Mission Statement - Whole School Review
Friday, 6th September 2024
The first Friday of the new school year was an exciting and challenging day for all members of our school community. Rather than following our usual timetable, pupils and staff embarked on a day-long series of activities aimed at reviewing our current Mission Statement and, where necessary, creating a new one that better reflects the core values and purpose of our school as a Catholic community for the years ahead.
It has been several years since our Mission Statement was last reviewed, and it is important that this statement is not simply written and filed away. Rather, it should be something that every member of our school community understands and that remains central to the life of our Catholic school. It should express clearly what the school believes about its meaning and purpose.
We were fortunate to have the support of Sister Judith Russi SSMN from EducareM throughout the day. Sr Judith has been supporting our school in recent years in developing its Catholic Life and Mission. 
She has worked extensively in all fields of Catholic education, including teaching, leadership, advisory roles, inspections, and teacher professional development. Sr Judith is also the author of several religious education books at primary, secondary, and sixth-form levels. As a passionate national speaker and curriculum developer, she continues to pioneer innovative and challenging educational initiatives.
Outline of the Mission Statement Day led by Sr. Judith Russi
| 08:15 | Student Leadership Team meet with Sr. Judith Russi - Prefects, House Captains and Student SLT team |
| 8:45 | Extended Reg to review current mission statement in tutor groups with form tutors |
| 9:15 | Whole school assembly led by Sr Judith |
| 9:50 | Form group activity – task set in whole school assembly – Yr 11 prefects lead the form groups in activity |
| 11:00 | Activity in separate houses in different venues |
| 11:50 | Whole School Assembly |
| 12:40 | Working Lunch for student reps with Sr Judith |
| 13:20 | Form group task – How will we live out our mission? |
| 14:10 | Whole school assembly, where student leaders read out the final two proposed mission statements for whole school community to vote on. All staff, including all support staff, are invited along with Colette Doran - Hannon from the Archdiocese of Southwark. |
| 15:00 | Finish |
During the day, Student Leaders worked with Sr Judith, leading their Houses to create their own vision using key words. Below are the suggested statements following the House activity at 11:00 AM. These were then discussed over lunch with Sr Judith to help create two final statements, from which the school community will vote on the most appropriate.
| St. Bernadette House |
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The diverse and dynamic community of SMCH are committed to defying all expectations by being fearless and resilient whilst remaining entirely devoted to Mother Mary.
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| St. John Bosco House |
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Our mission is to encourage loyalty to all students and staff and to make gratitude a key aspect of our community. With dedication and aspiration, we embrace innovative approaches to enable us to celebrate our unique potential and to cultivate a love of lifelong learning.
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| St Peter House |
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St Mary's is a responsible school where every member of the school community is required to demonstrate integrity and resilience. Students and staff alike make sacrifices that enable the progress of the St Mary's core values. As a family, we are respectful to one another which fosters a safe learning environment. At the end of every students journey they are equipped with leadership skills to thrive in their future.
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St Theresa House |
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Feedback:
- Head of Department: “It was inspirational to see how Sr Judith commanded the whole school in the Sports Hall – truly God at work.”
- Year 11 Student Leader: “It was great to come together as a whole community. I felt I had a real role and purpose in creating a mission statement for our school.”
What next? The Student Leadership Team will continue to work on the final proposed Mission Statement over the next few months. It will then be presented to the Governing Body for approval at a meeting later this academic year.
Our school’s Foundation Governors, appointed in the name of the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Southwark, form the majority of the Governing Body. They have a legal duty to preserve and develop the Catholic character of the school and ensure it is conducted in line with its trust deed. The Foundation Governors will review the proposed Mission Statement presented by the Student Leaders and must formally approve it before it can be adopted and made public.
