In 2022/23 our Aspire Business and Enterprise Academy managed our Young Enterprise team where they achieved outstanding results; they were recognised for their fantastic teamwork and making over 800% increase to their individual initial investment for themselves they also raised £80 for Broxbourne Foodbank.

The Young Enterprise programme is a competition that students can create their own business with their own product and/or service ideas which they then run themselves towards making a profit and inline with our Christian Ethos they ensure that there is money raised each year for a local charity. The team is supported by our internal lead and an external business advisor Dave Smith. The competition is against other schools in Hertfordshire where ultimately at the final students have to present to a large audience their business result and journey.

The business was called ‘Majestic gifts’ and their slogan was “Gifts for any occasion or just because…”. Throughout the competition the team came up with different ideas for products including Christmas baubles which they personalised for customers, St Valentine’s and Mother’s day cards and gifts, Easter woollen chicks and wrist bands and magnetic bookmarks.

The students ran an exciting campaign on their social media with photos of the sales they managed.

As well as selling at school and online the team attended the Dickensian Evening in Ware in December 2022 and the Atrai shopping centre in Watford on a busy Saturday where they were outstanding in setting up their stall and selling direct to the public.

The pride in seeing these amazing young people growing their skills is fantastic and their feedback confirms what they have gained from participating in the experience: Tallie: “I have learnt new skills including online skills, social skills and time management skills. I think these skills are important because they taught me to be more independent in my own work and more confident when talking to people face to face”, Rosie: “I have learned how to work better in a team and communicate my ideas whilst also cooperating, including and building upon other members of the teams’ ideas”, Olivia: “I also developed greater confidence from presenting the presentation at the Young Enterprise regional final.”, Jayde: “I have also been able to meet a variety of different customers, pushing myself out of my comfort zone”

Last year’s team have provided advice for this year’s students as we have two teams representing our school and they have already identified business gaps for products which we are sure they will be successful throughout the programme. We will keep you updated with their progress.

In the meantime, we would like to congratulate last year’s team – very well done we are extremely proud of you all; Jayde, Olivia, Kristina, Kayleigh, Shenese, Eli, Tallie, Taylan, Lucy, Rosie, Akwasi, Daniel, Donell, Christian, Ali and Jesse.

On a beautiful, and unusually warm September morning, a selected group of Year 8 St Mary’s students walked to Cedar’s Park. St Mary’s is so fortunate to have this historic and award-winning Park in such close proximity.

The students took part in a Wild Wellbeing trip organised by Mrs Buxton, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead at St. Mary’s. Wild Wellbeing focuses on improving the emotional wellbeing of young people by taking part in a range of mindfulness activities, such as breathing exercises, tasting, natural art and soundscapes.

Educating young people of these strategies enables them to improve their mental health by connecting to nature.

By the end of the session everyone felt calmer and more relaxed and had learnt some strategies to take away with them.