St Mary’s pupils shone in this year’s Oxford German Olympiad

Skylarks pupils once again took part in the annual competition, which sees schools from across the country participating. The Oxford University German Department called all young learners of German to enter the competition and the theme this year was “Natur und Technik” – Nature and Technology.

Skylarks were asked to research and reflect on “Natur und Technik” in the German-speaking world, how and where the two concepts overlap and what challenges they might pose to us in the 21st century. 

There were more than 750 entries submitted by pupils from 97 schools across the UK.

We are extremely pleased to report that four of our pupils were successful in the competition! Maisie McCormick and Zachary Bosworth were highly commended in the category “Design a robot and label its parts, write what it can do.” Darcey Meredith was highly commended in the category You’re going to set up a community on Mars – draw your spaceship and the fifteen most important things to take, and label them.” Matilda O’Connor was runner up for the same category, and has been invited to receive her prize at Oxford’s prestigious Bodleian Library next year. We should add that it is the second year in a row that Matilda has received a prize – bravo! 

Well done to all of the Skylarks who participated, the standard of your work was truly excellent. 

Oxford German Olympiad 2020

The Language Department at Oxford University have once again invited 9-11 year olds to enter the Oxford German Olympiad Competition. This year the theme is Natur und Tecnik (Nature and Technology). Skylarks learned about Natur und Technik in the German-speaking world, how and where the two concepts overlap and what challenges they might pose to us in the 21st century. Then, pupils were invited to enter the competition, choosing from these three categories:

  • Design a robot and label its parts, and write what it can do.
  • Draw a picture of your home city, town or village from a Vogelperspektive – bird’s eye view. Label the things the bird is most interested in.
  • You’re going to set up a community on Mars – draw your spaceship and the fifteen most important things to take, and label them.

In the gallery below you can admire this year’s impressive entries, the results of the competition will be released in June….fingers crossed!

The Blessing of the Bambinelli

This Advent time, all children at St Mary’s took part in the beautiful Italian tradition of the Blessing of the Bambinelli. St John Paul II began this tradition early on in his papacy, when he invited the children of Rome to join him in St Peter’s Square on the Third Sunday of Advent during his Angelus address. He asked the children to bring the little statues of the baby Jesus from their Nativity scenes at home, and he blessed the figurines.

Here at St Mary’s, all children created their own figurine of the baby Jesus in school. We used natural materials such as wood, clay, hay and straw. Then, we took the Bambinelli to Mass during the Third Week of Advent and Father Arul blessed each and every one. Children took the Blessed Bambinelli home, and the Baby Jesus’ arrival in the Nativity scene was made even more special.