Norwich High School for Girls hosted its annual Senior School and Sixth Form Prizegiving ceremony on Wednesday, July 9th. The event, a cornerstone of the school calendar, took place in the beautiful marquee on Big Pitch, bringing together students, staff, parents and distinguished guests, including the Lord Mayor, Sheriff and Lord-Lieutenant, to celebrate a year of remarkable achievements. This year’s ceremony held particular significance as it coincided with the school’s 150th year, marking a century and a half of empowering young women.

The ceremony commenced with welcoming remarks, setting a tone of reflection and aspiration for the academic year gone by. The event provided a platform to acknowledge the diverse accomplishments of students across all disciplines, from academic excellence and approach to outstanding contributions to school life.

Opening the proceedings, Chair of Governors Liz Sillitoe extended a warm welcome to all attendees. “I am absolutely delighted to welcome you to our annual Prizegiving, and thank you all for taking time out of your schedules to come and celebrate with our students today,” she stated. Liz highlighted the momentous occasion of the school’s 150th year, emphasising that “Fundamentally, the ethos of Norwich High has never really waivered. Our staff foster a ‘girls-first’ environment, encouraging a supportive community where individual growth and development are at the core.”

Following her welcome and reflection on the school’s enduring ethos, Liz expressed profound gratitude to all members of staff – from support and catering to teaching and estates teams – for their extraordinary commitment to the students. She emphasised their tireless drive to help every girl succeed and find her passion, leading to a round of applause. Liz then enthusiastically directed attention to the core purpose of the day: celebrating the achievements of the students, before inviting everyone to join in singing the National Anthem.

Building on Liz’s welcome, Alison’s speech delved deeper into the spirit of Norwich High. She highlighted various 150th-year celebrations, from welcoming alumna Elizabeth Watts to the launch of the 150 Bursary Appeal, and even teasing the upcoming unveiling of a commemorative sculpture by alumna Rachael Long, inspired by “Hope is the thing with feathers”, a poem by Emily Dickinson.

Alison then transitioned to a personal reflection, noting that this Prizegiving marked the end of her five years at Norwich High. She reflected on starting at Norwich High in 2020 during the Covid pandemic, recalling Michelle Obama’s “Middle C” story as a metaphor for finding one’s grounding point amidst new or overwhelming experiences.

She went on to praise the prizewinners and all students: “Today, we celebrate the students who embody everything this school stands for. This year, our students have embraced challenge and spoken up with courage and clarity. That confidence isn’t loud or showy. It’s grounded in kindness, resilience and strength of character. Our girls have asked questions, sought answers and explored the world with enthusiasm.”

Concluding her address, Alison extended heartfelt thanks to the staff for sparking boldness, confidence and curiosity, and to parents for their unwavering partnership and trust. Reflecting on the past academic year, she described it as “a year of growth, joy, challenge and pride,” declaring it “completely unforgettable.” In a touching farewell, she shared that she too would be seeking her “Middle C” at The Glasgow Academy, carrying cherished memories from Norwich High. She then warmly introduced keynote speaker Jo Słota-Newson, expressing her personal inspiration from Jo’s English Channel swim and her belief that Jo’s story would resonate with all.

First, imagination, which for her, involved moving from a simple mile swim to envisioning and planning the Channel crossing through small, incremental steps. She stressed that “the biggest barrier really was deciding to do the thing in the first place.” Second, teamwork, as she vividly described how her seemingly solo swim was, in reality, a monumental team effort involving her boat crew, pilots, coaches, friends and family, whose support she felt throughout. Finally, adaptability was crucial, as she recounted the unpredictable nature of Channel swimming – dealing with unexpected start times (like swimming at night), dense fog and powerful tides that constantly shift your course. She shared a personal moment of resilience, praying and singing “Amazing Grace” in the fog before finally stumbling onto a French beach after 15 hours.

Jo concluded by drawing parallels to her work in venture capital, noting that starting a company also requires imagination, teamwork and adaptability. From her remarkable experience, Jo powerfully articulated what it takes to achieve challenging goals: “I don’t know what hard things you might go on to do, what challenges you may take up,” she shared, “But I know, that with imagination, teamwork and adaptability, you can do extraordinary things, and I look forward to seeing you do them.”

Following her inspiring address, Jo Slota-Newson presented the prizes to this year’s deserving recipients, celebrating their outstanding achievements across the Senior School and Sixth Form.

As the ceremony drew towards its close, Liz Sillitoe took a special moment to acknowledge and thank Alison for her phenomenal contribution to Norwich High. This special tribute came as Miss Sefton prepares to become the new Head of Senior School at The Glasgow Academy.

Liz highlighted Alison’s five-year tenure, noting how she “quickly and seamlessly maintained online learning for our students and helped ensure the effects of Covid were minimised”  despite starting her headship during lockdown. Describing Alison as a leader with “exceptional focus and clarity,” Mrs. Sillitoe praised her “seemingly infinite energy into driving positive changes for our school, encouraging students and staff to continually push boundaries”.

Under Miss Sefton’s leadership, the school maintained rigorous academic standards, achieving outstanding exam results and numerous awards. Liz commended Alison as a “strong role model” who regularly shared her own non-linear career story to inspire students to follow their passions. Despite it being her first headship, Liz affirmed that Alison “has most certainly risen to the challenge and led the school with strength, determination and drive”, remaining “unwaveringly professional, courageous and loyal to this school”. Liz concluded by thanking Alison on behalf of the entire Norwich High community for her “momentous contribution” and wished her every success in her new headship, acknowledging that her “limitless amount of energy”  would surely see her conquering new mountains in Scotland.

The 2025 Prizegiving ceremony was a poignant and celebratory occasion, perfectly encapsulating the spirit of Norwich High School for Girls. It not only honored the hard work and dedication of the students but also reinforced the enduring values of the school, especially pertinent as we celebrate 150 years of shaping futures. The event served as a powerful reminder of the bright prospects that lie ahead for our leavers as they embark on their next adventures, equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence nurtured during their time at Norwich High.