We are delighted to share some wonderful news about two of our students, Jack M in Year 9 and Naz K in Year 8. Both of these individuals recently completed a rigorous firefighter’s course, showcasing extraordinary perseverance and determination. This achievement is especially commendable given the numerous barriers they have overcome along the way. Throughout the course, Jack and Naz demonstrated grit and commitment to their goals, facing each challenge with resilience and a positive attitude. Their hard work and courage not only earned them their certifications but also highlighted their potential to apply these qualities to achieve their personal best and enjoy success.

Our two Young Enterprise teams attended the final event last night (30 April) at the University of Hertfordshire.

At the event they set up their stalls which both looked very professional and during the afternoon they managed to continue to sell their products to university students and staff.

Both teams were interviewed by 4 judges where they had to show their stalls, explain their business and provide answers to questions such as what promotions did you do? Why this product? What was your profit margins? They all spoke eloquently and provided thorough responses to every question, and they confidently showed their products and the adverts they had made.

During the evening both teams had to select 5 students to deliver a presentation (4 to speak and 1 to use the clicker to change slides). All the students were very nervous about this and we even had a couple of tears before one presentation. However, each team went up at the front of a large lecture theatre, with an audience of 250 people, and they delivered professional, informative and engaging presentations.

During the final awards both teams won a Participation trophy for their achievement to get into the final, attendance at the final and delivery of presentations. In addition, Embrace team won the runner-up of the Logo Competition and ReCorked Charm won the Best Innovation Award.

During the whole event all of our students represented themselves and our school fantastically, and I am overwhelmingly proud of all the team members.

Well done to Jada, Ogo, Kayleigh, Chisom, Andria, Melissa, Khyar, Olivia, Alara, Zilan, Alex, Stepans, Eray, Jerina, Ercan, Andreas, Nikki, Koray, Joshua, Ozan

Photos to follow

Ms Johnson

We wanted to share what we are currently learning in geography lessons.

We are proud to announce that St Mary’s CE High School has been awarded the Emotional and Mental Wellbeing in Schools Mark, achieving ‘Advanced Practice’ in their whole school approach to supporting students, staff and their families.

Designed as a self-review tool which guides schools through a process of reflecting on current practice and identifying both strengths, and areas for improvement, the Schools Mark replaces the Healthy Young Minds in Herts Kitemark Accreditation which St Mary’s previously held.

Aligned to the eight principles proposed by the Department for Education’s guidance for promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing in schools and colleges, the Schools Mark was co-designed with education professionals by the Emotional Mental Wellbeing in Education Team; part of Hertfordshire’s Children and Young People’s Mental Health System,

The eight areas are: Leadership and Management; Environment and ethos; Curriculum, teaching and learning; Pupil voice; Staff development, health and wellbeing; Identifying need, impact and monitoring; Working with parents, families, and carers; Targeted support and appropriate referrals.

Here are just some of the Assessor overall positive comments:

• St Mary’s has a clear and thorough commitment to supporting the emotional wellbeing and mental health of pupils and staff.
• St Mary’s ensures that emotional and mental wellbeing has a high profile within the school across pupils and staff.
• Personal Development is embedded across the curriculum and delivered through teaching.
• High participation in external wellbeing activities such as Feeling Good Week, Just Talk, 5 Ways to Wellbeing and The Anna Freud and Mind charities are demonstrated.
• The school has made effective use of external speakers to amplify the messages they teach and continually look to grow the pool of agencies they work with.
• St Mary’s promotes an active school council with opportunities for students to become Wellbeing and Anti-bullying Ambassadors as well as Sixth form mentors.
• Students are encouraged to express their views and opinions through adhering to Gillick competency and Fraser guidelines.
• St Mary’s High has an exemplary referral process for internal interventions, with pupils identified and supported quickly.
• The school provides many opportunities to recognise staff needs through drop-in sessions, ‘time to talk’ session and a menopause support group with the wellbeing area being accessed by both staff and students offering a space to talk and decompress.
• It is clearly evident that the school supports all vulnerable groups.
• The school website has a wealth of information for parents/carers and families about emotional wellbeing and mental health support, offering information evenings, workshops and training.
• School explained how they are responding to examples of high level, complex needs of families, and going above and beyond to ensure that students feel supported and heard.

Club 9 – Geography students in Year 9 were invited to take part in a simulated Climate Summit. They were allocated roles and had to vote for changes to government policies and pitch for investment from the United Nations. They worked in teams to establish aims and priorities for their group and were very persuasive in their requests for funding.

Every one of the students who took part engaged fully with the activity and worked to solved climate change globally. We were encouraged to see budding climate policy makers in our midst.