A group of students recently lived every footballer’s dream — stepping on to the hallowed turf of Watford FC’s Vicarage Road Stadium for a once-in-a-lifetime match.

Invited by the Herts Sport Partnership to represent the borough of Broxbourne, our boys faced off against Hertswood Academy in a thrilling encounter full of passion, pride and unforgettable moments.

From the moment they arrived, awe and excitement filled the air. The towering stands, the pristine pitch, and the sheer scale of a professional stadium left the boys wide-eyed. That excitement only grew when they discovered they’d be using the home team dressing room — a space usually reserved for the pros.

After donning their kits and lacing up their boots, the team stepped on to the pitch to warm up. The silky-smooth surface made for a fast-moving ball, and it took a few minutes to adjust to the speed and bounce — but the team quickly settled in.

Then came the moment they’ll never forget: lining up in the tunnel and walking out to the legendary Watford FC walk-out song, Z-Cars. With spectators in the stands and adrenaline running high, the game kicked off.

The match was high-intensity from the first whistle. Both teams battled hard, with strong tackles, quick passing, and end to end chances. Just before half-time, Hertswood managed to edge ahead with a goal, sending St Mary’s into the break trailing 1-0.

But the story was far from over.

With renewed energy and fierce determination, the team came out firing in the second half. Their efforts were rewarded when Mason unleashed a thunderous long-range strike that rocketed past the goalkeeper — a goal worthy of any stadium. Cue wild celebrations and a flurry of knee slides in front of the Vicarage road stand to the delight of the team (though the groundskeepers might have had other thoughts!).

The final whistle blew with the score tied at 1-1, and the match headed to a dramatic penalty shootout in front of the iconic Rookery Stand. It was a tense finish, and although St Mary’s narrowly missed out with a 5-3 loss, spirits remained high.

This wasn’t just any match — it was a memory that will last a lifetime. The boys had played on a former Premier League pitch, and represented their community with pride and sportsmanship. It was a day filled with emotion, excitement, and excellence — and one that students, staff, and families will never forget.

Matchday squad – Kerem, Aren, Mason, Natan, Andrew, Mathew, Max, Amir, Samuel, Marcus, Patrick, Arnold, Asad, Kamil, Chigozie, Bobby, Bryan

Founders Day 2025 – A Celebration to Remember

Founders Day 2025 was a special occasion at St Mary’s CE High School, offering a moment to honour the vision and commitment of our founder, Robert Dewhurst.

Students, staff, and guests from St Mary’s, Dewhurst St Mary CE Primary School and Holy Trinity CE Primary School gathered for a service at St Mary the Virgin, Cheshunt. Through music, readings and reflections, the service celebrated the school’s rich history and the strong foundations that continue to help St Mary’s flourish.

Speeches from the Headteacher and student representatives reflected on the school’s journey and expressed confidence in its continued growth and success.

This April, St Mary’s CE High School participated in Stress Awareness Month, an annual initiative observed every April since 1992. This month-long event is dedicated to raising awareness about the causes and solutions to stress. Its mission is to encourage individuals and organisations to recognise and reduce stress, promoting a happier, healthier, and more resilient world. It serves as a timely reminder for all of us to take charge of our mental and emotional well-being and explore practical ways to manage stress.

In recognition of Stress Awareness Month, our school organised a variety of workshops aimed at helping students understand and adopt effective self-care strategies during challenging times. These workshops not only provided valuable insights into managing stress but also encouraged students to think proactively about their mental health.

One of the standout events was the Yoga Workshop, which offered students a powerful tool for stress relief. Yoga is well known for its numerous benefits, both mentally and physically. By incorporating yoga into daily routines, students can reduce stress levels, enhance mental clarity, and improve overall well-being.

The Stress Ball Workshop introduced students to the simple yet effective method of creating a homemade stress ball from just a balloon. Squeezing and releasing the stress ball is a proven way to relieve tension and anxiety. Additionally, it helps strengthen hand and forearm muscles, improves circulation, and provides a healthy outlet for nervous energy.

We were also thrilled to welcome back Godfrey, the Therapy Dog. Godfrey’s visits are always a highlight, offering both students and staff a calming presence that helps ease stress. Research shows that interacting with dogs can lower the stress hormone cortisol and increase the feel-good hormone oxytocin, promoting a sense of calm and happiness.

Our staff members also participated in activities, receiving Stress Relief Adult Colouring Books, Staff Wellbeing Toolkits, and other resources to help manage stress both at work and at home.

The Stress Awareness Month initiative was a resounding success, providing students and staff with practical tools to manage stress while promoting a supportive, engaging, and wellbeing-focused environment. It also encouraged the development of lifelong practices that can contribute to overall mental health and resilience.

We look forward to continuing to support our students and staff in fostering a culture of wellness and balance.

We are delighted to congratulate Eliseo in Year 8, who competed in the English Karate Championship in Sheffield on 12 April and won the under 14 years -45kg category, winning all 5 of his fights.

Eliseo has been fighting at a National and international level since the age of 7, competing in several different countries across Europe. He’s previously won a bronze medal and the British and Commonwealth championships, however this is his first national title.

Earlier this month, Eliseo competed in Spain at the K1 world youth league tournament, although he didn’t win a medal, his efforts have earned him a 3 month trial with the English national squad – if successful, he’ll be one of the youngest members of the squad and once he turns 14, he’ll be eligible to compete for his country in the world and European championships.

Well done Eliseo, your hard work, motivation and dedication will see you building on your success.