They go to sports training, music, drama rehearsals, club and society meetings, dance lessons, talks, House teas, trips, events with other schools, House competitions, or one of the many other activities that are available. There are clubs and societies for almost everything, from the Gender Equality Discussion Group to the Retro Gaming Club. The afternoon and evening schedule is flexible, and includes designated quiet times and spaces for girls to do their Study without interruption or distraction.
Music plays a prominent role at St Mary’s. There are regular concerts involving the orchestra, our various choirs, the jazz band and other ensembles and soloists, and the choirs also take a leading role in worship at Mass on Sundays. There are plenty of opportunities for girls of all abilities to perform, including at least one major concert every term, regular lunchtime concerts, other ensemble performances, and three very beautiful Carol Services. The senior girls also run an Open Mic night every term. Individual instrumental lessons are available, and many girls take examinations through the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music or Trinity Guildhall.
With up to nine productions each year, there are plenty of opportunities for girls in all year groups to perform. There is a main school play every year, and a musical every other year. The Drama Captain directs her own play, while the auditioned Players Company develops our best actors through workshops and devised performances. The House Drama competition is directed by the Lower Sixth Captains, who often experiment imaginatively with physical theatre and dance. Many pupils take extra drama lessons through the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). The annual House Film competition teaches girls the use of professional film and editing equipment. Ensemble work is a stand-out feature of St Mary’s productions, so all girls feel thoroughly involved. The Rose Theatre sound and lighting systems provide pupils with professional standard theatrical experiences.
Girls in all year groups can choose weekly dance classes as a paid option, which take place in our two dance studios. We offer ballet, tap, pointe, contemporary and freestyle, which includes street, jazz and hip-hop. Girls doing ballet can opt to take the Royal Academy of Dance examinations. Every girl who takes dance performs in the annual Dance Show, and many take part in the annual House dance competition. The Dance Company is the school’s elite auditioned performance group. St Mary’s girls also compete successfully in national and international competitions.
There are over fifty clubs and societies to choose from, covering a variety of activities and interests. They are usually started up by girls with a particular passion they want to share, and are led by the Sixth Form. Discussion groups explore topics such as diversity, gender politics, the environment, current affairs, law and literature, whilst specialist interest clubs develop skills in ceramics, creative writing, entrepreneurship, debating, painting, journalism and coding. Boarding life gives the flexibility that allows pupils to pursue a range of interests through the year.
Success in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award depends upon commitment to the ideals of service and self-improvement, so it is a source of great pride for us that almost every girl in Year 9 completes her Bronze Award, up to two-thirds complete their Silver Award in Year 10, and up to a half go on to complete Gold in the Lower Sixth. Every girl gives time to volunteering, the development of a personal skill, and practising a physical activity. Each Award also requires one practice expedition and one assessed expedition, which take place in areas such as the New Forest, the Brecon Beacons and, at Gold level, the Vercors region in France.
Weekends are busy and fun at St Mary’s. As well as sports fixtures and House competitions, there could be almost anything: a roller disco, giant inflatables, or circus skills training, and there are always craft activities such as making jewellery, designing T-shirts or learning professional stage make-up. Evenings might involve an outdoor cinema, a live band, or socials with other schools. Food is always fun, with barbecues, a pizza oven, or baking. Girls take a lead in organising and running weekend events, many of which raise money for charity. Quiet time is set aside for working, and there are regular exeats when the girls can go home to relax and see family.
As a boarding school, we know how important it is to maintain links with the world beyond our community. We have debating and Model United Nations societies that compete regularly with other schools. There are quizzes, discussion suppers, sports events, talks and workshops, and the girls on the Socials Committee enjoy devising new events. We enjoy working with the Thames Valley Learning Partnership on some of these events, including our own International Women’s Day conference. The girls love getting together with other schools at socials on Saturday nights, and we hold these regularly for all year groups. Reeling is particularly popular.
