On Monday 11th November, the school community came together for a poignant and reflective Remembrance Service. Students and staff gathered in the courtyard to pause, reflect, and remember all those who have served, sacrificed, and lost their lives in conflict so that we may live in peace and freedom today. The service included thoughtful  readings and poems from students, followed by the Last Post played on a Flugelhorn by a professional musician, and a two-minute silence, during which the courtyard fell completely still. It was a powerful moment of unity and respect, as our entire school stood together to honour the courage, resilience, and selflessness of those who gave so much.

This year, our focus extended to the different coloured poppies, each carrying its own important meaning and reminder:

– Red poppy – for those who have given their lives in service to their country.

– Black poppy – recognising the contributions of Black, African, and Caribbean communities to past and present conflicts.

– Purple poppy – in remembrance of the animals who served alongside soldiers. – White poppy – symbolising peace and the hope for a future without war.

The symbolism of these poppies provided an opportunity for reflection and learning across the school, helping students appreciate the many perspectives and sacrifices remembered at this time of year. The amphitheater was decorated with a cascade of poppies, creating a striking visual tribute to accompany the service and helping to make this a truly special event.

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’.

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.

‘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”