Field Days October 2022

CCF RAF

The CCF RAF section spent the first Field Day … in the field! The Year 10 and 12 cadets were ‘lifted’ in minibuses to the grounds of the Muckleburgh Military Collection where they deployed their orienteering, team work and research skills.  These activities produced some highlight moments.  One was watching the Year 10 cadets metaphorically ‘super glue’ their hands to a rope and work as a team to tie a knot between each cadet holding the rope.  Another was watching George M take command and rescue his fellow Year 12 cadets on a ‘desert island’ (aka. a circle of rope) with the tide encroaching.  The cadets also had the opportunity to visit the museum and see first-hand some of the incredible items in the military collection.  To encourage their engagement with the museum exhibits, the cadets were divided into teams and tasked with researching a quiz for an opposing team, who were then sent back into the museum to find the answers – under timed conditions.  The conclusion of the first day was that Year 12s can tie knots, the Year 10s can research quizzes!

The second Field Day was spent back on Gresham’s home soil. In the morning, Flying Officer Williams led drill and deportment exercises; he nobly tackled messy feet, sloppy arms, and lazy knees in preparation for the upcoming Remembrance Parade in November. In the afternoon, whilst the Year 13 cadets led a team in preparation for the national Air Squadron Trophy, the Year 11 cadets were in the swimming pool, simulating life raft rescues. 

Well done to all those cadets who earned badges over the course of the two days; now get them sewn on to your brassards!

CCF Navy enjoyed some time afloat at Hickling, and had a great couple of days on the water!

Services and Silver DofE

180 students and a large number of staff were off-site so as to volunteer in the local community during the school Field days. The school has established close links with Holt Youth Project, Thornage Hall, the Treehouse Community Café, St Andrew’s church in Holt, Glaven Care, Lloyd Court, Age Concern in Sheringham and local conservation sites such as Holt Lowes. Gresham’s students had the opportunity to experience first-hand some of these amazing social enterprises and charities which bring people together across the community. A proportion of the volunteering work was outdoors: clearing and mowing, pollarding willows, picking apples for winter storage, creating raised beds for vegetable and salad growing and habitat management by cutting back invasive species such as gorse. These initiatives were spread across at least six different sites and included a certain level of expertise. Field day also allowed for a number of pupils to complete their Silver DofE expedition in the Peak District.

At Holt Youth project the principal aim was to help clear storage areas and the allotment. The project is now operating a clothes bank and there was a huge pile of donations to sort through and get ready for display in their new shop. There were also visits to Glaven Care and Age Concern in Sheringham. Students chatted and played board games and Bingo with the elderly. It makes a positive difference to people’s lives to come into contact with young people and to share experiences and stories. A group based in school worked together to create Art kits for young people at the Holt Youth project. Each kit was tailormade and carefully designed so as offer a high quality resource for those who might not have much opportunity to make art.

It was a brilliant two days of volunteering and we were lucky with the good weather and sunshine.

First ‘Page to Stage’ of the academic year takes place

Our first Drama Evening of the year took place on Friday 30^th September. This Page to Stage covered a range of styles from musical theatre to Greek Tragedy, In Yer Face to the poetry and prose of Shakespeare, classic adaptation to stylised realism – truly a night of contrasts. Compered by year 9 scholars Bella, Ilana and Scarlett the company of Drama Scholars and some of our most gifted and talented performers presented material selected and directed by themselves to a highly appreciative audience. From Fleabag to Comedy of A Bank Robbery, the audience shared moments of dark and light and everything in between ending with comedy to take us laughing into the night.  

Year 9 History Trip to Ypres

Our Year 9 pupils visited Belgium on their History Department World War One Battlefields Tour. After a long drive, they just had time to familiarise themselves with the trench system around Ypres before heading for supper at the hotel to complete the first day.

Day two of the trip was a fantastic and busy day in glorious weather. The highlights were remembering Farfield OG John Wright at Bard Cottage Cemetery at Boezinge, Show and Tell activities at Passchendaele, and visiting the Menin Gate to commemorate Woodlands OG Cuthbert Shaw. It was a great day, capped by some enthusiastic chocolate.

The trip concluded with visits to the Ferme-Olivier Cemetery to see the graves of Marc Noble and OG David Carnegie, Talbot House Poperinge and Tyne Cot Cemetery, where pupils held a short service of remembrance for the 113 former pupils and 3 staff known to have been killed in the conflict. 

Year 9 and 10 Mandarin trip to Chinatown and the British Museum

In late September, Year 9 and Year 10 pupils who study Mandarin travelled to London for a day trip to ChinaTown. We first stopped off at Golden Phoenix restaurant in ChinaTown, where we tried the best Chinese food for lunch, and the pupils put their excellent chopsticks skills into use. We then visited the British Museum, where pupils looked at their new exhibition exploring the cultures of China from 5000 BC to the present, through different historical objects. pupils learnt about the background, meaning and culture of the Chinese language. On the way back, pupils enjoyed their bubble tea drinks. The trip was informative and fun.  A special thank you to Mr Braithwaite for joining us for the trip and driving us safely. 

Pupils and staff raise money for EAAA by completing ‘Only the Brave’ assault course

On the afternoon of Saturday October 1^st 20 School and House Prefects took to a 10 kilometre, 26 Obstacle race in Thetford, raising money for East Anglian Air Ambulance. ‘Only The Brave’ was ran by the following students and staff; William J, Theo M, Jake O, Miami, Konsti L, Emil S, Boaz V, Alice D, Lily C, Tanya P, Phoebe W, Hattie R, Grace H, Molly P, Cameron H, Arthur B, Raph C, Alex M, James A, Johnny D, Mr Sharrock, Mr Burnett and Mr Cox. Thanks too to Mrs Robb for being our official photographer!

It was a great afternoon with sunny skies, lots of water and plenty of mud! Collectively they have so far raised almost four hundred pounds for the East Anglian Air Ambulance. It is not too late to sponsor their efforts at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/greshams2022

We have launched a new record label to promote young musicians

Strathmore Records was launched at the end of September. The new record label aims to support our budding young artists by giving them a platform to record and release their music. Year 12 pupil Ruby performed at the launch event, alongside fellow pupil Jake, and will soon be releasing her EP through the studio. Another Sixth Form pupil, who goes by the name 4-Entrial, recorded the first official release which is a four-track EP heavily influenced by 80s cinematic electronica and her love of classic video games.

The launch of the label follows the opening of the Britten Building, home to our Music Department, by the Princess Royal in 2017. The £6.5m centre, named after composer and OG Benjamin Britten, provides facilities to enhance pupils’ learning and includes a recording studio, a live room and a 140-seater recital hall, in which lies a Steinway C Grand Piano. Pupils at Gresham’s can study Music throughout their time at the school, and have the option of studying BTEC Digital Music Production in Sixth Form.

Mrs Wolfe, Director of Music, said “the studio and record label have provided a great opportunity to provide real-world experience for our pupils and a great platform to share the incredible and exciting work being produced.”

Music from the label is available on Spotify and other digital platforms. Other output from the studio, including the annual Gresham’s Girls’ and Gresham’s Guys’ Christmas singles, can be found on the Gresham’s Media YouTube Channel.

IN THE NEWS

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School launches record label for up-and-coming musicians

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The first Music and Munch of the year was a wonderful occasion

The first Music and Munch of the year was a wonderful occasion. Seven brave Year 9 pupils performed solo pieces to our lovely audience, in what is hopefully their first concert of many at Gresham’s! The programme was varied, encompassing vocal and instrumental music across classical, musical theatre, pop and jazz genres. Thank you to all who attended, the Music Department hopes to see you again at the next Music and Munch on Friday 11th November. 

Michaelmas Service 2022

On Thursday 29th September the Senior School enjoyed a fun morning in Chapel celebrating Michaelmas (St Michael and All Angels) Day. Our heavenly trumpeters filled the building with wonderful music, playing above the heads of the congregation from the West Window. The Chaplain then challenged the pupils to be angelic messengers of love, hope and peace in our world. Drawing on the Parable of the Talents, he gave each House a small amount of money to ‘invest’ in projects which will make a positive difference to others.

Eco Committee help Gresham’s achieve distinction in Green Flag Award

Gresham’s Senior School has once again achieved the Green Flag Award but this time with distinction.  We received wonderful feedback from the charity, who were impressed by the dedication and organisation of our Eco Committee. They said that the planning and evidence for the award was conducted by our students in a mature and professional manner.

The Green Flag Team were impressed by the different measures the school has in place to be more sustainable. We now have more recycling bins in our school and less general waste bins. The site team are installing more LED’s and sensor lights to help reduce our electricity consumption. We have built bird boxes and feeders and are creating more biodiversity. The Queen’s House beehives were also highlighted by the judges as well as the school’s ban on plastic bottles. They were also really impressed at how staff have linked environmental issues to a variety of curriculum areas in their lesson plans. It has been wonderful as a whole school to work towards a common goal.

There are still more improvements which can be made, and this year’s Team Eco have already been meeting to discuss ways of promoting more green agendas in our school. We welcome any ideas for our parental body too. If you would like to be involved, please contact [email protected] .