July 2013
Dear Parents
We have reached the end of another full and rewarding school year and I am most grateful to all members of
the community for their contributions: pupils, teachers, support staff, parents, ONs and other friends of the
school have all played their part in enabling Norwich School to thrive, blending a rich tradition with cutting
edge innovation.
The early part of the term was characterised by rigour and a purposeful determination in the run-up to
examinations, both external and internal. Pupils are to be congratulated for their discipline, as are teachers
for the extra support and care they provide at this time of year.
The calm of examination preparation has given way to an explosion of activity in the final weeks of the term
as the school has celebrated its involvement in the inaugural Young Norfolk Arts Festival and I have
delayed the sending of this letter until all the events were concluded. As well as other end of year activities
such as Open Morning, Speech Day, the sponsored walk, Duke of Edinburgh activities and university trips,
we have had a wide variety of different cultural ventures:
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Gala Night of Magical Dreams at the Theatre Royal
Much Ado About Nothing in the Cathedral Cloister
Deveson Music Prize concert in the Assembly Rooms
Late Night Service in the Cathedral
Audience, the 5th Form Play, in the Puppet Theatre
The Norfolk Children’s Book Festival in the Lower Close marquee
The Pied Piper of Hamelin and Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations, the 4th Form Play, in no 68, The
Close
The Charity Fashion Show at the Open Venue
The Leavers Ball at Carrow Road
The Friends Summer Fair on the Lower Close
The Lord Mayor’s Procession
The ON Jazz evening at Epic
All in all, it has been a most stimulating end of term and I thank all involved, both those putting on events
and those attending in support.
For further details of all the school’s recent activities, please go to the news section of the school website:
www.norwich-school.org.uk.
School Development Plan
The governors approved last year a move from a formal five-year development plan to a rolling
programme. The 2013 version was presented to parents on Monday 10th June; the executive summary is
available on the school website.
Community Service
Parents will be aware that it is now an expectation of our Sixth Form that they will make a contribution to
the wider community. I am delighted to report that the first year of our expanded service programme has
been well-received, both by pupils and by our partner organisations. Mr Plater, the deputy head
(co-curriculum) has introduced the scheme and offers the following reflections:
Community Service in the Lower Sixth has been a real success with pupils experiencing a wide range of
placements, such as: working with the blind at the Norwich and Norfolk Association for the blind; helping
out at Corton House, a residence for the elderly; working in primary schools; or doing conservation on
SSSI. The programme will now be extended into the Upper Sixth with a wider variety of placements on
offer. The success can be measured in the letters of appreciation received and in the willingness of the
pupils to be involved beyond school time.
Next year's Lower Sixth have just taken part in a Community Service week which culminated in a
Placements Fair at which many providers from charities, schools and specialist bodies offered information
and help to the pupils thereby enabling them to have a more informed choice when opting for placements
for next academic year. The week began with presentations from representatives from the Wilberforce
Trust and Street Child, both charities working with the poor and underprivileged after which the pupils
went to volunteer in their chosen area of community service.
Independent Study
It is also expected that members of the Lower Sixth will embark on a piece of independent study to prepare
for further study at tertiary level. The independent study projects have progressed well during the course of
the year. It is expected that pupils will now spend some time over the summer finishing their research and
drafting their pieces of work ready for presentation and discussion at the start of next term as they gear up
for the university admissions process.
Work Experience
The school is keen to expand its list of parents who might be interested in talking to pupils about their jobs
or offering short periods of work experience. If you feel this is something you may be able to help with then
please contact Mr Croston: wcroston@norwich-school.org.uk.
Buildings and Facilities
The major project this summer is the extension to the Lower School. Construction will start in earnest at the
start of the summer holiday, while the intention is for the new facility to be open at the start of the Lent
Term 2014. The school will also proceed with its normal summer maintenance programme.
Musical at the Playhouse
Our next major musical, Sweet Charity, runs at the Playhouse from Wednesday 20 November until
Saturday 23 November 2013. This promises to be another wonderful show and I urge parents to put the
dates in their diaries. Details of when tickets go on sale will follow at the start of the Michaelmas Term;
tickets will be available to purchase from the Box Office at the Theatre Royal.
Public Examination Results
There follows a final reminder about our arrangements.
CIE IGCSE results will be posted on Tuesday 13 August
A2 results will be available from 08:00 am on Thursday 15 August. The Advice Team will be available on
that day and also on Friday 16th August.
Those members of the Lower Sixth who are expecting AS results on 15 August are asked to come to BS2 at
2:00 pm.
GCSE/IGCSE results will be available from 9:00 am on Thursday 22 August. Members of staff will be
present on that day and also Friday 23 August to discuss matters emerging from the results.
Results may be collected from S3.
Refreshments will be available.
Leaving Staff
It is with regret and much affection that we say farewell to the following teaching staff at the end of this
academic year.
Harriet Temple and Tom Williams, two of the Senior School sports gap students, Jessica Diggins, the
musician-in-residence, and Lucy Temple, the Lower School Gap Student, have been constant sources of
assistance and expertise.
The German Language Assistant, Lea-Kristina Nagel, and the French Language Assistant, Claire
Godezenne, have been excellent with both pupils and staff. I am grateful for their help.
Hannah Godfrey started in 2011 and has thrown herself into each of the major sports in the Games
programme, while also being an integral member of the team delivering sports science to public
examination groups. Her major sport is hockey and she has run the girls programme this year. She has, in
addition, been a caring and wholly supportive tutor. She goes with our good wishes to explore teaching
opportunities overseas.
Amelia Ireland also started in 2011 as a newly qualified teacher. She is one of the modern breed of
teachers: conspicuously reflective in her practice and interested in pedagogical development. She has been
a well-organised and popular teacher of English, but has also got involved with extra-curricular activities
such as Writers Bloc and Duke of Edinburgh. She leaves Norwich School to take up a teaching post at
Berkhamsted School.
Eleanor Gilroy started as a Biology teacher in 2009. She has been a key member of her department in the
delivery of her subject in the upper school and has been reliable in producing strong results at all levels.
With her positive manner and professionalism, it is no surprise to see her get a promotion and she embarks
on a role as second in the science department at Broadland High School.
Clarissa Szirtes has had an involvement with the Art Department since 1994 and has brought considerable
expertise to her delivery of various disciplines and printmaking in her time at the school. Pupils have
benefitted greatly from her enthusiasm and passion for this particular medium. Norwich School is lucky to
have been able to call on the services of one so expert and we wish her well in her retirement.
Robert Hambleton started teaching in the Lower School in 1988. His enthusiastic teaching and
pleasantness around school have made him popular with pupils, staff and parents alike. In particular, his
teaching of English has set up many a Norvicensian on a creative path over the years. He has been Deputy
Head of the Lower School and Director of Studies, before taking up a part-time role in 2010. He sets about
his retirement with all our good wishes.
Roger Gardiner has also been at Norwich School since 1988. An erudite man with a wide range of
interests, he has both taught Economics and taken on the Head of Department role in his time at Norwich
School, moving to a part-time role in 2010. He has also run Cultural Studies, been the school librarian, been
a tutor in Coke House, as well as being involved with Mace debating competition and the cross-country
team. Perhaps something of a hidden talent for many current pupils, but a source of pleasure to
Norvicensians down the years has been Roger’s role as the lead singer of the much loved staff band, Beard,
alongside rock heavyweights such as Messrs Hooper, Bateman and McIvor. Think Rolling Stones
headlining Glastonbury, and then double it! We wish him well in retirement and hope to see him at Norwich
School Friends events in the future.
John Walker started in 1972, 41 years ago. During that time, he has run pretty much everything to do with
Art and Design, the range of Art, Design and Sculpture at O and A level all starting because of his
innovations. Outside the classroom, he has constructed and painted over 60 stage sets for school drama
productions, been the school photographer for 20 years and been responsible for both Norvicensians and
school prospectuses. In addition, he has been an examiner in this country and further afield, while also
being involved in the strategic development of Art examinations across the world.
Since going part-time in 2007, John has involved himself in the Norwich School archive and I am delighted
that he will take up an expanded role as school archivist from 2013. The school will also benefit from his
unique experience, both of the school and wider education, as he takes a role on the governing body.
New Bursar
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs Mary Cherry to the post of Bursar at Norwich School;
Mary will be starting at school in mid-August. Mary joins the school from Chelmsford County High School
for Girls, Essex, where she has been working as Bursar/Business Manager since 2008. Prior to that Mary
worked as Financial Officer at Broomfield Primary School, Essex, and also at various locations for the Ford
Motor Company as Financial Controller/Manager.
New Teaching Staff
Joining from
Kate Copson
LS KS2 Teacher
University of York; PGCE (UEA)
Georgina Finney
PE & Games Teacher
Claydon High School, Ipswich
Edward Hodgson
Physics Teacher
Loughborough University; PGCE (UEA)
Robert Sorrell
Head of Hockey
Kampong Hockey Club, Netherlands
Claire Warren
Biology Teacher
The School of St Helen & St Katharine, Abingdon
Eleanor Wasserberg
English Teacher
Flying Classrooms, Norwich
Tom White
Head of Economics
Norwich High School for Girls
We also have a strong team of graduate gap placements joining for 2013/4: 3 experts in our major games
and a specialist strength and conditioning coach in sport, as well as experts for music, design and Art.
India Trip 2014
Mrs Saywack will lead a trip to Ladakh in North India from the end of Trinity term (6 July) to the end of
July (overall, about 23 days). Flying to Delhi, then to Leh in Ladakh, which is the foothills of the
Himalayas, the trip will then include: sightseeing and white-water rafting; the Sham trek over 4 days; and
time spent at Diskit Monastery in the Nubra Valley as guests of GTC Monastic School which Norwich
School supports. In addition, pupils will have the opportunity to get involved in teaching and doing some
research, as well as taking the boy monks out for picnics and camel-rides. The trip will end with a higher
altitude Shang trek over 5 days and, finally, some time spent in Leh and Delhi before returning to the UK.
The projected costs are £1,600-£1,800 per person; figures to be confirmed in September 2013. This would
suit pupils in M5-U6, although L5 pupils would also be considered. To register your interest, or for any
queries regarding the trip, please email Mrs Saywack: dsaywack@norwich-school.org.uk
It only remains for me to wish you and your family an enjoyable and relaxing holiday.
Yours sincerely
SDA Griffiths
Head Master