Year 12 IB pupils have completed their Collaborative Sciences Project

Over the past week, the Year 12 IB pupils have been completing their Collaborative Sciences Project (the replacement for the Group 4 Project). All IB Diploma pupils work in groups spending 10 hours investigating a local and global problem in a scientific context. This year they linked to the sixth UN sustainable development goal “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.”

The pupils worked in teams of three to investigate and research both a local and global aspect of water and then presented the results of their research to staff and pupils in the atrium of the Dyson Building.

Dr Taylor was very impressed with how well they all worked together and their presentations were outstanding. He would also like to thank all of the Science Department staff that gave so much of their time to supervise the pupils over the two days and the invaluable support of the Science Technicians.

Geography pupils enjoyed playing the jelly baby population game

A level Geography pupils enjoyed playing the jelly baby population game. This fun simulation game helped pupils explore a range of factors which influence or alter a countries fertility and mortality rates over time. 

Well done to Kitty and Daisy who have completed their DELF (French Language) exams

At the end of Year 12, A level French pupils, Kitty R and Daisy W travelled to Cambridge to complete their DELF (Diplôme d’études en Langue Française) B1 exams, a day of exams in listening, reading, writing and speaking. It is all conducted in French and pupils are fully immersed. DELF (French language), diplomas are awarded by the French Ministry of Education to certify the level of French-language skills of non-French speakers. Level B1 indiciates that you are an independent user of French and you also need it to obtain French nationality. The diplomas are valid for life and recognised all around the world. Kitty and Daisy completed this alongside their A level studies, so a big well done to both on this internationally recognised qualification.

Penny from School Readers spoke to pupils in Chapel after they raised £550 for the charity

It was great to welcome Penny from the charity School Readers to Senior School Chapel on Wednesday morning. She spoke movingly about the difference good literacy skills can make in a person’s life and how reading can be a powerful force for positive social change. She also thanked our Year 10 and 11 pupils for the £550 they helped to raise for the charity during the Big Coronation Help Out earlier in the year.

Gresham’s cellists took part in a concert at All Saints Church in Briston

Three Gresham’s cellists – Mia W, Milan H and Zinny B – took part in the launch concert of the Twin Tracks Upcycling Festival at All Saints Church in Briston on Tuesday evening. They performed Franz Schubert’s Serenade as a trio and then Zinny went on to perform a solo of Bach’s Bourree No. 1 from Cello Suite No. 3. The performance was greatly received by a packed-out audience in the church.  

The pupils were also fortunate to witness a performance of Briston’s famous 300-year-old iron cello.  

The festival is raising money for the repair of local churches and more details of the events being held may be found by clicking here.

This year’s Enrichment Lectures began with a talk marking the 22nd anniversary of 9/11

The enrichment lectures got off to a superb start with a presentation on the Impact of World Disasters, marking the 22^nd Anniversary of 9/11. Gresham’s Historians Mr Kinder and Mr O’Donnell delivered a poignant talk and historical timeline to a packed sixth form pupil audience in the Auden Theatre.

Year 9 English pupils are studying an Experiences of War unit

To complement the History Department’s upcoming battlefields trip, Year 9 are studying an Experiences of War unit in English lessons to gain an insight into the experience of conflict from a range of different perspectives. One famous poem the pupils might study is Charge of Light Brigade by Alfed Lord Tennyson. Big School Hall is an excellent venue for re-enacting the battle with paper canons! 

Our international cohort enjoyed a Welcome Tea Party

On Thursday, our international cohort at the Senior School – both returning pupils and those new to the school – got together for a Welcome Tea Party in the library. Despite the heat there was a real buzz with pupils from 16 different countries getting to know each other, swapping experiences and picking up tips on school life.  

Prefects formed human pyramids to demonstrate the effectiveness of strong foundations

Mrs Alexander led Chapel on Wednesday morning on the topic of kindness and resilience. To give a visual example of how effective strong foundations are, this year’s prefect team formed two human pyramids. No prefects were harmed in the making of the pyramids and the message was well received by the pupils.