Students and staff, on the trip to Spain, arrived safely and are looking forward to an exciting week of fun and learning.
Lauren took time out from her busy schedule working as an Events and Comminitions Coordination at UK Screen Alliance in Soho London, to speak with year 12.
Lauren talked about soft skills, extra curricular activities that demonstrated leadership, communication and team working skills. The importance of employability skills and implications of social media in todayâs society were also shared.
Lauren went onto explain that 1/3 of future jobs may not have been created and how trade skills are invaluable in the creative industries. She explained how to select university courses, rankings and Russell group universities.
Nine key stage 3 students entered the regional finals of the F1 In Schools Challenge. Prior to the event students split themselves into 2 teams and have been working after school to produce all necessary components to enter the competition. The teams have been building a small model formula 1 car that they had to race against various teams across the midlands. The teams have had to consider size and weight constraints of the car, aerodynamics, manufacturing methods and team identity. Students started with sketches that developed into a plasticine model to get an idea of how their designs would look as 3d shapes. From here, they refined and developed their idea into a foam model. Once finalised students then made their car using traditional hand tools. Students added to the aerodynamics of their vehicles by adding 3d printed wings to their vehicles. Once created students then branded their car with their teamâs logos and colour schemes.
In addition to the car students were asked to provide a 5 page portfolio of their design journey as well as create a âpit displayâ to promote their team and show of their team identity to the panel of judges.
The final part of the requirements of the competition was to prepare a 5 minute presentation to a panel of judges. The permeation had explain what they set out to achieve and how they got to the regional finals.
On Wednesday 15th January, both teams headed to the regional finals AT Make UK in Birmingham. Both teams were a mixture of nervous and excitement.
During the day students had to set up their pit display to show off their designs and team identity. Next came a discussion with the judges regarding the design journey their team had been on from initial concept sketches to the final vehicle.
The next part was the race. The cars were placed on a starting block and propelled down a 30 meter straight using co2 cartridges. Â Our cars were the 4th and 9th fastest cars in our category.
The final part of the day was a verbal presentation to a panel of engineers. The presentation was to help the judges understand what they set out to achieve with this task.
At the end of the day came the awards ceremony, unfortunately neither team placed in the top 3 overall, however the wealth of knowledge and experience they achieved form their visit far outweighs any trophy and both teams will return to the competition next year stronger and faster than this year Already both teams are putting into plans their entries for next yearâs competition. Bring on 2012 regional finals.
A special thank you to Mr Sohker, Mr White and Mrs Sehera for all of their support with the group and the trip.
Our annual St Edmund’s Got Talent is on Wed 12th Feb 3:15pm start. Limited tickets are available from the Performing Arts Office or on the door at ÂŁ3.
It is looking to be a fun filled afternoon again with a mixed range of talent from singers, orchestra, rock bands, comedians and much more!
For more information please contact Mr Bard 01902 558888.
Year 11 students visited Birmingham Symphony Hall to enjoy the GCSE Poetry Live event on Monday 20th January.
This informative and enjoyable event was well received by a packed Symphony Hall, who were treated to both chief examiner sessions along with a range of live performances from the cream of modern British poets who feature on the GCSE syllabus.
As ever the highlight being John Agard’s much-anticipated electrifying performance that drew together, science, mathematics, history and identity.
“Who knew there could be a poem about equilateral triangles wanting to be a snowflake”, said Rajbir, a member of our group.
The Year 11 work experience window has now sadly come to a close. This week Year 11 has been fortunate enough to have experienced working life either through a work placement outside of school or with staff members within school. Â
Why do we do work experience?
Under the statutory guidance for schools, the government requires schools to offer unbiased careers advice and guidance, meaning schools must allow students to explore different avenues whether it be college, sixth form or apprenticeship. Our school will always support students and encourage them to use skills to reach out to places because they âwant young people to be informed and to make good choices for their future career paths.”
What is the purpose of work experience?
Work experience helpâs students gain an insight into the world of work and develop as young people. Most students who have been out of school have either realised that they want a career in that profession or want to do something completely different – which is the point of work experience. It allows teenagers to step out into the adult world and sort out their own life, they are given the chance to be independent by having to worry about timings, transportation, food etc. Mrs Gibbons, Assistant Principal, hopes that the students feel inspired, and that parents recognise the benefits of this week and possibly feel inspired to pursue their interest too because âthereâs never an age when you should stop learningâ.
When Mrs Gibbons was in Year 11 she did work experience in a primary school, where she realised she loved the environment of a school. However later on she realised that she didnât want to work with young children because she couldnât apply her law degree, so she decided that secondary school was the way to go. She found it interesting going back to her old primary school, because for her it was âinteresting to see teachers in a new light and to see how hard they workâ. At the age of 17, she did two weeks work experience, one week in a solicitorsâ office where she got to go to a magistrate court and do solicitor duties in the office. The other week was spent at the custody office at a prison where she got to read interesting files, however, she couldnât meet young offenders due to confidentiality but she did get to calculate sentences for the new arrivals. There were a few memorable moments including when the prison went on lockdown, and visitors were being restrained, one that she remembers vividly was when her food was served by adult long term offenders (who were serving time for murders and other crimes). She learnt about how prisons allow prisoners to show responsibility and self-reform by working so that if they do get released they have experience that could allow them to ease back into society.
Work experience was arranged by Miss Dell and Mrs Gibbons, who aided and supported students in finding a work placement, and worked tirelessly to create a collapsed timetable that enabled students who hadnât found a placement to: hear about a broad range of careers; learn/develop skills that would benefit them in the working environment; participate in business related challenges; find a focus for their summer exams. Students found this week âhelpfulâ as it gave them âbetter understanding of future career pathsâ. They also appreciated a change of focus after doing mocks because it provided them with âa sense of accomplishmentâ and gave them âmotivation for GCSEâ because they now know what is needed for their careers paths.Â
Itâs fair to say that it was an enjoyably memorable experience that has helped shaped the lives of many students, especially having spoken to guest speakers which included: a hairdresser, a paralegal, a nurse, a police officer, a strengthening families worker, a West Midlands fire service firefighter, a pilot, and teachers (who were Mrs Gibbons and Mrs Hazeldine – interesting enough they both had very different journeys and showed how there are so many paths to becoming a teacher, every teacherâs journey is different. I challenge you to ask different teachers how they got into teaching and what their journey was like – their answers might just surprise you). All the talks were amazing and helped cement career decisions for some students and others gained more of an idea about what they want to do with their lives. Students found it inspirational to see people from the same communities as them go on to lead fulfilling lives. The speakers demonstrated that no matter your background as long as you have a passion you will succeed. Every speaker expressed how there are many different routes you can take to get to where you want to in life!
By Janis Liora Tchiesso Nantchouang
Year 11- Work Experience
âMagicalâ,âMovingâ,âMerryâ thatâs how this yearâs annual Candlelight Carol Service- orchestrated by Mr Barbarczi (Head of St Christopherâs School) and Mr Bard (Curriculum Leader of Performing Arts at St Edmundâs Academy)- could be summed up. The âtwinkly lightsâ service was attended by numerous people, and Monsignor Mark Crisp kicked off the event with welcomes and opening prayers. A new and upcoming organist captivated the audienceâs hearts with her uplifting songs and carols. The night was filled with singing by choirs from St Bernadetteâs School, St Christopherâs School, St Edmundâs Academy, SS Peter & Paulâs Academy and St Teresaâs Academy – and beautifully delivered readings by pupils from each school and even our very own Melanie Puthussery, Year 7, and Deputy Head boy, Gurveer Dhiman. Our Lay Chaplain, Mrs Ferris, also took part in the atmospheric service and eloquently read âThe Birth of Jesusâ. The service came to a close with Monsignor Mark Crisp saying the closing prayers and ending with a warmth-providing blessing. Christmas is all about giving back and this yearâs service raised ÂŁ185Â for the Save the Children charity. On the whole, the event can be described as being the best way to get people feeling Christmassy.
By Janis Liora Tchiesso Nantchouang
Year 11- Work Experience
Wiktor Wamberski and Leoni Francis took part in the regional heats of the Future Chef Competition this week. In preparation for the competition Leoni and Wiktor had to design a 2 course meal that cost no more than £7 in ingredients. In addition they had to create a time plan to help them prepare for the meal.
On Thursday 5th December the regional heats took place at St Edmund’s Catholic Academy. The day was judged by 2 professional chefs who were looking at taste, texture, appearance, ingredient choice, skills and the organisation of all contestants.
On the day Leoni and Wiktor were joined in the regional final by two other schools; Ellowes Hall from Dudley and St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School in Birmingham. In total there were 5 students taking part in this regional heat here at St Edmund’s. Students were then given 90 minutes to cook their planned dishes. Â
During the time Wiktor and Leoni showed excellent levels of organisation and determination. Several problems arose during the time but both students showed calmness under pressure and worked through these issues. Both Wiktor and Leoni put a lot of thought and care into their dishes and gained inspiration from family recipes. They demonstrated a high level of skill, Leoni making Jamaican Jerk chicken wings with rice and salad and for dessert she baked marble cupcakes. Wiktor created a chicken curry with rice and to follow baked a batch of cookies.Â
Both students worked extremely hard and put in a huge amount of effort and really did themselves, the Design and Technology Department and St Edmund’s Catholic Academy proud. Despite this massive effort they did not make it into the next round of the competition but received really high praise from the judges. Both students received a certificate and cookbook for their participation in the competition.
Year 12 went to the University of Wolverhampton this week. The whole year group had a tour of the state of the art library and learnt how to access the facilities that are available to them.
The group then had a talk on study skills which included critical thinking skills. One of the librarians, Joe Carey, gave a talk on learning and development and accessing academic resources. This information helped to equip the students with the knowledge on how to revise and take notes at A level.
Omarn said, “The day was thoroughly enjoyable and useful and I will definitely relate the skills to my sixth form studiesâ.
Tamar Harris said, â The session was informative because it made me consider how to improve my thinking in terms of research and readingâ.
Stars of St Edmundâs Presentation and Drinks Reception, 1.45pm Thursday 19th December, is going to be a unique and exciting opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our highest-performing students, in particular, those students who have distinguished themselves in their public examinations, both at GCSE and at A-level.
At St Edmundâs we recognise that awards should also be presented for outstanding academic performance and contribution, progress and achievement, creativity, exceptional endeavor, perseverance and contribution to Catholic Life; all of which go hand in hand with academic success.
This yearâs Guest of Honour will be Birmingham based Author, Entrepreneur and Life coach Errol Lawson who was named as one of the West Midlands most influential people in the Birmingham Post âPower 250â. A drinks reception will be held after the presentations and former students will have the chance to join the Future First Alumni Network (for free). This will be an opportunity to become part of a thriving engaging community with access to relatable role models and connections.
