The new year has started well at St Mary’s School. We celebrate our 130th year in 2018 and to begin celebrations we hosted a cocktail party for the community in The Close on Wednesday evening. We also launched a collection of St Mary’s girls’ art and poetry over the generations, entitled, More than the Sunshine Will Stay with Us. My sincere gratitude goes to Pauline Grainger, Graham Wood and Kathy Mittendorf for the enthusiasm and care given to this project. Copies of the book are available from the Clothes Cupboard.

St Mary’s School was always, is now, and will continue to be about the girls who attend the school. There is never a doubt about the reason for the school’s existence and I believe that this purpose encourages the St Mary’s girls to become their best selves. It is evident in their art and poetry, and it was certainly evident in the matric results of 2017. I congratulate the class of 2017! The results were excellent and testament to the hard work and dedication of the teachers and the girls. The school chose to publicise the results via social media because it gave us the opportunity to celebrate all of our girls. Please refer to the summary below, which highlights why we are so very proud of our girls:

100% Pass
100% Bachelor Degree Pass
407 Distinctions (80%+)
82 A+ symbols (90%+)

34 Placements in the Top 1% in a subject
42 Pupils (42%) with an aggregate of 80% or more
64 Pupils (63%) with an aggregate of 75% or more
83 Pupils (82%) with an aggregate of 70% or more
101 Pupils (100%) with an aggregate of 60% or more
22 Pupils (22%) obtained 7 or more distinctions

The table on the website that records the school’s results from 2008 reaffirms the consistent academic achievement of our school.

I have the privilege of attending a Fellowship at Teachers’ College, Columbia University, for the next two weeks. It is an opportunity for personal development and growth in my leadership and I am most grateful to the Board for this time away from St Mary’s. In my absence, the deputy heads, Ros Howell, Penny Mullan and Tinhiko Nkuna, will be responsible for all matters at the school. I shall return via London where I will host a gathering of Old Girls in the spirit of community.

I extend best wishes to the new girls and staff at St Mary’s. Welcome to our community and may you find personal reward in our values of love, community and integrity.

Deanne King

Head of School