The Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party

17th December 2015S Huynh

The Senior Citizens’ Party, organised by the Sixth Formers yesterday, was a great success.

Around 140 guests, invited from care homes and the local community, arrived for a great afternoon of Christmas entertainment – the dining room was transformed into a fabulous party venue in record time!

Miss Baskeyfield and the brilliant choir sang a selection of carols and folk songs. Adam Sands and  Jordan Sayce found their natural vocation in running the Bingo session, and Mrs Dhaliwal and her hard-working kitchen team, provided lots of food for our guests to enjoy.

All the guests said how pleasant and polite our Sixth Formers were, and really enjoyed chatting to them during the afternoon. We have already had emails and messages of thanks and requests to return next year!

Thank you to all of the Sixth Form students for planning and participating in the day with enthusiasm, and to the staff (especially Mrs Hogg,Mr Bard, Miss Baskeyfield and Mrs Dhaliwal and the kitchen staff) for giving their time to help organise another great event.

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A Wonderful Christmas Concert

By S Huynh10th December 2015

Parents, staff and friends gathered to celebrate the Christmas season and the work of the Performing Arts Department on Monday 7th December. Following their success at the St Edmund’s day Mass on Friday 27th November, the choir performed several solo numbers including ‘Christmas Lullaby’ by John Rutter.

The musical festivities continued with the orchestra’s rendition of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, brass and string ensembles and a collaboration between members of the rock band and Pitch Perfect in their performance of ‘All I want for Christmas is You.’ One of our new additions to St. Edmund’s, the rock band, picked up the pace with ‘Forget You’ by CeeLo Green and the folk band brought some Celtic spirit to the occasion with a medley of songs.

Drama club, another new addition to the department, performed their version of ‘The Grinch who stole Christmas’ with the set designed and created by Academy students. Many thanks to Sinead Cullen-Barrett (Y11) who assistant directed the performance with Holly Harvey (Y12), and Alexandra Platt (Y12) leading the design and creation of the set.
The Christmas Concert was a wonderful celebration of the talent at St Edmund’s and a fantastic way to get into the Christmas spirit!

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Celebrating St Edmund’s Feast Day Mass

By S Huynh2nd December 2015

On Friday 27th November, it was the St Edmund’s Feast Day Mass. We came together as a whole school and celebrated our Patron St Edmund and all the activities and successes we have had in and around our community. It was a beautiful service led by Monsignor Fr Mark Crisp, and Fr Paul Bielak in front of 800 students, staff and dignitaries.

Father Mark Crisp reminded everyone of how “St Edmund Campion was victim of severe religious intolerance and how the story of his life should stir us up to make sure that we all become passionate ambassadors of tolerance.”

In his homily Monsignor Crisp also reminded all pupils of the family moving forward together in the diverse community, with prayers being said for the people of Paris after the recent atrocities there.

After Mass, Governors and friends were treated to cakes and refreshments to mark the Feast of St Edmund.

Special thanks to everyone who attended including; the readers, the Alter servers, the choir and those who contributed in making it such a wonderful celebration.

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Christmas Concert Tickets now on Sale

By S Huynh25th November 2015

The Performing Arts Department is proud to present our Christmas Concert on Monday 7th December starting at 7pm.

We will have performances from the Rock Band, the Choir, the Folk Band, Pitch Perfect, Drama Club and many more!

Tickets are available for the bargain price of £1 and are available from the Performing Arts office.

We hope to see you there in good cheer!

 

 

Christmas Shoe Box Appeal

By S Huynh24th November 2015

We would like to say a huge thank you to all the students and staff who contributed to the Christmas Shoe Box Appeal.

The Shoe Box Appeal is a campaign organised by the Samaritan’s Purse who kindly collect shoe boxes with gifts and donate them to underprivileged children around the world.

St Edmund’s delivered 20 boxes in total, which were all hand wrapped by students and staff and packed with lovely gifts, such as; toys, pens, soaps, gloves and more – they have helped make someone’s Christmas special this year.

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Children In Need

By S Huynh19th November 2015

Last week Pudsey bear made a special visit to St Edmund’s Catholic Academy in aid of raising money for Children In Need. Sixth Form students sold wrist bands, somosa’s and undertook a special staff Vs. students football tournament all for charity.

We’d like to thank everyone who took part during last week’s fundraising activities and especially the Sixth Form students who helped organise such an eventful week.

We will keep you posted as to how much we have raised!

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A Beautiful Remembrance Assembly

By S Huynh13th November 2015

On Wednesday morning, St Edmund’s Catholic Academy came together as a whole school as part of our Remembrance Assembly in honor of the sacrifices made by our brave Service men and women.

It was a moving Assembly with readings and tributes read by staff and our Senior Prefects team were on hand selling poppy’s.

Adria Dongo Year 12 played the piano beautifully with Isobel Casey and Alex Platt singing ‘Amazing Grace.’ Mr Lloyd showed his hidden talent by playing the trombone to mark a one minute silence.

We’d like to thank all students and staff for taking part and also those who have helped organise such a lovely Service.

Principal, Mrs Hughes added: “St Edmund’s is a big family of many languages, cultures and faith traditions and today was an outstanding example of the strength and cohesion of our faith community in action.”

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St Edmund’s Great British Bake Off

By S Huynh6th November 2015

Last term, Year 9 completed the qualifying round for the Great British Bake Off. Highfields School are hosting the final on Wednesday 9th December.

As you can see, we had a flying visit from Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry themselves who judged the results.

The challenge was to produce a biscuit of any type, which would demonstrate the skill of the baker. The results were of a very high standard.

The judges were  impressed with Ffion Bessey’s biscuits and with the neat finish of her chocolate chip shortbread.

For the final, the bakers will have to produce a Victoria sponge cake, that will be decorated with a Christmas theme. We can’t wait!
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Feast of the Holy Souls

By S Huynh5th November 2015

On Monday 2 November 2015 members of the Academy Council,  Mr Farr (Vice Principal) and Mrs Hazeldine (Vice Principal), Mrs Hughes (Principal) and Mrs Gallagher (Academy Chair) joined together in our Chapel to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Souls.  The mass was celebrated by our Chaplain Father Mark Crisp.

The Feast of All Souls has always been a significant day at St Edmund’s. It is the day we especially commemorate the souls of all the faithful departed and take time to pray for our own loved ones who have gone before us.

Mrs Gallagher said, “I am most impressed by the reverence and attention of the young people in remembering family and friends from our community who have died during this year”.

Kristian Thomas Wins Silver at World Gymnastics Championships

By S Huynh3rd November 2015

 

We would like to say a huge congratulations to former student Kristian Thomas, as he delivered a show-stopping final round at the World Gymnastics Championships last week.

It helped Great Britain claim an historic silver in the team all-around final in Glasgow.

The 26-year-old, who also claimed bronze at the 2012 Olympics in the same event, banished all memories of the team’s fourth-place finish in 2014 with three high scores from his rotations.

It looked like it might not happen for Britain, heading into the final rotation at the SSE Hydro.

But some solid floor work from Thomas, Dan Purvis and Max Whitlock saw them edge out China and claim their first-ever world championships men’s team medal – Japan holding on for gold.

Thomas said: “It’s an absolutely incredible feeling, it really is. We’ve made history and I can’t say much more than that.

“There was definitely a lot of pressure going into that final routine but, at the same time, we knew we’d worked hard for it.”

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