Music lovers enjoyed four nights of diverse entertainment when Springwood High School in King’s Lynn hosted this year’s West Norfolk Academies Trust Community Music Festival.

The popular annual event was taking place for the fourth time, and saw performers from our school join others from across the Trust, alongside a host of other music groups from across the region.

“Suffice to say we had a real mix of younger WNAT ensembles, alongside more experienced ensembles and professional musicians,” said Robin Norman, Director of Music at WNAT and organiser of the event. “There was a real mix of different styles and ages, with performers from all schools across the WNAT family, along with other community ensembles.

“There was, without doubt, something for everyone, with a wonderful range of instrumental and vocal ensembles.”

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

“Across the four nights, there were in excess of 500 performers from across all year groups from Reception through to Year 13,” explained Mr Norman. “These were spread across all the schools in the West Norfolk Academies Trust and beyond.

“Students from all WNAT schools were involved. However, we were also joined by community music groups including the West Norfolk Music Centre, West Norfolk Winds, and others – a real showcase of all the different types of music from across West Norfolk.”

Among the performers were musicians from the Trust’s Musical Instrumental Tuition Initiative (MITI) Programme, including a String Ensemble, a Wind Band, and individual piano and percussion students.

More than 900 people attended the Community Music Festival, which culminated in the WNAT Choral Spectacular, featuring choirs from all the Trust’s schools, along with special guest St Martha’s – a total of around 250 students, aged five to 18.

“The students of all ages coming together is a unique experience,” continued Mr Norman. “There is an overarching sense of camaraderie, and, whatever the age, the students joke, and laugh, and just enjoy making music together.

“There was a wide range of pieces on offer, from musical theatre to classic pop to rock. However, the highlight had to be the grand finale when all the children joined together to perform ‘This is Me’ from The Greatest Showman.”

“For the young people in our schools, this now-annual event is important in so many ways,” added Mr Norman. “The professional-level stage is just one aspect of this, as all performers have the joy of performing in front of appreciative audiences on equipment of such a high level.

“However, this is just the tip of the iceberg, as you cannot measure the good a series of events like this does on inspiring future musicians, who, in some cases, will be hearing advanced performances for the first time.

“This gives them the opportunity to perform and work with a whole range of musicians. This is something you cannot really measure as both an inspirational and aspirational tool.”

Children at Heacham Infant School drew inspiration from stories classic and modern when they celebrated World Book Day.

Our pupils arrived dressed as characters from a range of fictional favourites for the event, which took place this year on Thursday 6 March.

The Nursery children’s chosen title was The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, while Reception and Year 1 focused on traditional stories, and Year 2’s book was Julia Donaldson’s tale of alien species, The Smeds and The Smoos.

The day kicked off with a Reading Cafe, where friends and family members were invited to join staff and pupils at our school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“We celebrated by inviting parents to participate in a Reading Cafe where we read the story of The Smeds and the Smoos,” said our Assistant Headteacher, Claire Dack. “This helped us to understand equality and diversity.

“We also had an author visit from James Campbell. In addition to this, the children participated in a number of creative writing activities throughout the day.

“The whole school participated, from Nursery to Year 2. Each class had a theme, ranging from The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and traditional tales, to The Smeds and the Smoos – and, of course, the staff participated.”

Other WNAT members celebrating World Book Day included Gaywood Primary, Smithdon High School in Hunstanton, and Springwood High School in King’s Lynn. 

Added Ms Dack: “World Book Day is important, as it helps to promote a love and passion for reading and immerse children in stories and story-telling.”

Young musicians and singers from our school joined others from across the West Norfolk Academies Trust for the annual WNAT Community Carol Service.

Although there were no woods in sight, teddy bears were out in force when Heacham Infant School held our annual school picnic.

Dancers from Heacham Infant School joined others from across West Norfolk to take part in the SSP (School Sports Partnership) Dance Festival on 18 June.

We would like to inform you that we have changed our uniform suppliers to Minuteman Press.