DEBATEMATE CORE PROGRAMME

15th February 2018Mrs D Curtis

Back in November 2016 a group of year 8 students, involved in the St Edmund’s Debating Society, asked if it would be possible for St Edmund’s to be able to take part in the DebateMate Core Programme 2017/2018.

The aims of the programme are:

  • to improve the speaking and listening attainment of students
  • to enable them to develop soft skills such as leadership, teamwork and confidence
  • to raise students’ aspirations and expectations through sustained contact with successful university students
  • to engage young people with the world beyond the classroom, addressing issues that affect them, their communities and the wider world through an activity they enjoy

Students, Elizabeth Ochran-Dadzie and Naomi Ricci, were tasked with fundraising to support the cost of this event.  They worked closely with Mrs Knowles, PA to Principal, and donations were kindly received from:

Julien Kramer, Director of Education (at the time)

Braitch, Solicitors

Heathcotes Print and Design

St Edmund’s Academy Committee

 

Proceeds from the calendars produced by St Edmund’s in 2016 helped with the funding of this initiative.  The girls were full of enthusiasm to take part in the project, as were the other 30 students who signed up.  Thanks to financial support from St Edmund’s to make up the difference, St Edmund’s were able to sign up in July 2017 to take part in this initiative and are the only academy in the city to take part this year.

The programme commenced in September last year, under supervision of Mrs Evans, teacher of English, which will run for 14 weeks.

Our students are doing really well, winning 3 of the 4 debates at the first round of the Urban Debate League Competition on 29 January which took place at Shireland Collegiate Academy.  They will progress to round 2 on 5 March and there are further rounds to progress through if they get to this stage.

On 19 April our students will have the opportunity to compete in Birmingham to win a cup.  At the end of the programme our students will go on to run an active Debating Society based on what they have learnt.

 

We wish them good luck.

 

 

Great Minds Tour Bus Visit

15th February 2018Mrs D Curtis

St Edmund’s were lucky enough to receive a visit from the Great Minds Tour Bus, provided by Staffordshire University last week.  The Bus has been visiting 70 locations over the past 3 months and offers students a taste of campus life with a range of immersive and interactive activities.

Years 8, 9 and 12 enjoyed the experience.  Karan Mudhar, year 8, said that the virtual reality tour and talk gave a real insight into what university life would be life and she really wanted to go to university now after experiencing this!

Our thanks to Staffordshire University for fitting us into their busy schedule.

Y9/10 St Edmund’s Basketball Team

14th February 2018Mrs D Curtis

The Y9/10 St Edmund’s Basketball Team played extremely well in the recent 3v3 tournament which was held at S. Peter’s.  The team comprised Kurt Aco, Rickarj Dharey, James Edobor, Favour Enoghama, Zac Flosa, Dylam Gumbo and Jamal Morris.  Well done St Edmund’s.

 

Eleanor Smith MP Visits St Edmund’s

14th February 2018Mrs D Curtis

Eleanor Smith MP took time out of her busy schedule on Thursday 8 February to visit us at St Edmund’s.  She met with Mrs Hughes and members of the Leadership Team.   Ms Smith was taken on a tour of the academy and is seen here, with Mrs Hughes, in the Peace Garden.   Topics discussed included the underpinning of Gospel Values, social inclusion, community cohesion and developments in the City.

Lent

13th February 2018Mrs D Ferris

As we get ready to enter the journey of Lent, some of you may be thinking about what to give up or what can I do to help other people. There are many modern ideas, such as put 1 item of clothing you don’t use in a black bag everyday, for 40 days then take them to a Charity shop or but an item of food in box for 40 days and deliver it to a food bank or homeless shelter or try and do one act of random kindness everyday. What ever you choose to do, I hope your Lenten Journey brings you closer to the Lord and I leave you with these words from Pope Francis.Mrs Ferris Lay Chaplain

Do You Want to FAST this Lent? ~ Pope Francis
Fast from hurting words and say kind words.

Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.

Fast from anger and be filled with patience.

Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.

Fast from worries and trust in God. Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.

Fast from pressures and be prayerful.

Fast from bitterness and fill you heart with joy.

Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others

Fast from grudges and be reconciled.

Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.

Sports Hall Hire

8th February 2018Mrs D Curtis

Due to a cancellation we have a one hour session available for use of our Sports Hall on Tuesdays 7pm to 8pm. The cost per session is £32. 

For further details please email enquiries@stedmunds.org or call the Finance Office on 01902 558888

Barbara’s a Winner

6th February 2018Mrs D Curtis

Congratulations to Barbara Poczatek, our year 11 student, for winning the June feature in the Sandwell College Calendar Competition.

Barbara’s design is featured on the desktop calendar that has been distributed far and wide throughout the West Midlands.

Jas Uppal, School Liaison and Events Officer, presented Barbara with copies of the calendar and £50 worth of Amazon vouchers.

Barbara’s winning entry:

Barbara receiving her prize from Jas Uppal, Schools Liaison and Events Officer, Sandwell College.

The Way Youth Zone’s Holiday Club

5th February 2018Mrs D Curtis

The Way Youth Zone’s Holiday Club is back this February Half Term. It will run during 19th – 23rd February packed full of activities each day.

The cost is:
FULL DAY: 8am -6pm – £12 with lunch included
HALF DAY: 8am – 12pm or 1pm – 6pm – £10 with snack.

Spaces fill up quick, so book your place now!

You can book here or call 01902 328290

Alton Castle Retreat

31st January 2018Mrs D Ferris

On Wednesday 24th January 58 students and 5 staff travelled to Alton Castle in Staffordshire for a 3 day retreat.
The theme the students concentrated on was ‘Who am I?’ They found out a lot more themselves while having fun through many activities such as trekking, biking, survival skills, rock climbing and archery. This activities helped the students develop their team work skills, concentration skills and then shown how to help one another through kindness, humility, compassion and understanding. They had great fun in the mud and the puddles, one student said “she had the best time of her life”.
Students and staff also took time out to pray, experience a time of quiet reflection, adoration, and took part in Mass and a thanksgiving liturgy. St Edmunds’ shared this experience with Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School from Birmingham and many made new friends.
Many of the staff who helped us in our ‘Mission Week’ came over from Soli House to see the students and share a meal with us.
The students left knowing a bit more about themselves and encountered the Lord in their daily lives.

West Midlands Gymnastics Floor & Vault Championships 2018

29th January 2018Mrs D Curtis

A huge congratulations goes to this year’s gymnasts who competed in the West Midlands Gymnastics competition on Saturday at Fenton in Stoke-on-Trent. All gymnasts performed on vault and floor and were a credit to St Edmund’s as all went clean with their routines. This placed the team in the silver medal position, and Josh Dodd Matthews in third position in the U19 boy’s individual category. An excellent achievement by all.

U19 mixed team – Christina Clifton, Josh Dodd-Matthews, Lysia Bayley, Corrin Smith and Brientony Jeyjaran.

Josh, Lysia and Corrin went on during the afternoon to compete in the Milano competition. They performed a trio routine that contained sports acro balances as well as skills that showed excellent strength and flexibility. They were also marked on their synchronisation during the routine. Well, again they exceeded expectations and produced an exceptional performance and again finished in second place. This now means that St. Edmund’s Catholic Academy has gained a place in the National Finals later on in the year, a first on our gymnastic calendar which is a tremendous achievement. Well done gymnasts and also Pat Swindells for all the work she has put in with the gymnasts.