Confirmandi
On Monday 4th March, five of our students, along with students from SS.Mary’s and John’s Catholic Primary took their Sacrament of Confirmation. The Mass was celebrated by the Rt Rev Bishop David McGough. Bishop David had spent the afternoon with the students talking to them about the strength of Holy Spirit.
The students renewed the promises, which were made on their behalf, by their godparents during baptism; and then Bishop David prayed for the candidates, while stretching his hands over them
Each candidate knelt before the Bishop with his or her sponsor. The sponsor placed their right hand on their shoulder while the Bishop anointed them with the oil of Chrism. During the anoint, the Bishop addressed each by his or her confirmation name saying, ‘Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit’
After the Mass they continued their celebrations in the church hall.
On Thursday 14th March 4 more of our students will be receiving their Confirmation at St Michaels Catholic Church in Penn, along with the students from St Michael’s Catholic Primary at 7 o’clock. The RT Rev Bishop MC Gough will be the celebrant once again.
The students have been working hard with Mrs Ferris after school and during their lunch to complete their spiritual preparation confirmation.
We ask that you keep these students in your prayers that they may be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Last half term, twelve of our Debate Mate students competed in the first round of Debate Mate’s Urban Debate League. Students worked in teams of four to debate topical issues with teams from other schools.
Our students raised many interesting points and one team even got into an inspiring debate about how Stormzy’s ‘Blinded by Your Grace’ is used by our school community as a part of meaningful worship. All three teams performed extremely well and our school won five out of six debates.
We have recently been informed that St. Edmund’s Catholic Academy are currently placed third in the Urban Debate League for the West Midlands. This is an excellent achievement and all credit goes to our Debate Mate students. We wish them every success as they enter the second round of the competition on 11th March.
St Edmund’s Catholic Academy are proud to present this year’s whole school production of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
A dramatic story following Macbeth and his wife as they thirst for more power after being told that Macbeth will become King. Our modern day adaptation keeps to all of the original Shakespearean dialogue but takes place within a busy bustling office with Macbeth fighting to gain promotion.
We have a fantastic cast involving students from Year 7 all the way up to Year 13 and the show is co-directed by Jessica. This is a one night only performance and St Edmund’s first full Shakespeare play, we even have the added extra of performing in the Arena with the brand new lighting system in place.
If you are interested in coming to watch the performance, it will be performed on Wednesday 10th April, doors open at 6:15pm and the show will start at 6:30pm. The performance should finish around 7:45pm. There will be refreshments and cake on offer at the interval and tickets are £4 which can be purchased from the Performing Arts Office
To sum up the excitement of this production I will use a line from Macbeth ……”Something wicked this way comes”.
Congratulations to St Edmund’s U13 Swimming Team on their recent performance at the City Swimming Gala.
The students’ performed really well and gained some impressive heat positions, mainly 1st or 2nd. This put the team in 5th place overall out of 15.
U13 Team
Olivia, Maja, Gaenor, Mia, Scarlet, Hannah, Kiera and Lauren.
Individual placings in heat 3:-
- 4 lengths freestyle – Olivia – 1st
- 2 lengths front crawl – Maja – 1st
- 2 lengths back crawl – Gaenor – 2nd
- 2 lengths breastroke – Mia – 1st
- 2 lengths butterfly – Mia – 2nd
- 1 length front crawl – Scarlet – 1st
- 1 length back crawl – Hannah – 2nd
- 1 length breastroke – Kiera – 1st
- 1 length butterfly – Lauren – 3rd
Freestyle Relay
- Maja, Kiera, Lauren & Olivia – 1st
Medley Relay
- Hannah, Gaenor, Mia, Scarlet – 1st
Fantastic achievements. Well done girls!
Today marked the beginning of a new chapter for Mrs Lowe, the Academy Librarian.
After serving St Edmund’s Catholic Academy for 20 years, Mrs Lowe decided it was time to turn the page in her book and start a new chapter called retirement.
Mrs Lowe spent 20 years working for Sandwell Council Library Services before joining St Edmund’s in June 1999. Her unique specialist role included supporting students’ learning and their development into effective, independent learners and readers.
Mrs Lowe’s determination to give students the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and experience, resulted in the commissioning of poets and authors to deliver workshops in the Academy. This fun and engaging activity inspired reading amongst the students.
Mrs Lowe was presented with cards, gifts and flowers today. However, it was the handmade posters and the presentation by Year 7 students that bought a tear to her eye.
Thank you Mrs Lowe for your commitment and dedication to the St Edmund’s community over the last 20 years. Enjoy and embrace the next chapter.
St Edmund’s Economists had the opportunity to attend an Economics in Action study day at the University of Warwick. Students heard from key guest speakers from the Economic industry.
A range of topical issues were discussed including the impact of the unanchored decision making process we all adopt, how we can achieve economic justice in a world of rapidly changing technology, the impact of Open Banking and the economics of Uber.
Students had the opportunity to discuss and pose question to industry experts including Jack Stringfellow from the Bank of England, Sam Dimitrui from the Adam Smith Institute and Nicholas Chater, an awarding winner researcher from the University of Warwick to name a few.
Three brothers from St Edmund’s recently had the opportunity to share their knowledge about an inspirational First World War hero Walter Tull, one of the country’s first black footballers and the first infantry officer of black heritage in the British Army.
Twins Usman and Mehran, along with their younger brother Suleman, were chosen by Wolves Head of Education to share their life experience of struggle, since moving from Pakistan to Holland in 2010, and rejection they faced with Premier League players Conor Coady and Adama Traore
Usman explained that since moving from Holland to London in 2014, he and his brothers played for a Sunday league team called Alpha Omega. During this time the brothers were spotted by Norwich Football Academy who invited the brothers to train with them.
In February 2018, Usman, Mehran and Suleman were rewarded for their dedication, skill and footballing commitment and signed for the Wolves Academy on full time contracts. A move from London to Birmingham took place in order for their dreams to be given a chance of reality.
The brothers feel blessed and thankful for the wonderful support they have received from the Wolves Academy and St Edmund’s since arriving in Birmingham. They are now considering fundraising so they can give something back to the community to say thank you.
St Edmund’s Catholic Academy took part in Anti Bullying Week from 12-16th November. The week puts a spotlight on bullying and encourages all students, teachers and parents to take action against bullying throughout the year.
The theme this year was ‘Choose Respect’ and throughout the course of the week, all tutor groups took part in activities about respect, being the upstander and body bullying.
On Thursday 15th November, we joined the national campaign Stop – Speak – Support to help put a stop to Cyberbullying. Students made a pledge during the week to be an upstander to bullying, these pledges will be displayed within our academy.
To mark the centenary anniversary of the end of the First World War, students’ at St Edmund’s made over 500 ceramic poppies which are on display in the Peace Garden. These poppies will now go on sale and a total of £219 has already been raised for the The Royal British Legion Charity.
The Sixth Form ran yet another successful charity event last Thursday, this time it was a ‘spooky disco’ for years 7 and 8.
Mrs Hazeldine, Principal, perfected the ‘Floss Dance’ as instructed by the year 7s.
Mrs Hogg (Assistant Head of Sixth Form) recruited a team of Sixth Formers who sold tickets and snacks at the event, which raised just over £200. Proceeds will be used to fund the annual Senior Citizens Party next month. Mrs Hogg said “It was an amazing night full of fun and laughter. A fantastic event creating memories for our students”.
Many thanks to all staff and sixth formers who helped to supervise.
