Big Skies Week happens in the last week of June every year in the Norwich High Senior School and Sixth Form. It is a chance for all the year groups to finish the academic year with a week of activities offering stretch, challenge and fun. From exploring the big skies of Norfolk, to trips further afield and a varied and interesting programme in school too.
Norwich High School for Girls Big Skies Week 2023.
“Big Skies Week is the chance to stretch the students’ learning outside of the classroom. The staff put a great deal of work into organising an engaging programme of events and trips. It is incredibly rewarding to see how much the students take away from each activity – growing in confidence, building relationships with each other and staff, and learning something about themselves or through the activity on offer. I am very proud of the enrichment and co-curricular programme at Norwich High and Big Skies is the chance to showcase what we do and deliver some long lasting memories for us all.”
Here we round up some of the key activities which have taken place during Big Skies Week 2023.
Monday
Year 7 enjoyed an excursion to Ranworth Broad and Carr Farm for a Geography fieldwork day. The group had the opportunity to see the changes in vegetation structure within the process of freshwater succession at Ranworth and investigate the strategies, such as biomanipulation which are being used to manage eutrophication. In the afternoon the pupils visited Carr Farm and had an interesting talk and tour of the farm, by Mr Hirst. The group had the opportunity to see diversification in action at the farm and learn about how local farmers are managing economic and political challenges as well as meeting the environmental agenda.
Year 9 headed to the coast for a coastal heritage day, visiting the Time and Tide Museum and Marina swimming pool. Our students explored the activities and treats on offer at Great Yarmouth seafront. From Amusement arcades to candy floss, splash park to the history of the town, there was something fun for everyone.
Back in school, Year 10 took part in a first aid course delivered by the team from the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Year 12 had a busy day in school with a CV writing and career coaching talk by Ryan MacArthur as well as a Van Gogh painting exercise and wellbeing walk.
Tuesday
Year 7 had another busy day, with a trip to Castle Acre led by the History Department, bringing the medieval history they have studied this year to life. They began the day by touring the ruins of the eleventh century castle that was built for the Earls of Surrey following the Norman Conquest in 1066. After lunch, they had a short visit to the Church of St. James the Great to listen to a talk from the Churchwarden about the incredible medieval font and imagery on display. They finished the day exploring the Priory – an impressive and evocative site with strong links to the first topic of Year 8 History. The students were exemplary and a good time was had by all.
Year 9 travelled to Mousehold Heath for a conservation day led by Mr Hall. They spent the day working under the guidance of Will Stewart, the Council warden for the area. Bracken pulling was the order of the day, and it was great to see the Norwich High spirit in action as students worked to see which House could clear the biggest area in their one hour. This vital work ensures the heather does not get smothered and out-competed by the bracken. They also completed a historical walk of the heathland and a butterfly survey, the longest continuous running such survey in England. For some, it was their first visit to Mousehold Heath, the “green lungs of Norwich”, but for everyone, it was an opportunity to give some of their time to improve the environment for the wider Norwich community. Well done everyone.
Year 10 enjoyed an Adventure Day with a range of new activities at Thetford Forest, led by serving Military personnel with Explore 4×4. Everyone embraced the challenges and got fully involved, taking on different roles within their team and some experienced leadership for the first time. It was a great action packed day for all.
The Year 12s had a fantastic time challenging themselves at the BIG ESCAPE on Chantry Lane. Aladdin, Our Finest Hour, Dr Who and Alice in Wonderland were the entrapments and challenges they faced. Surrounded by secret charms, chants, poisoned chalices and bewitchments and codes only a few managed to escape the horrors – in truth: all escaped. Dr Who was out first – of course.
Wednesday
Royal Norfolk Show day! As is our tradition, the school was closed on Wednesday 28th June for the Royal Norfolk Show. We had a school stand, with our marquee decorated with lots of recent art and textiles. There was facepainting and crafts on offer, as well as some delicious food and drink. Mr Hall, Mr Shaw and our brilliant Year 12 helpers stole the show with their infectious samba jam music sessions which got lots of Show visitors up and playing along on the assortment of drums and percussion instruments. It was wonderful to see so many current and past families come and say hello, as well as alumnae and friends of the school.
Thursday
The school stand remained open at the Norfolk Show on Thursday, but with school open again, the Big Skies Week activities included a beach clean for Year 7 and a creativity day for Year 9 focusing on ideas to help the school celebrate our 150th anniversary in 2025.
For Year 10, Thursday and Friday of Big Skies Week saw the whole year group out undertaking work experience in the ‘real world’ and experiencing life beyond school. They are sure to have gained a lot from their experiences which varied from working within local businesses, schools, hospitals, art galleries and film sets. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and bodes very well for the future.
Year 12 as well as members of Year 9 and 8 started work at Dingly Dell. Finishing off on Friday, we now have a new flower bed beside the Dingly cabin and a re-shaped pond which now holds the water! Under the guidance of Dr Thorndycroft, a wonderful bed of flowers has been planted beside the allotment beds and the aim is that these eventually appear in vases in front reception next year. Vital work to restore the wildlife pond took place, with the lining having been attacked and shredded earlier in the year (possibly a seagull or heron?); with lots of heavy digging, we re-shaped the lining to make it all watertight again and it has filled up nicely. A big thank you to the students and staff who pitched in on the day.
Friday
Year 7 finished their jam packed Big Skies Week with a wellbeing day on Friday. They all took part in a carousel of activities, including art, cookery and forest school, before enjoying music, pizza and popcorn on the lawn in front of the Outdoor Theatre after school.
45 Year 9 students prepared to set out on their training day/night prior to starting their Bronze DofE expedition on Saturday. The expedition took place in North Norfolk; the weather was kind and everyone completed their expedition in good spirits. They walked through an area with lots of wildlife, different types of architecture and even passed a castle.
Many thanks to students from Years 8, 9 and 12 who also helped run the Prep Sports Day on Friday afternoon.
Trips
Year 8 travelled to Normandy for an interesting and fun trip all week working in their French as well as touching on art and history. You can read the full travel diary from Mrs Gibson in her trip report below.
Year 8 Big Skies Week Trip to Normandy: Report
- Senior School
Year 12 students from Norwich High Sixth Form enjoy a cultural trip to Amsterdam every year during Big Skies Week. Read the Trip Report from staff and students below.