Trips, Expeditions and Exchanges

Lucy P (Lower 5) reports on Norwich School Music's exciting visit to St.Nicholas Church in Kings Lynn for a special Music in the Burnhams concert. It was a great honour to be asked by the Kings Lynn Festival Chorus to sing as the young voices of World-famous composer Sir Karl Jenkins’ piece Cantata Memoria in his presence. He is one of the most famous living composers in the UK and one of his pieces, The Armed Man , was recently voted as the most popular piece of classical music in the Classic FM Hall of Fame. On Saturday 9 May 2026, members of the Norwich School Junior choir and the Norwich Lower School Chamber Choir set off for St. Nicholas church Kings Lynn. When we arrived, we started rehearsing Cantata Memoria with the lovely conductor: Ben Horden, the professional Orchestra and the Kings Lynn Festival Chorus. Many of the junior and lower school chamber choir had never sung with an orchestra before, making this an incredible new experience for all of them. Before the concert, we had free time to sit outside the beautiful church and eat dinner in preparation for the long concert. The concert was in two parts, although we did not sing in the first half it was very exciting to hear some of Sir Karl Jenkins other works, such as his Te Deum and his Mass For Peace . In the second half we sang the Cantata Memoria – a piece composed to commemorate the Aberfan Disaster of 1966, where 144 people (mostly children) died when a coal spoil tip engulfed the small Welsh mining village. The Cantata was both beautiful and intense telling the story. In between movements we could look at the audience, some of which were in tears from the sheer beauty and sadness of the piece. The orchestra was spectacular and so were the soloists, Khrystyna Makar (soprano) and Paul Carey Jones (baritone/bass). Their captivating performances added to the incredible atmosphere of the concert. At the end of the concert, we all got to gather to take a photo with Sir Karl who was very impressed by the performance, congratulating us on our contribution. Overall, it was an amazing experience for all of us who went to sing.

VEX Worlds 2026: A Three-Day Journey of Innovation, Teamwork, and Inspiration At the end of April, our VEX Robotics team travelled to St. Louis, Missouri, to compete in the VEX World Championships, an experience that proved to be both unforgettable and transformative. Across three packed days, the team demonstrated resilience, growth, and a deep passion for robotics, all while competing on a truly global stage. Day One: Arrival, Preparation, and a Spectacular Opening The excitement was palpable from the moment we arrived in the USA. Facing an early start, the team reached the vast convention centre at 7:40am, immediately confronted by the scale of the venue: over 500,000 square feet of exhibition space. Finding our pit area was no small challenge, but the team quickly rose to the occasion. In no time, they transformed their plain black pit into a vibrant and engaging hub that attracted attention from competitors across the world. This early display of creativity and teamwork set the tone for the rest of the event, with pupils proudly sharing ideas and engaging in conversations with teams from a wide range of countries. The morning’s main hurdle came during robot check-in. A tense period followed as last-minute adjustments were required before the robot could pass inspection. Despite the pressure, the team remained calm, working methodically to resolve the issues. With some creative problem-solving and the generous help of a convention centre staff member who even angle-ground a wheel axle! The robot was successfully cleared for competition. After exploring the venue and picking up some VEX Worlds merchandise, the team enjoyed a brief lunch in the sunshine before heading to the opening ceremony, held in the iconic Dome at the America’s Center, a former Super Bowl venue. The scale and atmosphere of the event were truly awe-inspiring. A particular highlight was Edward T being selected to represent the United Kingdom in the Parade of Nations. Watching him take to the stage alongside participants from 52 countries was a proud and memorable moment for the entire team. The day concluded with a judges’ interview, practice driving sessions, and initial strategy discussions with alliance partners. With preparations complete, anticipation was high for the competition to begin. Day Two: Competition and Collaboration The second day saw the competition fully underway, with the team taking part in numerous matches alongside alliance partners from around the globe. Each match presented new challenges, with an exceptionally high standard of performance across all teams. Throughout the day, the team worked tirelessly to refine their strategies, learning from each match and adapting their approach accordingly. Between rounds, there was a strong focus on collaboration: reviewing performances, sharing feedback, and making rapid improvements. It was clear to see the team growing in confidence, not only in their technical abilities but also in their communication and teamwork. Their ability to stay focused and adapt under pressure became one of their greatest strengths. Day Three: Progress, Inspiration, and Looking Ahead On the final day, the team completed their remaining qualification matches. Although they were not in contention for the finals, they demonstrated remarkable progress, achieving their two highest scores of the competition. This was a clear reflection of how much they had learned and how their confidence had developed over the course of the event. With matches complete, the team took time to explore other pit areas: one of the highlights of the competition. Meeting teams from around the world and exchanging wristbands and stickers (“swag”) proved to be a memorable and meaningful cultural experience. The afternoon was spent watching the division finals, where the level of skill and innovation on display was truly inspiring. The excitement continued into the closing ceremony in the Dome, where division winners competed for the title of World Champion before a packed audience. A dramatic draw and rematch in the Elementary School division, culminating in a perfect score, provided a thrilling conclusion to the competition. The event ended with the highly anticipated reveal of next year’s game, sparking excitement and fresh ideas for the season ahead. The team left St. Louis motivated, inspired, and determined to return stronger. A Strong Performance and Lasting Impact The team’s performance at VEX Worlds was a significant achievement. They finished mid-table in the Driving Skills category out of 420 teams, a highly competitive field and dramatically improved their performance compared to their national scores. Their average score rose from 91.44 at the national level to 193.62 at Worlds, a testament to their dedication, preparation, and resilience. Beyond the scores, however, the experience offered something even greater: the opportunity to collaborate globally, learn from the very best, and gain inspiration for the future. Armed with new knowledge, stronger skills, and higher ambitions, the team is already looking ahead to next year’s competition with renewed determination.