Rome

20th October 2017Mrs D Ferris

On Tuesday 10th October 2017, 44 students and five staff, including Fr Mark our school Chaplain, started their pilgrimage to Rome and the Vatican.

Our days were action packed from day 1. We were blessed with Fr Mark’s presence, as he could lead us round the beautiful city and had a wealth of knowledge because he had trained for 5 years at the English College in Rome. He and Mr Katumba could speak Italian, which proved very useful.

We visited world famous sites such as the amazing Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, the Catacombs, the Piazza Navona, the Spanish steps and the stunning Trevi Fountain. We visited many churches such as Santa Maria Maggiore, St John Lateran and the chapel of the Venerable English College.  This gave us time for reflection and prayer.

On Wednesday we got up very early, and, along with many people from all over the world, travelled to Vatican City as we were privileged to receive tickets to see Pope Francis at his audience in St Peter’s Square. The crowd was immense but we could get close enough to see the Pope in his ‘Pope Mobile’.  Just being in his presence gave some of us goose bumps. The master of ceremonies welcomed St Edmund’s Catholic Academy and as we waved our flags and cheered. You could not help but feel a sense of pride that we had created history and been in the presence of someone very special.

We then went on to visit the Vatican Museum, which show the vast history and wonders of the Catholic Church, the students were in awe of the paintings by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel.

We were blessed with beautiful weather and our days were full and long but we came back feeling blessed that we had the opportunity to experience such an amazing city.

 

 

 

Would You Like to Be Involved?

20th October 2017Mrs D Curtis

Do you want to make a difference?

                      WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME INVOLVED?

Have a say in:-

                            Reviewing our Mission

                              The Curriculum Plan

         Ensuring a healthy environment for our students

                   Maximising the potential of the site

                                       Admissions

                  Helping to move St Edmund’s forward

                           AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!

 

Become a Foundation Representation on our Academy Committee here at St Edmund’s and join like-minded people who WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE and move forward!

WE CURRENTLY HAVE POSITIONS AVAILABLE

You will need to be a practising Catholic and should approach your

Parish Priest in the first instance.

 

Please contact Mrs Gallagher mgallagher@stedmunds.org or Mrs Knowles jknowles@stedmunds.org 01902 558888 Extension 120 in the first instance

Application forms are available from c.kirby@bdes.org.uk

 

YOU’LL BE GLAD YOU DID!

Parent Representative Appointment

19th October 2017Mrs D Curtis

After inviting expressions of interest for the post of Parent Representative at St Edmund’s over the last few months, we are very pleased to announce that this has culminated in the appointment of Mr Gethyn Ellis to the Academy Committee.  We are pleased to welcome him on board.

The Dangers of Fireworks

17th October 2017Mrs D Curtis

 

There have been a number of reports of young people throwing Fireworks over the weekend. The lights, colours and sound of a firework come from chemicals inside a small shell made of explosives.  If fireworks are not handled carefully they can  cause serious injuries and even death.

Please remind young people that fireworks are dangerous explosives that have the potential to kill when misused.

 

WMFS Fireworks Leaflet

Illegal Fireworks Poster

 

 

 

Soli Residential Retreat Centre

16th October 2017Mrs D Ferris


Last week 16 students from year 9 and 10, travelled to Soli House Retreat Centre in Staffordshire for 3 days. The theme of the retreat was ‘Legends’. Their first challenge was to ‘walk in faith’ a trek, which helped them to meet the Soli Team, including Fr Tye, to get to know one another.
They had a great day making their own prayers and 2 teams made their own St Edmund’s prayer for the school’s Mission week at the end of November. They had times of reflection, adoration and Mass celebrated by Fr Tye. Before and after each meal they sang grace.
Other activities included archery and the mystery room. I think this was the highlight for many of the students. It was similar to ‘Crystal Maze’. They had three rooms to find their way out off, working together, working out clues, collecting keys and deciphering codes which unlocked many padlocks.
We also looked at ‘Hostages’, each group was given a person who was being held hostage. Then presented the reasons why they should be released first. In the end all the hostages were real Saints.  It taught us not to judge each other by how we look and that everyone may have a past that we do not want other people to know or a reason for why we act or do things. We are all born to be Saints and can be forgiven for things we may do wrong.
Here is the pictures of the morning offering the students made and the 2 of the Mission Prayer.

Date Change – Y10 Parents’ Evening

6th October 2017Mrs D Curtis

The date of the Y10 Parents’ Evening has changed from 30 November to Thursday 7th December 4.00 – 6.30pm.

Parent Evening offers you the opportunity to discuss the progress of your son/daughter at this very important stage in their school career.  It is important to discuss progress and to ensure that your son/daughter is on track to achieve at least their Nationally Expected Grades in all subjects.

See you on the 7th December.

Invitation to Open Evening – Thursday 12 October

6th October 2017Mrs D Curtis

Please accept our invitation to attend Open Evening 6.00 – 8.00 pm on Thursday 12 October. This will be an opportunity to see all of the wonderful and creative work on display, meet teachers and support staff and most importantly to talk to our most effective ambassadors, our students,  to hear their views on what it’s like to study and be a part of the St Edmund’s community.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

If you can’t make the Open Evening why not come and take a tour of the Academy at 9.00 am on Wednesday 11 October.

 

 

Macmillan Cake Sale

2nd October 2017Mrs D Ferris

The 6 form Chaplaincy Group help a great cake sale today in aid of Macmillan Coffee Morning. Students and staff brought in cakes and biscuit galore, many were home made by parents, pupils and staff. We had so many donations that the sale had to be held over both lunch times and break time.

We also had a huge chocolate cake, and for 50p you could guess the weight of the cake. The winner was Mrs Devi from the Technology Department, who guessed 3pound 5 ounces and the weight was 3 pound 10.

The six formers and staff worked very hard and successfully raise £143.67 well done to everyone who contributed in anyway. I am sure the money will contribute to the hard work the Macmillan Charity do in caring for people with cancer. Bless you.

Lightfever

29th September 2017Mrs D Ferris

Today we had our first Lightfever of this academic year. The students of St Edmund’s love Lightfever, they welcome the opportunity to come into the Chapel during lunchtime or tutor time to light a candle and say a quiet prayer quietly for their friends, family or themselves. All our welcome, sometimes members of staff come in to join us too.
We ask that each students that comes, bring a friend, sometimes students go back into the dinner hall and invite their friends into the Chapel.
After they have lit their candle, said a prayer and had some quiet reflection time, they often want to light another candle. We have music playing in the background from many artist including music by CJM and Matt Redman.
Lightfever is on the last Thursday of every month and is based on the ‘Pillar nights’ that take part in the Diocese. Invited people into your place of worship.