The Upper 3's deepened their understanding of world religions during a special session with a guest speaker who introduced them to the origins and teachings of Buddhism. They were especially engaged by the emphasis on mindfulness and enjoyed practising simple meditation techniques to help focus and calm the mind. 

The Lower School Chamber Choir recently enjoyed a wonderful musical collaboration, welcoming their friends from Boucher School from London for a special afternoon choir workshop. The session was filled with energy, enthusiasm and creativity, as the children worked together to learn a selection of new songs, including Only You , Scarborough Fair , and Count on Me by Bruno Mars. Guided by three talented choir leaders, the pupils embraced the opportunity to develop their vocal skills, build confidence and experience the joy of singing as part of a larger ensemble. One of the highlights of the day was the chance to work with different choir leaders, each bringing their own unique style and expertise. The children responded brilliantly, showing focus, teamwork and a genuine love of music throughout the workshop. The day culminated in a special concert held in the Senior School Chapel, where the combined choirs performed to an enthusiastic and supportive audience. The performance was a true celebration of the hard work and dedication shown by all involved, and the Chapel was filled with uplifting harmonies and smiles. Head of Music, Mr Vine, praised the event, saying: “A wonderful afternoon and evening with some fantastic music making. Well done to Boucher School and the Lower School Chamber Choir for all their hard work, and a big thank you to our fantastic choir leaders.” It was a memorable experience for everyone involved, and a shining example of the power of music to bring people together.

The Lower 5 Battlefields Trip continues be a highlight of the History Department's calendar. This year we took 72 pupils on a First World War journey of discovery that was both exciting and moving. Our itinerary included two days around Ypres in Belgium and a third day walking the Somme battlefield in France. Along the way, we heard the extraordinary stories of some of those who lost their lives in the war, we came to appreciate the scale, terrain and challenges faced by the soldiers, and we saw for ourselves their trenches and equipment. We performed acts of remembrance for Old Norvicensians whose graves we visited, and after three busy days were buzzing with discussion and a desire to explore further, encouraged by four extremely skilled and knowledgeable guides who brought it all to life for us.  Amongst all the history, we also made sure we had time for chocolate shopping in the beautiful town of Ypres.

On Monday 8 June, the UCAS team accompanied by Sixth Form tutors took the Lower 6 to the Norwich UCAS Convention to continue their journey of exploring their future after Norwich School. With over 100 universities present, our pupils could speak directly with university representatives and find out more about courses, entry requirements, halls of residences and student life. The convention also allows our pupils to see how many others want to go to university as well as learning more about different universities from Dundee to Exeter as well as about degree apprenticeships. Our pupils are now starting to get all the information they need to apply successfully in the autumn. We encourage them to go out on Open Days to see the universities at first hand and later in the month, there will be more guidance on filling out the UCAS form and how to write the important personal statement. Norwich School’s successful record with university applications over many years Is a key part of our Sixth Form offer.

The ‘Making Musicians’ Music Scholars’ Programme at Norwich School is well established and a jewel in the school’s crown. Occasionally, external professionals are enticed to join us to give a breathtaking masterclass to provide real inspiration to young scholars. On 05 June 2026, we had just such a concert given by Hannah Watson Emmrich, local musician and amazingly talented pianist. She guided a very supportive audience through her new album Notes from the Undergrowth at a concert held in the glorious school Chapel. This album of piano music was being launched at the event. A very intelligently choreographed programme commenced with piano works evoking daybreak and idyllic woodland scenes, followed by an exploration of some of the flora and fauna lurking in the under-canopy, before moving into melancholic pieces reminiscent of sunset (such as nightingales) and finally the peace of nightfall (nocturnes, night moths etc). Alternating astonishing technical excellence and powerful storytelling, Hannah evoked the myriad sounds and sensations of woodland in her performance. Included in her repertoire were three newly commissioned pieces and the audience included Joshua Borin who had composed one of the works called Crex (conjuring up the creepy world of slime mould in music - yes, really!) Our Music Scholars were in attendance and learned much from Hannah’s keyboard mastery and from her achingly beautiful programme of music. We all wish the album a positive reception. See: Notes from the undergrowth | Hannah Watson Emmrich . Heartfelt thanks go to Hannah for such an accomplished performance and to our very appreciative audience who left the Chapel enthralled.

Recently Pre-Reception and Upper One pupils had an enriching experience observing the peregrine falcons which live on the spire of Norwich Cathedral. They visited the Watchpoint, a viewing station run by the Hawk and Owl trust and learned that the falcon pair currently have two chicks. Pupils were able to view both parent birds bringing food to the chick, and they had the opportunity to watch them being fed close-up, through telescopes. Using binoculars, they also observed the various other birds that live in and around the Cathedral Close. Pupils also examined models of different birds of prey, such as a kestrel and a hobby, noticing how they are adapted to catch their prey. To complete their visit, the children had fun trying on model wings of various UK birds of prey and even tested them out by going on a short 'flight' around the Lower Close. Thanks to the Hawk and Owl Trust for providing pupils with this excellent encounter with the fascinating wildlife that we share the Cathedral Close with.

In the last DofE year (April to April), 21 pupils have achieved their Gold DofE , 18 having started at Bronze. A DofE Gold award is highly regarded by universities and employers. To achieve the award, participants must undertake the usual 3 sections of volunteering, physical and skill, two for 12 months and the third for 6 months. If they have not achieved Silver, they must undertake one 12-month section for a further 6 months - 18 months for that section. They must complete a practice expedition and then the qualifying expedition, both of 4 days and 3 nights. They must also complete the extra residential Gold section, Going away for 5 days, staying in shared accommodation to undertake an activity with people they haven't met before. Having achieved their award, they are invited to attend a Gold Award Celebration at Buckingham Palace. At the time of writing, 7 Award holders have attended, 2 in the rain and 5 in the May heatwave! Congratulations to them and all Gold award holders.

The Lower School library was transformed last week into an enchanted wood as Upper 1- Upper 2 pupils stepped into the pages of The Faraway Tree and enjoyed a magical after‑school adventure. Children arrived dressed as their favourite characters — from Moon‑Face to Silky the Fairy — ready to climb into a world of imagination and wonder. The journey began at the foot of the Faraway Tree, where pupils tip‑toed past the Angry Pixie, and were careful not to get splashed by Dame Washalot’s famously dirty water. From there, they travelled through a series of whimsical lands at the top of the tree, each offering a hands‑on activity inspired by Enid Blyton’s beloved stories. In the Land of Goodies, pupils decorated tree shaped biscuits with icing and sprinkles. The Land of Birthdays invited everyone to make a special wish and create their own crown, and finally, children designed their own fairy doors for the magical creatures they imagined living inside the Faraway Tree.  The event ended in the Land of Goodies with pupils eating their biscuits and having a drink of fruit punch. It was a joyful celebration of creativity, reading and childhood imagination and this adventure will hopefully inspire many more children to read these wonderful books.

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! May is Sci-Fi month and we’ve turned to Joel Newman, who’s a big Sci-Fi fan. Let's find out more about why Mr Newman loves the fantasy genre... Tell us a little bit about the genre; what common themes or elements do you particularly enjoy? I love Sci-Fi stories with a focus on worldbuilding and setting – science fiction allows authors to be so creative with things we often take for granted in real life. If a story features aliens or space, I will always judge it based on how interesting or complex the author makes things like the alien’s language and biology – the weirder the better – or how beautiful a picture of space they can paint with just words. What was the book that introduced you to Sci-Fi? Was there a particular book or author that made you fall in love with this genre? I love The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy series by Douglas Adams, it has the perfect blend of absurd funny moments and interesting concepts that really fed my imagination as a child. Some of my absolute favourites are Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary and The Martian: Weir’s enthusiasm for physics and real-life science makes his fiction very immersive. Has your taste in this genre changed over time? My taste in Sci-Fi has changed as I’ve studied science more and more – I won’t settle for a poorly explained spaceship anymore – but I still love the same weirdness that first made the genre so appealing to me. Would you recommend this genre to someone who doesn’t usually read it? Why? Absolutely. Reading Sci-Fi makes you more curious about the world around you, and curious is one of the best things to be. If you’ve never read sci-fi but you like reading, I think it’s the perfect genre to get those creative juices flowing because it gives the idea that anything is possible! What do you enjoy most about reading, whether Sci-Fi or anything else? Reading is the best way to relax. If there’s ever anything worrying me or stressing me out, getting lost in a book for half an hour is always enough to put me in the right headspace to take on the day. 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 like to read in bed: it’s warm, comfortable, and no one’s going to interrupt me. I can’t think of a more perfect time to read than before you sleep. Click here for the monthly Reading List!