Lunchtime and Afterschool Clubs

Music

St. Mary's Hare Park boasts a thriving Choir and Orchestra, who regularly perform at local and even National venues. The School's first ever professional CD, entitled "On Eagle's Wings" was produced in 2003.  The Choir and Orchestra perform at in-school recitals, Assemblies and Masses, whilst enhancing annual productions and Carol Services.  During 2008, we were delighted to be invited to provide a lunchtime concert of musical and orchestral entertainment at Chelmsford’'s prestigious Cramphorn Theatre to invited guests, families and the local Chelmsford community.  Pupils have also been given the opportunity to attend a lunchtime LSO recital at St. Luke's, London and to sing at the Royal Albert Hall. 

For two consecutive years our Choir and Orchestra impressed the organisers of the National Festival of Music for Youth (Europe's largest youth festival) at regional heats and were invited to perform with 300 other groups at the Royal Festival Hall in 2004 and at The International Symphonic Hall, Birmingham in 2005. The children had the opportunity to join with other symphony orchestras, choirs and even rock bands from across Europe. The children performed a 10 minute recital, comprising four pieces of music.

The instrumental tuition offered is wide and varied, including a full range of string, brass and woodwind instruments, as well as keyboard.  Almost 50 of our pupils currently play musical instruments, including flutes, clarinets, violins, trumpets, bassoons and the drums. The choir and orchestra have a combined total of 47 children aged between 8 and 11 years old.

Information Communications Technology

Year Six pupils are offered the opportunity to attend lunchtime ICT Clubs, free of charge.  Sessions concentrate on a range of skills, as well as production of a Newsletter, which is distributed to Trustees, staff and our families. During the first term pupils focus primarily on touch-typing correctly. In the second term they are given more "free choice" opportunities to use the Internet and CD ROM resources. The third term focuses on using the more advanced tools of word processing software, to better equip them for their move into senior school education.

Other extra curricular activities include: football, netball, basketball, cricket, karate, rounders, cheerleading, tennis, table tennis, gardening, maths and science clubs.

School Library

The school has two well-stocked libraries. The children have free access to books, at all times, monitored and encouraged by our Librarian.

Reward Schemes

The school has four Houses, to which children in the Junior School belong. House Points are awarded for a variety of reasons including effort, behaviour, attitude, kindness, thoughtfulness, bravery, maturity and attainment.

The accumulation of House Points not only contributes towards the ‘'End of Year Winning House Trophy Award', led by their Year 6 House Captain, but also allows the pupils to work towards individual Achievement Certificates at Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond levels, according to the relevant number of points accrued. In this way, the children learn to strive for individual success, whilst supporting recognition of their House, thus learning to become a ‘'team' as well as an ‘'individual' player. 

Infant pupils are rewarded in a more spontaneous and immediate way, as befitting their young age by a series of special certificates, stickers and stars.

‘'Special Headteacher Certificates' can be received by children of all ages in the school. These are awarded personally by the Headteacher and the pupil's name and reason for individual acclaim are recorded in a Special Celebration Book, which is displayed in the reception area of the school.

School Day Trips

Pupils go on a variety of curriculum-related day trips during their time in the school. The school regularly visits the Science and Environmental Centre at Tilbury. Visits have also been made to theatre venues, farms and wildlife sanctuaries, museums, art galleries, local fire stations and businesses.  In Year 6 the pupils have the opportunity to enjoy a day-long Retreat at a venue such as Walsingham House, Canvey Island. Here, in the ambience of its beautiful grounds, quality time is spent, continuing our programme of preparation for transfer to Secondary School, addressing many of the issues relevant to this important stage in our children's lives.

Year 6 Residential Trip

Every year the Year 6 pupils enjoy a hugely popular residential trip to an Outdoor Pursuits Centre, where professional expertise is afforded by highly qualified instructors, supported by our own staff.

Visitors/Presenters to the School

A wide range of presenters from outside have been organised to complement cross-curricular enhancement. These have included:

 Percussion workshops
Recitals
Ensembles
Theatre Groups
Author
Events to complement "Theme Days"

School Uniform

All pupils are required to wear the school uniform. Parents should make sure that every item is clearly marked with the child's own name.

Winter

Summer

The school uniform is obtained from:

Havering Schoolwear
119 Belgrave Avenue, Gidea Park, Romford, RM2 6PS.
01708 767890

Shoes are available from:

Tootsies Children's Shoes
86 High Street, Barkingside, IG6 2DR
0208 5500073

The acceptable styles are available at Tootsies' Barkingside shop and also at the shop's regular visits to the school.