Harvesting Health: St Mary’s Students Bring Butternut Squash to the Table

At St Mary’s, learning goes beyond the classroom – it extends right into our school garden! Recently, members of the Garden Guardian group harvested the final crop of the season: a bountiful batch of butternut squash. After months of nurturing the plants from seed to harvest, the students were thrilled to see such an abundant yield.

Rather than letting the harvest go to waste, the Garden Guardians decided to share their organic produce with the school’s catering team. Our school chef was delighted to receive the fresh, home-grown butternut squash and excitedly began planning a special menu to showcase this versatile vegetable.

To highlight the different flavours and uses of butternut squash, the chef prepared a variety of delicious dishes, including:

  • Butternut Squash Soup: A creamy, comforting option perfect for the autumn weather.
  • Curry Chickpeas with Butternut: A tasty, spiced dish packed with flavour and nutrients.
  • Butternut Mac and Cheese: A hearty, cheesy favourite with a healthy twist.

These dishes were served to students and staff during lunchtime, and the response was overwhelmingly positive! Comments included: “Excellent!” “It’s really nice, I’d have it again!” and “Yummy, colourful, deliciousness!”

This project perfectly illustrates the journey of food from field to fork – how patience and care in growing fresh produce can lead to delicious and healthy meals. It also encourages us all to think about where our food comes from and the benefits of eating fresh, locally grown ingredients.

Congratulations to the Garden Guardian group for their hard work and to the catering team for turning their harvest into tasty treats! We can’t wait to see what the next season’s harvest will bring.

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Year 11 Student in the Trafagar Day Parade

A Year 11 student, Vinnie, is an experienced Army Cadet and was one of only 4 cadets in the entire Essex region asked to take part in the Trafalgar Day Parade in London on 19 October 2025.

Vinnie conducted himself immaculately, as would be expected, and both his Cadet corp and the school are very proud of him.

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‘In Deep’ Theatre Production

‘Skin Deep’ Theatre Production – Powerful Messages and Exemplary Behaviour

This week, our Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 students attended a thought-provoking performance of Skin Deep, a powerful theatre production addressing the important themes of racism, prejudice, and knife crime as part of their Personal Development curriculum.

The production delivered an honest and emotional exploration of the real-life consequences of discrimination and violence, prompting students to reflect on respect, empathy and the importance of making positive choices. Through its engaging storytelling, Skin Deep encouraged open discussion and a deeper understanding of how communities can come together to challenge injustice.

We were immensely proud of the impeccable behaviour shown by all students throughout the performance. They listened attentively, responded thoughtfully and demonstrated genuine maturity. A few of our enthusiastic Year 9s were so inspired that they even asked the cast for autographs afterwards!

A huge thank you to the Skin Deep team for delivering such a powerful and impactful performance, and to Hertfordshire Police for giving their time to support the event and reinforce the vital messages shared. Our students truly represented St Mary’s with pride and respect.

Some feedback from the students who took part include:  “It really presents that going down the wrong path can lead to bad things” and “it was an educational and thought provoking production around knife crime and that gangs are not there to help you”

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Inspiring the Next Generation at Our Annual Careers Fair

This week, students from Years 9 to 13 had the exciting opportunity to attend our annual Careers Fair, where they spent a dedicated hour exploring a wide range of future pathways. The event brought together an impressive line-up of employers, training providers and universities — giving students valuable insight into the world of work and further education.

We were delighted to welcome representatives from a variety of industries, including Google, Tesco, HRC, Herts & West Essex Health Care Academy, MBDA, Thickbroom Accountants, Christopher Stokes, University of Hertfordshire, STEM Ambassadors, Army, RAF, Capel Manor, Debut Academy, Dornan Group, BSFC Academy, CRE8 UK, Pharmaron, OneYMCA Family Centre Services and TikTok.

Students made the most of this opportunity — asking thoughtful questions, showing genuine curiosity, and engaging positively with employers. Feedback from the exhibitors was incredibly encouraging. One representative shared, “I am the area manager for the RAF, so I see a lot of schools across the South East, and the students here have been the most well-behaved and most engaged group of students I have seen in a long time.”

Students also reflected positively on the experience. One Year 10 student said, “I learnt anything is possible.” Another added, “I learnt about the different courses and experiences I would need to go into the job I want to do.” A third student commented, “I learnt that there are many opportunities in life.”

We are extremely grateful to all the organisations who generously gave up their time to support and inspire our students. Events like this are invaluable, giving young people access to a diverse range of employers, broadening their horizons, and helping them better understand the opportunities that lie ahead. These experiences play a vital role in motivating students to work towards their future career goals.

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Year 11 Geographers carry out successful fieldwork

This half term the Year 11 geographers have all undertaken 2 days of fieldwork as well as all the associated data presentation and analysis for their data.

Students spent the first day in East Village at Stratford where they carried out a range of techniques to decide if the East Village is a 15 minute neighbourhood or not. They carried out service mapping, pedestrian counts, environmental quality surveys, field sketches and a walkability study. The highlight for all students was the questionnaires which some loved and others found incredibly challenging. All students had a go and experienced the challenge of gathering data from the public.

The second visit was to the Debden Brook where students investigated the change in river characteristics downstream. They visited 3 sites along the river where they were able to collect width, depth and velocity measurements by getting into the river.

The behaviour and attitude to learning was excellent during these trips and students have shown resilience and focus. These skills will be tested in their summer exams and so students have given themselves an excellent opportunity to be successful.

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Visit by the Mayor of Broxbourne and Consort

Today we welcomed the Mayor of Broxbourne, Cllr Patsy Spears and a consort Cllr Julie Gunnell to St Mary’s to see the school in operation and meet staff and students.

We are very proud of our school and welcome guests to come and see the work we do.  Our visitors had a tour of the school with three students – Maya and Dayo from the Sixth Form, and Alden from Year 11 before spending time with the Headteacher.

The Mayor said the school was calm, peaceful and the students were really engaged in their learning.  She went on to say that the school ‘felt like a university’, and she was “blown away” by the whole experience.

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Year 12 Medicine Support Session

We were delighted to welcome Dr Precila F. da Costa, an Enfield-based doctor currently working at the Royal Free Hospital, to St Mary’s this week, for the first of what we hope will become an ongoing support programme for our aspiring medics.

Precila shared her journey through the sixth form and medical school, offering valuable insights into the realities of a medical career. Students found the session extremely worthwhile, gaining inspiration and practical advice to help them as they begin shaping their own pathways into medicine.

With her wealth of experience — from graduating at King’s College London with the Barber’s Company Student of the Year award, to completing a degree in Medical Education at Queen Mary’s, and even international work in Hong Kong and Brazil — Precila was able to provide a unique perspective that students thoroughly appreciated.

It is fantastic to be able to offer such opportunities to our students, and this session marks the beginning of an exciting journey for our promising Year 12 medical cohort as they start Sixth Form with ambitions of becoming the medical professionals of the future.

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World Mental Health Day 2025 at St Mary’s

 

On Friday 10th October, St Mary’s proudly acknowledged World Mental Health Day 2025, a global event that serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of prioritising our mental health and supporting one another through kindness, empathy, and connection.

To mark the occasion, our Wellbeing Ambassadors took the lead in organising a range of thoughtful and inclusive activities aimed at promoting mental wellbeing across the school. Taking place during social time, the events were open to all students from Year 7 through to Sixth Form, creating a wonderful opportunity for students of all ages to take a break from their usual routine and engage in mindful, creative, and social experiences.

Students enjoyed a relaxed and uplifting atmosphere, where they could take part in activities such as colouring, making friendship bracelets, creating origami, and playing classic board games. These simple yet meaningful experiences offered students a chance to unwind, connect with friends, and embrace the value of taking time out for self-care—an essential part of maintaining good mental health.

Staff were also invited to join in the spirit of the day through a ‘Tea and Talk’ event held in the staffroom. Over a cup of tea, a biscuit, and some friendly conversation, colleagues had the opportunity to come together to reflect on the importance of emotional wellbeing and the power of a supportive community.

Whether it’s through creativity, conversation, or connection, World Mental Health Day at St Mary’s reminded us all that taking time to care for our mental health is not just important—it’s essential. Sometimes, even the smallest act of kindness or a simple chat can make a meaningful difference in someone’s day.

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Year 11 Futures Day – Supporting students to make informed choices

We are proud to share the success of our recent Year 11 Futures Day, held on Wednesday 8th October. This important annual event gave students the opportunity to reflect on their next steps after Year 11 and make informed decisions about their future pathways.

The day began with an inspiring presentation from our Director of Sixth Form, giving students a real insight into sixth form life and the opportunities available to them within the school. Students then took part in a two-hour revision workshop delivered by Maximise, equipping them with practical strategies to prepare effectively for their GCSE exams.

A key part of the day was dedicated to Post-16 option planning. Students explored the full range of pathways available to them, including A levels, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, and college courses. They were supported to research options tailored to their interests and aspirations, and took part in a focused decision-making session to help them think carefully about their choices.

The day concluded with an engaging presentation from HRC and the University of Hertfordshire, encouraging students to look beyond Year 11 and consider their longer-term goals.

At St Mary’s, we place great value on high-quality careers education. Giving students time to reflect, research, and learn how to make important decisions is a vital part of preparing them for life beyond school. Futures Day is one of the many ways we support our students to aim high and feel confident about their next steps.

Ms Gaulton

Careers Lead & Careers Adviser

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St Mary’s Community Theatre Trip to see ‘Wicked’ the Musical

St Mary’s Community Theatre Trip – Wicked Review

A Magical Night in the West End

Last night marked a truly exciting milestone for St Mary’s with the launch of our very first Community Theatre Trip – and what a way to begin! Our coach was completely sold out, filled with students, families, staff, and friends all sharing the joy of live theatre together.

From the moment we stepped into the theatre, the atmosphere was electric. The foyer itself was a feast for the senses, with its charming Oz-themed boutique stalls, glittering merchandise, and incredible costume displays offering a taste of the magic to come.

We were lucky enough to enjoy fantastic seats in the stalls, giving us a perfect view of the spectacle on stage. The cast delivered breath-taking performances – powerful vocals, heartfelt storytelling, and characters brought to life with real passion. By the final curtain, the entire audience was on their feet in a well-deserved standing ovation.

What made the evening even more special were the wonderful comments from our St Mary’s community:

“What a night – when’s the next one?” “So easy and stress-free – we’d never have done this on our own!” “My child’s first West End show… unforgettable!”

This trip wasn’t just about seeing a show; it was about building cultural experiences, creating memories, and strengthening our sense of community.

And the best part? Everyone is already asking… “What’s next?”

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