Last week, I visited Archbishop Sancroft High School in Harleston to meet Richard Cranmer, the aptly-named new headteacher of Norfolk's only Church of England High School.
After a tour of the school, Mr Cranmer introduced me to members of the School Council, who quizzed me about my work as an MP.
I then joined the headteacher's weekly student meeting, on this occasion with a group of high-achieving foreign language students of all ages, for squash, biscuits and well-earned praise from the headteacher for their hard work.
The weekly student meeting is a first-rate new initiative set up by Mr Cranmer.
It provides valuable feedback on student progress and gives every department the chance to acknowledge the achievements of its hardest working students.
HARLESTON POST OFFICE While in Harleston, I also called in on postmaster Howard Farmer to buy my Christmas stamps and try the new ATM machine which has been installed at the post office in The Thoroughfare.
Mr Farmer raised the issue that Harleston residents need to travel to Diss, Beccles or Norwich to use the DVLA check-and-send service for photocard driving licences, which seems silly.
I have written to the DVLA to ask if Harleston Post Office can also offer this service. Local post offices play a vital role in south Norfolk. A big thank you to Mr Farmer and all the people in our post offices for all they do, especially at this busy time of year.
BUSINESS BREAKFAST I found it very helpful recently to meet up with members of Diss Business Forum over breakfast to discuss the problems they are currently facing.
Like local businesses everywhere, they are finding the current financial climate challenging.
Nonetheless, I was heartened by their confidence that Diss is an excellent place to do business and that other small companies would do well to consider Diss as a base.
Any lasting economic recovery will be based on the private sector, so it was good to hear from the bankers present that they are still lending locally.
I believe that organisations such as Diss Business Forum are one of the ways forward. Networking, exchanging ideas and giving practical or moral support are all extremely important.
If you want to join you should telephone: 0845 638 4607.
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