt Youth Project.

In previous years, we’ve completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks and the National Three Peaks challenges. This year, we chose a local route to make the event more accessible and to encourage broader participation.

We departed school by minibus at 4:00am and headed to Hunstanton to begin the walk at sunrise. From there, we walked east along the coastal path throughout the day. It was a tough day, particularly the 6km shingle section from Cley to Weybourne after 13 hours of walking. 

Every pupil who took part put in an amazing effort and should be very proud of this achievement.

There is still time to donate using the link below: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/north-norfolk-coastal-challenge-walk

Year 12 Religious Studies and Philosophy pupils enjoyed a morning at the Padmaloka Buddhist Retreat centre on Thursday as part of an experience designed to enhance their understanding of Buddhism. They were given an insight into Buddhist ritual practice in a highly decorative shrine room before spending time immersing themselves in the artistic representations and their symbolism. Then, they had a Q&A session, putting questions to their Buddhist hosts covering topics of ethics, philosophical ideas and the role of Buddhism, both in their lives and in the wider world.

This was an informative and engaging day, which provided an excellent opportunity to see something of Buddhism outside of the classroom setting.

The Year 9 Drama department recently held an impressive showcase, marking the culmination of a year-long journey exploring acting and design skills. Pupils worked in small theatre companies, each producing either a scene from a classic play or an original devised drama piece.

Pupils chose to focus on different areas of theatre production, including acting, set design, costume, sound, and lighting. This collaborative approach ensured every pupil contributed to bringing their performances to life.

The event was an amazing celebration of live theatre, highlighting both the creative talents and teamwork of the Year 9 cohort.

We recently welcomed Craig Anderson, a retired farmer and water irrigation engineer from New South Wales, Australia, to Gresham’s. Craig met with current Sixth Form leavers Jack K, Will R, and Toby A to discuss exciting farming work placement opportunities in NSW.

This enriching encounter not only broadened the pupils’ horizons but also highlighted the power of global networking and the practical support offered by the Careers Department in preparing pupils for life beyond school.

Over Half Term, 25 pupils embarked on an unforgettable adventure in the stunning Northern Lake District as part of their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award walking assessment.

Over four days, the groups demonstrated incredible determination and teamwork, walking between 19 and 24 kilometres each day and camping for three nights. Despite facing a mix of rain, hail, and winds, their enthusiasm and resilience never wavered.

Every pupil who completed the Gold expedition should feel incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved. It was a fantastic display of perseverance, spirit, and commitment — a true testament to their character and teamwork.

On Wednesday, our Year 12 pupils – along with their parents – took part in an inspiring Post 18 Options Conference, designed to open minds, spark ambition, and highlight the exciting range of opportunities available beyond Sixth Form.

Organised by the Careers and UCAS team, the event brought together 16 expert speakers from a wide spectrum of sectors and institutions. From leading universities, conservatoires, and degree apprenticeships, to opportunities in hospitality and brand management, sports business, and global study (including the USA and Europe), pupils gained valuable insights into life after school. Sessions also explored careers in medicine, pharmacy and law, as well as how to maximise the value of a gap year.

It was a superb event that not only showcased the breadth of pathways available but also encouraged pupils to reflect, ask questions, and feel excited about their next stage journeys.