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About St Mary’s

Headmistress’s Letter: 30 March 2006

Dear Parents,

We are coming to the end of a very hectic half term. We are delighted to have welcomed St Catherine’s School into the St Mary’s community this term and we all enjoyed our first full assembly together on 28 February.

Music Department

We very much enjoyed the Senior Musicians’ concert on 16 March. This was the final concert for both Mr Benziger and Mrs Hall although we are looking forward to the musical production of Cabbages and Kings next term. Mrs Hall will be moving to a new position as Head of Academic Music at Portsmouth Grammar School from September 2006. We congratulate her on this promotion and thank her warmly for all she has contributed to the musical life of the school. We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs Sonia Gears as Director of Music from September 2006 following the retirement of Mr Benziger after 21 years of dedicated service to St Mary’s. Mrs Gears is currently the Head of Music and Expressive Arts Co–ordinator at Saffron Walden County High.

Staff

We have appointed Miss Nicola Lees as Head of Spanish, currently at Millfield School, from September 2006. Miss Janine Cowan has been appointed as a Geography teacher from September 2006. Janine, a Cambridge graduate, taught here during her teaching practice and loved the school.

We are delighted to announce the following new appointments internally for Heads of Year from September 2006. Miss Aodain Fleming will be taking over the role of Head of Year 11. Mrs Rosemary d’Armada is becoming Head of Year 7 and Miss Kate Hall is the newly appointed Head of Year 9. We wish them all well in their new positions. These appointments are the result of the retirement of Mrs Fiona Harding as Head of Year 11. We thank Mrs Harding for her tireless and sensitive leadership of Year 11 for 8 years. Many girls and parents have appreciated her support and kindness over the years.

Mr Lawrence Rao, our Bursar, has been appointed to the position of Bursar at Alleyn’s School in London from September 2006. We congratulate him on his promotion and thank him sincerely for all he has achieved during his time with us. Mrs Carole Ryder, our Marketing Director, leaves us after 17 years of loyal and committed service to the School as an English Teacher and later as our Marketing Director to join her husband in the USA. Many of you will have met her when you were first shown St Mary’s. She has been hugely influential in the recent success of the school; her special contribution to international boarding has helped us to achieve a full boarding house within a relatively short space of time.

Lourdes

We are in the middle of the Lourdes Fundraising Fortnight. Please see the separate sheet detailing all the activities. We have raised nearly £2000 already.

Textiles

On Friday 24 February Margaret Beal, textile artist and author, visited St Mary’s school to do a workshop with sixth form and some year 11 students. The students had a wonderful time fusing organza fabric using a Soldering Iron. They used this technique to create borders, three dimensional effects, surface texture and markings on fabric.

Boarders’ Concert

Many of us were entranced by the boarders’ charity concert that took place last week. This was organised and performed entirely by the boarders with many girls taking part. We saw music and dances from many parts of the world and it served to remind us of the huge range of talent and experience brought to us by our boarding community. We were so impressed we asked for a selection of items to be performed to the whole school yesterday after assembly.

Music Successes

We congratulate Talitha Jenson in 8R who was awarded 142 marks out of 150 and achieved a distinction in her Grade 8 Oboe examination. This is a fantastic achievement and possibly one of the best in the country especially as she is only 13.

We congratulate Emily May on her performance as a flautist in the Cambridge Young Musician of the Year. She was the overall winner in her age group and the runner up in the whole competition. We are very proud of her efforts.

Sports Mark Award

St Mary’s School has been awarded the Sports Mark Award for 2006–7 in recognition of St Mary’s commitment to promoting the benefits of physical activity and school sport. Congratulations to the PE department and all the girls who take part in the many aspects of extra curricular sport.

Hadrian’s Wall

The GCSE Latin and Classical Civilisation students went to Hadrian’s Wall last weekend. In bracing, blustery weather they contemplated the lifestyle of the Roman legionary soldiers who had been posted to this most northern extremity of the empire. They enjoyed lavish meals and comfortable accommodation at the study centre at Birdoswald, built on the remains of a Roman fort.

French Experiences

35 students from Year 10 spent the day at the Guildhall attending a conference entitled A French Experience — a day packed with quizzes, sketches and interactive activities. We were proud of Becky Shercliff who volunteered for an interpreting exercise on the stage in front of 400 students. From 15–22 February 20 girls travelled to Paris. They spent 5 days with their families, visiting various places of interest in and around Paris. Then the whole group joined together for a trip on the Seine, Le Louvre museum, the Sainte Chapelle, Notre–Dame and then the inevitable shopping.

Easter Holiday Trips and Events

There will be a Silver Duke of Edinburgh qualifying expedition in the last week of the holidays. 24 girls from year 11 are hoping to complete the expedition section of their silver award. There will also be a Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition taking place at the same time which 23 girls in the Sixth Form will be attending. Also during the Easter holiday 40 girls from year 10 will be taking part in the Battlefields Trip arranged by the History department.

Sports News

There is so much excellent sports news that I am including a separate sheet with this mailing.

Uniform Reminder and News

I would be most grateful if you could ensure that your daughters arrive at school next term in the appropriate neat and tidy uniform. We are having particular problems with jumpers and shoes. Many of the girls are wearing jumpers with holes in, particularly at the cuffs. If this is the case, please could I urge you to purchase a new jumper for the start of the next term? If your daughters need one, they can be fitted for them by the School Nurses and the item can be put on the bill. The trend for wearing very soft, slipper type shoes at the moment is not safe and appropriate for school wear particularly when it is wet outside. Please could you make sure that your daughter has some waterproof shoes which are suitable for school and stay securely on her feet!

We will be introducing Blazers as part of the new uniform for the Junior School from September. We will also be asking the new year 7 to purchase a School Blazer from September. Blazers will be optional for other year groups. We will have one on display from the beginning of next term in the Cortile. The blazer will be dark blue with a gold school crest and made from a very good quality fabric. We think it is extremely smart.

With very best wishes to you all for a happy and peaceful Easter break.

Yours sincerely,

Jayne Triffitt
Headmistress