Diversity in the Workplace Assembly
delivered by 8MRO

We were very excited to plan and deliver in Assembly, our chosen topic of Diversity and Equality in the workplace. We felt this was a very mature and significant topic because in Year 8 we continually link our day-to day-habits, routines and qualities to the wider world and ‘life beyond Mount St Mary’s.’

The areas we focused on were: Law, Teaching, Healthcare, Performing Arts and the mathematical fields such as Accounting and Finance.

Our main message was to encourage others to be confident and courageous in their passions and whatever route they choose. Regardless of age, race or gender, you should always be proud of your roots and what you have to offer: your skills, your qualities, your cultural heritage and your ethnic background.

Our final message to our Year 8 audience was this:

Year 9 Rugby Tournament

The tournament on the evening of Thursday 20 April was an absolute delight. The students were incredible and showed huge determination with such a small squad. Both myself and Mr Pullan were blown away with the talent we have seen and I am really looking forward to future tournaments with these boys. As always all of the 9 students that came to play behaved impeccably and continue to set the standard for the other year groups accompanying me to rugby tournaments.

We played 3 games with the top 2 teams moving forward into the “Rhinos 9s Super League” and the bottom 2 teams moving into the “Rhinos 9s Champions League”.

On arrival, and with the absence of Jaykob who would usually captain the team, I put Bryan Ntumba in charge due to the dedication he has shown throughout the year and in recent days.

Our first game was against hosts Garforth Academy. We set out strong scoring first but it was very apparent we were against a team with multiple students playing rugby outside of school. Garforth answered with 2 well worked tries, putting the pressure on us to come back and score. With some outstanding vision from Godwill and some great input from captain Bryan, we managed to cross the line twice in quick succession after a great phase of defence. Unfortunately, Garforth were able to score in the final play of the game to bring the game level at 3 tries each, drawing the first game.

Our 2nd game was against Leeds East, they had some big students playing for them and had won their previous match 7-3. Our students showed incredible discipline, creating pressure on the attacking team and shutting them down early into their attacks. We won our 2nd game 7-2 with a number of different scorers throughout the game. Godwill absolutely led from the front, along with Bryan and Carrick, creating issues for the defence of Leeds East and organising our attacking line. The team were able to maintain composure throughout when it looked like they were running away with the game and it could easily have gone to their heads.

Our final game was against Carr Manor. We went into the game with our heads held high and a determination to come away from the game with a win without conceding a try. The team started very strong, running in tries quickly from anywhere on the field. Some fantastic defensive efforts from Bryan, Uyi and Aaron meant that we were able to keep Carr Manor from scoring. As a collective they were able to run in 9 tries and win the game 9-0!

At the end of the tournament the atmosphere within the team was electric. Everyone had played every minute of every game due to us only having 9 in attendance. They have shown incredible heart and have done themselves and the school proud.

We are now through to the “Rhinos 9s Super League” tournament in the summer. If successful they will go through to a final tournament which will be played at Headingley Stadium where the Rhinos play.

The team were as follows:

Bryan Ntumba, Uyi Igbinovia Ashulimen, Bradley Wambalu, Victory Ukah, Edwin Dos Reis Hopffer, Carrick Nguekap Njinko, Godwill Peprah,

Scott DeGbalou & Aaron Obosu

They were fantastic and once again remind me of why I give up my time to ensure they do not miss out on these opportunities to represent MSM.

Mr S Cooper

Hallé Orchestra Green Plant Concert

On 7th of March 2023, 15 of our Year 8 students attended a Hallé for Youth Orchestra concert at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. This was part of Mr Bromwich’s ‘Rock Challenge’, which encouraged students to seize the opportunity of learning a new musical instrument.

Prior to the trip, all Year 8 students were given pieces of card which were stamped every time they visited the Music Department to practice an instrument of their choice at either break time, lunch time, before school or after school. Students’ completed stamp cards were then entered into a raffle, and 15 students were drawn at random to attend the orchestra concert as a treat for their motivation and hard work. It was absolutely fantastic to see so many of our Year 8’s engaging with the Rock Challenge, and to see so many stamp cards completed in the raffle box. Students really pushed themselves to step out of their comfort zone and learn brand new instruments such as the guitar, piano or drums, and it made us feel so proud seeing their progress.

The lucky 15 students were absolutely brilliant from the moment they left the school site in the morning. The theme of the concert was “The Green Planet”, therefore all music played by the orchestra was related to each season of the Earth. Our students listened attentively to each piece of music played and fully immersed themselves into the concert experience. For some students, it was their first time ever seeing an orchestra play live, so we hope it was an enjoyable memory that they will never forget.

The students were not only respectful and considerate of others around them during the day, but they displayed huge amounts of responsibility and maturity. We are so grateful for their efforts to represent themselves and Mount St Mary’s in the best way possible.

Miss H Mulcahy
Student Advocate, Year 8

MSM show – Disney’s High School Musical

Mount St Mary’s students certainly were “All in This Together” this year, as the 60+ strong cast created an amazing performance of Disney’s High School Musical. We could not be prouder of our students who created a performance worthy of gracing the stage at any professional theatre. Performing to over 1100 people in three days was a phenomenal achievement. The cast were incredible to work with and we are sure they are destined to be “Soaring” and “Flying” towards success in the future.

Students were fantastic and the show provided great opportunities for them to make friends for life. We are certain that the memories they made as they “Bopped to The Top” with this blockbuster performance will stay with them forever. The performance also allowed us to say goodbye to our incredible Year 11 students who have shown a great deal of commitment to the Performing Arts department throughout the years. Thank you for all your efforts and good luck in the future.

The show was such a fantastic team effort, Mr Bromwich and Mr Flynn would like to take one more chance to thank everybody involved.

We can’t wait for “The Start of Something New” and the next show is fast approaching. What will it be? Could you get involved this year? Don’t miss the show launch where you can find out more.

For more photos of the event please click here to go to our photo gallery

England Women’s Football
Match Reward Trip

On Friday 24th June 30 students from Years 7, 8 and 9 visited Elland Road Stadium to watch the England Women’s football team play against the Netherlands, in a warm up game ahead of the Euro 2022. Students who had shown commitment throughout the year to attending the girls’ extracurricular football club, and those who had represented the school in the football team, were invited as a reward for demonstrating Retribuam.

The atmosphere in the stadium was incredible and it was brilliant to see the England Women’s football team in action, and even better seeing them win the game 5-1! The students on the trip had a fantastic time and really got into the spirit of the game. I hope that it inspires them to continue playing in years to come.

Healthy Schools Easter Camp

We had a brilliant 2 weeks at Mount St Mary’s with over 90 students attending our Healthy Schools Easter camp. The Students took part in a huge range of different sporting activities including touch rugby, football, benchball, dodgeball, basketball and table tennis and all of the students took part with great enthusiasm and energy. We also looked at healthy eating and the students made some fantastic posters about good nutrition and how to eat well.

The students also showcased their cooking skills to make Chocolate Easter Nests and we had a trip out each week to Hollywood Bowl where Mr Hawkins showed us his 10 pin bowling skills! Fruit and a healthy lunch were provided every day and the students enjoyed a wide variety of different meals.

I was highly impressed with the students from Mount St Mary’s who fully participated in all of the different sports, showed excellent manners throughout the course and in general were a credit to their school.

I would personally like to thank Miss Holdsworth, Miss Cosstick,
Miss Owen and Mr Hawkins for giving up some of their valuable holiday to help out with the course.

We will be working with the school over the Summer holidays and I am excited to be able to work with such outstanding students again.

David Owen
Pro coaching

Individual prize winners were:-

Year 7

Year 8