23rd March 2012
Dear Parents
It is a great pleasure to write to you with Cathedral Close bathed in sunshine and hard to reconcile this
bursting forth of Spring with the dark January evenings only a few weeks ago. Much has been
crammed into an intense and particularly short Lent Term; I trust that all members of the community,
but particularly those preparing for public examinations, will seek an appropriate balance between
recuperation and consolidation in the upcoming holiday. As always, I am grateful to staff for all their
hard work in caring for the pupils, both in and outside the classroom.
School Development
Thank you to all those who contributed to the parental questionnaire at the start of this term. There
were 155 responses, perhaps understandably drawing responses mainly from those with strong
feelings. I am pleased to report that the responses were generally positive about the school, with over
80% of responses agreeing or strongly agreeing that the school successfully establishes its ethos and
pursues each of its three key aims. Less than 3% of responses showed disagreement on any of the
questions, but the school is not complacent in its search to its performance and all issues raised have
been absorbed as we plan for the school’s development in 2012-17.
There will be an opportunity to hear more about the results of the questionnaire and other aspects of
school development during the Head Master’s annual presentation on Monday 28th May at 6 pm in the
School Refectory. Lower and Senior School parents will be welcome to attend and nearer to the time
you will be sent a letter via your son or daughter to give you the opportunity to inform us if you wish
to come.
Staff Retirement – Maurice Thompson
Maurice Thompson retires with effect from the end of this term after 28 ½ years of service in the
mathematics and modern languages departments. Even the longest-serving pupils’ maximum number
of 33 terms at the School is dwarfed by this figure in the 80s and the school is grateful for the subject
expertise offered to generations of pupils throughout this time. Yet the longevity of his service has in
no way rendered Maurice institutionalised. Far from it, he has remained a most individual and
distinctive member of staff, always ready to challenge school orthodoxy and to help pupils with a
similar outlook. In his time he has assisted with extra-curricular activities as diverse as self-defence
and table tennis, but the strength of his convictions is perhaps best seen in his pro-active support for
the Amnesty Group and his work raising money for an orphanage in Argentina. The school is grateful
for all that Maurice has done and wishes him and his family well for the future.
League Tables
You may have noticed the government examination league tables were published earlier this term.
The school’s view of these tables is posted on the school website and can be accessed via the
following link www.norwich-school.org.uk/about/exam-results.asp
Cathedral Flower Festival
As a result of the Flower Festival to be held in the Cathedral between 1 st and 4th June there will be no
vehicular access to the Close for parents on Friday 1st June – including, unfortunately, those who have
permits to park by the west front at the end of the school day.
Notice
It is assumed that pupils in the Upper Sixth will leave the School at the end of the academic year and
no formal notice is required. Parents who are intending to withdraw pupils from any other year
groups, however, including Upper 5, are expected to give a full term’s notice.
Trinity Term Events
Sunday 13th May: Norfolk and Norwich Festival Eucharist (10:30am in the Cathedral)
The Revd Dr Daniel Heischman, Executive Director of the National Association of Episcopal Schools
in the United States will be preaching at this service.
Thursday 24th May:Junior Summer Concert (7.00pm in the Refectory)
Saturday 26th May: House six-a-side cricket festival (Redmayne, 10.00-1.00pm and 2.00-5.00pm)
Brooke, Coke, Seagrim, Nelson, Parker, Repton, School and Valpy will all take to the crease for the
launch of the House Cricket Cup. Pupils, parents and ONs alike are very welcome to come and
support this new and exciting event. It will take place at Redmayne Field and there will be a cash
barbeque running throughout the day. The L4 and U4 competition runs in the morning and the L5 and
M5 competition after lunch.
Sunday 10th June: Confirmation Service (10:00am in the Chapel)
Confirmation classes will begin in the first week of next term. Please contact the Chaplain, the
Reverend Nic Tivey, e-mail ntivey@norwich-school.org.uk, or by telephone 01603 728450, if you
would like further information.
Wednesday 20th June: Deveson Music Prizes (all day in the Chapel)
Saturday 23rd June: Open Day (10.00am – 12.00pm)
Please note that all pupils are expected to be available. All parents will be very welcome to join us on
that occasion, to sample school activities and to see the pupils and teachers around the School. It
would be an ideal opportunity to bring friends who are interested in Norwich School but not yet
directly linked to us. A sit-down lunch will be available by pre-booking; alternatively a barbecue
lunch will be available (no booking required). Further details will be released in the first part of next
term.
Saturday 23rd June: Senior School Speech Day (2.00pm in the Cathedral)
Admission to that part of the day’s events will be by ticket only and more information will be
provided in the first part of next term.
Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th June: The Royal Norfolk Show (Showground)
There will again be a Norwich School marquee at the Norfolk Show. Throughout the two days of the
show (27th and 28th June) staff and pupils will be present to welcome visitors, provide information
about the School and serve refreshments. All Norwich School families will be very welcome to drop
in, so please do come and see us. Wednesday 27th June will be a holiday for all Norwich School
pupils so that families are able to attend the Show.
Friday 29th June: Senior Summer Concert (7.30pm in the Cathedral)
Thursday 5th July: Senior School Sports Day (11:00am in Lower Close)
This event will be held on the penultimate day of next term and parents are welcome to attend.
Events begin before lunch and continue throughout the day, ending in the early evening.
Michaelmas Term Events
Saturday 22nd September: Autumn Open Morning
Please note that all pupils will be expected to be available. The event will be publicised widely nearer
the time, but I should be most grateful if you would pass on this information to friends – particularly
those who may be interested in admissions for September 2013.
I should like to finish by wishing you and your families a joyful Easter.
Yours sincerely
Head Master
SDA Griffiths MA
Head Master
Norwich School
70 The Close
Norwich NR1 4DD
01603 728430
www.norwich-school.org.uk