There was festive fun for all ages at ‘A Family Christmas Concert’ on Sunday 14 December – with audience members also helping to raise more than £200 for the homeless in the area.

Hosted by Springwood High School, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, the West Norfolk Wind Orchestra (WNWO) performance was free of charge, with those attending invited to make a donation to charity.

“A Family Christmas Concert took place in the Drama Studio at Springwood and was attended by around 120 audience members,” said Robin Norman, who is Director of Music at both WNAT and Springwood, as well as founder of the WNWO.

“The concert was free to attend, with a retiring collection in aid of the Night Shelter in King’s Lynn – we raised over £220 for them.”

Mr Norman is conductor of the orchestra, while WNWO musicians also include members of staff from Springwood and other schools across the Trust.

“WNWO was formed by myself to meet the needs of the local musical community,” he explained. “It is the first community group under a Community Music Initiative, and has grown from 20 musicians to over 40 in the past two years.

“I conduct the group, but we do also have other staff members from across the Trust who play instruments and are involved. This includes staff from Springwood and West Lynn Primary, as well as many of our peripatetic tutors.”

WNWO concerts take place each term at Springwood, and this one had an especially celebratory feel in the run up to the holidays.

“All the pieces performed were either Christmas or family-orientated, so everything was suitable for children,” continued Mr Norman. “The highlights were definitely ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ (as used in Disney Fantasia with Mickey Mouse as the apprentice), and ‘Peter and the Wolf’.

“Our next performance is on Sunday 29 March, titled ‘Spectacular Classics’, where we will be performing the epic ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’, as well as other classical favourites.”

“Springwood is really proud to work with our local community on a number of different projects,” he added. “Our Community Music Initiative is there to work with local musicians and to bridge the gaps from the fantastic work being undertaken by organisations such as the West Norfolk Music centre, and higher-level organisations such as the Norfolk Symphony Orchestra.

“The Wind Orchestra is the first group in this, but we will be starting an orchestra in the same vein to help support the musicians in the area. The second group, the West Norfolk Pops Orchestra, will be starting rehearsals in 2026, and we welcome interest in being involved from String, Brass, Woodwind, or Percussion players who are Grade 5 standard or above.”

Young voices from across our schools came together to celebrate the season at the annual West Norfolk Academies Trust Christmas Carol Service.

The popular event took place at St Nicholas Chapel on Wednesday 3 December, and featured performances from around 250 pupils from across the primary and secondary schools within both the Trust and the Windmill Federation.

“The annual event is a traditional Christmas Carol Service with a selection of readings, a blessing from Canon Mark Dimond from the Minster, and also communal carols, as well as each group of schools performing a song on their own,” said our Director of Music, Robin Norman.

“This is the fourth time we have run this event, and it was my ‘brainchild’ to bring a more traditional feel to an event in the town,” he continued. “One that could bring together all of our schools, our parents, and the local community in general – something that would become magical and truly give the Christmas Spirit.

“We started with around 250 in the congregation for the first one in 2022, and this year there was ‘standing room only’, so I am absolutely thrilled how it has grown.”

Participating primary schools included WNAT members Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Heacham Infant, Heacham Junior, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn, along with Terrington St John, Tilney St Lawrence, Walpole Highway, and West Walton from the Windmill Federation; while the WNAT high schools taking part were Marshland, St Clements, Smithdon, and Springwood.

“Many members of staff have been involved in the organisation, but a particular thanks to Emma Pearman in the Admin Team for her work on the logistics,” added Mr Norman.

“Also, a huge shout-out to all the teachers across all the schools who worked with the children and made it a truly memorable event. It really helps bring the community together and bring a magical start to the Christmas Season.”

Computing disasters, and the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) were on the agenda – along with missiles and monkeys – when WNAT students enjoyed an annual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) event.

It was the fourth year that Springwood High School had hosted the STEM Christmas Lectures, which were open to students of all ages, with parents also invited to attend.

“The audience included students from across the school, with representatives coding from each year group,” said STEM Lead Victoria Mann.

“While all are welcome, special invites are provided to students that are taking part in STEM activities throughout the school, and those studying a STEM subject at Key Stage 5, including our biologists, chemists, physicists, mathematicians, technology students, and computer scientists.”

This year’s speaker was Geoff Martin from Green Custard, a Cambridge-based consultancy that specialises in the Internet of Things, creating bespoke engineering solutions.

“Geoff gave great insight into careers in the computing sector, talked about some of the disasters that occur when things go wrong, and shared thoughts on the ever-topical question of AI – a real treat for all our budding computer scientists,” continued Mrs Mann.

“The event continues to be supported by Springwood’s Senior Leadership Team and Science Department. We were delighted to also include our Computer Science Department in this year’s event.”

Besides the talk from Mr Martin, there was a practical demonstration, which examined the science behind a classic physics question.

“The talk was complemented by an interactive session from Assistant Head Richard Thompson, who walked students through the physics explored via the Hunter and the Monkey Problem,” explained Mrs Mann. “Generating much excitement, electromagnets, projectiles, and toy monkeys came together in this famous scientific experiment.”

“The STEM Christmas Lectures continue to form a key component of our expansive STEM offering at Springwood," she added.

“A good understanding of STEM subjects drives up attainment for our students, gives them insights into the world of work, and a greater understanding of the career opportunities they might meet in the future.

“The lectures themselves allow students to interact with specialists in their field of interest, ask questions of people working in STEM now, and inspire all students to look beyond the classroom in these subjects.

“It also helps us to reach out to, and include, our parents in the subjects that really excite their children, further strengthening our school community.”

Gangsters, police officers, and a host of singing nuns entertained musical theatre lovers in Hunstanton, when students at Smithdon High School staged their annual end-of-year show.

Based on the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, Sister Act Junior tells the story of lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier, who witnesses her gangster boyfriend commit a murder, and is forced into hiding in a convent, disguised as a nun.

Around 40 students from Years 7 to 11 took part in the production at Smithdon, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust. Cast members included Geo as Deloris, Rae as Mother Superior, Alfie as Monsignor O’Hara, Harry as Eddie Souther, Millie Mae as Sister Mary Patrick, Ellie as Sister Mary Robert, and Darcie as Sister Mary Lazarus.

Students had an equally important role to play behind the scenes, with Stage Manager Miles and Backstage Crew Air, Archie, Blake, and George, all working to support the show, which took place on two consecutive evenings, on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 December. There was also a Thursday morning performance for Smithdon’s Year 7 students together with Year 5 pupils from WNAT primary schools.

“The highlight of the show was the chase that happens between the gangsters and the nuns,” said Drama Teacher Kayleigh Brown, who choreographed the performance.

Among the other staff members involved in this year’s production were Lead Drama Teacher Vicky Proctor; Design and Technology Teacher Alix Birks; Lead Music Teacher Andrea Barnes; and Head of Design and Technology Sian Wheeler.

The show has become a regular fixture at Smithdon, and Sister Act follows last year’s production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

“Opportunities like these are invaluable for students, giving them the chance to perform in front of audiences, build confidence, work to deadlines, understand the technical aspects of a production, and develop strong teamwork skills,” continued Miss Brown.

“I was completely blown away,” added Headteacher Amanda Gibbins. “The performers, lighting and sound team, and the backstage crew were all outstanding in putting on an amazingly slick and impressive production, which moved me to tears.

“I am so proud of all the students involved – and extremely grateful to all the staff who give up their free time to enable the students to gain such a professional experience.”

There was a crafty twist to the festivities, when a WNAT school celebrated the season with its annual Christmas Craft Fair.

Organised by the Parents Teachers and Friends Association (PTFA), the event at Springwood High School in King’s Lynn featured a host of activities, games, competitions, hand-made gifts, home-baked goodies, and refreshments.

Some 30 stalls offered visitors a wide selection of products, from hand-knitted crafts and 3D-printed designs, to sweets, home-made candles, wax melts, and skin care products; while charities represented at the event included Girl Guides and Samaritans.

Those up for a challenge were able to try their hand at a Candy Cane Pull, a Buzz Game, and a Lucky Square, along with Guess the Name of the Mouse, and there were also competitions such as Name the Teddy, a tombola, and a Rainbow Raffle, where each hamper contained items of a single colour.

“Our students created some wonderful stalls, as well as helping on the PTFA stalls,” said Fez Williams, who is Chair of the Springwood PTFA.

“We had games created by each year group from 7 to 11, with four students per year group taking part, which excludes six students helping with the tombola, Candy Cane, and Name a Bear.

“We also had a wonderful sixth former selling home-made gingerbread people, beautiful hand-painted coasters, and Guess the Mouse’s Name.”

Besides Mrs Williams, those involved in organising the event included Springwood Deputy Head Richard Thompson, and Senior Assistant Head Rebecca Davies-Mays, with fellow PTFA members Charley Larkman, Emma Norris, Rachel Curtis, Geoff Martin, Laura Farr, Gemma Coady, Suzi Ludgater, Leanne Leggett, Gemma Blackburn, Esme Williams, and Beth Knevett.

“The highlight was seeing the joy that the silly games brought to so many, including our amazing teaching staff – and seeing three months of hard work and prep pay off,” added Mrs WIlliams.

“The success lies within all the hard work of our PTFA members, and none of it could have been done without any of them.”

Lessons in life-saving were on the timetable at a WNAT school, when students undertook vital first aid training – thanks to funding from the Town Council.

An impressive 150 Year 9 and 10 students at Smithdon High School completed the sessions, which took place across a two-day period.

“Over the past seven years, we have applied for several grants that have allowed us to have the most trained youngsters in first aid in the area,” said Alysha Moat, Assistant Head of Key Stage 3, who helped organise the event.

“We applied for a grant from the Town Council, who kindly paid for all of Year 9 to take part. We want to have as many youngsters as possible trained as we can in the area.”

The programme was delivered by RCR Services, which provides training in first aid, health and safety, and fire safety, and has been working with Smithdon for the past six years.

Skills covered included basic first aid, as well as training in automated defibrillator use, Epi Pens, CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation), and how to treat cuts, bleeds, and burns.

“This is an element of the Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education (PSHE) Curriculum,” continued Ms Moat.

“This qualification has helped them with their GCSE subjects, such as Health and Social Care, their Duke of Edinburgh Awards, PSHE Curriculum, Science, and Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN), et cetera.”

As well as receiving financial support from Hunstanton Town Council, the first-aiders were supported in person during the training by Mayor Cynthia Easeman and Deputy Mayor Mark Williamson.

“The Mayor and Deputy Mayor both attended to see what the students were up to,” explained Ms Moat. “The Mayor said they both thoroughly enjoyed the time spent watching, learning, and chatting to the students.”

“Events like this are massively important,” she added. “Completing the course allows students to learn life-long, valuable skills, and boost their CV, having a bigger impact on the students’ aspirations, attitudes, and behaviours in and outside school.

“It also provides the local community with many more qualified people in first aid – a vital thing, considering the current crisis the NHS is in.”