There was sparkle at the school gates when Smithdon High School students swapped their uniforms for festive knitwear to raise money for Christmas Jumper Day.

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.

Gangsters, police officers, and a host of singing nuns entertained musical theatre fans in Hunstanton, when students at Smithdon High School staged their annual end-of-year show.

Based on the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, Sister Act Junior tells the story of lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier, who witnesses her gangster boyfriend commit a murder, and is forced into hiding in a convent, disguised as a nun.

Around 40 students from Years 7 to 11 took part in the production at our school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust. Cast members included Geo as Deloris, Rae as Mother Superior, Alfie as Monsignor O’Hara, Harry as Eddie Souther, Millie Mae as Sister Mary Patrick, Ellie as Sister Mary Robert, and Darcie as Sister Mary Lazarus.

Students had an equally important role to play behind the scenes, with Stage Manager Miles and backstage crew Air, Archie, Blake, and George, all working to support the show, which took place on two consecutive evenings, on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 December. There was also a Thursday morning performance for our Year 7 students together with Year 5 pupils from WNAT primary schools.

“The highlight of the show was the chase that happens between the gangsters and the nuns,” said our Drama Teacher, Kayleigh Brown, who choreographed the performance.

Among the other staff members involved in this year’s production were Lead Drama Teacher Vicky Proctor; Design and Technology Teacher Alix Birks; Lead Music Teacher Andrea Barnes; and Head of Design and Technology Sian Wheeler.

The show has become a regular fixture at Smithdon, and Sister Act follows last year’s production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

“Opportunities like these are invaluable for students, giving them the chance to perform in front of audiences, build confidence, work to deadlines, understand the technical aspects of a production, and develop strong teamwork skills,” continued Miss Brown.

“I was completely blown away,” added our Headteacher, Amanda Gibbins. “The performers, lighting and sound team, and the backstage crew were all outstanding in putting on an amazingly slick and impressive production, which moved me to tears.

“I am so proud of all the students involved – and extremely grateful to all the staff who give up their free time to enable the students to gain such a professional experience.”

There were celebrations all round, when last year’s students returned to Smithdon High School for a special awards ceremony held in their honour.

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.”

There was something for all musical tastes, from rock and roll, to blues and jazz, when around 50 young musicians from across the West Norfolk Academies Trust came together at our school to showcase their talents.

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.

Smithdon was buzzing with energy and competitive spirit, all in the name of the annual BBC Children in Need Appeal.

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.

The musical entertainment ranged from classical composers to fictional pigs, when pianists of all ages from across the West Norfolk Academies Trust came together to showcase their talents.

The WNAT Piano Recital was open to students from all 11 of the Trust’s primary and secondary schools, including Springwood High School, which hosted the event.

“These piano recitals are held twice a year, and rotate across the four high schools within the Trust,” explained Benjamin Howell, who is Peripatetic Music Lead at WNAT.

“They provide an invaluable opportunity for students to share their music, gain performance experience, and be inspired by one another in a supportive, informal environment.”

Besides Springwood, the Trust’s other high schools are Marshland, St Clement’s, and Smithdon; while WNAT primaries include Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Heacham Infant, Heacham Junior, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn.

Performing to an appreciative audience of family members, carers, friends, and members of staff, around 20 students each took a turn at the grand piano in the Main Hall at Springwood.

“The Recital has grown significantly in popularity over the years,” said Mr Howell. “Previously held in our Recital Room, it has now outgrown that space.”

“We had a wide range of students participating from across the Trust’s primary and secondary schools, representing a variety of ages and abilities,” he continued.

“Performances featured an eclectic mix of repertoire, ranging from Mozart to the Peppa Pig theme, reflecting both our beginner and more advanced pianists, including some students performing at Grade 8 and beyond.

“One of the real highlights was seeing some of our primary pupils performing for the first time, alongside our more experienced high school musicians.”

Other staff supporting the event included WNAT Director of Music Robin Norman and Music Teacher Thomas Burt, alongside members of the Peripatetic Music Team.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the piano teaching team within the WNAT Peri Team for their continued commitment and support throughout the year in making these events possible,” added Mr Howell.