I am incredibly proud of their beautiful sketchbooks and look forward to seeing what they develop next.
Miss Papadopoullos
The spent some time learning about the geology of the area and the impact this has on the water cycle. They then had the challenge of measuring key characteristics of the Loughton Brook. Despite the extremely small amount of water in the river, students persevered to collect the data required to answer their enquiry question about how rivers change downstream. Students were treated to a warm sunny day to enjoy the wonders of being outside and experiencing geography in action.
Louise Douglas (Lead Geography)
Shanay is a Year 11 GCSE art student who has always loved art and drawing from an early age. Shanay has been inspired by the artist Ian Murphy and has a huge passion for illustration. Her project on Urban Life and Culture has been influenced by both.
Some examples of her beautiful sketch books are showcased here.
We were joined in school by performers from The Globe Players, the foremost Shakespeare and Children’s Theatre company in London and the South East, for a lively and informative adaptation of the play. Students enjoyed watching key scenes, including a sword fight and the famous balcony scene, with key moments explained by the knowledgeable cast members. With the opportunity to ask questions following the performance, this was a fantastic addition to the study and revision of the play which is currently taking place in class.
In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of mental health is undeniable. To equip our young minds with valuable self-help tools, we have introduced meditation, guided imagery, and breathing exercises into the Personal Development curriculum.
Personal Development is a crucial aspect of a student’s journey, as it goes beyond academic achievements to shape well-rounded individuals. Year 7 is a pivotal stage where students transition from childhood to adolescence, making it an opportune time to introduce them to the concepts of mental health.
Meditation, a powerful practice for mental clarity and relaxation, is one of the cornerstones of this initiative. Year 7 students are being taught meditation techniques that help them calm their minds, reduce stress, and enhance their focus. This skill can prove invaluable as they navigate the challenges of school and life beyond the classroom.
The introduction of these practices in Year 7 Personal Development program not only acknowledges the significance of mental health but also provides students with essential life skills. By instilling these practices early on, we are not only fostering mental well-being but also preparing students to face life’s challenges with resilience and confidence. In a world where mental health is of paramount importance, this initiative is a significant stride toward creating a brighter future for our youth.
Tours were lead by our students, and we had subject ambassadors in each area to talk to the Y6 students and their parents/carers about our work. Staff were also on hand to answer questions.
Our vision is that we are the rich soil in which seed flourish and roots grow and you got a real sense of how we help children in Y7 flourish into young adults in Y13. As one parent recently said:
“I highly recommend St. Mary’s both as a secondary school and a sixth form. 1 has graduated from 6th form and has a fantastic place at University. The other is currently on his GCSE journey and excelling. I personally cannot find fault with the staff or the level of education that is taught. It is of a high standard. The children are judged on their individual merit and their abilities, league tables( though they matter ) take 2nd place to each individuals aspirations. My children of completely different characters and academic strengths had 2 very different experiences.”
Whilst another said:
“We are looking forward to viewing the school on Thursday for our youngest son. Our eldest is in year 11 and he loves the school. We have been impressed with St Mary’s thus far and would recommend the school. We are hoping St Mary’s impresses our youngest on Thursday, as it is his choice to choose which secondary school he goes to, just like it was for his brother.”
If you are interested in a place in St Mary’s but did not come to our Secondary Transition Evening, please call 01992 629124 and book a place on one of our School in Action tours. These start at 9am and run for about an our on the following dates:
The tours have been busy so please book ahead of time to ensure you get a place.
The Young Enterprise programme is a competition that students can create their own business with their own product and/or service ideas which they then run themselves towards making a profit and inline with our Christian Ethos they ensure that there is money raised each year for a local charity. The team is supported by our internal lead and an external business advisor Dave Smith. The competition is against other schools in Hertfordshire where ultimately at the final students have to present to a large audience their business result and journey.
The business was called ‘Majestic gifts’ and their slogan was “Gifts for any occasion or just because…”. Throughout the competition the team came up with different ideas for products including Christmas baubles which they personalised for customers, St Valentine’s and Mother’s day cards and gifts, Easter woollen chicks and wrist bands and magnetic bookmarks.
The students ran an exciting campaign on their social media with photos of the sales they managed.
As well as selling at school and online the team attended the Dickensian Evening in Ware in December 2022 and the Atrai shopping centre in Watford on a busy Saturday where they were outstanding in setting up their stall and selling direct to the public.
The pride in seeing these amazing young people growing their skills is fantastic and their feedback confirms what they have gained from participating in the experience: Tallie: “I have learnt new skills including online skills, social skills and time management skills. I think these skills are important because they taught me to be more independent in my own work and more confident when talking to people face to face”, Rosie: “I have learned how to work better in a team and communicate my ideas whilst also cooperating, including and building upon other members of the teams’ ideas”, Olivia: “I also developed greater confidence from presenting the presentation at the Young Enterprise regional final.”, Jayde: “I have also been able to meet a variety of different customers, pushing myself out of my comfort zone”
Last year’s team have provided advice for this year’s students as we have two teams representing our school and they have already identified business gaps for products which we are sure they will be successful throughout the programme. We will keep you updated with their progress.
In the meantime, we would like to congratulate last year’s team – very well done we are extremely proud of you all; Jayde, Olivia, Kristina, Kayleigh, Shenese, Eli, Tallie, Taylan, Lucy, Rosie, Akwasi, Daniel, Donell, Christian, Ali and Jesse.
They continued their study of Van Gogh with a monoprint technique inspired by the wonderful painting ‘The Starry Night’. Across in the drama department they rehearsed a choral speaking piece leading to a fantastic performance. Students learned about antiphonal and unison speaking and some even performed from memory. What a great opportunity to make bridges and connections with the Key Stage 2 curriculum and so we look forward to further collaborations in the near future.
The students took part in a Wild Wellbeing trip organised by Mrs Buxton, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead at St. Mary’s. Wild Wellbeing focuses on improving the emotional wellbeing of young people by taking part in a range of mindfulness activities, such as breathing exercises, tasting, natural art and soundscapes.
Educating young people of these strategies enables them to improve their mental health by connecting to nature.
By the end of the session everyone felt calmer and more relaxed and had learnt some strategies to take away with them.
Here are some beautiful examples from their portfolios.
