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Some first impressions leave a lasting impact on our lives. This is undoubtedly true for Ola Panczyk. At the age of 14, her family moved from Poland to the UK. As her parents were pressed for time, they visited many schools in just one day. Marymount International School London was the last one on their list. “The moment they walked in, it differed from all the rest they had seen,” Panczyk recounts. “They were pleasantly surprised about how it felt- a small and friendly community. They were impressed by the staff’s interactions with my parents, how the students were in the classes, and their work (like the personal projects). It seemed like a great fit.”
A balanced schedule helps Marymount students become intellectual, active and compassionate global citizens. Source: Marymount International School London
Marymount is an independent Catholic day and boarding school for girls. It is in the top 10% of IB schools globally, with a 100% pass rate and 45 was the top mark received for the class of 2023.
But academic successes are by no means the school’s only achievements. Marymount is committed to its holistic and student-centred approach to education. Schedules here are balanced, with extra-curricular activities playing a big part in your child’s days.
Panczyk loved this. Sports made her feel more connected to the whole school community, especially as there was a lot of inter-grade mixing. “Being in an all-girls environment meant that opportunities like being in sports teams were all supported equally, and so were the arts,” she says. “I was a part of the volleyball team, then varsity, and then captain, where we won third place in prestigious American tournament, ISSA – International Schools Athletic Association. I also took part in all the musicals and had the opportunity to play both male and female roles.”
On weekends, Panczyk would finish tutoring or homework before midday, trains for competitive events and spends time at the stables in the afternoon. Others hang out with friends, mix with other boarders and day students, or attend birthday parties. There is never a dull moment. “My favourite memory from my time at Marymount was our Grade 12 Retreat,” says Panczyk. “The whole grade slept over at a retreat centre, and we had time to spend away from our studies with each other. Watching movies, eating, drinking hot chocolates. It was a fantastic chance to take a step back and have everyone in one place in a stress-free environment.”
This balanced lifestyle helps Marymount students become intellectual and compassionate global citizens. There are many integral lessons which the girls glean from their time together. For instance, Panczyk learned to manage her time better and reflect on her performance. She also found independence in her actions and thinking. “I learned to leave my comfort zone because there were so many opportunities to explore,” she says. “Trying out for volleyball was part of that, and ending up as the captain was a full-circle moment.”
Panczyk credits her meticulous work ethic to the school and notes that she is in good stead for her next steps because of how well the IB Diploma Programme prepared her. “It was a learned skill over many years. It was like muscle memory by the time we got to the Diploma,” she explains. “Marymount has really high standards that I only realised once I left that others may not have the privilege of learning.”
Marymount exposes students to the requirements for university as early as Grade 8. Source: Marymount International School London
The now 18-year-old Panczyk reflects that as an IB DP student in Grades 11 and 12, the college counsellor made university applications less intimidating. To demystify the process, Marymount introduces the requirements for tertiary study as early as Grade 8. Parents are kept up-to-date with movements and regulatory adjustments in the application process. This way, when your child juggles the IB DP and university applications simultaneously, they find it more manageable.
A lot of this has to do with the level of care college counsellors provide to each student during this stressful time. Not only do they help students with applying, but they also take the extra step to guide them in exploring potential degree programmes. “Our college counsellor sent me home to research different majors, and then I presented to her in our next session, and she would talk through each one individually,” says Panczyk. “I was also encouraged to go to the open days and taster lectures. At Marymount, they organised a career fair with alums in different professions, which helped me hear from them and learn more about their careers.”
Marymount produces accomplished graduates who are empowered and ready to succeed in life. Through the support of the school community, they learn a great deal and strive to be the best they can be. When asked how she would describe her experience at Marymount, Panczyk says it was challenging, rewarding and one-of-a-kind. “I wouldn’t change it for the world, the community you have at Marymount,” she adds. “There is a saying, ‘Once a Marymount girl, always a Marymount girl’. It stays with you. That is evident with the amount of alumnae that we interacted with when I was at the school.”
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