Over the May half-term, a group of sixth form students took part in a moving and memorable pilgrimage to Lourdes, France. This spiritual journey gave the students a unique opportunity to not only serve others but also to take time for personal reflection, prayer, and peace.

Lourdes, known for its healing waters and spiritual significance, offered the perfect setting for the students to grow both personally and spiritually. Throughout the trip, they supported and accompanied pilgrims in need, showing compassion and dedication in every moment. The students also attended Mass regularly, deepening their faith and connection with the wider Catholic community.

The pilgrimage was a time of kindness, service, and inner calm—an experience that will no doubt stay with the students for years to come.

Congratulations to all the students involved for their commitment and maturity. A heartfelt thank you goes to Rev McKearney, Mrs Harris, and Mrs Letheren, whose guidance and support made this incredible opportunity possible.

This Tuesday, our Eco Club embarked on a nature-filled adventure with conservation officers from Smestow Valley Nature Reserve — and what an incredible journey it was!

With binoculars in hand and eyes wide open, students explored the lush surroundings of the reserve, focusing on a vibrant pond bursting with life. Conservation officers guided us through the area, sharing fascinating facts about the habitat and its residents.

We were thrilled to discover that the pond is in fantastic health, thriving with an impressive variety of plants and wildlife. Among the many natural treasures spotted were bright yellow irises, soft red campion, and the refreshing scent of water mint. Dragonflies and damselflies zipped gracefully above the water, while clusters of tadpoles swam just below the surface. The biggest excitement of the day? Catching sight of smooth newts — a rare and wonderful find!

This walk wasn’t just a chance to connect with nature; it was a hands-on lesson in local conservation and biodiversity. The students left inspired, muddy-booted, and eager for the next Eco Club adventure.

Check out the stunning photos below to see what we discovered!

On Friday, 9th May, Zion had the exciting opportunity to travel to Coventry with his peers from Loco Academy to attend the highly anticipated Netball Super League clash between the Birmingham Panthers and Cardiff Dragons.

Held at a vibrant arena packed with fans, the event was more than just a thrilling match—it was a chance for young talent to shine. Zion and the Loco Academy team were chosen as the main feature of the half-time performance, delivering an electrifying show that captured the crowd’s attention and showcased their skills on a national stage.

Adding to the excitement, the entire match—including Zion’s performance—was broadcast live by Sky Sports on YouTube, giving friends, family, and fans across the country a chance to tune in and cheer them on.

This unforgettable experience not only gave Zion a moment in the spotlight but also highlighted the incredible work Loco Academy is doing to nurture young talent and provide them with unique, high-profile opportunities.

St Edmund’s Catholic Academy had the pleasure of welcoming Liam, better known as Inside The Baller on TikTok, for an inspiring and impactful visit.

Liam’s day started with filming a TikTok where he reviewed our school meals, showcasing the quality of our food and sharing it with his followers, then having a tour of the academy.

The highlight of the visit was a thought-provoking assembly with Year 12, where Liam shared his journey, from working at McDonald’s and JD Sports to becoming a support worker and eventually building his online presence as a positive voice in the community. He recalled a 2009 Facebook status in which he shared his dream of owning a clothing label, a moment he says was the start of manifesting the career he has today.

Liam is passionate about using his platform to promote Wolverhampton in a positive light, especially through honest reviews and uplifting content that gives back to the local community. He also spoke candidly about his experiences with online abuse and how he’s built resilience through it. Touching on mental health and mindfulness, he shared insights from his recent digital detox in Miami, encouraging students to live in the moment and find balance with screen time.

Some powerful quotes from Liam’s talk include:

“If you see something you don’t like, just go past it. The best thing said is the thing that’s never said.”

“We’re all unique, all have our own paths — the power is in our hands.”

“Put out there what you want
He closed by praising the school and its students, saying:

“Being at St Edmund’s, I can see it is such a positive place. Students are a credit to their teachers. It’s been a pleasure to meet you all.”

We thank Liam for his time and positivity — it was truly an inspiring day at St Edmund’s.

At St Edmund’s, creativity isn’t just encouraged—it’s celebrated. This year, two of our incredible students have showcased just how powerful talent, hard work, and opportunity can be when they come together.

In Year 8, Amelia Clarke has stunned us all by achieving a LAMDA Grade 7 (Silver) Exam This Level 3 award, equivalent to an A-Level, has earned Amelia an extraordinary number of UCAS points, making her one of the youngest at St Edmund’s to reach this level.

“Drama has helped me find my voice,” Amelia reflects. “LAMDA pushed me to dig deeper into how I act and express emotions—it’s been an incredible challenge and so rewarding.”

Meanwhile Panashe Shoniwa, a talented and driven Year 13 student, is preparing to take the next big step in her creative journey. This year, Panashe secured a prestigious BBC apprenticeship, launching her straight into one of the UK’s leading media organisations.

“This is just the beginning,” says Panashe. “St Edmund’s gave me the confidence to aim high and the support to get there.”

Together, Amelia and Panashe embody the creative spirit that runs through St Edmund’s—where the arts are not just extracurricular, but essential. Whether it’s standing under the stage lights or working behind the camera, our students are proving that creative industries are full of possibility, purpose, and power.

Congratulations to Amelia and Panashe! Your stories inspire us all and remind us what’s possible when talent meets opportunity.

Following the sad death of the late Pope Francis, one of our year seven students, Christina Gallen,  offered a beautiful reflection on his life and the service he gave, not just to the Catholic Church, but to the whole world. The reflection is entitled “Listen to My Voice. ” Click on the link below to access this.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h_y1yiiCd8iiawtRUseqdPu05ddNVol1-7GMkz-vDdY/edit?tab=t.0

May Crowning: What It Is and Why We Do It

At its simplest, May Crowning is a ritual celebrated in the month of May where an image or statue of Mary is crowned with a wreath of flowers and honored as the Queen of Heaven and the Mother of God. But this simple ceremony carries deep meaning for the Catholic faith.

May has been Mary’s month since the medieval period, when May was considered the end of winter and the start of a new season of growth. It’s a time for new beginnings and the chance to begin with gratitude and devotion.

There are many reasons she is considered the “Queen of Heaven.” She was a perfect follower of Christ, and so is considered the crown of creation. She is also the Mother of the Son of God, Jesus, who is the King of the universe. And of course, she is the most important woman of our faith, and our spiritual mother.

It’s our hope and prayer that this May, you’ll celebrate May Crowning in your own parish or home, and have a special encounter with Christ through the Virgin Mary.

Last week, two teams from our academy took part in the City 3v3 Basketball Tournament held at Wolverhampton Grammar School. Both teams played with great determination, skill, and sportsmanship, proudly representing the academy throughout the event.

The A team delivered an outstanding performance, winning all but one of their games, and that single loss was by just one point. Their efforts earned them an impressive 3rd place finish overall. A huge congratulations to the A team: Ginevra Mensio, Karis Benaiah, Kayliah Henry and another student in Year 10.

The B team also gave a fantastic account of themselves, competing fiercely and showing great teamwork and spirit. Well done to Sade Johnson, Alba Okeke-Onyeama, Rocio Okeke-Onyeama, and Adaobi Ezike for their commitment and positive attitude on and off the court.

It was a pleasure to see all our players in action, and we’re incredibly proud of how they represented the academy. Well done, everyone!

The Eco Club pupils spent their meeting after school decorating the pavement of the student entrance with some positive messages for Y11 and Y13 as they come into school for their exams.

Good luck to all our Year 11 and Year 13 students sitting exams. We pray for you:

O Great St. Joseph of Cupertino,
who while on earth did obtain from God the grace
to be asked at your examination only the questions you knew,
obtain for me a like favour in the examinations for which I am now preparing.
In return, I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.
Through Christ our Lord.
St. Joseph of Cupertino, pray for us.

Amen.