A Drama Teacher from a WNAT school celebrated his impending retirement after 39 years in the profession with a gripping production of The 39 Steps.

Alun Bliss chose to stage the Hitchcock classic with a small cast of just four sixth formers from Springwood High School, along with a supporting back-stage crew of students, which included three Assistant Stage Managers from Year 8.

The play tells the story of a man who witnesses a murder and must then escape both the killers and the police, as he attempts to clear his name.

Gracie Ashley, from Year 13, took the title role of protagonist Richard Hannay, while Keira Plume in Year 12 played the different women that he encounters, and Maggie Bartrum and Ava Freer (both Year 13) were Clowns 1 and 2.

“I deliberately went back to the very first idea, where a small group of sixth formers asked me to direct a play,” said Mr Bliss, who joined Springwood in 1991.

“Doing a small cast production and working with a small cast and crew seemed perfect.

“It was only through looking for photos of past productions that I realised that this was probably the 39th production in my 39th year of teaching."

Over 300 people attended the production, which took place in the Springwood Drama Studio over three consecutive nights, and was based on the well known 1935 Alfred Hitchcock thriller.

“It was thoroughly enjoyed by all, with many commenting upon the quality of the acting and the overall theatricality,” continued Mr Bliss.  “Several enjoyed the train scene and the variety of characters created.

“Most commented upon the versatility of the actors and the imaginative use of the space.”

The closing performance was followed by a speech from Assistant Head Pete Cuss.

“Pete Cuss said a few kind words to mark my last production after the final performance,” added Mr Bliss.  “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to stay at the school. There are always new challenges to keep us busy.”

However, it won’t be the final curtain for Mr Bliss, who intends to continue to tread the boards in retirement.
“I am looking forward to giving more time to things like travel and playing music, but will probably do plenty of theatre work,” he said. “I will probably do some Theatre in Education projects.”

Our schools pulled out all the stops to mark this year’s World Book Day, with everything from guest speakers to Masked Readers.

Primary pupils arrived in class dressed as characters ranging from Goldilocks to The Gruffalo, with everything in between as both staff and children celebrated the day.

Smithdon High School held a two-week literary festival which included World Book Day based on Alice in Wonderland. There were also guest speakers on other specially themed days. 

There was also a 500-word story competition, book swap and other events throughout the fortnight where donations were also collected for the Tapping House Hospice.

“The themed day brings books alive. It can show students that reading can indeed be fun. With costumes, and decorating the library to the theme, it gives students a visual of the story and brings the characters off the page. We hope it inspires students,” said Amanda Wright, Head of English and festival co-organiser.

Hiccup the Viking was among characters at Gaywood Primary School where children dressed as their favourite characters from nominated authors. Year 1 could choose from Julia Donaldson books, including the Gruffalo; Year 2 had Jill Tomlinson, creator of The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark; Year 3 chose from Roald Dahl and Year 4 focused on Cressida Cowell who created the Viking series.

West Lynn children had a Masked Reader competition and they also took part in a contest to design a book cover.

Our coastal schools for younger children enjoyed a variety of events - including dressing as a book character. Family and friends also took part and were invited to join pupils to create book character vegetables.

Pupils at Clenchwarton could tuck into Ratburger with Gangsta Granny’s Salad with a special World Book Day menu to choose from, which was also available at other Trust primaries.

St Clements High School students visited the village primary school to read to younger children and enthuse them with all things literary. There were also competitions and cakes on offer.

Marshland High School welcomed author and illustrator Pen Avey who spoke to students about her work and the importance of reading for pleasure.

Pupils from three of our primary schools  joined thousands of other children to create a spectacular choir at a prestigious venue.

The group of 40 from Clenchwarton, West Lynn and Walpole Cross Keys Primary Schools made the trip to Sheffield on Wednesday (19) to participate in a mass choir of 8,000 for the Young Voices concert.

All three schools have choirs which have been meeting weekly to practice their numbers ahead of travelling to the Sheffield Arena for their gig.

“Young Voices is a great opportunity for our pupils, to be part of a choir of over 8,000 pupils all singing together is incredible. We get to visit huge arenas, whether in London or, this time Sheffield, and see some vastly different places,” said Billy Overton, Assistant Headteacher at Walpole Cross Keys Primary.

“The atmosphere is incredible and very noisy, but when the children all sing together, it certainly gives you goosebumps - they sound incredible when they sing in unison and surprise themselves in how good they are and they can’t stop smiling. They go from very nervous to very excited in a couple of beats,” he added.

The playlist for this year included 12 songs with many based on compilations on different themes. There was a Bob Marley medley, Hairspray medley as well as songs from pop and dance as well as a few original songs.

The Marley Magic medley was to celebrate the legacy of the artist who would have been 80 earlier this month. The special arrangement included Three Little Birds and One Love and was performed in conjunction with the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation.

Last year the children visited the O2 Arena in London, but this year it was decided to try somewhere different with an arena they had never visited.

“Our three schools have been going to Young Voices for a while, before I started. Last year was my first experience and I thought it was a brilliant opportunity for pupils and a tradition well worth maintaining,” added Mr Overton.

Young Voices has been running for more than 30 years and offers a concert experience for children of primary school age - and is the largest children’s choir in the world. 

“Music is a really important part of a well-balanced curriculum both for individuals and bringing people together as a whole. Learning about music and understanding musical elements, as well as playing and performing, gives every pupil a better understanding of where music comes from, what influences it and the skills involved,” said Mr Overton.

A WNAT teacher was recognised for her sterling work with young people when she received a prestigious award at the annual Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) This Is Youth event.
Alysha Moat, who teaches PE and Health and Social Care at Smithdon High School in Hunstanton, has co-ordinated the school’s DofE programme since 2010, and was named as Runner-Up Torch Bearer of the Year at the ceremony, which took place at the Transport Museum in London.
DofE Gold Award Holder and Youth Ambassador Ms Moat was described as “breaking down pupils’ barriers to participation and cultivating a dedicated group of valued volunteers” and of creating “a lasting legacy of inclusivity, community support, and pride among students and volunteers alike”.
She received her award from the CEO of DofE, Ruth Marvel, OBE, at the event, which was attended by around 300 people, including nominees, award winners, celebrities and other special guests.
“It was an amazing experience,” said Ms Moat. “I felt honoured to have received the award, and felt I received it for the volunteers at Smithdon, who are the people that help it to run.I am proud of what we do at Smithdon.
“I’m emotional, having done my Bronze, Silver and Gold at Downham Market, volunteered with them, went on to be a Young Ambassador at uni, and then completed various challenges, such as the Diamond Challenge, and then became DofE Manager at Smithdon.
“It is a privilege to work with youngsters at Smithdon, giving them opportunities I had that made me who I am, and I am very proud of all the students that take the plunge to do the Award with us.
“Without DofE, I would not be where I am.”

Budding musicians from across West Norfolk came together to share their love of music-making, and showcase their talents, at a WNAT secondary school.