NORWICH SCHOOL MARKS REMEMBRANCE DAY

November 11, 2022

This morning the whole school community came together in the cathedral to mark a very special Remembrance Day. The names of ON’s who lost their lives in the war were read by the house captains, and the address was delivered by Development Director and ON Jonathan Pearson who reflected on a fateful night during the Second World War which shaped the future of Norwich School.



‘We are accustomed to the idea that Remembrance relates to brave soldiers overseas, but without in any way downplaying that, I want to address you today on something far closer to home.


My name is Jonathan Pearson, and I am the school’s Development Director. I am also an ON, celebrating 35 years since leaving Norwich School. The remarkable and true story I relate today has great personal resonance to those of us in the ON community. This is because it occurred in this very building and in the school playground, while the young protagonists were regular Norwich School pupils led by their Headmaster.


My narrative takes place 80 years ago during the German bombing raids on Britain in WWII, known as the Baedeker raids. Until the summer of 1942, the Cathedral Close had escaped quite lightly from bombing raids, whereas other parts of Norwich, such as St Stephens and St Benedicts, had sustained major damage. However, all was about to change on the night of Saturday 27th June 1942.


At around 2am, the firewatcher positioned on the Cathedral sounded the alarm, as German bombers approached, dropping their deadly cargo of incendiary bombs. Within seconds, it is estimated that 850 incendiary bombs rained down on The Close, a terrifying noise that would readily have been heard from the cold floor of the school’s Crypt under our Chapel where around 30 boys and their Headmaster were sheltering overnight. During the Second World War the Crypt was a much-frequented air raid shelter.


The Headmaster, a grandly named Theodore Acland, quickly rounded up the School House Fire Party, comprising school pupils serving as fire wardens. They scrambled out of the pitch black of the Crypt, jumpers pulled over pyjamas, to a scene of utter carnage in the Upper Close: acrid yellow smoke; sirens ringing out; the chocking smell of burning. Try to picture in your mind how absolutely terrifying this sight must have been to our school pupils who were still only your age. Young pupil Derek Griffiths commented:


“Everywhere was full of smoke and there were an awful lot of fires, including an enormous one in the playground. We did not know where to begin. We’d been instructed how to deal with one incendiary bomb, but nobody had ever told us how to deal with a hundred of them at the same time”.


It soon became clear a major fire had started in the corner of the school Quad nearest the Maid’s Head, which they struggled to dampen down with buckets of sand. Over the coming hours, working furiously under the leadership of Mr Acland, the science room on the playground, the bike shed, the coal store, the gymnasium (now the Blake Studio) and the area at the back of the New Buildings were all saved.


However, unbeknown to anyone, a fire lay smouldering in the attic of the old Lodge. This Lodge was a fine Jacobean school building located between the New Buildings and the Blake Studio. This is now the Dyers’ Lodge site. By all reports, it was a delightful, elegant 17th century building of fine proportions. The school had just spent much of its precious financial resources on a major refurbishment. The old Lodge comprised four classrooms on the ground floor, with a debating room and panelled masters’ common room on the first floor, complete with collections of irreplaceable books, artworks and a precious school archive.


By the time the fire was discovered, the building was already doomed, as intense heat and smoke thwarted all attempts to save it. Stunned schoolboy Derek Griffiths recalled:


“It went up like a tinderbox, engulfed in a mass of fire within about 20 minutes and became a burning ruin in no time”.


Another pupil Derek Hawkins recounted the instinctive and daring actions of fellow pupils on seeing the building alight:


“I just remember going through the main entrance, picking up anything considered of value. We just grabbed whatever artefacts we could, as quickly as we could, retiring to a respectable distance to watch it finally engulfed in flames”.


Not for the first time have the names Griffiths and Hawkins taken such prominent roles in school life here.

Just reflect for a moment on the collective grief felt at such a loss; the old Lodge being one of only two classrooms blocks in the school at that time. Imagine your shock if you arrived at school tomorrow to find 40% of all the school classrooms had been destroyed in under half an hour.


Further drama was also being played out elsewhere in The Close that night. School pupils were busy assisting with fire duties at No 68 The Close and adjacent houses. Even more critically, pupils led a major operation attending fires in the roof of the Cathedral, particularly the north transept roof, where a container of 36 incendiary devices had wedged itself between the roof timbers and the vaulting, sending out scalding hot streams of molten lead from the melting roof. It sounds horrendous. Crocodiles of valiant school pupils carried endless buckets of water to the highest reaches of the Cathedral to extinguish the flames.


As an aside, back in 1986 I was fortunate enough to climb to the very top of the Cathedral spire with the Norwich School Local History Group under our leader Dr Paul Cattermole. At ground floor level, the Cathedral feels comfortingly solid, but this is not so the higher up one climbs. Sixteen-year-old pupil Alistair Grant commented on his actions in 1942, with understated fearlessness:


“I have always had a dread of heights and loathed the thought of having to walk along the top gallery, barely three feet wide, with its one slender iron rail between me and the floor 60 feet below. But, I remember staggering in the morning twilight carrying two buckets of water, aware, with sudden astonishment, that I was not in the very least frightened”.


Such an adrenaline rush eventually gave way to weariness as the fires were brought under control and as dawn broke. The threat of existential disaster for both the Cathedral and the School had receded, despite being unable to save the old Lodge on the playground. It would be another 11 years before Dyers’ Lodge rose from its charred ruins, such was the impact of that night’s events on the school’s precarious finances and its morale.


Back to 1942 - a refreshing cup of tea and a hefty dollop of school porridge were soon served up and, quite astonishingly, Saturday morning school continued as normal! The Dean generously made four rooms available for teaching in his Deanery and Senior French Master, Mr JH Brown, himself a veteran of the trenches in World War I, also known as ‘Bruiser Brown’, expressed to the young firefighters the school’s pride in a good night’s work.


At our Trafalgar Day service last month, Ann Kalu and George Schofield gave their examples of leadership models for our consideration. I would like to add one of my own, that of Theodore Acland, Headmaster on that tumultuous night - the man who supervised the rousing of the pupils from the Crypt and co-ordinated their courageous efforts. He had led the school since 1930, witnessing citywide bomb devastation including the complete destruction of his beloved Lodge; he had shouldered the endless worry of maintaining the rhythms of school life in wartime; he had endured frequent disturbed nights and concerns for pupil safety and wellbeing, slept in air raid shelters and led the firewatch duties of the schoolboys in his care. Even in peacetime his health had been frail; the herculean efforts of that night took a further heavy toll. The Norvicensian magazine relates the reluctant and sad acceptance by Governors of Mr Acland’s resignation in November 1942, aged just 52 – his spirit utterly broken. In a moment, as the names of the 52 ONs who fell in WWI and the 51 from WWII are read out, I ask that you have Theodore Acland and his courageous party of Norwich School firefighters in your remembrance and prayers today, as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of such momentous events.


On that night in June 1942, the selfless bravery of pupils and staff at Norwich School was exemplary. After all, they were just ordinary members of the school community, just like you and me. They had saved two of the city’s finest institutions, Norwich Cathedral and Norwich School, in order that we may peaceably enjoy them today. Do reflect on the debt of gratitude every one of us owes to them as part of our acts of remembrance here today.'


By Eleanor Lewis July 3, 2025
After months of hard work, the Norwich School rock bands took to the stage for an exciting and diverse evening of entertainment. Hitting the stage first with Iron Maiden’s The Trooper, Bad News (now to be known as Silverhand ) delivered a blistering opening to the event, featuring impeccable twin guitar harmonies and an expertly delivered solo from brothers Dan and Jacob Cracknell. We were then treated to an eclectic mix of songs, showcasing the strengths of each member of the band, highlights being a lyrical guitar solo from Tommy Cahir in Supersonic by Oasis and captivating vocals from Ben Griffiths in When the Sun Goes Down by Arctic Monkeys. EGG (Electric Guitar Group) - 12 guitars, bass and drums and a rousing performance of Enter Sandman by Metallica. A gentle start from Merlin Perrow, an exciting build up from Oscar Cook (drums) and Rita Kherbeck (bass) leading to a thrilling riff with full band and an intense solo skilfully played by Alex Singh, Sahib Wahiwala and Sam Paretti. The group was tight, exciting and very loud! A complete change of mood from Rhapsode , with a skilful and atmospheric performance of Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap (beautiful vocals from Maleeya Watts), a gorgeous rendition of the acoustic hit Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae, played skilfully on acoustic guitar by Sahib Wahilwala, and finishing their set with a mellow vibe - Scar Tissue by Red Hot Chili Peppers, featuring a memorable guitar solo from Sam Paretti and a solid rhythmic foundation from drummer Lev Oyelakin. To finish the event, a diverse and exciting set from Orion for their final performance. Paranoid by Black Sabbath was a strong opener, featuring a powerful performance by Charlie Clover on guitar and the energetic stage presence of Ernie Howes on vocals, singing with Orion for the first time. The evening ended on a high with two more songs by Metallica, with powerful and dynamic drumming by Oscar Cook, exciting lead guitar work from Zach Baker, an exciting range of sounds from Ezra Collis on bass (from melodic and musical to rhythmic and powerful) and charismatic vocals from Summer Nesbitt. This was a great opportunity to hear these wonderful musicians - make sure you don’t miss it next year!
By Eleanor Lewis July 2, 2025
The start of half term saw the Boat Club compete at the National Schools' Regatta at Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham. Despite challenging, windy conditions throughout the weekend, there were strong performances across the board. The J14 Octo reached the D Final; the Girls' J15 Eight, Boys' 1st VIII, and Girls' J18 Coxed Four all contested the C Finals. Both the J15 and J18 Boys' Coxed Fours raced in B Finals, with the J18s claiming a B Final win. The J16 Girls finished 6th overall in the A Final of the Coxed Fours — a fantastic achievement. The whole club then raced at the Star Regatta in Bedford, with 45 races contested across 31 events in a single day. There were notable victories for the Senior Boys, the J15 Girls, and Philippa Hingley in the J13 Singles. Despite torrential rain, it was a strong and spirited showing from NSBC. The Senior Boys also made the trip to Reading Regatta, where they had a successful day racing in smaller boats. The Coxless Four won both their events, along with a strong victory in the Coxless Pair. In addition to National Schools, Henley has been a major focus for the Senior crews this term. The Girls’ 1st VIII made history by becoming the first ever Norwich School girls' crew to race at both Henley Women’s Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta. With seven of the crew still eligible to race in the Junior event for two more years, their qualification experience sets a strong foundation for next season. At Marlow Regatta, the Boys’ 1st VIII and the Fawley Quad raced in a final push for pre-qualification to Henley Royal Regatta. The Boys' 1st VIII successfully qualified and face a tough draw against St Paul’s School on Tuesday — best of luck to them. On a representative level, Joseph Hawkes, James Howard, Ellie Thwaites, and Amelie Ivie competed in Pairs at the GB J16 Trials. Finishing 4th and 5th in the A Final, they narrowly missed out on selection but have set their sights on higher goals for next year.  Looking ahead, Nicholas Conway will race at the GB U19 Final Trials and Crew Formation in July. We wish him the best of luck for a successful summer of racing. Finally, a heartfelt thank you to all members of the Boat Club — and to our parents — for their dedication, hard work, and support both on and off the water throughout the year.
By Eleanor Lewis July 2, 2025
During the final Tuesday of term, a few rugby players who were interested in taking their game to a new level gathered in Upper King Street to hear a short presentation from Brendan McGroarty about the opportunities offered by American Universities to rugby players. This builds on Ava Wride-Cooper’s amazing achievement of a 100% woman’s rugby scholarship to Quinnipiac in Massachusetts. In his brief presentation, Brendan took us not just through the undergraduate experience but also how the sports scholarship system works and what it would be like to be a sports scholar at an American university by showing us a day in the life of a student in upstate New York. He also highlighted that this opportunity was not for the most elite players but those playing to a good standard at school and county level. Men and Women’s Rugby is one of the fastest growing varsity sports in the US.  There were opportunities at the end to ask questions before starting the School day, inspired about what the future might bring. We hope to invite him back in the new academic year to build on this opportunity with the next generation of Norwich School rugby players.
By Eleanor Lewis July 1, 2025
This Summer, Freya Simmonds (L6) had set herself a 5 Lake District Peak challenge to raise money for the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya; this works to conserve the Northern White Rhino which on the verge of extinction. We asked Freya about her challenge and what it means to her below... Can you tell us a little bit about 5 Peaks, 2 Rhinos, 1 Fight? 5 Peaks, 2 Rhinos, 1 Fight is a fundraising challenge I’ve created to help save the northern white rhino from extinction. Over three days this summer, I’ll be hiking five of the Lake District’s highest peaks: Skiddaw, Crinkle Crags, Scafell Pike, Causey Pike, and Helvellyn in order to raise £1,000 for the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Ol Pejeta is home to the last two northern white rhinos on earth, where this functionally extinct species is cared for. However there is still hope to revive this species through IVF Conservation, and 35 pure embryos already exist and are ready to be implanted into a surrogate black rhino (rhino surrogacy has been successfully proven in 2023). It’s a way to combine my love of conservation, science, and the outdoors into something real and (hopefully!) impactful. Why did you decide to do this challenge? I first found out about the story of the northern white rhinos in 2018 when I read an article on the death of the last male northern white rhino (Sudan). As an aspiring vet, I was reminded of these rhinos when writing my independent project, on the role of vets in guiding breeding practices. When I found out that there are only two northern white rhinos left, and that both are female and can’t carry a pregnancy, I began researching the incredible science being used to try and bring them back, like stem cells, IVF, and surrogacy. I wanted to do something to support the work being done at Ol Pejeta and raise awareness that extinction isn’t always final, not if we fight for it. Have you ever done anything like this before? Every year my family and I go to the Lake District, or Wales to climb peaks as it is a beautiful way of combining a physical challenge with seeing the stunning landscapes of Britain, however I have never completed this number of peaks in such a short time, or climbed all of the highest peaks in a row. I’m combining the physical endurance of hiking multiple peaks with the emotional challenge of sharing a cause I care deeply about. It’s a huge step up, and I can’t wait. What are you most looking forward to? Reaching the top of Helvellyn on the final day will definitely be a highlight. There’s the challenge of striding edge, along with the Red Tarn near the summit you can swim in, and I think it’ll feel like such a celebration to finish there. I’m also really excited to share updates each day and bring people along for the journey. If it inspires even one person to care more about conservation, it’ll be worth it. Probably the most exciting part will be donating the money to Ol Pejeta and then following on their IVF journey to hopefully result in a new calf born in the near future. What have you done to prepare for this? The most time consuming part of this fundraiser was the IVF conservation research I have carried out over the past few months. I’ve created a timeline, mapping the rhinos journey from 4 rhinos in 2009 to 2 since 2018. I made the route, built a fundraising page, created a logo and progress tracker, as well as contacting conservationists, vets, and local media to increase awareness of this species. In terms of physical training, practicing endurance is key as 5 peaks in 3 days is no easy task. To find out more about Freya's challenge please click here!
By Eleanor Lewis July 1, 2025
Coming back to the Crypt from 12-20 July is the exhibition, depARTment. This exhibition brings together the creative work of the Norwich School Art and Design staff. The pieces on display are a selection of outcomes that we undertake alongside our teaching, something we consider vital in supporting both our pupils and our own creative integrity. Within this exhibition you will encounter artwork which could be considered our main individual creative practice alongside more experimental approaches, work out of discipline and also work in progress. As a department we teach our pupils across a wide range of media and disciplines; the work on display echoes this approach. Opening times: 12 - 20 July Monday - Friday, 12:00 - 17:00 Saturday - 10:00 - 17:00 Closed Sundays. Free admission. Poster design - Liza Goian
By Eleanor Lewis July 1, 2025
This term has been a truly outstanding one for Norwich School Athletics, with brilliant achievements across all age groups and events – both for teams and individuals. We began the term with a superb showing at the City Schools Athletics Championships in early May, delivering our best set of results in recent years. Over 70 athletes from L4 - U5 represented the school, achieving a host of top-three finishes. Impressively, more than 20 pupils qualified for the Norfolk Schools Championships.  At the Norfolk Schools event, our athletes continued to excel, with five pupils earning places at the Anglian Schools Championships. There, we witnessed standout performances: Minnie Richardson (M5) impressed in the shot put after returning from injury. Noah Buchan (L5) smashed his 800m personal best by an incredible 10 seconds. Jennifer Mardle (L5) claimed double gold in the high jump and shot put. Jennifer’s stellar season continued as she, alongside her sister Izzy Mardle, achieved the qualifying standard for the prestigious English Schools Championships, taking place in Birmingham 11-12 July. Meanwhile, four Norwich School athletes – Arthur Lamb, Rory Normanton, Jennifer Mardle and Izzy Mardle – were selected to represent Norfolk at the Regional Round of the English Schools Combined Events Championships in Corby. Across two demanding days, they competed in 22 events between them. In their debut, Arthur and Rory recorded multiple personal bests, particularly in the jumps, with Rory finishing as Norfolk’s top U15 boy, and Arthur close behind in 3rd. Izzy led the U20 women’s competition after day one, and despite an injury on day two, showed great determination to finish 3rd overall, securing a spot at the National Finals in September. Jennifer delivered five exceptional performances to become East Region Champion in the U15 girls’ category, beating 26 athletes to claim the title and a place at Nationals alongside her sister. We also took a team of 31 athletes to the East Region Prep Schools Championships in Bedford in early June. Selection alone was an achievement, with entry standards in place. The day was filled with heart-warming team spirit and support, and three pupils progressed to the National Prep Schools Finals in Birmingham on 2nd July: Ophelia Martin (L4) took gold in both the sprint hurdles and long jump. Sam Tricky (L4) ran a phenomenal 800m. Rory Normanton (U4) continued his excellent season in the triple jump. With our junior athletes, we trialled a new 1 vs 1 school athletics format, hosting a ‘QuadKids’ competition with Saint Felix School. Over 50 pupils enjoyed taking part in all four events – 100m, 800m, long jump, and shot put. This exciting format is something we hope to roll out further in Trinity Term 2026. Overall, it’s been a powerful and inspiring term for Norwich School Athletics. We congratulate all our athletes on their hard work, success, and the pride they’ve brought to the school. The future of athletics here is incredibly bright.
June 30, 2025
On Monday 1 July, Middle 5 Classics pupils took the opportunity to put what they've learned in the classroom to the test by acting out a Roman ritual sacrifice! The esteemed Pontifex Maximus led the proceedings on a baking hot morning as the gathered participants processed to the altar with their chosen beast - an unfortunate horse. The sacrifice was mercifully swift, with ketchup and a Swiss roll thankfully standing in for blood and entrails. After an anxious wait, Neptune and Minerva gave their approval of the ceremony to much celebration. Below, our Classics Department offer their very own DIY guide, so that you too can appease ancient deities from the comfort of your own home. Please note: no real animals were harmed during this ceremony, only ones wearing full Games kit.
By Eleanor Lewis June 30, 2025
A stellar cast on 29 and 30 June 2025 delivered a mesmerising open-air production of Julius Caesar as part of Norwich School’s 2025 Gather programme. In warm summer sunshine and against the impressive backdrop of the medieval Bishop’s Palace steps, an experienced Sixth Form cast delivered a stunning performance. Under the assured direction of Mr Bromley and Miss Wright, a portentous atmosphere of brutal assassination, gruesome suicide, Machiavellian plotting and civic upheaval was effectively created. A decidedly sinister soundtrack and novel stage-setting served to unsettle large and appreciative audiences each night. Even the cathedral peregrines overhead sounded their raucous approval as the dying Caesar bellowed out “Et tu, Brute”. We saw many brave and committed individual performances echoing Shakespeare’s lines from the play: “Cowards die many times before their deaths, the valiant never taste of death but once." Huge congratulations must go to the accomplished cast for delivering such a memorable performance as a result of many weeks of hot, post-exam rehearsals. Lower 6 pupils are already showing such incredible dramatic talent for next year and it was a suitably fitting way for Upper 6 drama scholars to bow out on a well-deserved high.
By Eleanor Lewis June 30, 2025
"This year I had the pleasure of taking part in the Great Punt Run for the second time. The 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!" - Rosie Pank, L6
By Eleanor Lewis June 30, 2025
On Monday 30 June, while the temperature was 34 degrees outside, our Mixed Ski Team was racing in the snow centre at Hemel Hempstead in the ESSKIA indoors school championships in a refreshing -4 degrees! Norwich School skied cleanly in round 1 but found ourselves in 2 nd place. Knowing some risks needed to be taken we upped our pace in the second and more difficult course to take the title by a very narrow 0.09 seconds – ski racing can be determined by very fine margins!  Well done to the team of Rufus Snelling, Antonia Watson, Charlie Barker and Sophie Slinger for winning the title, and also to Rufus and Antonia who were the fastest Male and Female competitors in the mixed competition.
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