Advent Preparations

6th December 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

Last Thursday, some of our Year 10 and 11 students helped get the student entrance ready for advent.

Adelina and Charlie helped Mr Jackson set up the nativity scene in the student foyer.

The careful set up of the nativity scene reminds us of the careful preparation we must take in the coming days as we approach Christmas.

The Advent season invites us to prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The liturgical color of purple, symbolising penance and expectation, sets the tone for a period of prayer, fasting, and increased devotion.

Advent not only commemorates the historical anticipation of the Messiah’s arrival but also directs us towards the eschatological anticipation of Christ’s second coming. Each Sunday, the lighting of the Advent candles on the wreath – representing hope, peace, joy, and love – heightens the sense of anticipation.

Through Scripture readings, prayers, and acts of kindness, we are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of patience and readiness, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Savior, who brings light and salvation to the world. The Advent season serves as a sacred journey, fostering a deepened connection to the profound mysteries of the Christian faith.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. – Isaiah 9:2

First Week of Advent

6th December 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

This week we lit the first candle on our advent wreath.

The first week of Advent in the Catholic liturgical calendar marks the beginning of the Church’s spiritual journey towards the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

As the faithful light the first candle on the Advent wreath, symbolising hope, we enter a season of anticipation and preparation.

This week is dedicated to reflecting on the virtue of hope, as we eagerly await the coming of the Messiah. The Scripture readings during this time often focus on prophecies foretelling the birth of Christ and the promise of salvation. We engage in prayer, contemplation, and acts of charity, aligning our hearts with the hopeful expectation of Christ’s arrival.

The first week of Advent serves as a poignant reminder to remain vigilant and spiritually awake, embracing the anticipation that defines the Advent season in anticipation of the joyous celebration of Christmas.

“‘The days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. – Jeremiah 33:14

St Nicholas’ Feast Day

6th December 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

St. Nicholas Feast Day honours the life and legacy of Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, sailors, and merchants. A revered figure known for his compassion and generosity, St. Nicholas embodies the spirit of giving, reflecting the Christian values of love and selflessness. On this special day, we commemorate his exemplary life, emphasizing acts of charity, kindness, and goodwill towards others. Families may exchange small gifts or engage in acts of service, echoing the saint’s commitment to helping those in need. St. Nicholas Feast Day serves as a reminder to embrace the joy of giving, fostering a sense of community and love that resonates with the teachings of the Catholic faith.

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and be generous and willing to share. – 1 Timothy 6:18

Well Done Zion!

4th December 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

Congratulations Zion for your 1st place achievement!

Last weekend, NEC Birmingham hosted The Super Weekender – a dance experience with over 15,000 dancers learning, performing and competing.

Zion Ellis-White, a Year 10 student, attended the convention and took part in the intermediate competition, achieving first place with his street dance crew 11:11 from Locoacademy.

He also achieved another 1st place with his winning workshop performance which he achieved with The Royal Family (a dance group from New Zealand).

This is an excellent achievement and we are very proud of Zion’s success.

Keep it up!

Feast Day of Saint Barbara

4th December 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

Saint Barbara, also known as the Great Martyr Barbara, holds a revered place in Christian tradition as a protector against thunderstorms, fire, and sudden death. According to legend, Barbara was a third-century Christian martyr who faced persecution under the Roman Emperor Maximian.

Renowned for her beauty and intellect, Barbara chose to embrace Christianity against her father’s wishes. Imprisoned and tortured for her faith, she remained steadfast and resolute. The most famous account of her story involves a miraculous escape into the mountains, where she hid in a cave. After her betrayal and subsequent capture, Barbara faced further torment and was eventually executed by beheading.

Throughout the centuries, Saint Barbara has been venerated as a symbol of courage, faith, and the triumph of spirituality over worldly challenges. She is often depicted holding a tower, representing her imprisonment, and a palm branch, symbolising her martyrdom.

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed life the eagle’s – Psalm 103:1-5

St Edmund’s Day Mass

4th December 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

Today the academy celebrated the feast day of Saint Edmund (01/12) with two dedicatory masses.

Lead by Father Alex, lower and upper school were called to reflect on their spiritual lives and how they can be closer to God.

It was a poignant time for both staff and students as we celebrate the Patron of our academy.

To be a Catholic is my greatest glory – Saint Edmund Campion

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. –

Congratulations to Top of the Bench Team 2!

30th November 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

Congratulations to Our RSC Top of the Bench Team 2 who have made it through to the Regional Final!

They scored highly in the preliminary round and have been sent to represent St Edmund’s against other schools from across the West Midlands.

The highest scoring team from the Regional Final will be put forward to compete in the RSC National Final later this in the year.

Best of luck to the team! We hope you get all the way!

An Adventure In London

30th November 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

Being the winners of the Sustainability Challenge, our students from St Edmund’s got the opportunity to go to London.

While there, they got to see and speak to MP and Vice Chamberlain of His Majesty’s Household, a senior Government Whip, Stuart Anderson.

The students then got a tour of the Houses of Parliament before heading to the Premier League HQ to understand how the Premier League works, its sustainability goals and a tour of the site.

 

St Edmund’s Larder

29th November 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

St Edmund’s is working towards achieving The LiveSimply Award, an opportunity for school
communities to respond to the Church’s call to live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the world’s poorest. It is an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Jesus who lived and preached a simple life, and to take meaningful action on the ecological crisis we face today.

A discrete area of the academy is now set up as a food bank called St Edmund’s Larder. We are inviting tutor groups, staff, parents and carers to donate items of tinned/dried food, toiletries, household products and non-perishable items. All donations can be taken to the Chapel.

If your family are in need of supplies please ask your child to call into the Chapel and a bag of
provisions will be provided.

Together we can impact our global family, our local community and our school.

St Edmund’s Students Lead National Youth Sunday

29th November 2023Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

The 26th November marked the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe celebrated by the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Our St Edmund’s students led and participated in 11:30 am mass at St Michael’s Church in the Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish as musicians and singers, readers and altar servers and the service was celebrated by our Priest Chaplain and assistant priest at Blessed Carlo, Father Alex Taylor.

Many of our students are already part of the Blessed Carlo Acutis, but seeing them all come together to celebrate mass was an absolute treat.

One of the standouts of the service was the band and choir, comprised of talented singers and guitarists from St Edmund’s Faith Band and our Sixth Form, supported by a handful of individuals from the parish band, Praise and Worship and led by our Chaplain, Deacon Michael McKearney.

At the end, the congregation gave a well-deserved round of applause for our students and the part they played in leading the service.