I have now worked at Norwich School for quite some time, which has prompted me to reflect: what is our school like? What are its virtues? What makes it tick? Attending or working at a school is very much like going on a journey, which is why I chose today’s bible reading. It records a journey two people made, and how they encountered Jesus along the way without recognising him. The story of the road to Emmaus, as it is called, and our journey through school, have some interesting parallels which help us understand our school better, and that our journey through it so very full of potential. The first connection between our school and the reading is found in this line “they urged him strongly, “Stay with us”. The two travellers offer the stranger hospitality. In my first ever U6 History class at Norwich School there was a boy called George. George was the Head of School and scrum half for the First XV. One day, George was missing from my lesson. I asked the other pupils where he might be: “Don’t you know he’s the head of School, sir?” they answered, “he’ll be with the Head for an important meeting – it happens all the time”. I felt rather silly. Sometime later George arrived. “Sorry I’m late, sir” he said. ‘How was the meeting?’ I enquired. ‘Meeting?’ he replied, ‘I wasn’t at a meeting. I was having my hair cut!’ In my naivety, I just assumed that heads of school were permitted to have a haircut during period one and carried on with the lesson. Furthermore, George had been extremely warm and welcoming to me as a new teacher, whilst the rest of the class were a bit frosty, given, as they were happy to explain, just how brilliant my predecessor had been. Another character was Fraser. Fraser was a cross-country runner, so I used to spend a lot of time with him during Games, as did Mr Todd, the Deputy Head. Fraser’s particular eccentricity was hugging teachers without warning. This was as inappropriate then as it would be now, but Fraser somehow got away with it. I remember watching Fraser suddenly embrace Mr Todd, pinning his arms to his side leaving him with barely sufficient breath to gasp: “Fraser, please release me.” His warm sentiment was genuine which meant that he, and only he, could get away with it. There were also two teachers who were particularly welcoming when first I arrived. The first, Miss Weiler, was the Head of German. She always remembered my birthday and offered me glass of champagne to celebrate. There was also Mr Barber who, before I even started at Norwich School said, ‘well, if you’re joining us, you’d better play in this evening’s staff cricket match’. His kind offer meant I quickly felt accepted. This tradition of hospitality is one of which we can be proud. It continues with our relationships with organisations like English Plus and Able 2 Be. We welcome pupils from all over the globe which strengthens and enriches our community. As Professor Charles Forsdick ON, during a recent school visit said: ‘we should be rooted in the local but maintain a global perspective’. There can be no doubt that front and centre of Norwich School is learning. One need look no further to find evidence of this than that famed repository of wisdom, the leavers’ book. Our class of 2025, in answer to the question, ‘what is the best lesson Norwich School taught you’, offered these answers: - Don’t do stupid thing whilst CCTV is watching - Don’t accept homemade chocolate milk from a Travelodge sink - Stock up on the salad bar otherwise your stomach will scream in the afternoon - Never get caught with your shirt untucked around Mr Sims - If you speed walk, it only takes four minutes to get to HFH (I did get shin splints though) - Don’t play badminton with more than two players per side because that’s how you end up with teeth missing. But more seriously, Norwich School pupils and staff are ambitious in their learning, and this learning is valued and rigorous. On the road to Emmaus, the disciples were confused about the everts that had taken place over the first Easter weekend. They too sought understanding and were, therefore, keen to hear the teaching of the man they had encountered: our reading says “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” This is a 1st century example of people’s thirst for knowledge and understanding; we should continue to treasure our 21st century opportunity to be curious, to enquire and to learn. The journey we are on at school and our bible reading are also connected via the notion of togetherness and community, and how this can lead to something more profound. Once he had been invited into their house, Jesus shared a meal with the disciples: “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.” A simple enough act, but one that speaks of shared experience and common humanity. Norwich School shares much of its history and culture with the community of this cathedral church, which is a precious space in at least these three ways: longevity – Norwich Cathedral is the oldest building in Norwich which is still used for its original purpose. The fact that it has survived and thrived for so long is remarkable. Accessibility – Norwich Cathedral is open 365 days of the year, free of charge, with no entry requirements. Anyone can enter, regardless of background, where you come from or what you believe. Sacredness – these precincts are set apart, designated as a special or holy place. Some people regard the cathedral as a ‘thin place’: somewhere in which it is possible to sense the intangible, something mystical, maybe even glimpse the divine; a place in which God is not proven, but rather in which He might be experienced. On the road to Emmaus, the disciples didn’t recognise Jesus at first, even though he was walking alongside them. It was only when they invited him in, when they made themselves open to an encounter with God, that he revealed himself: “then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” For me, the most special thing about our school, and the reason I have stayed for so long, is that we are hospitable and scholarly, yes, but also that we enjoy a privileged and precious relationship with the cathedral community. This is a place where we can make time to explore spirituality, to consider the good news of the Christian message, and to reflect on the possibility of encountering Jesus Christ, as he walks alongside us, on our journey through school. 

A warm Lower School Hall was alive with music, laughter, and a touch of theatrical flair as children from Lower 2 and Upper 2 took to the stage for a truly delightful concert last night. The evening opened with a confident piano performance of Rocking the Boat , quickly followed by the wonderfully imaginative The Dinosaurs Bedtime March , which had the audience picturing a parade of sleepy prehistoric creatures. The ever-popular Sun City by P. Wedgwood made several cheerful appearances throughout the programme, each performance bringing its own sparkle. There was elegance and poise in The Ballet Dancer , while a charming cello rendition of Gavotte by Gossec added a touch of classical sophistication. The audience was then treated to, I Love Coffee , which was delivered with great character and more than a hint of humour. Film fans in the room were delighted by a violin performance of Hedwig’s Theme by John Williams, transporting everyone straight into a world of magic. This was followed by more lively piano pieces, including the flowing The River Flows in You and the crisp Allegretto by Bartok. The energy lifted even further with Way Out West and The Machine , before a bold trumpet performance of the James Bond Theme by M. Norman had toes tapping and imaginations racing with spy adventures. The concert continued with the spirited Tarantella Twist on the piano and a relaxed guitar piece, Fingers and Thumbs by G. Whitworth. A light and playful flute performance of A Tisket A Tasket added a traditional touch, followed by more confident piano playing including Lightly Row and Le petit mendiant . One of the highlights of the evening was a lively vocal duet of The Lady is a Vamp by the Spice Girls, which brought plenty of smiles and a real sense of fun to the hall. Throughout the concert, the children showed not only their growing musical skills but also great courage and enthusiasm. It was a joy to see such a variety of instruments and styles on display, and the supportive audience created a wonderfully warm atmosphere. Well done to all performers for an entertaining and memorable afternoon of music and well done to all pupils in the Lower School who have showcased their musical instruments throughout the year. 

This year, our Lower School pupils embraced an exciting opportunity to take part in not just one, but two competitions at the Royal Norfolk Show: the School Gardening Competition and the School Growing Competition. Their hard work, creativity and enthusiasm were truly rewarded, as pupils proudly brought home an incredible four gold medals! In the School Gardening competition, pupils from Lower One and Upper One were thrilled to be awarded a gold medal for their outstanding exhibit. Their entry featured a beautifully designed wheelbarrow display inspired by Beatrix Potter’s Mr McGregor’s garden, created in celebration of 160 years since Beatrix Potter’s birth. The imaginative design brought a miniature allotment to life, complete with a rustic potting shed, garden gate, wellington boots and beloved characters from the Peter Rabbit stories. Every element was thoughtfully crafted, resulting in a delightful and highly detailed scene. One of the standout features of the display was a stunning willow arch and gate, expertly created by the Upper One pupils and decorated with flowers and crocheted carrots. This eye-catching centrepiece captivated both judges and visitors alike. Four Upper One pupils also had the opportunity to speak with the judges, confidently explaining the inspiration behind their design and proudly showcasing their exhibit. The School Growing competition saw over forty pupils eagerly take part, nurturing their basil, calendula and radish plants at home with care and commitment in the weeks leading up to the Show. The best examples from each category were then selected and taken to the Showground, where they were judged against entries from other schools. Pupils were delighted to win all three categories which they entered. We are incredibly proud of our pupils for their creativity, perseverance and teamwork. The achievements are a testament to their enthusiasm and hard work, and we are absolutely delighted to celebrate the success of winning four gold medals at this year’s Royal Norfolk Show! Outdoor learning and gardening skills are interwoven throughout the Lower School curriculum, and our success at the Norfolk Show is a testament to this.