Get your entries in for this year's OPEN themed photographic competition. Prizes for all finalists! 

You have until Monday 1st June 2026 to submit your images to e.pearman@wnat.co.uk

See poster for full details along with a guide to photography to help you get some great shots.

Our Rotary Club Easter Egg Raffle saw students from all age groups encouraged to buy tickets in aid of the charity.

“Tickets were sold to raise money for the Hunstanton RNLI,” said our Assistant Headteacher, Dan Ward, who organised the event with the help of School Council Lead Alix Birks.

“The main prize was a 1.5kg Easter egg, which was donated by the Rotary Club. There was a second prize of a £15 Amazon voucher, and some smaller Easter eggs which were donated by the school.

“£215 was raised in total, and this will be used by the Hunstanton RNLI to improve equipment and facilities at their base.”

The event was a new addition to the calendar at Smithdon, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“This is the first year that the raffle has taken place,” added Mr Ward. “We are hoping for it to become a yearly tradition at school.

“Events like this are really important. One of our ‘Smithdon Seven’ values that we instil into our students is the sense of community, and events like this allow our school and student body to help raise funds and money for really important local organisations and charities that have such a big impact on our local community.”

Held in conjunction with the King’s Lynn and District Camera Club (KLDCC), the West Norfolk Academies Trust (WNAT) Photographic Competition is open to staff and pupils across the Trust’s member schools, as well as those within the Windmill Federation.

“It is open to all students from the Trust who are in Key Stages 2, 3, 4 and 5,” explained WNAT Confidential Administrator Emma Pearman. “It’s also open to school staff. There are five categories – each of the Key Stages, plus a Staff category.

“This year we will also be inviting students and staff from the Windmill Federation Schools to take part.”

The annual competition is taking place for the third year running, with past themes having included ‘Our Environment’ and ‘My Community’.

“There is an open theme this year, covering any subject the student or staff member thinks would make an interesting picture,” said Mrs Pearson.

WNAT high schools taking part include Marshland in West Walton, St Clement’s in Terrington St Clement, Smithdon in Hunstanton, and Springwood in Lynn; alongside Trust primaries Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Heacham Junior, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn.

Initial judging will be carried out by the WNAT Senior Leadership Team, with ten entries chosen from each category to go through to the final at Springwood on 25 June, where winners will be chosen by a panel from KLDCC.

“There were 147 images submitted last year,” continued Mrs Pearman. “It is expected that there will be more this year, with it increasing in popularity year on year, and also with the fact that the Windmill Federation Schools are invited to take part this year.”

Each category winner will receive £20 of Amazon vouchers, while one overall winner will be awarded the Dave Ashfield Cup, which last year went to Year 13 Springwood Sixth Form student, Ava.

“The Trust places a huge importance on extra-curricular activity for all of our students, alongside excellent relationships with our community including the KLDCC,” added WNAT CEO Andy Johnson.

To enter, send a jpeg format photograph, no larger than A4, and a maximum of 3600 x 2400 pixels, to e.pearman@wnat.co.uk before the closing deadline 1 June.

The two week celebration was brought to an appropriate close on Friday 13 March when Year 7 and 8 students were joined by Lisa Thompson, whose popular novels include The Goldfish Boy, The Day I Was Erased, The Boy Who Fooled the World, and Owen and the Soldier.

“During her visit, Lisa delivered an author talk in the school hall, sharing insights into her writing journey and creative process,” said Marie Taylor, Librarian at our school, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“Following this, she ran a small writing workshop for a group of our most talented young writers. There was also an opportunity for students to have books signed.”

Co-organised by Miss Taylor and our Head of English, Amanda Wright, the Literary Festival takes place each year at Smithdon, and features an author visit, as well as encompassing World Book Day, and a range of other events and activities themed around all things literary.

“Events like our annual author visit are an important part of building a strong reading culture in school,” continued Miss Taylor. “Meeting a writer such as Lisa Thompson helps students see that books are created by real people, making reading feel more relevant and inspiring.

“Hearing about novels like The Goldfish Boy encourages enthusiasm for reading. Experiences like this can hopefully spark a lasting interest in books and creativity, supporting both literacy development and confidence. They also inspire creativity.”

“Hearing about the writing process, including drafting, editing, and overcoming challenges, can help our students to understand that writing is a skill that develops over time,” she added. For aspiring writers, workshops can provide valuable encouragement.

“After Dan Freedman visited last year, demand for his books in the school library increased significantly, with many students keen to read his books.

“This demonstrated the powerful impact that author visits can have on reading engagement, enthusiasm, and library use across the school.”

The Year 9 group visited pupils at Flitcham, Snettisham, Ingoldisthorpe, Dersingham, and Hunstanton primary schools in turn over the course of the week, delivering workshops for the children which featured a range of different activities designed to promote a love of science.

Our Science Teacher, Veronica Roper, who accompanied the students, explained: “We took five different activities, including a moss safari using microscopes to look at the moss and organisms living in it; a mini light show using coloured ray boxes, lenses, and screens; making a compass and investigating magnetism; using static electricity to make straws spin; and building electrical circuits to test the conductivity of different materials, as well as drawing graphite circuits to light an LED.”

Smithdon, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, has been taking part in British Science Week for more than a decade, and there were plenty of other events taking place this time round.

“The theme this year was ‘Curiosity: What’s Your Question?’,” said our Head of Science, Claire Pike, who kicked off the week with a whole-school assembly on the theme.

“We took part in a poster competition, researched what it’s like to live and work in the Antarctic, and used microscopes to look at things like cobwebs and pet hair to see what they look like.”

Ten Year 8 students also attended a WNAT Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) ‘Race to the Line’ challenge at Springwood High School, which tasked participants with designing, building, and racing their own CO2-powered model cars.

“We have promoted British Science Week at Smithdon for over ten years, and it is always fascinating to be able to look at science outside of the curriculum,” added Mrs Pike.

“We also focus on Science careers during the week, to promote where Science can take you.”

The popular event at Smithdon High School took place during the first two weeks of March, and included a diverse range of activities, talks, and competitions for all year groups.

Incorporating World Book Day on Thursday 5 March, the Festival also featured a visit from author Lisa Thompson; a 500-word short story competition; Roald Dahl Day; ‘Blind Date with a Book’; Journalism Day; and a ‘Masked Reader’ challenge, where students were tasked with uncovering the identities of disguised readers.

“The Festival provides an opportunity for students of all ages to engage with literature creatively, whether through writing, performance, or discovering new books,” said our Librarian, Marie Taylor, who organised the events with the support of the English Department and English Teacher Keziah Howlett.

“The fortnight includes a range of events designed to celebrate reading and writing in different forms,” she continued.

“It has become a highlight of the school calendar, and a wonderful way to promote a love of reading across the school community.”

It was the fifth year that the celebration had taken place at our school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“The Smithdon Literary Festival is important because it places reading, writing, and creativity at the heart of school life,” added our Headteacher, Amanda Gibbins. “It shows students that literature is not just something studied in lessons, but something to be enjoyed and celebrated.

“Through events such as Roald Dahl Day, the 500-Word Story Competition, and our author visit, students build confidence, develop communication skills, and engage with a wide range of texts.

“The festival strengthens our reading culture across Smithdon, and nurtures a strong sense of community, making it a valued and inspiring part of the school calendar.”

Staff and pupils alike arrived for the annual celebration of reading dressed as their favourite fictional characters, with lunchtime photo sessions taking place in the school library to commemorate the occasion.

“We invited all students from every year group, as well as staff members, to join in the celebrations by dressing up as a favourite book character,” explained our Librarian, Marie Taylor – who set a standard as Miss Haversham from Great Expectations, alongside our Headteacher, Amanda Gibbins, as Little Red Riding Hood.

“This is a tradition we have proudly continued for five years, and it’s always a fantastic way to celebrate reading across the school community.”

World Book Day has become part of a wider, annual Literary Festival at Smithdon, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, with themed activities taking place across the entire week.

“Events like World Book Day are important, because they hopefully promote a love of reading in an engaging and memorable way,” added Miss Taylor, who co-organised the Festival with our Head of English, Amanda Wright.

“They encourage creativity, spark interest in new books, and show that reading is valued across the whole school community.

“Events like this also build confidence, strengthen school spirit, and reinforce our commitment to literacy.”

Sixty of our Year 10 students were put through their paces at the Smallpiece Trust Autonomous Vehicle Challenge STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) Day on Friday 16 January, which saw them work in small teams to both create and pitch their designs.

“The event was run by staff from the Smallpiece Trust, who came in armed with several STEM Lego Spike Kits and iPads, testing tracks, and more,” said Sam Fairweather, Lead for both Careers and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) at our school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“In this particular challenge, students were split into teams, and self-selected certain roles within the group to compete against other teams to design, build, and code a working, autonomous vehicle that had to be programmed to navigate, avoid obstacles, and respond to scenarios.

“Not only this, but students also had to pitch their designs, which focused on teamwork, marketing, and understanding real-world engineering problems.”

It was the first time that the event had taken place at Smithdon, but Taionee Rhodes and Daniel Foulsham from the Smallpiece Trust are scheduled to return in a few months, so that the rest of Year 10 can test their engineering prowess too.

“Fortunately, I have managed to secure another booking for May, which will see the remaining students in Year 10 getting their opportunities to complete a similar event too, that time on wind turbines,” continued Miss Fairweather.

“The project is designed to bring real-world applications of STEM subjects to the classroom, sparking an interest through fun, hands-on activities.

“It’s a way of encouraging students to look at the possibilities for a career in engineering, and help them to build life and leadership skills that can be used throughout all aspects of life.”

“Events like the Smallpiece Trust Autonomous Vehicle Challenge are important because they give students the chance to experience real-world engineering and technology in a practical, engaging way,” she added.

“Rather than just learning theory in the classroom, students can see how subjects like maths, science, computing, and design work together to solve complex, real problems.

“For students, the benefits are wide-ranging. They develop key skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication, all of which are essential for further education and careers. Taking part in an engineering challenge also helps build confidence, resilience, and creativity, as students must test ideas, learn from mistakes, and adapt their designs.

“Importantly, events like this can inspire students by exposing them to cutting-edge technologies such as autonomous vehicles, and showing clear links between school subjects and exciting career pathways.

“For many students, it can spark a lasting interest in STEM and help them make more informed choices about GCSEs, A-Levels, apprenticeships, or future careers in engineering and technology.”

The West Norfolk Academies Trust event was held at Smithdon High School, and the Year 7 and 8 students had to come up with the correct spelling for a range of tricky words.

Among them were antidisestablishmentarianism, martyr, mnemonic and conscientious – but all the students rose to the challenge.

It was a close contest with teams from Marshland, St Clement’s, Springwood and Smithdon High schools all concentrating hard during a tough session of serious spelling.

Springwood High School took first place with Shanjana in Year 8 taking the title of the WNAT Spelling Bee Winner, and she was presented with the prize of an Amazon Kindle Fire and a trophy.

English Lead for the Trust, Sarah Murkin, organised the annual event which was the culmination of a round of heats within each school.

“All four schools competed with outstanding team spirit and integrity. Springwood secured the win, closely followed by Marshland, St Clement’s and Smithdon. Every team delivered a fantastic performance, making the event a true celebration of talent and sportsmanship,” said Amira O’Neill, English teacher at St Clement’s High.

Each of the Trust’s secondary schools take it in turn to host the annual finals and this year was Smithdon’s turn just before the Christmas break.

Our Year 8 cohort enjoyed a trip to the historic Hippodrome in Great Yarmouth to see the Circus, which featured a wide range of international artistes such as aerialists and acrobats, as well as the show’s famous synchronised swimmers, ‘Water Spectacle’, and Giant Fountains, and comedy from comedians Jack Jay and Ben Langley.

It was the first time the trip had taken place – although our school, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, has a long tradition of exposing students to the performing arts.

“Trips like this are part of a performing arts plan, where students have the opportunity to see a show each year that they are at Smithdon, from the local pantomime in Year 7, to where Years 9 to 11 are invited to West End shows in London, and theatre trips locally in Norwich,” said Assistant Headteacher Alysha Moat, who accompanied the students to the Hippodrome, along with Pastoral Manager Sally Collins.

“It is important to come together as a year group to attend exciting trips and see things that we would not normally see.”

In what has become an annual tradition, 81 Year 7 students from our school visited the Princess Theatre, where their ‘wishes were granted’ with a sparkling production of Aladdin.

“At Smithdon, we believe that capitalising on cultural enrichment for our students is vitally important, and we seek to ensure that students have many opportunities to engage with the arts throughout their time at Smithdon,” said our Head of Drama, Vicky Proctor, who organised the trip.

“Over the last 12 months, we have taken students to Lake Garda, London, and Norwich to participate in workshops such as mask making in Venice, a musical theatre extravaganza with the educational team from Wicked the Musical, as well as watching productions such as War Horse, and The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.

“This all begins in Year 7 with the annual trip to the pantomime, which we have been running since 2021.”

This year’s production stars Sam Littlewood as hero Aladdin, alongside Josh Rettie as Widow Twankey – while some of those on the stage had a link to Smithdon, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“The performance features dancers from the Rollason Stage School, where they have cast some of our students past and present, whom we were very excited to watch perform,” continued Mrs Proctor, who was accompanied by Head of Year 7 Alysha Moat, Year 7 Pastoral Manager Sally Collins, and Drama Teacher Kayleigh Brown.

“The pantomime is a fabulous way for us to end the school term on a festive note, as well as providing experience and new learning opportunities for our young people,” she added.

“As staff and students, we love it so much that when it comes to 2026… ‘We’ll have to visit again then, won’t we?’”

The Thread Exhibition features art from students at Springwood in King’s Lynn, Smithdon in Hunstanton, Marshland in West Walton and St Clement’s in Terrington St Clement.

More than 60 students from Year 11 and 13 have used a wide range of media from painting and drawing to sculpture, digital art and photography. It is on show at Chequers House Gallery, King Street,  and is open to the public from 11am to 4pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays to December 28.

“There is no specific theme, but students respond from a range of starting points for their exam and coursework projects and build this into their own style and practice,” said Lee Eveson, Head of Art and Photography at Springwood.

He organised and curated the exhibition with Phil Bennell, Head of Art at the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“Even as a 50-year-old artist and teacher, every painting that you start is an adventure. Sometimes it’s a trial of wits between you and the artwork and, as a creative, you are always evolving. For this reason, I thought Thread was an apt name for the exhibition,” said Mr Eveson.

This year is the eleventh that Mr Eveson has run the event, which often welcomes 500 visitors during the course of the month.

“We have been lucky enough to work with Chequers House Gallery in doing this. They have been amazing, and offered us their new gallery, which I can’t thank them enough for,” he said.

“This exhibition shows students what their work looks like in a professional setting. It raises aspirations, confidence and contribution to the creative arts.

“Creative arts is the second biggest economic provider in the UK. Creative industries are such an important part of our education system and society. We are very lucky to receive the support we do from our senior leadership teams and the community as a whole.

“I feel very lucky to be an art teacher here, not only because of this but because we have outstanding students at our schools,” added Mr Eveson.

All year groups at our school took part in the annual Save the Children appeal, with the aim of topping last year’s total.

“We do Christmas Jumper Day every year to raise funds for Save the Children,” said Deputy Headteacher Sarah Robinson. “Last year we raised nearly £300.”

The first Christmas Jumper Day was launched by Save the Children in December 2012, and the event has since raised £30 million to help children in 93 countries across the globe. Last year, the charity reached 41.2 million children worldwide, and supported 375,000 UK children and families.

Adding to the festive flavour at Smithdon, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, the students were also served Christmas lunches on the day, while the Year 7 cohort enjoyed activities such as Music Bingo, which was organised by Assistant Headteacher Alysha Moat.

“We feel it’s important to raise awareness and support this charity, and it also brings some festive cheer to the school, as some students and staff really go to town with lights and Christmas decorations,” added Mrs Robinson.

An impressive 150 Year 9 and 10 students completed the sessions, which took place across a two-day period at the school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“Over the past seven years, we have applied for several grants that have allowed us to have the most trained youngsters in first aid in the area,” said Alysha Moat, Assistant Head of Key Stage 3, who helped organise the event.

“We applied for a grant from the Town Council, who kindly paid for all of Year 9 to take part. We want to have as many youngsters as possible trained as we can in the area.”

The programme was delivered by RCR Services, which provides training in first aid, health and safety, and fire safety, and has been working with Smithdon for the past six years.

Skills covered included basic first aid, as well as training in automated defibrillator use, Epi Pens, CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation), and how to treat cuts, bleeds, and burns.

“This is an element of the Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education (PSHE) Curriculum,” continued Ms Moat.

“This qualification has helped them with their GCSE subjects, such as Health and Social Care, their Duke of Edinburgh Awards, PSHE Curriculum, Science, and Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN), et cetera.”

As well as receiving financial support from Hunstanton Town Council, the first-aiders were supported in person during the training by Mayor Cynthia Easeman and Deputy Mayor Mark Williamson.

“The Mayor and Deputy Mayor both attended to see what the students were up to,” explained Ms Moat. “The Mayor said they both thoroughly enjoyed the time spent watching, learning, and chatting to the students.”

“Events like this are massively important,” she added. “Completing the course allows students to learn life-long, valuable skills, and boost their CV, having a bigger impact on the students’ aspirations, attitudes, and behaviours in and outside school.

“It also provides the local community with many more qualified people in first aid – a vital thing, considering the current crisis the NHS is in.”

Our Year 11 Prize Presentation and GCSE Certificate Evening saw the Class of 2025 joined by parents, staff, school governors, family members, and friends, as well as representatives from Hunstanton Town Council, Hunstanton Heritage Centre, the Hunstanton Lions, and members of Hunstanton and District Rotary Club – all keen to celebrate the students’ successes.

All the attending students received their GCSE exam board certificates, while there were also a number of other prizes, including 20 subject awards, which were based on nominations made by members of staff.

“It is great to have the students return to collect their awards, and for us to find out what they have moved on to do at Sixth Form, College or in Apprenticeships,” said our Headteacher, Amanda Gibbins, who presented each subject award winner with a trophy.

The occasion also saw the introduction of two new awards sponsored by Hunstanton Heritage Centre, with the first History Award going to Charlie Leverett, and the first Geography Award to Harley Stuart.

Also, new this year was a cup sponsored by the Rotary Club of King’s Lynn, which was awarded to Isabel King for Hospitality and Catering; while Marie Jarvis from Hunstanton and District Rotary Club was on hand to present Bethany Green with the Rotary Young Citizen Award, in recognition of her fundraising work.

Among the other prize winners was former Head Boy, Ethan Guymer, who was awarded the Hunstanton Lions Prize for Service to the School and its Community, with Assistant Headteacher Dan Ward making the presentation.

“It was a pleasure to work with all these students over the last few years; it is great to be here tonight to celebrate all of your successes,” said Mr Ward, who also presented a Pastoral Leader Award to Niamh O’Donnell – her second honour of the night, alongside the Halls Exhibition Foundation Endowed Prize for Mathematics.

The Mayor of Hunstanton, Councillor Cynthia Easeman, introduced the Mayor’s Award for the Smithdon Seven, sponsored by Hunstanton Town Council, which went to Ruby Chamberlain for demonstrating all aspects of the ‘Smithdon Seven’ – ‘Self-Belief’, ‘Ambition’, ‘Responsibility’, ‘Community’, ‘Prepared’, ‘Respect’ and ‘Pride’.

In addition, a number of endowed subject awards were presented across the evening, with the Connie Martin Memorial Prize for English Literature going to Thomas Mills; while the Clare Shield for English Language went to Matthew Crossman; and Amber Holness received the Clare Shield for Art.

Also receiving accolades were Reece Ward, who was given the George Raines Memorial Award for Sport by Head of PE Jamie Tilley, and Bonnie Parsons, who attained the Hunstanton Round Table Award for Physical Education.

The final awards were made by the Chair of Governors, Robert Lodge, who presented prizes for top progress and achievement, with Freddie Ince announced as having achieved the best overall results, as well as receiving the subject award for Business.

“We are so proud of all our students and their personal successes,” added Steve Chapman, Assistant Headteacher at Smithdon, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“It is so important to us to celebrate with them, and to acknowledge the accomplishments of all their hard work.”

The local heats of the annual event took place in school on Thursday 27 November, when ten of our Year 10 Hospitality and Catering students rose to the challenge of creating a healthy dish for two on a budget of just £6.00.

“The students get one hour and 40 minutes to create their dish and serve, ready for judging,” explained Food and Nutrition Teacher Becky Dibble, who was a member of the judging panel, along with School Governor Debbie Parry, and our Deputy Headteacher, Sarah Robinson.

“It is judged on skill level, food safety, personal hygiene, presentation, and taste.”

Remaining cool under pressure, Jessica B took first place, impressing the judges with her lemon-crust, pan-fried chicken breast served with home-made pasta in a creamy sauce; while Grace B was runner up with her chicken souvlaki dish of Greek seasoned chicken on flatbread with salad.

Jessica’s win has secured her a place in the District Final at West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds in February, where she will pit her skills against other students from across the county, in the hope of making it to the National Final – and earning a trip to Tuscany, complete with cookery course.

She will be supported by King’s Lynn Rotary Club, who will pay for the ingredients needed for her next competitive creation.

The Rotary Young Chef Competition has become a regular fixture on the calendar at Smithdon, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“The competition is extremely important, as it boosts the competitors’ confidence, gives them a chance to show off the skills they have gained, and become more independent,” added Mrs Dibble. “They can add this to their CV, which can set them aside from other students.”

Organised by WNAT – of which we are a member – the Musical Instrument Tuition Initiative (MITI) Workshop was hosted by Smithdon High School, and saw our students joined by younger pupils from several feeder schools, including Snettisham Primary, and Heacham Junior (both also part of the Trust), and Hunstanton Primary.

“We had Smithdon students participating from across Years 7 to 11,” said WNAT Peripatetic Music Lead Benjamin Howell, who organised the event.

“Students represented a broad range of instrumental areas, including strings, woodwind, brass, and percussion.”

The musicians were divided into a String Orchestra and Wind Band, playing under the guidance of Mr Howell and Peripatetic Music Team members Eddie Seales, Mary-Ann Robinson, and David Maddison; while the workshop was also supported by WNAT Director of Music Robin Norman.

“Students worked in two groups, coming together for a couple of combined pieces,” continued Mr Howell.

“Throughout the workshop, the students explored a mixture of repertoire, featuring elements of rock and roll, boogie-woogie, and jazz.”

The day concluded with a performance for family members and friends, where the musicians were able to display their new skills.

“The final performance was well received, and attended by a number of parents, whose support was very much appreciated, as always, in encouraging the students on their musical journey,” added Mr Howell.

Our Headteacher, Amanda Gibbins, and Head Students Miles and Daisy, represented the school at the event on Sunday 9 November, where they laid a wreath at the Cenotaph.

Activities also took place within school, with Mrs Gibbins leading a whole-school assembly on Monday, which was followed by a national gathering on Remembrance Day itself.

“On Tuesday 11 November, all students in Years 7, 8, and 9 took part in the nationwide Royal British Legion Assembly, led by JJ Chalmers, including an address by Prince William,” explained Deputy Headteacher Sarah Robinson.

“They all then took part in a two-minute silence, as did the rest of the school.”

Remembrance Day has long been a key fixture in the calendar at Smithdon, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“We do the Remembrance Parade in Hunstanton every year and lay a wreath,” added Mrs Robinson.

“It’s very important to educate students on these events and provide opportunities for them to reflect.”

Our students and staff swapped their school uniforms for an array of colourful costumes and outfits for a non-uniform day, but the main event was the fiercely competitive sporting duels held during the lunch break.

Led by Head of PE Jamie Tilley, the fundraising saw staff battle students in a thrilling series of challenges, including Boccia, Table Tennis, and Archery, with every participant donating to the cause. The students especially loved the chance to try and claim bragging rights over the staff.

In addition to the physical challenges, a popular bake sale fundraiser took place during break and lunch, courtesy of ASDAN Lead Kayleigh Brown and her Year 10 and 11 students, offering a range of delicious treats.

Design and Technology Teacher Alix Birks, who supported the Student Council in planning the event, said: “The students enjoy wearing their own clothes for a day, and being able to buy treats, as well as taking part in a range of sporting challenges. It’s a great way to support such a good cause.”

Headteacher Amanda Gibbins added: “It is a great opportunity for the school community to raise money for some really worthy causes, and I am proud of how passionately our students get behind these events."

With previous years raising around £300, the school community is hopeful of meeting that figure again to support vulnerable children and young people across the UK.

Across the West Norfolk Academies Trust, other schools like Gaywood Primary held Dance-athons and Walpole Cross Keys Primary enjoyed treasure hunts and quizzes.

Appropriately taking place on Wednesday 5 November, the Key Stage 3 ‘Fireworks’ event at Smithdon saw students from Years 7, 8, and 9 take part in a series of practical science experiments designed to explore the sounds, colours, and explosive nature of fireworks.

“Students got to do flame tests, watch icing sugar exploding, listen to cannon fire, and do various other science experiments with the theme of fireworks,” explained Claire Pike, Head of Science at our school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

Smithdon has been holding the co-curricular science events half termly for the last four years, with past themes including CSI, DNA, and ‘May the Force Be With You’. There is also an annual water rockets session which takes place every summer term, and features the popular and explosive combination of mints in coke.

“Staff ensure students can take part safely but still enjoy doing practical work that they cannot do in normal lesson time,” continued Mrs Pike, who organised the fireworks event with the help of Trainee Teacher Chantelle Long and Learning Support Assistant Jeni Sutherland.

“These events are very important to show students that science can be fun, and doesn’t just have to be what you learn in class,” she added. “They benefit students enormously in improving their practical skills and enjoyment of science.”

The Macmillan Bake Sale saw more than 30 students organise and run the event, where they worked together to fundraise for Macmillan Cancer Support.

“Our Year 10 and 11 ASDAN students organised a cake sale, which took place at break and lunch times in the Main Hall,” said Kayleigh Brown, ASDAN Lead at our school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“We asked students to bring cash to buy cakes and contribute to our fundraising effort. We also received cake donations from the community to help support us.”

“The students worked in different teams to allow this to happen,” she continued. “Some were bakers, some focused on marketing, some focused on designing the bake sale area. All the students were incredibly eager to raise awareness and money for the charity.

“There were so many staff members who helped with donations of cakes, giving up their time to help support at break and lunch times. We could not have been this successful without this huge support.”

The fundraiser has become a regular fixture in our school calendar, with this year’s figure topping the amount raised last time round.

“We had hoped to beat the previous year of £200, and we raised £240.48 this year,” added Miss Brown, who was supporting the Bake Sale for the fifth year running.

“These are incredibly important events that offer students far more than just a chance to enjoy sweet treats – they foster empathy, teamwork, and real-life skills.

“By supporting Macmillan Cancer, students learn the value of giving back, and become more aware of the challenges faced by those affected by cancer.

“Organising and participating in these events helps students develop leadership, communication, and entrepreneurial skills, as they plan, promote, and run the sale. It also boosts confidence and encourages collaboration, while strengthening the school community through shared purpose and engagement.”

One-hundred-and-fifty students from Years 7, 8, and 9 were joined by Senior Leadership, staff, friends, and family for the annual Key Stage 3 event, which saw the presentation of 250 prizes, including badges, certificates, plaques, and gift vouchers.

“Alongside awards for PE and subjects, there were rewards for meeting our ‘Smithdon Seven’,” said Mike Johnson, Assistant Head Pastoral Care at our school, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“The Smithdon Seven are the words we expect all our students to exemplify – ‘Self-Belief’, ‘Ambition’, ‘Responsibility’, ‘Community’, ‘Prepared’, ‘Respect’, and ‘Pride’.

“There was a badge and a certificate for each of the seven, for each of Years 7, 8, and 9.”

Three students were also honoured with ‘Smithdon Stars’, with Daisy in Year 7, Eloise in Year 8, and Jessica in Year 9, each receiving a badge and certificate from our Headteacher, Amanda Gibbins.

Another high achiever was Brayden May, who was announced as winner of the annual 500-word short story competition, and presented with the prize of a tablet. It was a particularly impressive achievement for the Year 9 student, as he had recently placed first in Cambridge University’s prestigious Cambridge Writers essay-writing competition.

“At Smithdon, we recognise the importance of rewarding all the great work of our amazing students and their excellent attitude towards their work and each other,” continued Mr Johnson.

Besides Mrs Gibbins, staff involved in the presentation ceremony included Assistant Heads Alysha Moat and Dan Ward, and Deputy Head Sarah Robinson.

“The Key Stage 3 Prize Giving Evening is the culmination of the year’s student rewards programme,” added Mrs Gibbins.

“With a culture focused on positivity, rewards underpin everything we do – from the hourly-issued rewards points, R3 postcards, and daily recognition at Spotlight each morning, to the weekly Chocolate Friday, regular R4 Headteacher’s Recognition Letters, and termly rewards breakfasts and celebrations.”

Our Year 11 students will be next to have their achievements honoured, with a November Prize Giving scheduled to celebrate their exam successes.

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.”

The group chose a range of different professions to sample, with some travelling as far afield as Gloucester, Milton Keynes, and the West Midlands for their placements, while others stayed closer to home.

“Each student is given a work contract, which they have to sign before they attend their placement,” explained our Careers Lead, Sam Fairweather, who organises Work Experience Week. “This gives them details of working hours (start and finish times and breaks), uniform, and an outline of the tasks they will be undertaking, along with a risk assessment.

“There is a real range of companies involved, and each student replicates the role of the employee they are working with. Some students in larger companies were given the opportunity to work with different departments each day within the same company, whilst others working with sole traders got a real taste of what employment in that industry really entails.”

Among the companies offering placements this year were Henrys, Oasis, SilverSands, Snettisham Farm Park, the YMCA, the RSPCA Shop, and Flemmings, along with Searles, Palm Papers, and a number of hotels, cafes, restaurants, and schools in the area.

“I think every local primary school had some new classroom assistants, helping the younger students with their learning,” continued Miss Fairweather. “We had students in local cafes, restaurants and hotels, learning how the hospitality industry works.

“Searles are always very supportive and took 15 of our students across a huge range of departments, including events, leisure and hospitality, grounds and maintenance, at both the Searles Hunstanton and Heacham Manor site.

“We had students at Palm Papers working on the CHP and steam raising systems, plumbers, electricians, and landscape gardeners.”

The work experience students were also supported by our Year 10 Form Tutors: Jamie Tilley, Head of PE; Andrew Corder, Head of History; Science Teacher Veronica Soper; and Maths Teacher Sam Plant; as well as Amanda Gibbins, Headteacher at Smithdon, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“Work experience is more than just a week away from the classroom,” added Miss Fairweather. “It’s a vital opportunity  to prepare for the future. Whether students are aiming for university, an apprenticeship, or going straight into the workforce, hands-on experience in a real job setting provides invaluable lessons that go far beyond textbooks.

“Work experience helps students develop key employability skills, such as communication, teamwork, time management, and problem solving. It also gives them a taste of what different careers are really like, helping them make more informed decisions about their future paths. For many, it’s the first step in discovering  what kind of work they enjoy – or don’t.

“Ultimately, work experience gives students confidence to step outside their comfort zone and see what lies beyond the school gate. It’s a valuable part of education that helps turn ambition into direction, and gives young people a stronger start in life.”

All students from Years 7 to 10 at Smithdon High School took part in this year’s event on Monday 21 July, with some members of staff participating too.

Taking a new approach, form groups were divided into four houses, each represented by a colour, while another change saw the introduction of a series of ‘inclusive’ events for the first time.

“This year was different,” explained Head of PE Jamie Tilley, who organised the day with the assistance of the PE Department at Smithdon, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“We held our traditional athletics events, but, alongside that, we had our inclusive sports too, so that everyone could be involved to help achieve points for their house.”

Athletic competitions included 100m, 200m, 800m, 1,500m, and relay races, as well as high jump, javelin, shot put, and discus; while the ‘inclusive’ sports comprised archery, golf, targets, and track walking.

“The day was very competitive, and every single pupil put everything in to achieve points for their house,” continued Mr Tilley. “All winners from the events received gold medals for their amazing performances on the day.”

Among the record breakers were Daniel in Year 7, who ran the 200m in 30.89 seconds, and Harry, also in Year 7, who finished the 1,500m in five minutes 37 seconds; while, in Year 8, Indie broke the 200m time of 28.47 seconds, which had been held since 1988, completing the race in 27.85 seconds.

New school records were also achieved by Fletcher in Year 9, who ran the 100m in 12.20 seconds, beating the 12.50-second record that had been made in 1981, and Anya in Year 10, who set new times for both the 200m and 100m, running 31.31 seconds and 13.11 seconds respectively.

“The PE Team officiated the athletics,” said Mr Tilley. “We also had Mrs Fairweather, who updated the results throughout the day to see which house colour was in the lead – a very important role for the day.

“All staff at Smithdon High School were involved in one way or another, from competing themselves to marshalling the pupils with their activities.”

Once all the scores had been tallied, the overall winner emerged as Blue House, with a total points score of 3,111, followed by Yellow House with 2,774 points, Red House with 2,716 points, and Purple House with 2,704.

The highest-scoring students were each crowned ‘Sportsperson of the Day’. Both members of Blue House, Anya in Year 10 contributed 320 points to be named ‘Victrix’, and Daniel in Year 7 clocked up 210 points to earn the title of ‘Victor’.

“Sports Day is important because it promotes physical activity, encourages teamwork, and supports the overall development of pupils,” added Mr Tilley.

“It provides an opportunity for all students to participate in a fun, inclusive environment where they can be active and celebrate sporting success, aiming to achieve personal goals or trying to break the Smithdon records.”

Smithdon High School, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, welcomed around 130 pupils to its Year 5 Experience Day, with participating primaries including fellow WNAT members Heacham Junior and Snettisham, along with Hunstanton, Docking, Brancaster, Sandringham and West Newton, Flitcham, and Dersingham.

“During the day, they took part in three activities,” said our Deputy Headteacher, Sarah Robinson, who organised the event. “These ranged from creating a collaborative artwork, to the Egg Drop Challenge, to a workout in Smithdon’s Fitness Suite.

“We also had some drama activities happening, and some great coding work going on in ICT.”

Other staff members meeting the visitors included our Headteacher, Amanda Gibbins, and Alysha Moat, who is Assistant Head of Key Stage 3. The children were also joined by some of our Year 9 students, who offered additional support during the visit.

“We have run a Year 5 transition event for well over ten years,” continued Mrs Robinson. “It is well established in our calendar and one of the key events in collaboration with our primary partners.”

“This is part of our wide-ranging transition programme, where we work with all our feeder primary schools to build links and make the transition process at the end of Year 6 as smooth as possible,” she added.

“By the time the students come up to us for our Year 5 day, they have already been up to Smithdon in Year 4 for a sports event, and have met a lot of our teachers during Art, Science, and Reading outreach activities held in the primary schools.

“Transition to high school is a huge event in a child’s life, so the more comfortable we can make our students feel by running events like these, the better.”

Performers from all age groups across our school took part in the show at Hunstanton Town Hall – including some of our Year 11 students, who had left following completion of their GCSEs but returned especially for the event.

“Students performed a range of pieces, from solo singing to rock bands to the choir,” said Sarah Robinson, Deputy Headteacher at Smithdon, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“Highlights were Lyra playing the violin accompanied by her grandad on the piano, our resident Year 8 rock band, The Unknown, and a showpiece preview of next year’s musical, Sister Act.”

The popular annual event has become a regular fixture in the school calendar, and was attended by around 150 people, including friends, family members, staff, and members of the community.

The guest of honour this year was our Head of Music, Andrea Barnes, who spent all day at the Town Hall helping the students to prepare, despite being heavily pregnant and currently on maternity leave.

“We run a concert at the end of every term to celebrate our musical talent across the school,” continued Mrs Robinson, who also helped to support the students on the day, along with peripatetic music teachers Dan and Becky.

“Events are so important to showcase the wide-ranging talent that we have at Smithdon,” added our Headteacher, Amanda Gibbins.

“We continue to see the students’ progress in their musical skills from concert to concert and are so proud of their achievements.”

The Year 7 modern language students had previously won their way through the earlier stages of the competition, which had been held in class at the individual high schools.

It was the first time the event had taken place, with 18 students from Smithdon, Springwood, St Clement’s, and Marshland making it to the final, which was hosted by Marshland and supported by the school’s Year 7 cohort.

“The Department at Springwood High School have been running a spelling bee competition for a number of years, and the Languages Team decided this year to extend this to the rest of the Trust schools, and then to celebrate the successes of the students by have a cross-Trust final,” explained Leah Hawkins, Cross-Trust Lead for Modern Foreign Languages.

Languages tested in the contest included French, Spanish, and German, with vocabulary covering topics such as family members, numbers, colours, days, months, adjectives, and greetings.

“Students were given lists of 100 pieces of key vocabulary per language which they practised,” continued Mrs Hawkins. “They then had one minute to translate the English word they were given into the target language, and then spell it out using the target language alphabet, including any relevant accents.

“For the final, all 18 students had their one minute to spell as much as they could; the second round was the eight with the top scores; and the final four then spelled for a third minute to determine the winner of the competition.”

Coming out on top was Year 7 student Jasper Hawkins from Springwood, who correctly spelt 16 French words in one minute to take first place, beating classmate Anieshka Daniel, who came second with 12 German words in one minute.

Third place went to Patrick Roman, also in Year 7 at Springwood, who spelt 11 Spanish words correctly in one minute.

Each of the three won an Amazon voucher, while everyone participating received a certificate and commemorative blazer pin badge.

“The Spelling Bee has given us an opportunity to celebrate the students’ recollection and knowledge of key vocabulary, as well as increasing awareness of the phonetics of the foreign language being studied,” added Mrs Hawkins.

“In addition, it helps build student confidence in public speaking, and the overall profile of language learning in school.”

All 115 of our Year 7 students took part in the ‘Race to the Line’ event, which was sponsored by Stannah Stairlifts in conjunction with the Learning Partnership.

The young engineers were also fortunate to have Tony Steel, a STEM Ambassador from Rolls Royce, on hand to discuss ideas and offer design advice.

“Students designed their cars, drilling holes for wheels, designing the wheels, and making them as aerodynamic as possible,” said our Head of Science, Claire Pike, who organised the event with the help of Design Technology Teacher Alix Birks, and Maths Teacher Sam Plant.

“Students also did some challenging maths in a session looking at speed, distance, and time.”

Once the designs had been built, their creators had the opportunity to test the cars in the sports hall.

“In the afternoon session, all the students eagerly awaited the launch of the cars using carbon-dioxide gas,” continued Mrs Pike. “They certainly flew down the track, with the timing gates run by a micro-bit computer doing the timing.”

It was the first time that our school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, had held the event.

“It was really fun to be smart and creative to create a car,” said student Tyler. “Athough our car didn’t do well in the race, the process of making it was the best. It also made me understand the importance of teamwork."

“Race to the Line was very good and fun, because you built your own cars then raced them to see who was fastest,” said classmate Air. “I really liked the mechanical side of it, with the aerodynamics and how to make your car go fast. It was really good seeing everyone’s different designs and ideas as they flew down the centre of the sports hall.”

Fellow participant Harry agreed: “I really liked it, as we got to have our own design and shape of the cars, and it was really engaging at the end when they all raced.”

“This type of event is hugely important to show students how STEM subjects all come together to support each other,” added Mrs Pike.

“It was an amazing day, and the students were fantastic even with the hot weather.”

One-hundred-and-fifty students from Years 7, 8, and 9 were joined by Senior Leadership, staff, friends, and family for the annual Key Stage 3 event, which saw the presentation of 250 prizes, including badges, certificates, plaques, and gift vouchers.

“Alongside awards for PE and subjects, there were rewards for meeting our ‘Smithdon Seven’,” said Mike Johnson, Assistant Head Pastoral Care at our school, a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust. 

“The Smithdon Seven are the words we expect all our students to exemplify – ‘Self-Belief’, ‘Ambition’, ‘Responsibility’, ‘Community’, ‘Prepared’, ‘Respect’, and ‘Pride’.

“There was a badge and a certificate for each of the seven, for each of Years 7, 8, and 9.”

Three students were also honoured with ‘Smithdon Stars’, with Daisy in Year 7, Eloise in Year 8, and Jessica in Year 9, each receiving a badge and certificate from our Headteacher, Amanda Gibbins.

Another high achiever was Brayden May, who was announced as winner of the annual 500-word short story competition, and presented with the prize of a tablet device. It was a particularly impressive achievement for the Year 9 student, as he had recently placed first in Cambridge University’s prestigious Cambridge Writers essay-writing competition.

“At Smithdon, we recognise the importance of rewarding all the great work of our amazing students and their excellent attitude towards their work and each other,” continued Mr Johnson.

Besides Mrs Gibbins, staff involved in the presentation ceremony included Assistant Heads Alysha Moat and Dan Ward, and Deputy Head Sarah Robinson.

“The Key Stage 3 Prize Giving Evening is the culmination of the year’s student rewards programme,” added Mrs Gibbins.

“With a culture focused on positivity, rewards underpin everything we do – from the hourly-issued rewards points, R3 postcards, and daily recognition at Spotlight each morning, to the weekly Chocolate Friday, regular R4 Headteacher’s Recognition Letters, and termly rewards breakfasts and celebrations.”

Our Year 11 students will be next to have their achievements honoured, with a November Prize Giving scheduled to celebrate their exam successes.

The Class of 2025 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

“Everyone enjoyed the evening.”

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

Both schools are part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, and the new anthem was specially composed by the Trust’s Peripatetic Music Lead, Benjamin Howell.

“On Tuesday 18 June a collaborative sing-along took place at Heacham Junior School,” he said.

“The event brought together children from three Trust schools, who joined voices to perform a special composition I’d written – a school anthem for Heacham Junior titled ‘In Our Village by the Sea’.

“This anthem was created specifically for this event, reflecting the local area and the spirit of the community.”

Children of all ages across the school, from Years 3 to 6, took part in the event, along with Year 2 pupils from Heacham Infant School, and the members of Smithdon Choir, who ranged in age from Years 7 to 11.

They were also supported by the Dersingham Community Choir, an adult choir who joined the young singers for the final chorus of the anthem.

“My role as the Trust Peripatetic Music Lead has been to develop and coordinate this initiative, with the aim of uniting students and members of the wider community through collaborative music-making,” continued Mr Howell, who organised the event with the help of Music Teachers Nic Bouskill and Gill Smith, as well as Heacham Junior’s Executive Headteacher, Louise Jackson, and Executive Deputy Head Emma Hunt, and Andrea Barnes, who is our Head of Music.

“Learning of the piece began through assemblies and rehearsals led by myself across the participating schools,” he added.

“The event ran from 1pm to 3pm, with smaller group rehearsals leading into a shared performance later in the afternoon.

“The final rendition was recorded as a memento of this collaborative effort.”

The secondary school students worked with SKF Cooper, a company in South Lynn with a long history of engineering and invention.

The students from Springwood, Smithdon, Marshland and St Clement’s High Schools used Computer Aided Design techniques to make a pattern using a 3D printer.

The teams then met at Smithdon, in Hunstanton, to cast the designs in aluminium, working with Nigel Willingham, Headteacher and Design and Technology teacher at St Clement’s High School.

“It was great to see students from across the Trust working together to create these products. Casting is not seen in many schools so we were delighted to be able to offer our students the opportunity to see this engineering process in action,” he said.

Prior to launching the project, teachers from the Trust visited the SKF Cooper site to see the casting process being used in an industrial setting. They also completed additional safety training to ensure they were qualified to teach the process to students.

“I’m grateful to Gary Hellard from SKF Cooper who has supported us throughout the project and came to work with the students and judge the outcomes on casting day,” said Mr Willingham.

All the students were rewarded with SKF water bottles and the four winners also received caps and chocolate bearings.

“The students have all been brilliant throughout the day and worked really hard. We hope to see some of them applying for our apprenticeships in a few years. Engineering skills are still very much in demand, and it’s been great to see the design and technology teachers come together to deliver this project,” said Mr Hellard.

Cooper was established by Thomas Cooper, an inventor and brilliant engineer in 1894 in King’s Lynn. His first major invention was a revolutionary steam digger for use in arable farming. 

After his death and throughout the second half of the 20th Century, it has focused on the ground-breaking split bearing he designed in 1907.

The teenager has grown-up with stories of his great-grandfather who flew a bomber in World War II.

“I have heard all his amazing stories from my grandad, including one about how he got frostbite in both legs. I’d already been really interested in the world wars since primary school when I first found some books about them. But hearing those family stories made it feel more real to me. That’s what really sparked my interest in World War II history, especially the planes,” said Charles Werner-Smith.

Set-up with help from librarian Marie Taylor, memorabilia on show at the school  included items borrowed from the Norfolk County Council Library Service, which ranged from wartime propaganda posters to celebration pictures taken 80 years ago.

“Charles has a keen interest in World War II, especially the planes. He wanted to commemorate VE Day and approached me with the idea of creating a small display in the library,” she said.

There was also a mini street party with sausage rolls, cake, lemonade and music from Dame Vera Lynn which gave students the chance to step back in time and reflect on the day, and what had happened during the war years.

A group of students also joined the town’s official event held at the war memorial, known as the Cenotaph, this morning (8) when the commemorative flag was raised. Saturday sees a Gala Day at the Town Hall from 2.30pm. A street party is being held on Sunday from noon after a parade and service.

Smithdon Salutes Broadway saw soloists and choirs from the school perform a range of well-known pieces from popular musicals, while there was also an appearance by school band 'The Unknown' at the event, just before the end of term.

“Our Year 8 band, 'The Unknown', is always a highlight, as they amp up the energy,” said Andrea Barnes, who is Head of Music and directed the show.

“Our singers were also a true showcase of how much hard work they are doing, with absolutely beautiful solos from Hamilton, Les Miserables, and Oliver, among others.”

Around 30 students from Years 7 to 11 were involved in the production, both on stage and behind the scenes.

“The performers just like any opportunity to get on stage and perform to an audience,” continued Mrs Barnes.

“We also try to make our concerts really student-led, with students running and helping with lighting design, sound, stage managing, and as runners. 

“This sense of ownership over the concert gives them a lot of pride in what it is they have done. They also really like being able to support each other in their artistic endeavours.”

The Easter concert has become a regular fixture in our calendar, and, for the last few years, has taken the music of stage and screen as its theme.

This year, staff supporting the production included peripatetic teachers Dan Ashby and Becky Harrington, as well as Smithdon’s Deputy Head, Sarah Robinson, Head of Design Technology Alix Birks, Head of Year 7 Alysha Moat, and Drama Teacher Kayleigh Brown.

“The concert went brilliantly,” added Mrs Barnes. “The students are growing and growing in their talents, and it is lovely to showcase it. The feedback received was really positive from everyone. Many people commented on how much improved our musicians are becoming, especially our singers.

“Events like this are really important to our student community, but also to the greater Hunstanton community.

“It is really important for the students to be able to have opportunities, no matter what their skillset is, to showcase what it is they are learning in lessons and clubs.

“It helps to build their confidence as they perform on stage. And it shows our wider community how truly amazing and talented our students are.”

We hold regular musical events throughout the year, with the school’s Summer Concert due to take place in Hunstanton Town Hall in July.

“The students’ performances are going from strength-to-strength,” said Headteacher Amanda Gibbins. “It is so heartwarming watching their progress from each concert to the next – both in confidence and quality. I am so proud of their dedication, and of the work Andrea does to support them."

Springwood hosted the hotly fought contest, which also featured performances from fellow Trust high schools Marshland and Smithdon, with the 25 band members ranging in age from Years 7 to 13.

It was the third time that the event had taken place, with this year’s contestants including Dislocated Shoulder from Marshland; The Unknown from Smithdon; and Springwood’s The Rock Club, Boogaloo, and The Gliders.

“The highlights were watching all the amazing, up-and-coming bands from three high schools, with a special mention to The Unknown from Smithdon’s rendition of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen,” said Pete Cuss, Head of Arts at Springwood and organiser of the event.

He was supported by Springwood Music Teacher Thomas Burt, Springwood Associate Head Nick Wills, and WNAT CEO Andy Johnson – all of whom also joined forces to perform a version of ‘Green Onions’ as the Staff Band.

Despite stiff competition, The Gliders came out on top, performing tracks by Royal Blood, the Arctic Monkeys, and McFly to impress the audience, which included talent scouts from Hunstanton Festival.

The Battle of the Bands Trophy was presented to the winners by Mr Cuss.

“This is not only an important event for the Trust to give young musicians the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience, but also for our local area,” he added. 

“The majority of established musical talent in West Norfolk was formed in schools, and many performers go on to perform in local venues and at events like Festival Too.”