Playing in the Leagues! - Noah Rastrick

January 22, 2025

Noah Rastrick, U6, has been playing for Ipswich for the past 3 years! To celebrate his success and love of football we asked him some questions.

How long have you been playing football?
A very long time, I can’t remember a time where I didn’t play football. I’ve always been around football because of my dad's work, he used to work at Tottenham and he now works at Norwich as the academy director. I have played local football all through when I was younger, U14 was my first and I got signed U15 and have been there ever since, now I’m in U18s.

So how did you originally get signed onto U15s at Ipswich?
There was someone from Ipswich when I was playing a game through a local team and then my dad spoke to someone about it and I was given the opportunity to go and play for them, in a showcase game, and from there they offered me a formal trial. In the trial I did well and I was signed on 6 weeks afterwards.

And what is the week-by-week of that? In terms of training?
Up to year 11, you are training usually 3 times a week in the evening so mine was Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and then you play a game on the Saturday. Once you get to U17 (in 6th form) a lot of the boys go full-time but my parents and I decided it was best for me to go through a hybrid program where I did my school work at the school and then try and play as much football as possible. I have been aiming for 2 days a week around my lessons and then I am involved in the match day around my academic studies.

What A Levels do you study?

Psychology, Business and Sports Science.

Has studying sports science helped your sporting journey?

Absolutely, there’s plenty of things you can take from the course and apply to football and the same goes the other way around. I’ll be sitting in class, and we will learn about motivation/teamwork, and I can pinpoint moments in football where that is relevant, it’s helpful to be able to link that to real life experiences.

And what’s your future educational plans?

Ideally I would love to study in the United States, I would really like the opportunity to get access to the elite sports that they have there and to combine that with my academics.

Are there any that you are looking into at the moment?

Not specifically, I’m keeping my options open, I have some agents that are helping me with the process which is exciting.

So how do you fit your football life into your school life? How do you balance it with your A Levels?

It can be difficult especially right now as we have just had mock examinations but I think I have learnt to cope with it pretty well and knowing that if I need help that the people at Ipswich and Norwich School are very good and they help me with balancing it. There are times as well when football can be very intense but on the whole it is manageable whilst difficult, but I have learnt a lot from it.

Great, and do you also play for the school’s 1st Team?

Yes I do.

How much of your week is taken up by football?

In those weeks where I am playing both for the school and Ipswich it is quite a large amount! Mr Cole is very good, he has a great program where we do off the pitch sessions as well, so we do Yoga, 5-a-side, it’s very good! Ipswich is also very intense. So for example, last term was Boys Football term, on Monday I would have Yoga with Mr Cole and then I’d go and do my own training in the evening. Tuesday with the school usually playing a game, Wednesday with the school, Thursday I’d be with Ipswich, Friday was a free day and Saturday I’d either be training or playing with Ipswich.

And with a lot of people in sports a strict routine and diet is something that can be quite important, is this something that you find helpful at all?

I think I have always been quite good with that, I’m very disciplined with diet and routine As I understand the importance of good behaviours and how it can benefit performance . I think that comes from the 3 years of being at an elite club and to keep up with the other players you have to adapt.

Have you ever played much nationally with Ipswich?

Yes we have a great games program where we play other clubs around the country. During my time at Ipswich I’ve played teams like Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester United, Arsenal. Scoring a few times against some of them!

Does this involve a lot of travel then?

Yeah we have done overnight trips at Fleetwood, Cardiff, Swansea, Burnley, it’s been a good summer travelling! Alongside this I have to travel to training and games whenever I go, which can be very draining and repetitive. But I believe it’s taught me the importance of discipline and made me understand how hard the world of football truly is mentally.

And this might be a bit of a difficult one but why Football? Why not hockey or rugby?

I think it’s because its more of a family thing for me, as I said earlier I have always been around it. It’s just been what I’ve done, even when I was in the Lower School I just tried to play football at every opportunity, I played rugby and hockey also but football was just what I liked to do.

What do you like about it?

Genuinely everything. Whilst, its difficult at times and very demanding and when the level increases it gets more difficult, but I’d say everything. I love being in the game, watching football, talking about football and just being around football!

What are your future hopes? What’s the dream?

At the minute the dream is to hopefully go to the US to play college football, of course I would to do as well as I can over there and see where I end up with that. They seem to have quite a good system of getting players through to the Major Leagues Soccer, and if that’s an opportunity I could grasp then that would be amazing and see how far football takes me. I would love to have a playing career if possible but it’s very difficult and quite unpredictable, after that I would love to work in football, so whether that be coaching, scouting or another role I’d love to work in it.

Have you ever coached before?

I have done little bits here and there, Mr Cole has helped me with finding opportunities to coach younger years and I have also helped out with Girls Football as well. It’s good to try and explore what I would like to do.

And how, in your experience, does Girls and Boys football differ? Do you think it differs?

It’s the same game but its also different in a lot of ways as well. It is definitely a growing game and I think it is important that people get involved. It’s brilliant with what they have done here at Norwich School. Mr Cole has replicated the Boys Football program for Girls Football, so they also get the same coaching, the yoga, the 5-a-side and all of those things. They have a group of I believe 20-30 girls and I think it’s really great for girls to get involved.

How much of your week is taken up by football?

And with a lot of people in sports a strict routine and diet is something that can be quite important, is this something that you find helpful at all?

I think I have always been quite good with that, I’m very disciplined with diet and routine As I understand the importance of good behaviours and how it can benefit performance . I think That’s come from the 3 years of being at an elite club and to keep up with the other players you have to adapt.

Have you ever played much nationally with Ipswich?

Does this involve a lot of travel then?

Yeah we have done overnights at Fleetwood, Cardiff, Swansea, Burnley, it’s been a good summer travelling! Alongside this I have to travel to training and games whenever I go, which can be very draining and repetitive. But I believe it’s taught me the importance of discipline and made me understand how hard the world of football truly is mentally.

And this might be a bit of a difficult one but why Football? Why not hockey or rugby?

What do you like about it?

What are your future hopes? What’s the dream?

At the minute the dream is to hopefully go to America to play college football, of course I would to do as well as I can over there and see where I end up with that. They seem to have quite a good system of getting players through to the Major Leagues Soccer, and if that’s an opportunity I could grasp then that would be amazing and see how far football takes me. I would love to have a playing career if possible but it’s very difficult and quite unpredictable, after that I would love to work in football, so whether that be coaching, scouting or another role I’d love to work in it.

Have you ever coached before?

And how, in your experience, does Girls and Boys football differ? Do you think it differs?

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National Year of Reading - September

By Eleanor Lewis • September 23, 2026

2026 is National Year of Reading and we are going all in here at Norwich School! We know reading expands worlds, sharpens minds, and fuels creativity, so let's get inspired! Every month we are focusing on a different genre and hearing from a member of staff about what they like to read, why, when and where! For the start of a new school year, we’re talking to Mrs Hewitt about her favourite genre. Let's find out more about why Mrs Hewitt loves the great American novel... . Tell us a little bit about the genre; what common themes or elements do you particularly enjoy? I’m not completely sure this is an accepted genre, but I have always been drawn to American novels from the 20th century. Characters in these novels live harder lives than me. Life is not generally kind to them and they are not always kind to others nor make the ‘right’ choices. You can explore human frailty and resilience in the face of poverty, social disapproval or upbringing without ever leaving your cosy armchair. What was the book that introduced you to American novels? Was there a particular book or author that made you fall in love with this genre? Children’s books were nowhere near as varied and diverse when I was young. I grew up reading Noel Streatfield, Enid Blyton and Louisa May Alcott and other books written when my grandparents were young and if they weren’t written ‘in the olden days’, they were set ‘in the olden days’. Studying A-level English, French and German literature meant that I had many weighty tomes to plough through in my late teens, so discovering The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger in the school library opened my eyes to the idea that a book’s hero could be my age with a teen’s outlook. They put me in the shoes of people who were far bolder, more unconventional and exciting than me. Has your taste in this genre changed over time? Yes. I am less inclined to accept misogyny in books now. You could argue that Charles Bukowski intentionally set out to make his nihilistic alter ego Henry Chinaski to be unpleasant and repellent, but if I were to reread, I would rather choose The Best of Everything by Rona Jaffe, which is a great insight into life for young women in the early 50s dealing with such attitudes. Would you recommend this genre to someone who doesn’t usually read it? Why? I’m happy to tell people about books I’ve enjoyed, but rarely recommend any, as enjoyment of a book is so personal. I’ve recommended some of these to my son, but he won’t be told and flat-out refusal is just annoying. So, all I can say is that millions of people have loved them, but you may not. What do you enjoy most about reading, whether an American novel or anything else? I read to experience lives I will never live and to get to know people I will never meet. When and where is your favourite time and place to read? On public transport, as there are no other tasks or distractions to take me away from my book. I can fully disconnect from what is around me. A three-hour train journey? Divine. Yes please. Tell us a little bit about the genre; what common themes or elements do you particularly enjoy? I like the fact that I never know if the ending will be happy. The genre is typically described as ‘gritty’. These books focus on people who are on the edges of society, whether by choice or by circumstance, in a time of powerful, narrow-minded social judgement. I saw New York through the eyes of James Baldwin’s gay, black jazz musician Rufus in Another Country ; I enjoyed pool-hall hustles in Hard Rain Falling by Don Carpenter, a 24-hour dance competition in They Shoot Horse Don’t They? (Horace McCoy) and came face-to-face with the grim reality of war for young soldiers in Norman Mailer’s debut novel The Naked and the Dead. If you could step into the world of any book, which would it be and why? Well, I certainly wouldn’t step into In Cold Blood by Truman Capote and I’m not sure if I would survive On The Road in the way that Kerouac did, although I’d certainly enjoy travelling across America. Perhaps I would do this with Joan Didion instead in The White Album , or with John Steinbeck and his dog in his caravan while he wrote Travels with Charley and I could tell him how much I love East of Eden . Click here to see the monthly reading list!

An Assembly on Artificial Intelligence from Alex Grant

By Eleanor Lewis • September 23, 2026

Deep in the summer holiday, my dishwasher broke down. It started beeping maniacally, relentlessly and making a deep, unhealthy gurgling sound. We are dependent on technology in so many aspects of our lives, it is frustrating when that dependency is abruptly cut off. An August of suds and rubber gloves was an unwelcome prospect. I have little skill to fix mechanical things. Very little. Faced with this problem, I thought I’d turn to someone - or some thing - in my household that might help: my own intelligence fell short so I thought I’d see if Artificial Intelligence could assist me in my predicament. Could one machine fix the other? I fed the symptoms of my dishwasher’s distress into the Large Language Model, Google Gemini. ‘What should I do?’ I asked it, pathetically. It quickly diagnosed the problem: water was trapped in an inaccessible part of the machine. Now, I do own an assortment of under-used screwdrivers; with a flash of inspiration, I suggested that I could unscrew some prominent screws at the bottom of the dishwasher. ‘No!’. Gemini advised me. Sensibly, it told me to not do that under any circumstances or I would break the thing forever. Screwdriver hanging limply in my hand, my exchange with Gemini continued… You will know Artificial Intelligence is the subject of much debate. Some claim, optimistically, that it will revolutionise human life for the better, solving difficult problems and removing drudgery. On the other hand, some claim unrestrained AI development could lead to the extinction of humanity. That would, at least, solve the dishwashing problem. For those of us in schools, the emergence of generative AI poses a challenge to the purpose of education; it can now do many of the tasks that have, until now, been the preserve of humans. Put simply: AI can – efficiently – find any information, read and summarise a text, write fluent and polished prose, offer instantaneous translation, complete every part of a mathematical or scientific problem, and generate music or art in any genre. Is it, therefore, still important to learn to do these things for ourselves. Before Easter, I asked senior year groups for their views on AI. I am grateful to the 400 in U5 and above who responded with eloquence, supported by their experiences. Whilst many noted positives - that AI can bring efficiencies – it was notable that the majority expressed concern, frustration or even anger about the impact that AI may continue to have. Some cited environmental concerns, or problems of biased, deepfake or hallucinated information. Many noted that AI can compromise academic integrity and enable cheating. A majority expressed concern that dependence on AI may result in people losing the ability to think critically or independently. This view is increasingly supported by hard evidence. A study by MIT in the USA last year indicated that dependence on AI for essay writing resulted in students having a much shallower understanding of the subject, weakening their critical thinking and formation of long-term memory. A recent Chinese study of 27,000 students found the exam performance of those who used AI for their regular work was worse than those who did not. Many of you said you are confused about what is permitted and that the school has not given sufficient guidance. That’s a fair point. The answer is not simple, but I can set out some broad principles. Firstly, in the age of AI, the cultivation of your intelligence and creativity remains an intrinsic good. Intellectual and creative effort has value. Even if AI can do a task, we should be interested in developing our own learning for its own sake; to encounter astonishing new things that change us as human beings. To let you into a secret: when I set a history essay to a class, it isn’t because I actually need 25 copies of that essay. It is because the process of producing the essay develops your learning. Efficiency in production is not the goal of education. Learning requires your brain to work hard and you can’t bypass that difficulty or offload it onto someone or something else. It would be analogous to repeatedly drive a car for 26 miles in the expectation that you will be fit and prepared to run a marathon. Secondly, if AI is used, it should be to support learning, not undermine it. There are AI tools that can be powerful in helping to develop thinking and your teachers may introduce these to you. But their use should not circumvent intellectual effort that is a necessary part of learning. Thirdly, we recognise the growing importance of AI literacy; as the technology becomes embedded into our lives, it is essential that we understand its capabilities and limitations, as well as ethical questions that are raised in a world where AI may become ubiquitous. Mr Fisher has done pioneering work on this with his Fifth Form Elective course and I look forward to working with Lawrence Doe on his red gown project to develop how we do this further. Finally, AI must not diminish our humanity or our relationships in this community. The ‘real’ matters and it was clear in your feedback that many of you are repelled by AI-generated material that is synthetic or impersonal. In particular, you felt strongly that if you put time, effort and love into something, that you want it recognised and considered by a teacher, not assessed by a machine. As with all technology, AI should remain a tool in service to our needs. Dependency on technology for intellectual tasks – tasks much greater or more complex than washing dishes - runs the risk that we become incapable. So, what was the resolution of my dialogue with Google Gemini? It concluded – firmly - that I should step away from the dishwasher, lay down my screwdriver, and call out a mechanic; a real person with the knowledge and skills – the human intelligence - required. When he arrived, he sorted the problem within 15 minutes. I could return – sheepishly - to my dependency on the machine.

Norwich School Pupil Successful in Guildhall Young Artists’ Composition Competition

By Eleanor Lewis • September 22, 2026

The final of RELEASE 2026 , Guildhall Young Artists’ (GYA) composition competition, was held on Saturday 12 September at Guildhall School’s Milton Court Concert Hall. The event was hosted by Jeffery Wilson, founder and Creative Director of RELEASE, and actor and Guildhall alumna, Sophia Roberts, and featured premiere performances of twelve new compositions. The finalists were chosen by an adjudicating panel consisting of saxophonist and owner of Saxtet Publications, Tom Bruton, Deputy Head of Electronic and Produced Music and Lead Professor of Film Music at Guildhall School Barbara De Biasi, composer, orchestrator, and arranger Matthew Sheeran, and Sub-director of Studies and Teaching Associate at St John's College, Tim Watts. Upper 5 pupil, Isaac S, won the ‘Release the Song’ category with his setting of two Shakespeare songs. Hear them here on YouTube. He will receive mentoring from ‘Audio Network’ professionals and attend an orchestral session at Abbey Road as well as a live masterclass with Paul Ressel and a cash prize. Isaac was also awarded second place with his string quartet Burnt Norton. Isaac commented: "The joy of the whole thing is that it's such an eclectic competition, there's been a really wonderful breadth of entries and it offers opportunities to young composers in all genres, forms and all media. There are so many opportunities across a whole breadth of disciplines out there and it represents many of them. It's wonderful to have more recognition wanting to go into composition professionally later in life."

An Exciting Start to the Year with the Clubs and Societies Fair

September 22, 2026

The start of the Academic Year is a very busy time as we return to school life following the summer break. One of the highlights of the start of term is the Clubs and Societies Fair. It is an event full of enthusiasm, hub bub and excitement. This year was no exception as we held the Fair on Tuesday 8 September in our Upper King Street building. The Fair is an opportunity for pupils, new and returning, to go around stalls representing our various Clubs and Societies and find out more about their aims and activities. Over six locations 30 clubs and societies created table top displays showcasing their club or society. It is always pleasing to see pupils leading the stands and talking to other pupils about the activity that they enjoy and are representing. There is no better advocate for that particular activity. Our Games Department were on hand to talk about the vast array of activities that pupils can join. The Music Department had a rolling backdrop of images from concerts and recitals. It was wonderful to hear during the course of the Fair one of our Fourth Form pupils who took to the piano for an impromptu gifted performance. Two of our activities, KS3 Textile Club and Community Knitting Club covered a table in the items that they have made, all colourful and many of the pieces had been designed by pupils. Ms Scott, along with some of our Sixth Form pupils, showcased our EDI societies. Warhammer and The Fellowship: Dungeons and Dragons had a display of their games. Our Cubing Club was represented, and it was wonderous to watch a group of pupils completing their cubes which such dexterity and enthusiasm. In the Café, our DJ Club provided the musical accompaniment keeping us all entertained. This year it was wonderful to welcome back Writers’ Bloc. This has proved a very popular activity and we look forward to reading the creative works from the group, there maybe a budding Dame Julia Donaldson within our midst. Following the Clubs and Societies Fair, pupils are invited to formally register for the activities via SOCS. We have 120 Co-Curricular activities taking place before school, during break and lunchtimes and also after school. With healthy membership at the majority of the activities with some over subscribed. Our Clubs and Societies are now up and running. Our SOCS platform holds all the up to date information regarding the Co-Curricular Clubs and Societies. Those pupils who have registered for lunchtime clubs often need early lunchcards. This year during the various early lunchtime collection sessions, queues of pupils collected early lunchcards. For some pupils, part of the fun is collecting a card for each day of the week. We hope all pupils enjoy joining in these activities which provide opportunities to develop new interests, skills and form new friendships.

Ian Hayward (NS 12-25) Completes Solo Kayak Circumnavigation of Mainland Britain

By Sonja Mitchell • September 21, 2026

This amazing feat saw Ian travel over 2,200 miles, with 141 solo days at sea!

Aspiring Medics Enjoy an Informal "Meet the Doctor" Event with Dr Ward

By Eleanor Lewis • September 21, 2026

We were fortunate to welcome Dr Sean Ward from Sheringham Medical Practice this morning for an informal "Meet the Doctor" event. Dr Ward is also Clinical Director for Sheringham, Holt and Fakenham Medical Practices and a teaching fellow Norwich Medical School and has vast experience with both patients and medical students. He was able to pose questions and suggest responses which certainly stimulated the brain first thing on a Monday morning! Sean offered his time after receiving a number of enquiries from pupils who are interested in pursuing a medical career and deciding it would be easier to speak to everyone at the same time. The hour-long meeting was relaxed and full of interesting conversation, questions and food for thought, including the building of three new hospitals in East Anglia, all with private rooms instead of traditional wards - all to prevent the spread of infection, and incredible use of robotics in surgery, allowing surgeons to perform intricate operations from another country. The message from Sean was very clear; medicine and healthcare are never "just one career". Whether research based, or in a practical role, whether working for the NHS or even as a medic for the armed forces, there is endless opportunity to learn and develop. Training or university is just the beginning!

Racing to the Finish Line with the Greenpower Electric Car

By Eleanor Lewis • September 20, 2026

On Sunday 20 September, the School Greenpower Racing team competed at the Lotus test track at Hethel against more than 20 other schools from across the country. They came 5 th and 9 th in the two Heats - the best performance ever, with the 9 th placing particularly impressive as they started from the pit lane. Ms Ling would like to congratulate the drivers : JJ L, Rowan K, Alejandro O, Gabriel C and Arthur L. She would also like to thank Alex P for his invaluable support on the day. Thanks so much to the pupils for taking some fantastic photos!

A Celebration of History and Culture

By Sonja Mitchell • September 18, 2026

As part of the national Heritage Open Day scheme, Norwich School was delighted to open its Air Raid Shelter, Crypt and school Chapel to visitors this month.

A Musical Start to the Michaelmas Term

By Eleanor Lewis • September 17, 2026

The new Michaelmas Term got off to a fantastic musical start with our first Informal Concert, featuring a wonderful selection of performances from pupils in Upper 3. The concert showcased an impressive range of instruments and musical styles, with performances on piano, cello, guitar and French hunting horn, alongside some confident vocal performances. The programme took the audience on a real musical journey — from the instantly recognisable fun of Wallace and Gromit and The Muppets Theme, to the beautiful The Swan by Saint-Saëns and the atmospheric Sunrise by William Carroll. There was plenty of variety too, with a traditional take on Old McDonald , the lively Sparkling Splashes and Smooth Water , Burgmüller’s charming Petite Réunion and the much-loved Cavatina . The vocal performances brought their own energy and character, including songs by Stephen Sondheim and Bruno Mars. It was particularly lovely to see pupils sharing their music so confidently at the very beginning of a new school year. Informal Concerts provide a relaxed and supportive opportunity for young musicians to perform to an audience, build confidence and celebrate the progress they are making with their instruments and voices. Director of Music for the Lower School Mr Vine said 'a huge well done to everyone who performed. What a brilliant way to begin another term of music-making!' The next Informal Concert will be on Thursday 24 September featuring pupils from Lower 3.

Summer of Cricket Success

By Eleanor Lewis • September 15, 2026

It has been a fantastic summer of cricket, with several strong performances across the Norfolk County age group programme and some notable achievements involving members of the Norwich school community. Our 1st XI captain represented the Norfolk Lions against Suffolk 2nd XI while Lucas B, Max C, Charlie M, Vihaan R, Jaivir A, William J, Freddie P, and Josh B all represented the Norfolk boys age-group squads with success. In the girl’s programme, Isobel S continued her run-scoring form with two more centuries while Charlotte P, Lucy H, Orla B, Georgina D, Rosie B and Bella L alongside On’s India Fox and Niamh Rushton enjoyed excellent season for representing Norfolk. Bella B was selected for an England schools U17 squad that competed in the National school’s competition against Ireland and Scotland where they were crowned eventual winners of the Ebony Rainford-Brent T20 trophy, a fantastic achievement. Our cricket staff also enjoyed an outstanding summer with Mr Alfie Cooper, current Swardeston CC captain, earned his Norfolk County Cricket cap and finished as the leading Minor counties run scorer in the three-day format, that included two centuries. Meanwhile, Mr Richard Sims, our 1st XI Girl’s coach, represented England over-40’s in their Triple Crown competition against Wales, Scotland and Ireland. We wish Mr Sims every success as he travels to Guyana in late October to represent England over-40’s in the World Cup. It has been a memorable summer for the Norwich school cricket programme, and certainly one to celebrate.