Research for Day 08

ST MARY'S SENIOR SCHOOL









By: Angeline Ang, Jessica Teck and Eugenia Kwong

Introduction:


St Mary's is unique in a number of ways. It is Catholic day and boarding school for girls, the only school of this type in Cambridge. It is now the only all-girls' school in Cambridge, which is widely acknowledged to be the best learning environment for girls. St Mary’s includes the Junior School includes girls from 4 to 11 years old, the Senior school from 11 to 18 years old, and Sixth Form from 16-18 years old.


History:













St Mary's, Cambridge is one of many schools founded by the CJ, IBVM or Loreto Sisters. The Congregation of Jesus (formerly known as the IBVM) was founded by a remarkable woman: Mary Ward (1585-1645). Each year, we celebrate Mary Ward Day, on or around 23rd January, with a school mass.

In 2004 the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary changed its name to the Congregation of Jesus to fulfill Mary Ward's ambition for the Order to be named after Jesus. Mary Ward was inspired by the Jesuit model and by the idea that women could do equal work with men. Mary Ward wanted women to be free from the restrictions imposed on women of being obliged to pursue their religious vocation in enclosed orders. She sought freedom from enclosure so that they could serve the local community.

What is offered in the School:

Students have the opportunity to play traditional games and to participate in more unusual activities such as touch rugby, trampolining, kick boxing and yoga. Rowing is highly successful in the Sixth Form.















Sport at the school is for all. Inter-form competitions help girls develop their team skills and sense of fair play. Clubs and practices provide the opportunity for as many pupils as possible to participate in a variety of physical activities, whatever their level of individual prowess. There are several opportunities for whole school celebration, including the annual Gym and Dance Display and Sports Day.

The school arranges an annual inter-schools dressage competition and hockey teams visit Holland biannually. The girls achieve consistent success in district and regional competitions, with girls competing at county, regional and national level.




















Events:

St Marys holds Days of Reflection allow students to explore and extend their spiritual experience, through discussion, music and drama. The students recognise that they are in a position of privilege. One of the highlights of their school career for many students is the Sixth Form trip to Lourdes, when they accompany and assist the sick and disabled. The school encourages involvement in charity fundraising and the girls enter with enthusiasm and imagination into regular charitable activities: some girls organise the daily selling of Fair Trade products. In addition the school runs an annual fundraising fortnight with a daily programme of events including their own famous dog show! An annual whole school Fun Run raises funds for work in Africa.

Field trips are an integral part of subjects such as Geography and Biology and students have travelled as far afield as Iceland and Honduras. There are workshops and visits in every subject area and speakers and writers are regularly invited into the School. The School devotes two afternoons a week to its extra-curricular programme, whilst also providing lunchtime and after-school activities which enable girls to pursue a particular academic, creative or sporting passion.
School trips range near and wide. Cambridge offers a rich cultural and intellectual life of its own; London with its museums, galleries and theatres is very accessible and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon is within easy reach.

Trips include the History tour of WW1 battlefields in France and Belgium and a Sixth Form visit to Berlin; language exchanges to France and Germany; a language trip to Spain; Classics trips to Greece and Italy; an exchange to South Africa; a Sixth Form English Literature reading weekend and a sports tour to Holland.

Extra Curricular Activities Include:

· Arts Club
· Athletics
· Ballet

· Bodyworks Jazz Dance Club
· Cantore choir

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· Gardening Club
· Greek Club
· Jazz Band
· Readers and Reviewers Club (AKAChick-Lits Club)
· Tennis Club
· Spanish Film Club
· Writing for Big Screen


Extra Curricular sports clubs provide the opportunity for as many students as possible to participate in a variety of physical activities, whatever their level of ability. Activities are offered during period six every Tuesday, as well as lunchtimes and after school. Some clubs are purely recreation based whilst others train for matches. Many girls go on to be selected to represent at District, County, Regional and National level. School colours are awarded in recognition of pupils' outstanding commitment and ability in their chosen sport.

Time Table:

A two-week timetable of 58 periods a fortnight. On Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays there are six periods a day. On Tuesdays there are five periods. Each period is 55 minutes long. Extra-curricular activities run from 3.05 on Tuesdays and from 4.00 on other days.


Uniform:















Uniform is compulsory for all girls in Years 7–11, although students in Year 11 may wear their own clothes during the examination period in the summer term. St Mary’s students are asked to leave their homes correctly attired in full school uniform without jewellery other than a watch, cross and chain and stud earrings, without holes in her tights or sweater and wearing the correct outdoor garment. Heeled shoes are not allowed and trainers may only be worn for PE lessons. Pupils in Years 7-10 should travel to and from school wearing their blazers. The wearing of nail polish and the colouring of hair are not acceptable in school.

All items should be clearly marked with their owner's name.

Sixth Form (16-18 years old):

The Sixth Form is a diverse and stimulating community with its own Sixth Form Centre where the girls have the freedom to develop their personal work habits and enjoy a greater measure of independence.

Academically, the students build on their previous good work habits and continue to make uninterrupted progress, working in smaller groups with teachers who know them well. Those who join us in the Sixth Form rapidly establish friendships and good working relationships. Small group study is especially valuable when it comes to enhancing academic achievement and the full detailed references which the school provides for university applications.

Sixth Form girls are very much appreciated for the contribution they make within the whole school community. There is ample opportunity for challenge and the development of leadership potential. New skills are acquired through involvement with mentoring, running the Student Councils, producing the School Magazine, assisting in the running of clubs for younger students and participating in Young Enterprise and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. A highlight of the Scheme is the expedition which helps to develop self-confidence, independence and team work. An exceptionally high number of students achieve the Gold Award at St Mary’s. The Sixth Form charities committee takes a very active part in arranging and running foundation fundraising events.

The Sixth Form Ball is a much anticipated highlight of the year and there is a thriving activities and trips programme. Sport options are extensive, including rowing on the river Cam.

2008 Achievement Table

















100 per cent of pupils achieved 5 or more A* - C grades.
68 per cent of GCSEs were obtained at A* and A.
100 per cent of Music grades were A*- A
85 per cent of English Literature grades were A*- A
84 per cent of History marks were A*- A
83 per cent of Spanish grades were A*- A

For Fun :