St Mary's Catholic Comprehensive School

St Mary's Catholic School
File:StMarysCCSEmblem.jpg
Address
Benton Park Road Longbenton, Newcastle upon Tyne , Tyne and Wear , NE7 7PE England
Information
Motto	Where Everyone Can Succeed
Religious affiliation(s)	Roman Catholic
Established	1954
Local authority	Newcastle upon Tyne
Specialist	Humanities College
Department for Education URN	108534 Tables
Ofsted	Reports
Head teacher	Mr J Foster
Gender	Coeducational
Age	11 to 18
Enrollment	942
Colour(s)	Navy, Grey, Red, Light Blue
Website	http://www.st-marys.newcastle.sch.uk/

St Mary's Catholic School (formerly St Mary's Catholic Comprehensive School) is an English secondary school in Longbenton, Newcastle, England. In September 2013, following conversion to Academy, the "Comprehensive" was officially removed from the school's name.

History

St Mary's started life as a technical school for boys in 1954, and was located on the west side of Frederic Street (now a part of St. James' Boulevard), a short street between Bath Lane and Westgate Road in Newcastle until September 1966. As a result of the re-organisation of Catholic Schools in 1977 St Mary's became a co-educational Catholic Comprehensive. The school was based on three sites, one in Longbenton, one in Walker and one in Killingworth. These three sites were brought together some years later to its current site in Longbenton and is now the only Catholic co-educational secondary school in Newcastle. The school is part of the family of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.

The site has been developed to provide a wide range of opportunities for young people. In recent years they have extended and upgraded facilities for science, design and technology, information and communications technology, drama, and music. They have also provided new dining facilities and a chapel.

New School Building

After more than 3 years of planning, followed by eighteen months of construction, the staff and students began using the new school in September 2011 for teaching and learning. On entering the school, you have a clear view into the school library. After passing through reception, you enter the impressive atrium which forms the central hub of the school and it is from here that the main teaching areas radiate outwards. It is also a place where students will be able to gather before school, and will be used for teaching, display and presentations. Overlooking the atrium, at the heart of the school, is the school Chapel, a place for reflection and prayer. Along the front of the school is the main hall, together with the dining room to the east and sports facilities to the west of the main entrance. The sports facilities include a four court sports hall, an activity studio and a modern fitness suite. This will be equipped with the latest in fitness machines.

On the ground floor, the teaching of performing arts, design and technology, R.E., music, English and P.E. takes place. The Special Educational Needs department is located behind the library. The classrooms are equipped with modern furniture and fittings and an interactive white board for teaching and learning.

On the first floor, there are science laboratories and classrooms for history, geography, I.C.T., mathematics, MFL and art. Each of the teaching areas is connected by carpeted corridors, with locker areas provided at strategic points in the school.

The sixth form facilities are found on the second level and include a café style work area, study facilities and a suite of sixth form classrooms.

Sir Robert McAlpine have since turned their attention to the old building and surrounding areas. The building, which has served the community of St Mary’s so well since Catholic re-organisation in 1977, has been demolished and the site prepared and landscaped to provide a range of sports areas, a memorial garden, a wildlife area, seating areas for students and outdoor teaching spaces.

Achievements

In July 2007 the school was awarded Humanities College status by the government, and given an additional £500,000 to develop further expertise in English, religious education and the performing arts. The school has also been awarded the Arts Mark, and has the Healthy Schools Award. Its website has also won the purpleyouth.com Bronze award for best school website.

Emblem, logos and identities

stmonline Logo

The Fleur-de-lis contained within the arms of St Mary's is the symbol most commonly used by the school, and is used on letterheads and newsletters as the logo. The lily represents the Mother of God and the three castles represent the city of Newcastle upon Tyne. The present arms of the school were designed by the long serving Art teacher John Croney and replaced an earlier version. The motto of St Mary's is "Auxilium Christianorum" a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary from the Litany of Loretto.

The school tie is composed of silver and blue diagonal stripes. The colours are taken from the lower part of the school arms.

External links

• St Mary's Catholic School Website
• BBC News Article - BBC News Article - St Marys' participation in Operation 60 GCSE.