Personal Development

Enrichment Programme

At St. Martha’s we have long recognised the importance of the curriculum beyond the classroom. Our Enrichment Programme allows our pupils to use the opportunities presented to them to develop their skills in a wide variety of areas. On a Wednesday afternoon, for example, our pupils come off timetable to engage in a wide range of activities. The enrichment opportunities include:

• Aerobics
• Art Appreciation
• Community Service
• Dance
• Duke of Edinburgh
• First Aid
• ICT
• Lower School Mentoring
• Martial Arts
• Music Technology
• Primary School Support
• Prue Leith Cookery Programme
• Sign Language
• Swimming
• Swiss Ball
• Work Shadowing
• Yoga

Pupils are encouraged to become leaders in the House System, engage in community service and be actively involved in drama, choirs and orchestras.  Topics covered by guest speakers in recent times have included:

• Drug Awareness
• Interview skills
• Life Skills
• Personal Safety
• Stress and Time Management
• Student Finance
• Community Service

With our school motto, Serve the Lord with Joy, we put a great emphasis on developing our pupils’ appreciation of their responsibilities in the community. This is currently reflected in the work being done in the Millennium Volunteer Bureau. This is a DfES initiative to encourage, support and recognise 16-24 year olds who volunteer to benefit others.

It is in the nature of St Martha’s pupils to do this type of work and we are currently engaged in a range of activities involving:

• Class Support in Primary Schools
• Guardian Angel (mentoring)
• In-School Support
• Inter-house Events
• Old People’s Homes
• Volunteering in Oxfam Shops

The Millennium Volunteer Award is issued by the Minister for Young People for every 50 to 100 hours of service. For 200 hours service they receive an Award of Excellence from the Secretary of State for Education and Skills.

Team Building Day

At the beginning of the first term a team building day is attended by Sixth Form; this year again the programme included Year 7. Each Form worked with their Head of House and another Senior House Captain. This is an excellent way to foster stronger ties between the lower and the top end of the school. This allows the pupils to get to know each other in a friendly and enjoyable environment. It also provides them with an opportunity to develop an understanding of teams, co-operation in and between teams, developing working relationships, interpersonal co-operation, organisational skills and creative problem solving. The day is also used as the first Inter-house competition for the year and sets an example for the whole school. This is a great day that is thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Privileges

The Sixth Form at St Martha’s is also seen as a special stage in the development of the pupils’ careers. In recognition of the transition to adulthood, pupils have a dress code that promotes good dress sense in a manner befitting the workplace.

It has long been the tradition that our Sixth Form pupils may organise study at home when their timetable allows this. This is done in consultation with parents and the Head of Sixth Form. It is also dependent on the achievement of suitable assessment grades. Our Sixth Form pupils can also sign out at lunch time with the proviso that they are punctual on return.

The Sixth Form pupils enjoy the use of their own Common Room. This area is a place to meet their peers, relax, read, play chess or just chat. They have their own drinks machine. The pupils can use the Common Room for study but must also attend the individualised private study sessions in the supervised Learning Resource Centre as recommended by their Head of Sixth Form. The area is on our wireless network and laptops are available at most times.