Cultural Senior
Cultural activities at Senior School
Visual Arts, Dramatic Arts and Music are firmly entrenched in the curriculum, and the girls are encouraged to explore their talents in a wide range of cultural activities.
The current thinking is that pupils can easily be taught skills, but creative and imaginative ideas are increasingly sought after in the workplace. St Mary’s girls are encouraged to explore their cultural talents and become leaders in critical, lateral thought.
Chess
Chess is a fun and challenging game that anyone can play. More and more research on the benefits of chess show that it enhances cognitive function. It improves memory, creativity, problem-solving skills, and develops the ability to focus and maintain concentration.
Cinematography
With a focus on capturing school life, the cinematography club videos and edits events on campus such as inter-house and inter-school sports, cultural activities and celebrations.
Current Affairs
St Mary’s offers a platform to discuss worldly affairs and local current conditions. With greater awareness, one can develop a perspective or worldview that is not hinged on any grand narrative.
Dance
Dance at St Mary’s is outsourced to 5678 Productions, which offers a dynamic and varied programme. A team of qualified teachers provides the girls with the basics in a variety of dance styles, such as hip hop, Afro-fusion, jazz, contemporary and ballet. The girls are exposed to a variety of fitness techniques to aid strength, flexibility and body awareness. All girls, irrespective of skill or training, are welcome to join these dance classes. The St Mary’s dance team provides a platform for choreography.
Debating
St Mary’s has a rich culture of debating and has produced a number of excellent debaters. In 2021, St Mary’s made history by having both our junior and senior teams win the National SACEE Championships.
Drama
Trinity College London is an internationally recognised examination board that offers a variety of Drama examinations, such as individual performances, acting in pairs, choral verse, group drama and performance art.
Although there is a natural progression through Trinity’s drama certificates and exams from Initial to Grade 8 and then on to Diplomas, candidates may enter at any level. All successful candidates in the Grade and Certificate examinations receive certificates showing their level of achievement as Pass, Merit or Distinction.
Gaming and robotics
There is little doubt that technology is a critical component for innovation. Competitive gaming and building robots afford the girls opportunities to learn to cooperate with others, thus improving their social interaction skills. The benefits of experiencing the pros and cons of competing include the regulation of one’s emotions, as well as the development of leadership skills.
Music in Senior School
The Senior School has an active co-curricular music programme, with a wide variety of instruments taught by a group of dedicated and professional musicians. Tuition is offered in piano, classical guitar, violin, cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, recorder, trumpet and voice. If other instruments are requested, teachers can be sourced.
The department subscribes to the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and enters girls in the May and October examination sessions. Programmes are structured to suit the individual and entry into examinations and eisteddfods is carefully considered, taking into account personality and ability.
Performing arts technology
Behind every great actor is an even better technician, making them look (and sound) good. The tech club takes responsibility for the smooth running of all the events and productions at school. The girls are introduced to all aspects of a conventional theatre, both backstage and behind the technical desk. They learn to rig lights and set up speakers, as well as programme and operate premium, industry-standard lighting and sound equipment.
St Mary’s also offers DJ and sound production, where girls learn to make and record their own music.
Photography
St Mary’s has an active, exciting digital photography club where girls are taught the techniques and best practice of creating, editing and retouching photographs. Camera techniques range from smartphones to DSLRs.
The girls have many opportunities, throughout the year, to take photographs at school and three competitions are offered to hone their skills. Girls can be awarded colours in both photography, which focuses on skill, and photography service, a sub-category of marketing.
Public speaking
Throughout the decades, outstanding communication skills have set apart great thinkers and leaders. The advancement of these skills is a critical investment in developing young women of today.
St Mary’s participates across all sections of the annual College of Speech and Drama Public Speaking Festival. These include the Open section for prepared and impromptu public speaking, the Trophy Team event and the Individual Speaker event. Throughout the years, St Mary’s has produced outstanding and confident speakers with a flair for the art of public speaking.
The school holds an annual internal public speaking competition, where each competitor is encouraged to hone her skills, and the standard of speaking is exceptional.
Radio SMS
Our online radio was launched in 2021 in response to the need to increase our opportunities to connect. Podcasts, music and chat shows are available at certain times in the school day.
SMS Lekgotla
Derived from the Setswana word meaning “council” or “meeting”, SMS Lekgotla is a student-led discussion group where all manner of pertinent topics are discussed, from current affairs to community concerns. SMS Lekgotla is an engaging, challenging space where opinions are shared and judgement is left at the door.