On my first day in Fakenham High School I was very nervous. But when I got to my new Form room and saw my friends and the other student I had met on the Induction Days everything was just fine.

I soon realized that the ‘scare stories’ I’d heard about older students being horrible to the new students just weren’t true at all. In fact quite the opposite: most of the older ones were really helpful and this enabled me to settle in really quickly. I soon joined some lunchtime and after school clubs which are really fun and made me feel like a part of the school.

We all know that – compared to our primary schools – Fakenham High School is big. I was surprised by how quickly I was able to find my way around and now I know the school like the back of my hand!

There is a canteen called the Ciné Café where you can buy food at break and lunchtime and there are also food vending machines there. There is plenty of choice and it’s very tasty!

Most lessons are really fun and the teachers are friendly and helpful. I feel that I have learned lots and so have my friends. You’ll be fine as long as you’re willing to learn and work hard. I hope that you too will make the most of your time at Fakenham High School and I am sure you will make lots of new friends along the way.

Good luck!

An introduction to all new students from Ellie Hey, Head Girl 2008/2009

When I joined Fakenham High School in Year 7, I came from All Saints which is quite a small school. I was used to knowing everyone within my primary school, so the thought of moving to a huge secondary school where I only knew 20 people was quite scary. When I got here, I found that it really wasn’t that bad. The teachers aren’t terrifying, the lessons aren’t too hard and I found the older students to be surprisingly friendly. Before long I had made lots of new friends, had learnt lots of new things and could even find my way around without getting lost!

The thing I have enjoyed most at Fakenham is being involved with the music. When I started in Year 7 I was already quite interested in music, but since then my interest has grown enormously. I really enjoy playing in the bands and ensembles, especially Concert Band and Brass Quartet, and the great sense of community that goes with it. The highlight of my school life was the Band Tour to Switzerland which was an amazing experience. For me, a sense of belonging came from music, but if music isn’t your thing, then there are plenty of other options, such as sports clubs, drama clubs and dance clubs. Each one has a great feeling that goes with it because everyone is working towards the same goal.

Throughout my five years at Fakenham the school has done a lot to help me achieve my full potential, and this was reflected in the GCSE results which I have just received. I will spend the next two years doing A-levels at Fakenham College and then I hope to go on to study music at University. One of the most valuable things I have learnt from my time here is that if you are prepared to put the effort into school, then the staff at school will put effort into helping you achieve as much as you possibly can.