Two St Mary’s Sixth Formers Secure Amazing Apprenticeships in Accounting

Two St Mary’s 6th Formers Secure Amazing Apprenticeships in Accounting

The final year 13 A-Level and Level 3 BTEC grades will be released on 15th August 2024 however we are already celebrating the amazing success of two of our outstanding students who have secured themselves apprenticeships with the accomplished Thickbroom Chartered Accountants which they start in August. Thickbroom stated “We look forward to welcoming our new apprenticeship cohort, which this year includes two students from St Mary’s C of E High School sixth form. This was after a finance career talk given by one of our current apprentices at the school as part of their career support program. Our apprenticeship course is a proven next level of learning for school leavers which provides work-based learning in a supportive environment. We’re confident that by having each other, these St Mary’s students will enjoy their apprenticeship journey even more.

Our students Jayde and Elina confirmed “we are looking forward to gaining new knowledge and experience within the accounting industry and the insights of how it all works. Choosing business as a BTEC Level 3 helped us build a foundation of basic understanding, to which we can now grow and develop further. Within our business lessons in year 12 and 13 we covered a variety of accounting skills and tasks such as; cash flow, payrolls, invoices and liquidity ratios. We can’t wait to move on to this next chapter in our lives to start our accounting career and gain our level 4 MAAT and then further progress to level 7 chartered accountants.”

After studying a range of subjects from Business, Law and Fine Art our students have also participated in a range of additional super curriculum activities including successfully passing an additional qualification from the London Institute of Business and Finance (LIBF) Certificate in Financial Education and participating in the Young Enterprise Company Programme. We wish them both every success in the future and look forward to hearing about their progress. Congratulations Jayde and Elina.

/by

Mathematics Enrichment at the University of Hertfordshire

On Wednesday 10th July, fifteen mathematicians visited the University of Hertfordshire for a maths enrichment event aimed at inspiring students to continue their studies in mathematics beyond GCSE.

Students had the opportunity to use their mathematics learnt in lessons to compete with other schools to solve unusual and challenging problems.

They also interacted with a talk that got students thinking about working mathematically in the context of braiding and computer game design.

The students had an excellent time. Efe said “I loved all of it! I wish I was faster on the dragon maths [relay race], because I found those fast questions fun, but I also loved the 2d projections of 3d and 4d shapes.”

The big question on the day was – using a single piece of A4 paper, what is the biggest cube by volume (without a lid) that can be constructed. All of the students were able to find the cube that was 7.4 x 7.4 x 7.4 cm. Efe had the creativity to realise that a larger cube could be found by using the diagonals of the paper which was an incredible use mathematical thinking.

The maths department look forward to running additional sessions in the new academic year.

/by

Year 12 Visit to the Henry Moore Foundation

Our Year 12 Art students recently visited to the Henry Moore Foundation and had a wonderful time.  The guide was very knowledgable and accommodating, and our students learned a lot about this artist and sculptor and were very inspired.

/by

Year 12 Work Experience Week: Building Key Employability Skills

The recent Year 12 Work Experience Week was a remarkable milestone in our students’ sixth form journey. This initiative provided our students with the invaluable opportunity to immerse themselves in the professional world, exploring various industries and building key employability skills that are highly sought after by employers. From hospitals and care homes to architecture and accountancy firms, our students experienced a wide array of work environments, each offering unique learning experiences.

Throughout their placements, students learned the art of effective communication. Whether it was interacting with clients, colleagues, or patients, clear and concise communication was essential. This skill is universally valued across all professions and is crucial for success in any career.

Working in diverse environments underscored the importance of teamwork. Students collaborated on projects, shared ideas, and supported each other in various tasks. These experiences highlighted how collective effort and collaboration can lead to successful outcomes, a lesson that will serve them well in their future careers.

Stepping into professional settings helped students build confidence in their abilities. They tackled real-world challenges, made decisions, and contributed to their respective workplaces. This boost in self-assurance is not only beneficial for their future job prospects but also for their personal development.

The Year 12 Work Experience Week was more than just a glimpse into the working world; it was a transformative experience that equipped our students with essential skills and a clearer understanding of their career aspirations. By bridging the gap between academic learning and practical application, this initiative plays a vital role in shaping well-rounded, capable individuals ready to take on the challenges of the professional world.

As we reflect on this successful week, we are proud of our students’ achievements and growth. Their experiences have laid a strong foundation for their future endeavours, and we are confident that the skills they have acquired will continue to benefit them in their academic and professional journeys.

The Year 12 Work Experience Week has reaffirmed the importance of hands-on learning and its role in developing employability skills. We look forward to seeing our students build on these experiences and succeed in their future careers.

/by

St Mary’s teacher to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for charity

St Mary’s History teacher, Shaun Naughten, is planning to trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, this summer to raise funds for St Mary’s and for an international aid charity.

Mr Naughten is in the final stages of preparation for his expedition in late July. His aim is to raise £2,000 to be split 30:70 between a St Mary’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Bursary (to help purchase equipment available to students who would otherwise struggle to take part in the Award scheme) and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), which provides medical help in war-torn and disaster-hit areas across the world, including Gaza.

This is not the first adventure Mr Naughten has undertaken in recent years: “I have completed various treks in Nepal, Asia and South America for fun, including to Everest Base Camp, Mount Kinebalu in Borneo and the Lost City trek in Colombia. This summer my trek to the summit of Kilimanjaro will take seven days from arrival in Tanzania; this means sleeping in a tent and going without showering for six of those seven days!”

The timing of his trip – to the peak of what is also the highest volcano in the Eastern Hemisphere – will take advantage of both the school summer holidays and the optimum time to do such an expedition, during the long dry season in Tanzania when there is little rainfall and lower humidity than at other times of the year. 

“I decided it would be a good idea to use this trek as a way to raise money for two important charities. Médecins Sans Frontières provide emergency medical assistance in some of the most dangerous places in the world, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

The Duke of Edinburgh team at St Mary’s would like to build up a bank of supplies such as tents, rucksacks and sleeping mats to make available for students participating in the programme. It would be brilliant to be able to assist any student who is interested in such a positive adventure, through which they develop skills that last them a lifetime. Between April 2023 and March 2024, 545,910 students participated in the D of E globally, and 15.2% of them were considered to be ‘experiencing poverty’. At St Mary’s we want to make the D of E accessible to all our students, despite the cost of living crisis. Any donations given will help us make that a reality.

I will be producing a video diary of my time in Tanzania, and I hope that our students will pick up a few useful tips for future D of E sessions! I also hope my summer challenge will inspire young people to enrol in D of E in October and try their own personal challenge.”

St Mary’s Headteacher, Richard Vaughan said, “I think what Shaun is doing is fantastic, and he has a wonderful challenge ahead of him. I really appreciate his support for our school’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme and wish him the best of luck for his trip. The St Mary’s community is incredibly proud of him, and he is a positive role model for our students, embracing and overcoming challenges in life. We look forward to hearing all about it when he returns.”

All donations are much appreciated, of any size. Please visit Shaun’s justgiving page:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Kilimanjarotrekshaunnaughten?utm_id=1&utm_term=Bqam3W4Y5



/by

Celebrating our Star: Winner of the MFL Singing Contest

We are thrilled to announce that Natasha, a talented Year 8 at our school, has won in this year’s Language Singing Contest! Natasha impressed the judges by learning a French song, “Voilà” by  Barbara Pravi, a language she had never studied before. Her dedication to mastering the lyrics and delivering a friendly performance in a new language is truly remarkable and highlights her incredible musical and linguistic talents.

We are immensely proud of her for embracing this unique challenge and shining so brightly. Congratulations, Natasha, on this extraordinary accomplishment! 🎉🌟

/by

Year 8 Club 9 Geographers

On Thursday 4th July Year 8  Club 9 Geographers participated in an event where students designed a country which had the potential to become a superpower, before testing the resilience of their country. They had to consider elements such as what sort of government they should have whilst sticking to a budget. This links to their learning journey in school as students have learnt about the economy, demographics and sustainability. Students will build upon their club 9 knowledge in Year 9, KS4 and KS5. It was a pleasure to have students so engaged discussing things such as trade, geopolitics and equality.

/by

Year 9 Club 9 Geographers

Year 9 Club 9 Geographers were challenged to think about the Sustainable Development Goals and how levels of development can vary around the world. They started by working as a whole group to think about the links between the goals, creating a web that represents the development targets. They then went on to work in groups to research levels of development for different nations. It was a joy to hear students recognising some of the global patterns and linking this learning to the GCSE courses which they have started so brilliantly.

/by

Year 7 Geographers Club 9

Year 7 Club 9 geographers spent some time thinking about risk and how different groups of people might be affected. They all took on a character profile for someone living in a different environment to the UK. They were then presented with a range of situations that people face on a daily basis and experienced the injustice of some of the outcomes. The students were challenged by these outcomes yet were incredibly mature in thinking these things through. The geography team enjoyed working with these young people to really think hard about the world we live in.

/by

Year 7 Students Shine in Tesco Employability Skills Workshop

Excitement filled the air as Year 7 students took part in an inspiring Tesco employability skills workshop. This unique opportunity allowed our students to step into the shoes of professionals and gain a deeper understanding of the world of work. The challenge? To work in teams to design a brand-new breakfast meal deal.

In this engaging workshop, students were assigned key roles within their teams. Each team had a Project Manager to oversee the entire process and a Product Developer responsible for creating innovative meal ideas. This division of labour mirrored real-world job roles and helped students appreciate the importance of collaboration and individual responsibility.

The Project Managers learned valuable leadership skills, such as time management, delegation, and effective communication.

Meanwhile, the Product Developers tapped into their creativity to design appealing and nutritious breakfast meal deals. They had to consider factors such as taste, health benefits, and market appeal and making sure both the food and packaging was sustainable. This role encouraged them to think critically and innovatively, skills that are highly prized in the workplace.

After a morning of brainstorming and collaboration, the teams prepared to present their breakfast meal deals to the rest of the year group. This was a chance for all students to develop their presentation skills, another crucial employability trait. Standing in front of their peers, they confidently shared their ideas, showcasing their hard work and creativity.

The presentations were met with applause and admiration from both students and staff. Ultimately, two teams emerged victorious, impressing the judges with their innovative and well-thought-out meal deals, as well as how they worked in a team. These winning teams were awarded Tesco vouchers as a token of their success, which they can use to further explore healthy eating options.

This workshop was more than just a fun activity; it was a stepping stone towards building vital employability skills. By working in teams, taking on specific roles, and presenting their work, the students learned the importance of teamwork, leadership, creativity, and public speaking. These skills are not only essential for their future careers but also for their overall personal development.

We are incredibly proud of our Year 7 students for their enthusiasm, hard work, and creativity during the Tesco employability skills workshop. Their ability to step up to the challenge and deliver impressive results is a testament to their potential. We look forward to seeing them apply these skills in their future and continue to grow as confident and capable individuals.

Congratulations to all the participants and especially to the winning teams. Here’s to many more opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed!

/by