2025 Prep and Nursery Winter Arts Festival: A Journey Through Time

Posted on 18th February 2025 by Susan Roberts

The Norwich High Prep School & Nursery 2025 Winter Arts Festival.

The 2025 Winter Arts Festival (WAF) has been an eagerly awaited event, particularly this year as it coincides with the Norwich High School for Girls 150th anniversary celebrations. With our theme of Time, the Prep School and Nursery embarked on a thrilling journey through past, present and future, all culminating in a truly memorable week.

The festival kicked off with a captivating Time Machine entrance to Stafford House Hall, complete with disco lights and shimmering curtains. Each morning, as the girls walked through this magical gateway, they were transported to new worlds and eras, not knowing what surprise awaited them each day. The sense of excitement was palpable, with the girls venturing through time from the future to the recent past, and beyond.

The whirlwind journey through time kept everyone on their toes. From futuristic inventions to stepping back into the 1920s, each day offered something fresh and inspiring. Of course, the Time Police were on hand to ensure that everyone adhered to the rules of time travel—sometimes with a little bit of light-hearted mischief!

At the heart of our festival was the focus on mental health. Through our Take Time sessions, led by Norwich High School Head of Early Years, Mrs Rhian Barton, the girls explored the importance of self-care and reflection. These sessions encouraged them to practise positive affirmations, helping them realise how special they are. It was a truly uplifting experience that resonated with everyone involved.

“Perhaps the most lasting memory of this year’s festival will be the overwhelming sense of joy that filled our school. From the Reception child excitedly sharing her encounter with a baby dinosaur, to the infectious laughter of the girls as I was “arrested” by the Time Police, this week has been full of delight. Whether it was seeing the girls mastering a new dance step or simply enjoying the excitement of a new challenge, the fun and enthusiasm were truly contagious.”

Susan Roberts, Head of Prep School at Norwich High School for Girls GDST

I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the fantastic team of staff who made this week such a success. Many of them attended Young Voices on Monday and still managed to be in school bright and early on Tuesday, dressing up for assembly and running sessions. Their dedication to making the festival such a joyous event was nothing short of inspiring. A special mention must go to our Strictly Come Dancing competition, which was a fitting and spirited finale to the week.

I hope you enjoy browsing through the descriptions below, where you can get a glimpse of the many exciting moments that our pupils have experienced throughout this incredible week. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!

A Day-by-Day Breakdown of Our Time Travel Adventure

Monday: Future Friends

The week began with a focus on the future, particularly through the lens of robotics. While the older girls attended Young Voices, the Pre-Prep classes were busy designing their own robots in a variety of creative ways, even crafting a giant one! Year 1 and 2 took part in an engaging drama session led by Mrs. Rae-Gardner and her Year 8 students, which provided valuable teamwork and creative skills.

Year 2 spent their afternoon in the art room, creating Boom Boxes using neon pastels, paint and press printing techniques. Meanwhile, we celebrated our largest ever group of girls attending Young Voices—a day filled with music, excitement and unforgettable memories.

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Tuesday: Decades Day

Decades Day saw the Norwich High Prep School staff kick off the fun with a fabulous fashion show to introduce the different decades each year group would be exploring. The girls delved into the unique fashion, culture and music of decades from the 1920s to the 1990s. Year 4 even had the chance to tie-dye their own T-shirts in preparation for their 60s-themed dance session.

Throughout the day, the girls worked with our Dance Teacher, Lily-Mae, learning dances from each era to perform in Friday’s Strictly Come Dancing competition. In addition, each class painted a chair and created a time capsule, which will serve as a special keepsake of their journey through time.

Wednesday: Retro Day

Retro Day brought a nostalgic twist to our time travel adventure, as the girls explored how everyday life has changed over the years. The retro sweet shop at break was a particular highlight, with the girls spending pocket money coins on treats from the past. They also revisited childhood games like skipping, hula hoops and hopscotch on the playground.

The Time Police were especially active on this day, even “arresting” Mrs Roberts for crimes against time during assembly! In the photography session, Year 3 and Year 6 girls embraced the past by learning how to use old cameras and developing black-and-white photos. Their eye for composition was exceptional, producing beautiful and atmospheric images.

Thursday: Dinosaur Day with TeachRex

Thursday was an unforgettable day, as TeachRex brought dinosaurs to life in the Prep School and Nursery. The girls were mesmerised by the giant T-Rex, Jam, and even had the chance to test his sense of smell and tickle him in assembly! Later, they made their own dinosaur-themed films using green screen technology, with teachers getting in on the fun.

Year 5 had a hands-on experience in the Senior School’s Product Design room, where they created wooden robots, learning valuable design skills along the way.

Friday: Back to the Future

We wrapped up the festival with a Back to the Future celebration, where the girls reflected on the technological predictions made in the films and imagined what the future might hold. They designed their own futuristic inventions and had the opportunity to try out VR headsets for a glimpse into future travel.

The grand finale of the week was our Strictly Come Dancing competition, where each year group performed their decade’s dance in front of judges and cheering classmates in the Senior School Drama Studio. The energy was electric, with fierce competition and lots of fun—and even a few teacher performances!

We are so proud of all the creativity and joy that the girls have brought to this year’s Winter Arts Festival. From exploring different eras to embracing new challenges, it has been a week to remember!

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