The Rifle Club has recently returned from a very hot and windy two weeks at Bisley, where they competed in the NRA Youth Imperial Meeting and the 157th NRA TR Imperial Meeting.  

There were some notable individual performances during the Youth Imperial Meeting. Still, the standout performances over the four days came from Edward B and Poppy D, who together placed 5th in the Youth Pairs and were winners of the U16 Pairs. As a team, Gresham’s were performing well during the week, but it wasn’t until the last day, and the Ashburton Shield, that the team all shot superbly well and showed what they are truly capable of.  All eight members of the VIII shot brilliantly, particularly Bertie B, Evie M, Alastair S and Jonathan z B, who all scored 99 or 100 (out of 105) in the match. The team’s fourth-place finish was a notable achievement. The result highlighted a strong performance against well-established opposition.

The Youth Imperial Meeting was followed by the TR Imperial Meeting, which started with the Under-19 International Match. As a result of shooting well throughout the Youth Imperial Meeting, Evie M was selected as a member of the eight strong English U19 Team to compete in the match. This is a match against all of the other Home Nations and is notoriously difficult to be selected for. Evie had a great shoot during the match and finished with 100.9 (out of 105.21). Unfortunately, the England team was defeated by just 2 points, finishing in second place to Scotland.

Conditions had not been particularly easy throughout the Youth Imperial, but they became noticeably more difficult for the following week. It was a particularly tricky year, and competitors of all abilities struggled with both the heat and the wind. 

Evie’s fantastic achievement at the start of the week was followed by several other exceptional performances during the TR Imperial Meeting, with Alastair S, Evie and Jonathan z B, all breaking 700 in the Grand Aggregate. Both Alastair and Jonathan also qualified for the second stage of the Kings Prize, and Jonathan qualified for the second stage of the St. Georges Vase. In individual competitions, Jonathan finished 3^rd in the Chairman’s Prize Final and 3^rd in the Stickledown competition. Bertie B came 2^nd in the Howard Wilkinson, one of the final competitions of the week. 

Alastair’s fortnight of great shooting was topped off with his selection to one of the British Schools teams for the British Schools v Under-19s v Under-21s v Under-25s match. The GB Under-19 team finished one V-Bull ahead of Alastair’s British Schools team. Alastair’s highest score for the British Schools team was 145.15. The GB Under-25 team finished in 3^rd place, just one point behind the Under-19s.

The greatest achievement of the two weeks was Jonathan z B being selected to represent the full German National Team. Firstly, he shot for them in the ‘Overseas’ match and did very well for the team – so much so that he was selected, later in the week, to represent Germany in the ‘Mackinnon’ match. The Mackinnon Match is the primary long-range international match (900 & 1000 yds.) held during the Imperial Meeting. The best 12 shots from all of the represented nations compete against each other on the final Saturday. Jonathan not only earned his full National Cap, but he also top scored for the entire German team and was the 13^th top shot in the entire match (132 world-class firers in total). Congratulations to Jonathan on his fantastic achievements. 

Overall, it was a hugely enjoyable and successful two weeks. A big well done to all members of the team. 

A busy and successful year of debating concluded with two outstanding final events at the end of the Summer Term.

A very strong Year 9 performance from all the houses produced a fantastic final between proposition Tallis – Cameron M, Will R and Oscar B-H – and opposition Edinburgh – Jemima P, Kitty R and Tilly C – contesting the motion: As the USA commemorates 250 years of independence in 2026, this House finds more to regret than to celebrate. The adjudicators split two votes to one in favour of Tallis who lifted the Carolyn Thomas Trophy for the fourth time since 2017.

Pullo W concluded the term by organising a second highly successful Lord Denning Competition which saw pupils from across Year 9-12 placing a number of controversial Americans – Robert E Lee, Henry Kissinger and Harry S Truman – on trial. Judges Reverend Branford and Mr Kinder were impressed with the comprehensive research and well-crafted arguments constructed by the prosecution and defence in all three cases.   

The Music Revue Concert, held in the Auden Theatre at the end of the Summer Term, celebrated the musical highlights of the academic year and showcased the exceptional talent of our musicians.

The programme featured a diverse repertoire, including Big Band favourites, Beethoven from the Holkham Concert, the Woodlands Instrumental from House Music, the String Ensemble from Jingle All the Way, Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Schola Cantorum, the Soave Trio from Così fan tutte, Kids in America from the Pop Concert, and Stella by Starlight performed by the Jazz Trio.

The concert concluded fittingly with the Act One finale from Les Misérables, One More Day.

A well-deserved standing ovation brought the academic year to a memorable close for these outstanding musicians.

Gresham’s is delighted to announce excellent results in the 2026 IB Diploma Programme.  

60% of examinations were awarded a Level 6 or 7, equivalent to an A or A* at A level. 63% achieved 35 points or above – the equivalent of A*A*A at A level. 

We are incredibly proud of all our IB pupils and would like to congratulate them on their impressive successes. Alongside their IB studies, this cohort have made outstanding contributions to music, drama, sport, debating and other co-curricular activities during their time at Gresham’s.   

We wish our IB pupils every success and congratulate them on meeting the entry requirements of a wide range of destinations including Warwick, St. Andrews, Durham, Guildhall School of Music and Drama and top universities in Germany and the Netherlands. 

At the end of May, a mixed group of Year 12 pupils spent two weeks in Kenya, staying at Cottar’s 1920s Camp. Working with pupils at Olpalagilagi Primary School in the local Maasai community, the pupils learned about Maasai culture, conservation, and perhaps most importantly, discovered a thing or two about themselves.

Since returning, they have received the exciting news that funds raised by Queens’ House will support 17-year-old Stacy Soyian Kibelekenya, who hopes to study Business and become a teacher. Without this scholarship, further education would likely be out of reach. The girls’ efforts will make a life-changing difference to Stacy’s future and, in turn, the lives of others she may one day inspire.

Year 9 pupils put their language skills to the test in the Modern Languages French and Spanish Translation Bee, with class winners progressing to the grand final.

The challenge required pupils to translate as many sentences as possible orally into French or Spanish within one minute. Competitors used three different time frames and a bank of 67 words, testing both their vocabulary and grammatical accuracy under timed conditions.

Congratulations to everyone who took part for braving the nerves and pressure. A special well done to our winners:

Spanish

• 1st: Jemima P
• 2nd: Lloyd G

French

• 1st: Lloyd G
• 2nd: Sophie F
• 3rd: Benji J

Year 9 pupils recently enjoyed an inspiring and action-packed visit from One Day Film School, taking part in the 10-Shot Challenge Day.

The brief challenged pupils to work collaboratively in production teams to script, shoot and edit a complete 10-shot silent film. With no spoken dialogue allowed, each team had to translate a classic narrative into a clear and compelling visual story, relying on performance, camera work, editing and music to bring their ideas to life.

Throughout the day, pupils developed their creativity, communication and problem-solving skills, learning how much can be achieved through careful planning and strong teamwork. From storyboarding and directing to acting, filming and editing, every pupil played a part in the filmmaking process.

The day culminated in the 2026 Gresham’s Oscars, celebrating the imagination, technical skill and performances shown across the year group. The award for Best Motion Picture went to It All Works Out, while Otis was recognised for Best Performance in The Choice. Death of the Groom received Best Technical Achievement.

The One Day Film School experience gave pupils a memorable opportunity to explore storytelling in a completely new way, showing how powerful film can be even without words. It was a fantastic celebration of creativity, collaboration and young talent among our pupils.

It All Works Out is eligible for the 2026 10 Shot Film Awards which recognise filmmaking excellence in 150+ leading UK & international schools. The judging panel includes Robin Kinsey, VP Marketing, Walt Disney Studios, Suzanne Smith, Casting Director (Band of Brothers, Silo), Ilan Eshkeri – Composer (Kick-Ass, Layer Cake) and Marc Mailley, Stunt Coordinator (Skyfall, Harry Potter). 

Last Friday, the sun was shining and there was a buzz of excitement in the air as just under 1,000 people gathered in our Theatre in the Woods for the annual Gresham’s Pop Concert — an evening of unadulterated rock and pop performed by our talented pupils.

What a night it was! The concert opened with Thriller by Albert L, followed by a string of performances that delighted our eager audience over and over again. From Olivia Dean and Kim Wilde to Queen, Oasis and Shaggy, the first set ended with Arctic Monkeys’ I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor sung by Harry W, with Charlie P, Dylan R and Arlo G on guitar, George RL on kit and Charlie P on bass. Pupils in the audience could not resist heading into the mosh pit, fists pumping the air with adulation as those on stage gave it their all.

The second set opened with a bang, as Edie C sang Raye’s Where Is My Husband. Ilana B and Zinnia-Claire B varied the pace with ballads by Sade and Billie Eilish. Seb C and Dougie L took us back to the 80s to The Cure’s Friday I’m in Love, whilst Ruby P pleaded with us with a spectacular rendition of Don’t Stop Believin’. 

It was perhaps the final rock set that clinched the night, with Charlie P as lead vocalist, Kai S on bass, Dylan R, Harry and George J on guitar and Timo F on kit. 

From backing vocalists and lead singers to instrumentalists and bands, huge thanks go to all performers who made the evening a success. A special mention goes to pianist, Benny S, who performed in over 20 songs, leading the bands with professionalism and authority throughout the night.

Photos by Mr McMurray and A level Photography pupils, Austin L and Georgina S-P.