Normanhurst has developed a strong curriculum that caters for pupils of all abilities. Throughout the School we offer a wide range of activities, educational visits and the opportunity to learn a variety of musical instruments or take part in dramatic productions.
Click here for Extra Curricular Activities - Summer 2010
Physical Education
Physical Education plays an important part in school life and all pupils are encouraged to improve their skills by taking part in a wide range of physical activities.
Normanhurst fields school teams in a variety of sports from Key Stage 2 upwards, which gives pupils the opportunity to compete at local, regional and national levels. Parents are always welcome to spectate and lend their support at these fixtures. Sports lessons and clubs include: soccer, rugby, hockey, netball, athletics, cricket, rounders, dance, gymnastics, swimming, volleyball, softball, outdoor pursuits, aerobic and team building exercises. Pupils are also introduced to the important concept of teamwork. They are encouraged to develop fitness, self-discipline and good sportsmanship.
Extensive local off-site facilities are used in addition to the school’s own hall and playground.
Drama
Drama forms an exciting part of the curriculum from Year 5 to Year 9 and is a GCSE option from Year 10. The initial emphasis is on building skills in co-operation, concentration, confidence and communication. Pupils take part in extremely rewarding productions, and performances are given to parents in the school hall. Individual Speech and Drama lessons are also available.
Art / Design Technology
We aim to inspire and motivate the inner child in every student. Pupils are nurtured to develop feelings of awe and wonder and to appreciate the beauty of the world around them. This approach leads to very creative, analytical and high-reaching students.
The department designs the sets for school productions and has created pieces as diverse as a working car for Bugsy Malone and an underwater world for a puppet production of The Tempest.
Music
Music thrives at all levels in the School. Many of our musicians choose to study, among others, drums, piano, guitar, clarinet, recorder, violin and singing and take part in the various choirs, orchestras and ensembles. Concerts and musicals are staged throughout the year, which provide pupils the valuable opportunity to perform to their peers and parents.
Clubs and Visits
Pupils’ experiences in the classroom are further extended with a range of clubs, educational visits, expeditions and holidays organised throughout the school year. Clubs include badminton, sailing, karate, ICT, French, Art, chess, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Speech and Drama and peripatetic musical instruments. In addition there are Breakfast and Teatime clubs that cater for families requiring additional child care before and after school.
Various educational visits are arranged for pupils that aim to extend the curriculum work undertaken in the classroom. These range from trips to field centres, museums, galleries, historical sites, theatres and concerts. Activity-centre weekends and trips abroad also take place.
Pupils benefit enormously from these valuable opportunities as they learn through enjoyment while gaining independence.
School Libraries
There are two dedicated libraries for general use by our pupils. The Junior Library is equipped with multi-media facilities and a wide selection of children's books appropriate to all pupils from Years 1 to 6.
The Senior Library also has multi-media facilities and is geared more to pupils from Years 7 to 11, with a heavier emphasis on reference material, careers advice and a selection of novels designed to extend our pupils' reading skills.
Both libraries are also well stocked with a wide selection of DVD's and interactive software.