Maundy Thursday

19th May 2016S Huynh

On Maundy Thursday the whole school attended a Solemn Liturgy depicting the story of the Last Supper and Jesus washing the Disciples feet.

Mrs Ferris the Lay Chaplain told the story and introduced each Disciple in turn, explaining the parts the disciples had played in serving Jesus.
Students including the 6th form acted the story. Washed the Disciples feet which (John 13:1–17) occurred in the upper room, just prior to the Last Supper and has significance in three ways. For Jesus, it was the display of his humility and his servant hood. For the disciples, the washing of their feet was in direct contrast to their heart attitudes at that time.
For us, washing feet is symbolic of our role in the body of Christ.
Fr Mark explained more about the Easter message and gave the whole community an Easter Blessing.

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Students Swap their Beds for Cardboard Boxes

By S Huynh17th March 2016

A number of enthusiastic Wolverhampton students braved the cold weather and took part in the ‘Sleep Easy’ campaign last Friday night, to raise money in changing the lives of young homeless people in the Black Country.

Sleep Easy is a national event which sees hundreds of people from up and down the country giving up their TOG rated duvets to help change the lives of homeless young people in their communities. Sixth Form students at St Edmund’s Catholic Academy in Wolverhampton prepared themselves to spend their Friday night sleeping in a cardboard box.

Every night, YMCA Black Country Group provides support and shelter for over 300 homeless young people across the Black Country and Staffordshire border area in addition to family mediation, substance misuse support and other services in order to prevent homelessness occurring in the first place.

St Edmund’s Catholic Academy are hoping to raise around £200 for the Moving Forward Fund which enables these young people to move on in their lives, by providing not only the practical things that make a house a home but also accessing employment and training opportunities, as well as providing them with much needed emotional support.

The campaign took place at St Edmund’s Catholic Academy, on Friday 11th March from 6pm – 6am, with a soup kitchen provided by the YMCA and an inspirational speech from  ‘Chedene’, who was previously homeless but had her life turned around with the help of the charity.

St Edmund’s would like to say a very big thank you to all the students who took part in such a worthy cause, Wolf Mountain for entertaining our students for part of the night and most importantly to Mr Bentley, Mrs Wrenshall-Jones and Mr Auger, for giving up their well-earned, comfortable Friday night to accompany the students. This type of event just couldn’t go ahead without the good will and support of our fantastic staff.

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Archbishop Bernard Longley’s visit to St Edmund’s

By S Huynh26th January 2016

On Friday the 22nd January St Edmund’s Catholic Academy was delighted to receive a visit from Archbishop Bernard Longley.

We are the first school in Wolverhampton to celebrate Mass with Archbishop Longley within the ‘Year of the Mercy’. He spoke of many things during his Homily and reminded those present that in life there are many doors that lead to opportunities, one being the door to the Academy Chapel, which would always be open for them.

Archbishop Bernard Longley commented: “I want to thank everyone involved for making this Mass a very special one. The choir sang splendidly and were very uplifting.”

After the Mass 34 students, 1 class representative from every tutor group, together with some visitors, made their way to our new Chapel where Archbishop Longley blessed the Chapel and the students.

After the blessing of the Chapel, Archbishop Longley kindly had his photographs taken with some of the students, a few of the students took ‘selfie’s’ and he also signed some of the students’ Mass booklets.

He then had lunch with Principal, Mrs Hughes and guests in the boardroom.

Lay Chaplain, Deb Ferris of St Edmund’s said: “It was a great day, emotional and enjoyed by all the community. We feel very blessed, our Academy is now complete.”

You can read Archbishop Bernard Longley’s Letter of thanks by clicking the link ‘Letter of thanks’ below.

Letter of thanks

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Dementia Awareness for Year 12 & 13 Students

By S Huynh21st January 2016

On Friday morning, Year 12 & 13 students had a visit from Gillian Davies, who is member of the Alzheimer’s Society. She gave a presentation and a talk to our Psychology and Health and Social students to help increase their understanding of how to deal with people who have dementia.

The students learnt about the ‘dementia mind’ and perception, in order to help break down communication barriers with people who may have dementia.

With 3,600 people having dementia in Wolverhampton, it is important for students who may be considering working with the health services in the future to be more aware of their surroundings, emotions and the need for empathy towards a person who has dementia and who may be confused.

Ms Roderick, St Edmund’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator said: “The talk was well received by all and everyone was happy to get involved with the group activities.”

Louise Dwight in Year 13 said: “It was really inspiring to hear and understand about dementia, it was useful to my work and educating. After listening to the presentation, I am not scared anymore to meet someone who has dementia.”

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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 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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