There was everything from pop to classical on offer when young pianists from across the West Norfolk Academies Trust showcased their talents at a music event.

The WNAT Piano Recital featured students from across the Trust’s member schools, including Springwood High School, which hosted the evening’s entertainment.

WNAT Peripatetic Music Lead Benjamin Howell co-organised the event with the assistance of Robin Norman, who is Director of Music at the Trust.

“We were delighted to have 17 students participating, ranging from Year 5 through to Year 13,” he said.

“The programme promised an exciting and diverse selection of repertoire, spanning contemporary popular music, including Bruno Mars, through to classical works by composers such as Rachmaninoff.”

The performance took place in the Peter Hopkins Hall to a rapt audience of parents, carers, family members, friends, and teaching staff.

Mr Howell continued: “The Trust Piano Recital is one of two piano recitals held during the academic year, bringing together young pianists from primary and secondary schools across the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“These events provide a valuable performance platform for students of all ages and abilities, from those taking their first steps in learning the piano to more advanced musicians working towards higher grades and piano diplomas.”

Besides Springwood, participating high schools included Marshland in West Walton, St Clement’s in Terrington St Clement, and Smithdon in Hunstanton; while among the primaries taking part were Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Heacham Junior, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn.

Mr Howell added: “Beyond the performances themselves, these recitals play an important role in supporting students’ musical development. They provide meaningful short- and long-term goals, encourage progression towards external music examinations, and, importantly, help students develop confidence, resilience, and enjoyment through performing in front of an audience.

“They also provide a wonderful opportunity for students from different schools and age groups to come together, share their musical achievements, and celebrate their progress.

“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our dedicated piano teachers within the WNAT Peripatetic Music Team for their continued commitment to supporting and developing our young musicians.

“We are also extremely grateful to Trust CEO Andy Johnson and the Senior Leadership Team for their ongoing encouragement and support of piano tuition, musical performance opportunities, and the wider development of Music across the Trust.”

Thank you to Norfolk County Council who have sent us beautiful new books for our book club. This is running with Mrs Woodget every week. 

Cross Country Success! Well done to our Y2 team who competed in the cross-country cluster event!

The chips were down, when we drew inspiration from an unlikely superhero for our World Book Day celebrations on Thursday 5 March.

Pupils from Nursery through to Year 2 at Heacham Infant School took part in the annual event, which featured a range of story-based activities themed around the exploits of ‘Supertato’, the potato superhero from the series of the same name created by author-illustrators Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet.

The children also enjoyed a host of creative activities throughout the day, which ended with a Reading Cafe where they were joined by parents and carers – and had the opportunity to design their own superhero.

“This year’s theme was Supertato, bringing plenty of superhero fun to our classrooms,” explained Claire Dack, Assistant Headteacher at our school, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“Our infant school celebrated World Book Day with a fun-filled programme of story-based activities inspired by Supertato. Children also took part in a range of creative literacy activities throughout the day, including designing their own book covers, writing stories, and completing themed story challenges.”

“The day ended with a special Reading Cafe where parents were warmly invited to join us as we shared the Supertato story together,” she continued. "A highlight of the celebration was our ‘Design Your Own Supertato’, where, during the Reading Cafe, children created their very own superhero character using a real potato.”

In addition, staff and pupils spent the day dressed as their favourite book characters, with some choosing to embrace the Supertato theme.

“There was a competition for the best-dressed costume, with the winner receiving a book token to spend at our upcoming school book fair,” said Mrs Dack. “Staff also got involved, arriving in a whole host of creative costumes inspired by the story, including carrots, broccoli, and other familiar characters from Supertato.”

“World Book Day is an important opportunity to promote and share a love of books and reading,” she added.

“At our infant school, we believe that fostering a passion for stories at an early age helps to build imagination, creativity, and essential literacy skills.

“By celebrating together in such an engaging way, we hope to inspire our children to become lifelong readers.”