By Jessica Chiodo

HELP! My first day at high school.

Never before had I felt like this, so smart, so grown up, so over dressed.

Getting out of the car that morning felt like my first big steps to what was it again ….. Maturity!

Now I wonder why I felt like that, 10 days into starting at St Mary’s and I am still going strong! Everyone makes you feel this way (not just your form tutors who are equally brilliant) but absolutely everyone from the Head of Year to your subject teachers.

Although my first worries were getting lost and being late for class, I really didn’t need to worry at all.

On the first week of our two week timetable (week A and week B) we were shown to our classes by our teachers and then on the second week we had to find our own way around it was not as difficult as I thought.

So far so good.

My highlights at the moment are Wonderful Wednesdays, school finishes at ten past two (every week B) but Year 7s can do extra curricula activities eg: dance, football, power-walking and other exciting things!

By Laura Bird

Scared? Nervous? Don’t be!  St Mary’s is a wonderful friendly school.  I had lots of ideas and worries going round my head like; ‘what if I get lost?’ and lots of more nervous questions like that.

When I stepped off the bus, there I was staring at the school.  It looked huge, just like Hogwarts off Harry Potter.  We walked to the quad and lined up in our Form groups and this is where we met our Form Tutor.  The day was spent moving from classroom to classroom doing different interesting, new lessons and meeting new teachers.

At the end of the day, I went to catch the bus home.  I was really tired but I couldn’t wait to tell my family about my exciting day.  At last my first day was over and I didn’t need to worry anymore.  I’ve made lots of new friends, know my way around and feel really happy and settled.

By Connor Bailey

Scared? Don’t be.  Sure it’s strict but fair, all of the teachers are cool and the lessons are fun and interesting.  St Mary’s seems big when you start and it is, however you get used to it after the first week or two.

Homework ….. sounds bad, but if you just do it when you get it, it doesn’t take up too much of your time and it’s not that hard after all.  Friends?  Don’t worry, I did but everybody is really friendly and helpful and you will make lots of them.

This is only my second week here at St Mary’s and already I have made lots of friends, learnt some wicked things and had an awesome time, and yes I do still get lost but I know there is always someone to help me.

By Thomas Montague

Are you nervous?  Scared? Don’t be! St Mary’s is a fantastic school.  On my first day I was terrified and wanted out. It is now my tenth day and I think the school is wonderful.  Just to help you settle in we have a special induction day before the summer holidays.

In this you are taken around the school so you can’t get lost and you get to meet your form tutor.  Don’t worry which one you get as they are all really friendly.

Next comes the first week.  You meet your class-mates, teachers and head of year.  The teachers are strict but fair and very friendly.  All the older pupils are really helpful and will point you in the right direction if you get lost.  The first day is quite scary but you soon get used to it.

The school itself is very large and confusing with all its staircases, outdoor areas, rooms and corridors, however, you do get a homework planner with maps of the school in it so it becomes easy.  The canteen is a rather important building with two floors and both of these serve food and drink.  You are given a dinner card which you can put money on with the machines.  The money is then taken off according to how much you spend.  It’s easy enough to understand.

Hope to see you at St Mary’s when you start.

By Eleanor Scott-Rattray

Wow! What a great school.  My first day was full of apprehension, where do I go?  What do I do?  Is my uniform correct?  I was scared.

I am now two weeks in and I am feeling so happy.  I am thoroughly enjoying the lessons and after-school activities.  I have made some great new friends and I feel really confident and grown up.

In the first week, there is no need to worry because your teachers will take you to your classes and on the first couple of weeks you will have dinner early.

So if you’re worried …. Don’t be, your Taster is coming up soon, so look forward to it.

ST MARY’S IS A GREAT SCHOOL.

By Eleanor Wilson

Worried?  Scared?  Don’t be!

This is a poem I wrote after being at St Mary’s for nine days.

To St Mary’s I must go,
nerves of steel I must show.
Pen and paper at the ready,
my first day let’s take it steady.
One teacher then two,
it's off the meet the dinner crew!
Back to lessons I must go,
a collection of books,
and homework to do,
I really must see this through.
As my day is nearly done,
St Mary’s have made me feel welcome.
Nerves of steel I really did need,
my friends and teachers I have pleased.
Today has gone really well,
OOPS!  There goes the school bell!!

St Mary’s is a fantastic school to go to!
You’ll love it

By Lauren Keenan

Nervous?  Scared?  Unhappy?  Don’t want to come to school?  Well don’t be!

I was all those things on my first day for no reason.  I was just like everyone else on my own, lonely, no-one to play with and I thought I would never meet any new friends but I was so wrong.  Now, I am happy, know where to go and want to go to school everyday.

After going to form and going to my lessons I have lots of new friends to play with and to eat my dinner.  Just remember, other children are thinking the same things as you so don’t be afraid to talk to other children and ask them if they want to come and play with you and want to be friends because I bet they will reply with a yes.

By Craig Richardson

Are you nervous … scared … lonely … about going to high school?  Well there’s no need to be!  The people here at St Mary’s are kind, helpful and caring.  On the first week it’s great because you can’t get lost.  The reason why you can’t get lost is because you are taken to and from your classes.  After that, you’ll know where to go.  If you’re worried about the teachers don’t be – they’re strict but fair.

Homework is hard but if you’re stuck you can go to homework club from 8:00 to 8:25, 13:25 to 13:55 or 15:10 to 16:00. 

Also, there is a great day every fortnight called “Wonderful Wednesday” where you do one subject all day until 14:10.  Also, from 14:10 to 15:10 there are great things to do such as cooking or card-making and of course, football for the boys.