Wear It Green Day 2026 – St Mary’s Stands Together for Mental Health

On Friday 15th May 2026, the St Mary’s High School community once again united in support of the Mental Health Foundation’s annual “Wear It Green Day”, held during Mental Health Awareness Week 11th–17th May.  This year’s theme “Action” encouraged everyone to think about the small but meaningful steps we can take to support one another, and to keep conversations about mental health open and ongoing.

The purpose of the day went far beyond fundraising.  It was an opportunity to continue normalising discussions around mental health — a cause that grows more important every year.  The Mental Health Foundation’s mission of promoting “good mental health for all” aligns strongly with our values at St Mary’s, especially its focus on prevention and early support.

Students and staff were invited to join in by wearing a green accessory of their choice — from bold ties and colourful socks, to quirky hats and scarves — in exchange for a £1 donation.  For anyone without something green to hand, green ribbon badges were available for a small contribution.  A fun quiz also took place during Form time, challenging students on their knowledge of mental health and, of course, the colour green.  The winning Form proudly took home a fitting prize, a vibrant green plant.

Thanks to the enthusiasm and generosity of our school community, we raised an impressive £182.00, all of which will be donated to the Mental Health Foundation.  This achievement reflects the compassion and collective spirit that make St Mary’s such a special place.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part and helped make Wear It Green Day such a success.  Your support not only raises awareness, but also strengthens a culture of empathy, understanding and positive action within our school.

 

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Year 13 Secures Promotion to the Women’s Super League!

Congratulations to Year 13 student Amy, who has helped Crystal Palace F.C. Women secure promotion to the Women’s Super League (WSL).

On 2nd May, Amy travelled to Sutton with the Crystal Palace squad to face Portsmouth F.C. Women in a crucial fixture. Crystal Palace produced an outstanding performance, winning 6–1 and officially securing promotion to the top tier of women’s football for next season.

This is a remarkable achievement for Amy, who has balanced the demands of first-team football alongside her A Level studies throughout the year. Her dedication, commitment and professionalism have been exceptional, and she continues to be an excellent role model for younger students across the school community.

Everyone at school is incredibly proud of Amy and all that she has achieved. We look forward to following her continued success in the Women’s Super League next season and wish her every success both on and off the pitch.

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Mental Health and Healthy Relationships – Sammy Angelo

On Tuesday the 21st of April Sammy Angelou, a dynamic multi-talented singer making waves in the UK music scene delivered a performance which was focused on Mental Health, Healthy Relationships and Bullying.

Sammy Angelo is a 24-year-old up-and-coming artist from St Albans. Infatuated with music from a youthful age, he picked up the guitar at the age of 15. Following various tutorials on YouTube, the self-taught instrumentalist was determined to broaden his skills in the hopes of producing his own songs in the future. Enrolling on a creative musicianship course before developing his engineering skills as a producer the following year at University, the newcomer was able to develop performing techniques as well as his confidence in a room full of people. Sharing his debut single “Love Me No More” featuring former JLS member Oritsé Williams, Sammy Angelo then went on to collaborate with musicians such as Geko, Ayo Beatz, S1mba and A7s.​

Sammy developed alopecia as a teenager, an experience that deeply affected his body image and mental health. What could have remained a lifelong struggle, however, became a turning point. Through resilience and self-acceptance, he transformed his journey into one of strength and positivity. Today, Sammy shares an uplifting story of facing adversity head-on and coming out the other side with confidence, optimism, and a desire to inspire others.

Sammy came to St Mary’s to discuss mental health, the causes of mental health problems (stress, relationships etc), a time when he has had his own mental health issues, who to turn to for help and the importance of speaking up. Sammy also spoke about managing school and how to deal with bullying if you come across it, relating to his own experiences at school and his personal story about developing alopecia. ​

Sammy’s talk involved personal stories regarding peer pressure and his journey at school. Sammy discussed the importance of healthy relationships and respect within all kinds of relationships, whether this be family, friendships or romantic relationships. ​Sammy also explored the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships highlighting the importance of respect and tolerance,why diversity should be celebrated between us all. The talk was very interactive, got the students involved, and the key messages were vital for our young people navigating their personal journeys through life.

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Google Visitor

On Friday 1st May, Ella from Google came to speak to Year 9 and 10. The theme for her talk was ‘resilience and learning from your mistakes’. There was a real focus on Carol Dweck’s work on Growth Mindsets, alongside some real life anecdote’s demonstrating that we all have to develop these skills and qualities to achieve success.  Year 10 are soon to be sitting their PPE’s and Year 9 starting their GCSE courses, so the timing of the message was perfect and the students really engaged with Ella as she told her story and some tips on how to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.

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PE but not as we know it!

A Y11 girls class have swapped the Sports Hall for personal training sessions at the local gym, Ignite, in Cuffley.

Students have been able to experience the gym environment with a personal trainer leading the sessions; very different to their standard PE lessons in school!

The sessions have included a mix of cardio (treadmill, rower and stepper), strength training (using weights and resistance machines) as well as circuit style work outs.

All the girls have embraced the experience, which for many was their first time being in a gym. Their enthusiasm and effort has been recognised by the instructor and not only have they benefited physically from the sessions but it has improved confidence, motivation and self esteem.

We look forward to working with Ignite and bringing more St Mary’s students to the gym over the coming weeks.

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Celebrating Our Chess Champions!

Fresh from the excitement of our own house chess competition, a team of our brightest strategic minds stepped up to an even bigger challenge—competing in a local interschool chess tournament… and what a spectacular experience it turned out to be!

Hosted at Lea Valley Academy, the tournament brought together fierce competition from local schools, including Southgate School, The Latymer School, and Lea Valley Academy. From the very first move, the room was alive with energy—boards set, clocks ticking, and minds racing as students went head-to-head in battles of strategy and skill. Across six challenging rounds, players tested their abilities in a series of intense and exciting matches.

Our St. Mary’s players were nothing short of outstanding. With sharp thinking, cool composure, and unwavering determination, they rose to the challenge brilliantly. Every match showcased not only their tactical ability but also their resilience under pressure and their respect for fellow competitors.

There were nail-biting moments, clever checkmates, and dramatic turnarounds that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Whether seasoned competitors or new to the tournament scene, each student played with confidence, courage, and pride—true ambassadors of our school.

What stood out most was the incredible team spirit. Between matches, students encouraged one another, shared ideas, and celebrated successes together. They showed that chess is not just a game of intellect, but also one of character—building patience, focus, and problem-solving skills that extend far beyond the board.

At the end of the tournament, a Best School Trophy was awarded to recognise overall performance across all rounds. In a strong field of competitors, Lea Valley Academy finished in 4th place, Southgate School secured 3rd, and St. Mary’s proudly claimed 2nd place. The Latymer School emerged as the overall winners, taking home the top prize.

We could not be prouder of every single participant. Your passion, sportsmanship, and determination truly shone.

Congratulations to our chess champions—you have made St. Mary’s proud!

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Brilliant Club

On Thursday 5th February we saw 20 of our students graduate from the Scholars Programme (which is called the Brilliant Club).

Students have been learning about disease & cancer, and had to write an assignment on this topic, with all students receiving a 1st or 2.1 grade.

Their graduation was at Oxford University where they got to visit Keble college, one of the oldest & largest colleges which was built in 1870.

We are so proud of the students and the effort they put into their studies.

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Year 10 Careers Fair

Year 10 students visited the Spotlight Theatre on Tuesday and engaged with local employers including Tesco, The NHS,  The Royal Navy, Elstree Studios, Herts Police and many more. The opportunity was arranged in partnership with HOP, the Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal. Students loved quizzing employers on the employment opportunities available, and at the end we had to drag them away! Employers commented on how smart, polite and inquisitive our students were; we’ll be back next year…

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Year 7 for Sept26 Welcome Evening

Last night (12 March) we held our new Year 7 Welcome for our September 2026 intake, which was an incredibly positive evening. We had an excellent turnout of families, who are delighted that their child is coming to St Mary’s.  They spoke hugely positively about the school, and can’t wait for their child to start with us.  They are engaged families, wanting the very best for their child on an academic level, as well as a wider ‘educational’ level.

This is an exciting time for us.  Our numbers reflect the hard work and commitment that all staff and current families have shown to St Mary’s, and we are incredibly proud of our school and our community.

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House Chess Tournament

When the Wellbeing Team first introduced the idea of a lunchtime chess club—now proudly known as the Chess & Mate Society—we could never have imagined just how popular it would become. What began as a simple initiative during the autumn term to provide students with a calm, purposeful activity during social times has quickly grown into one of the most exciting and talked-about clubs in the school.

The aim was simple: create a space where students could relax, challenge their minds, and connect with others. Chess was the perfect choice. Often described as the ultimate mental workout, the game develops memory, concentration, and strategic thinking. But the benefits go far beyond the board. Chess teaches patience, emotional resilience, and the importance of learning from mistakes—helping students develop a positive “growth mindset.” It also provides a peaceful, low-cost activity that can reduce stress and sharpen mental focus.

From the very first session, it was clear that the idea had struck a chord. Students from every year group arrived eager to learn, compete, and improve their skills. Beginners sat alongside experienced players, sharing tips and strategies while forming new friendships across year groups. The quiet concentration of the chessboards soon became a familiar and welcome sight.

Before long, the club had grown so popular that we decided to raise the stakes with a whole-school House Chess Tournament. The response was incredible. Students rushed to sign up, proudly adding their names to the tournament list and eagerly anticipating the challenge ahead.

When the day finally arrived, the room buzzed with excitement. For three intense hours, players battled it out across the boards. There was laughter, nervous energy, moments of triumph, and the occasional dramatic defeat. Every move mattered as students carefully planned their strategies, eyes fixed on the pieces in front of them.

The competition was fierce. Three gripping play-off rounds narrowed the field, leading to nail-biting quarter-finals and high-pressure semi-finals. Each game brought new surprises as underdogs challenged experienced players and brilliant tactical moves turned the tide in seconds.

By the time the final match began, the atmosphere in the room was electric. Spectators gathered quietly around the board, watching every move with anticipation. The tension was palpable as both finalists demonstrated remarkable focus and sportsmanship, thinking several moves ahead while the room held its collective breath.

Throughout the tournament, the behaviour of all students involved was exemplary. Competitors showed respect for their opponents, congratulated winners graciously, and supported one another in true sporting spirit. It was a fantastic display not only of skill but of character.

At the end of an unforgettable competition, the best players were:

Winner – Harrison Year 7 KING

Runner up – Kayra Year 10 KING

Sportsmanship award – Savier Year 7 SEACOLE

These talented students, along with the other quarter finalists will now form the school’s official chess squad and will proudly represent us in future interschool chess championships.

This is only the beginning for the Chess & Mate Society. With such enthusiasm and talent on display, the future looks incredibly exciting. Watch this space… the next move could be ours.

 

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