News & Events
Latest News From the Senior and Lower Schools
Lower School News
The Lower School Chamber Choir recently enjoyed a wonderful musical collaboration, welcoming their friends from Boucher School from London for a special afternoon choir workshop. The session was filled with energy, enthusiasm and creativity, as the children worked together to learn a selection of new songs, including Only You , Scarborough Fair , and Count on Me by Bruno Mars. Guided by three talented choir leaders, the pupils embraced the opportunity to develop their vocal skills, build confidence and experience the joy of singing as part of a larger ensemble. One of the highlights of the day was the chance to work with different choir leaders, each bringing their own unique style and expertise. The children responded brilliantly, showing focus, teamwork and a genuine love of music throughout the workshop. The day culminated in a special concert held in the Senior School Chapel, where the combined choirs performed to an enthusiastic and supportive audience. The performance was a true celebration of the hard work and dedication shown by all involved, and the Chapel was filled with uplifting harmonies and smiles. Head of Music, Mr Vine, praised the event, saying: “A wonderful afternoon and evening with some fantastic music making. Well done to Boucher School and the Lower School Chamber Choir for all their hard work, and a big thank you to our fantastic choir leaders.” It was a memorable experience for everyone involved, and a shining example of the power of music to bring people together.
Recently Pre-Reception and Upper One pupils had an enriching experience observing the peregrine falcons which live on the spire of Norwich Cathedral. They visited the Watchpoint, a viewing station run by the Hawk and Owl trust and learned that the falcon pair currently have two chicks. Pupils were able to view both parent birds bringing food to the chick, and they had the opportunity to watch them being fed close-up, through telescopes. Using binoculars, they also observed the various other birds that live in and around the Cathedral Close. Pupils also examined models of different birds of prey, such as a kestrel and a hobby, noticing how they are adapted to catch their prey. To complete their visit, the children had fun trying on model wings of various UK birds of prey and even tested them out by going on a short 'flight' around the Lower Close. Thanks to the Hawk and Owl Trust for providing pupils with this excellent encounter with the fascinating wildlife that we share the Cathedral Close with.
The Lower School library was transformed last week into an enchanted wood as Upper 1- Upper 2 pupils stepped into the pages of The Faraway Tree and enjoyed a magical after‑school adventure. Children arrived dressed as their favourite characters — from Moon‑Face to Silky the Fairy — ready to climb into a world of imagination and wonder. The journey began at the foot of the Faraway Tree, where pupils tip‑toed past the Angry Pixie, and were careful not to get splashed by Dame Washalot’s famously dirty water. From there, they travelled through a series of whimsical lands at the top of the tree, each offering a hands‑on activity inspired by Enid Blyton’s beloved stories. In the Land of Goodies, pupils decorated tree shaped biscuits with icing and sprinkles. The Land of Birthdays invited everyone to make a special wish and create their own crown, and finally, children designed their own fairy doors for the magical creatures they imagined living inside the Faraway Tree. The event ended in the Land of Goodies with pupils eating their biscuits and having a drink of fruit punch. It was a joyful celebration of creativity, reading and childhood imagination and this adventure will hopefully inspire many more children to read these wonderful books.
Senior School News
The Lower 5 Battlefields Trip continues be a highlight of the History Department's calendar. This year we took 72 pupils on a First World War journey of discovery that was both exciting and moving. Our itinerary included two days around Ypres in Belgium and a third day walking the Somme battlefield in France. Along the way, we heard the extraordinary stories of some of those who lost their lives in the war, we came to appreciate the scale, terrain and challenges faced by the soldiers, and we saw for ourselves their trenches and equipment. We performed acts of remembrance for Old Norvicensians whose graves we visited, and after three busy days were buzzing with discussion and a desire to explore further, encouraged by four extremely skilled and knowledgeable guides who brought it all to life for us. Amongst all the history, we also made sure we had time for chocolate shopping in the beautiful town of Ypres.
On Monday 8 June, the UCAS team accompanied by Sixth Form tutors took the Lower 6 to the Norwich UCAS Convention to continue their journey of exploring their future after Norwich School. With over 100 universities present, our pupils could speak directly with university representatives and find out more about courses, entry requirements, halls of residences and student life. The convention also allows our pupils to see how many others want to go to university as well as learning more about different universities from Dundee to Exeter as well as about degree apprenticeships. Our pupils are now starting to get all the information they need to apply successfully in the autumn. We encourage them to go out on Open Days to see the universities at first hand and later in the month, there will be more guidance on filling out the UCAS form and how to write the important personal statement. Norwich School’s successful record with university applications over many years Is a key part of our Sixth Form offer.
The ‘Making Musicians’ Music Scholars’ Programme at Norwich School is well established and a jewel in the school’s crown. Occasionally, external professionals are enticed to join us to give a breathtaking masterclass to provide real inspiration to young scholars. On 05 June 2026, we had just such a concert given by Hannah Watson Emmrich, local musician and amazingly talented pianist. She guided a very supportive audience through her new album Notes from the Undergrowth at a concert held in the glorious school Chapel. This album of piano music was being launched at the event. A very intelligently choreographed programme commenced with piano works evoking daybreak and idyllic woodland scenes, followed by an exploration of some of the flora and fauna lurking in the under-canopy, before moving into melancholic pieces reminiscent of sunset (such as nightingales) and finally the peace of nightfall (nocturnes, night moths etc). Alternating astonishing technical excellence and powerful storytelling, Hannah evoked the myriad sounds and sensations of woodland in her performance. Included in her repertoire were three newly commissioned pieces and the audience included Joshua Borin who had composed one of the works called Crex (conjuring up the creepy world of slime mould in music - yes, really!) Our Music Scholars were in attendance and learned much from Hannah’s keyboard mastery and from her achingly beautiful programme of music. We all wish the album a positive reception. See: Notes from the undergrowth | Hannah Watson Emmrich . Heartfelt thanks go to Hannah for such an accomplished performance and to our very appreciative audience who left the Chapel enthralled.
Blog
2026 is National Year of Reading and we are going all in here at Norwich School! We know reading expands worlds, sharpens minds, and fuels creativity, so let's get inspired! Every month we are focusing on a different genre and hearing from a member of staff about what they like to read, why, when and where! May is Sci-Fi month and we’ve turned to Joel Newman, who’s a big Sci-Fi fan. Let's find out more about why Mr Newman loves the fantasy genre... Tell us a little bit about the genre; what common themes or elements do you particularly enjoy? I love Sci-Fi stories with a focus on worldbuilding and setting – science fiction allows authors to be so creative with things we often take for granted in real life. If a story features aliens or space, I will always judge it based on how interesting or complex the author makes things like the alien’s language and biology – the weirder the better – or how beautiful a picture of space they can paint with just words. What was the book that introduced you to Sci-Fi? Was there a particular book or author that made you fall in love with this genre? I love The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy series by Douglas Adams, it has the perfect blend of absurd funny moments and interesting concepts that really fed my imagination as a child. Some of my absolute favourites are Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary and The Martian: Weir’s enthusiasm for physics and real-life science makes his fiction very immersive. Has your taste in this genre changed over time? My taste in Sci-Fi has changed as I’ve studied science more and more – I won’t settle for a poorly explained spaceship anymore – but I still love the same weirdness that first made the genre so appealing to me. Would you recommend this genre to someone who doesn’t usually read it? Why? Absolutely. Reading Sci-Fi makes you more curious about the world around you, and curious is one of the best things to be. If you’ve never read sci-fi but you like reading, I think it’s the perfect genre to get those creative juices flowing because it gives the idea that anything is possible! What do you enjoy most about reading, whether Sci-Fi or anything else? Reading is the best way to relax. If there’s ever anything worrying me or stressing me out, getting lost in a book for half an hour is always enough to put me in the right headspace to take on the day. When and where is your favourite time and place to read?/ Do you have a favourite reading spot or routine for diving into books? I like to read in bed: it’s warm, comfortable, and no one’s going to interrupt me. I can’t think of a more perfect time to read than before you sleep. Click here for the monthly Reading List!
In March 2025 Josh Kohler (ON) and his father George Kohler set off from Norfolk on a record-breaking attempt to cycle around the world. over 30,000km across 29 countries and four continents, carrying everything they need and climbing the height of 22 Everests. On 2 May 2026, after 13 months, they crossed to finish line and reunited with their loved ones after the journey of a lifetime. In doing this, Josh and George raised over £70,000 for UNICEF, greatly surpassing their original goal of £10,000. The duo also received 3 world records! Guinness World Records: The most countries visited in a continuous bicycle journey by father and son is 30 and was achieved by Joshua Kohler and George Kohler (both UK) in Norwich, Norfolk, UK, on 28 April 2026. The longest bicycle journey by a father and son is 26,519.25 km (16,478.29 miles) and was achieved by Joshua Kohler and George Kohler (both UK) in Norwich, Norfolk, UK on 28 April 2026. The fastest bicycle circumnavigation by a father and son was achieved by Joshua Kohler and George Kohler (both UK) in Norwich, Norfolk, UK, on 2 May 2026 Congratulations to them both! To see their JustGiving page click here.
One day, someone was walking down the street when they fell in a hole. The walls are so steep they can't get out. A doctor passes by and the guy shouts up, 'Hey you. Can you help me out?' The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a priest comes along and the guy shouts up, 'Father, I'm down in this hole can you help me out?' The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Next, a teacher comes along and the guy shouts up, ‘Miss, I’ve been stuck here so long, can you help me out?’ The teacher gives a quick lecture on how to get out of the hole and moves on. Then a friend walks by, 'Hey, Joe, it's me can you help me out?' And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, 'Are you stupid? Now we're both down here.' The friend says, 'Yes, but I've been down here before and I know the way out.” Character triumphs over talent. The concept of friendship appears simple on the surface, they’re just our ‘friends’. But what makes a good friend is hard to define and easy to debate. It’s something human beings have been pondering over not just for centuries but for millennia. Aristotle outlined three kinds of friendship: a friendship of utility, a friendship of pleasure and a friendship of virtue. For the first two, both these types of friendship are dependent on a particular good or pleasure, take that away and the friendship crumbles. Friendships that are built upon virtue take time and energy on both sides , but they last. Wind the clock forward a couple of thousand years and psychological studies often reveal that the most sought-after trait in a friend is ‘honesty’. People are looking for someone in their lives who is there to co-operate and support, however, this would not be possible if a friend is dishonest, unreliable, and exploitive. Yes, we seek other qualities in a person such as kindness, availability and just generally being pleasant to be around, but to a large degree, these are objective. Instead, I encourage you to reflect on what your moral values are and see which ones you share with those around you; you might just find a friend. These moral values are fixed in their nature, but dependable and flexible on the context. For instance, I value people who are good fun to be around and positive in their outlook on everyday life. However, we cannot be this way all the time, life throws up challenges, holes in the street… and at those moments I need that same person to just as easily be empathetic and understanding. Likewise, if you value loyalty in a friend, someone who will be by your side no matter what, then I would also encourage you to allow that same person to challenge you & for you to challenge them. Friendships need to offer us some resistance when our behaviour doesn’t match our shared, unwritten values. These should not be seen as contradictions, merely the importance of adaptability whilst protecting the core strength of our support network. Recently, a friend reached out to me after a period of little contact, asking how I was. I explained I was finding things tough, overwhelming, scary. The very next evening, he and two other friends were on a train to come and see me. To listen, to support, to give me some small respite from a darkening world. Simply being present was a small act that went a long way to helping me out of a hole. So, the next time you find yourself unfortunate enough to be walking down a street and you fall into a hole, hopefully you can be reassured that you won’t be down there alone or for too long.
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