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.

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.

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!

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…

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.