AMDG
LAMDA Showcase
LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) is a reputable provider of examinations to a range of learners. At Mount St Mary’s College, we offer one to one specialist teaching of both Acting and Public Speaking disciplines at every level. The lessons and examinations are rooted in encouraging participants to develop an enthusiasm and appreciation of literature, poetry and drama and hence improve standards of communication through the spoken word. Beyond this, all exams are aimed at developing a learner’s self-confidence and a broad range of essential life skills that will support them in the future. The performances on the evening were a showcase of exam pieces that students have developed this year across a range of grades and covering both disciplines. We also had a selection of pieces from the Drama club activity. Students were given the opportunity to direct their own pieces and have overseen all steps of the process. It was an excellent showcase, and we are very proud of the students.
Cadets Aim High at Air Rifle Range Practice
On Thursday afternoon, the Bottom Gym was transformed into a fully operational Air Rifle Range, providing an exciting opportunity for cadets to drop in and advance their marksmanship skills. Despite the soaring temperatures on the hottest day of the year so far, cadets from Years 9, 10, and 11 enthusiastically took to the range to test their abilities.
Using BSA Scorpion Sporter magazine-fed air rifles, cadets fired from prone, kneeling, and sitting positions. The prone position—lying down—offered the most support and stability, while the kneeling position proved more challenging.
As part of the marksmanship syllabus, cadets must meet specific standards in accuracy and consistency to progress through each level. Several cadets achieved awards and badges during this session, reflecting their developing skills and dedication.
Adding to the buzz, a group of Year 8 girls visited the range to observe the setup and watch their peers in action. Under close supervision from qualified CCF range staff, they were thrilled to have a go themselves, taking home their targets as proud souvenirs of the experience.
With strong interest shown and clear enthusiasm from all involved, CCF staff are keen to repeat this valuable training opportunity in future sessions.
Making a Splash in Boarding
Last weekend our boarders visited Manvers Lake and took part in lots of fun water-based activities, including paddle boarding and dragon boat racing!
This Week in Tennis
Our girls Tennis squads have had a busy week of fixtures this week, with trips to Birkdale on Tuesday for our U13s in the South Yorkshire A League and a block fixture for U12-U15 at Wakefield Girls High School on Wednesday. Alysianna, Jess, Phoebe and Margot played excellently against Birkdale, picking up a draw overall against an opposition made up of mainly club players - an excellent achievement from the Mount girls!
On Wednesday 14 girls, including a number of our boarders, travelled to Wakefield Girls High School for a block fixture. All the girls performed brilliantly and represented Mount in a fantastic manner, with some wins and losses for all the pairs. We still have another couple of busy weeks in terms of fixtures for both boys and girls so please keep an eye on SOCS for the remaining fixtures.
Champion Cadet Competition for Rose
This week Cadet Company Sergeant Major Rose-Ann Molloy-Parton has been selected to compete in the Champion Cadet competition held at the National Cadet Training Centre (CTC) in July.
Rose had to formally apply and submit a supporting statement, along with submitting previous course reports. She was then judged by a panel of Senior Instructors and Officers at the CTC and was accepted into the event. She will be delivering a presentation about “As a senior cadet nearing the end of your cadet experience, what improvements would you like to witness in our organisation over the next five years?”. She will also be assessed on her command of a squad during drill, and performance in the field, amongst other aspects of the Cadet Syllabus. We wish her all the best in the competition over the summer.
The whole Contingent are very proud of her simply for getting selected as the Army Cadets nationally is 74,000 strong, so to be one of 30 senior Cadets selected for the competition is an amazing achievement.
Webinar - Understanding and Safeguarding Children's use of AI Chatbots
Internet Matters are putting on a free webinar for parents to examine their findings in their latest report about how children in the UK are engaging with AI chatbots including the risks and opportunities. This would be a really worthwhile webinar for parents to attend, it will be taking place on 17th July at 11:00 and you can register via the link below.
Cricket Success for Izzy
Sunday was a big day for sports scholar Izzy Fidler, as she scored her maiden century playing for Yorkshire County Cricket Club's Women's Emerging Players team against Durham.
Izzy, who has just finished her GCSEs, is also an important part of the Mount's First XI as opening batter and wicket keeper. And it was in this role she performed her heroics for Yorkshire!
Set 248 to win in 50 overs, Izzy opened the innings and was still there 49.4 overs later to score the winning runs.
She ended the match on a magnificent 139 not out, all after wicket-keeping for 50 overs during the Durham innings.
Having been on the pitch for every ball she estimates she had to run more than three kilometres, all while wearing full batting gear and helmet on a very warm day!
Rudiments Drama Work
This week, 9B have been rehearsing and performing from scripts with a comedic mood in their drama lessons.
U18 Yorkshire Talent Academy Squad for Ava
Following Ava’s recent England Hockey Talent Academy trials, she has been invited to join the U18 Yorkshire Talent Academy squad for the remainder of the 24/25 cycle. She had 2 initial trials in May, with the 2nd round of trials being in September for next seasons squad; however she was invited to join the team for a couple of training sessions over the past few weeks for further assessment. This is a fantastic achievement as it's very rare for anyone of Ava's age to be asked to join the squad, and it's a testament to her hard work over the season!
It’s brilliant that she has been given this earlier opportunity to join the squad for the remainder of the cycle, and to hopefully play in some of the matches over the summer along with her Mount teammates, Evie and Jess. Well done Ava!
Fieldcraft Lessons in CCF
On Friday, cadets from the RAF section of the CCF enjoyed two fieldcraft lessons: the two-person shelter and movement with and without a personal weapon. In the first lesson, Cadets learnt about the different types of shelter that can be built using the issued 'basha' sheet, before getting stuck in with building their own. In the second lesson, Cadets learnt about the different types of movement that can be used across a range of tactical scenarios, such as the monkey run and leopard crawl. They then put their new skills into practice in teams with a competitive race.
Both lessons were expertly delivered by one of our senior cadets, Flight Sergeant Sam Haddock. Cadets in the RAF section are all given the opportunity to develop their leadership and instructional skills through theoretical and practical learning periods. They can then put their qualifications into practice by planning and conducting both theory and practical lessons to other Cadets across a wide range of subjects.
Spanish Visitors
8B were lucky enough to have Spanish students join them in their Spanish lesson this week. This has given both English and Spanish students the opportunity to practise their language skills, and they have been talking about the differences between English and Spanish education.
Refugee Day
On Thursday, we held a day of reflection on the situation of refugees, to mark UNHCR World Refugee Day, which falls on 20th June.
Fr Tony O’Riordan SJ, an Irish Jesuit who has spent the last ten years working with the Jesuit Refugee Service in South Sudan, Kenya, Syria and now Ireland, was the main speaker in an all-day programme for Lower Sixth (Year 12) students, including visitors from Jesuit schools in Mexico, Italy and France.
The day was led by Mr Michael Jones, Head of Religious Studies at the College, and included a live Zoom call to South Sudan, allowing students to engage with Mr David Mawa, a South Sudanese national who, as a child, was forced to flee with his family to Uganda. David is now back in his own country, having established a primary school for 700 boys and girls in Juba, many of whom are refugees from Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. David had the opportunity to complete his education with a Masters degree at Bradford University, and when asked by the students how he felt refugees were treated in Britain, he said that in his experience, refugees are very well received by British society.
The afternoon was given to a simulation exercise in our College grounds in which the students, role-playing family units, had to simulate various stages of the refugee experience – fleeing from their home region, coping with chaotic and dangerous situations, crossing international borders and applying for asylum. Particularly powerful was the experience of arriving at a country’s border, unable to speak its language and feeling powerless in the face of hostility and exploitation. This was simulated very effectively with the help of armed officers from the College’s Combined Cadet Force. It gave students a new insight into the need for laws and procedures that ensure refugees and asylum seekers are treated fairly, and the importance of the “four verbs” that Pope Francis used to characterise the Christian response to refugees: “Welcome, Protect, Promote and Integrate.”
Congratulations to all who competed in the Derbyshire County Championships!
It was a highly successful event for the Mount students, who brought home an impressive 4 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals, whilst also breaking 6 school records and achieving numerous personal bests. We’re especially proud to announce that five athletes have been selected to represent Derbyshire at the Inter-County Championships this weekend in the Mason Trophy. This is a key step towards potential selection for the prestigious English Schools Track and Field Athletics Championships.
Well done to everyone involved, your hard work and dedication truly paid off!
South Africa Sports Tour Training
Our South African Tour athletes were hard at work again this week, with Hockey focusing on being aggressive when closing down defensively and tackle position.
Rugby focused on an introduction to contact, team shape and working on shape off 9 and 10. We have a break next week due to Sports day and then have our last training before jetting off to Cape Town the week after.
Aidan's Assembly Performance
Thank you to Aidan who played Nuvole Bianche by Einaudi in assembly for us.
Cricket Round-Up
Last weekend, the Mount faced Asheville Boys School across different age groups.
The Year 7 and 8 boys had a close match, ultimately losing but playing some good cricket. Eddie Gray continued his impressive form, scoring back-to-back 50s for both his club and school teams.
At home, the U14 team secured a comfortable win. Asheville batted first, setting a target of 97 runs. Sam Foulstone was the standout bowler, taking an incredible 5 wickets for just 4 runs. He then followed up his bowling performance with the bat, scoring 51 runs before retiring.
HMC T20 Final
Yesterday, the 1st XI travelled to Ampleforth to compete in the final of the HMC T20 tournament. The team played exceptionally well but ultimately finished as runners-up to winners Yarm.
Several players had notable performances throughout the day:
- Izzy Fidler had a strong showing behind the wicket.
- George Broughton impressed with both bat and ball, scoring 41 and 27 runs in his two innings, and taking 5 wickets throughout the tournament.
- Adam Wroth provided excellent leadership as captain.
The coach expressed immense pride in the 1st XI for finishing as runners-up in the Plate competition, especially given the range of ages on the team, with some players as young as 13 playing up.
Upper Elements and Figures VolkerRail engineering workshop
On Thursday students took part in an exciting workshop aimed at expanding their knowledge and understanding of the engineering sector. We were thrilled to welcome Caroline Lee from VolkerRail, who led a mix of hands-on activities, collaborative challenges, and thought-provoking discussions. The workshop included an inspiring introduction from Caroline, highlighting the many careers within engineering, helping students to understand the breadth of opportunities that will be available to them in the coming years.
Students then had the opportunity to collaborate by taking part in four activities set up around the Theatre. The focus for the activities were based on four different types of engineering – electrical, civil, mechanical and design. The activities were practical and required students to work through problems and, as a team, successfully complete the required tasks.
We look forward to hosting VolkerRail again in the future.
Development News
Express Bus Service Consultation
The Mount is looking at options to improve the school bus services and is considering options for an earlier Express service in addition to the current routes home.
In case you missed the letter from Mr Hind it can be found via the link below.
The link to the survey can be found here:
Queries regarding the existing bus routes should be addressed to Bradley Mitchell, bradley.mitchell@vectare.co.uk
LDS
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