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On 27th September, we welcomed Dick Moore to St Mary’s to give a talk to all the Fifth and Sixth Form pupils on How to Maintain Positive Wellbeing and to parents about why adolescence is a particularly vulnerable time and the common issues which adolescents experience when the going gets tough.

The Cecilia James Company Music Festival took place on Friday 4th October and was adjudicated by Roy Rashbrook, who is a classically trained singer, director of various vocal ensembles and Vicar Choral at St Paul’s Cathedral. 

It's been a busy start to the term in the Drama Department and the Year 12 girls have enjoyed visits to both the Oxford Playhouse to see Malory Towers and the Theatre Royal Bath to see Posh.

St Mary’s Artists have generously supported the latest Erlestoke Prison fundraising initiative to create sporting facilities at the site by contributing original artworks for cARTes postales 'Art on Postcards', alongside works by professional Artists, which include that of Antony Gormley. The pieces will be auctioned and the proceeds will go towards this worthwhile cause.

All of our teams had fantastic results at the North Wiltshire Area Netball Tournament which took place on 2nd October at Sheldon and Hardenhuish Schools in Chippenham, with all the teams winning their respective tournaments!

Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag Franzi! On 1st October, St Mary’s hosted ‘Franzi’s Birthday’, a fun-filled introduction to the language and culture of Germany set against the storyline of Felix the frog organising a surprise birthday party for Franzi the duck. Year 5 girls from eight local preparatory and primary schools took part in the special day, learning German words, playing German birthday games and making new friends along the way.

It is a regular occurrence that Old Girls return to talk about their careers, and impart wisdom on to the current members of St Mary’s, with the hope that we can learn from them. JJ Caruth was no exception. Though going down a slightly different career path than most, she gave an inspiring talk that appealed to everyone.

October started with a bang when Dr Anna Whitelock, PhD (Cantab), came to talk on Tuesday 1st October to students from St Mary’s and other local schools about Mary Tudor: England’s First Queen.

Wednesday 25th September saw the first Company Supper of the new academic year and the Grosstête girls were on top form. Having been tasked with concocting costumes following a theme of ‘Heaven and Hell’, the girls rose to the challenge admirably.

On Wednesday 25th September, our girls enjoyed an excellent afternoon of Inter-Schools Cross Country at Beversbrook Sports Facility, competing against Sheldon, Hardenhuish, Kingsbury Green and Lavington Schools. 

Last week a group of Fifth Form girls visited the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, for their STEM Career Showcase. With over 1,000 girls attending from other GSA schools, there was a fantastic atmosphere as everybody learnt about where studying STEM could take them.

In order to further develop the outward-facing element of each girl’s experience here, volunteering has become part of the Sixth Form Programme from this September. Our aim is that through the planning and leading of activities, as well as supporting others, girls will develop a broader awareness and understanding of the world around them.