Year 12 Medicine Support Session

We were delighted to welcome Dr Precila F. da Costa, an Enfield-based doctor currently working at the Royal Free Hospital, to St Mary’s this week, for the first of what we hope will become an ongoing support programme for our aspiring medics.

Precila shared her journey through the sixth form and medical school, offering valuable insights into the realities of a medical career. Students found the session extremely worthwhile, gaining inspiration and practical advice to help them as they begin shaping their own pathways into medicine.

With her wealth of experience — from graduating at King’s College London with the Barber’s Company Student of the Year award, to completing a degree in Medical Education at Queen Mary’s, and even international work in Hong Kong and Brazil — Precila was able to provide a unique perspective that students thoroughly appreciated.

It is fantastic to be able to offer such opportunities to our students, and this session marks the beginning of an exciting journey for our promising Year 12 medical cohort as they start Sixth Form with ambitions of becoming the medical professionals of the future.

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World Mental Health Day 2025 at St Mary’s

 

On Friday 10th October, St Mary’s proudly acknowledged World Mental Health Day 2025, a global event that serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of prioritising our mental health and supporting one another through kindness, empathy, and connection.

To mark the occasion, our Wellbeing Ambassadors took the lead in organising a range of thoughtful and inclusive activities aimed at promoting mental wellbeing across the school. Taking place during social time, the events were open to all students from Year 7 through to Sixth Form, creating a wonderful opportunity for students of all ages to take a break from their usual routine and engage in mindful, creative, and social experiences.

Students enjoyed a relaxed and uplifting atmosphere, where they could take part in activities such as colouring, making friendship bracelets, creating origami, and playing classic board games. These simple yet meaningful experiences offered students a chance to unwind, connect with friends, and embrace the value of taking time out for self-care—an essential part of maintaining good mental health.

Staff were also invited to join in the spirit of the day through a ‘Tea and Talk’ event held in the staffroom. Over a cup of tea, a biscuit, and some friendly conversation, colleagues had the opportunity to come together to reflect on the importance of emotional wellbeing and the power of a supportive community.

Whether it’s through creativity, conversation, or connection, World Mental Health Day at St Mary’s reminded us all that taking time to care for our mental health is not just important—it’s essential. Sometimes, even the smallest act of kindness or a simple chat can make a meaningful difference in someone’s day.

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Year 11 Futures Day – Supporting students to make informed choices

We are proud to share the success of our recent Year 11 Futures Day, held on Wednesday 8th October. This important annual event gave students the opportunity to reflect on their next steps after Year 11 and make informed decisions about their future pathways.

The day began with an inspiring presentation from our Director of Sixth Form, giving students a real insight into sixth form life and the opportunities available to them within the school. Students then took part in a two-hour revision workshop delivered by Maximise, equipping them with practical strategies to prepare effectively for their GCSE exams.

A key part of the day was dedicated to Post-16 option planning. Students explored the full range of pathways available to them, including A levels, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, and college courses. They were supported to research options tailored to their interests and aspirations, and took part in a focused decision-making session to help them think carefully about their choices.

The day concluded with an engaging presentation from HRC and the University of Hertfordshire, encouraging students to look beyond Year 11 and consider their longer-term goals.

At St Mary’s, we place great value on high-quality careers education. Giving students time to reflect, research, and learn how to make important decisions is a vital part of preparing them for life beyond school. Futures Day is one of the many ways we support our students to aim high and feel confident about their next steps.

Ms Gaulton

Careers Lead & Careers Adviser

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St Mary’s Community Theatre Trip to see ‘Wicked’ the Musical

St Mary’s Community Theatre Trip – Wicked Review

A Magical Night in the West End

Last night marked a truly exciting milestone for St Mary’s with the launch of our very first Community Theatre Trip – and what a way to begin! Our coach was completely sold out, filled with students, families, staff, and friends all sharing the joy of live theatre together.

From the moment we stepped into the theatre, the atmosphere was electric. The foyer itself was a feast for the senses, with its charming Oz-themed boutique stalls, glittering merchandise, and incredible costume displays offering a taste of the magic to come.

We were lucky enough to enjoy fantastic seats in the stalls, giving us a perfect view of the spectacle on stage. The cast delivered breath-taking performances – powerful vocals, heartfelt storytelling, and characters brought to life with real passion. By the final curtain, the entire audience was on their feet in a well-deserved standing ovation.

What made the evening even more special were the wonderful comments from our St Mary’s community:

“What a night – when’s the next one?” “So easy and stress-free – we’d never have done this on our own!” “My child’s first West End show… unforgettable!”

This trip wasn’t just about seeing a show; it was about building cultural experiences, creating memories, and strengthening our sense of community.

And the best part? Everyone is already asking… “What’s next?”

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Sustainability programme – Solar Panels

Over the last few weeks the school contractors have been installing solar panels on a large proportion of our roof space.  This work is nearing completion and we are looking forward to the energy savings this will provide the school.  It is anticipated that around 35% of the school’s electricity will be supplied through our solar panels.  This initiative, in addition to the complete replacement of our internal lighting to LED (already completed and working effectively) and the installation of a two bay Electric Vehicle Charging station, supports the school’s Environmental and Sustainability impact vision and ensure our building is as energy efficient as it can be and is future proofed for the next 10 years.

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Sixth form Law students visitor

This week our Year 12 and 13 Law students were fortunate to welcome Guner Gumus, a practising solicitor, who delivered an engaging and inspiring talk about his journey into law.

Guner spoke about what first inspired him to pursue a legal career, his study path through university and professional training, and the realities of life as a solicitor. Students were particularly interested in hearing about his day-to-day responsibilities, the skills required to succeed in the profession and the importance of determination and resilience when entering such a competitive field.

He praised our students for their excellent behaviour, insightful questions and genuine enthusiasm for the subject, commenting on how impressed he was by their focus and maturity.

Following his visit, Guner has kindly offered two students the opportunity to complete a one-week work shadowing placement at the firm he works in during the Christmas holidays. This placement will allow students to gain first-hand experience of legal practice and strengthen future university or apprenticeship applications.

We are very grateful to Guner for his time, generosity and commitment to supporting our students’ career aspirations.

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Sixth Form Politics and Law Trip to the Houses of Parliament

Our Sixth Form Politics and Law students recently had the fantastic opportunity to visit the Houses of Parliament. The day began with a guided tour, giving students the chance to explore both the House of Lords and the House of Commons while learning key facts about the history and daily workings of Parliament. Experiencing these historic spaces brought their classroom learning to life in an inspiring way.

Following the tour, students took part in a lively Snap Election Workshop. Working in groups, they created their own political parties and manifestos, each addressing key social, educational, and environmental issues. The three parties: Restore, The Blue Party, The People’s Party and Fiesta, then went head-to-head, with each group’s election candidate delivering a persuasive presentation of their policies before facing questions from their peers.

This trip was not only an excellent extension of their academic studies but also an important part of careers education. By engaging in real-world political debate and decision-making, students were able to see how the skills they develop in the classroom – such as critical thinking, teamwork, public speaking and problem-solving – link directly to careers in politics, law, public service, and beyond.

Opportunities like this help our students to connect their learning to the wider world, building confidence and giving them a clearer vision of the many pathways open to them in the future.

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Victoria & Albert Museum

Last week, 33 of our talented Year 10 Art students visited the world-renowned Victoria and Albert Museum in Kensington as part of their ongoing coursework and artistic development. Travelling by train, the students demonstrated fantastic behaviour throughout the day, representing the school with maturity, keen interest, and genuine enthusiasm for the arts. While at the museum, students spent time sketching directly from classical artworks, including a focused session drawing Michelangelo’s iconic ‘David’ and exploring other significant pieces across the museum’s vast collection. The visit was a hugely successful experience, inspiring creativity and deepening their understanding of art history and observational drawing. We are incredibly proud of our students for their positive attitude and engagement during the trip.

Well done to all involved!

Miss Papadopoullos

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The ‘Skye’s’ the limit

We are proud to share that Skye in Year 9 has been featured in Pan Podium the International Steel Pan Magazine for her success and achievements as a steelpan player, below you can read a section of the article.

Skye started playing the steelpan because her parents are involved, her mother plays and father tunes them; so it has always been part of her life.

In 2025, Skye travelled to Switzerland with Steel Pan in Motion to perform at the Cudrefin Steel Band Festival. One of her dreams is to go to Trinidad and Tobago and play with Renegades Steel Orchestra in the Trinidad & Tobago National Steelband Panorama competition.

So far, Skye has played with Steel Pan in Motion, Croydon Steel Orchestra, Pan Nation Steel Orchestra and Pantonic Steel Orchestra. She has performed in two UK National Steelband Panorama competitions in 2024 with Croydon Steel Orchestra and with Pan Nation Steel Orchestra in 2025. They were some of her most  challenging but inspiring experiences she has had. Skye also played at the Notting Hill Carnival in 2023 and 2024 as well as Luton and Ware Carnivals with Steel Pan in Motion. She also performed with Pantonic Steel Orchestra at 2025 Notting Hill Carnival.

Looking ahead, Skye would love for steel pan in the UK and worldwide to grow, reach new audiences, and fuse with other styles of music. Her dream is to become a professional pan player and build a career in music. She thinks collaborations with musicians from different genres is the way forward to get steel pan recognised on a bigger musical platform.

We at St Mary’s are really proud of Skye and look forward to seeing her perform at various events over the year to both students and parent/carers.

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Students Bring Freshness and Kindness to Local Foodbank

This month, St Mary’s commitment to community and sustainability blossomed in a truly inspiring way. A group of student ‘Garden Guardians’ who tend our school garden visited the local foodbank to donate fresh, organic produce they had carefully grown and nurtured throughout the season.

The school garden has become a vibrant, flourishing area of the school where students have developed a deep appreciation for healthy, sustainable food. Over the past few months, these young gardeners have tended to a variety of vegetables, herbs, and fruits, employing organic methods that promote environmental responsibility.

On their recent visit to the foodbank, students proudly presented home-grown tomatoes, lettuces, courgettes, beetroot and potatoes. The donation was warmly received by foodbank staff, who emphasised how much the fresh, nutritious produce would mean to families and individuals relying on their services.

The foodbank member of staff, who was one of sixty volunteers who generously give their time to help at the foodbank, explained that St Mary’s fresh produce would be in their next delivery of the day. This delivery was bound for Wormley Free Church and that by the end of the very same day, local families would be taking their vegetables home to feed their families.

The visit also offered a valuable opportunity for students to tour the warehouse and learn more about food insecurity and the important role local organisations play in supporting vulnerable populations. It was a powerful reminder that growing food is not only about sustainability but also about caring for others.

We are incredibly proud of our students’ initiative and generosity. Their efforts have truly shown that even small acts, like planting a seed, can grow into meaningful contributions that nourish both the body and the community spirit.

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