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About St Mary’s

Headmistress’s Letter: December 2006

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are now reaching the end of a very busy and successful term and the girls and staff are ready for a well earned break. We hope to send the reports to parents of girls in years 8, 9, 11 and the L6th during the first week of the school holiday.

Fund–raising

The Fun Run sponsorship total now stands at £7,000! Thank you all for your great generosity. £3,000 from this Fun Run is already on its way to Sister Christopher CJ in Zimbabwe. It will give much needed help in the running of our school and orphanage. Sister Christopher is 90 this Christmas and continues to play a very active role in increasingly difficult circumstances. The lower school disco held on 24 November was a huge success, raising over £900 for charity. Congratulations to UVI students who transformed the hall and cortile into a Winter Wonderland.

Winter Concert

We enjoyed a spectacular concert led by our new music department last Tuesday evening. Both halls were packed and we listened to a wide variety of music performed by several ensembles including two orchestras, three choirs, two bands and other small groups and soloists. 180 girls took part in total. Congratulations to Mrs Gears and Miss Levy on their enthusiastic leadership of the girls. On a further musical note — well done to Rebecca Stephenson in 7M who has been chosen to play in the National Children’s Under 12’s Orchestra next summer.

Trips

Frau Marmion led a trip to Aachen Christmas Market in Germany last Thursday night taking 40 girls and 4 staff coming back in the early hours of Saturday morning. Although the trip was exhausting and wet, Frau Marmion told the staff she couldn’t have wished for a better group of girls as company. 20 girls from the Sixth Form will be visiting Berlin from 17–20 December for a history trip. The high point will be watching Handel’s Messiah performed by the Berlin Philharmonic on the last night.

PTA Fair

We enjoyed a marvellous PTA Christmas Fair last Wednesday with both junior and senior schools participating. Painting faces by year 11 proved particularly popular. Special thanks to Mrs Helen Jackson (mother of Sophie and Emma) who organised the Fair so successfully and to all of her parent helpers.

Rotary Youth Speaks

The Rotary Youth Speaks debating competition was held at St Bede’s School on 21 November with 14 schools taking part. Congratulations to St Mary’s A team of Kitty Underwood, Lilah Howson–Smith and Katy Green who were the overall winners. St Mary’s B team of Daisy Murray, Maeve Nicholson and Lily Freeman also did extremely well and we also thank Yvonne Thouroude for supporting the teams.

Weekly Tuesday Mass

Just a reminder to parents that Mass is celebrated each Tuesday morning at 8.10am in the Chapel. All parents are welcome.

Uniform

Uniform Issues: notice of further introduction of the V–neck jumpers, shirts and blazers from September 2007.

I am thrilled with the smartness of the new uniform and in particular with the V–neck jumpers and the V–neck shirts. Several girls from all years are wearing these at the moment. From next September I would like all girls to wear V–neck jumpers and V–neck shirts as this has made so much difference to the general appearance of the uniform.

From next September all girls in year 7 and year 8 will have a school blazer. I would also like all the girls who will be in year 9 and year 10 to purchase the blazer too. The only year to be exempt will be next year’s year 11. The blazer or jumper can be worn inside school. The blazer should also become the preferred outdoor coat in the summer, spring and autumn. I am giving you notice now so that any new purchases you make between now and September can meet these requirements.

Sporting Achievements Autumn Term 2006

Team Success

U15 and U14 Hockey Squads had a very successful trip to Holland in the October half term. They took part in advanced coaching sessions, matches against local Dutch teams and finished the week with a tournament. All the girls worked incredibly hard throughout the week and had great fun.

The Under 12 hockey team were joint winners of the District Schools annual tournament. They played brilliantly, won all their 6 qualifying matches scoring a total of 10 goals. The triumphant team were Sophie Brown, Kitty Newman, Alice McWilliams, Zara Walwyn, Lauren Hilton Taylor, Jessica Freedman, Ella Webb, Becky Bryant and Victoria Stockbridge.

The U12 B team came joint runners–up in the B team tournament.

The U13 Hockey team were finalists in the District Schools annual tournament. The U13 B team reached the semi–finals in their tournament.

The Under 14 Hockey team represented St Mary’s in the County tournament at Wisbech and reached the semi–finals: well done. On the same day the U14 B team played in the District hockey tournament.

County Selection

Hockey: Under 17 County Hockey Squad — Alexa Smit; Under 15 County Hockey Squad — Megan Edwards and Venetia Higgins.

Netball: Under 16 County Netball Squad — Lydia Allen, Charlotte Dexter and Kate McDonald; Under 14 County Netball Squad — Venetia Higgins.

Rowing

The girls raced recently in the novice division of the Fairbairn cup races. Terrific results were achieved by both crews given the tricky wind conditions. This is an event run by Jesus College for members of the university, so the opposition are at least one year older than our girls. Thanks to the parents who supported this event and a special mention to Sarah Smart's brother who cycled with her crew. The first boat came 11th with a time of 11m 59s and the second boat came in 27th with a time of 12m 50s. There were 64 entries in total. Congratulations to both crews.

Gym

We look forward to the Girls School Association Gymnastics and Dance Display which will be held at St Mary’s on Tues 6th February from 6.30pm–9.00pm.

May I take this opportunity to wish all families connected with St Mary’s a Peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Yours sincerely,

Jayne Triffitt
Headmistress