On 5th November, St Mary’s marked Stress Awareness Day with a special focus on how our five senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell—can help us manage and reduce stress. Both students and staff were reminded to pause, reflect, and explore simple, mindful ways to look after their wellbeing.

Using our senses is one of the most effective and accessible ways to calm the mind and body.

• Sight: Taking a few moments to notice the colours and shapes around us or looking at something we find beautiful—like nature outside the window, artwork, or even a favourite photograph—can bring calm and reduce anxiety.
• Sound: Soothing music, gentle background sounds, or even a few minutes of quiet can have a powerful impact on stress levels. Tune into a nature soundtrack to hear the soothing sound of running water. Listen to uplifting music. Sing along to your favourite song.
• Taste: Focusing on mindful eating reminds us how slowing down to really taste and enjoy our food can help us feel more relaxed. Indulge in your favourite food, sip a soothing drink or enjoy something healthy.
• Smell: Scents can have a powerful effect on mood. Enjoy clean, fresh air, smell your favourite flowers or light a scented candle. Trying different scents of aromatherapy can help to de-stress.
• Touch: Simple comforts can help ease stress—wrapping up in a soft blanket, wearing cosy clothing, soaking in a warm bath, or enjoying a relaxing massage. One of the highlights of the day was the return of Godfrey the Therapy Dog and his owner, Pam. Students and staff loved engaging their sense of touch by spending time with Godfrey, whose calm and gentle nature brings joy and comfort to everyone he meets. He is truly a superstar here at St Mary’s, and his visits always lift the whole school’s spirits.

At St Mary’s, we continue to promote wellbeing and resilience throughout the year, ensuring that every member of our school family feels supported, valued, and cared for.

An Inspector Calls Theatre Production Review: By Isaac, Year 11

Before half-term, we were visited by a theatre company who performed An Inspector Calls. The performance was played by four actors with one actor taking on three different roles! An Inspector Calls is a 1945 play, set in 1912, by JB Priestley. The play is full of twists and turns, plot twists and dramatic irony. Dramatic irony is when the audience know something the characters don’t. For example, Mr Birling describes the newly built Titanic as ‘unsinkable’ which to us and a 1945 audience is ironically comical. The actors explained this thoroughly during moments of freeze frame, breaking the fourth wall, as they explained key information about the underlying themes and context of the play. The actors provided interesting and crucial facts which are necessary for our English Literature GCSE. This is exactly why I found this performance so informative and I now feel much more confident with the play thanks to the actors. This is why I believe live theatre is so important and, like Inspector Goole, ‘I don’t play golf’.