This week, students from UV (Year 11) gave a presentation about Chinese New Year traditions to the students of St Margaret's Prep. The presentation included teaching the students how to greet each other and say “新年快樂/新年快乐” Happy New Year, alongside a brilliant performance of a special song by LIV students.

It has proved to be a very successful time in various swimming pools around Wiltshire and Somerset for some of St Mary’s keen swimmers. There have been medals and personal best times in abundance.

On Tuesday 24th January, the St Mary’s Debate Team travelled to Bishop Wordsworth School in Salisbury to take part in the second round of the English Speaking Union debate tournament. The competition was comprised of two debates, involving four teams. Only one team from the four would be advanced to the next round.

On Thursday 19th January, we welcomed a wonderful group of Year 4, 5 and 6 girls from a range of Prep and Primary Schools for our first Orchestral Day, Sounds of the Cinema. This was the first time many of the girls had played in an orchestra, and the day presented everyone with a range of new experiences from working alongside other musicians to following a conductor, and even learning a few new notes and instrumental techniques!

On 20th January 1873, St Mary’s Calne opened its doors to its first set of students, with just six Day Girls and three Boarders on the register. The school's origins lie firmly in the local community of Calne. Its foundation in 1873 was the inspiration of the incumbent Vicar of Calne, The Reverend John Duncan, who had a keen interest in education. 

This week in Chapel, the new Student Subject Heads of English, Tilly and Tashy (both LVI), launched a new creative writing club, the SMC Writer’s Guild, which will meet every Tuesday in the Lumi Library from 5.15pm to 5:45pm. Open to all years, with everyone welcome, the Writer’s Guild hopes to expand knowledge and skills in creative writing. At the meetings, the Fourth Form will be represented by Theodora (UIV).

The Confirmation Service took place last Saturday in the Parish Church. It was a wonderful occasion full of joy and warmth - despite the weather outside!

On Monday 16th January, the Annual Supper for Academic Scholars and Award Holders was held in Top Hall featuring guest speaker Alex Tsylnitska, a Calne Girl who left in 2018. After leaving Calne, where she studied Economics, Maths, Further Maths and Politics at A Level, Alex read Economics and Management at the University of Cambridge.

The Art Department welcomed a record number of entries for the Literalily Art Competition this year with drawing, painting and printmaking entries submitted from across the school. Our winning and highly commended entries were recognised this week in Chapel by receiving certificates and having their entries shared with the school community.

On Sunday 15th January, pupils from LVI and UVI (Year 12 and 13) attended Day Two of the Level 1 Tennis Coaching course. The forecast for the day was sun, sun and more sun. In reality, we had rain, rain and more rain! This didn’t dampen the mood, however, so we got to work and started ticking off the remaining modules.

Due to the heavy rain in the run up the tournament the grass pitches were, unfortunately, unplayable. Luckily, there were two all-weather pitches available which meant, instead playing regular lacrosse matches, students could get a taste of different form of lacrosse - Lacrosse Sixes.

We are delighted to have launched St Mary’s 150th Anniversary year to the whole school this week. This is a wonderful opportunity to bring together all the communities past and present associated with St Mary's, and to celebrate 150 years of friendship, experiences, ambition, and positive social change for all those connected with us.