Michaelmas End of Term Address
December 13, 2024
On the last day of the Michaelmas Term, the Head addressed pupils before they departed for the holidays.
As ever, it is lovely to share this service as a community today before we spend time apart in our different settings. While I am sure that we could have a guess at what happens in each other’s houses over Christmas, I think we would be surprised by the range and scale of difference between families in terms of their traditions: when do you open presents? When do you have the main Christmas meal? Do you have Christmas crackers at all and, if so, when do you pull them? Do you watch the King’s Speech? And so on.
And that is before you think about people who have different faiths or traditions. I enjoyed one of the most inspirational visits of my year to Kensington Primary School in East Ham earlier this week. I went to see our WoLLoW scheme in action there but arrived just before their dress rehearsal of their Year 5 play, Christmas Around the World, featuring differing cultural traditions at this time of year in countries such as Turkey, Spain, Australia and the UK. The pupil population is 95% non-White British and the majority are from non-Christian families, so the sense of educational openness and inclusive celebration was intoxicating.
Yet the consideration of reality during the upcoming holiday in different settings started for me somewhere else: the excellent resources prepared by our peer supporters in tutor slides to raise awareness around grief and National Grief Awareness Week which took place earlier this month.
I am going to say more about this. If anyone finds the topics raised uncomfortable, pastoral staff are available towards the West End in order to offer support.
Key points from the peer supporters’ slides were that:
- grief is not confined to an emotion connected with death but may come as a result of many different types of loss;
- people experience grief in a number of ways and there are different social expectations in different parts of the world;
- the key is to communicate in ways which feel comfortable to the individual;
- expert help is available for those who feel they need to talk. Relevant organisations include Nelson’s Journey, Norwich Mind and the Good Grief Trust.
While statistical research undermines the commonly held belief that there is a spike in suicides at Christmas time, there is no doubt that this “season of good cheer” is not experienced as such by all people. You may think that this is not an appropriate topic for this address, but I take my lead from the peer supporters’ advice: we need to talk about these difficult topics to break down taboos about them. On a separate but related theme, earlier in the term the 6th Form heard an excellent address about men’s mental health on International Men’s Day, where again the need for open and honest communication was highlighted.
We had the treat which was the Choreography Competition at the start of this week. The winning entry in the senior category was a duet by Leah Feetham and Aggie Johnson called “To my sister”, its theme of love and loss is particularly poignant for this address.
The theme of grief ties in with one of the most powerful books I have read this year. It is called 3 Dads Walking – 300 Miles of Hope and was written by three fathers who walked across the country in 2022 to raise awareness and money for the suicide charity PAPYRUS because they had each lost a daughter in this way. There was a particular Norfolk connection because one of the fathers is from here and the walk finished in this county.
The book was harrowing, certainly, but there was also a message of hope and practical action which was inspirational. Some key statistics and messages that I took from the book were as follows:
- On average, 135 people are directly affected when an individual takes their own life;
- Suicide is the biggest killer in those under 35 in this country;
- Those closest to people who have died by suicide are 80-300% more likely to take own lives;
- The main message from the three fathers to avoid the shocking devastation that they experienced was to keep talking: “talk, talk, talk”. They felt that “suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem…there is always away out, no matter how hard it seems”;
- They recommended the PAPYRUS Hopeline 247 as a source of immediate, expert help.
Talk talk talk: we certainly should not think it could never happen here. Indeed, I am in my 14th year at Norwich School and know that this community has experienced it directly. Having been involved in services of memorial and thanksgiving, for me, the points about the ripple effects of a young person’s death through families and friendship groups resonate strongly.
Right time or wrong time to talk about this? In some ways, it can never be the right time so we just have to get over our reticence and make sure that the key points have been made. Also, Advent and Christmas are a joyful season for Christians but one must also remember that this time captures a moment of vulnerability in the shape of a baby.
One of the aspects of the manger scene is to invite us to reflect on the preciousness and fragility of our lives and relationships. Another of my favourite moments this week has been the Special Schools Service which took place in here yesterday; it is why our presentation assemblies were on Wednesday and Friday. It is always humbling to see a congregation very different from this one sitting in these seats, a congregation of people facing significant challenges on a daily basis. Yet the atmosphere is one of unbridled joy; I am afraid to have to tell you that the cheer when the Christmas tree lights are turned on in the organ loft puts some of your singing in the morning to shame.
During this upcoming holiday, keep your challenges in perspective and remain grateful for what you have. Do not be afraid to reach out if you need support and be there for each other as a network of friends if those around you are struggling. I trust that we are renewed in our wish to be forces for positive change within our families and the wider world, both at home in the coming weeks and as we prepare for the start of 2025.
I wish you and your families a happy holiday.
Welcome to the start of the new academic year. Whether this is a return or your first year, it is a delight to have the 25/26 Norwich School community together in the Cathedral. Some of you are entering your last year of school and are already thinking specifically about UCAS applications, apprenticeships and predicted grades. Our new Lower Sixth have the exciting prospect of new subjects, new uniform, new friends and new opportunities. Others are in the middle of or entering the GCSE years and focusing on setting up strong work habits to cope with an increasing workload. Further down the school, you may be starting Lower Five or Lower Four and thinking about how the bigger year-groups will work out, both academically and socially. Upper Four are involved here too; no longer the youngest in the school, we look to you to be welcoming and set a good example to those around you. Whichever stage you are at in your Norwich School journey, I hope you are ready to make the most of another year of education in Cathedral Close, this extraordinary learning environment that we are fortunate to enjoy. I saw a phrase over the holiday which may prove a helpful guideline as you establish your priorities. It was written in the changing room of the British and Irish Lions rugby team during their summer tour of Australia. The phrase was “We go beyond” and I invite you to reflect on it: “we go beyond”. Initially, I thought it was a simple encouragement to try hard, something which is necessary in a sport as physically exacting as rugby union, as we are seeing on our TV screens as the Red Roses attempt to win their home women’s World Rugby Cup. However, these encouragements for effort can quickly morph to a post-game stereotype of “giving 110% and being over the moon at the end of the day”. I would not draw such glib platitudes to your attention. I am also cautious to draw attention to changing room culture; we have made much progress at Norwich School in recent years to leave behind the macho toxicity that can sometimes be found there. However, the head coach, Andy Farrell, is a renowned motivator so I reflected more on what might be behind the phrase, regardless of one’s interest in rugby. For those unfamiliar with the Lions rugby tour concept, it only happens once every four years as the home nations of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland produce a composite side made up of the best players from each team. It is a romantic concept which is unusual in modern elite sport, tying into supper table conversations about the best team and the fantasy league or FIFA game models which are so popular. The challenge to create tactical and attitudinal cohesion from players who are typically on opposite sides must be significant; “we go beyond” is a call both to demand more of oneself and to contribute to the overall dynamic in order to create a culture of success. What might such a process mean in practice for us at Norwich School? Some of you may remember your Welcome Service from the start of the year and, if you are joining this term, do come with your families on Sunday afternoon as it is a lovely occasion. In it, I use the following phrase in my address: “Be the one to do the extra practice question, the extra lap, the extra rehearsal but also to be the one to volunteer, to help your friend, to open the door, to offer a smile”. It is perhaps our version of “going beyond”: involving yourselves in the different things we offer, both in and out of the classroom, but also contributing more than one might expect in our community; being helpful and supportive to others; assisting others in the way that you would want to be assisted, especially when things are hard. If each of us takes such an approach, we will create an extraordinary community in action for the coming year, one where expectations are exceeded and the sum is greater than its parts. This line of thinking opens up an extra dimension of Andy Farrell’s strapline for the Lions: “We go beyond” becomes a voyage of exploration where we go to places that have not yet been visited and accomplish achievements that had not been anticipated. The Lions certainly wanted to set precedents, securing their legacy by being unbeaten. I am no less ambitious for Norwich School in this coming year: if each of us “goes beyond”, we might take ourselves further than was thought possible, both individually and collectively. Much of the planning and attitude we show is in our control and I hope you talk to your family, friend and teachers in order to set exciting targets for yourselves. However, we should all acknowledge that we cannot be in charge of everything and we should be ready to react during the coming year. I like the sailing phrase: “we cannot control the wind but we can adjust the sails”. Part of “going beyond” is an appropriate individual and collective reaction to our changing environment. So I finish with an encouragement for you to practise enjoyment, to be intentional about creating time and space for things that make you smile, give you pleasure or help you to unwind. “Going beyond” should not be a relentless chore and I am keen that you experience joy at school and at home in the year ahead. Christine Webber, the EDP columnist, talks about enjoyment as a muscle which needs exercising: “build high spots into every day…keep a check on how often you smile (at someone or something)…when you put effort into keeping up your levels of enjoyment, you become more likely to notice and take pleasure in happy happenings”. I agree with this, so my key concluding message is to encourage you to be productive and ambitious for the coming year (remember “we go beyond”), but this should not be instead of or at the expense of looking after yourselves. Indeed, the ideal is that we enjoy our programme of activities sufficiently that we want to commit to going be yond in them. Overall, there should be enough space and rest to allow your whole programme to be sustainable. It is great to start the year with you and I look forward to seeing you around school in the coming days
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 Bella was an amazing captain for the U15 girls this year and currently leads the Norfolk youth wicket taking stats with 28 wickets including 5 for 21 against Harrow. Bella Borges Bella scored an amazing 1,086 runs for the 2025 season over three ages groups including U15, U18 and Norfolk Ladies first XI. This has made her top of the batting for all of Norfolk Youth. Best of Bella's Stats: 153 for the U18’s against Suffolk. 102* for the U15’s against Cricket East and 5 wickets for 13 runs. 119 against Herfordshire for the U15s. 80* off 26 balls v Cambridgeshire for U15’s. 59 v Shropshire for ladies first XI. Not only impressive batting but bowling too, taking 23 wickets including the 5 for 13 off her 4 overs in the U15 T20 game v Cricket East. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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!
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
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!
