Year 8 Club 9 geographers

Throughout time, superpowers have been nations with global influence through military, economic, and political strength. While countries like the USA and the former USSR dominated in the past, emerging powers like China, India, and Brazil are now gaining global importance. In our recent Club 9 session, students created Top Trump cards to compare current and potential superpowers, examining factors like economy, military, resources, and culture. They also explored what affects superpower status, such as political stability, innovation, economic sector dominance and global challenges. The session showed how power shifts over time and the many factors that shape a nation’s global role.

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Year 7 geographers investigate air pollution levels on the school site

A group of Year 7 geography students carried out some fieldwork around site which linked their learning in geography to science. They put out slides to capture the air samples and then a week later they collected them in and analysed them under the microscopes to see how clean the air was. Students were fascinated with the detail that could be seen and the amount of particulates which were found on the slides. They were also slightly disturbed by the amount of particles which are floating in our air.

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Students support with Churchfield Primary Sports day

Thank you to our Year 10 and 12 students who helped support with Churchfield Primary school’s sports day.  Our Sports leaders helped run different events on the day as well as encouraging and guiding the younger students in their races.

Our leaders showed great organisational skills and dealt with every task they were given with ease, the teacher at Churchfield said they were a fantastic support and help on the day.

 

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Carers Week: 9th to 15th June — Celebrating Our Young Heroes!

Every year across the UK, Carers Week shines a spotlight on the incredible dedication and challenges faced by unpaid carers.

However, The Carers Trust estimates that 1 in 5 school-aged children could be young carers. Yet in Hertfordshire, the January 2025 School Census found that 60% of schools reported no known young carers and Identified only 1,483 young carers out of approx. 200,000 pupils

The 2021 Census recorded just 2,525 young carers aged 5–17

These figures show many young carers remain hidden and unsupported.

At St Mary’s CE High School, we believe our young carers deserve to be celebrated and rewarded for their strength, compassion, and hard work. This year, as part of Carers Week, we were thrilled to take our young carers on a fun-filled, action-packed trip — just for them!

Our bowling bash let our students trade the everyday stresses for strikes and spares! Enjoying a lively morning of bowling with friends, where laughter, friendly competition, and team spirit were the only goals. A meal and drinks were included and the staff at Hollywood Bowls in Stevenage were very helpful and attentive adding to a memorable day.

This special trip was more than just time off school — it was a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy being kids, free from the usual responsibilities of caring for others.

Are you a young carer or know someone who might be?

Don’t wait in silence — support is available! Reach out to Carers in Hertfordshire for a confidential assessment and tailored help: 📧 Email: young.carers@carersinherts.org.uk 🌐 Visit: https://www.carersinherts.org.uk/young-carers/

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