12 January, 2022
On Tuesday 14 December, the City of Norwich School (CNS) welcomed a small number of guests to celebrate the opening of the Fisher Centre for Performing Arts, and remember the contribution of former chair of governors Paul Fisher, who sadly passed away in 2018.
Headteacher Jo Philpott and former Headteacher Jim Nixon both paid tribute to Paul with moving speeches and Paul’s wife Margaret unveiled a new plaque installed on the outside of the building in memory of Paul.
Paul Fisher was on the CNS governing body from 2012-2018 and became chair of governors in 2013. Paul was diagnosed with a brain tumour and was being cared for by his wife Margaret until his final days which were spent in the Priscilla Bacon Hospice.
The academy chose to rename the centre as the Fisher Centre for Performing Arts due to Paul’s love of, and relationship with music and drama at CNS. Paul had a great passion for school music and was always present with Margaret at concerts and performing arts events. Paul championed the teaching of music and instrumental lessons and was a key driver in the Year 7 music scholarships, now in its third year, to ensure music remained an integral part of the learning and ethos at CNS.
Paul also bequeathed a sum of money to the school to support leadership development which allowed the school to begin a now embedded programme of leadership CPD impacting on colleagues and also the lives of hundreds of students due to their professional growth.
Jo Philpott, headteacher said: “As Chair of Governors, Paul embodied the Nolan principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. Paul was a key part of school leadership and the strategic direction of the school.
“Paul’s leadership is a perfect demonstration of what true legacy means and how the importance of leadership is in the resonance of its impact on a school and its community.
“I am delighted to be renaming our Performing Arts Centre the Fisher Centre for Performing Arts, after such a champion and advocate of CNS and especially after a volunteer who gave their own time to ensuring all our students have enriching opportunities and an excellent quality of education.”
Category: News
Tags: Chair of governors, City of Norwich School, CNS, Fisher Centre for Performing Arts, Paul Fisher, Performing arts
