Community Life
Accommodation
A Home From Home
Sixth Form Accommodation
Food
Food is very important to us at St Mary’s. Girls and staff love the food, and the cheerful atmosphere of our bright and modern refectory. There is always a range of hot and cold options, and a varied and delicious salad bar at lunch and supper. Girls may choose what they fancy, but there are staff on hand to guide them, and to ensure that they have a balanced diet. They can, and frequently do, go back for more. Saints’ feast days are celebrated, often including an enormous cake, and Houses regularly dine together. In the summer we have barbecues and pizzas from our legendary outdoor pizza oven. Girls from all year groups sit on the Food Committee, which gives feedback and suggests menu ideas. Visitors on Open Mornings are able to sample the food, and the girls happily tell them that ‘it really is this good every day’.
Pets
For many girls, being able to bring in their own pets to keep in the pet shed and garden is one of the many things that makes St Mary’s feel like home. The pets are looked after entirely by the girls, who must ensure they are fed, watered, cuddled, and cleaned out regularly. It’s a lovely way to make friends with other girls, and can provide an important physical link with home. The Pet Welfare Committee oversees things, awards prizes every term for the best kept pets, and organises the popular annual Pet Parade.
SMASH
Responsibilities
Parents
Parents are members of the St Mary’s community just as much as the girls and staff. They often come to Mass on Sundays, and might then take their daughters out for lunch. They are also welcome at certain evening events, including our wonderful Inspirational Women series of talks. Parents are warmly invited to all of our many drama productions and concerts, including the bi-weekly lunchtime concerts in the chapel. Major events such as the Carol Service, the Dance Show, Open Day and Sports Day are big family celebrations, attended by many parents and siblings. On a more informal level, parents regularly pop in to see their children on a weekend, or take them out for tea.
Parents have their own school app, which gives them instant access to a wealth of school information, including the diary, menus, photographs of recent events, and their child’s sports fixtures. We hold a Parents Day of Prayer every year, and the History of Art Department leads guided art trips for parents to London, as well as to European cities. Parents can keep in touch with the school and all its events through the parent portal.
