For many in the wider Norwich School community, the December Carol Service in the cathedral is the surest sign that Christmas is on its way. Following the tradition of Nine Lessons and Carols, we heard the narrative thread of the coming of Christ through the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament gospels, read by pupils, parents, teachers and a school governor. The Chapel Choir sang a carefully rehearsed repertoire – different every year – from the lively melody of John Rutter’s Angels’ Carol to the melancholy harmonies of Warlock’s Bethlehem Down.  A generous collection at the end of the service will allow us to make a special Christmas donation to three of the charities Norwich School has been supporting during 2025. Of course the service was also a chance to catch up with old friends and fellows, made all the easier with mince pies and drinks in the refectory afterwards.

Norwich School is proud of our close links with the Norfolk Cambridge Society, and the school is a host site for their very successful termly lectures. The Society runs its own highly prestigious and rigorous annual essay competition open to any Upper Sixth pupil in the county of Norfolk considering applying to Cambridge University. Norwich School pupils have achieved unparalleled success this year. The following pupils were placed in the Commended category for their contributions – Rosie Pank, Anna Rechel, Melissa Hawkings and Ed Brightwell. Following shortlisting and an interview with the judging panel, the following pupils were placed in the Highly Commended category - Mei McAuley, Georgia Lloyd and Ana Paduraru Tom Irvine was awarded third place for his thought-provoking essay on the capability of medicine to prevent and possibly ‘reverse’ death. Joint winners of the overall competition for 2025 were Arthur Dannatt for his astonishingly complex maths-based essay entitled: What is the Archimedes cattle problem and how can it be solved? And Becky Brown for her album of nine beautiful songs she composed herself – the first time a musical entry has been awarded top prize in the competition’s history. All are pictured with Rob Edwards, Chair of the Norfolk Cambridge Society. We offer huge congratulations from the school community to all of them. Bright academic futures await them all.

The City Schools Cross Country at Redmayne serves as the qualifying round for the Norfolk Schools Championships that will take place early next term. Runners need to finish in the top 10 of their respective races, against runners from eight city-based schools, to make it through to the next round. On Monday we had thirteen hopefuls from L4 to M5 who were aiming to do just that. This year six of our runners were successful in qualifying. Conditions were perfect for running laps on the flat, slightly muddy course. In the Year 7 boys' race, Jonty Croskell ran consistently to finish 12th while Joshua Bevan came home in 4 th place.  In the Intermediate girls' Lydia Hendry ran strongly but we had two qualifiers with Nona Griffiths finishing 7 th and Emi Muntingh 3rd. In the intermediate boys, Riccardo Di Maria secured his place in the County round by coming 7th. The rest of the team ran well with Harry Kensell 12th, Albie Cater 16th, Jonas Tam 19 th and Rory Normanton 26th. The performance of the day came from Ruby Ivie who won her race looking extremely comfortable. Against some very strong Senior boys, Noah Buchan ran with determination to come 10th. Well done to those runners who qualified for the County round, which will take place at Wymondham College in mid-January.

Beavers (U1 and L2) have had a brilliant and varied term, packed with hands-on adventures. They’ve enjoyed valuable time on the water as they begin their Sea Scouting journey, building confidence, and learning how to stay safe afloat. On land, they’ve explored simple cooking skills, tackled early map work, celebrated Diwali, and followed clues on an exciting treasure hunt. They’ve also looked to the night sky with some early astronomy, tested their engineering skills with paper-tower building, and got stuck into Bushcraft activities outdoors. The term ends, of course, with the all-important Christmas party – a chance to celebrate everything they’ve achieved together. Cubs (U2-U3) have embraced a mix of outdoor adventure and creative learning. They’ve spent plenty of time on the water in canoes, kayaks, and SUPs, as well as trying archery, biking, fire cooking, knots and wide games. We carved pumpkins, celebrated Diwali, and marked Remembrance Day with a Poppy Challenge and a hands-on trench-warfare activity. A highlight was the visit to Pets at Home, where Cubs learned what it’s like to be a vet and how to care for different animals. More recently, they’ve been busy with Christmas sewing projects, and we’re all looking forward to finishing the term with a festive campfire and Christmas party. Scouts (L4-L5) have taken on a lively mix of patrol challenges – biking, whittling, wide games and the ever-popular Great Lego Egg Race. As a Sea Scout troop, they’ve also made the most of time afloat with kayaking, SUP and rowing sessions. We rounded things off in true 8th style with our legendary Christmas Jumper Jaunt – a festive, energetic end to a term full of teamwork and skills for life. Explorers (M5-U6) have also had a packed term. They’ve taken to SUPs, canoes and kayaks with growing confidence, and even braved some wild swimming while learning key survival skills, including recognising and responding to cold-water shock – essential knowledge for any Sea Scout. Back on land, they’ve built and managed fires, strengthened teamwork, cooked curries and even plucked partridge. Our new Explorer badge clinic has launched, introducing the wide range of badges and top awards available, alongside inspiring discussions about Explorer Belt expeditions. After plotting and problem-solving their way out of Escape the Paddock, the term finishes with our 8th Christmas Party – a great end to a busy and ambitious programme.  Across all this, our Young Leaders (M5-U6) have played a vital role. They’ve consistently supported section meetings, putting the skills they’re learning into action by helping our adult volunteers deliver exciting, safe and engaging sessions. Their contribution has strengthened the programme for our younger sections while giving them valuable leadership experience in return.

The Junior Dance Festival and Choreography Competition 2025 was a spectacular evening that brought together 93 pupils across the lower and senior school, celebrating the remarkable creativity and dedication of our young performers. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this hybrid event, which combined the performance platforms of both the Junior Dance Festival and the Choreography Competition. The night showcased a stunning mix of student-led choreography alongside pieces from our co-curricular dance programme, highlighting the exceptional talents of pupils across the fourth and fifth form. The evening was a true celebration of collaboration. Student-led work featured a diverse range of ensemble and solo performances from the Junior and Inter year groups, demonstrating their creativity, growing artistic confidence, and passion for dance. Alongside these, co-curricular pieces reflected the hard work and skills developed through our wider dance programme, including external workshop opportunities led by industry professionals which enriched the evening with variety and depth. A panel of external judges marked pupils on creativity, performance, and technical skill, with one group in each section crowned as the Choreographic Champions 2025. The judging process and audiences support added an extra spark of excitement to the night. We would like to extend our best wishes to all participants. Their dedication to the creative process and commitment to excellence have been truly inspiring, and it was a delight to share their successes enthusiasm and passion for the performing arts. Winners · Juniors – 158 points: Panic Room - Santiago O’Dwyer, Sarah Lashmore-Davies, Florence Humphrey, Edie Hopkins · Inters – 174 points: Constellations - Molly Martin Highly Commended Juniors – 156 points: The Other Side of Me - Emily Slinger Inters – 172 points: Corrupt Carnival - Ava Webb & Jennifer Mardle Commended Juniors – 150 points: Missing You - Lotte Lalchan-Woods & Holly Rose Hart Inters – 169 points: Uptown Funk - Amelia Nundy & Nola Woodeson Congratulations to all pupils for their outstanding performances. It truly was a night to remember!

During their Monday morning visit to Broadland Lodge Care Home on December 8, four of our L6 community service pupils brought a touch of festive spirit by decorating Christmas baubles alongside the residents. The opportunity came about as part of our new community service programme, where of our Lower Sixth formers give up roughly an hour a week of their time to help in the community. This placement is a new offering for us this year, and has already become a much loved part of the weekly routine. Thanks to our partnership with Kelly at Friend in Deed, we have been able to establish a regular Monday morning visit around breakfast time - something both pupils and residents look forward to. Mrs Hill, who joined the group this week, remarked on how uplifting it was to see so many residents eager to get involved so early in the day. For the pupils, the experience has been just as rewarding. " It's the highlight of my week ," said Ava (L6), while Olivia (L6) added, " It's a great way to start the week, chatting with residents about Christmas ." There were many heart-warming moments, including one from Mary, who carefully wrote " Merry Christmas Carol " on her bauble and gifted it to a resident - a simple gesture that clearly meant a great deal. As the term comes to an end, our Lower Sixth pupils are taking the time to reflect on the connections they've built and the joy their Monday mornings at Broadland Lodge have brought. This new partnership has become a meaningful and memorable part of their community service journey, offering valuable insights and experiences that will stay with them beyond the classroom.

Members of the Upper 3 Chamber Choir delighted residents at Abbeyfields with a beautifully curated programme of Christmas music, filling the home with warmth, nostalgia, and joy. A standout moment of the morning came with Zoe Asamoah’s breathtaking solo in Once in Royal David’s City. Her poised and expressive delivery set a magical tone for the performance and was met with heartfelt applause from both residents and staff. The Chamber Choir followed with a selection of well-loved traditional carols, including Silent Night, Hark The Herald Angels Sing, and Away in a Manger. The residents sang with joy and gusto, creating shared celebration and seasonal reflection. Bringing something fresh to the festive programme, the choir also introduced a contemporary Christmas piece, Sweet Silent Night. Its shimmering harmonies and peaceful mood captivated everyone and left a lasting impression.  The visit proved to be a meaningful experience for everyone involved one that celebrated music, community and the simple joy of giving time to others. The Upper 3 Chamber Choir left Abbeyfields with full hearts, knowing they had brought a little extra light to the residents’ day.

Upper 1 had a wonderful time visiting the Cathedral this week as part of their learning about the Advent Story and the Christmas Story. The trip offered a special opportunity for the children to deepen their understanding of these important Christian celebrations. During the visit, the children took part in an interactive Christmas Journey, where they re-enacted the special Bible stories of Christmas and the journey to Bethlehem. Moving around the Cathedral, they brought the narratives to life through characterised storytelling and drama, with plenty of enthusiastic dressing-up along the way! This immersive experience helped the children connect more meaningfully with the people, places and events at the heart of the festival.  The visit also included a creative craft workshop, where the children made their own matchbox mangers to take home. This thoughtful activity encouraged them to reflect on the Nativity in a hands-on and imaginative way.

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