An ethos to live by

- Mr O'Reilly on the living ethos of our school

"Clear vision permeates all that the school does, enabling it to combine academic success with a strong spiritual and Catholic ethos."

Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)

At the heart of St Mary’s School, Cambridge lies a Catholic ethos, demonstrated through our commitment to living the 12 Mary Ward Characteristics which inspire and influence all that we do. To hear from Headmistress, Charlotte Avery, and learn more about the Characteristics read last week’s Senior School blog here. Ours is a truly ‘living ethos’, and the team at our Junior School is proud to contribute to the almost tangible environment of respect, encouragement, cheerfulness and support which is felt on arriving at the school.

We work hard to educate the girls about Mary Ward and we constantly reinforce the values which, when combined, make up the 12 Mary Ward Characteristics; this is done in class, informally, and in weekly house meetings and assemblies. Each week the Junior School focuses on a different value, and this week our Word of the Week has been ‘Friendship’. The girls have explored what it means to be a good friend, and have been awarded with house points for displaying the virtues and actions of a good friend.

Each year the school as a whole focuses on two of the 12 Mary Ward Characteristics; this year’s focus is on ‘Embracing diversity’ and ‘Promoting Christian values of Truth, Justice, Freedom and Sincerity’. The girls will study these concepts in class work, hear more about living these characteristics for themselves in assemblies and Mass, and then create a beautiful piece of artwork. In past years this has included a series of paintings based on Mary Ward’s life, and a tile mural in the playground. In January the whole school celebrates Mary Ward Day, giving pupils the opportunity to dedicate time to gaining a deeper understanding of the chosen Characteristics.

As Charlotte Avery said in her blog, “In a school which has almost 120 years’ experience of girls’ education, we are confident in being able to unlock our students’ academic, spiritual, cultural and physical aspirations and allow them to grow into fulfilled individuals.”

We trust that the foundation our pupils receive during their time in the Junior School forms an important base, equipping and inspiring the girls to make a difference throughout their adult lives for the wider community.

“A Catholic education taught me more about caring for others than any normal school could have; it not only taught me my GCSEs and A-levels, but also the importance of love and understanding, acceptance and inclusion – and I barely even opened a bible! Above all, it was a community; it gave a sense of belonging, a sense that we really cared about each other. Catholic school incorporated kindness and compassion into the blur of lessons and exams.”

7.9.15, Georgia Ziebart, (TES)