On Tuesday 5th December, the Norwich High School for Girls community gathered in Norwich Cathedral for our annual Carol Service.
On Tuesday 5th December, the Norwich High School for Girls community gathered in Norwich Cathedral for our annual Carol Service.
The Cathedral was packed with students, staff, alumnae, family and friends who came together to enjoy the opportunity for reflection, celebration and beautiful singing.
The diverse programme involved students from Year 5 to Year 13, who worked alongside the Music and English departments to create a memorable evening.
“We really enjoyed the Carol Service. It is so lovely to have the younger students from Year 5 and 6 involved and their rendition of This Christmas Time by Johnson and Johnson was really heartwarming. Thanks to everyone involved and Merry Christmas!”
The service included a traditional choir processional and congregational carols alongside songs from our Contemporary Choir, Sixth Form Choir, Staff Choir, Chamber Choir and the Year 5 and 6 Choir. The programme was also supported by musical performances from students on various instruments including the violin, organ, harp, flute, cello and hand bells.
Students from Year 7 through to Year 13 took to the pulpit to deliver traditional Christmas readings, while Head, Alison Sefton, read an extract from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. She said: “It was an honour to have Dean Andrew Braddock contribute to his first Norwich High School Carol service by reading John Chapter 1, verses 1-14 which gave me the opportunity for a less traditional reading; a personal favourite of mine.”
So he paused. And the Grinch put his hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low. Then it started to grow.
But the sound wasn’t sad! Why, this sound sounded merry!
It couldn’t be so! But it WAS merry! VERY!
He stared down at Whoville! The Grinch popped his eyes!
Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise!
Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any presents at all!
He HADN’T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: “How could it be so?”
“It came without ribbons! It came without tags!”
“It came without packages, boxes or bags!”
And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before!
“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.”
“Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”…
Director of Music, Mark Hall, commented: “Our school is not merely an educational institution but a vibrant community that fosters growth, learning and a sense of shared purpose. Our Carol Service programme was a reflection of the talents of our students, who worked hard to create a performance that encapsulated the magic of the season.”
During the service, a collection was taken up for the Save the Children Gaza Emergency Appeal. Thank you to everyone who gave generously.
“It was a stunning event, amazing music and a truly magical evening which was very well organised. Such an amazing opportunity for the girls.”
“We just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the Carol Concert last night. It was very well put together, beautifully delivered, and made us feel very Christmassy!”
