As a school, we are committed to ensuring that every young person has the opportunity not only to achieve, but to flourish. We know that academic success and wellbeing are intrinsically linked; students learn most effectively when they feel safe, secure, valued and ready to engage.

With this in mind, we are delighted to have recently refurbished our Student Wellbeing Area, creating a calm and purposeful environment where students can pause, reflect, reconnect and access support when they need it.

The space has been thoughtfully designed around the 5 Ways to Wellbeing: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give. These simple but powerful principles encourage our students to develop positive habits, strengthen their resilience and take greater ownership of their emotional wellbeing.

The environment itself matters. Amid a busy school day, having somewhere that feels calm and welcoming can provide an important opportunity to reset. Whether a student needs a quiet moment, a conversation with a trusted adult, or support to develop strategies for managing a particular challenge, the space provides an additional layer of care within our wider pastoral provision.

Most importantly, we want our students to understand that looking after their wellbeing is an essential part of success. We want them to develop the confidence to recognise when they need support, the resilience to navigate life’s challenges and the skills to care for themselves and others.

Our new Wellbeing Area represents more than a refurbished room; it reflects our commitment to creating a school where every student feels that they belong, that they matter and that they have the opportunity to thrive.

Congratulations to the girls athletics squad, who took part in the Nicky Morris Athletics competition at Wodson park.

Alicia (year 7) started the day off by winning the 100 metres in her first competitive sprint race for St Mary’s. Savannah (year 8) showed very strong form winning the junior 200 metres shortly after. Athlete of the day, Yelena (year 8), took home the gold medals in both the 75 metre hurdles and long jump. The day concluded with relays. Year 8’s, Savannah, Serenity, Destiny and Yelena comfortably won their 4×100 metre race and showcased some exceptional baton changeovers to bring home the victory.

 

On Monday 6^th July, Mrs Whitworth and Mr Joyce proudly accompanied 20 St Mary’s students to their Scholars Programme Graduation Ceremony at the School of Oriental and African Studies University of London.

Our Year 7 KS3 Scholars embarked on an exciting journey into the world of Literary Theory, working closely with a PhD tutor over several weeks to develop their academic skills and broaden their thinking. Meanwhile, our KS4 Scholars explored the fascinating concept of the Circular Economy, tackling real-world challenges and gaining valuable insight into sustainability and innovation.

A special congratulations go to Nicholas, Selina and Aavni, who were selected as Spoke Scholars. They confidently represented St Mary’s by sharing their research and experiences with students and staff from schools across the country, showcasing both their knowledge and their growing leadership skills.

Following the graduation ceremony, students enjoyed a tour of the SOAS campus after relaxing in the sunshine at Russell Square, where they had lunch and made the most of the glorious weather.

One of the highlights of the visit was discovering the remarkable SOAS Library, home to more than 1.3 million books, including rare and unique collections that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

It was a truly memorable and inspiring day for everyone involved. We are incredibly proud of our St Mary’s Scholars for their hard work, dedication and achievements, and we look forward to seeing what they accomplish next.

Last week, St Mary’s CE High School proudly hosted its Annual Key Stage 3 Prize Giving Evening, celebrating the achievements, progress and dedication of our students throughout the year. Families, staff and students came together, alongside the Mayor of Broxbourne, to recognise outstanding attainment, resilience and commitment across all subject areas.

The evening also celebrated those who go above and beyond to support others, with special recognition given through our Ambassador Awards to students who exemplify the values of St Mary’s through their leadership, integrity and service.

With a fun beach theme, complete with sand and sandcastles, the Hall had a wonderfully summery atmosphere. Our Year 9 hosts, Travis and Zeynep, led the evening with confidence and warmth, while talented student musicians provided fantastic performances throughout.

Prize Giving remains one of the highlights of the school year, offering an opportunity to celebrate the many ways our students succeed and the values that make our St Mary’s community so special.

Congratulations to our Year 7 and Year 8 Drama Club students, who recently completed their first LAMDA Acting examinations with an outstanding 100% pass rate!

Throughout the year, students have dedicated themselves to developing their acting skills during our weekly after-school Drama Club. For their examinations, they performed a range of challenging acting extracts, including scenes from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Noughts & Crosses, and Alice in Wonderland. Each student performed in front of a visiting LAMDA examiner, demonstrating confidence, creativity and excellent performance skills.

We are incredibly proud of every student for the commitment, resilience and enthusiasm they have shown throughout the year. Their success is a testament to the hard work they have put into rehearsals, and they should all be extremely proud of what they have achieved.

The LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art) qualifications are nationally recognised industry qualifications that develop performance, communication and confidence—valuable skills both on and off the stage.

Interested in joining Drama Club?

Drama Club is an after-school enrichment opportunity for Key Stage 3 students who demonstrate a high level of ability and commitment to drama. The club is designed for students with the potential to progress through the LAMDA qualification pathway.

Places are limited and students are selected based on:

• High ability in Drama
• Excellent behaviour and commitment to learning

If your child is interested in joining, they should email Mrs Turner using their school email account to express their interest. Successful applicants will be invited to join as places become available.

Well done once again to all of our LAMDA students—we look forward to seeing what they achieve next!