On Wednesday, July 8th, Norwich High School for Girls GDST hosted its annual Senior School and Sixth Form Prizegiving ceremony. The event, a definitive cornerstone of the school calendar, took place in the marquee on the Big Pitch, bringing together students, staff, parents and distinguished guests to celebrate a year of remarkable achievements and community spirit.
Celebrating the success of our students at the annual Prizegiving ceremony.
Fiona Lettice, Chair of Governors
Opening the formal proceedings, the Chair of the School Governing Body, Professor Fiona Lettice, extended a warm welcome to all attendees, including fellow governors, dedicated staff, families and the Class of 2026.
Reflecting on a year defined by both immense achievement and leadership transition, enthusiastically highlighting the school’s newest chapter:
“After Easter, we were delighted to welcome Nicola Griffiths as our new Head,” Professor Lettice stated. “Although she has only been with us for a relatively short time, Nicola has already brought tremendous energy, warmth and ambition to the school community.”
Professor Lettice reaffirmed that while leadership may evolve, the foundational spirit of Norwich High remains beautifully constant – a place where girls are empowered to be ambitious, curious and confident through the strength of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) network.
Nicola Griffiths, Head of Norwich High School for Girls
Taking the podium for her first official Prizegiving address, Head Nicola Griffiths expressed her great pleasure in welcoming the community. She proudly emphasised that the outstanding work taking place at Norwich High is always on full display across every facet of school life.
“Work at Norwich High is always visible, whether it is playing on the sports field, gardening in Dingley Dell, completing a Kahoot quiz in French, coding in the IT suite, working on the F24 race car or contributing in a school council meeting,” Ms Griffiths noted. “Today at our annual prizegiving we are recognising the achievement, commitment and perseverance of some of the visible work the girls do here.”
Ms Griffiths looked back fondly on her first term, noting how much she has treasured spending time with the girls. She highlighted several standout moments from the year:
- Creativity and Performing Arts: The beautifully choreographed annual Fashion Show, the “absolute masterpiece” production of Les Misérables, the Senior School Showstopper, and the Year 6 production of Wonderland.
- Academic Engagement: Completing “A Day in the Life” experiences alongside Year 7 and Year 10 students, where she witnessed an interpretation of Shakespeare so dynamic it eclipsed anything she had seen in her career, including her travels as an ISI inspector.
- Experiential Learning: Accompanying Year 7 to Ranworth during Big Skies Week to explore the biodiversity of the Broads.
- Sporting Spirit: Splendid Sports Days and the Sports Award Dinner at Norwich City Football Club, featuring inspiring guest speaker and GB athlete Victoria Williamson.
Concluding with a powerful quote from Michelle Obama – “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish” – Ms. Griffiths congratulated the prize winners, praising them as wonderful ambassadors who showcase that very truth every single day.
Keynote Speaker, Fiona McNae (Class of 1988) and on ‘The Gloriously Non-Linear Life’
The school was absolutely thrilled to welcome back alumna Fiona McNae (Class of 1988) as the keynote speaker. Fiona’s remarkable career uniquely bridges hard science, international business and creative communication. Having trained as a Biochemist with a PhD in Molecular Toxicology, she later shifted into creative brand strategy, eventually co-founding Space Doctors – scaling it from a two-person consultancy into a globally recognised B Corp brand agency spanning six countries. Today, she balances singing in the Brighton Festival Chorus with managing a small-holding in the Sussex Weald dedicated to ecological renewal.
Returning to the school nearly 40 years after her own Prizegiving, Fiona delivered a brilliantly candid, funny and deeply moving speech titled “The Gloriously Non-Linear Life: Leading with Curiosity and Courage in an Uncertain World.”
Fiona shared how her own post-school journey began unexpectedly behind the reception desk of a chicken factory after her A-Level results didn’t go to plan. She urged the girls to embrace failure as a necessary catalyst for reinvention rather than the opposite of growth:
“Failure transforms [identity]. Failure forces reinvention. Failure, I believe, introduces you to yourself… And if you can survive embarrassment- which I highly recommend learning early – you become strangely free. Free to experiment. Free to risk things. Free to begin again.”
She challenged the rigid societal expectation that young women must have a flawless five-year plan by 18, reassuring them that they only ever need to decide on their “next best step.” Pointing to the complex, shifting world they are inheriting, she reminded the students that nature survives not through rigid repetition, but through adaptation, curiosity and heart.
Following a beautiful musical interlude of Mendelssohn’s Lift Thine Eyes performed by the Year 10 Singers, the formal distribution of prizes began.
The outgoing Head Girl team, Daisy, Evie, Rebecca and Isabel, warmly introduced the awards. Trophies and certificates recognising academic excellence, steadfast commitment, creative mastery and community perseverance were read by Deputy Heads Matt Bradshaw and Helen Dolding as students took to the stage to receive their honours from Fiona McNae.
“Norwich High is not just a school, it’s a community, a family and a place I personally will miss very much. Prizegiving reflects what Norwich High is best at; noticing and celebrating the individual talents and achievements of students.”
Heartfelt Farewells and Long Service Awards
As the afternoon drew to a close, Outgoing Head Girl, Daisy, delivered a touching Vote of Thanks on behalf of the student body, followed by the collective singing of the School Hymn.
Ms Nicola Griffiths then returned to the stage to offer a final vote of thanks, paying special tribute to the Year 13 student leavers and departing staff members. In a particularly momentous occasion, the school celebrated the incredible loyalty and dedication of four staff members who have achieved an impressive 25 years of service to the Norwich High family.
The day concluded with an invitation to parents, families and guests to spill out onto the lawns to enjoy refreshments (including delicious canapes) on the pitch under the summer sun.
The 2026 Prizegiving ceremony was a wonderful reflection of everything that makes Norwich High School for Girls so special. As this academic year comes to a close, we are incredibly proud of all our prize winners and full of excitement for our leavers, knowing they go forward with the confidence and curiosity they have developed during their time with us.
