150 Years
Gallery and Events
World Book Day
We had a fantastic time celebrating World Book Day 2026! Children and staff came to school dressed as some of their favourite book characters and enjoyed a day filled with exciting reading and book-themed activities.
It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm for stories, authors and characters across the school. The day gave everyone a chance to share favourite books, discover new ones and celebrate the joy of reading together.
Comedy Writers
To celebrate Comic Relief, our Key Stage 2 children enjoyed a special week of comedy-themed English lessons. They explored what makes us laugh and discovered some of the different techniques writers use to create humour.
The children had great fun playing with words, creating funny characters and situations, and producing their own comedy writing. It was a brilliant opportunity to celebrate creativity, develop their writing skills and, most importantly, share plenty of laughter along the way!
Piers Torday - Author Visit
We were thrilled to welcome author Piers Torday to our school for a very special author visit. The children thoroughly enjoyed hearing about his life as a writer, where he finds inspiration for his stories and how his ideas develop into books.
Piers shared his experiences of writing, answered lots of the children’s questions and inspired them to think creatively about their own storytelling. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet a real author and celebrate our love of books, reading and writing.
Miraculous Journeys!
In Year 3 and 4, we were inspired by The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. The children created their own stories about a treasured toy that becomes lost and sets off on an unexpected journey, meeting different people and experiencing adventures along the way.
To help bring their writing to life, the children brought a special toy from home into school and imagined the adventures it might have if it were ever lost. Once their stories were complete, they enjoyed reading them aloud to the very toys that had inspired them!
Tony Bradman Visit
We were delighted to welcome author Tony Bradman to our school for a very special visit. The children were incredibly excited to meet the author of Viking Boy, a book that many of them have enjoyed reading as part of their learning.
Tony spoke to the children about his life as an author, where he gets his ideas from and how he creates exciting stories and characters. The children loved having the opportunity to listen to him, ask questions and find out more about the writing process. It was a wonderfully inspiring experience and a fantastic way to celebrate our love of reading across the school.
Rosie's Walk
Our Early Years children enjoyed bringing the story of Rosie’s Walk by Pat Hutchins to life with their very own walk around the school grounds. Just like Rosie the hen, the children travelled over, under, around and through different obstacles along the way.
It was a lovely opportunity to explore the story in a practical way, develop the children’s understanding of positional language and enjoy learning outdoors together.
Parliament Week - November 2025
The children have enjoyed taking part in UK Parliament Week, exploring how democracy works both locally and nationally. As well as welcoming Simon Woodhead, the Mayor of Amersham Town Council, to speak to KS2, our pupils have taken part in a range of exciting activities. Year 5 and 6 created their own political parties and ran a lively mock election, developing manifestos and campaigning for votes. In Years 3 and 4, children debated the proposal for a new supermarket in Amersham and learned how to share their views respectfully. Many pupils also practised real-world writing skills by drafting letters and emails to our local MP. It has been a fantastic week of learning, debate and active citizenship!
Author visit
In November, Carys Bexington came to work with our KS1 and EY children to develop the next chapter of her book. The children were so engaged and enthralled by her storytelling and wrote some fabulous ideas for her.
Storytelling Workshop for Early Years and Key Stage One
In May, we were very lucky to be visited by Liz Fost, a professional storyteller. Early Years and Key Stage One were delighted by her retelling of The Lion Inside, by Rachel Bright, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its publication. They also had the opportunity to buy a book signed by Rachel herself.
Earth Week 2025
In April, we spent a week considering our planet as part of our Earth Week. Across the school we looked at the threats which face our local environment as well as the world as a whole. We took part in a range of debate activities, produced some amazing artwork and also wrote letters to politicians to appeal to them to prioritise our future and future of our planet. We learned about key figures campaigning for environmental change such as Great Thunberg and David Attenborough. We also read a range of books with environmental themes. The children were so passionate and it was a thoroughly enjoyable week in school.
World Book Day poet visit - Daniel Thompson
Daniel Thompson came to talk to KS2 about his experience as an poet. He discussed his books 'Being you' and Outside in.' The children were all enthralled and enjoyed his visit, especially on world Book Day.
Rotary Christmas Story Competition
We were delighted to have so many winners for this competition. Seven children won a prize for their fantastic entries, we were all so proud.
Visiting Author
Chris Smith came to talk to KS2 about his new book 'the new famous five'. He autographed the children's books and talked to them about his journey as an author.
Oracy in English - Year 5
Oak Class practising their oracy skills in English. They were discussing how the parents might react to the challenges they face in the book Cosmic by Frank Cottrell-Boyce.
No Pens Day Wednesday
On Wednesday 27th November, we celebrated No Pens Day. We took part in lots of fun activities to develop our speech and language skills - all without picking up a pen!
Parliament Week 2024
This week, we have been learning all about the workings of UK Parliament. We held debates in our classes and voted in a whole school referendum on whether Sports Day should be compulsory for all children.
National Poetry Day 2024
We were visited by a poet called James Carter. He worked with children across the school and the children absolutely loved listening to and writing poems with him. At the end of the day, we came together for a 'Grand Finale' and children were able to share the poems that they wrote. Thank you to James for a wonderful day and well done to all of our aspiring poets at St Marys!
KS2 Author Visit
KS2 were very lucky to have a visit from J.J. Arcanjo, author of the Crookhaven series. He read to the children from his books and talked about his inspirations as a young writer. The children were so enthusiastic to talk to him and read his books.
Tuesday Book Swap
We now have a Book Swap every Tuesday after school. Come along and swap a book - we've got some great ones to choose from!
World Book Day 2024
For World Book Day this year, we all looked at The Day the Crayons Quit by Oliver Jeffers. The children loved dressing up as their favourite colour or their favourite book character. We had our annual 'Reading Relay' which is always exciting for the children - and exhausting for the teachers!
Parliament Week
We enjoyed learning about Parliament as part of UK Parliament Week. We had a whole school vote on whether we should keep our annual talent competition. Children took part in debates across the school and we were visited by our local MP, Sarah Green.
