Year 10 exchange trip comes halfway round the world to see us

While we already have strong links with alumnae and our sister school in Australia, we were very excited to participate in our Australian school exchange this spring.

Our six Australian students came from St Aidan's and Ascham schools in New South Wales in March. For the two weeks at the end of the term they were part of the normal school routine at St Mary's, with two exceptions - a tour of the school followed by coffee and biscuits with the Headmistress, and an afternoon visit to the Botanic Gardens.

The girls and their families also did everything possible to make their Australian visitors feel a welcomed part of the community, particularly since they were such a very long way from home. Time spent with host families included trips all over the UK, including Scotland, Norfolk and Kent, with one family even going to Paris. As well as trips to London, Thorpe Park and Cambridge of course, there was also time for being part of more traditional family Easter gatherings.

Our new-found friends presented the school with a book and a school basketball team sweatshirt for us to frame. They have taken home some St Mary's memorabilia, including St Mary's bears!

Many thanks to our students and their families for creating such a memorable visit, and we look forward to the return visit in July.