Head's Address at the Start of Trinity Term 2025

April 22, 2025

Welcome back to you all; I hope you have had a good break, including exploring various avenues for curiosity after I mentioned them in my address at the end of last term. The final period of the school year to come now is the easiest in terms of predictability in that we have exams in the first part of the Summer Term, followed by an expansion of

co-curricular activity in the last few weeks. There is inevitably a raising of stakes that comes with accountability at the end of courses and the school year.


As at the end of last term, I want to put this school journey in perspective, but in a very different way. The school and your families cannot shield you from the scrutiny of being measured in the upcoming assessment processes, whether internal or external; many love the chance to show off what they have learned, but others find it more challenging. I hope you agree that the adults in your lives, both at home and at school, are supportive in helping you to give of your best during this fixed period of time.


Whichever group you are in, please remember that you will not be defined as a person by your results and there are much more important qualities in you than your examination certificates could ever show. Indeed, while exam scores are a clear measure of the progress you have made in your time in Cathedral Close, they are not even the most important thing I want Norwich School to have taught you. If I could only have one thing for you to show for being a Norvicensian, I should like it to be that you fully appreciate and live our values of love, compassion and inclusion.


The death yesterday of the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church, made more poignant his final Easter Sunday message where he appealed for peace in the many conflict zones around the world. He encouraged nations to use their resources to de-escalate conflicts and break down barriers; he advocated “care for one another”, the very compassion which is one of our core values.


This concept of community compassion, made more vivid and powerful by the news of recent days, is embodied in our bible reading today: “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another”. It is also at the heart of our own Bishop’s Easter message to “build bridges and not barriers”, a thought which has been on my mind this holiday because I went to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau.


It has been my intention to do so for a long time but various factors combined in recent months:

· the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the camp on 27th January, with the upcoming VE anniversary on 8th May;

· reading two excellent books: The Escape Artist by Jonathan Freedland about life in Auschwitz, and The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan which explores the complex context of the Middle East crisis;

· and, finally, my feeling of responsibility as an educator in the face of growing anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial.


It certainly shocked me to read that 1 in 20 people in the UK deny that the Holocaust happened, while 1 in 12 say that its scale was exaggerated. In the context of roughly 1000 people in the Cathedral now, that would equate to 50 denying and over 80 asserting exaggeration. In such a context, it felt important to bear personal witness at the site itself; partly to feel the raw shock of dismantled and discarded humanity in the piles of items such as human hair, children’s shoes, and victims’ suitcases on display in the museum; partly to see the frightening scale and efficiency of the operation at Birkenau, complete with the horrific detail of mendacious reassurances to achieve compliance from the new arrivals; partly to see the painstakingly curated written and material records which have contributed to providing the headline figure of 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, as well as millions from other minoritised communities. To take again our congregation of 1000 today, we would need 6000 such congregrations to reach the Holocaust figure. Not 6, 60 or 600 but 6000 times our number today? These are numbers so large that they take active effort to absorb.


So why do I tell you now about my trip and how does it link with the start of this address? Primo Levi, a Holocaust survivor and writer, said of the Holocaust “It happened, therefore it can happen again; this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen anywhere”. This quote speaks to the collective responsibility we all face to stand in the way of division and the hostility which puts people apart, to stand instead for compassion and kindness towards others.


It is perhaps best expressed by another Holocaust survivor, Marian Turski, who finished Simon Schama’s excellent recent documentary, The Road to Auschwitz, with the following: “Auschwitz did not fall from the sky. It comes step by step. Evil comes step by step. And, therefore, you should not be indifferent. Let’s start by reducing hatred, and trying to understand other people…the most important thing is compassion. Its absence dehumanises”.


In this context, love and inclusion are excellent words to add to compassion. And did you notice what is meant in “you should not be indifferent”? It is the notion of upstander rather than bystander that Mrs Fairweather has been teaching us about. I am proud as I reflect on our school’s values and culture that they answer so effectively the call to witness and action that I personally have felt in the aftermath of my visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau. We have to aspire to be a force for good in the world, both individually and collectively; that means not looking away from injustice and harm, but taking it in so that we can challenge its reoccurrence, even when its scale is so daunting.


When you come out of West Doors at the end of the Summer Term and school year, of course I want you to have good results and to have got the benefit of all the co-curricular activities available here, but most of all I want you to have a deep intimacy with and respect for the principles of love, inclusion and compassion, but also to know how to implement them in your routine habits, practised over and over again each and every day. Being kind to those you come across inside and outside school is not a nice add-on; it is the very essence of what we teach here. Have a great term!


By Eleanor Lewis June 30, 2025
This year I had the pleasure of taking part in the Great Punt Run for the second time. Theo Great Punt Run is a full day of sailing where we aim to complete 50 nautical miles, sailing in a classical Norfolk punt from Whitlingham to Barton broad via Lowestoft. It was a challenge but the weather this year made it an incredibly enjoyable experience, due to the stable breeze and warm sunshine. We complete this amazing challenge in support of the Nancy Oldfield trust who support disabled people experience sailing on the broad and other water sporting activities they wouldn't otherwise have access to, and amazingly this year we managed to raise a whopping £1,500 pounds! I am so happy I got to support this incredible charity once again alongside another school pupil - Ralph Leftley and members of the Nancy Oldfield charity, and Mark Elson helming throughout the day. The day consisted of an early 7am launch and pressed on for 13 hours ending roughly around 8pm at the Trusts home centre. It was incredibly rewarding to be involved yet again and working with a new group of people was extremely fun.  My favourite part of the day was being able to trapeze (with a harness on o flatten the boat) for a long tack across the open Breydon Water which was the closest point to the sea of our route. Luckily for us the wind and the sun held out until our return home, keeping us going all the way to the end. A big thank you to all that supported us and I can't wait to hopefully continue supporting this amazing charity in the future!
By Eleanor Lewis June 30, 2025
It’s been a busy and exciting term of tennis across all age groups, with plenty to celebrate! The Senior Boys team entered a rebuilding phase after losing three key players, but their spirit never wavered. A strong start in the Glanville Cup included a confident win over Gresham’s, with standout performances from new captain Harry Philpott and George Snelling. Although they fell to Wymondham College in the next round, the team gained valuable experience, with Veron Hung stepping up superbly. A return fixture on Gresham’s grass courts proved tough, but promising signs are in place for next season. The U15 Boys had an outstanding season. Led by Rufus Snelling, they lost just once in a narrow tiebreak to Hethersett, before powering to 6–0 victories over both Gresham’s and Wymondham. They finished as county runners-up, with exciting depth in the squad for next year.  Our U15 Girls made a great impression in their debut county campaign. After a competitive match against Gresham’s, they were narrowly edged out by Wymondham in a thrilling deciding tiebreak. Their commitment and team spirit were widely praised. The U13 Boys were this term’s standout team, retaining the County Cup for a third year after a dramatic 4–3 win over Notre Dame. They now progress to the national stages — congratulations to all involved!
By Eleanor Lewis June 30, 2025
June proved to be a particularly busy month for our cricketers, as pupils juggled school trips, exams, and Duke of Edinburgh commitments, while several teams remained involved in their Cup final rounds. It has been an exceptionally successful term, with the 1st XI boys setting the standard by maintaining a two-year unbeaten record in the league — a tremendous achievement. The 1st XI girls also impressed with a superb cup run, reaching the fourth round before narrowly losing to the reigning national champions. The U15A boys enjoyed a remarkable term, advancing to the third round of the National Knockout with victories over Stamford and Warwick. They also reached the last 16 of the National T20, where they were eventually knocked out by a strong Epsom College side. Team Highlights · 15A Girls – Runners-up in the County Cup · 13A Girls – Runners-up in the County Cup · 12A Boys – County Cup finalists (final to be played later this term) · 14A Boys – Runners-up in the County Cup · 15A Boys – County Cup winners · 1st XI Girls – Memorable victory against the MCC The school has proudly hosted several Norfolk state school cricket festivals and competitions, further supporting the development of the sport within the wider community. A significant number of our pupils are also representing County Age Group squads this summer, with a busy schedule of fixtures ahead. Individual Highlights · Sam Reynolds – 100* against the Old Norfolkians · Bella Borges – Scored the first-ever century for the girls program. · Lewis Reeder – Selected to represent Northants 2nd XI and 7 /17 against St Joseph’s.  A heartfelt thank you goes to our ground staff, coaching staff, and administration team for their dedication and tireless work. Their commitment ensures our pupils have the best possible environment to compete, improve, and enjoy their cricket.
By Sonja Mitchell June 30, 2025
A fabulous day of activity was held in the Lower Close to celebrate Discover Your Ability Day.
By Sonja Mitchell June 30, 2025
With help from FONS, the Greenpower Team attended the 2025 Formula 24 Heats at the Lotus test track.
By Eleanor Lewis June 27, 2025
Norwich School support staff and resident DJ s; Ash Granados and Lily Fielding have a real passion for all things dance music, spending their weekends discovering new artists and playing out in Norwich and beyond. This academic year they have been dedicating their Friday lunchtimes to teaching the pupils of Norwich school their favorite hobby. Pupils are invited to send in some of their favorite tracks to share and connect with others across the school through their love for music. They have been learning the fundamentals of DJ ing and all about how to mix their music with others, whilst making friends and broadening their knowledge of electronic genres and the industry. DJ club will be continuing on in September 2025 and will be open to all.
By Eleanor Lewis June 27, 2025
On Thursday 19 June, Lower School hosted its first-ever aerial trial session — and what a hit it was! Pupils were thrilled to get their feet off the ground as they explored the basics of aerial movement, balance, and strength. The trial introduced pupils to a completely new set of skills, and staff were impressed by the enthusiasm and confidence shown by everyone who took part. Many pupils surprised themselves with how quickly they adapted to the new challenges. With the success of the session, the school is excited to launch regular aerial classes starting in September. It promises to be an exciting addition to the school’s extracurricular offering. Watch this space for details on how to sign up!
By Eleanor Lewis June 27, 2025
Lower One and Upper One pupils were beary excited to scoop a Gold Medal in the School Gardening Competition at this year’s Norfolk Show. Pupils entered a beautifully designed wheelbarrow display inspired by Michael Rosen’s much-loved book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt , which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. The display brought the story to life with inventive recreations of the iconic settings — the barrow contained "swishy swashy grass", a flowing river, a snowstorm and a deep, dark forest. Every detail was thoughtfully crafted to represent the habitats the family journeys through in the book. A particular highlight of our display was a life-size willow bear, created by pupils in our Willow Weaving Club using Brittany willow. This striking feature, nicknamed Brittany, captured the attention of judges and visitors to the show. Five of our Upper One pupils had the opportunity to speak to the judges at the Show. They confidently explained the ideas behind the display and talked the judges through all the hard work that went into creating the display. We are incredibly proud of all the pupils for their creativity, teamwork, and enthusiasm and we’re absolutely delighted to bring be awarded a Gold Medal!
By Eleanor Lewis June 27, 2025
13 U4 pupils recently took part in the online British Physics Olympiad Year 7/8 Physics Challenge. Over 6500 pupils participated from 81 schools across the UK and overseas. The test comprised two 25-minute sets of multiple-choice questions about physics ideas and problem solving, which aimed to encourage wider reading and interest in the subject and to provide an opportunity for pupils to take part in a national physics competition and to develop their confidence in the subject. Our pupils performed exceptionally strongly, obtaining 10 Gold and 3 Silver awards. Congratulations to all! Gold Awards Oscar Zhang Charles Secker Harrison Buskell Jack Johns Siya Patel Boden Barton Maxwell Ford Jiajun Li Faizaan Alam Rowan Kidd Silver Awards Amelia Lodge Bayden Choi Jack Conrad 
By Eleanor Lewis June 26, 2025
This year at the Norfolk Show we hosted t he Great Norfolk Ice Cream Challenge on our Norwich School Stand for the 2 nd year running – it was a huge success and great fun - it was fabulous to be able to help raise important fund for the Build Charity, with the help of Nelsonspirit and Ronaldos. It was also impressive to receive feedback after the event, especially for Tom Conrad who was the project manager for the day, and brilliantly led the project.
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