Summer Term 2022

I think it is widely accepted that the past 2 years have not been easy for anyone but the response of your children in the face of so many changes and challenges has been remarkable. I think that a special mention for our outgoing Year 11s is necessary, as they were the first year group since 2019 to sit their GCSEs. They approached this with maturity and resilience despite the fact that they would no doubt have been apprehensive. From the 16^th May-28^th June, we had 40+ GCSE exams at St Mary’s and I am pleased to report that all went smoothly. Let us now keep the pupils in our thoughts and prayers, and I sincerely hope that their results reflect the hard work and positive approach that they took. Their recent Prom was a fitting finale for a great year group!

This term has included everything from dance shows, summer concerts, sporting finals, sports day and our Eisteddfod. It has been wonderful to have all aspects of school life up and running again and we have seen just how much the pupils have enjoyed it all. From a musical and sporting sense, it is also abundantly clear just how much talent we have at St Mary’s and it has been great to give our pupils the platform to showcase this. During the summer term, we also had our Pilgrimage to Rome and our Geography trip to Morocco amongst other trips to universities and colleges etc. Such wider enrichment is so important, and it is wonderful to be able to offer it to our pupils again.

In recent days we have been preparing for our next cohort of pupils for the new school year 2022-23 and this has included Mrs Walton visiting over 30 primary schools, the Science Festival, new intake evening and the Y6 Transition Day. We believe it is so important to invest in this transition work, as we really want the incoming year group to feel welcome, settled and part of our school community very quickly. This year’s Year 7s have done so well and made a great start to their time at St Mary’s and I look forward to our new pupils joining us on the 7^th September.

Finally, thank you for your ongoing support for all that we do at school. We do not underestimate this or take it for granted and could not do all the things above without your help, cooperation and support.

I would like to wish you a happy and restful summer break and I very much look forward to working with you and your children again in the next school year.

Best wishes

Stuart Wetson
Headteacher

On Wednesday 15^th June we performed 2 sell out shows at Hereford Sixth Form College!

This was our first ever Dance show and with so much talent I am sure it will not be our last! With over 90 students involved from Year 7-10 it really was an amazing spectacle!  This was made possible from funding from Stride Active and alongside our partnership with Laura Gale. It gave students at St Mary’s the chance to perform and dance for the first time.

Congratulations to all of those involved and thank you to the huge numbers of staff who supported and helped backstage it really was a team effort! Watch this space for next year!

After two years of no Art and Textiles Exhibition, this year we were able to have one again. On display was a vast range of work from our GCSE students in year 10 and 11, celebrating their success and beautiful outcomes across Art and Textiles. Work consisted of everything from paintings, drawings, sculptures, hand made bags and bodices.  We are incredibly proud of them and their efforts in what has been an extremely difficult two years. 

The concert opened with the choir singing a song for Ukraine written by year 8 student Mads Thompson and was followed by a variety of music from the orchestra, string group, sax quartet, brass group and a musical theatre trio as well as a few returning year 11 soloists and solo highlights from our Hereford Performing Arts Festival entries. All students performed brilliantly (despite the odd page of music flying off in the wind!) and we look forward to many more live concerts in the future.

The pilgrimage was a great joy to be part of with so many of the pupils being overwhelmed by the wondrous sites of Rome.

With great input from Fr Stephen and our own chaplain Martina and tour guide Sinead we were spiritually engaged and informed as we toured many of the great sites of Rome from meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican, the Colosseum, the Trevi fountain, Caravaggio paintings, stunning churches and fabulous Italian ice creams and pizza and much, much more.

At our Rome reunion meeting many of the pupils shared many happy memories of how they had been full of joy in being in the eternal city.

I think the memories will stay with all the pilgrims for a very long time.

Mr Cook

The students learnt about the history of the company and its global links during a tour and were then entertained in a 4D cinema. After lunch we attended a lecture given by the Cadbury Education team who were able to take the theory we have learnt in the classroom and explain how it works in reality. We were particularly interested to learn about how closely they monitor their market and how long it takes to develop new products.

Both the staff and students were excited to investigate the bargains in the staff shop and we were all grateful that the day was not too hot, to bring our chocolate home!

GCSE PE - Trip to Worcester University

As part of our course, we look at the barriers to participation as part of Paper 2.  We have been so lucky to have Worcester Warriors in again to be part of their inclusive sports awareness project. The Year 10 students have been learning all about models of disability and how to adapt sports to make it inclusive. We even were allowed to have a go at playing Wheelchair Rugby!! We also had the pleasure of inviting Mary McAteer into St Mary’s, she is a U18 Welsh international and Aston Villa Footballer who came and spoke about her journey from Ledbury Swifts to where she is now and the obstacles she has faced in getting there.

On Friday, 27^th May students from Year 7 and 8 went to Hay Festival with Mrs Rogers and Mrs Farruggia. They participated in three events from established authors, Alex Wheatle, Jacqueline Wilson and Sophie McKenzie. Students were lucky enough to have their books signed by Alex Wheatle and Sophie McKenzie. All students enjoyed the day and were a credit to themselves and to St Mary's.

U15, U12 and U13 County Rounder’s Tournament

With huge numbers regularly participating in extracurricular practices the U15 finished their county tournament in the top 4 after losing to Cathedral the eventual winners in the semi-finals. The Year 7s and 8s did not make it out of the group stages but had good wins against Whitecross and Bishops!

Y8 County Cricket Final

The Y8 cricket team faced Hereford Cathedral School in a re-match of last year’s final that St Mary’s narrowly won.  This year St Mary’s won the toss and opted to bat first.  St Mary’s scored a healthy 119 from 20 overs with a strong knock of 40 from Rufus.  Hereford Cathedral School made a steady start to their run chase and unfortunately St Mary’s struggled to take key wickets. 

Hereford Cathedral School won the close game with a few balls to spare.  Congratulations to all involved.

For the second year running LABOURE had lifted the trophy and the school was a sea of red once more!

We were so excited to be able to hold our first Eisteddfod for 3 years, meaning it was a first for all of our pupils in years 7-9. For weeks house captains have been signing up students to take part in many different categories – whether that was handing in work for the subject competitions, and performing on stage on Friday 15^th and Monday 18^th July.

Wow, what an event it was! With wonderful dancing from Irish to Ballet to Contemporary, singing from our brilliant boys and girls, dramatic monologues, original scripts, wonderful instrumental and piano music, battle of the bands, open talents (including comedy, taekwondo, magic, beatboxing) and our popular lip-syncing category we were very spoilt. It was fantastic to see whole tutor groups working together, and pupils from different years collaborating to produce group dances and bands. Even in the sweltering heat our audiences were encouraging, clapping, cheering and singing along.

This year saw Laboure win the Junior Categories, Virgo won the Senior and Laboure are now our current Eisteddfod champions overall.

Well done Laboure, and to everyone that participated in any way including our excellent tech, backstage and scoring team. We can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with next year!

True St Mary's style with tug of war, signing of shirts and a farewell Mass with Fr. Andrew.

PROM

Year 11 had such a great time celebrating their Prom.  All were dressed for the occasion with some beautiful dresses and some creative modes of transport - please enjoy the photos from the evening.

PROM PHOTOS

• Mrs Richards, Teacher of Maths
• Mr Ashcroft, Teacher of Science
• Mr Hawkesford-Johnson, SEN/DSL
• Mr Anderson, Teacher of PE
• Mr Strange, Site Team
• Mr Cook, Teacher of RE

• Mr Peter Hagger, Facilities Manager
• Mrs Tina Peake, Behaviour Recovery Supervisor
• Mrs Lyndsay Gill, Careers/Library Administrative Assistant
• Mr Cassidy, Assistant Headteacher
• Mr Michael Taylor, Teacher of Maths
• Miss Jennifer Squire, Teacher of English
• Mr Mark Cox, Teacher of P E
• Mr Charles Bishop–Miller, Teacher of Science
• Mr Richard Watson, Teacher of Music
• Mrs Antoinette Jones, SEN Teaching Assistant
• Mrs Michelle Watkins,  SEN Teaching Assistant
• Miss Freya Hannaford, SEN Teaching Assistant
• Miss Michele Store, SEN Teaching Assistant
• Miss Chantel Compton, SEN Teaching Assistant
• Mr Steven McCabe, Site Maintenance Assistant
• Mr Michael Haskett, Site Maintenance Assistant

Thank you to all who have donated pre-loved uniform, PTFA sales raised a little over a £1,000 which is an amazing boost to funds.

Please continue to donate pre-loved uniform, it is very much appreciated.

During the summer term the chaplaincy team has been engaged in:

• May - Rosary Club
• May - Spiritual retreat at the Briars for Y7 & Y8
• June - Rome Pilgrimage
• July - End of Year Mass