All About Amnesty Group

January 20, 2025

To celebrate the various partnerships in our Norwich School community and with variety evening on the horizon, we sat down with Mr Humphrey Bedford-Payne to discuss his involvement with Amnesty Group.

You can book tickets to Amnesty Variety Evening here!

Can you tell me a little bit about your involvement with Amnesty International?

Currently we invite members of the sixth form to participate as part of their community service and it is also offered as a club/society. We meet every Monday lunchtime but frequently there are ongoing afterschool projects. Not only do we try and raise others’ awareness of human rights crises around the world but locally I think it is absolutely critical to connect, participate and share as much as we can. During the past few years we have focused on dance, food and bicycles, with the aim of involving everyone in the projects. One thing I want to avoid is this narrative of being a provider as I think not only is that belittling but it devalues our partnerships. For example, with the Jerusalema dance, I wanted us all to learn a dance and perform it at five local venues to not only attract attention whilst dancing but also to film and edit these dances into a three-minute celebration of diversity in age, background and heritage. It was one of the highlights of my school career. The idea came about during lockdown when I simply came across other groups doing this dance and I asked a sixth form pupil to teach us, which included members of both the senior and lower school, and we were joined by children of English Plus clients.

Can we access this video?

Yes on youtube! But you will have to bear in mind that as much as I learnt the steps I did not learn the timing! You can watch it here.

So is it just sixth formers that participate in Amnesty?

Yes it is really just sixth formers because there are some very challenging issues that we consider and I want to focus on one particular year group so I thought L6 was the best year to involve on the committee side of things. In the annual events other year groups join in, such as with the International Dumpling Day or the Bicycle Restoration Sessions that we do. People are intrigued and they participate and that’s delightful.

You’ve spoken a little bit about Amnesty and your involvement in the local charityEnglish Plus as well. Can you tell me a little bit about English Plus?

Indeed. I have the highest of respect for this charity and the staff who work there. As their name implies, they offer a lot more than just English language tuition. I and the school support their activities as much as possible: on a Thursday morning, Penny Staufenberg and a couple of Lower 6 students go to their Trinity Church location and on a Wednesday there are three students who go to the Cathedral Hostry to support the class of 60 or more. As well as giving English tuition they offer advice with visa applications, job prospects, transport, accommodation and academic courses. They are absolutely phenomenal.

Back to Amnesty. You have several events throughout the year: can you tell me a little bit about them and which one is your favourite?

Well I suppose our flagship is the Amnesty Variety Evening in February because it is such a festival of creativity, dance, delight and music-making. We even had the staff rock band a year ago which was a particular highlight. It brings in a certain amount of income to fund the projects that we are involved with, be it the bicycle restoration scheme, the Christmas stocking filler project or the Easter egg provision. We also have a lot of support from the school, particularly the catering staff, who have just helped to provide a Christmas lunch to the students of English Plus. It is amazing how caring and supportive they are. It is a continuation of what they did during lockdown. In January, around the time of the Chinese New Year, we have our International Dumpling Day where we invite members of the Amnesty group, the refugee support group but also the international students to come and help us make some Chinese Dumplings. We make about 600 but we of course end up consuming at least 200 of those! Then the following Wednesday the catering team steam them for us and we take them over to the clients of English Plus.

Can you tell me a little bit about the Bicycle Restoration Scheme?

We have occasional donations of bicycles and we give them a service, change the cables for the brakes, provide a new saddle and do bits and pieces like that. Once they are ready, we give them to members of the local refugee community. We provided about a dozen last year. The current plan for this year is to provide a batch of five bicycles to the outlying hotel, where refugees are being housed, in order to provide a means of transport for those who want them. I have enlisted the help of colleagues and pupils who know a lot more about bicycles than I do. The FONS have just granted us some funds to buy more tools and equipment.

So does the money raised from the Variety Evening and other events go towards the Bicycle Restoration Scheme?

Yes and also at Christmas we like to provide some stocking fillers. So one of my favourite tasks is going to the shops and buying 100 chocolate Father Christmases and sundry packs of chocolate coins, then bringing them back in triumph to school. We distribute them to the refugee community on a Wednesday at the same time as the Christmas lunch. We also support the amazing Nandana Werapitiya Community Centre in Sri Lanka.

So you do a lot of work in the local community. Do you do much internationally?

We focus a lot on the immediate and local issues. In the Variety Evening we show extracts from the Amnesty International website. However challenging that it may be, it is important that we face up to the harsh reality of some people’s lives.

How long have you been involved with Amnesty?

I started this 40 years ago and then took a step back when my children were born. Fortunately a succession of members of staff took it over. There was then a bit of a hiatus and I could not let it disappear, so I returned to the Amnesty fold about six years ago.

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Cricket Catch Up from the Summer Break

September 1, 2025

Cricket Catch Up from the Summer Break It has been wonderful to see the Norwich School contingent for Swardeston perform so well. Lawry Williams (who was named man-of-the-match) led their U19 squad with Lewis, Ollie and Deeran to victory in their T20 competition on Monday 25 August, winning the Norfolk Cricket Foundation Vitality Club U-19 T20 Trophy. We have had several players involved with Norfolk, England Over 40’s and Bunbury’s over the years… Highlights include - Ollie Longdon Scoring 87 and 90 at Bunbury in the 2-day fixture. Maiden 50 in the EAPL at 15. Tom Bush Bunbury selection. Bella Lewis Superb Norfolk season with 25 wickets including a 5-wicket haul against Harrow CC. Bella Borges Leads the overall Norfolk pathway batting run totals with over a 1000 runs for Norfolk u15, U18 and also the women’s squad. 153 for the U18’s against Suffolk. 102 for the U15’s against Cricket East and 5 wickets for 13 runs 119 against Herfordshire. Staff achievements - Alfie Cooper and the Norfolk Men’s winners of the national T20. Richard Sims selection and 50 runs scored for the England over 40 team against Scotland.

Kwame Bekoe (L6) Represented England in the U18 International Series

By Eleanor Lewis • August 22, 2025

Lower 6 pupil, Kwame Bekoe, has represented England U18s in the 2025 U18 International Series in South Africa this summer. Kwame started at lock in the opening fixture against Georgia, before coming off the bench to make a strong impact in the second match against France. His performances earned him a place in the starting XV for England’s clash with tournament hosts South Africa on Saturday 16 August. Kwame is a member of the Leicester Tigers Academy and has been a standout player for the school’s First XV since joining the side in Upper Fifth. To celebrate his success, we asked him a few questions... How long have you been playing rugby? I started rugby at 9 years old with Norwich Rugby Football club. So I've been playing for about 8 years now. How often do you train? In season I'll train with school 2-3 times a week and with tigers 1-2 times a week. I also try and go to the gym at least 5 days a week. How did you get into the Leicester Tigers Academy? I officially got into the academy in year 11 after attending numerous developmental training sessions hosted by tigers since the start of year 10. I was put forward by my rugby club coach to be apart of these sessions and was kept through the pathway after multiple selections until I was selected for the academy. How did you get selected for the U18 International Series in South Africa? Fortunately, I was selected for the England U17 may development camp after missing out on being selected for the first camp in April. It was a four day camp with a match on the fourth day and this camp determined which players out of the 46 on camp would play in the summer series. How did it go? It was a great two weeks with a great group of talented players. Unfortunately we didn’t come away with a win but everyone got better as players and had a wonderful experience playing at international level. What was the best part? The best part for me was after the France game having a dinner party with all the teams (Georgia, Ireland, France, England and South Africa) and having a good time singing and dancing with all the players. What was the most challenging? The most challenging part for me was matching the physicality of the national teams as they were all exceptionally strong and maintained a relentless level of intensity throughout the games. It was also challenging to memorise all the calls and plays that we used for the 3 games. How has Norwich School supported your rugby journey? Norwich has helped especially with providing transport to training with tigers. They have also supported me with sports scholarship programme to help with mentally and physically preparing myself before matches. The coaches have also taught me a lot since joining in year 7 and some skills that I still use to this day. What's next? Hopefully I will be selected for more England Camps towards the end of the year and being selected for the U18 Six Nations in 2026. What are your future prospects in Rugby? I hope to continue playing rugby at a high level in order to improve and become the best player I can be.

GCSE Results Day 2025 - We Hear From Some of our Pupils Who Received Their Results Today...

By Eleanor Lewis • August 21, 2025

It was a real pleasure to welcome back our 2025 GCSE pupils today as they collected their results. The atmosphere was full of excitement, with many smiling faces as pupils celebrated their hard-earned successes. We are enormously proud of such a strong performance from this year’s cohort, including: 29% of our pupils achieved a grade 9 Over half our pupils (54%) achieved grades 9-8 74% of our pupils achieved grades 9-7 There were also some outstanding individual performances, including 10 candidates with 10 x grade 9 or better and 35 candidates with at least 9 x grades 8 or 9. We caught up with some of the pupils to learn more about their personal successes and hear about what lies ahead for them.

GCSE Results 2025

By Eleanor Lewis • August 21, 2025

We are pleased to announce very strong GCSE results for 2025. From the cohort of 132 candidates, overall percentages are as follows: 29% at grade 9 54% at grades 9-8 (A*) 74% at grades 9-7 (A*-A) 88% at grades 9-6 (A*-B) 98%: overall pass-rate (grades 9-4) Outstanding individual performances included: 4 candidates with 11 x 9 or better; 10 candidates with 10 x 9 or better; 35 candidates with at least 9 x 8 or 9. Steffan Griffiths, Head, commented, “Our GCSE Class of 2025 have worked very hard for these results and they now thoroughly deserve their success. Well-supported at home and at school, they have laid terrific foundations to make the most of our Sixth Form, whether academically or in other aspects of our holistic provision. We look forward to supporting them as they make this exciting transition.” Assistant Head (5th Form), Andrew Curtis, said, “I offer sincere congratulations to our Upper Five pupils on their excellent results. They have been diligent in their academic work, but they have also contributed strongly in sport, drama, music, dance and school clubs. Perhaps most importantly, they have built strong friendships which will stand them in good stead for the future. They have much to offer as they move into our 6th Form and I wish them all well.

What's Next for the Class of 2025

By Eleanor Lewis • August 14, 2025

Emotions ran high on A Level results day, and rightly so, as our Class of 2025 reached a major milestone after two years of hard work and commitment. Today marks the beginning of an exciting new journey as they step into the future, armed with the results of their hard work. Over 95% of pupils achieved their first or second choice onward route and there are also some truly outstanding personal triumphs. No question, the pupils in this year’s cohort have every reason to feel proud. We caught up with a few of them to hear first-hand what these results mean and how they’re feeling as they look ahead.

A Level Results 2025

August 14, 2025

The school is pleased to announce strong A Level results. The cohort of 177 U6 candidates have achieved the following: 24% of grades at A*; 52% of grades at A*-A; 82% at A*-B; 94% at A*-C; 100% at A*-E. Outstanding individual performances included: 5 candidates with 4 A*; 16 candidates with 3A* or more; 54 candidates with 3A or more. These results are enabling positive next steps. Even before improvements from the UCAS Clearing process have been absorbed, 80% of leavers have secured their first choice onward route and over 95% have achieved their first or second choice. The Head, Steffan Griffiths, said, “I am delighted for the Class of 2025; they have been terrific in so many areas of school life, acting as positive role models in our community and offering much in arenas such as sport, music, drama, dance and service. It is fitting that they now round off their time in Cathedral Close with strong academic results, too, thereby opening up all sorts of exciting individual onward routes. All at school wish them well”. Richard Peters, Head of Sixth Form, commented, “This cohort of pupils committed to a concerted spell of hard work, so I am pleased that they have been appropriately rewarded with these impressive results. They enjoyed support of families at home and teachers in school, to whom I am grateful. I offer sincere good wishes for our leavers’ next steps”. NB: specific grade percentages will be published when the subject paper review process has been completed.

Nick Conway (L6) to Represent Great Britain at the U19 Junior World Championships

By Eleanor Lewis • August 5, 2025

Nick Conway, L6 pupil, has been selected to represent Great Britain at the Under 19 Junior World Championships in the Men’s Eight racing in Trakai, Lithuania, which is taking place from 6-10 August. This is a very proud moment for the Boat Club program and the School as a whole, as Nick is the first Sixth Form rower from Norwich School to be selected for the Junior World Championships. To celebrate this achievement, we caught up with Nick in the lead up to the Championships... How long have you been rowing? I’ve been rowing for 2 1/2 years since starting lent term in L5. However, rowing has been a part of my life from a young age through my parents. How often do you practice/train? As a boat club we have 14 sessions a week, where we train as a whole boat club, both girls and boys squads together, which helps build a strong community and group. How has Norwich School helped you on your rowing journey? Norwich School have helped me develop by providing elite coaching by various members of the sports department, most of all, Mr Carter-Mayers, our senior rowing coach, along with my academic teachers who have been supportive along the way. How did you get selected to represent GB in U19 Junior World Championships? Selection was decided by a week of testing and racing up to 8 times a day. Through the results from then and throughout various trials this year the selectors build a ranking of the top 7 rowers, which they will take to the worlds championships. Thankfully I was in this group to be selected. How have you been preparing for the event? Since leaving for selection camp on the first week of the summer holidays I’ve been down in London and Reading at the national training centre. I have been rowing with my crew and getting familiar with each other ready for when we take on the rest of the world on the 7th of August. Throughout these 4 weeks we’ve come together well, with a few rocky patches, but nonetheless feeling confident as we enter competition week. We wish Nick the best of luck!

Next at the Crypt - Reepham Artists and Makers

By Eleanor Lewis • July 31, 2025

5 - 16 August Open daily 10:00 - 16:00 Closed Sundays. Free admission. Reepham Artists and Makers are a collective of artists and makers based in and around Reepham, Norfolk. They have been exhibiting together since 2017 in galleries and other venues. They work in textiles, ceramics, painting, silver-smithing, glass, wood, gilding and sculpture. Many of the group display and sell as individuals but also come together as a group. Meeting on a regular basis, the artists work together on exhibitions, run workshops within their disciplines and have social visits to galleries and exhibitions in and around Norfolk. Jackie Watson - Ceramics • Sue Johnston - Paintings and Textile Art • Carolyn Penney - Glass and Metal Work • Sara Kenyon - Painter and Water Colourist • Linda Sadler - Ceramics and Textiles • Jane Bygrave - Ceramics • Emily Longhurst - Artist, Working in wood, acrylics and gilding • Tamara Goulding - Lacemaker

The Final Day for the Class of 25

By Eleanor Lewis • July 14, 2025

Friday 4 July, Independence Day in America, happened to be a memorable day of independence for some of our community, as it heralded the last day of school for our Upper Sixth pupils. And it wasn’t just the pupils sharing this special day – parents and guardians were welcomed to the Close to share in the celebrations. Some pupils had been through the entire Norwich School journey, reflecting on 11 years growing up in the Close, whilst others had experienced a packed and exciting two year Norwich School journey, having joined in Sixth Form. Whatever the ‘length of service’, however, the mixed emotions amongst leavers were shared – excitement for the future, sadness and trepidation as such an important chapter of their lives drew to a close, pride at having reached such a milestone and a touch of exhaustion at the end of such an important academic year. A beautiful sunny day dawned, with an early breakfast for the pupils and a special address from the President of the Horatio Society, Jacob Stevenson, who wished his peers well and encouraged them to embrace their new status as Old Norvicensians (ONs). Jacob also handed out awards as voted for by the pupils themselves including, to name but a few, Most Likely to Start A Charity, Best Bromance, Most Likely to Headline Glastonbury and Most Likely to End Up Back at Norwich School (an easy win for Joel Newman who returns next year as a Lower School Gap Student!). They then headed to tutor group where they were presented with their Valedictory Reports – as written by their Head of House and the Head. Parents and Guardians then joined the celebrations for a brunch on the Refectory lawn before filing into the Cathedral for a very special Farewell Assembly. It was hard to spot a dry eye as parents and pupils joined in singing I Vow To Thee My Country and Jerusalem, and the Head delivered a moving and inspirational address. The congregation were then upstanding and clapped continuously as the Upper Sixth filed out of the Cathedral for the very last time, exiting the West Doors, where they were greeted with a farewell and handshake from the Head. The Upper Close was buzzing as families reunited with one another, hugging and crying as they shared the emotion of such a significant day. Overall, however, despite the tears, it was a day for celebration – to toast a job well done to the Class of 2025 who gave it their all and embraced every opportunity on their Norwich School journey. Corks popped and there were photos a-plenty as families embraced a last chance to take pictures in the Norwich School uniform, before departing for perhaps a rest or a power nap, before dressing in their finest and heading for Norwich City Football Club for the Leavers Ball. Over 300 parents, staff and pupils attended a magnificent evening, with a sumptuous three course meal, entertainment and a live band which kept everyone on the dancefloor until 1am. There was an after party, but we will leave it at that…! Wishing the Class of 2025 every success for the future and stay in touch. Remember. You are all ONs for life!

DofE Gold take on the Peak District for their Practice Expedition!

By Eleanor Lewis • July 12, 2025

Three groups undertook their practice expedition at the end of term. The weather kept to the predictions, being warm and sunny. On the hottest day the groups left camp early, with altered routes to ensure water could be topped up several times. They all coped very well, arriving in campsites and shade before the highest temperatures were reached. The fourth group arrived and the first groups returned to Norwich. The training was repeated with a short walk to refresh and learn navigational skill, followed by some first aid training. The next day the group walked to their next campsite, where they adopted an 8th member which you can see with the team below!