St Mary's has a strong ethos based on the life and ideas of Mary Ward, the foundress of the Congregation of Jesus, the order of nuns that started the school. St. Mary's is a Catholic school and that continues to be at the heart of all we do.
Celebration of Mass:
- On Sundays at 10.00 am, prepared by Houses on a rota system
- Form/class group, by arrangement with school chaplain
- Holy days of obligation
- Other special occasions e.g Mary Ward’s birthday, Parents’ Day, etc
Prayer Life:
- Monday – whole school, led by the Head
- Tuesday – Forms, led by Form Mistresses/Tutors
- Wednesday – Whole school Chapel assembly, led by Forms on a rota system
- Thursday – Forms, led by Form Mistresses/Tutors
- Friday – House led
- Morning Prayer of the Church – daily at 8.15am
- Evening Prayers – House based within year groups, leading up to individual prayer as girls get older
- Whole school Night Prayers – twice per term
- Occasional extra night prayers – led by Liturgy Prefect
- Reconciliation services, including individual Confession – Lent and Advent
- Confession – also available on Tuesdays and Fridays during morning break and on request at other times
Retreats for each year group and theme:
- LIII: ‘Becoming’ – a half day, home based
- UIII: ‘Experience of Mary Ward country in York’ – 3-4 days
- LIV: ‘Friendship’ – a half day, home based
- UIV: ‘The Life of Christ’ – one day, Guildford
- LV: ‘Masks’ – one day at Hilfield Friary
- UV: ‘Prayer’ – two days, staying overnight at St Gilda’s, Langport, Somerset
- LVI: ‘Realizing our potential as Christians’ – two and a half days at Maypool Youth Hostel, Brixham
- UVI: a Synthesis of all earlier retreats and Embarking upon an independent life, led by an Ampleforth monk, held in Mary Ward House, two and a half days
Chaplaincy provision:
- Resident chaplain: A Le Guevel
- Resident priest: Fr A Moore
Sacramental Preparation:
- Confirmation in UIV and LV or as appropriate to individual stages of Faith
- development – optional extra-curricular programme
- First Communion – where needed, by individual arrangement
- Baptism –occasionally, when requested, by arrangement
RE Teaching – what is taught:
- Compulsory for all up to GCSE
- Optional AS and A Level
- Compulsory General RE in the Sixth Form
Chapel Choir:
- The Chapel Choir is the musical voice of the school
- Dedication and commitment are essential qualities
- It enriches the spiritual life of the school by singing in all Masses and Special Services
- Entry to the choir is through audition
- Boarders from Upper 4 - Upper 6 may apply
- Rehearsals are every Tuesday and Wednesday morning from 08.00 - 08.30 and every Sunday morning from 09.00 - 09.30
- This choir forms the basis of all trips in the UK and in Europe where it is highly regarded
