Schola Cantorum performed their Mid-Winter Concert in St Mary’s Church, Walsingham

On a typically very unpleasant evening in February, a small but appreciative audience were treated to what Mr Robb, Headmaster, described as ‘one of the best choral concerts he’d ever heard during his time at Gresham’s’. Advent to Ash Wednesday was the theme for Schola Cantorum’s mid-winter concert in St Mary’s Church in Walsingham on Friday 9th February. The programme gave several of the choir opportunities for solos and included many sacred favourites, such as Britten’s A Hymn to the Virgin, a contemporary setting of In the Bleak Midwinter, Allegri’s Miserere and Pergolesi’s Magnificat. A string quartet consisting of Isadora A, Ilana B, Lucy D and Zinnia-Claire B accompanied the Pergolesi with the violins providing instrumental accompaniment for Elgar’s lyrical piece, The Snow. Other secular pieces included a choral arrangement of Fields of Gold, Over the Rainbow and Blow, Blow thou Winter Wind. Given the theme of the evening, We need a little Christmas justified its place in the programme and reminded everyone of one of the jolliest times of the year! 

The Senior School marked the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday events

The day began with a special Chapel service in which the choir sang Allegri’s Miserere. Rev Jack, with the help of one of our cricketing stars Grace, then drew on the phenomenon of ‘Bazball’ to explain the meaning of Lent. At break pupils were offered ‘Ashes to Go’, an opportunity to stop for a brief moment of reflection in the middle of the daily busyness of school life.

Well done to our debating team who have made it to the final of the Oxford Union Schools’ Debating Competition

Gresham’s has had more success in competitive debating, this time in the Oxford Union Schools’ Debating Competition. Two teams took part in the online Eastern Region heat. They discussed two motions with just 15 minutes preparation time for each: using AI to assist school work and affirmative action for men in female-dominated occupations. Kitty R and Aziz M did well in the competition, but the other pairing of Miranda H-S and Eva O’D went even better, being one of the best six teams on the night and qualifying for Finals Day in the Oxford Union in March. This is the second year running that we have had a team make Finals Day and also the second successive year for Miranda.

Darcy and Joey discovered an interesting fob watch in the Gresham’s Archives

The Archive Group have been very busy on Friday afternoons exploring the school’s collection. Two Year 9 pupils, Darcy and Joey, became intrigued by a fob watch they discovered. This turned out to have been manufactured in Birmingham in the 1880s and sold in Holt in the 1890s by Owen Neal, father of Archer B Neal, a day pupil who attended Gresham’s, served in the Coldstream Guards in the First World War and was killed in action during the Battle of the Somme. The pupils took the watch to Webbs jewellers in Holt where they were able to explore its inner workings and investigate its provenance.  

The Careers Department have delivered engaging Art talks from Mary Blue, and successfully placed Year 13 pupils at The Geelong College

Day of Workshops and an Enrichment talk with visiting visual artist, Mary Blue

Mary visited the Art Department to talk to a Year 9 Art class and to Year 12 International Baccalaureate Art pupils.

Mary talked about the artists who influence her work on painting water and waves; then gave a watercolour demonstration to facilitate both year groups being able to enjoy and practice what they had learnt from Mary in painting their own watercolours of crashing waves.

For the Year 13 Enrichment Talk, Mary talked about ‘The Artists’ Perspective on Creative Thinking and the Creative Economy’.

Gresham’s Gappies 

Congratulations to three Year 13 pupils, Milly H-K, Taylor S and Freddie G, who successfully applied to The Geelong College, Victoria, Australia for a 11 month Gappie placement starting in mid-July 2024.

For further information on applying to be a Geelong Gappie, please contact Mrs Osborne [email protected]

Senior pupils competed in the Annual Chapel Pancake Races

Our pupils had a wonderful time competing in the Annual Chapel Pancake Races on Shrove Tuesday. House teams competed against each other in relay races around Chapel Lawn. ‘The Mixing Spoon of Victory’ was awarded to the fastest house.

Gresham’s pupils have been celebrating Chinese New Year

Janko, Lizz, Fernando and Gabriela decorated the CFB with Chinese New Year decorations, including a dragon to mark Year of the Dragon. The catering team produced a fantastic meal of noodles, beef and vegetables. On Saturday 10^th February, Chinese New Year itself, pupils gathered in the library to eat fortune cookies and wish one another a happy new year.

Our hockey teams have had an enjoyable and competitive few weeks

The 1XI boys have successfully completed their Tier 1 Cup fixtures, demonstrating impressive performances on the field. The highlight was the fixture against Norwich School where the boys secured a win in front of a very healthy crowd. Thanks goes to the parents and FOGs community for putting on food and drink for the supporters and players.

Furthermore, we extend our congratulations to the U15A girls for their advancement to the U16 National Plate finals – a remarkable achievement and a testament to their hard work.

We have had our recent block fixtures against Culford and Norwich School. While there were mixed results, we were glad to see such competitive fixtures across the club, highlighting the depth of talent and commitment among our players.

Additionally, the U14A boys have progressed into the next round of the plate tournament, and the 2XI have progressed to the regional rounds of the England Hockey Tier 4 competition. 

Unfortunately, the U15 boys were knocked out of the plate competition by Woodbridge School, who managed to score a goal in the final minutes of the game to go ahead and clinch the win. 

It has been a busy six weeks, but thoroughly enjoyable and competitive. We look forward to seeing everyone refreshed and ready for the second half of the term!

Well done to the Cross-Country team who took part in a running event in Norwich

On a mild winter’s day, eight pupils from Gresham’s cross-country team travelled to Mousehold Heath in Norwich to take part in a running event in a beautiful nature reserve among trees, sharp inclines, gorse bushes and a delightful pond. Dressed in black and in good spirits, the eight pupils lined up at the start and soon set off in style and with noticeable verve. Seb took the lead very quickly and remained at the front for the entire race, pushing his personal best without doubt (sadly no timings were provided). Sophia followed with a fine and consistent pace throughout. Darcey, Rose and Charlotte were next to complete the race, followed by Hattie and Honor who excited the spectators with a wonderful and very fast sprint finish. Paloma’s smile at the end showed just how much she loved taking part and the whole team congratulated each other before piling back into the minibus to return home. A fabulous event that was enjoyed by all. Well done, Team!

Pupils are preparing for the cricket season which is just around the corner

The cricket season is just around the corner. In January the U14s joined an indoor league within North Norfolk. Plenty of pupils have been involved and we currently sit 2^nd in the table. Mr Hornbuckle has been running plenty of sessions and pupils seem to have the cricket bug; with sessions early morning and in the evenings getting ready for the season ahead. The attendance by the Year 9 and 10 pupils has been outstanding and bodes well. There is something for everyone when it comes to cricket here at the School and we look forward to next term where we have over 12 teams ready to represent the School in over 100 fixtures during April, May and June.