Year 10 Maternity Trip

On 1st of July, 5 Year 10 students took part in a Maternity Unit careers day at the Thackary Medical Museum. They rotated between 6 different stations talking to midwives, doctors, researchers, neo-natal nurses and maternity support workers.

At each station, students took part in a hands-on activity and learnt about each role. They took each other’s blood pressure, temperature and oxygen levels and used a simulator birth model to deliver a pretend baby. They then filled out a booklet about each role and what they had learnt. All of these students want to work in the NHS when they are older, so the day was a good insight into all the roles available.

Notre Dame Taster Day

Visiting colleges might be seen as a nervy experience, but not for 182 Year 10 students at Mount St Mary’s. After a short assembly in the hall praising their amazing and mature attitude during mock exams, students moved on to the next step of their MSM journey – visit to Notre Dame College.

On the day students were able to select three lessons of their choice. Whether it was the excitement of criminology, the competitiveness of sport or the exploration of chemistry, students embraced the challenges and had a fantastic day trying out all the different courses.

The visit allowed students to ask the nagging questions they had around grades, entry requirements, uniform, travel and rules.

On the day our students did us proud and took part in the sessions magnificently. As students got back on the bus there was a clear excitement about the options that lie ahead of them. Students can now use this experience to research other providers over the holidays, ready for college applications next year.

Well done Year 10 – another great day!

Employer Interview Day

The 17th of May was an important day in the calendar for our Year 10 students as they took part in our annual Employer Interview Day. Students worked tirelessly compiling detailed CV’s and practicing interview questions and technique in preparation for the event.

Overall, 17 employers made their way to Mount St Mary’s ready to test the students’ employability skills in individual 15-minute interviews.

Students performed brilliantly on the day with all deemed employable in some capacity. A great achievement for a year group breaking records with a 100% Work Experience success rate already in the bag.

The ethos of the year group has been “Your Reputation Is Your Greatest Asset” and this is something the students have embraced. The experience of the day will undoubtably help students prepare for upcoming college interviews and life beyond MSM. One thing is for sure – this feedback, coupled with work experience and a fantastic performance in upcoming mocks, will ensure Year 10 are ready to Rise Up and celebrate incredible success in Year 11.

Thank you once again to all the employers who supported the day and Mr Coluccio for creating the opportunity for 189 students in Year 10 to excel and become the best versions of themselves!

Year 10 Nursing Taster Day

On 8th May, Year 10 Health and Social students were invited to have a tour of the new nursing facilities at Leeds Trinity University. The students enjoyed a tour and listened to current students talk about University life. They explored the simulation rooms in the new nursing building and had an interactive session on how to look after patients. The students worked in teams to change a bed with a model patient in it. They then explored the other parts of the campus, including the library and onsite student accommodation. The lecturers were both experienced nurses and gave the students an insight about life as a nurse and the different types of nursing. The students will now be able to understand the routes into nursing and be able to discuss this in their coursework.

Work Experience

From 15 to 26 April, all Year 10 students completed a two-week work experience placement, with 127 different employers throughout the city. There were a variety of placements – pharmacies, theatres, restaurants, hospitals, solicitors and engineering companies to name a few.

We had great feedback from employers, many of whom would be happy to take our students again. Teachers visited the students to gain feedback and took the pictures shown below. I want to personally congratulate all of Year 10 for representing the school and gaining vital employability skills.

Some examples of the great feedback:

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

Yes Chef!

On March 4th, Year 10 Hospitality and Catering students visited The Met Hotel in Leeds city centre. This was an amazing opportunity for our students and proved to be an enriching and unforgettable experience for them. Guided by the Executive Chef and Chef de Partie, they stepped into the bustling world of professional kitchens, assuming the roles of apprentice chefs for a morning. Collaborating to prepare a sumptuous lunch, they honed their culinary skills under the guidance of seasoned professionals.

The highlight of the day came as they transitioned from the kitchen to the dining area, serving the meticulously seasoned and spiced meal to each other. This hands-on approach provided invaluable insights into both the artistry and teamwork essential to the hospitality industry.

Following the culinary adventure, students embarked on a tour of the hotel, delving into its rich history dating back to the 19th century. They gained a comprehensive understanding of the inner workings of a city centre hotel, including its clientele and corporate operations.

The trip proved to be not only educational but also inspirational, offering students a glimpse into potential career paths within their city. Overall, the visit to The Met Hotel was a resounding success, leaving a lasting impression on all participants and igniting their passion for the world of hospitality.

Leeds City College Printworks Campus Trip

On 19th December, 14 EAL students from Years 10 and 11 visited Leeds City College Printworks campus.

We were shown around by the school liaison team. We watched catering students baking and selling Christmas treats, visited the barbering and hairdressing department, observed the students fixing cars in the mechanics department and met the robots Salt and Pepper in the ICT department. We also learnt about how college is different from school and the various clubs and trips that they offer. We saw lots of past students and listened to current student experience at the college.

Our students were impressed with the facilities and the size of the college. As a result of the trip, several have applied to courses at the college and Year 10s have had more of an insight into what a college has to offer.

Mrs Suzanne Pedro

Years 8-11 Jet2 Careers Talk

We were lucky enough to have a representative come to school to talk to our students about career opportunities at Jet2.

Jet2 are a fantastic company to work for and offer apprenticeships from post-16 up to degree level in a wide range of areas.

Here is what our students said:

Years 10 & 11

On Tuesday 14th November over 60 local, national and international exhibitors set up careers information desks in the school sports hall. This annual event was part of the overall package of Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance (CEAIG), which is provided for all of our students during their time at MSM.

The evening is for all KS4 students to give them the opportunity to have quality conversations with post 16 providers, which helps to inform their decisions about the pathway they may take in the future. It was great to see over 300 students, accompanied by their parents, in attendance and hopefully leaving the event with fresh and exciting ideas.