Remembering a Norwich School Hero

November 8, 2024

Jonathan Pearson, the school’s Development Director and Old Norvicensian 78-87 gives his perspective on a “Norwich School hero” at this time of Remembrance…..


"Good morning, everyone. Norwich School can seem a bit quirky at times, but I view that as a positive. Have you ever wondered why things are named the way they are? I am sure those who joined this term may well have questioned who was the Fleming of the 1950’s Fleming Building – maybe Ian Fleming, the writer of James Bond books for example? Are the Dyers of Dyers’ Lodge still alive or are the Dyers dead? Did Coke (as in Coke House) invent a fizzy drink and who or what is a Valpy? Of course, being Development Director, you would rightly expect me to know the answers, so, do collar me in the playground or the lunch queue if you want to know more.

It would be a fair assumption that many unfamiliar names relate to people of great merit who have strong connections to the schools’ illustrious past. I would like to share the details of one whose name you may have heard, but you will likely have no idea who he is or know nothing of his remarkable story. I want to put that right today and this is the theme of today’s assembly.


To start our story, let me take you back to the height of World War II and to the jungles of Burma (now known as Myanmar). At the base of a deep thicket a young officer Philip has been very badly wounded and lies dying. In his head he wonders what will get him first: infection from his wounds; starvation or dehydration; or, even worse, being discovered by Japanese enemy soldiers patrolling these jungles looking for British soldiers to dispatch on sight. There is a rustle in the nearby bushes and a face appears through the undergrowth. Philip realizes in that moment that his life hangs by the slenderest of threads.


Fortune though is smiling on him, as this is a local Burmese Rifleman Maung Tun, who immediately grasps the urgency of the situation, tends Philip’s injuries, provides him with sustenance and care. A friendship develops between Philip and Maung Tun, whom Philip nicknames ‘Mo To’ for short. This continues for some while and Philip recuperates, when, suddenly, visits from Mo To stop and Philip is perplexed. Only later does he discover that Mo To had been captured by the Japanese and tortured to reveal the whereabouts of British troops in the vicinity. Refusing to give up information about Philip’s hiding place, Mo To is cruelly tortured to death. Philip struggles all his life to understand what compelled a virtual stranger to sacrifice his own life for Philip’s, and this profoundly moves him.


Philip recovers, but later in the war he is captured by the Japanese who incarcerate him in one of their brutal prisoner of war camps. Two years of subsequent torture and privation, of waterboarding and starvation, and the death of many of his comrades are poignantly captured in this book, his autobiography: Return via Rangoon. It is a heart-breaking account and was republished last year to celebrate 80 years since that military campaign. I cannot recommend this moving read highly enough.


I now fast-forward to autumn 1977 when I first met Philip. Of course, I did not call him Philip at the time - after all he was the Headmaster of Norwich School. He was known as ‘Mr Stibbe’. I was being interviewed by him to join Norwich School as a pupil. At the end of World War II, Philip Stibbe returned to his studies at Merton College, Oxford. They had kept the same room waiting for him that he had left in 1940 when he joined up – a lovely touch. He subsequently moved into teaching and his last post was as Headmaster at Norwich School from 1975 until 1984.


Following periods of financial hardship and national austerity, the Norwich School he inherited could at times be a grim and sombre place. Philip’s moving experiences in Burma had instilled in him a formidable sense of love for humanity and compassion towards others – both of which are central to today’s Norwich School. It is not to say they did not exist before his time, but it was Philip Stibbe who made such a positive effort to reflect love and compassion in the culture and everyday experiences here at school.


I have two examples. Feeling sorry for the meagre rations at lunch in the 1980s, he petitioned the Bursar and was successful in increasing food portion sizes, especially on Fridays when the number of fish fingers was increased by one on each plate, earning him the nickname of Four Fish Fingers Phil. More profoundly, the second relates to his increasingly frail health. Years of starvation rations had irreparably weakened his constitution and brought about the onset of the debilitating condition known as Parkinson’s Disease, causing him to retire early. At a time when pupil relations with teachers were often distant and subservient, at the end of his last ever assembly in this Cathedral I recall him warmly shaking the hand of every boy as they left through the great west doors. I was moved that he knew my name and wished me well with a tear in his eye. Recently I discovered that on his death he committed his body to medical research, allowing them to assess the impact of his war-time privations.


When I returned in 2018 to work at Norwich School, I was overjoyed to learn that Stibbe Awards in his honour are handed out each term. This is a Stibbe Tie and Pin, given to those of exceptional ability and application across more than one co-curricular discipline, for example taking a lead role in a musical whilst also leading a charitable initiative. It is effectively awarded as co-curricular full colours. Only a select few Sixth Formers ever attain this high accolade.


I first met Philip Stibbe’s son in 2023, having been invited by him to the re-launch of Philip’s book Return Via Rangoon. Retired Major Giles Stibbe, OBE, Director of the Household Cavalry Foundation, is himself a decorated veteran of many conflicts over the last 40 years. Giles was thrilled to learn his father is still celebrated through the Stibbe Awards and his legacy lives large at Norwich School today. I am delighted that Giles has accepted my invitation to be with us in assembly this morning. He is also (and I mean this as the highest compliment) the spitting image of his father when I first met him.


To conclude my address, if you see anyone round school wearing one of these ties or pins, do ask them how they earned their Stibbe Award. I hope you to will be inspired by their stories and aspire to receive this accolade yourself one day. To those wearing a Stibbe Award today, Giles and I salute you. You will have made an important mark on the school through your sterling efforts and continue to make Norwich School a better place. It is interesting to note that among the cohort of Stibbe recipients in school at present, is our very own Mr Gent who, as a schoolboy here, was one of its first ever recipients.


So, in this building that Philip loved so much and where he finished his Norwich School career, let us consider the courage, humbleness and lifelong compassion of Philip Stibbe and, at this time of Remembrance, reflect on the astonishing act of sacrifice of Mo To in 1943, the Burmese soldier who laid down his life for his fellow man.

Let us now give all Stibbe Award Holders a well-deserved round of applause."


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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
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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
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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.
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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
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