A Life Whisperer - An Assembly from Rev Child
February 6, 2026
My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favour and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:1-6)
Having done some thinking last week about why we sing hymns in assemblies, this week I want to think about why it is we usually have a Bible reading on Fridays. Let’s start with a quick game: I’m going to read out some sentences which may or may not be from the Bible – you have to choose the ones that are.
- Neither a borrower nor a lender be. (Not from the Bible – it’s from Shakespeare.)
- Go the extra mile. (Yes – from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.)
- Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. (Yes – from Genesis 3, when Adam and Eve are told they will become mortal.)
- All will be well, and all will be well, and all manner of things will be well. (Not from the Bible, but a saying of Julian of Norwich, whose statue is at the West Doors.)
- Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them round your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. (Yes, that was from the reading we had a moment ago. It’s from the book of Proverbs, one of the passage printed in the back of our hymn boo
Well done if you managed to guess the sentences that were from the Bible. A few things we can learn from that game:
- The Bible contains a lot of wisdom that has passed into the English language, though we may not realise it. Turning the other cheek; the writing’s on the wall; the salt of the earth; you reap what you sow; there’s a time and a place for everything. These and many more expressions all started in some thought-provoking part of the Bible.
- The Bible is not the only place that we can go to get wisdom. Saints, celebrities, Shakespeare and other scriptures have lines for us to ponder too.
- What the Bible gives us, though – and this is really how we use it in our Friday assemblies – is a regular nudge in the right direction.
We live in a world where there are all kinds of things trying to nudge us in all sorts of directions. For instance, “Drink Coca Cola.” “Click on the link to find out more.” “I dare you. Go on, I dare you!” Some of the nudges around you are good and well-intentioned, and hopefully that’s true at school, where you hear from speakers, PPD lessons, and calendar events like LGBTQ+ History Month (which you heard about in here on Wednesday). But I only need to mention a few other things, like hard-sell advertising or unrelenting phone notifications, for you to realise that you need to filter what’s coming at you.
We listen to Bible passages week by week because these are nudges in the right direction.
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them round your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” That’s decent advice – hear it and go with it. Whatever’s going on for you on this particular Friday, be a loving, caring, faithful person – and you won’t go far wrong.
I’ve played a little bit of golf – not much, and I’m not especially good at it. When I have played, it has usually been in a group. I think I’ve played alongside basically two different types of people. One type of person wants to give me a constant stream of advice about how I should be standing differently, what’s wrong with my swing, how I’ve got the wrong sort of clubs, and so on. To be honest, I find it difficult playing with people like that because it’s a bit overwhelming.
But there’s another type of fellow golfer who, now and again, will just mention something. I know one person in particular who is like a golf-whisperer. He will stand to one side while I take a practice swing, and then say something like – ‘Just try lifting your chin up a bit’. And I will take his advice, and it works – because he’s a good enough golfer (and a good enough teacher) to see the thing I need to focus on.
Listening to regular Bible passages can be like listening to that second type of golfer. Many of the people who read the world’s bestselling book read it in short chunks, but regularly. And they find (as I find) that it can have just the right thing to say. On the occasion when anger or ambition or irritation is getting the better of me, the Bible reminds me to be loving and faithful; and to trust God, even if I can’t quite see where my life is leading. When we’re getting a bit wild or loose, the Bible can help us keep our shape; the Bible is a kind of life-whisperer. Something to keep in mind whenever you hear it read in assembly.
On Wednesday 26 February Able2B and Minnie Andrews (Lower 6) led an assembly in the lead up to Discover Your Ability Day 2026! This year, Norwich School are continuing our work with Able2B by hosting the annual Discover Your Ability Day on the penultimate Sunday of the Trinity Term. The event is rather like a duathlon, with a running and cycling event around the Lower Close (including along the rivers edge), with some participants taking part in wheelchairs and adpated bicycles to make it as inclusive as possible. We have plans to make it bigger and better this year by doubling up with another of our signature events; the Intergenerational Sports Day with Friend in Deed (involving young and old participants alike). This way we can have even more of the Norwich School and wider community involved on the Lower School field than ever before! To prepare for Discover Your Ability Day, pupils who sign up will take part in just 2 or 3 training sessions at the Able2B gym in ahead of June. As this is a family event, family members and friends can also volunteer as marshals and route guides, or just come along to watch the event. We also have Able2B ambassadors linked to each house again like last year - where we will run a competition to get the most members from each house to sign up and take part. (the ambassadors will line up at this point if all able to be there!) Discover your Ability Day is a fantastic opportunity to help out in the local community, as well as gaining valuable skills. This is a highly inspirational charity event, so pupils are encouraged to take part in any way they can. Additionally, taking part in the training sessions and final event can count towards volunteering hours for anyone doing the Duke of Edinburgh award. See below for the talk from Able2B
On Wednesday 25 February 2026 a group of 32 A Level Physics pupils visited Sizewell B Nuclear Power Station. After a safety briefing by site staff and a presentation on the physics and engineering involved in the generation of electricity from nuclear fission, pupils were given a comprehensive tour of the site. This included an outside overview of the reactor dome, step-up transformers, sea water intake and National Grid electricity distribution system, and an inside tour of the turbine hall and engineering workshops. It was a fantastic day which provided pupils and staff with a great insight into the practical application of physics and engineering theory to the nuclear industry. Pupil behaviour was impeccable, and they were a credit to the school.
Stephanie Magusin-Vardakou, Upper 6, reports on the Chapel Choir half term trip to Hamburg. In February Half Term, 34 U5, L6 and U6 members of Chapel Choir as well as Ms Walton, Mr Stamp, Miss Clark and Mrs Platten flew to Hamburg for a choir tour. We were greeted with extremely snowy conditions, and many members of the Choir did not hesitate to begin the 4-day long snowball fight. After a restful night’s sleep in the youth hostel and a traditional German breakfast, we set off to St. Michaelis Church, where we sang some traditional English Choral Music, which according to the director of music at the Church was a nice change from all the Bach that is usually sung. On a high from the performance, we set of to our second church, St. Petri where we had a rehearsal, a sang for a prayer meditation and then a full hour’s concert where we sang all the music we prepared. Following this, a delicious supper was had in a nearby restaurant followed by an early night after a tiring day. Our next day, Valentine’s Day, was much more relaxed. Pupils were greeted with heart shaped chocolates by Mrs Platten to commemorate the day, as well as the hostel providing heart shaped pretzel rolls. We set off back to St. Petri where we had a rehearsal before singing in another church, St. Jakobi. Ater a brief sing in St. Katherinen, we went to arguably the highlight of the trip, Minatur Wunderland, the largest model railway system in the world. After plenty of hours of fun, we went to the hostel for supper and had an awards ceremony before bed. On our last day, we sang a Eucharist back in St. Petri with the Hamburg Bach Choir before a long lunch break. We then set off for the Airport, tired but content after a busy and rewarding trip. Thank you to all involved, it was an extremely successful trip!
This half term, an intrepid group of pupils from Symposium – Norwich School 's interdisciplinary social and political science society – braved the February drizzle to spend an inspiring day at Selwyn College, Cambridge. Pupils from Upper 5 to Upper 6 immersed themselves in the world of Human, Social, and Political Sciences (HSPS), gaining a first-hand taste of life at a world-class university. After an inside-track introduction to Cambridge, we were joined by four current HSPS student ambassadors who shared personal insights into their studies and university life. Our pupils then experienced a Cambridge supervision-style session on the forces that shape our identity, working in small groups alongside the undergraduates to engage with ideas from some of the biggest names in social science – an exciting glimpse into degree-level discussion. After a guided tour of Selwyn’s lovely grounds and lunch in the college’s beautiful old hall, we set off on an afternoon mission to the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. There, pupils connected the theory of their morning discussions to real-world artefacts, exploring how identity is shaped across cultures and time. It was an off-piste day that sparked curiosity, challenged thinking, and stretched us far beyond the school curriculum, and it was a joy to see our pupils gain a vivid preview of the intellectual adventures ahead. A big thank you to Selwyn College, University of Cambridge for hosting us.
The Jemison Group enjoyed an exciting and immersive visit to The Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum. They had the opportunity to sit in a cockpit and learn how to fly, giving them a taste of what it might be like to be a pilot. They explored the exhibits and were even able to handle some weapons. They also travelled back in time to the Second World War, stepping inside an Anderson Shelter during an air raid in Norwich. As part of the day, pupils learned how to map flight paths, linking history with geography and developing their understanding of navigation. It was a memorable visit that deepened their knowledge and sparked plenty of curiosity.
On Saturday 7 May, internationally renowned classical musicians will gather in the beautiful setting of St Nicholas Chapel, King’s Lynn, to honour the music of beloved composer Sir Karl Jenkins during a special fundraising concert hosted by Music in the Burnhams. This concert is the centrepiece of Music in the Burnhams' 2026 programme and will be raising funds for Norfolk and Waveney Mind. The evening, which the composer is due to attend himself, will include performances from the UK’s leading independent orchestra, the British Sinfonietta, the King’s Lynn Festival Chorus and Norwich School Choir, accompanied by acclaimed musicians; cellist Adrian Bradbury, violinists Benedict Holland and Joo Yeon Sir, harpist Alis Huws, euphonium player Dan Thomas, bass baritone Paul Carey Jones and soprano Khrystyna Makar. Conducted by Ben Horden, Music Director of the King’s Lynn Festival Chorus, together they will perform some of Sir Karl’s most celebrated works, such as Cantilena from Symphonic Adiemus, Benedictus from The Armed Man, and Cantata Memoria, which was written in commemoration of the Aberfan disaster. Music in the Burnhams is a charity bringing world-leading classical musicians to venues and schools across north-west Norfolk. Founder, Marian Abramovich, said the Celebration of Sir Karl Jenkins concert will not only provide the opportunity for local communities to witness a rare gathering of renowned musicians, but also support wellbeing services for young people in the area. “We believe classical music should be for all; that’s why we’re passionate about bringing acclaimed musicians to venues across our corner of Norfolk, so as many people as possible - some for the first time - have the chance to experience and enjoy these incredible live performances,” said Marian. “We’re also dedicated to supporting local young people, either through school workshops with visiting musicians or fundraising initiatives. Knowing the intrinsic relationship between music and wellbeing, we’re thrilled to be donating proceeds from this concert - and all our events throughout 2026 - to Norfolk and Waveney Mind to support the expansion of mental health services for young people in West Norfolk.” Marian added: “One of today’s best-loved composers, Sir Karl is a big advocate for mental health support, with his works having previously raised funds for mental health charities aiding military veterans. And one of his most-famous pieces, the poignant Cantata Memoria, pays tribute to those affected by the Aberfan disaster, a terribly tragic event in Welsh history that is approaching its 60 th anniversary this year and left many survivors suffering with profound mental health issues. Sir Karl was therefore a fitting choice for the focus of this major fundraising event.” Music in the Burnhams hopes to raise £20,000 for Norfolk and Waveney Mind by the end of 2026! To book your tickets click here!
This year, 9 U4 pupils accompanied by Mr Croston and Mrs Dean flew to Hamburg to experience Germany often for the very first time. For Mr Croston, it was the 30th time! It was freezing cold with the temperature being below freezing for the whole stay and there was plenty of snow for the odd snowball fight en route to the next activity. We stayed in the Deutsche Seemannsmission right in the City Centre which provided an ideal base to explore the city and its world-famous port. Our U4 German pupils gained a positive first-hand experience of Germany and were given many opportunities to try out their language skills including writing a traditional postcard to Mr Griffiths. The pupils coped well with buying food, souvenirs, stamps and gifts as well as being willing to try a variety of new foods including Currywurst though only Mr Croston was up for pickled herring. We had almost three full days in the city and were able to include all the major sights, and the traffic-free city centre provided a safe area to let small groups go shopping and U4 enjoyed finding some bargains in the Karstadt department store. On the first night we went swimming and on the second night, we went to the Miniaturwelt in the warehouse district of Hamburg which was fascinating. We also descended deep under river Elbe to see the 19th century tunnel with lifts for horse and carriage, still operating today. We also found out more about Hamburg's trading past and present and toured the port for a closer look at the dry docks, container terminals and loading bays. Another highlight was Mr Croston’s Hamburg Treasure Hunt with some good selfies in front of various tourist attractions! On the final day, it was still cold, so the Museum der Arbeit gave us an opportunity to warm up before heading onto the final activities. All of those on the trip were very open to new experiences and took a keen interest in their surroundings and got a great deal out of the trip. The pupils were a pleasure to take away.
Friends of Norwich School support sees club double in size with fantastic results!
Dance have had a triumphant term, filled with energy, commitment and outstanding achievement. Our Performance Team attended their very first dance competition with an incredible 29 pupils taking part. Sixteen groups performed a wide range of dynamic and creative routines, showcasing not only technical skill but also teamwork and confidence. We are delighted to celebrate three groups winning their categories and two groups earning second place. Even more excitingly, three of our teams have qualified for the finals in London at the end of the 2026 season, an exceptional accomplishment in their debut year. Our Junior Dance Company, alongside the top three Junior and Inters winners from our internal choreography competition, also represented the school at Ormiston Victory Academy, where NSSP hosted a fantastic school's dance competition. Pupils also took part in an inspiring workshop delivered by East Theatre Arts. Every one of our entries placed top three in their respective categories. It was an excellent day that highlighted the talent, dedication and passion within our dance department.
Our school came alive with colour and celebration as Senior School hosted a joyful Chinese New Year assembly on Wednesday! L4 pupils delighted everyone by dressing up as the zodiac animals and vibrant dragons, while Senior School pupils shared the festivities with Lower School during a special assembly on Thursday. Lower School pupils learned the traditional New Year song 恭喜恭喜 with Jeremy and Anthew, spreading wishes of happiness and prosperity. Everyone enjoyed fortune cookies to welcome good luck for the year ahead! Our Mandarin classes embraced the spirit of the festival too — L4 made delicious dumplings, U4 prepared spring rolls, and L5 explored food sampling and tea tasting. L5 and M5 also took part in Chinese brush calligraphy, bravely attempting some of the most challenging Chinese characters. What a wonderful way to celebrate the Lunar New Year together!
