2026 is National Year of Reading and we are going all in here at Norwich School! We know reading expands worlds, sharpens minds, and fuels creativity, so let's get inspired! Every month we are focusing on a different genre and hearing from a member of staff about what they like to read, why, when and where! Next up, as it is pride month we have LGBTQ+ Fiction for June and a big reader of this genre, Eleanor Lewis, Multimedia Marketing Officer, is going to tell us a bit about why she loves this genre. Tell us a little bit about the genre; what common themes or elements do you particularly enjoy? With LGBTQ+ Fiction it is quite challenging to define it as a genre as it can span a wide-range of genres such as science fiction, historical fiction, fantasy and more. I particularly enjoy when LGBTQ+ Fiction isn't only centred around LGBTQ+ issues and themes, Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles was a perfect example of this for me, as it combines LGBTQ+ characters in mythological tales where the character's identity is important to the story, but not the only driving force. What was the book that introduced you to LGBTQ+ Fiction? Was there a particular book or author that made you fall in love with this genre? Reading books with LGBTQ+ characters in my teen years definitely encouraged my love of reading especially Adam Silver's books History is All You Left Me and They Both Die at the End. Reading characters that I could relate to definitely made reading a lot more enjoyable for me. I would say that the book that brought me back into reading more LGBTQ+ Fiction as an adult would be Taylor Jenkins Reid's The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo . It is a very popular book and for good reason, the historical drama set in the Golden Age of Hollywood with an LGBTQ+ character at the centre. I think that this was one of the first times I encountered an openly LGBTQ+ woman in fiction and I found the love story to be so beautifully written and compelling. Has your taste in this genre changed over time? Definitely! As I grew up my taste naturally changed and especially during my time at University. On my course I encountered a variety of work including the less contemporary pieces such as The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall and Trumpet by Jackie Kay, both of which explored gender identity, particularly in times where it was even more challenging to be a transgender or gender non-conforming individual. I think that my favourite book now is definitely Hot Milk by Deborah Levy, it is a contemporary novel mostly surrounding a complicated mother/daughter relationship but also an LGBTQ+ awakening for the daughter, although the novel doesn't centre on this I think it is a brilliant example of LGBTQ+ Fiction that centralises LGBTQ+ characters but isn't only about LGBTQ+ issues. Would you recommend this genre to someone who doesn’t usually read it? Why? Absolutely and you probably have read it without intending to. A lot of books now, a lot more than when I was younger, feature LGBTQ+ characters. It used to be quite a challenge to find books that don't only have the 'token' LGBTQ+ characters but now there are plenty more options. What do you enjoy most about reading, whether LGBTQ+ Fiction or anything else? I love getting lost in a book and losing track of the time, it's very special to find a book that does that. I also really enjoy it when a book makes me think critically, I can end up getting a bit lost in research and analysis, probably because of my English undergrad days! When and where is your favourite time and place to read? / Do you have a favourite reading spot or routine for diving into books? I don't read half as much as I would like to, especially this time of year! I would say I really enjoy reading in bed but another great reading spot is in my conservatory with an iced coffee! The best time to read is definitely on holiday - especially when it is sunny! Which fictional character would you most like to have a cup of tea with? This is a tricky one but from this genre I would say Evelyn Hugo. Click here for the monthly Reading List!

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.