The College has been fortunate to source 145 desks, they arrived on Thursday morning during the play rehearsal. Students and staff were keen to lay claim on them. Although I suspect Mr O’Farrell is a little to big for the one he selected!

St Mary’s has always had a long tradition of individual wooden desks, both for storage and as a place of work for the students.But sadly many of the current desks are now showing signs of wear and tear and although some have a long and well ‘documented’ history they are no longer fit for purpose. Students continue to favour this style of desk and locker systems have often been rejected in discussion!

Last year I provided a little insight into the hard work that students, staff and parents put into the schools fantastic drama productions. With the February dates for this years performance of ‘Holes’ rapidly approaching  I hope once more to try and provide you with a little ‘behind the scenes’ view of the work that is undertaken to make the ’show go on’!

Excitement builds as Mrs Ingram makes adjustment to the costumes during the first fittings.

Pictured below: back stage crew ( Ansel and Matthew) start to construct the stage extension, while Mr Falvey employs the artistic talents of students to help paint the main back drop.

Regardless of what situation is presented to us, including a power cut -
the intrepid Parents Committee meeting continues unabated:

Please find attahed the minutes of the January Parents Association meeting:

January minutes

St Mary’s College has a long and fascinating history. Mr Tom Olding, former teacher at the College, continues to maintain and add to the College’s extensive archive. The images and documents attached give a fantastic insight into the early years.

The Brothers moved into the College in 1911. The images depict those early days when the Brothers began to extend and take ownership of the White House and the diary translation provides a wonderful description what greeted the novitiates as they arrived from their temporary home in Taunton. The census document for 1911 also highlights the clear origins of the order in France and the purpose with which this site was to be used.

1911 Echo des Missions January Article[1]

1911 Census St Mary’s College

St Marys College (including Charlton House) will celebrate its 90th Anniversary in 2012, with two events.

There will be a past pupils Re-union Dinner on Friday, 5th October and a Celebration Ball (with partners) on Saturday, 6th October. It is hoped that we will attract past pupils and ex-members of staff to one or both events – and that we will maximise numbers. The Ball will be for existing parents as well as past pupils. Both events will be at the Novotel in Southampton – and full details will be circulated in due course.

For who might be interested to know more about these events please pass their e-mail address to smcreunion@sky.com so that direct approaches can be made by the organisers.