New anthem for West Norfolk school

Not many schools get to have their own anthem, so it was a particularly special occasion when pupils from Heacham Junior were able to sing theirs together for the first time – as well as have it recorded for posterity.

The school is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, and the new anthem was composed by Benjamin Howell (Trust Peripatetic Lead) and Matthew Preston.

“On Wednesday 18 June a collaborative singalong took place at Heacham Junior School,” he said.

“The event brought together children from three Trust schools, who joined voices to perform a special composition I’d written – a school anthem for Heacham Junior titled ‘In Our Village by the Sea’.

“This anthem was created specifically for this event, reflecting the local area and the spirit of the community.”

Children of all ages across the school, from Years 3 to 6, took part in the event, along with Year 2 pupils from Heacham Infant School, and the members of the Smithdon High School Choir, who ranged in age from Years 7 to 11.

They were also supported by the Dersingham Community Choir, an adult choir who joined the young singers for the final chorus of the anthem.
“My role as the Trust Peripatetic Music Lead has been to develop and coordinate this initiative, with the aim of uniting students and members of the wider community through collaborative music-making,” continued Mr Howell, who organised the event with the help of Music Teachers Nic Bouskill and Gill Smith, as well as Heacham Junior’s Executive Headteacher, Louise Jackson, and Executive Deputy Head Emma Hunt, and Andrea Barnes, who is Head of Music at Smithdon.
“Learning of the piece began through assemblies and rehearsals led by myself across the participating schools,” he added.

“The event ran from 1pm to 3pm, with smaller group rehearsals leading into a shared performance later in the afternoon.

“The final rendition was recorded as a memento of this collaborative effort.”
Pictures taken by Ian Burt