Welcome from the Headmistress
Summer BBQ
Halloween Celebrations and Educational Tour: Venice
Marymount is “excellent”
Celebrating Father Gailhac
Global Network of RSHM Schools
Alumnae Reunion
Christmas at Marymount
Drama Production: Legally Blonde
Letters from Alumnae
Upcoming Events
This semester has been marked by students’ engagement in all facets of school life. As a school, we aim to live out our goals and mission, helping to facilitate each child’s holistic growth and thereby ensuring “that all may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). The theme for this academic year is ‘One in Service’ and it is so heartening to see this being embraced across the community. So far this year, the students have taught local primary school children in Saturday School, collected food and Christmas hampers for families in need, hosted local parishioners, and raised funds for our sister school in Zambia, Breast Cancer Awareness, and a women’s refuge in Bromley to name but a few.
This commitment to service is woven into the culture of the School thanks to the charism of the inspirational Father Jean Gailhac, founder of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM). Along with the RSHM, during his lifetime Father Jean Gailhac founded a women’s refuge and an orphanage in his native town of Béziers, France, to support vulnerable women and children. This home allowed these women to make the most of their God-given qualities and abilities. It is this commitment to ensuring “that all may have life” which continues to this day. November 2022 marked 220 years since his birth, and RSHM schools worldwide are participating in events and initiatives to commemorate him and his incredible legacy.
Alongside the Governing Board, we are delighted to celebrate the publication of our most recent ISI inspection report. The efforts of staff, students, and families alike have been reflected in the “excellent” rating we received. Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible.
I wish you and your family every good wish for a wonderful 2023. Thank you to all those who continue to hold the School in their heart - your support is invaluable!
September 2022
The school year began in traditional Marymount style, with much cheer and celebration. The Parents’ Association put on a magnificent welcome for new and returning families, which rang in the academic new year with true Marymount spirit. Students and their families were able to enjoy a traditional BBQ with added sparkle thanks to games and treats. What an incredible way to start the year – thank you to all our parent volunteers and Marymount staff who helped put this all together. As one parent rightly said, “This is such a fantastic idea – I don’t know why all schools don’t do it!”
October 2022
A full spook house and all Halloween festivals returned to pre-pandemic glory on campus this year, and what made it even better was that it could be held on Halloween night itself! Grade 12s created a mysterious May Day experience for every Grade, inspired by the beautiful photos in our archive room of May Day celebrations on campus in the 1960s. Each Grade had to protect their May Queen and sing Marymount-themed songs as they were led through a spooktacular series of chambers and spaces decorated in frightful style by the Class of 2023. This day will live long in the memory of those who enjoyed it!
Grade 11 & 12 DP Art students enjoyed a trip to the Venice Biennale, an amazing opportunity to see one of the world’s foremost art exhibitions. Mixed with contemporary and established artists, the show this year was focused on the theme of dreams and the potential of humanity – from cyborgs to futuristic garden installations. Curated by Cecilia Alemani, female artists were front and centre of over 200 artists on show; the vast majority were female, with black women being presented in prominent pavilions. There was also an increased representation of non-binary, disabled and trans artists. Students were able to access the vast amount of work on show, drawing inspiration for their own artistic practice as they begin their art journey, as well as finding scope for final pieces as their DP experience reaches its end.
In November 2022, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) visited Marymount for a full inspection looking at compliance and educational quality. As you might expect, the commitment to holistic education and the living out of our mission and ethos shone through!
“I am thrilled to say we were rated “excellent” - the very highest rating possible - in both student achievement (including academic) and their personal development, the first time all aspects of the school have been graded as such.
Notably, the inspectors commented on the sincerity, maturity and respect Marymount students display towards each other and through their attitudes to learning. To quote: “Throughout the school, [students] care about each other and often praise and encourage their peers’ efforts; they are respectful of others’ views, even when disagreeing with them”. In addition to this, we were greatly encouraged to learn that the inspectors also noted that students “reflect the school’s values in their behaviour to one another, which results in a school which has kindness and respect at its heart.” They went on to record that throughout the school our students “develop excellent levels of knowledge, skills and understanding across all areas of learning”.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our parents, students, Governors, the RSHM sisters and staff. We all share in this achievement. Our staff do their utmost to ensure our students have the best learning environment and educational experience possible each day. This report and the acknowledgement of the outcomes achieved by the students is a magnificent testament to the hard work and dedication of the Marymount staff in helping them realise their potential. I am immensely proud of our staff community and grateful for their daily endeavours. In addition, special mention must go to our students who demonstrated their passionate desire to learn, question, challenge, and contribute meaningfully as intellectual, moral and compassionate global citizens to our community and beyond. The pioneering holistic educational vision of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary Sisters who founded our school is truly alive and remains our anchor and our guide.
The ISI is appointed by the Department for Education to inspect association independent schools in England and overseas. Their inspections report to the Department for Education.
The RSHM are celebrating a year dedicated to Father Gailhac from November 2022 to November 2023. Events will be held over the next 12 months as we, alongside the RSHM network of schools, celebrate Father Gailhac and make him more known to all. The theme for the year is ‘Jean Gailhac, a heart without boundaries’.
Jean Gailhac was born in Béziers, France, on 13 November 1802. He was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Montpellier in 1826. Shortly after his ordination, he requested of his Bishop placement as a chaplain of the civil and military hospital in the city of Béziers.
This work, which he continued until the foundation of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary in 1849, put him in contact with the most needy and marginalised of his society. One of the groups whose needs became clear to him was women who had fallen into a life of prostitution. In working with these women, he realised that most had no social or family support to assist them. Gailhac arranged for many of these women to be received in a shelter in Montpellier, paying their room and board from his small salary, assisted by funds from his parents. When he could no longer afford the fees, he founded in Béziers the work of the Good Shepherd, a shelter for women and, very soon afterwards, an orphanage as well. Under Father Gailhac’s direction, the Institute of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary was founded in 1849. He worked closely with the community, especially with Mother Saint Jean (Appollonie Cure). The solid formation of the sisters became his primary focus. With them, he continued the various works in Béziers. Following his example, Mother Butler (RSHM) founded the Marymount Schools. We celebrate his vision and service to this day.
The year began with a special celebration of the Eucharist at Cormaria Retreat House, Sag Harbor, NY, which was shared with our community. To find out more, visit jeangailhac.com.
December 2022
Thank you to all our alumnae who joined us on Friday, 7, and Saturday, 8 October, for the Alumnae Reunion Weekend! We are so grateful for your support and for helping us celebrate Mr Marcou’s birthday in style. We will be looking at changing the format next year, so keep your eyes peeled for more details!
BIG NEWS! Classes of 1973, 1983, 1993, and 2003 – your reunion is coming! Get in touch if you would like to host a special event at Marymount to mark your time here!
Alumnae weekend
Friday, 6 and Saturday, 7 October 2023
December 2022
On Tuesday, 13 December 2022, the community was treated to a truly memorable Christmas-filled day as the Parents’ Association Christmas Fair came together with the Advent Carol Service (formerly known as Lessons & Carols).
Parents were invited as guests to the Christmas Fair, which included games on the lawns, a craft corner, Grade 6 & 7’s cake stall, the ever-popular Tombola by Grades 11 & 12, student charity stalls, a bratwurst and hot chocolate stand from the school catering team, and a giant inflatable snow globe for students, staff and their families to enjoy. Set in the middle of a snow-dusted campus, this community celebration produced an authentic winter wonderland atmosphere, complete with frosty noses. Dancers from every Grade completed the picture with a flash mob to a dance remix of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”.
Participants were only too pleased to crowd into the Auditorium to enjoy some respite from the chilly evening, and there they were treated to a wondrous sight. Twinkling lights, dancing candles, and lush greenery from the campus grounds adorned the hall. Soon, the soft voices of the choir joined the music from the orchestra, bringing peace and joy to every heart in the room. Another beautiful Advent Carol Service was celebrated to much acclaim, which set the tone for the magnificent season of Advent.
In December 2022, over 100 students took part in the musical adaptation of Legally Blonde, filled with incredible dance numbers and songs; this sell-out performance got everyone on their feet by curtain call.
“Being the Stage Manager of this year’s musical has been an incredible experience and one I never thought I would have the opportunity to do. At the start I was very nervous to take on this role, but it has taught me so many invaluable skills such as time management and the importance of communication when working with large groups of people. I have gained in confidence so much and have enjoyed every moment of working with the wonderful cast and crew. I hope you enjoy the performance as much as I have enjoyed helping put it together!”
Annabelle (Stage Manager) Grade 11
“I have absolutely loved taking part in the musical so far! No matter what grade you are in or what part you have, the entire cast just clicks, and I have made so many new friends. Everyone is so fun and welcoming, especially since I am a new student with limited musical theatre experience. I cannot wait for the performances, and all the next ones to come in my Marymount school career.”
Amy (Enid) Grade 9
Here is a selection of photographs & greetings cards sent to Marymount since the summer. We want to hear from you!
“The MMI ski trip was one of my favourite things.”
“I have such wonderful memories of Marymount, but what I loved most was the people I met and the friendships I formed. I especially enjoyed getting together with the girls from boarding after a long day of school, talking about our day, and just appreciating our free time together; they felt like family to me!”
We love to hear from our alumnae. If you have any news/photos to share or just want to come and revisit the campus, please get in touch via alumnae@marymountlondon.com
We look forward to hearing from you!
Open Day
Saturday, 22 April 2023
Visit our beautiful garden campus for a tour of Marymount International School London, where you will meet students, staff and parents. Discover why we are so Proudly Marymount.
Give parents a sense of the school by seeing our campus in a relaxed atmosphere. To book (spaces are limited), kindly visit the Admissions section on our website and fill out the form.
If you wish to visit our school before then, we offer a limited number of private tours throughout the year. To book a tour, please get in touch with our admissions team on admissions@marymountlondon.com
Friday, 12 May 2023, 6.30pm-8.00pm
TO ATTEND: tickets are free; please register via email invitations or contact the Development Office on alumnae@marymountlondon.com
Alumnae and faculty of all classes are welcome to this reunion in the heart of London. This fun social event also provides a space for alumnae to catch up with their friends, teachers and house parents, as well as network with one another. We would be delighted to see you there!
Saturday, 5 September 2023, 12 noon - 4.00 pm
Marymount London
TO ATTEND: tickets are included in the PA membership fee for current parents and students. No RSVP is necessary. This event is an enjoyable family day at Marymount, with games and entertainment for all ages, a delicious barbecue with plenty of choice, and the PA’s wonderful drinks and cake stalls. A chance to reconnect with old friends and make new ones, welcome back returning families and welcome new bringing together the whole community for a day of fun in the (with any luck) sun.
Alumnae Weekend
Friday, 6 and Saturday, 7 October 2023
Marymount London
TO ATTEND: tickets are free; please register on the website marymountlondon.com/alumnae or contact devdirector@marymountlondon.com. Alumnae and faculty of all classes – particularly those ending in ‘3 or ‘8 – are welcome to this reunion. The reunion will include a cocktail reception on Friday night and tours on Saturday. We can’t wait to see you there!
PA Summer BBQ