Enrichment at
Norwich High School for Girls ages 3 to 18
Part of the
Welcome
Welcome I am delighted to welcome you to our Enrichment offer for the next academic year at Norwich High School for Girls. A key part of this Enrichment offer is our new Societies programme which is featured in detail in the following pages. I am sure this programme will leave you in no doubt of the diverse, challenging and engaging content available to all girls. Every department has provided a Society for the year which will explore ideas and issues not normally covered within the stricter confines of the curriculum; as such, they will offer both breadth and depth, helping all girls develop a rich understanding of subjects beyond the classroom.
Many of the Societies will also provide an insight into career opportunities available in each subject area. Society assemblies will take place each half term to celebrate and showcase some of the work completed by individuals and groups of girls. Music, Drama and Sport will continue to offer a full programme of rehearsals and practices at lunch times and after school. Enrichment is an integral part of an education at Norwich High School. The Societies, lunchtime clubs and the Activities Programme (U5 and L6 years), as well as the wealth of co-curricular trips offered throughout the year,
2
will allow girls to unlock their potential and develop in confidence and resilience, equipping them with the skills and values required to meet the future challenges of a changing society. I hope you will enjoy the tremendous diversity found within the Society programme and the wider enrichment offer; there is certainly something for everyone and we look forward to seeing girls embrace these opportunities throughout the year.
Mr Hall Assistant Head Enrichment
Society Guidance and contents Girls will need to choose a Society from the options below, and are to attend their chosen Society meeting each week for a whole term. The Societies will run on different days throughout the week from 1.25pm to 1.55pm. A weekly timetable of Societies and also of lunchtime clubs will be published later this term. A Society enrolment page can be found on Firefly. To enrol, each girl will need to indicate a first and second choice of Society. We hope that everyone will be able to have their first choice but if a particular Society is oversubscribed, the second choice will be given and a space for the preferred Society will be reserved in a following term. If you do not have access to Firefly yet, you can complete and return the form enclosed with this booklet.
Senior School Societies
Lower School Societies
(L5, U5, L6, U6)
(U3, L4, U4)
• Art – 4 • Biology – 4 • Chemistry – 4 • Classics – 4 • Design and Technology – 5 • Economics and Business – 5 • English – 5 • Geography – 5 • History – 6 • Mandarin – 6 • Mathematics – 6 • Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) – 6 • Physics – 7 • Psychology – 7 • Religious Studies – 7 • Lunch and Learns – 7
• Art – 8 • Biology – 8 • Chemistry – 8 • Classics – 9 • Computing – 9 • Design and Technology – 9 • Economics and Business – 9 • English – 10 • Geography – 10 • History – 10 • Mandarin – 10 • Mathematics – 11 • Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) – 11 • Physics – 11 • Religious Studies – 11
Activities and Clubs contents U5 and L6 Activities Programme – 15
Drama and Dance – 12
Lunchtime and after school clubs – 15 Music – 13
Trips – home and abroad – 15
Sports – 14
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – Back cover 3
Senior School Societies (L5, U5, L6, U6)
Biology
Art
• Are we really facing an antibiotic apocalypse? • Is it safe to travel to Brazil? • Should we use genetic modification to combat climate change?
The work that scientists are doing at the moment, both abroad and closer to home at the John Innes Centre, the Institute of Food Research and The Genome Analysis Centre is likely to have a significant impact on all of our futures.
Textile Techniques This Society will focus on creativity with textiles.
These are just a few of the current topics up for discussion at our Senior Biology Society meetings. There will be opportunities to find out more about the practical side of genetic modification, the spread of disease, the immune system and the action of different types of antibiotics on a variety of bacteria.
Within this Society, we will work on individual contemporary projects using some traditional textile techniques in a supportive environment. Traditional textile techniques such as appliqué, crochet, machine and hand embroidery will all be explored during these sessions. We will also produce a series of innovative fabric samples as part of the project brief.
The topics covered will have significant links to the Biology specification at A Level but will also challenge each girl to look beyond their studies in Biology.
Chemistry
Classics
This Society will broaden and extend our chemical knowledge.
This Society is for anyone interested in the place of Classical languages, culture and art in our modern world.
The Free Radical Society
We will research and discuss subjects such as archaeological sites around the world, aspects of modern culture influenced by ancient culture such as religion and sculpture, and the importance of protecting classical heritage for future generations. Current news stories related to the ancient world will be used as starting points and we will discuss what careers are available from studying the Classics.
It will be useful for anyone intending to study a science subject at university – not only Chemistry or Natural Sciences but also Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacology. We will explore chemical ideas as they appear in the news, dissecting the stories and separating the science from the hype. There may be a chance to explore some of the ideas further through experiment, with a view to filming the results or even writing them up for publication in ‘School Science Review’. Along the way we will carry out some classic chemistry demonstrations and experiments as well as making one or two medicinal drugs and then sending these off for spectroscopic analysis.
The Society will be mainly student-led with a focus on independent research, reflection and presentation, debate and discussion. We will encourage students to produce articles, displays, models and artwork to reflect and communicate their findings to the wider school community on department noticeboards and in our classrooms. 4
Design and Technology
Economics and Business
This Society is aimed at students who may have an interest in architecture and the history of architecture or engineering, and may be considering this in their University or future career choices.
This Economics and Business Society is designed to give girls an extended understanding of Economics and Business beyond the classroom. It will aim to discuss current news stories, books and articles in order to bring the rich and exciting world of Economics and Business to life.
We will explore the architecture in and around Norwich, further afield in Norfolk and beyond. We will look at the nature and development of architecture in each area as well as the social, economic and environmental influences and implications.
One of our first areas of focus will be the workings of the stock market. As part of this area of study girls will be able to take part in the ‘The ifs Student Investor Challenge’. This competition involves teams of four investing £100,000 of virtual money on the London Stock Exchange. All teams will need to keep their portfolios healthy by following the ups and downs of the market, judging when to buy and sell in order to make a profit. The competition contains three rounds in which students will progress if successful.
We want this Society to be as practical as possible and will explore building techniques, engineering structures and the use of natural and man-made materials. Significant developments in contemporary architecture such as environmental impact and issues regarding energy management, sustainability and the use of less conventional materials will be covered. It is hoped that we will undertake a ‘Grand Designs’ style exercise, creating smaller-scale versions of our designs within the School grounds. There will be a great deal to consider, learn, plan, suggest and create.
Geography
English Litcritsoc
Everything Iceland! To link with our field trip to Iceland in October 2016, we will set about examining this fascinating country.
Who decides what is great literature? What is the role of the reader? What do we mean by ‘feminist’ criticism? Do we ever mean what we think we mean?
How has fire, ice and water shaped the physical landscape as well as its people and their specific culture and traditions? We will use maps and travel guides, and wider research to develop a full understanding of the country and see how this matches the reality of our visit (and girls don’t have to be going on the Iceland trip to attend this Society!).
These are among some of the questions to be explore in the Litcritsoc (Literary Criticism Society) and would be of interest to Upper School students with an interest in English, Philosophy, Psychology, Languages and Linguistics.
Later in the year, we will look at the Geography of poverty, wealth and conflict and try and work out why some areas of the world are always at or on the brink of war. The summer term will see us turn our attention to the Geography of Madagascar, before the school Operation Wallacea trip takes place in summer 2017.
Through exploring and actively applying various theories about the nature of literary language, students will learn about different approaches such as: feminist criticism, reader-response theory, structuralism, psychoanalytical theory, historicism and others.
5
History
Mandarin
In the first term, we will focus on selecting highlights from the world of History with girls encouraged to discover new topics and ignite new passions with ‘Great Tales from History’.
China is becoming more and more important in the world’s economy at the moment. According to the latest treaty between the UK and Chinese governments, billions of pounds will be invested to the UK economy by many Chinese companies in the next five years. This Society will help girls become a part of this ever-increasing economy in the future.
In the second half of the term we will focus on some of the ‘Big Questions in History’ and the philosophy behind our study of the past. In the spring term the focus will be on entering historical essay competitions as we try to ‘Go down in HISTORY’ and in the second half of that term we will look at the connections between music and History from Thomas Tallis to Prince with ‘History in the MIX’. In the summer term we will look critically at ‘History @ The Movies’ followed in the second half of the term with ‘Putting History on the Stage’.
In this Society, girls will be able to learn Chinese Mandarin, exploring not only the language, but also the great richness of Chinese culture. We are going to learn about Chinese family life, school life, food and drink, traditional festivals and more. We will also have the chance to carry out Chinese tea tasting, Chinese calligraphy, paper cutting and origami.
Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)
Mathematics This Society is ideal for girls who like puzzles, enjoy a good challenge and would like to look at some interesting mathematical ideas that go beyond the standard syllabus.
European Film Studies This Society will introduce girls to films from France, Germany, Spain and Italy and will explore the social, political, historical and cultural themes embedded in these works.
In our sessions, we will look at all manner of surprising ideas and unexpected results. Along the way, we will encounter some of the greatest puzzles that have been cracked as well as those which remain yet to be solved – perhaps we might be able to solve some and collect the rewards on offer!
There will also be scope to analyse film techniques, language and genre. The course will be delivered in English and be suitable for students in L5 and above. We aim to encourage discussion and generally broaden an awareness of the key issues that have inspired our chosen directors.
We will learn of the lives and achievements of some of the greatest ever mathematicians and look at some Mathematics-based professions that might lead to future career and University choices. There will also be ample opportunities to tackle some challenging material, of course.
Those students intending to study one or more modern language at A Level will find it particularly useful, as the study of a set film is a core component in L6.
6
Religious Studies
Physics
THE ONLY WAY IS ETHICS
Astrophysics
The Only Way is Ethics Society!
The cosmos holds many secrets. Uncovering those secrets has intrigued humanity over millennia.
What is the right thing to do? How do I know the difference between right and wrong? What influences our decision making? Am I free to make decisions? What exactly is goodness?
The study of the universe pushes forwards our boundaries of understanding reality. We will look at how ancient societies tried to make sense of the world around them, and how expert they were at describing the stars and their movement in such a way that their star maps were fairly accurate for over two millennia. We will look at the controversy that surrounded the discussion to update this world view; a matter of politics, religion as well as science.
Questions like these are the target of this Society. Ethical issues are amongst the most important things you can possibly think about and are life changing. We touch on topics such as bioethics, medical ethics, genetic engineering, genome editing, cloning, euthanasia, abortion, fertility treatments, animals ethics and moral philosophy. Without ethics and philosophy we lose sight of what really matters: the good life – hence the title of ‘The Only Way is Ethics’ for this Society! We’ll have lots of discussions and watch some of the greatest films such as Gattaca, Multiplicity, Never Let Me Go, My Sister’s Keeper, Repli-Kate, Jurassic Park, Womb and others.
We will then project forward into the realms of quantum mechanics, investigating the tiniest particles in the universe, to the largest structures and the weird and wonderful such as dark matter, tachyons and gravitational waves.
Psychology Lunch and Learns
Ultimately the aim of psychology is to advance our understanding of human behaviour but also to apply this knowledge into the real world and improve the quality of people’s lives.
In addition to the Senior School Societies, the Lunch and Learn meetings provide an invaluable opportunity for Senior School girls to hear from experts in their field over a working lunch
Psychology in action will delve deeper into the applications of psychological theories and research. For example, we will explore the advances in technology for studying the brain, the treatment of modern day diseases such as addiction and stress, the use of psychology in sport, child development and the applications within education.
These take place in the Jameson library, from 1pm to 2pm and our speakers cover topics well-beyond the confines of the curriculum, often looking at contemporary issues. Students are encouraged to ask questions and debate the issues raised. Recent speakers have included Professor Keith Tovey, presenting on fracking in the UK, Dr Davide Rizza who talked about the arithmetic of infinity and Professor Hussein Kassim (pictured above) who discussed the EU referendum.
7
Lower School Societies (U3, L4, U4)
Biology Have you ever wondered what we mean by ‘friendly’ bacteria? Want to find out more about how they protect us from disease and help provide us with food? In this Society we will find out more about the amazing world of bacteria and other microbes which have such a huge impact on our lives. Their effects on our health range from regulating our responses to allergens such as pollen, to protecting us from harmful bacterial infections. Not only do they affect our health but they also have many vital roles to play in the food chains upon which we are dependent.
Art This Society will allow girls to work towards the start of the Bronze Arts Award. In these sessions we will gain an understanding of what is expected and how to complete the required log book. These sessions are only intended to be an introduction to the Award and independent research work will be required to be continued throughout the year.
There will be a number of practical opportunities to find out more about the conditions in which bacteria thrive and how we as humans can control bacterial populations on our skin, in our food and in our bodies.
Through the Bronze Arts Award, we will work towards completing a Level 1 qualification. The aims of this qualification are as follows (taken from the Arts Award – Annual Guide 2015-2016):
Chemistry
• Take part in an arts activity – choose anything from sculpture to storytelling. • Arts review – record response to an audience member. • Arts inspiration – research the work and life of an inspiring artist or craftsperson. • Arts skill share – pass on arts skills to others by leading a workshop or by giving a presentation with an explanation of the skills involved.
There are lots of chemical experiments which don’t fit neatly into the school syllabus but which are great fun to do. Many of these have been updated by the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Salters’ Institute and have been given a modern twist; others have been around for over 100 years but have been squeezed out of the curriculum. We want to bring them back! Exciting experiments such as ‘Cannon Fire’ and ‘Exploding Pringles Tube’ will play an important part of this Society. We will also make and use polymers and dyes, and have a go at forensic analysis.
8
Classics
Computing
Do you have an interest in the world of Classics, both history and language?
This course provides an opportunity to learn skills for work in the programming and tech-design industry.
We will be learning about Greek mythology, religion and society during the 5th Century BC when the Greek world was flourishing. We will discuss the birth of drama and the Olympic Games, learn about the first ever democracy, look at the wonderful art and architecture of the time and see how the Ancient Greeks have influenced our modern society.
Girls will be learning to create 3D and App style games, using a range of platforms not used in lessons. Girls will also be learning how to produce presentations which would allow them to pitch their ideas and output to Game or App Development Companies. We will also be entering some exciting national Coding competitions run by Google, Microsoft and Young Rewired State. This Society is ideal for anyone with a creative mind and a desire to build exciting apps and games.
Alongside exploring the culture and civilisation of Ancient Greece, we will also study the beautiful language, learning the Greek alphabet and how to read and translate basic sentences. This Society will give a broad and diverse insight into the Classical world, developing unique and valuable skills which will transfer into many other areas of the curriculum.
Design and Technology
Economics and Business
We will have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of materials, challenging all girls imagination by creating three-dimensional sculpture and installations, in a variety of environments and using a number of thematic approaches.
What is an economy? How do businesses work? What is an entrepreneur? Is money real? These are some of the questions to be explored in the NHS Economics and Business Society. First, we will explore some important economic concepts: what money is, if incentives work and cost benefit analysis. Secondly, we will learn how businesses are actually run by setting-up our own and running it! We will produce quality market research, formulate business development plans, consider business growth and finally deliver a real product. Though the product itself might be quite simple, the process taken to get there will deliver real knowledge and a good experience of business.
As part of this Society, all girls will be able to carve (removing material from a solid mass) or model (where resistant materials can be joined using permanent or semi-permanent methods). This could range from welding or gluing to mechanical means such as using nuts and bolts or screws and rivets. Using these methods, we will produce free-standing pieces or items that are devised to become a part of their environment. We imagine using natural or organic materials in the wooded areas of the School grounds, or more mechanical pieces, like the robots in the library that were created during Winter Arts Festival for ShadoWorld. The course will undoubtedly develop as we generate ideas and build on our experience. The main aim is to be as creative as possible and simply have fun with materials.
At the end of the term, girls will be able to look at the world in a different way having begun to understand some of the market forces which help shape it. Through this Society, we will also develop teamwork, organisation, leadership, communication and decision making skills.
9
English
Geography
Creative Writing Society
Going to extremes! That is our theme for the year.
We will be exploring approaches to writing in a range of genres, including poetry, short story writing, life writing, screen writing and drama scripts.
We will explore extreme environments across the world from the arid Namibian desert, to cold, icy environments and the vast emptiness of the Russian Steppes and our oceans. This Society will research and learn about the processes operating in these areas, why they have such distinctive characteristics. As a result, girls will develop a wider geographical knowledge.
There will be opportunities to share your own writing and to receive guidance on how to develop your skills. We will use extracts from our favourite authors to develop our understanding of the techniques which writers employ to create different effects. A variety of sources will be used to inspire our writing, including works of art (paintings, sculptures, music and film) and the landscape of Norfolk. Visiting writers from the University of East Anglia will introduce us to contemporary writing and enlighten us on the process of writing.
Within this Society, we will pursue fascinating areas of the world and use a wealth of resources to build-up an in-depth understanding of the regions. Fun activities will include creating animated films using 3D materials and presenting NED talks about a specific subject.
History
Mandarin
In the first term this Society will be focusing on the themes ‘Never forget’ and ‘Heroes’.
More and more students are learning Mandarin Chinese across the country.
Firstly, the girls will be looking at memorials and innovative ways of continuing remembrance. The second half-term will be focused on preparing to deliver individual speeches at a local school competition on their favourite Historical Hero or Heroine.
School pupils are learning Mandarin in 17% of state secondary schools and 45% of independent schools (CfBT Languages Trends 2013/14) in the UK. Our Mandarin Society offers opportunities to explore not only the language, but also the great richness of Chinese culture. We will learn to read and write Chinese characters as well as to speak the language.
In the second term the focus will be on ‘Taking the HIS out of History’ with an aim to produce a display or resource for Women’s History Month in March. In the second half of the spring half-term we will look at the Conventions, read some Historical Fiction and then try writing ‘The best stories in History’. In the summer term we will consider whether video games hold any value to the historian in ‘i-History’ and in the second half of the summer term we will focus on ‘Horrible Histories’ and maybe even make our own!
We are going to learn about Chinese family life, school life, food and drink, traditional festivals and more. We will also have the chance to carry out Chinese tea tasting, Chinese calligraphy, paper cutting and origami.
10
Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)
Mathematics This Society will help girls to learn more about Mathematics being regarded as a beautiful, surprising and rewarding area of study.
Language Leaders Award The MFL Society is ideal for keen language learners in Year 8 (L4) or 9 (U4) who would like the opportunity to learn how to lead others in learning a foreign language.
We will look at some curious mathematical objects and create our own designs and patterns. We will learn how to amaze friends and family with some truly impressive card tricks, and develop new mathematical techniques that will help each girl to become a ‘calculating speed-machine’.
The Language Leaders Award is all about practical application – we will learn by doing rather than through written work. Assessment is based upon the ability to lead within a specific setting. On successful completion of the six units below, each girl will receive a nationally accredited Language Leaders UK certificate.
We will learn of the lives and achievements of some of the greatest ever mathematicians, and look at some surprising and unexpected results. There will also be ample opportunities to delve into some challenging and very rewarding material too.
• Unit 1 – Planning, preparing and assisting a simple foreign language activity. • Unit 2 – Communication and motivation skills for leading a foreign language activity. • Unit 3 – Cultural understanding of the chosen country • Unit 4 – Compendium of foreign language games and activities. • Unit 5 – Organising and running a foreign language event. • Unit 6 – Demonstration of leadership skills in foreign language.
Physics
Religious Studies
Astronomy
The Heroes and Villains Society! Love them or hate them, we will learn more about some of the most significant movers and shakers in history.
For years humanity has gazed at the stars, trying to understand our place in the universe.
We will learn about the facts and fiction behind stories such as David and Goliath, Cain and Abel and Esther and Haman. Employing a variety of techniques, we will explore the historical, cultural and social rise and fall of some of the most famous antagonists of Biblical times. On a journey through ancient Greece, Persia and Mesopotamia, we will discover the truth behind the legends and ask the questions you always wanted to such as: • Was Noah a hero or a villain? • Did the Ten Plagues really happen? • Who was responsible for the most deaths in ancient times – the Roman Emperors, the Persian Kings or the Egyptian Pharaohs?
In this Astronomy Society, girls will learn how to use a telescope and discover the objects and planets that have fascinated astronomers in the past. They will be invited to borrow one of the school’s telescopes to take home and observe these objects themselves. School-based sessions will revolve around creating a scale size model of the Solar System in the school grounds, gazing at the Sun with a solar scope to learn about the structure of our nearest star, collecting micrometeorites, constructing their own constellations to look at the different types of stars and many other activities to help inspire them in this wonderful branch of Physics.
11
Drama and Dance In the Drama department we are able to offer each girl in the Senior School the opportunity to perform in a production.
Next year we will be offering: • Senior School Play ‘House of Bernarda Alba’ – performance in December 2016 • Shakespeare Schools Festival performance of ‘Taming of the Shrew’– an U4 performance at the Playhouse on Thursday 3rd November 2016 • Intermediate school musical ‘TBC’ – performance in June 2017 • U3 Greek plays – performance in April 2017 • Dance, Music and Drama Showcase – Friday 10th February 2017 • Street Dance club • Contemporary Dance club • Jazz/musical theatre Dance club • U3 Drama club • L4 & U4 Drama club • The Sixth Form Drama Company – working towards a performance in April 2017 • Bronze and Silver Arts Award • GCSE Dance
Over the course of the school year, the Drama department will produce a variety of performances including the intermediate musical, U3 Greek plays, Senior School Play, U4 Shakespeare School festival performance and the Creative Arts showcase. We will also be offering GCSE Dance to L5 to L6 girls as an extra-curricular activity. This will allow girls who already enjoy Dance inside and outside of school to work towards another qualification. Every lunchtime there will always be something going on in the DBS. During the week, girls can attend at least three Dance clubs, two Lower School Drama clubs, the Sixth Form Drama Company and the all-important rehearsals for upcoming productions.
12
Music The Music Department is keen to ensure that it can offer something to everyone, as every individual needs an outlet to express themselves musically. The appropriate ensembles for your daughter are partly age related and partly instrument and standard related.
Instrumentalists can join the Senior Orchestra, which aims to have a standard symphony orchestra membership (ie all string players of a certain standard) and a selection of senior woodwind, brass and percussionists. Intermediate Orchestra is for all players in U3 to U4 (and some more advanced instrumentalists in L3).
Senior Choir (U4 to U6) will begin the year singing more popular, folk and training songs to build-up confidence and vocal technique. After half term, this choir will focus on carols for the Carol Service in Norwich Cathedral and after Christmas will prepare for the Choral Concert in March. Ambitious Senior Choir girls will also be able to audition for our Chamber Choir.
Our Concert Band explores popular repertoire such as arrangements of music from theatre, film and television and is open to woodwind, brass and percussion players of around Grade IV standard and above from all Senior School groups from U3 to U6. Jazz Ensemble is a small specialist group of instrumentalists and vocalists by invitation (saxophonists, trumpeters and trombonists are particularly encouraged to express their interest). From September 2016, there will also be a junior band for more advanced instrumentalists at grade IV and above (strings, woodwind, brass) for U3 to U4.
Our Intermediate Choir for L3, U3 and L4, is ideal for girls to bridge the gap between Senior and Junior School performance. This year we are starting a ‘Community Choir’ which is just for fun and a ‘good old sing’! This non-performing group will sing popular music. From September 2016, there will also be a Pop Choir aimed at confident singers in the Fourth and Fifth Form who wish to explore light, popular repertoire with the opportunity to sing A Cappella and in two or three part harmony.
Brass players have an additional ensemble just for them and our Percussion Ensemble performs fun and avant garde pieces. The string quartets, and flute and wind ensembles are especially chosen to match performing ability. We look forward to hearing all of these groups perform in future assemblies and concerts.
13
Sports The PE department offers a wide range of sports activities to cater for all abilities and interests. Team players will have the opportunity to practise their skills and tactics along with others who want to take up new activities. Whatever your daughter’s interests may be, there will be a sports club on offer to develop her skills and fitness.
Team players have many opportunities to represent the school in a range of sports during Games afternoons, after school and occasionally on Saturdays. A comprehensive fixture programme is organised for A, B, C & D teams in sports such as hockey, netball and rounders. Area, County, Regional and National tournaments/events are also entered, along with GDST sports rallies which incorporate all GDST schools across the country.
With some specialist activities, such as kayaking, we work with local clubs and coaches to provide training off-site during Games lessons or after school. Every lunchtime, before or after school there will be a sports clubs on offer, including: • Kayaking • Netball • Dance • Hockey • Lacrosse • Rounders • Sports leadership • Tennis • Trampolining • Athletics • Rowing • Cross Country • Badminton • Indoor athletics • Fitness • Swimming • Cricket
Pre-season training is also offered in some sports to help prepare girls for the sporting season ahead. This involves the girls working with our sports coaches to develop and enhance their skills and tactics. Girls who participate in sport at County/Regional level and above are offered a place on our Elite Athlete Programme. This involves some workshops on relevant sporting topics such as nutrition, injury prevention and training programmes. Girls will also be allocated a mentor from the PE department to assist with the organisation of their homework and training programme. 14
U5 and L6 Activities Programme We are very pleased to offer an exciting and varied Activities Programme to the U5 and L6 girls on each Monday afternoon. Here they will pursue a different activity each term taken from three categories: service, active and creative. This will give them the opportunity to work within the wider community helping others as well as learning new skills. A selection of activities available include: • Working with the elderly at a local care home to become recognised as a ‘Norfolk Dementia Friend’. • Working with youngsters on Art and Textile projects in local Special schools • Completing a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course for use in later life. • Volunteering for Norfolk Conservation Volunteers on Mousehold Heath and other open areas around Norwich. • Working with recently arrived migrants to Norwich and helping them with their English understanding and practical issues. • Trampolining at High Altitude for fitness. • Rowing for fitness. • Yoga and Pilates for fitness and well-being. • Boot camp fitness. • Skiing at the dry ski slope in Whitlingham.
Trips – At home and abroad There is a whole host of exciting school trips which offer excellent enrichment opportunities at Norwich High School. Some of these are for whole year groups, such as the U4 Whitwell Bushcraft camp in September or the L4 French trip to Normandy; others are for smaller groups and will take you further afield. Our partner school in Ghana hosted such a group last October and we have girls going as far as Iceland (Geography), Lake Garda (Music tour), Madagascar (Operation Wallacea, Sciences), and Malaysia (Sports tour) this year, to name just a few.
Some of these activities will incur a small additional cost, such as skiing, trampolining and the courses leading to additional qualifications. Further details and the process for choosing these activities for the Autumn term will be published shortly.
Lunchtime and after school clubs
Long haul destinations however, are not a pre-requisite for challenge and new experiences; the residential visits within the UK, such as field work in Wales and the Peak District or locally in Norfolk too, can stimulate a keen interest in subjects and develop skills not possible in the classroom. The rich variety of these trips is a strength of a Norwich High School education and we are proud to be offering such diversity throughout the year.
We have a wide range of lunchtime Clubs run by teachers and Sixth Form girls which operate every day of the week. These are another opportunity for enriching your understanding and gaining new skills whilst having lots of fun. The ‘Club Expo’ at the start of each term, held in the DBS, is the ideal opportunity to see just what is on offer and to sign up. From Chess Club and Debating to looking after Oreo the rabbit, there really is something for everyone. Music, drama and sport, as you would expect, have a lot to offer at these times of the day. 15
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award enables all girls to have amazing adventures. It is a rewarding journey where each girl will grow in confidence and become more independent. The Bronze and Silver Award comprises four sections: Volunteering, Physical, Skill and an Expedition, which all have to be done for a particular length of time depending on the award level. In addition to these four sections, for the Gold Award there is a Residential section which could for example involve going to help ‘spring clean’ a Youth Hostel, complete a Spanish language course abroad or join a sailing adventure on the North-West coast of Scotland. DofE at Norwich High School is particularly active. Over 80% of our current cohort of U4 is involved in the Bronze Award and many continue onto their Silver (in L5) and Gold Award (starting in L6). In fact a significant number of girls complete all three levels of award whilst still a pupil at school
Norwich High School for Girls ages 3 to 18
which is truly impressive. Bronze and Silver training and walking expeditions are arranged in-house and involve travelling to North Norfolk (Bronze) and The Peak District (Silver). Gold Expeditions are currently organized by A-Z Expeditions and take girls to the Brecon Beacons and The Lake District. Support and guidance is provided for the girls as they travel on their individual DofE journeys. Each year we hold an Awards Evening to celebrate all of the girls’ amazing adventures and achievements with their friends and family. All dates for the forthcoming year will be published at the end of the summer term and a letter with more details will be included in the end of year packs in July 2016. Approximate costs for the DofE are: • Bronze Award: £120 • Silver Award: £235 • Gold Award: £700 + residential
Part of the
Version 1: June 2016