AMDG
Grand Academy Concert
Last Friday’s Academy Concert always promised to be a wonderful representation of Mount Musicianship, and it did not disappoint. Never before have we delivered such a wide-ranging repertoire, with no less than eleven soloists supported by an exceptional orchestra of local professional musicians.
The Senior Choir started the concert off with extracts from Mozart’s Requiem including the beautiful Lacrimosa and the spine-tingling Dies Irae. We then heard our Poetry scholars in a range of pieces; the dazzling notes of Ciara's flute concerto really impressed alongside a thoughtful and elegant cello concerto performance by Charlotte. The musical theatre fans in the audience were rewarded with assured and expressive performances by Amelia, Isabelle, and Maddison's stunning rendition of the operatic aria Casta Diva rounded off the Poetry soloists.
After an exceptional performance by the Girls’ Chamber Choir, the Rhetoricians took to the stage; Alex gave his all in a rousing performance of 'This Is The Moment', followed by Jenna's thrilling contemporary saxophone concerto. This was followed by Roisin whose soaring soprano voice in the famous aria Rusalka’s Song to the Moon brought a tear to the eye for many in the audience. Matthew's spectacular and moving rendition of the slow movement of Ravel’s piano concerto was extremely impressive, and this was followed by an exhilarating interpretation of Por Una Cabeza, the famous tango performed with panache and energy by Mia. The final soloist was Rowan whose moving performance of Bring Him Home from Les Miserables struck a chord with many. The Senior Choir took over for the remainder of the concert; the final few minutes of the much-loved Mozart Requiem which had presented such a challenge during the rehearsals were confidently managed, and the combined sound of the choir and orchestra was magical.
Congratulations to the soloists and the Senior Choir – this was truly a concert to remember! Thank you to those Rhetoricians who have given so generously of themselves over the last seven years – you have enhanced the musical life of the college in so many ways and we wish you the very best for the future.
CCF (RAF Section) Promotions – New Sergeants Announced
We are delighted to announce the promotion of Cpl Millie and Cpl Ivana to the rank of Sergeant in the RAF Section of our Combined Cadet Force (CCF).
Both cadets successfully completed the Method of Instruction course and, more recently, the prestigious Senior Cadet Instructor Cadre Course (SCIC). Following these accomplishments, they were formally interviewed by Flight Lieutenant Scholes (Officer Commanding, RAF Section) and were deemed fully deserving of promotion.
About the SCIC
The SCIC is a rigorous and highly respected course designed to develop senior cadets into confident, capable leaders and instructors. During the course, cadets are assessed on a number of core competencies, including:
- Instructional Techniques – Effectively engaging learners and reinforcing key points through strong teaching methods.
- Adaptability – Thinking on their feet and responding to unexpected challenges or questions.
- Teamwork – Demonstrating strong collaboration and support, particularly during Field Training exercises.
- Personal Administration – Maintaining excellent organisation, discipline, and readiness, especially in the field.
What the SCIC Develops
Past cadets who have completed the SCIC often report substantial personal and leadership growth. Key benefits include:
- Leadership Skills – Leading by example and motivating others with confidence.
- Public Speaking – Gaining the ability to address groups clearly and with assurance.
- Teaching Skills – Learning how to train others effectively, deepening their own understanding.
- Organisational Expertise – Managing lesson planning, time, and challenges efficiently.
- Future Opportunities – Equipping cadets for greater responsibility within the CCF and beyond.
We congratulate Sergeant Jackson and Sergeant Olatise on their well-earned promotions and look forward to the continued impact they will make as leaders and role models within the RAF Section.
Promotion Announcement: Colour Sergeant Andrew Basford
It’s not just our cadets who are progressing — one of our dedicated volunteers has also reached a new milestone. We are proud to announce the promotion of Andrew Basford from Sergeant Instructor to Staff Sergeant Instructor (Colour Sergeant).
Colour Sergeant Basford has been volunteering with the CCF since 2023 and also contributes to school life as a fencing instructor. Following his well-deserved promotion on Friday, he travelled to Frimley Park to complete a First Aid Trainer course over the weekend.
Congratulations to Colour Sergeant Basford on this achievement and for his continued dedication to the development and wellbeing of our cadets.
Leadership Development and Qualifications Strengthen the CCF Contingent
As our cadets continue to grow in skill and confidence, so too do the adult volunteers and staff who support and inspire them.
We’re pleased to share that Lieutenant Christiaan Hunt, Officer Commanding the Army Section, has successfully completed a five-day specialist training course, earning the prestigious ‘M’ Qualification.
This highly sought-after qualification equips instructors with the skills and authority to plan and conduct exercises involving blank ammunition and pyrotechnics—adding a dynamic and realistic element to cadet field training. The course provides in-depth instruction on safety, exercise management, and the responsible use of training aids.
Lt Hunt’s achievement significantly enhances the training capacity of the Army Section and will provide our cadets with even more engaging and immersive training experiences.
Building a Stronger Contingent
With recent cadet promotions in the RAF Section, volunteer recognition and promotion, and now this advanced qualification in the Army Section, the CCF continues to strengthen its offering. These developments ensure that our cadets are supported by a highly capable team, delivering high-quality training across all sections.
We congratulate Lt Hunt and all recently promoted cadets and volunteers for their dedication and success.
Isla's Success in The National UK Maths Trust Challenge
Earlier this year, our Year 9 and 10 students took part in the National UK Maths Trust Challenge. A series of increasingly difficult problems that stretch the most able.
In this challenge, Isla not only achieved the best result in the whole school, but her score was good enough to be entered for the "Grey Kangaroo" - the next round of the competition. Isla was the only pupil in school invited to take part in this challenge. Here, Isla receives her certificate of participation in the Grey Kangaroo.
These competitions are a regular part of the Maths calendar and the next challenge is the Senior challenge for Syntax and 6th Form in October.
Mass and Prize Giving
On Saturday morning, we gathered at The Mount for our annual Mass and Prize Giving celebrations. This is a cherished tradition that honours the outstanding achievements of our students throughout the year.
The day began with a beautiful and reflective Mass, led by our own Fr Peter. Following the service, our Prize Giving ceremony commenced with warm and inspiring welcome addresses from our Chair of Governors and Headmaster.
The presentation of awards and shields recognised the exceptional accomplishments of our students. A particularly poignant moment came as our departing Head Boy and Head Girl, Chris and Mia, delivered heartfelt farewell speeches that resonated deeply with the audience.
This year, the Headmaster’s Prize was awarded to Sam, with Mr Murphy presenting the honour in recognition of Sam's contribution to school life during his time at the Mount.
The celebrations concluded with a delightful gathering on Jesuit Lawn, where guests enjoyed prosecco, orange juice, and fresh strawberries.
A sincere thank you to everyone who joined us for this very special day—it was a joyful and memorable occasion for our entire school community.
7B Performing Arts
This week, class 7B took part in Part A of the Bronze Arts Award, showcasing their creativity and enthusiasm for performing arts.
Silver Medals for Ava and Reuben
A huge congratulations to the five students who competed for Derbyshire at the Inter-County Championships in the Masons Trophy. Special mention goes to Ava and Reuben, who both achieved a silver medal in their chosen discipline. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and achievements!
Fun in Boarding
As always, our Boarders enjoyed a fantastic weekend at the Mount! Making the most of the warm weather, they had a blast on the inflatables and treated themselves to some delicious candy floss.
Touch Rugby
The RFU has been running a new form of Rugby called T1 touch . As we have mentioned a few weeks ago we have been playing this form of the sport with boys and girls new to rugby.
On the 19th of June we played our last tournament of the season at Sixways Stadium in Worcester for the northern final hoping to win a place at Twickenham for the national final in the Autumn.
On the hottest day of the year so far, we took an under-14 mixed team of 5 boys and 7 girls to Worcester. The team was captained by Joel. We played 2 games against teams from Norfolk and Devon, and then went on to play 4 more games against teams from across the country. We lost 3 games, drew 1, and won 2. Missing out on the trip to Twickenham. Tries were scored by Ava, Juliet and Harry.
The team played very well and have become a good touch rugby side. We are really proud of this group of children and what they have achieved, and we would like to thank Mrs Dimmock for her help and support.
We will be continuing this sport into next year with mixed touch and girls’ rugby both being considered for inclusion into the sports curriculum. Watch this space!
Career Advice for Rudiments
Our careers adviser, Vanessa Hailes, is at the Mount every week to support students with their further education and career choices. On Monday, she spoke to Rudiments about Post-16 options, encouraging them to start thinking about and researching the next steps after GCSE's.
RAF Section Cadets Take to the Skies
Eleven enthusiastic cadets from the RAF Section recently enjoyed an unforgettable day away from the classroom as they travelled to RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire for an Air Experience Flight.
After receiving detailed safety briefings, the cadets suited up in flying gear—donning flying suits, parachutes, and helmets—before boarding the aircraft that would take them high above the surrounding countryside. Once airborne, the cadets had the opportunity to take control of the aircraft themselves, navigating over the local villages and towns near the base.
For those seeking an extra adrenaline rush, there was the option to try aerobatic manoeuvres under the expert guidance of RAF pilots. Barrel rolls, stall turns, and loops were all part of the exhilarating experience.
It was a day to remember, and every cadet returned with a smile, many already looking forward to their next flight!
The Academy Ball: A Spectacular Finale to a Weekend of Celebration
The weekend of Academy celebrations came to a dazzling close on Saturday evening with the much-anticipated Academy Ball. The evening began at Mount St Mary's, where our Rhetoric students gathered for a drinks reception and the traditional photographs, before making their way to the main event.
Held in the stunning grounds of Barlborough Hall, the Ball was a joyful celebration shared with parents, Old Mountaineers, and staff. Guests were treated to glorious sunshine, sparkling drinks, and an atmosphere full of laughter and excitement. A heartfelt thank you goes to Elm Tree Catering for the exquisite three-course meal, which set the tone for an evening of indulgence and delight. The celebrations continued with outstanding live entertainment from IBIZA:project, whose vibrant set of dance classics had guests of all ages quickly filling the dance floor. It was a truly unforgettable evening—an uplifting and fitting finale to a weekend of memories that will be long cherished by all.
New Head of Houses
Congratualtions to the following Captains on their new Head of House roles!
Amelia- Head of Loyola House
Os- Head of Campion House
Maddison- Head of Xavier House
Sports Day
Sports Day was a tremendous success, filled with energy, excitement, and a remarkable display of true Mount Spirit.
It was heartwarming to see so many supporters and spectators lining the track, cheering on the athletes and creating an electric atmosphere throughout the day. The level of competition was outstanding, with eight school records being broken—an incredible achievement that highlights the talent and dedication of our students.
The event marked a fantastic close to the athletics season, leaving everyone with a sense of pride and accomplishment. We wish the seven Mount pupils selected to compete in the National finals on Wednesday the very best of luck as they take on one last race before the close of their season.
Well done to our winners, Loyola!
Cricket Tournament
On Tuesday, we hosted our first U15 cricket tournament, with other teams joining us from Scarborough College, GSAL, Harrogate Grammar, BGS and Birkdale School. We would like to thank a few people for making it such a wonderful day. Firstly, our ground staff and catering team for making sure the day went smoothly and keeping us fed. We would also like to thank the Mount 2nd team, who played in the tournament even though they hadn't had much training. A big well done to our 1st team who got to the final where they were narrowly beaten by Harrogate Grammar by 3 runs, but they played an excellent game nonetheless.
Tennis Update
We've had a busy week of fixtures in Tennis this week, with all age groups for boys and girls in action.
On Monday, our Boys U15 faced a very strong High Storrs team, where they battled hard and improved lots as the games went on, but unfortunately came out second best. Our U12 girls also travelled over to play a friendly fixture in what was Mount's first ever U12 girls' fixture. All the girls represented Mount incredibly well and enjoyed some excellent fixtures.
Tuesday saw our U13 and U15 girls travel to Dronfield Henry Fanshawe in the South Yorkshire Division one league. Some great tennis from both squads was seen, but both just missed out on victories despite some excellent performances.
On Thursday, our boys and girls U12 and U14s squads travelled to Worksop College to play some mixed doubles as well as boys and girls. All the games were played in a fantastic spirit, and the overall result ended up in a draw with some of our students picking up their first ever victories.
Well done team Mount Tennis!
Building Bridges
Year 8s have been busy building their bridges ready for testing. It has been very competitive amongst the students, but there can only be one winner. Currently, the winning form group is 8C with a massive 8kg being held without failure.
Celebrating Sporting Excellence Across the Mount and Barlborough Hall Community
This week saw the Mount and Barlborough Hall community come together for a truly memorable evening as we hosted our annual Sports Awards. It was a celebration of sporting achievement, commitment, and community spirit from our youngest prep pupils to our school leavers.
Held as a joint event, the evening was an excellent showcase of the impact that sport continues to have on our students and their families. Expertly hosted by Mr Stevenson, the night ran seamlessly, with smiles, cheers, and well-deserved applause filling the room throughout. The celebration not only recognised the individual and team successes across a wide range of sports, but it also served as a reminder of how sport unites and inspires our school community. From memorable matches to personal milestones, every moment was celebrated with pride.
A particularly touching part of the evening was the special acknowledgements for two esteemed members of staff who are moving on. Mr Hayes-Wormall, our dedicated Athletic Development lead coach, and Mr Head, our Director of Sport and Head of Rugby, were both recognised for their incredible contributions to sport at the Mount. Their passion and influence will be long remembered by staff and students alike. Excitement also filled the room as we announced two outstanding internal appointments that reflect the strength and ambition of our Sports and PE Department. Mr Jones will be stepping into the role of Head of Rugby, while Mr Berry will take up the position of Director of Sport alongside his ongoing leadership of hockey. We are thrilled to see such talented individuals continue to lead and grow our sporting programme here at the Mount.
The atmosphere throughout the evening was one of joy, pride, and celebration. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the night, from the organisers and staff to the families and students who make our sporting community so special.
Here's to another year of sporting excellence and teamwork across Mount St Mary’s College and Barlborough Hall School!
Celebrations in Rudiments
This week, we celebrated the vast number of merits that have been achieved across Rudiments this year. Certificates were distributed for achieving 20 merits (Bronze), 35 merits (Silver) and 50 merits (Gold). Usually, the top three students who have been awarded the most merits in the year are also awarded the "Rudiments Gold Badge" however, we are very pleased to say that this year we awarded it to the top five students- Jude who achieved 71, Ava who achieved 71, Georgia who achieved 71, Cayden who achieved 72 and Polly who achieved 87.
Congratulations to all in Year 9- I am very proud of you all and what a positive way to end the year! Mrs Walls.
Year 12 Induction Week
This week, our upcoming Poetry students have spent the week seeing what life will be like in Sixth Form at the Mount.
In Physics, students conducted an experiment to discover how the polarising lenses in our sunglasses (or in nice cameras) work. To do this experiment effectively they crafted a paper device to sit over the lamp to prevent any other light reaching our light sensor other than from the source.
Brilliant creative thinking and scientific accuracy were shown.
Head of Academic Scholars
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Haley as Head of Scholars. This new post has been created to better support our Academic Scholars and further develop the scholarship programme. Dr Haley, who has brought scholarly adventure and excitement to the classics department, will, we are sure, bring new ideas and fresh impetus to this facet of the Mount’s education.
Headmaster's Message
The last week has been one of joyful celebration, marking the end of the Academic year and the tremendous achievements of our pupils during that time. We were blessed once again by great weather for our Sports Day, and it was fantastic to see so many parents supporting their children. A great day for all of the Mount community – including Mount Hounds!
However, the academic year is not yet finished, and it is worth taking a moment to focus on the final pieces of scholarly housekeeping. I will be spending the next few days reading and writing reports on our students. The end-of-year reports function as a summation of the year’s work and seek to highlight the progress your children have made as well as means to improve in the future.
I would suggest that parents of children in Grammar and Poetry should use the final week to ensure that your child understands what work they should be completing over the summer. Teachers have set work and made resources available – there is time now to ensure that nothing gets forgotten! The assessments in September are important markers of progress to GCSE and A-level examinations. The summer should allow a period of rest, but focussed academic work should be a part of that time also. This is one important way in which parents can work with us to support academic attainment.
LDS
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