News & Events
Latest News From the Senior and Lower Schools
Lower School News
After qualifying for the National Finals at the East Area Prep School Athletics Championships, held at Bedford International Stadium, Thomas secured 1st place in the U12 Discus with an impressive throw of 25m. As a result, Thomas then went on to represent the school at the National Finals, hosted at the iconic Alexander Stadium in Birmingham. After his first three throws, he was sitting in 2nd place. Under the competition rules, only the top eight athletes after three rounds earned a fourth and final throw. Saving his very best until last, Thomas produced a sensational final throw of 28m to claim the gold medal and become the U12 National Discus Champion! Having only taken up the discus in April, this is an outstanding achievement and a testament to the dedication, hard work and commitment Thomas has shown in such a short space of time. Congratulations , Thomas – a fantastic accomplishment and one to be incredibly proud of!
On a beautifully warm and sunny day, the Lower School pupils brought music and joy to the residents of Abbeyfields with a delightful outdoor performance on the lawn. With umbrellas providing welcome shade, the setting was filled with a wonderful sense of community as pupils and residents gathered together. The programme opened with Lower 2 Little Voices, who gave an energetic and vibrant rendition of El Cumbanchero from Havana, immediately lifting spirits. This was followed by the ever-entertaining School Dinners, whose fun and characterful performance showcased an impressive four-part harmony, much to the resident's delight. Then, a special highlight came from U3 pupil Betsy Chuan, who gave a poised and expressive solo piano performance of Ballade pour Adeline, capturing the attention of all present. Finally, the Lower School Chamber Choir continued the programme with a more reflective set, performing O Moon and The Water is Wide, demonstrating some beautiful harmony and blended singing. They concluded their performance with the ever popular Scottish Riddle. The afternoon was filled with smiles, warm applause, and meaningful conversations afterwards, as pupils took time to chat with residents about music, tennis and the World Cup! It was a truly uplifting occasion, celebrating music, connection and community in the most joyful way.
A warm Lower School Hall was alive with music, laughter, and a touch of theatrical flair as children from Lower 2 and Upper 2 took to the stage for a truly delightful concert last night. The evening opened with a confident piano performance of Rocking the Boat , quickly followed by the wonderfully imaginative The Dinosaurs Bedtime March , which had the audience picturing a parade of sleepy prehistoric creatures. The ever-popular Sun City by P. Wedgwood made several cheerful appearances throughout the programme, each performance bringing its own sparkle. There was elegance and poise in The Ballet Dancer , while a charming cello rendition of Gavotte by Gossec added a touch of classical sophistication. The audience was then treated to, I Love Coffee , which was delivered with great character and more than a hint of humour. Film fans in the room were delighted by a violin performance of Hedwig’s Theme by John Williams, transporting everyone straight into a world of magic. This was followed by more lively piano pieces, including the flowing The River Flows in You and the crisp Allegretto by Bartok. The energy lifted even further with Way Out West and The Machine , before a bold trumpet performance of the James Bond Theme by M. Norman had toes tapping and imaginations racing with spy adventures. The concert continued with the spirited Tarantella Twist on the piano and a relaxed guitar piece, Fingers and Thumbs by G. Whitworth. A light and playful flute performance of A Tisket A Tasket added a traditional touch, followed by more confident piano playing including Lightly Row and Le petit mendiant . One of the highlights of the evening was a lively vocal duet of The Lady is a Vamp by the Spice Girls, which brought plenty of smiles and a real sense of fun to the hall. Throughout the concert, the children showed not only their growing musical skills but also great courage and enthusiasm. It was a joy to see such a variety of instruments and styles on display, and the supportive audience created a wonderfully warm atmosphere. Well done to all performers for an entertaining and memorable afternoon of music and well done to all pupils in the Lower School who have showcased their musical instruments throughout the year.
Senior School News
The Summer Term has been one of the most successful in recent years for Norwich School Boat Club, with pupils competing with distinction at regional, national and international-level events while achieving several historic milestones for the club. The term began with Bedford Regatta, where 55 rowers raced in 17 crews across 14 events. For many of our J14 athletes, this was their first experience of side-by-side regatta racing, and they embraced the challenge superbly. Five crews reached the semi-finals and four progressed to finals, with the Senior Boys’ 1st Quad winning the Open Quad event. The Senior Girls’ 1st Coxed Four, the J14 Girls’ Quad and the Senior Boys’ 2nd crew also produced outstanding performances, while our coxes demonstrated excellent skill navigating Bedford’s demanding course. At the National Schools’ Regatta on the 2012 Olympic course at Dorney Lake, Norwich School enjoyed some of its strongest performances to date. The J14 Girls’ Octo finished 11th overall, while several J14 Boys Octo were 13th and the J15 boys and girls Coxed Fours were 15th and 13threpectively. The Senior Boys’ 2nd Quad finished an impressive 8th nationally, and both the Senior Boys’ 1st Quad and Senior Girls’ 1st Coxed Four reached Championship A Finals, each finishing 8th in the country—the highest Championship placing ever achieved by these crews. Success continued at Star Regatta, where 18 crews reached nine finals and secured four victories. Highlights included wins for the J14 Girls’ Double, the Senior Boys’ 1st Quad, the Senior Boys’ Double and the J17 Double, alongside several closely contested finals demonstrating the strength and depth of the squad. The Senior Girls made club history at Henley Women’s Regatta by becoming the first Norwich School sweep crew ever to qualify for the event. After an impressive victory in their opening race, they pushed the eventual National Schools’ champions, Wallingford Rowing Club, all the way in a thrilling quarter-final. At Peterborough Junior Regatta, our younger athletes also impressed, with Edward H and Tilek MQ winning silver in the J14 Double. Another landmark achievement came at Henley Royal Regatta, where the Senior Boys’ 1st Quad became the first Norwich School quad to compete at this prestigious event. Drawn against Canadian champions Ridley College, they produced one of the closest races of the regatta, losing by just one foot after an outstanding performance that earned widespread praise. Finally, congratulations go to Ellie T, James H and Nicholas C for their outstanding progress through the GB Under-19 trial process. Ellie, the first Norwich School girl to progress through the trials process, has the Race-offs on Wednesday, while James and Nicholas advanced to Final Crew Formation following exceptional performances throughout the season. These achievements reflect the commitment, resilience and teamwork shown by every member of the Boat Club. The progress made this year provides an excellent foundation for the future, and everyone involved should be immensely proud of a truly memorable season.
This year's Sports Day got off to a fantastic start with a series of section-based activities designed to encourage teamwork, resilience and mass participation. Pupils competed enthusiastically in the Mile Relay, Tug of War Championship and Hybrid Fitness Challenge, creating an exciting atmosphere from the very beginning of the day. It was incredible to see the Lower Close filled with a sea of house colours, as every team demonstrated outstanding determination, teamwork and school spirit. The smiles, laughter and encouragement shared throughout the morning perfectly captured the spirit of the event. In the afternoon, attention turned to the traditional track and field competitions, alongside a range of much-loved "Old School Sports Day" activities. The standard of competition was exceptionally high, with several long-standing school records being broken. The Senior Girls produced a series of outstanding performances: Minnie Aset a new 200m record with a time of 30.87 seconds. Kat DM broke the 400m record, finishing in 1:07.52. In a remarkable 800m race, both Bea G (2:35) and Minnie A(2:36) finished inside the previous school record. The 1500m also saw Minnie A setting a new record of 5:38, closely followed by Bea G in 5:39, with both athletes bettering the previous record. In the Inter Girls competition, Jennifer Mardle established a new shot put record with an impressive throw of 11.61m and had a discus throw of 32.20m. The Junior Girls also celebrated a record-breaking performance as Rosie Brew set a new javelin record with a throw of 26.09m. Congratulations to all of our pupils for their enthusiasm, effort and sportsmanship throughout the day. Whether competing for records, representing their house, or simply taking part, every student contributed to making Sports Day 2026 a tremendous success. A huge thank you also goes to the staff, officials and supporters whose help made the event possible. It was a fantastic day enjoyed by everyone, showcasing the talent, determination and community spirit that make our school so special.
The second half of term has seen some excellent cricket results, with comprehensive performances from many of our squads across both the Framlingham College and RHS fixture blocks. The Inter A girls enjoyed another successful National Cup campaign, which came to an end against Ipswich. They will now host Gresham's in the County Final in September after the original fixture was postponed due to extreme heat. Meanwhile, the U12A boys were crowned County Champions following a clinical display in the final. Our annual MCC and Old Norvicensian (ON) fixtures once again provided plenty of entertainment, with the boys recording their first victory over the ONs in five years while the girls played the 2nd ON match since its introduction last year. The 1st XI girls continued their outstanding cup run with a superb National Cup quarter-final victory over Berkhamsted, securing their place at the School sports magazine National Finals Day in Southampton. Their remarkable journey concluded with a semi-final defeat to Repton, followed by the third-place play-off against Bradfield College. It has been a truly exceptional season, and we are incredibly proud of the team and everything they have achieved. Bella B and Keiran C were deservedly named Girls' and Boys' Players of the Year respectively, recognising their outstanding performances for the 1st XI throughout the season. Our annual House Cricket Festival also provided some excellent cricket and fantastic enthusiasm from both the Junior and Inter pupils. Repton emerged as Inter House champions, while Seagrim and Nelson shared the Junior House trophy. Our boys and girls continue to excel through their involvement in the Norfolk County age-group programme, and we wish them every success as they look ahead to a busy and exciting summer of cricket. As the season draws to a close, we would also like to pay tribute to our Upper 6 cricketers as they leave Norwich School. Thank you for your hard work, commitment and dedication to the school cricket programme over the years. Your contribution has been immense, and the standards, leadership and example you have set for the younger players will leave a lasting legacy. We wish you every success in the next chapter of your cricketing and academic journeys.
Blog
Good morning. The first part of today’s assembly will look back at our favourite moments and favourite assemblies at Norwich School. When I first joined Norwich School in 2003, long before any of you were born—I was a Brooke U6 tutor, and we met as a whole school in the cathedral for assembly every morning, not just Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. A few years later, Wednesdays became reserved for section and house assemblies, and eventually the pattern changed again to the three cathedral assemblies we have today. Some years ago, a colleague researched how pupils felt about cathedral assemblies. Unsurprisingly, the sense of excitement lasted through the second year of school but faded over time, only returning in the final months of U6. I think I now understand that feeling well. In truth, I have never taken for granted the privilege of gathering as a school in such an extraordinary and inspiring place. We are very fortunate. I still remember my very first assembly here, during my interview when a Sixth Form pupil spoke about mobile phones—back when they played a far smaller role in daily life. Over the years, I have taken part in many assemblies, though most were in the more intimate setting of the Presbytery or the Chapel during my time as Head of Fourth Form (2012–2018), long before Mr Rowlandson, Mrs Wood, and now Mrs Wyndham took on the role. I even recorded an assembly from home during the Covid lockdowns, when we continued to meet and sing together on Teams. Mine focused on running—of course—and on the first woman to attempt the Boston Marathon, who entered using only her initials. I remember it clearly because the weather was unusually warm, and I filmed in front of the wisteria in my garden, which had never looked more beautiful. So you may be asking why the trip down memory lane? Standing here today feels a little surreal. After 23 years at this school, this place has become more than where I work — it has become part of who I am. I’ve taught hundreds of pupils, worked with incredible colleagues, and watched this community grow, change, and flourish. And today, I feel incredibly grateful. It is not just our morning assembles that set us apart here in the Cathedral Close - there are also the traditions — the ones that give a school its heartbeat. The last few days have been pretty special for me and Norwich School pupils alike – as last Friday we held our Norwich School Fashion Show –pupil-led by this year’s amazing charities committee – this is always an incredible evening and this year did not disappoint. Then on Sunday we were a part of the 6th Discover your Ability Day with charity Able2B – over 500 people attended and took part with more than 60 pupils from Norwich School – partnering with pupils from other schools including many Special Schools. This day is like no other in the year, only coming a close second to the Special Schools Assembly where the L6 Community Service group perform a nativity play to many Norfolk children - I honestly don’t think I will ever forget Daisy Sexton entertaining the audience in the donkey costume! Thank you Oscar for modelling it here today in Daisy’s place as she is already setting up for Gala rehearsals at the Lower Close this morning. Another of the highlights of my year has always been the Cup Run . Not just because I love running, though that certainly helps, but because it’s one of the rare moments when the entire school heads up to Mousehold and becomes part of something bigger than themselves. Watching pupils and staff spread out across the course, cheering each other on, competing, laughing, supporting — it captures the spirit of this community in a way few events can. To help me with this assembly, I asked a few of my colleagues and L4 pupils to share some of their favourite memories of Norwich School too: Ironically, Mr Weeks’ 1st memory is of his interview with me, as at that time, when he started at Norwich School, I was in charge of New Staff and Teaching Trainees– one of my favourite roles! He also says his favourite assembly was the Christmas Carol service with the full choir, organ and brass. I confess I too love the Carol service – but mainly for the spinning star on the organ when the word ‘light’ is sung. It always made me smile. I also asked Mr Cann the same Q and he said this: The Assembly that jumps out in my memory was the Remembrance Day service seven or eight years ago where Richard Allain positioned trumpet players all over the cathedral to play the last post in parts. It was one of the most moving experiences I recall in cathedral and exemplified the power music has on our experiences and how a creative approach can breathe new life into the familiar. Over to the pupils: Holly: My favourite part of Norwich School is the morning assemblies as it’s a really nice time to just take a breather and prepare myself for the coming day. It is also really nice to all be in the same place as my friends so then after cathedral, I can head to my next lesson with my friends. My favourite memory on my first week of school is when I was supposed to be going to Palace for my maths lesson and instead I went to horse fair then I had to ask someone where palace was but I accidentally asked a member of the public I then managed to find someone who was part of the school and they directed me. Sav: My favourite memory from lower 4 is all of the dance shows I did, from participating in the junior + senior dance festivals, to doing the choreography competition back in December; my favourite assembly is either the one celebrating the Chinese new year or where we sung the twelve days of Christmas as a school! Oscar: I have really enjoyed all assemblies run by prefects at Christmas, and singing in cathedral. Evie: One of my favourite moments at Norwich school was the Eaton Vale in L4. The whole trip was so amazing a fun! Thank you L4 for sharing my last assembly with me today .... ....and t o all the pupils here today: you are the reason this job has mattered so much to me. You’ve challenged me, surprised me, inspired me and always reminded me why teaching is worth it. If I leave you with one message, it’s this: Be curious. Be kind. And don’t underestimate what you’re capable of. You don’t have to be the loudest, the fastest, or the best at everything. You just have to keep moving forward, one step at a time. To my colleagues: thank you. Thank you for the support, the laughter, the shared frustrations, the last ‑ minute photocopy rescues, the wisdom, the teamwork, and the friendship. Schools don’t run on timetables or policies — they run on people. And this school is lucky to have some of the very best. There’s no escaping that this school has changed over the years — new buildings, new faces, new challenges — but its heart has stayed the same. It is a place where pupils are seen, supported, and encouraged to grow. I am very proud to have been part of that story. And although I’m leaving, a piece of me will always stay here — in the classrooms I’ve taught in, the pupils I’ve worked with, and the memories we created together –and even physically on one of the blue chairs in Blake with the names of me and my three daughters (all now proud ONs) in scripted on it and also by a prize that will be awarded for the first time at Prizegiving this year – the Hill Prize for mathematics! Hopefully some of you will remember me in years to come when you sit on this seat, and if you are fortunate enough to be awarded the Hill Prize then perhaps take a moment to remember how passionate and enthusiastic I was as a teacher. As I step into a new chapter, I do so with gratitude for the one I’ve lived here. Thank you for more than 23 years of purpose, joy, challenge, and connection. Thank you for trusting me, supporting me, and allowing me to be part of your lives. And remember: once a part of this school, always a part of this school. Thank you for listening and have a great day...
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! Next up, as it is pride month we have LGBTQ+ Fiction for June and a big reader of this genre, Eleanor Lewis, Multimedia Marketing Officer, is going to tell us a bit about why she loves this genre. Tell us a little bit about the genre; what common themes or elements do you particularly enjoy? With LGBTQ+ Fiction it is quite challenging to define it as a genre as it can span a wide-range of genres such as science fiction, historical fiction, fantasy and more. I particularly enjoy when LGBTQ+ Fiction isn't only centred around LGBTQ+ issues and themes, Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles was a perfect example of this for me, as it combines LGBTQ+ characters in mythological tales where the character's identity is important to the story, but not the only driving force. What was the book that introduced you to LGBTQ+ Fiction? Was there a particular book or author that made you fall in love with this genre? Reading books with LGBTQ+ characters in my teen years definitely encouraged my love of reading especially Adam Silver's books History is All You Left Me and They Both Die at the End. Reading characters that I could relate to definitely made reading a lot more enjoyable for me. I would say that the book that brought me back into reading more LGBTQ+ Fiction as an adult would be Taylor Jenkins Reid's The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo . It is a very popular book and for good reason, the historical drama set in the Golden Age of Hollywood with an LGBTQ+ character at the centre. I think that this was one of the first times I encountered an openly LGBTQ+ woman in fiction and I found the love story to be so beautifully written and compelling. Has your taste in this genre changed over time? Definitely! As I grew up my taste naturally changed and especially during my time at University. On my course I encountered a variety of work including the less contemporary pieces such as The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall and Trumpet by Jackie Kay, both of which explored gender identity, particularly in times where it was even more challenging to be a transgender or gender non-conforming individual. I think that my favourite book now is definitely Hot Milk by Deborah Levy, it is a contemporary novel mostly surrounding a complicated mother/daughter relationship but also an LGBTQ+ awakening for the daughter, although the novel doesn't centre on this I think it is a brilliant example of LGBTQ+ Fiction that centralises LGBTQ+ characters but isn't only about LGBTQ+ issues. Would you recommend this genre to someone who doesn’t usually read it? Why? Absolutely and you probably have read it without intending to. A lot of books now, a lot more than when I was younger, feature LGBTQ+ characters. It used to be quite a challenge to find books that don't only have the 'token' LGBTQ+ characters but now there are plenty more options. What do you enjoy most about reading, whether LGBTQ+ Fiction or anything else? I love getting lost in a book and losing track of the time, it's very special to find a book that does that. I also really enjoy it when a book makes me think critically, I can end up getting a bit lost in research and analysis, probably because of my English undergrad days! 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 don't read half as much as I would like to, especially this time of year! I would say I really enjoy reading in bed but another great reading spot is in my conservatory with an iced coffee! The best time to read is definitely on holiday - especially when it is sunny! Which fictional character would you most like to have a cup of tea with? This is a tricky one but from this genre I would say Evelyn Hugo. Click here for the monthly Reading List!
I have now worked at Norwich School for quite some time, which has prompted me to reflect: what is our school like? What are its virtues? What makes it tick? Attending or working at a school is very much like going on a journey, which is why I chose today’s bible reading. It records a journey two people made, and how they encountered Jesus along the way without recognising him. The story of the road to Emmaus, as it is called, and our journey through school, have some interesting parallels which help us understand our school better, and that our journey through it so very full of potential. The first connection between our school and the reading is found in this line “they urged him strongly, “Stay with us”. The two travellers offer the stranger hospitality. In my first ever U6 History class at Norwich School there was a boy called George. George was the Head of School and scrum half for the First XV. One day, George was missing from my lesson. I asked the other pupils where he might be: “Don’t you know he’s the head of School, sir?” they answered, “he’ll be with the Head for an important meeting – it happens all the time”. I felt rather silly. Sometime later George arrived. “Sorry I’m late, sir” he said. ‘How was the meeting?’ I enquired. ‘Meeting?’ he replied, ‘I wasn’t at a meeting. I was having my hair cut!’ In my naivety, I just assumed that heads of school were permitted to have a haircut during period one and carried on with the lesson. Furthermore, George had been extremely warm and welcoming to me as a new teacher, whilst the rest of the class were a bit frosty, given, as they were happy to explain, just how brilliant my predecessor had been. Another character was Fraser. Fraser was a cross-country runner, so I used to spend a lot of time with him during Games, as did Mr Todd, the Deputy Head. Fraser’s particular eccentricity was hugging teachers without warning. This was as inappropriate then as it would be now, but Fraser somehow got away with it. I remember watching Fraser suddenly embrace Mr Todd, pinning his arms to his side leaving him with barely sufficient breath to gasp: “Fraser, please release me.” His warm sentiment was genuine which meant that he, and only he, could get away with it. There were also two teachers who were particularly welcoming when first I arrived. The first, Miss Weiler, was the Head of German. She always remembered my birthday and offered me glass of champagne to celebrate. There was also Mr Barber who, before I even started at Norwich School said, ‘well, if you’re joining us, you’d better play in this evening’s staff cricket match’. His kind offer meant I quickly felt accepted. This tradition of hospitality is one of which we can be proud. It continues with our relationships with organisations like English Plus and Able 2 Be. We welcome pupils from all over the globe which strengthens and enriches our community. As Professor Charles Forsdick ON, during a recent school visit said: ‘we should be rooted in the local but maintain a global perspective’. There can be no doubt that front and centre of Norwich School is learning. One need look no further to find evidence of this than that famed repository of wisdom, the leavers’ book. Our class of 2025, in answer to the question, ‘what is the best lesson Norwich School taught you’, offered these answers: - Don’t do stupid thing whilst CCTV is watching - Don’t accept homemade chocolate milk from a Travelodge sink - Stock up on the salad bar otherwise your stomach will scream in the afternoon - Never get caught with your shirt untucked around Mr Sims - If you speed walk, it only takes four minutes to get to HFH (I did get shin splints though) - Don’t play badminton with more than two players per side because that’s how you end up with teeth missing. But more seriously, Norwich School pupils and staff are ambitious in their learning, and this learning is valued and rigorous. On the road to Emmaus, the disciples were confused about the everts that had taken place over the first Easter weekend. They too sought understanding and were, therefore, keen to hear the teaching of the man they had encountered: our reading says “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” This is a 1st century example of people’s thirst for knowledge and understanding; we should continue to treasure our 21st century opportunity to be curious, to enquire and to learn. The journey we are on at school and our bible reading are also connected via the notion of togetherness and community, and how this can lead to something more profound. Once he had been invited into their house, Jesus shared a meal with the disciples: “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.” A simple enough act, but one that speaks of shared experience and common humanity. Norwich School shares much of its history and culture with the community of this cathedral church, which is a precious space in at least these three ways: longevity – Norwich Cathedral is the oldest building in Norwich which is still used for its original purpose. The fact that it has survived and thrived for so long is remarkable. Accessibility – Norwich Cathedral is open 365 days of the year, free of charge, with no entry requirements. Anyone can enter, regardless of background, where you come from or what you believe. Sacredness – these precincts are set apart, designated as a special or holy place. Some people regard the cathedral as a ‘thin place’: somewhere in which it is possible to sense the intangible, something mystical, maybe even glimpse the divine; a place in which God is not proven, but rather in which He might be experienced. On the road to Emmaus, the disciples didn’t recognise Jesus at first, even though he was walking alongside them. It was only when they invited him in, when they made themselves open to an encounter with God, that he revealed himself: “then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” For me, the most special thing about our school, and the reason I have stayed for so long, is that we are hospitable and scholarly, yes, but also that we enjoy a privileged and precious relationship with the cathedral community. This is a place where we can make time to explore spirituality, to consider the good news of the Christian message, and to reflect on the possibility of encountering Jesus Christ, as he walks alongside us, on our journey through school.
Meet the Team
Click on the images to read individual biographies.
