On World Book Day, St Edmunds celebrated the magic of reading with a fun-filled day of literary-themed activities. The staff and students came together to celebrate their favorite characters and the joy of books.

Our teachers truly embraced the spirit of the day by dressing up as iconic characters. Ms. Alsop wowed everyone by dressing as Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games, ready to take on the Mockingjay’s challenge. Miss Ridley and Miss Stokes were unmissable as they transformed into Where’s Wally characters, bringing a playful twist to the day. And, not to be outdone, Mr. Langford entered the festivities as a mighty dragon, perhaps inspired by the fantasy tales that have captured our imaginations for generations.

World Book Day is always a great reminder of how stories can bring us together, ignite our imaginations, and inspire us to read more. It was a fantastic celebration, and we can’t wait to see how we top it next year!

Congratulations to Our Table Tennis Stars!

A huge round of applause to Captain Daisy O’Connor and her incredible teammates – Bianca Oliobi Omali, Manha Fatima, Tasneem Musbah, and Ifeoma Moneme – for their outstanding performance in the Girls City Table Tennis Competition!

We are so proud of their hard work, dedication, and teamwork that led them to a well-deserved 3rd place finish. Your achievement is a testament to your talent and determination. Keep shining, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll accomplish next!

Well done, champions!

We couldn’t be prouder of our Year 8 boys and their outstanding achievements in this year’s City Teams Table Tennis Competition! St Edmund’s entered two teams, and both went undefeated in their respective leagues—an incredible feat showcasing their dedication, teamwork, and skill.

The excitement peaked in the final showdown, where Team A faced Team B in a thrilling match that ended in a 2-2 draw. With both teams proving their excellence, every St Edmund’s player was crowned a City Champion!

A huge congratulations to our talented champions:
Ralph O’Connor
Adesola Oni
Aditya Mankar
Cayden Ray
Loveraj Singh-Sandhu
Ashish Gill
Enzo Maye
Manveer Singh
Anagh Kapoor
Aaron Haile

Your dedication and sportsmanship have made St Edmund’s proud. Well done, champions!

​Filming for a new drama for Acorn and Channel 5 TV took place in and around the Shropshire town of Bridgnorth. Murder Before Evensong was the first in a series of books by Church of England vicar, Reverend Richard Coles, who also appeared on the most recent edition of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, and was one half of a synth-pop duo, The Communards. 

Among the long list of stars, the case included Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom and starred in Line of Duty; Happy Valley actor Amit Shah; Vigil’s Adam James; Amanda Redman of New Tricks; and Tamzin Outhwaite of The Wives and EastEnders. Another very important cast member is our very own staff member Mrs Downing.

Mrs Downing said, “ I am a member of the St Mary Magdalene Church Choir and was asked to play the role of a local village parish choir member and sing along with other choir members and cast.  I enjoyed the makeup and wardrobe experience and was amazed at how much work goes into filming each scene. I can’t wait to see the drama in the autumn.”

For more information click here: Murder Before Evensong

Adventure Awaits!

On Monday, March 3rd, ten sixth-form students from St Edmund’s Catholic Academy took their first big step toward their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award by heading to Laches Wood Outdoor Education Centre for an action-packed training day!

With their four-day, three-night expedition fast approaching, this was their chance to sharpen their skills and prepare for the ultimate challenge: navigating a pre-planned route on foot while carrying all their own gear—including food, clothing, tents, and stoves. Self-sufficiency is the name of the game!

Learning the Ropes (and Maps!)

The day kicked off with an in-depth navigation session, where students got hands-on with maps and compasses to plot their routes through the stunning Peak and Lake Districts. They also explored essential expedition skills, including:

✅ Equipment selection ️
✅ Choosing the right clothing for unpredictable conditions ️
✅ Emergency procedures
✅ Basic first aid

Putting Skills to the Test

The real fun began when students tackled a stove assembly challenge—but with a twist! They had to put it together blindfolded, racing against the clock. The fastest time? An incredible 1 minute and 3 seconds!

Next, they set up their tents—their home away from home during the expedition—learning how to pitch them quickly and efficiently. The day wrapped up with an orienteering challenge, testing their ability to read maps under pressure.

A Team to Be Proud Of!

Every student showed fantastic teamwork, resilience, and focus, proving they’re more than ready for the challenges ahead. They were a true credit to themselves and St Edmund’s Catholic Academy.

️ What’s Next?

With their training day successfully completed, the countdown is on for their practice expedition in the Peak District at the end of June. Stay tuned for more updates as they take on this incredible adventure!