Dr Richardson on the changing of the seasons

May 24, 2024

You may recall that on the first Friday of this term, Rev Child talked about playing the long game. His example on that occasion was the Easter story, when Jesus accepted his impending crucifixion, knowing that good things would happen 3 days later.


Far be it from me to find fault with the chaplain, but I would suggest that 3 days isn’t a particularly long game at all.

It so happens that on the evening of that assembly, I went to a talk that Mr Pearson told me about. It was all about a man who started something in 1739 that continues to this day, nearly 300 years later.



The man in question was Robert Marsham. He lived in the village of Stratton Strawless, just a few miles north of Norwich, and is known today as the Father of Phenology. 


What is phenology? I hear you ask.

Phenology is essentially the study of seasons. In particular in Robert Marsham’s case, he recorded the arrival of Spring in Stratton Strawless every year from 1739 until he died in 1797. This record was then continued by his son, then his grandson, and the records continued until 1958.


Back in the 1700s, such a record was quite unique. In more modern times, other people have kept similar records all around the world, and this branch of science has acquired the name Phenology.


So how does one record the arrival of spring? It is one of those things that is perhaps not as simple as it sounds. Is it when the first swallow returns from Africa? Is it when the first leaves appear on trees? Is it when daffodils or bluebells appear? Robert Marsham recorded all of these things. In fact he recorded 27 indicators of spring, including various species of trees, insects, flowers and birds.

 

For example, in 1745, the first swallow appeared on April 3rd, turnips flowered on April 8th, the first cuckoo called on April 22nd, and the Hawthorn flowered on May 13th.


Marsham recorded signs like these year, ….after year, ……after year. And you can find these records online today. For the L6 mathematicians among you, it’s like an 18th century Large Data Set.


While recording these things once or twice may be a nice thing to do, it is really only the longevity of the records that makes Marsham’s records so impressive and useful to science.


 To take just one example, Marsham first recorded the appearance of oak leaves in 1749. In the first 5 years of his records, the dates were April 22nd, March 31st, April 25th, April 20th, and May 11th.


Fast forward to 2024, and over the past 5 years the dates have been April 2nd, April 9th, March 30th, April 14th and March 27th.


There are two things to notice here. Firstly, the 2 sets of dates have considerable overlap. In the 1700s, oak leaves appeared in April, or thereabouts, and that is still true today.


Secondly, there is considerable variability from one year to the next, with the dates regularly changing by 2 weeks or more from one year to the next. This natural variability makes it hard to detect real changes. This is where you need to average the results over many years.


If you do that, you find that if you take 30 year averages throughout the 1700s, 1800s, even up to 1950, the average date was consistently about the 25th of April. But over the last 30 years, the average date has been the 4th of April.

It might not seem like it every year, but spring is getting earlier, and the reason we know this is because of long term observations of enthusiasts like Robert Marsham.

 

This morning’s reading is about the events of Pentecost, which was celebrated in churches around the world last Sunday. It is when the Holy Spirit is said to have come down from heaven and infused Jesus’s followers with the passion and the necessary skills to spread the good news of Jesus Christ around the world, including the ability to speak to lots of different people in their own language.


It tells us that Jesus’s death and resurrection are not the end of the story. The world did not get made perfect on that Easter Day 2000 years ago. Sadly as we know, lots of terrible things have happened, and continue to happen since then. The goal of creating a peaceful world full of kindness and love is one that continues to require the constant efforts of millions of good people.


 Is it a completely unrealistic goal? You might very well think so. But does that mean that we might as well give up and stop trying? Of course not.


This time of year brings an end point to several aspects of life. Man City are champions, again. Ipswich are up in the top flight for the first time in all of your lifetimes, while Norwich missed out in the playoffs.


But of course this isn’t really the end. Ipswich will inevitably come straight back down again, while Norwich are looking for the right manager to make sure they get promoted next year.


Similarly, you have all sat, or will soon sit your end of year exams. While they might seem like an end in themselves, most of you will continue with the same subjects next year, and will look back on these exams as another learning experience, and a stepping stone to great things in the future.

 

So, next time you suffer a bit of bad luck, or do something you regret, I encourage you to try to take the long-term view. Nobody ever gets through life without slipping up along the way, or suffering a disappointment. The apostles weren’t perfect. Peter denied knowing Jesus, Judas betrayed him, and Thomas refused to believe he had risen. They didn’t always do the right thing, but the church they started (while still not perfect itself) is still helping people and spreading love around the world 2000 years later.


Going back to Robert Marsham, to say he recorded the arrival of Spring every year is not quite true. There are gaps in his record. Some years we know he was overseas, and who knows – maybe some years he just got fed up with it and couldn’t be bothered. But in the context of a record that spans centuries, you can afford the odd gap. Without being perfect, his records provide a unique insight into the natural world and the impacts of climate change.


I encourage you to take notice of the world around you, what changes and what stays the same. If the world of phenology has sparked your interest, a project that you might like to try is to take a photo of something every month for a year. It could be your garden, your street, or just an individual plant or animal. You might be amazed at the changes you see as the 4 seasons pass by. And once you start, you don’t have to stop after 1 year.

 

I’ll finish with a prayer for our natural world, written by Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich, who is also the Church of England’s lead Bishop on the Environment.

 

God of life,
we praise you for the beauty of creation,
its richness and variety;
yet, through greed and ignorance,
we scar your world with plastic waste
and throw so much away.
Make us more like Jesus,
treading gently on our common home,
and breathe your Spirit on us,
that we may care more deeply for your Earth.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

 

Would you please stand.

As we go our separate ways for our half term break, and Irish blessing to send you on your way.

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Amen

By Eleanor Lewis • October 23, 2026
Oscar PW, and Marcus R, competed as part of the East Anglia team at the British Orienteering Junior East Anglia came 7th overall, a fantastic achievement! Here is what Oscar and Marcus said about the event; "This was my first time competing for East Anglia, and I was running up an age category against runners two years older than me. I found the location for the first day quite challenging as there was very little to navigate by in places, which threw me off on some of the controls. I placed in the upper middle of the pack, which was a good result, although I felt I could have done better on another day. The venue for the relays on the second day felt easier to me, and I found the course less challenging. The runner before me in my team had put us in about 18th place, and I think I made a small improvement, taking us to 17th, and our final runner took us to 16th. Across the whole event, EAJS came 7th out of all the teams there, which was a great result considering we were one of the teams with the fewest runners." - Oscar "On the whole it was a very successful weekend for myself and east Anglia. with my individual performance I broke expectations as I was running up an age class, managing to earn an impressive 12th place. As east Anglia were the hosts, we had a good number of runners and a large number of relay teams. I ran the first leg for my team finishing 3 minutes behind the leader meaning we were right at the front of the race after my leg. Overall east Anglia once again performed better than predicted finishing 7th as a team, a very impressive weekend." - Marcus
By Eleanor Lewis • October 23, 2026
The Crypt Gallery, Norwich, presents Unspoken , a joint exhibition by artists Sophie Eade and Marion Stuart , bringing together new paintings and ceramics shaped by their shared interest in text, transcription, and the quiet charge of language. Working from a thematic starting point of writing , both artists explore how words shift when they move across materials — from page to clay, from conversation to surface, from the spoken to the withheld. Their works carry fragments of text that are often difficult to read, partially obscured or embedded within layers of slip, glaze, paint, and mark‑making. Meaning sits in plain sight, but not always immediately accessible. The viewer is invited to look closely, to navigate the tension between what is said and what is left unsaid. The ceramics in Unspoken hold words pressed, carved, or transcribed into stoneware and wild clays. Some phrases emerge clearly; others dissolve into surface. The paintings echo this approach, using text, gesture, repetition, and erasure to test how language behaves with canvas and colour. Together, the works form a conversation about communication — its failures, its hesitations, and its quiet insistence. Eade and Stuart both work at StudioDo a ceramics space in Norwich , where their studio practice is shaped by discussion, shared problem‑solving, and a mutual interest in how materials carry thought. This exhibition reflects that ongoing dialogue: two distinct practices meeting at the point where text becomes form. Unspoken invites audiences to consider how language is held, altered, and sometimes lost — and how meaning can remain even when words slip out of reach. Exhibition Dates: 24 November - 29 November, 10:00 - 17:00 Private View: 27 November, 17:30 - 20:00
By Sonja Mitchell • October 19, 2026
Entitled 'Multilingualism and the Early Modern City: Language and Society in Norwich (1500-1750)', it is a fascinating read.
By Eleanor Lewis • October 17, 2026
We enjoyed another successful residential trip to London with 27 U4/L5 Academic Scholars. The aims of our trip were: To enjoy each other’s company outside of school. To learn more about our capital city- key sites of societal, historical and cultural significance and important works of art. To create links between curricular areas of interest and personal interest and develop new areas of interest. To spend time discussing what we encounter. To use this trip as an opportunity to gather information and exchange thoughts in preparation for sharing project work. Our programme was full and suitably varied with an eclectic mix of visits which included the Bank of England Museum, Dr Johnson’s House, Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice, Tate Modern and the Foundling Museum. We also spent time completing a treasure hunt in teams around Bloomsbury which enabled us to discover all sorts of hidden gems away from the hubbub of central London. This programme allowed us to consider London from a broad variety of angles- historical, linguistic and societal as well as exploring local policing, the changing role of women and the phenomenal, yet challenging, world of contemporary art. It certainly gave us lots of talk about and reflect on. Project Work this year centres around linking all of the places we visited, whether thematically, through curriculum links or even chronologically. We are really looking forward to seeing what pupils come up with and enjoyed spending time with such an interested group of young people.
By Eleanor Lewis • October 16, 2026
Bringing musical joy to others, Lower School Captain Max W treated the residents of Abbeyfield House to a special impromptu musical performance. Max, a chorister at Norwich Cathedral, delighted his intimate audience with a beautiful performance of Bach’s Prelude No. 1 in G Major on the Cello, followed by a heartfelt vocal rendition of John Rutter’s All Things Bright and Beautiful. His music captivated the residents, who thoroughly enjoyed this special opportunity to experience live music up close. Following his performance, Max spent time chatting with residents, sharing his ambitions for the future and enjoying their company. It was a lovely reminder of the power of music to bring people together, brighten someone’s day and create meaningful connections across generations. Well done, Max! We are incredibly proud of the way you are using your musical talents to bring happiness and joy to others.
By Eleanor Lewis • October 16, 2026
If you love singing and are free on Monday evenings during term time, the Many More Voices choir would love to hear from you. No auditions – no experience or music-reading skills necessary. Join our choir and celebrate Christmas in song Our inclusive and welcoming community choir has strong links with Norwich School – many members have children who are current or former pupils – and we share a simple love of melody, friendship and fun. This term we’re focusing on Christmas, featuring a syncopated mashup of the traditional favourites O Come, O Come Emmanuel and Carol of the Bells, as well as the lilting A Cradle in Bethlehem and a plethora of seasonal singalongs which we’ll enjoy with residents of the Great Hospital on 13 December. From pop to folk and more Under the supportive guidance of conductor and pianist Diana Cripps, from September to July we rehearse and perform a varied repertoire spanning gospel, traditional songs, pop and folk. Everything is taught by ear, although sheet music is available for reference. And don’t let nerves put you off – the more we sing, the more confident we become. Experience the benefits of singing The positive benefits of joining a choir are well documented, from an endorphin rush to a sense of community and achievement. Whatever the day brings we always feel better at the end of a rehearsal or concert. Singing makes us happy, and singing with a lovely bunch of people makes us even happier. We rehearse on Monday evenings in the Norwich School music room or chapel from 18:30 - 20:00. You can check out our website for more information.
By Eleanor Lewis • October 16, 2026
Senior Rugby The Senior Rugby programme got the term off to a strong start with an intensive pre-season, including a three-day training camp at Oakham School and a specialist coaching session with guest coach Harry Simmons, Head Coach of Leicester Tigers U18s, ahead of the annual Norwich School U18 Pre-Season Festival. The festival provided a valuable challenge for the U18 squad, who produced two closely contested performances against St Joseph’s College, Ipswich and Bedford School before finishing with an impressive victory against Duke of York’s Royal Military School. The term began with a pre-season fixture against The Leys School at Shelford Rugby Club, with both U18 and U16 matches taking place. The U18s secured a 38–24 victory, while the U16s narrowly lost 19–15. The first official block fixture saw Norwich take on Framlingham College, with both the 1st XV and 2nd XV recording convincing victories. The 1st XV won 36–10, with Sam Parretti delivering a standout performance. A particular highlight was Ned Francis finishing brilliantly in the corner after a dominant scrum and excellent handling through the backline created the space for him to score. The subsequent fixtures against St Joseph’s College, Ipswich, The Campion School, Essex, in the National Cup Round 1, and Felsted School proved challenging for the 1st XV. However, the team responded positively with a hard-fought 24–15 victory against Wymondham College. Lucas Ashton made a significant impact from the bench, bringing strong carries and defensive intensity. The 2nd XV also enjoyed an excellent afternoon against Wymondham College, securing a convincing 41–10 win, with George Davidson producing an industrious performance throughout. Inters Rugby The U15s began the term with a draw against Framlingham College before facing challenging fixtures against St Joseph’s College, Ipswich and Felsted School. They responded impressively in the National Vase Round 1, recording a dominant 45–5 victory over Wymondham College. Tom McCall, playing up from the U14s, was named Man of the Match following an outstanding performance. The U14s have made an excellent start to the term, securing three victories against Framlingham College, St Joseph’s College, Ipswich and Felsted School. The standout result came against Felsted, with Norwich recording a convincing 41–7 win. Sam Trickey and Tristan Knight shared Man of the Match honours, with Tristan scoring an impressive four tries. The U14s now look forward to the Bedford School Rugby Festival on 17 October, where they will test themselves against some of the strongest school rugby programmes across East Anglia and Southern England. Juniors Rugby The U13s opened the term with a challenging fixture against Gresham’s School before responding with an excellent 30–20 victory over St Joseph’s College. Tom McCardle and Teddy Pinder were among the standout performers. The squad then competed in a triangular fixture against Finborough School and Woodbridge School, securing a win against Woodbridge but narrowly missing out against Finborough. The U13s will now host the Norwich School U13 Mini Rugby Festival on Wednesday 14 October, welcoming Beeston Hall, Wymondham College, Town Close and Langley School for an exciting afternoon of rugby. The U12A squad also made a fantastic start to the term, opening with a convincing 45–5 victory against Gresham’s School. They followed this up with two further wins against Finborough School and Woodbridge School in a triangular fixture. Arthur Blyth and Jesse Morrell were among those producing particularly strong performances. The U12B squad have also enjoyed a successful start, winning both of their touch rugby fixtures against Gresham’s School and Finborough School.  Overall, it has been an encouraging first half of term across all age groups, with strong performances, valuable learning experiences and plenty of positive signs for the weeks ahead. We look forward to building on this progress after half-term.
By Eleanor Lewis • October 16, 2026
It has been an exciting and action-packed start to the Michaelmas Term for Girls’ Hockey at Norwich School. With a packed fixture programme, cup competitions and plenty of opportunities for development, the girls have embraced the first half of term with enthusiasm, determination and a fantastic attitude. From impressive victories to hard-fought contests against strong opposition, there has been much to celebrate across all age groups. Senior Hockey The 1XI have made a strong start to the season, delivering some impressive performances against quality opposition. A convincing 6–1 victory over UEA provided an excellent opening, followed by a commanding 5–1 win against Kimbolton in the first round of the Trophy Cup. The squad carried this momentum into Round 2, producing an outstanding team performance to defeat Wymondham College 11–0. The result reflected the girls' attacking quality, cohesion and growing confidence, with some excellent passages of hockey throughout. A challenging encounter against a talented Ipswich U18 side also proved a valuable experience, testing the squad's resilience and providing important opportunities for tactical development. The girls responded with determination and a strong work ethic, taking plenty of positives from the fixture. With a third-round Trophy Cup clash against The Perse approaching, the 1st XI will be eager to maintain their momentum and continue their cup campaign. The 2XI have been equally impressive, reaching the half-term break with an unbeaten record. A thrilling 3–2 victory over Ipswich was a particular highlight, with the girls demonstrating composure and determination in a closely contested, end-to-end encounter. Further convincing victories over Culford (4–1) and Felsted (6–0) have underlined the squad's excellent start to the season. The 3XI have also enjoyed success, securing a well-deserved victory over Culford. It was another encouraging performance, reflecting the squad's hard work and continued development throughout the opening weeks of the season. Across all three senior teams, it has been particularly encouraging to see the girls developing their tactical understanding, confidence and teamwork, while consistently demonstrating a strong commitment to representing the school. Inters Hockey Our U14 and U15 squads have enjoyed a busy and competitive first half of term, producing some excellent results while continuing to develop their skills and understanding of the game. The U15As opened their campaign with an impressive 3–0 victory over Langley, while the U15Bs delivered a superb 7–0 win against the same opposition. The teams have also been involved in some closely fought encounters, including a 2–2 draw for the U15As against Culford and a 2–2 draw for the U15Bs against Wymondham College. Both the U14As and U15As secured victories against Ipswich, further demonstrating the progress being made across the age groups. More recently, the U15 squads hosted Culford and Felsted in a triangular fixture afternoon, enjoying a particularly successful outing with victories in both matches. A standout result came from the U15Bs, who secured an excellent 3–0 win over Culford, highlighting their growing confidence and ability to perform as a team. Meanwhile, the U14 squads travelled to Felsted for their triangular fixtures, with both teams recording a draw and a narrow defeat. Despite the closely contested results, the afternoon provided valuable match experience, with the girls showing resilience, determination and an increasingly strong understanding of their roles on the pitch. It has been especially rewarding to see the U14s adapting to the demands of 11-a-side hockey, developing their positional awareness, decision-making and confidence with each fixture. The progress across both age groups has been encouraging, and there is plenty to build upon as the season continues. Junior Hockey Our Junior squads have made an enthusiastic start to the season, with a strong emphasis on developing fundamental skills, building confidence and gaining valuable competitive experience. The U12As have enjoyed some excellent results, recording victories over Gresham's and Wymondham College, while the U13As have also impressed with wins against Wymondham College and Witham Hall. These performances reflect the girls' growing confidence and their ability to transfer the skills developed in training into competitive situations. A recent block of fixtures against Woodbridge, hosted at Harleston, provided another excellent afternoon of hockey. With plenty of closely contested, end-to-end matches, the girls were challenged to make quick decisions, work together effectively and apply the principles covered in training, particularly their PCA work. At Junior level, our priority remains creating a positive and enjoyable environment in which every player feels confident to develop, challenge themselves and embrace new opportunities. It has been wonderful to see the enthusiasm and energy the girls bring to both training and matches, alongside the progress they are making individually and collectively. Hockey outside of School Alongside our extensive school hockey programme, it has been fantastic to see a number of girls continuing to pursue their hockey ambitions beyond school. We are fortunate to have players involved in county and East Talent Academy pathways, as well as those competing at National League level for their respective clubs. These opportunities are a reflection of the girls' dedication, commitment and passion for the sport. We are proud to support players at every stage of their hockey journey, from those discovering the game for the first time to those aspiring to compete at the highest levels. Our aim remains to provide an inclusive, ambitious and enjoyable hockey environment in which every pupil has the opportunity to develop, succeed and foster a lifelong love of the game. Looking ahead to next half term With another busy half term ahead, there is plenty to look forward to across the Girls’ Hockey programme. The 1st XI will be hoping to extend their Trophy Cup run with their upcoming third-round fixture against The Perse, while our Junior, Intermediate and Senior squads have an exciting programme of fixtures ahead. The second half of term will see competitive fixture blocks against Norwich High School, Framlingham College, The Perse, Kimbolton and Haileybury School, providing further opportunities for the girls to challenge themselves, gain valuable match experience and continue their development against a variety of opposition. Reflecting on the first half of term, what has stood out most is the enthusiasm, commitment and team spirit demonstrated by the girls throughout the programme. Whether celebrating a convincing victory, competing in a tightly contested fixture or learning from a challenging match, the girls have approached each opportunity with a positive attitude and a willingness to improve. A huge congratulations to everyone involved for their efforts and achievements so far. Thank you also to our dedicated coaching staff, parents and supporters, whose continued encouragement and commitment play such an important role in the success of the programme.
By Eleanor Lewis • October 16, 2026
The Football 1st XI has taken another significant rebuild this year; the newly assembled team have at times played some excellent football against challenging opposition and demonstrated that we can easily compete with the teams in our region. When we remain disciplined and true to our principles we can create enough goal scoring moments to win matches and when compact and connected in defence we are tough to get through. Four wins in our first six matches with defeats only coming against a strong ON u20 side and Langley Football Academy. We also have our ISFA Boodles Cup second round tie against previous winners of the competition, Forest School, to come.  The 2nd XI have enjoyed the opportunity to develop their skills further with four fixtures accompanying their training sessions. A difficult fixture card to compete in so far but a particular highlight was securing a 10-2 victory against Greshams.
By Eleanor Lewis • October 15, 2026
We were excited to welcome Kevin Keable, Chair of the East of England Energy Group, to school to deliver a Business Breakfast to pupils interested in the national and local energy sector. Kevin's long career has taken him around the world, and his knowledge and experience of the skillsets and professions required within this massive sector was hugely interesting.  Our pupils were able to ask their questions, ranging from how a lawyer could work in that energy sector, to what engineering specialisms are in demand, to how AI is shaping the roles. Kevin's enthusiasm for working within the industry was palpable and pupils were glad to make this connection and seek advice.
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