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Dear Parent/Carer,
As another academic year draws towards its end, I wanted to share a few of the many wonderful experiences our pupils have had throughout 2024-25.
The newsletter that follows will provide details about some of the highlights, but it is not exhaustive. Looking back over the year we have had, it would be impossible to do it justice, but I hope you enjoy the contents of our summer newsletter.
At St Mary’s we want our pupils to have opportunities and experiences that will enrich their lives and develop them as well-rounded young people. What pleases me the most is not just what our pupils have done over the past year, but how they have done it.
Across the many fixtures, festivals, tournaments, trips and visits, our pupils have been a credit to St Mary’s and to themselves.
I am rightly proud of their achievements, but equally of the way in which they have represented our school.
Your incredible support has meant that our Y11s could access the comprehensive after school and holiday revision sessions on offer, which they will hopefully get their reward for when the results come out in August. They worked hard and responded well to the support offered by their teachers, but we do appreciate the invaluable support from home.
The relationship that we have with our parents/carers, undoubtedly leads to us getting national awards for attendance and I want to thank you again for your commitment and support.
As one year group leaves, we prepare to welcome our new Y7s in September. It is always an exciting time when a new cohort joins our community, and I look forward to working with them and their families as their St Mary’s journey begins.
Wishing you safe travels and a restful and relaxing summer holidays, and I look forward to seeing you all again in September.
Very best wishes
Stuart Wetson
Headteacher
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On Friday 20th June, the 93B English group was visited by our class novel's author, S.J. Baker. Her dystopian debut, Calm, is the first in a trilogy of books imagining a future where British water sources are drugged by the government to repress strong emotions.
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Firstly, S.J. Baker- who is an English teacher- took us through the process of writing and publishing her book. This was really insightful, and we got the chance to ask her lots of questions, which she answered readily. We then did some writing and discussed the next book, before S.J. Baker read an extract from Calm’s sequel! This was so exciting, and we all loved hearing more about the world and characters of the book. It was a great morning, and we thank S.J. Baker for kindly coming to visit our class!
Written by Tamsin
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The theme of the year 9 retreat was “The Common Good”. In Genesis 1:26 and 1:28, God gives people “dominion” over creation. From the beginning, God asked humans to care for one another and for all creation. The fruits of the earth belong to everyone.
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Through a range of activities, we focussed on the belief that no one should be excluded from the gifts of creation and how we can work together for the benefit of all.
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Our day culminated with Mass, including prayers and hymns prepared by the pupils during the day. Finally, we shared some party food to celebrate the end of an enjoyable and fun retreat day. Thanks to the generous donations from parents and carers in year 9 we were able to raise over £230 for the charity Mary’s Meals and will provide children living in some of the world’s poorest communities with a nutritious school meal every day for a school year.
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The aim of our retreat was to provide an opportunity to experience faith on a more personal way and on a level different than “book knowledge.” The day allowed for a “retreat” from the typical academic day and provided opportunities for reflection and spiritual experience, an increase in self-knowledge and a deepening of relationships among members of each form group.
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During this Jubilee Year of Hope, our CAFOD team have once again thrown themselves into a variety of activities.
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One of the highlights of the year was our BIG LENT WALK. Our group invited the whole school to become involved in our Lenten campaign to raise money for those trapped in poverty around the world.
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CAFOD’s aim of the BIG LENT WALK is to get thousands of teams or individual walkers to join together, walking and fundraising and raising awareness of inequality across the world. Each week saw the numbers of people involved grow until our final week, which saw 2/3 of the school walking with us, eventually walking around 2000km and raising £571.42 in online donations, plus another £150. It was a joy to see the students and staff involved in living out Catholic Social Teaching, working for the Common Good. In the end, as a whole CAFOD community, we raised £138,443.
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Another highlight was being invited to be involved in the CAFOD School’s Pledge for the Jubilee video. We hosted the team for the afternoon, and our students were invited to give their testimony about what faith means to them and what it means to be filled with hope and what hope means to them. They spoke with wonderful eloquence and passion – something that the team from CAFOD repeatedly commented on.
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We also had a workshop on cancelling the debt owed by some of the world’s poorest countries. During the day, we also developed our school pledge about our mission, to commit to a ‘sign of hope’ and to stand in solidarity with communities experiencing poverty by pledging to take concrete actions to advance justice and harmony locally, nationally, and globally. You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/z0rIGExGWIY
We also owe a huge amount of thanks to the PTFA for their continued support, giving donations to help continue the work being done.
Thank you for your continued support and generosity.
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Pupils from Y8-11 enjoyed a brilliant ski trip during the February half term in Austria. We were very lucky to arrive after some fresh snow and enjoyed excellent skiing conditions all week. After many years of going back to the same hotel and same resort, it is always nice to be welcomed so well by the family that run the hotel and have ski instructors we know from previous trips. The pupils were fantastic during the trip and we enjoyed a memorable week. The improvement in skiing technique was amazing to see – beginner skiers progressing from the nursery slopes to skiing from the top to the bottom of the mountain all the way to our more advanced skiers collecting evidence of slalom racing for their GCSE PE practical grade.
Well done to all who were on the trip, great memories – already looking forward to next year!
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History Comes Alive: GCSE Students Walk in the Footsteps of the Great War
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This year's Battlefields Tour took place from 13 to 16 June and proved to be an unforgettable educational experience for 48 GCSE History pupils who travelled to the historic sites of the Somme and Ypres Salient.
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The carefully planned itinerary brought the 'Conflict and Tension: The First World War' unit to life as students explored key battlefields, visited various museums, and walked through meticulously reconstructed trenches. These immersive experiences provided invaluable opportunities for pupils to reinforce their classroom learning while standing on the very ground where history unfolded over a century ago.
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A particularly moving highlight of the tour was the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate, where students Joshua, Lisa, and Matthew had the honour of laying a wreath on behalf of the school. This solemn moment of remembrance was made even more meaningful for several pupils who were able to visit the graves of their own relatives who fell during the conflict over the course of the trip. The tour combined academic study with personal reflection, creating lasting memories that will undoubtedly enhance the pupils' understanding and appreciation of this pivotal period in world history. Our young historians returned home with a deeper connection to the past and a greater awareness of the human cost of war.
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Geography Department: Year 10 Field Trip to Morocco
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In early June, the Geography department had the pleasure of leading 34 enthusiastic Year 10 students from St Mary's RC High School (Hereford) on an unforgettable educational adventure to Morocco. This enriching experience provided a unique opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of desert ecosystems, explore the fascinating adaptations of camels, and consider the challenges faced by communities living in arid climates.
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Beyond the academic focus, students were able to immerse themselves in Moroccan culture—enjoying time with friends as they navigated the vibrant medina, explored the bustling souks, relaxed by the pool, and visited the state-of-the-art air-conditioned water museum.
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Throughout the trip, our students were exemplary ambassadors for the school, demonstrating curiosity, resilience, and respect at every stage. A particular highlight was the group’s determination in overcoming soaring temperatures and a demanding ascent to the Tizi n’Tamatert mountain pass, situated at an impressive 2,400 metres above sea level. Remarkably, several students pushed on to reach the summit at 2,650 metres, an achievement that will be remembered for years to come.
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This memorable trip not only enhanced our students’ geographical knowledge but also fostered personal growth and lasting friendships.
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GCSE PE pupils travelled to the Pembrokeshire coast on Friday morning towards the end of May.
The weather and sea conditions for the 3-day residential trip were superb and allowed the pupils to enjoy bodyboarding, climbing and, on two occasions, coasteering. The pupils were excellent and responded extremely well to the physical challenges.
This isolated beach is a short walk from the YHA where pupils stayed.
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In July the year 10 Business Studies students visited Cadbury World in Birmingham. The pupils spent the morning in a lecture about Cadbury's marketing strategies, which is a key element of the GCSE course. During the afternoon, they went on a factory tour which gave them an insight into production methods, working with suppliers, location of industry and the ethical stance taken by the Cadbury family, which was based upon their religious beliefs.
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As always, this was an invaluable experience to see the theory they learn in the classroom being used in a global manufacturing business. We also enjoyed sampling the chocolate and the 4D cinema experience!
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After a long day of travelling on Saturday and a visit to the memorial on Vimy Ridge, led by Mr Williams, the wonderful PGL staff, Angelo and Paul, gave us a tour of the site, showed us to our rooms, and then took us out to the dining hall for dinner. After dinner, we went for a quick swim in the hotel pool before some free time and then bed.
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Sunday was a hot day that began with breakfast, after which we headed out for our tour of Paris. This started with the very tiring climb up the 674 steps to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower; however, this led to some spectacular views out across Paris which made the exhausting climb worth it, even in the heat.
From there we went on to have lunch before a boat ride down the Seine, during which the tour guide pointed out many of the significant and historical buildings on its banks, including the Louvre and Notre Dame. This was an interesting trip which showcased a lot of the beautiful architecture.
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Following this, we got back on the coach and headed over to the Champs-Elysées, which turns out to be home to one of the two McDonald’s with a white and black sign, alongside many shops like Louis Vuitton and Cartier. At the same time, a few of us visited the Arc de Triomphe, which is a monument remembering many battles the French have won and has an eternally burning flame to remember the fallen.
Then it was back to the hotel for our meal, followed by another half-hour swim, then crêpe making.
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Monday was even hotter, but after a similar breakfast, we headed out for our day at Disney. This was an unforgettable experience which involved many different rides (like Tower of Terror and Hyperspace Mountain) and visits to different merchandise stores. Over the course of the day, we had so much fun that we decided to cancel our early swim slot and stay an extra hour.
Overall the trip was a fabulous experience during which we all made memories we will never forget.
Written by Head Girl, Hermione
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Our school was filled with laughter, ogres, and fairytale creatures this February as we proudly presented our annual school production: Shrek The Musical! Around 70 enthusiastic and dedicated pupils came together to put on a truly fun and exciting show that captivated audiences.
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From the moment rehearsals began in September, a tremendous amount of hard work and commitment went into bringing this beloved story to life. Our students embraced every aspect of the production, with many taking to the stage as the colourful and quirky fairytale characters we all know and love. Their energy and enthusiasm were infectious, and it was clear they had a brilliant time performing the original songs and bringing the hilarious script to life. There were some truly stand-out performances from the lead roles, whose dedication to their characters shone through in every scene.
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Our live band provided a fantastic musical backdrop, the dedicated backstage crew worked tirelessly to ensure seamless set changes and prop management, while the sound and lighting team expertly crafted the atmosphere, it was a true team effort, demonstrating the diverse talents of our student body.
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The hard work off all students paid off, as Shrek The Musical was incredibly well received by audiences, who thoroughly enjoyed the humour, the catchy tunes, and the heartwarming message of acceptance. Seeing the joy on the faces of both performers and the audience was a wonderful reward for everyone's efforts.
As the final curtain fell on Shrek's swampy adventure, the question on everyone's lips is: What will be next? With such a strong display of talent, teamwork, and theatrical passion, we are already eagerly anticipating next year's production and the new challenges and triumphs it will bring!
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Sing the Celebration concert
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On 25th July we took part in a truly inspiring and uplifting "Sing The Celebration" concert at Hereford Cathedral, an event that beautifully culminated three years of dedicated "Singing for Wellbeing" projects. Our school choir had the immense privilege of participating alongside a diverse array of talented groups, including other school choirs, various adult choirs, the vocal ensemble Voces8, and the magnificent soprano Laura Wright.
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The evening was a real testament to the power of music and community. Our students demonstrated exemplary behaviour throughout the event and showcased their abilities to learn and perform harmonies confidently. The opportunity to share the stage and sing alongside professional musicians like Voces8 and Laura Wright was a profoundly inspiring experience for our students, igniting their passion and demonstrating the heights that musical dedication can achieve.
A particularly noteworthy aspect of this project was the involvement of several of our choir members as 'Young Leaders'. These students underwent specialised training from Voces8, learning invaluable skills in leading vocal warm-ups, conducting workshops, and teaching songs to younger pupils. During the concert itself, their leadership shone brightly as they confidently guided the audience through interactive songs and provided invaluable assistance to the primary school choirs with their performance actions. This leadership role not only enhanced their musical understanding but also developed their confidence and teaching abilities.
The concert also featured several standout individual contributions from our students. Hattie Pugh had an extraordinary opportunity to perform a solo alongside the celebrated Laura Wright – a truly unforgettable moment for all present. Furthermore, Annabelle Harrington and Alicia Rogala captivated the audience with a poignant and powerful poem they had collaboratively written and delivered, eloquently articulating the transformative 'power of music'.
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GCSE trip to see Hamilton (January)
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Every year, our GCSE music and drama students look forward to our annual theatre trip, and this year's choice, Hamilton at the Cardiff Millennium Centre, certainly did not disappoint! All of our Year 10 and 11 GCSE music and drama students had the incredible opportunity to witness this groundbreaking musical which toured the country last year.
Our students enjoyed every element of this show - the choreography, set, costumes and, of course, outstanding vocal performances that take influence from many different genres. It was a fantastic example for our students of how technical elements can truly elevate a performance and immerse the audience in the narrative. The vocal performances were powerful and emotive, showcasing the immense talent on stage, and we left the theatre with a lot of students in tears at the emotional ending!!
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Trips like these are invaluable for our GCSE students, offering a direct, engaging way to experience the elements of live performance they study in the classroom. Seeing Hamilton provided an exceptional opportunity to analyse professional-level choreography, lighting, set design, and the innovative integration of diverse musical styles. Most importantly, it was a truly inspiring and unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
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This year members of our school choir have been part of an incredible new initiative, becoming Young Leaders as part of an Encore singing project. This scheme has offered a truly unique opportunity for our students to develop their leadership and musical skills, all while working with inspiring professionals.
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A real highlight for our Young Leaders was the chance to collaborate with members of the renowned vocal ensemble, Voces8. These world-class performers led workshops specifically designed to teach our students how to lead and instruct singing to younger pupils. It was an invaluable experience, giving our choir members practical insights and techniques. The project wasn't just for our older students; pupils of all ages enthusiastically took part. This inclusive approach allowed for fantastic peer-to-peer learning and mentorship. Our students quickly developed essential leadership skills, not just in music but in general. They also gained confidence in standing in front of large groups, significantly improving their clarity of instruction and delivery. It was wonderful to see them grow so much in such a short space of time
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Our Young Leaders put their new skills into practice by delivering a fantastic singing workshop to Bosbury Primary School earlier in the year. They also played a crucial role in helping other Herefordshire primary schools prepare for the "Sing The Celebration" concert in June.
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Those running the Encore project were incredibly impressed with our students. They particularly highlighted how well our pupils worked together and their willingness to volunteer to lead and take part in different aspects of the workshops. Their enthusiasm and proactive approach truly made a difference. Our younger pupils will have the chance to continue as Young Leaders next year, building on the strong foundations laid this year. As for our older pupils, they've gained an invaluable experience that will undoubtedly benefit them in their further endeavors. This project has not only nurtured their musical talents but also equipped them with transferable skills that will serve them well for years to come.
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Year 10 and Year 8 had a lovely morning at Hereford Collage of Arts. They took part in a textiles workshop and printed their own bags and looked around their impressive degree show!
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GCSE Art Photography Workshops
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Pupils in Year 9 who start their GCSE Art in September have thoroughly enjoyed building their skills in Art Photography in workshops run recently by the Art department. On the theme of Light & Shade, they have learnt about composition and lighting techniques to take some phenomenal photographs in make-shift photography studios and on location around the school. We really look forward to teaching them more in the new academic year.
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Health & Social Care Talk
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Year 10 pupils completing their qualifications in Health & Social Care were very engaged in a talk on the challenges facing homeless people given by Christine from the local charity Vennture.
This charity helps disadvantaged individuals across the county live safer, more comfortable lives. For their coursework project, the class worked with Christine to understand people with traumatic pasts. We are very grateful for her valuable time and insights.
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Our musicians were delighted to showcase their music at our school Summer Concert on the 10th of July. The weather graced us with gorgeous sunshine, setting a perfect backdrop for a relaxed and enjoyable event.
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The evening commenced with a fantastic BBQ and a variety of refreshments, expertly provided by our wonderful PTFA. The concert itself showcased the incredible musical talent within our school. We were treated to a diverse programme of performances, featuring the school choir and school orchestra. A highlight of the evening was the array of solo and duet performances from students across all year groups. It was particularly poignant to witness some of our Year 11 students deliver their final performances, a memorable farewell as they prepare to move on.
The variety and quality of the music on display truly made for a special evening, demonstrating the hard work and dedication of all our young musicians. It was a wonderful celebration of our school's vibrant musical community.
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Science Festival Sparks Curiosity and Wonder
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We were thrilled to hold our annual Science Festival, welcoming primary schools from across the county for a fun-filled day of discovery and excitement. The festival was a fantastic opportunity to ignite young imaginations and showcase the wonders of science in action.
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Highlights of the day included a Science Magic Show, where pupils were amazed by mind-bending tricks that brought science concepts to life. Students also had the chance to get up close with birds of prey and fascinating reptiles, sparking discussions about ecosystems, adaptation, and biodiversity.
The outdoor and indoor exhibits offered hands-on learning experiences covering a wide range of topics. Children explored the wonders of nature, took a journey through the stars and planets in our space exhibit, and even became young detectives by solving a mystery using forensic science techniques.
It was two days full of excitement, learning, and inspiration, and we are proud to have shared it with so many enthusiastic young learners. A huge thank you to all the schools who attended and to our fantastic team of staff, volunteers, and presenters who made the event unforgettable!
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Historical Association's Young Quills Project
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In the spring term a group of students took part in the Historical Association’s Young Quills project to find the winner of the HA historical fiction authors of the year. The Historical Association’s aim is to seek out books which:
- Are a ‘good read’, engaging the imagination of the young reader.
- Have good historical content and factual information.
- Have history as a component of the story, not just a convenient backdrop or setting.
- Inspire young readers to find out more about that historical period or people.
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Divided by age suitability, the books have been borrowed by students who then write a review of the book and swap it for another. Those reviews are used as the basis for the HA to create the shortlist from which the winners will be selected. The students submitted their reviews at the end of March, and a selection are published on the Historical Association website; we are waiting for the winner to be announced in July. The books, which are funded by the HA, are now in the school library for anyone to borrow and read.
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I’ve been a golfer for 11 years now and over the years, I was never forced to always play, so I experimented with other sports but always returned to golf.
I began to take it seriously in 2022 after receiving encouragement from staff at Alexander Park Resort, who have seen my development ever since I was 7 years old. The most encouragement came from my family and my trainer Kevin. Kevin has been my trainer for 8 years and is a constant encouragement to my progression.
My parents were the ones who encouraged me to join the junior section/team at the Worcestershire Golf Club in 2022, at the time I wasn’t confident in my golf and didn’t play in many matches against other clubs. This caused my confidence to slip and made me work harder with my trainer to gain it back
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In 2024 my confidence increased massively again after winning the Generation Sheild as well as my dad taking the opportunity to enter himself and I into our clubs’ winter mixes competitions. Over the winter competitions we gained many wins which helped me enjoy the game of golf again. As the winter came to an end this year, I was made aware that because of the multiple victories we obtained, we had won an order of merit called the Tankards cup.
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This had become the beginning of my greatest progression throughout my game. So far this year, I have won a match against Burghill, been asked to be the reserve player for the scratch team of the ladies’ section, retained my Generation Sheild to have the title for the second year in a row and finally, I was invited to play in the Lady Captains away day at Stinchcombe Golf Club.
I am entirely grateful for all the support I have received from friends, family, Kevin, staff at Alexander Park and school.
Lyra - Year 10
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It has been another great year of sporting opportunities and successes at St Mary's.
Our Year 11s concluded their St Mary's careers with some notable achievements, with Tom qualifying for the National Cross-Country Championships and our Year 11 B Football team finishing the season as County Runners-up.
At the other end of the spectrum, our Year 7s have the makings of a very talented year group, and have made a great start at St Mary's with our Year 7 boys crowned County Basketball champions, following this up with an unbeaten Rugby season, which included finishing joint top with Hereford Cathedral School at the U12 County Sevens Rugby Tournament. In addition, our Year 7 girls finished the year being crowned U12 County Rounders champions.
Elsewhere, highlights included our Year 9s and Year 10s, like our Year 7s, being crowned County Basketball Champions, and our Year 8s were Runners-up. In Football, our Year 8s, Year 9s and Year 10s all won through to their respective County finals. We were runners-up in each of these age groups: a good achievement, and we will try our hardest to go one better next year.
In Tennis, Kayo & Ruby went the whole season unbeaten in both singles and doubles in the Hereford & Worcestershire Schools' League. And in Athletics Ethan, Year 7 won the Hereford & Worcestershire School Athletics Championships 100m title.
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This year has been an exceptional one for our school’s Netball teams, with pupils across all year groups showcasing their talent, commitment, and team spirit.
Year 7 kicked off the season with a fantastic performance, finishing as County Runners-Up – a brilliant achievement for such a young and developing team.
Year 8 also saw themselves as county runners-up. Their teamwork and determination were clear throughout the competition.
Year 9 also put in a strong showing, finishing as County Runners-Up. Their hard work paid off, and they progressed to the Regionals round.
Year 10 impressed once again with a well-earned victory, securing the title of County Champions. Their consistency and dedication have been a hallmark of their success.
Year 11 rounded off the season in style, taking the win to become County Champions. They, too, progressed to the Regional Schools competition, representing the school with pride.
Alongside team success, several individual pupils deserve special recognition for their achievements beyond school sport:
🌟 Gabby is making waves with the U17 Birmingham Panthers, showing incredible promise and leadership on the court.
🌟 Goda competed at the National U14 Club Championships, gaining valuable experience at the highest level and has recently been selected for Team Bath.
🌟 Sophia and Tilly were both selected for the prestigious Loughborough Lightning Emerging Talent Programme, an outstanding opportunity and testament to their dedication and skill.
We are immensely proud of all our pupils, not just for their performances, but for their attitude, work ethic, and the way they represent the school. They are talented, hard-working role models who inspire others to aim high and give their best.
Here’s to even more success in the seasons to come!
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Prom was so much fun and a fantastic way to mark the end of our time at St Mary’s. So many people had put so much time and effort into making this night super special (especially Mrs Walton) from the Photo Booth to the pick and mix.
So much thought and planning made this night amazing so a huge thank you to everyone involved in its organisation. I loved dancing with people who I spent the last 5 years at school with and being able to say last goodbyes - it was a night to remember!
Written by Esther
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