A Year of Sporting Success at St Mary’s

Sport continues to go from strength to strength at St Mary’s, with another exceptional year of achievements that reflect the talent, dedication and determination of our pupils. From national titles and elite pathways to introducing girls to new sports and encouraging lifelong participation, this has been a year to celebrate.

Our sporting curriculum is deliberately broad because we believe every girl should have the opportunity to discover a sport she loves. Whether that’s enjoying a weekly badminton club with friends, representing the school in fixtures, or competing at national level, every pupil is supported to achieve her own personal goals.

This year has seen some outstanding sporting successes. Our Under 11 Gymnastics Team were crowned Independent Schools Association National Champions, capping off an incredible 12 months of national podium finishes. We also celebrated the remarkable achievements of one of our talented golfers, who won the prestigious Women’s Race to Woodhall Spa national competition, while another pupil continues to impress on the basketball court with appearances for the London Cavaliers.

One of the highlights of the year has been our exciting partnership with England Rowing. We hosted a week-long programme of events for our pupils and the wider community, including local primary and secondary schools and a SEND rowing festival. The initiative introduced hundreds of young people to the sport and demonstrated that rowing is accessible to everyone. Its impact has been extraordinary—one St Mary’s student discovered a passion for rowing through the programme and, within a year, is now trialling for the Great Britain Under 16 and Under 19 squads.

Our commitment to developing opportunities for every athlete has continued with the expansion of our gymnastics programme. This year saw the introduction of a dedicated Gymnastics Scholarship from Year 3, alongside our recreational classes, squad training and personalised coaching. This tailored pathway allows every gymnast to develop at a pace that matches her ability and ambition, creating an environment where talent can truly flourish.

Leadership has also been a defining feature of sport at St Mary’s this year. Through our Sports Leaders programme and partnership with the Buckinghamshire Schools Partnership, our students have been selected to host and lead a wide range of sporting events across the county, reflecting the excellent reputation they have earned as confident, capable role models. Their empathy, professionalism and communication skills have enabled them to inspire younger athletes while developing valuable leadership experience of their own. As part of the programme, students also had the opportunity to meet elite performers from the worlds of cricket and netball, gaining first-hand insight into the dedication, resilience and teamwork required to perform at the highest level.

Our Year 9 Sports Leaders have been particularly impressive, successfully planning and delivering a Key Stage 1 Cricket Festival for around 200 pupils. Their organisation, enthusiasm and maturity ensured the event was a huge success and demonstrated the confidence and leadership qualities that are nurtured through sport at St Mary’s.

Beyond competitive success, teamwork, resilience and encouragement remain at the heart of everything we do. Our Sixth Form students continue to play an invaluable role by leading clubs, organising events and mentoring younger pupils. A football festival for Years 3 and 4, planned and delivered entirely by Sixth Form students, introduced many girls to the game for the very first time and perfectly captured the inclusive, supportive spirit of our sporting community.

For a small school, St Mary’s continues to make a remarkable impact on the national sporting stage. However, we are equally proud of every pupil who has challenged herself, learnt a new skill, represented the school, taken on a leadership role or simply discovered the joy of being active.

Sport at St Mary’s is about far more than winning competitions. It builds confidence, resilience, leadership and lifelong healthy habits. By providing opportunities for every girl to participate, progress and succeed in her own way, we are developing confident young women who will carry the lessons they learn through sport long after they leave St Mary’s.

Congratulations to every pupil.