St Cuthbert Mayne School

Three of our students were invited to take part in the Youth Panel at the Thy Kingdom Come service at Exeter Cathedral recently.

In front of a packed cathedral of more than 300 people, our students were interviewed by Bishop Mike of Exeter and Ysanne Marville, sharing honestly about the joys and challenges of being young people of faith in 2026.

The evening was a powerful celebration of worship, prayer and community, bringing generations together with a real sense of anticipation and hope. We were also inspired to hear from Rachel Gardner from Youthscape, as she encouraged everyone to truly listen to the voices of young people today.

What a privilege for our students to represent both our school and young Christians so thoughtfully and courageously at such a special event. 🙏

Huge congratulations to our Year 11 student, Alessia, who has successfully gained membership at the highly prestigious National Youth Theatre.

Alessia secured her place through an exceptionally competitive national audition process, with more than 6,000 young people auditioning each year and only 240 places awarded to 14–17-year-olds across the country.

Following completion of her acting membership course this summer, Alessia will officially become an acting member of the National Youth Theatre, giving her access to workshops, industry programmes and opportunities to learn from leading professionals through partnerships with organisations including Netflix, the BBC, Sky and TikTok.

Alessia said:"I’m extremely grateful, proud and excited to be a member of the National Youth Theatre! It’s been a dream for so long and a lot of hard work. NYT will offer me so many opportunities and connections. I can’t wait to develop my skills alongside others who are just as passionate about performing! "

The National Youth Theatre is recognised as Britain’s leading drama company for young people, with alumni including Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig, Rosamund Pike, Colin Firth and Orlando Bloom just to name a few! Four of the six BAFTA nominees for Best Actor this year also began their journey with NYT.

A special thank you goes to Mrs Byng for all of her support and encouragement of Alessia throughout the audition process. Congratulations, Alessia, we are incredibly proud of you!

Ropes, rafts and resilience 🚣

Our year 7 students had a fantastic time in Brixham as they took part in an exciting outdoor pursuits trip at Grenville House.

Each day was packed full of teamwork, fun and sun, with students getting the chance to challenge themselves on the high ropes course and work together to build and test their own rafts on the water.

The days away gave our year 7s students time to bond even more as a year group. Whether they were encouraging each other on the high ropes, working together to keep their rafts afloat, or simply enjoying time together outdoors, it was fantastic to see new friendships forming and confidence growing with everyone steeping out of their comfort zones and giving each challenge a go!

Grenville House Outdoor Education Centre

Our performing arts students are continuing to achieve great things. 🎭

A group of students recently entered the Torbay Festival of Drama and Music, where they won their Musical Theatre class with honours!

A brilliant result and a real reflection of the time, effort and teamwork they put into their performance. We are so proud of how they represented our school!

Kicking off future careers ⚽

As part of work experience week, 10 of our students had the fantastic opportunity to take part in the Work Experience Guarantee Programme run by the Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Careers Hub.

The sports-focused programme, supported by Torquay United Football Club and Torbay Council, gave students a real insight into the huge variety of careers involved in running a football club from coaching and media to hospitality, finance, security and marketing.

Throughout the week, students took part in inspiring sessions with professionals including Tim Herbert, Michael Westcott, Jimmy Ball, Sam Cooke, Beccy Wells, Sam Hart, Richard Scutt, Rachael and Simon Cox. Sessions included a mock board meeting, entrepreneurial workshops, stadium safety activities, Q&As, a branding session and employer interviews.

One of the biggest highlights was visiting Plainmoor, where students enjoyed a full stadium tour, watched a training session, met staff and players, and experienced behind-the-scenes life at Torquay United.

A huge thank you to everyone who gave their time and expertise to support our students, and especially to Jacqui and the Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Careers Hub for organising such an innovative, varied and inclusive programme.

Torbay Council Torquay United AFC

Exams are important but so are YOU 💛

Exams can feel like a lot, so remember to look after your mental health and wellbeing during exam time.

🌟 Talk to a friend, teacher or family member if you are feeling overwhelmed.
🌟 Don’t study too late at night, you need time to switch off and wind down.
🌟 Aim for 8 hours of sleep to help your brain recharge, it’s working overtime!
🌟 Take breaks without feeling guilty, you’ve earned them.

Most importantly, asking for help isn’t a weakness it’s a strength.

You’ve got this, and you don’t have to do it alone. 💫

MentalHealthMatters

Every school day builds success

Did you know that learning happens step by step, with each school day helping to build children’s knowledge, confidence and independence.

Regular attendance helps children strengthen friendships, develop resilience and stay connected to their learning journey.

By being in school every day, children are building strong foundations for future success, one day at a time.

As part of a recent school trip to Spain, students visited Colegio Santísimo Cristo de la Sangre to meet the students they’ve been writing to and video calling since September.

Our students got to experience a typical Spanish school day and took part in Music, Science and Maths lessons. They also had the chance to present to their new Spanish friends all about life at St Cuthbert Mayne! Students also took part in Microbits programming sessions, working in teams to design and create their own games.

In return, the students from Torrijos gave our pupils a tour around their town, sharing their culture and daily life with us. Great friendships were made, and the students have stayed in contact and still regularly chat now.

This unforgettable trip has been made even more accessible thanks to the Global School Alliance and UK Government Turing Scheme funding, helping to reduce costs for families and make global learning experiences open to more students.

Oliver, one of our Sixth Form students, has just returned from a pilgrimage to Lourdes with HCPT (The Hosanna House and Children’s Pilgrimage Trust).

Each Easter, around 1,000 disabled and disadvantaged children and young people take part in this life-changing experience in the south of France, supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, including Sixth Formers like Oliver.

As part of his role, Oliver supported a small group of children throughout the week, helping with daily tasks, meeting their individual needs and accompanying them on a range of activities and trips. He also encouraged them to try new experiences and build the confidence to make new friendships.

During their time in Lourdes, Oliver and his HCPT150 group enjoyed a packed programme including sightseeing, treasure hunts, rounders matches, the Big Sing, fancy dress, services, and a visit to the animal park.

Reflecting on the experience, Oliver said: “We got to enjoy so much on this pilgrimage, and I feel so lucky to have been a part of it for a second time. My standout moment was the candlelight torch procession, which ended with an amazing firework display to mark the 70th anniversary of HCPT.”

Oliver hopes to volunteer on this pilgrimage for many years to come, and we admire his dedication to the cause.



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