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    From Ball Gowns to Buses: Smithdon Leavers Celebrate in Style

    Published 08/07/25

    There were sports cars, motorbikes, classic cars, a double-decker bus, and even a Scooby Doo-style ‘Mystery Machine’, when graduating students from a WNAT school arrived for their Leavers’ Prom on Thursday 26 June.

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    The Class of 2025 from Smithdon High School in Hunstanton were greeted by friends, family, and well-wishers as they reached Knights Hill Hotel in King’s Lynn for a night of well-earned celebration.

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    The 73 Year 11 students were dressed for the occasion, with a host of colourful ball gowns, cocktail dresses, and evening wear on display.

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    Inside, the venue boasted a suitably celebratory red, gold, and black colour scheme, which had been chosen by the Year 11 Student Leadership Team, and included tables decorated with balloons in the appropriate shades.

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    Entry was via laminated tickets which had been designed to act as lasting souvenirs of the evening, while attractions on offer included a pizza buffet, and disco.

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    There was also a sweet cart stocked with traditional confectionery, along with a commemorative photo booth, which allowed the partygoers to preserve their memories for prosperity.

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    The Year 11 students were joined by members of staff from Smithdon for the event, which was supported by Hunstanton Charity Shop.

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    “It was great to celebrate our students’ end of schooling at Smithdon High School,” said Dan Ward, who is Assistant Headteacher and Head of Years 10 and 11 at the school.

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    “Everyone enjoyed the evening.”

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    https://townandaround.net/news/from-ball-gowns-to-buses-smithdon-leavers-celebrate-in-style

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    Heacham Pupils Get A Taste Of Working Life On Apprenticeship Day

    Published 04/07/25

    The workforce of the future got a taste of their dream careers when a West Norfolk Academies Trust primary school held its annual Apprenticeship Day.

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    Children from Years 3 to 6 at Heacham Junior School took part in the event on Thursday 26 June, which enabled them to test out a variety of different professional roles.

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    “This is an exciting day that has become an annual event in our school calendar,” said organiser Katie Cornwell, who is Year 3 Teacher at the school.

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    “During Apprenticeship Day, pupils spend time learning about a particular career, taking on different roles and responsibilities related to that job, and becoming a professional for the day.”

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    The mini apprenticeships cover a wide choice of careers, with this year’s options ranging from engineering to photography.

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    “The children apply for the apprenticeship they wish to enrol on,” continued Miss Cornwell. “They might want to learn how to be an engineer, travel agent, film producer, chef, estate agent, photographer, software engineer, or have a job in the sports industry.

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    “Apprenticeships are run by a mixture of external professionals and school staff and include all children from Year 3 to Year 6.”

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    It was the third time that the event had taken place, with participants this year including The Norfolk Agents, Tracy Bower from West Norfolk School Sport Partnership, and Rolls Royce at RAF Barham, as well as Heacham Junior teachers James Agate, Ashley Kirwan, Hariette Pateman, and Miss Cornwell herself.

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    “The aim for the day is to raise aspirations,” she added. “It gives the children the opportunity to explore career possibilities, and connect with professionals to learn about different career paths, and the skills needed to succeed.”

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    Book-Loving WNAT Pupils Raise Money For Reading

    Published 02/07/25

    Young book lovers at a West Norfolk Academies Trust school have raised more than £100 to promote reading among their classmates.

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    The pupils at Gaywood Primary held a second-hand book sale on Wednesday 18 June, with all money raised going to buy equipment to enable outdoor reading at the school in sunnier weather.

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    “The book sale took place during breaktime on the school playground, and was led by the Reading Leaders,” explained Chloe Sneath, who is English Lead at the school and oversaw the event.

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    “The school Reading Leaders are children from Years 3 to 6,” she continued. “There are a total of nine Reading Leaders who applied to become Reading Leaders at the start of the year. They have aimed to promote a love of reading throughout the school.

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    “We created a message to parents to ask them to bring in donations. The children also delivered a whole-school assembly to share the aim of the book sale with the other children, which was to raise money to purchase picnic blankets, beanbags, and outdoor books – all to help pupils enjoy reading in the sunshine during the warmer months.”

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    Books donated ranged from fiction and non-fiction to poetry and comic books, and the sale continued after school to enable friends and family to buy books for younger siblings and other family members.

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    Across the two sessions, the children sold more than 200 ‘pre-loved’ books, and made an impressive total of £101.50 for their cause.

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    “These events are important for promoting a love of reading among children and within the community,” added Mrs Sneath.

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    “They give children access to a wide range of new literature, while also being environmentally friendly by encouraging the sharing of second-hand books.”

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    Young Pianists Shine In Masterclass

    Published 02/07/25

    Budding pianists at a WNAT school had a chance to hone their skills when they enjoyed a special masterclass run by the Trust.

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    Musicians ranging in age from Years 4 to 6 at Gaywood Primary took part in the Collaborative Music Event at the school on Thursday 26 June.

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    Under the skilled direction of WNAT Peripatetic Music Lead, Benjamin Howell, the pupils performed individual musical pieces, before coming together for the masterclass.

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    “The event featured a small group of piano students, each performing a piece, followed by a live masterclass session focusing on aspects such as musical character and technical development,” explained Mr Howell.

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    Also guiding the children through their musical paces were our Peripatetic Piano Teacher, Sarah-Jane, and Gaywood Music Lead Helen Johnston.

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    “I’d like to highlight the brilliant work Sarah-Jane has done with the students,” continued Mr Howell. “Her dedication and the students’ achievements made this a valuable opportunity for them to receive feedback, perform, and grow in confidence.”

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    They were joined by former Gaywood pupil Isabel, who is now in Year 8 at Springwood High School, and performed a pop music piece on the piano to inspire her young audience, as well as assisting with the masterclass.

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    “This was the first event of its kind across WNAT, and we hope it may serve as a model for future events across other Trust schools,” added Mr Howell.

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    Young Sports Stars Shine at WNAT School Event

    Published 01/07/25

    Students from WNAT member Smithdon High School put younger pupils through their sporting paces at this year’s Primary School Sports Festival.
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    \nAround 260 Year 3 and 4 children took part in the annual event at Smithdon in Hunstanton, where more than 100 of the school’s Year 10 Sports Leaders were involved in planning, organising, and delivering a range of different sports.
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    \n“Sports activities were delivered by our Year 10 Leaders, such as archery, gymnastics, football, netball, rugby, golf, lacrosse, athletics, rounders, and tennis,” explained Jamie Tilley, who is Head of PE at Smithdon.
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    \n“All planned small-sided games for engagement, to learn new skills, and to have fun.
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    \nIt was the seventh time the event had taken place, with participating Smithdon Cluster primaries including fellow WNAT schools Snettisham and Heacham Junior, as well as Dersingham, Docking, Flitcham, Hunstanton, and Sandringham and West Newton.
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    \n“Although I organise the invitation of the primary schools, and transport so that the schools can attend the festival, really, on the day, the Sports Festival is run by the Year 10 Leaders,” continued Mr Tilley. “Myself and the PE Team just oversee, and observe the Sports Leaders shine.”
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    \n“The PE Department at Smithdon High School are proud of our Sports Leaders and how far they have all come as growing as young people, developing lots of transferable skills that they can take with them for the future,” he added. “They work so hard, from supporting sporting events to actually running a festival.
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    \n“We want to build links with our Primary School Cluster schools and show what Smithdon High School has to offer. The Sports Festival has a positive impact on those who participate, as our Year 10 Sports Leaders still remember when they took part.
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    \n“Every year the Sports Festival gets bigger and better, and outdoes previous years with the engagement and enthusiasm of all involved.”

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