The Head's End of Lent Term Address 2023

March 27, 2023

The Head addressed pupils in the Cathedral on the last day of Lent Term. You can read his Address below:

"It is not easy being a young person in the 21st century.

On the one hand, there is the constant and ubiquitous challenge of being available, on-call and on-song. Grown-ups may talk about just putting the phone down, but that is easier said than done when all your social life is there, contacts, platforms, streaming and so on. The pressure seems to have increased to be on one’s game, to be the best version of oneself, with the distinction between being on-show and on one’s own ever harder to make.

On the other hand, there is the sense that we are not good enough, can never be good enough. There is always someone with better results, a better voice, more goals, more followers. Some of this is deeply embedded in society from cultural and religious norms. Indeed, we have had more than one reference to that in our Cathedral addresses this term. The Chaplain in his excellent series talked about 3Ps, prayer, purpose and penitence. The last involves regret for our imperfections. This was picked up by Dr Richardson who talked about his impression as a child that he needed to be good to be loved by God.


In many ways, it is easier to be a young person at Norwich School than in other settings that one could imagine. There are many and obvious benefits in our location, resources and community and we have many reasons to be grateful for our situation. Yet there are also particular challenges of going to school in a setting such as this. I will pick out two:

  • Because there is a good deal of talent here, there can be an element of competition. Where there is competition, there is a tendency to hide weaknesses and/or not treat our competitors as well as we might.
  • Because there is a lot of opportunity here, there is a desire to get stuck in, which might lead to a sense of obligation to be involved in too much, in effect to feel a need to over-achieve.


Separately or in combination, they can lead to a situation I have heard referred to as “swanning”: individuals giving the impression on the surface that everything is going just fine, but paddling frantically under the surface to give that impression of serene elegance and not feeling internally the outer sense of calm being projected. All are aware that there are some harrowing stories of young people getting into difficulty because of such pressures and not feeling able to discuss them. If anything, these challenges have increased for your generation as a result of Covid when many of the most vulnerable were forced to deal with exceptional circumstances without the support networks which had sustained them.

These are undoubtedly challenging ideas, but it is important that we try to articulate things that worry us; a helpful phrase which was given to the staff by Angie Browne earlier in the year is to get used to “sitting with others’ discomfort”.


I wish that I had a simple phrase or piece of advice to solve the conundrum of, on the one hand, always pushing and striving but, on the other hand, never being good enough, never reaching that destination. Unfortunately, I don’t think there is a single, comprehensive solution. This is partly because we are all different, as we heard in today’s Bible reading; we have different priorities, tolerances and capacities. There are obvious things in which we will want to do our best, such as public examinations, and others which are less important: an in-class vocabulary quiz, singing along to music on the way to school, having a tennis ball kick-around in the playground. Yet for some, the dance rehearsal is the highlight of the day, while for others it is the chemistry practical, or the sports practice, or the community service placement. Some are individual activities and others are group sessions which require the collaboration and input of others. And these priorities change as we mature and alter our perspective.


So, the goals we set ourselves and the judgments we make on our performance are particular to each of us. Yet being self-aware and reflecting in a particular situation as to whether you are going to push for that further improvement or be satisfied with what has been achieved will help you to make informed judgments about your overall best interests in the future. It is not realistic to stop and conduct such analysis for every single decision throughout the day; it would just be too slow. However, going through a process of self-regulation from time to time will help you to learn about yourself and to make even better judgments over a period of time.


As you navigate the challenges of being young in the 21st century, one thing I am sure about is the following: it is better to talk and to share, especially when you are uncertain or feeling vulnerable. The problems of “swanning”, whether at Norwich School or elsewhere, start as an issue of communication, of not being able to share discomfort. Please know that you are not alone in making difficult judgments: as you are growing up you can seek advice about what to prioritise from supportive and trusted adults, both at school and at home, as well as valued friends of your own age.


I think there is a balance whereby you can both to aim high and be gentle on yourself, to push and relax. What I mean is to reflect on the times and activities when one of these is the more important priority, to help establish what makes you tick.

I think engaging with this process helps to deconflict the apparent paradox between striving to be the best version of oneself and the imperfection of human beings. Indeed, the latter releases us to enjoy the former. People will always make mistakes and get things wrong; there will always be someone out there better at something you enjoy. You can shape your own journey and be in control of your own responses to the world as you meet it, so concentrate on and enjoy that.

Dr Richardson told us in his address that he learned as he got older that the love of God which he had felt to be conditional on his behavior is actually unconditional and this provided a stable platform for him to aspire to behave well.


There is something in this for all of us, regardless of faith: as human beings we are at the same time both never good enough in that we are flawed and imperfect but always good enough in that we each of us is an individual with a unique offering to make to the world. Reconciling ourselves to this conundrum is something for us all to consider.

I offer all good wishes to you and your family during the upcoming holiday."


By Eleanor Lewis June 30, 2025
This year I had the pleasure of taking part in the Great Punt Run for the second time. Theo 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!
By Eleanor Lewis June 30, 2025
It’s been a busy and exciting term of tennis across all age groups, with plenty to celebrate! The Senior Boys team entered a rebuilding phase after losing three key players, but their spirit never wavered. A strong start in the Glanville Cup included a confident win over Gresham’s, with standout performances from new captain Harry Philpott and George Snelling. Although they fell to Wymondham College in the next round, the team gained valuable experience, with Veron Hung stepping up superbly. A return fixture on Gresham’s grass courts proved tough, but promising signs are in place for next season. The U15 Boys had an outstanding season. Led by Rufus Snelling, they lost just once in a narrow tiebreak to Hethersett, before powering to 6–0 victories over both Gresham’s and Wymondham. They finished as county runners-up, with exciting depth in the squad for next year.  Our U15 Girls made a great impression in their debut county campaign. After a competitive match against Gresham’s, they were narrowly edged out by Wymondham in a thrilling deciding tiebreak. Their commitment and team spirit were widely praised. The U13 Boys were this term’s standout team, retaining the County Cup for a third year after a dramatic 4–3 win over Notre Dame. They now progress to the national stages — congratulations to all involved!
By Eleanor Lewis June 30, 2025
June proved to be a particularly busy month for our cricketers, as pupils juggled school trips, exams, and Duke of Edinburgh commitments, while several teams remained involved in their Cup final rounds. It has been an exceptionally successful term, with the 1st XI boys setting the standard by maintaining a two-year unbeaten record in the league — a tremendous achievement. The 1st XI girls also impressed with a superb cup run, reaching the fourth round before narrowly losing to the reigning national champions. The U15A boys enjoyed a remarkable term, advancing to the third round of the National Knockout with victories over Stamford and Warwick. They also reached the last 16 of the National T20, where they were eventually knocked out by a strong Epsom College side. Team Highlights · 15A Girls – Runners-up in the County Cup · 13A Girls – Runners-up in the County Cup · 12A Boys – County Cup finalists (final to be played later this term) · 14A Boys – Runners-up in the County Cup · 15A Boys – County Cup winners · 1st XI Girls – Memorable victory against the MCC The school has proudly hosted several Norfolk state school cricket festivals and competitions, further supporting the development of the sport within the wider community. A significant number of our pupils are also representing County Age Group squads this summer, with a busy schedule of fixtures ahead. Individual Highlights · Sam Reynolds – 100* against the Old Norfolkians · Bella Borges – Scored the first-ever century for the girls program. · Lewis Reeder – Selected to represent Northants 2nd XI and 7 /17 against St Joseph’s.  A heartfelt thank you goes to our ground staff, coaching staff, and administration team for their dedication and tireless work. Their commitment ensures our pupils have the best possible environment to compete, improve, and enjoy their cricket.
By Sonja Mitchell June 30, 2025
A fabulous day of activity was held in the Lower Close to celebrate Discover Your Ability Day.
By Sonja Mitchell June 30, 2025
With help from FONS, the Greenpower Team attended the 2025 Formula 24 Heats at the Lotus test track.
By Eleanor Lewis June 27, 2025
Norwich School support staff and resident DJ s; Ash Granados and Lily Fielding have a real passion for all things dance music, spending their weekends discovering new artists and playing out in Norwich and beyond. This academic year they have been dedicating their Friday lunchtimes to teaching the pupils of Norwich school their favorite hobby. Pupils are invited to send in some of their favorite tracks to share and connect with others across the school through their love for music. They have been learning the fundamentals of DJ ing and all about how to mix their music with others, whilst making friends and broadening their knowledge of electronic genres and the industry. DJ club will be continuing on in September 2025 and will be open to all.
By Eleanor Lewis June 27, 2025
On Thursday 19 June, Lower School hosted its first-ever aerial trial session — and what a hit it was! Pupils were thrilled to get their feet off the ground as they explored the basics of aerial movement, balance, and strength. The trial introduced pupils to a completely new set of skills, and staff were impressed by the enthusiasm and confidence shown by everyone who took part. Many pupils surprised themselves with how quickly they adapted to the new challenges. With the success of the session, the school is excited to launch regular aerial classes starting in September. It promises to be an exciting addition to the school’s extracurricular offering. Watch this space for details on how to sign up!
By Eleanor Lewis June 27, 2025
Lower One and Upper One pupils were beary excited to scoop a Gold Medal in the School Gardening Competition at this year’s Norfolk Show. Pupils entered a beautifully designed wheelbarrow display inspired by Michael Rosen’s much-loved book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt , which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. The display brought the story to life with inventive recreations of the iconic settings — the barrow contained "swishy swashy grass", a flowing river, a snowstorm and a deep, dark forest. Every detail was thoughtfully crafted to represent the habitats the family journeys through in the book. A particular highlight of our display was a life-size willow bear, created by pupils in our Willow Weaving Club using Brittany willow. This striking feature, nicknamed Brittany, captured the attention of judges and visitors to the show. Five of our Upper One pupils had the opportunity to speak to the judges at the Show. They confidently explained the ideas behind the display and talked the judges through all the hard work that went into creating the display. We are incredibly proud of all the pupils for their creativity, teamwork, and enthusiasm and we’re absolutely delighted to bring be awarded a Gold Medal!
By Eleanor Lewis June 27, 2025
13 U4 pupils recently took part in the online British Physics Olympiad Year 7/8 Physics Challenge. Over 6500 pupils participated from 81 schools across the UK and overseas. The test comprised two 25-minute sets of multiple-choice questions about physics ideas and problem solving, which aimed to encourage wider reading and interest in the subject and to provide an opportunity for pupils to take part in a national physics competition and to develop their confidence in the subject. Our pupils performed exceptionally strongly, obtaining 10 Gold and 3 Silver awards. Congratulations to all! Gold Awards Oscar Zhang Charles Secker Harrison Buskell Jack Johns Siya Patel Boden Barton Maxwell Ford Jiajun Li Faizaan Alam Rowan Kidd Silver Awards Amelia Lodge Bayden Choi Jack Conrad 
By Eleanor Lewis June 26, 2025
This year at the Norfolk Show we hosted t he Great Norfolk Ice Cream Challenge on our Norwich School Stand for the 2 nd year running – it was a huge success and great fun - it was fabulous to be able to help raise important fund for the Build Charity, with the help of Nelsonspirit and Ronaldos. It was also impressive to receive feedback after the event, especially for Tom Conrad who was the project manager for the day, and brilliantly led the project.
More Posts