This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:16 – 18) 

The virtues of ‘love’ and ‘respect’ are the core values of our school community at St Mary’s. We seek to live them out in our daily lives through our attitudes and actions in the classroom and beyond. We also have events and occasions when our school community shares our vocation to love and respect others by fundraising for various charitable causes. Every term our students, led by our Year 12 Mission Team, and supported by the Staff Chaplaincy, raise money for local, national and international charities.

Two major fundraising efforts take place annually; the Advent Collection of food and other items for the Cardinal Hume Centre, London, and the Lenten Charity Week events that raise funds for Across and another selected charity.

The list of fundraising activities across the academic year include: 

Term 1: 

• Poppy Appeal 

• #RedWednesday for Aid to the Church in Need 

• Advent Collection for the Cardinal Hume Centre, London 

Term 2: 

• Lenten Charity Week for Across and the Catholic Children’s Society, Westminster 

• Grow a Tenner Challenge for Across and the Catholic Children’s Society, Westminster 

Charity Week 2026

Charity Week 2026 was a truly uplifting and joyful occasion for the whole school community.  The events organised and led by our committed and enthusiastic Year 12 Mission Team brought energy, laughter and a strong sense of community spirit to the school.  From the excitement of St Mary’s Got Talent, Family Fortunes, Through the Keyhole and The Traitors, to the highly anticipated Lip Sync Battle between staff and Sixth Form students and the ever-popular Soak The Teacher event; there was something for everyone to enjoy.

Thanks to the generosity and active participation of students, staff and families, we raised over £8,000 for our chosen charities: CAFOD and Across Paths. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the kindness and dedication of our school community, living out our mission in action and demonstrating the meaning of the Catholic Social Teaching of Community and Participation.

We thank everyone who contributed to making Charity Week such a meaningful and memorable success.