Margaret and Barry Mizen Spread Forgiveness

29th March 2018Mrs D Curtis

In the middle of Holy Week St Edmund’s Catholic Academy has been blessed with the presence of Margaret and Barry Mizen to share their testimony of how their son Jimmy was killed on the 10 May 2008,  the day after his 16th Birthday, and the journey they have been on since,  which tells of love, hope, peace and forgiveness.

Their story was an emotional journey for students and staff. Margaret and Barry shared their experience of how anger, resentment and hurt, that takes over after death, can cause destruction to so many people if allowed.

Jimmy Mizen went into a bakery in London with his brother when a fight broke out.  The fight was instigated by someone known to the brothers, who they had had disagreements with previously.  Jimmy and his brother did not want to fight. However, a glass dish was thrown at Jimmy during the fight which  smashed and shards of glass severed Jimmy’s carotid artery and jugular vein.  He died in the arms of one of his brothers.

Barry Mizen tells of how they have forgiven Jimmy’s killer because being resentful and angry doesn’t help anyone and doesn’t do anyone any good personally.  They know the killer had difficulties and events in his life that resulted in his anger. They asked why interventions hadn’t been put into place earlier in his life to help him.

Barry and Margaret have set up the Jimmy Foundation, which is now called ‘Just Jimmy’.   They travel around the country, visiting schools/prisons etc. to spread the message of love, of being valued and of forgiveness.  They hope that, by their actions, this will prevent other families becoming involved in similar circumstances.

Jimmy belonged to a normal family. He was one of nine children, who lived in London, was an Alter Server and a kind, generous and happy boy.  He went out one Saturday to buy his first Lottery Ticket and never returned home.

Margaret told us how Mary, Mother of Jesus,  is a great comfort to her and asked us to think of Mary on Good Friday.  Mary watched her son die on the cross and still cared and helped others.

Here is a prayer one of our students wrote after the Mizens visit:

Dear God,

Thank you for blessing us with the opportunity of hearing Jimmy’s story and enlightening us with forgiveness, peace and hope.  I haven’t been touched like this in a long time.  Mr and Mrs Mizen are incredibly strong and it was an honour to listen to their story.

I am very sorry for their loss and their willpower to continue is desirable. Their encounter is so incredible and for them to share their story is heart-warming. Their power to continue and to forgive is something I’d never have and could never do.

Every day I ask you to give them strength and to make sure they keep spreading their story.

Give everyone the strength to make the world a better place.

Thank You

Amen.

Remembering Jimmy Mizen 1992 – 2008

 

Grace Leo  8KJ, Faith Katanga 8HN and Brientony Jeyarajan 8HN pictured with Mr and Mrs Mizen

Surprise party for Site Officer

14th March 2018Mrs D Curtis

John Roberts was taken by surprise on Friday evening!!!  John’s partner, Apple and staff at St Edmund’s Catholic Academy decided to organise a Birthday Party for him, without his knowledge, to celebrate his 60th Birthday, and also to mark the fact that he has given almost 21 years of service to the former school, which converted to academy status four years ago.    Preparations had been underway well in advance, with gifts, music, food and a cake organised for him.  On arrival John was met with the sound of huge party poppers, music and a welcome from some 50 former employees, all anxious to congratulate and make a fuss of him!!!!

John commenced his employment  in June 1997, and became the Caretaker/Site Manager at the former school in 2004.  He worked for many years doing a ‘split shift’, supervising evening events at the school and ensuring that all was safe and secure at all times.    John is in his 21st year of employment with what is now St Edmund’s Catholic Academy – part of Bishop Clearly Multi Academy Company.  Celebrations were to continue with a family party on Saturday.

Principal Maggie Hughes commented ‘ John has given 21 years service to St Edmund’s and it was a great pleasure to assist in the subterfuge to keep his birthday celebration a secret’.

John Roberts (centre) with his partner Apple (left of John) and work colleagues.

 

Success in Wolverhampton School Indoor Athletics Competition

14th February 2018Mrs D Curtis

Year 7 boys (Roy Aneke, Leo Bayley, Ollie Green, Lukas Lopetaitis, Herbie Mandare-Singh, Christian Ohiaer Okorie and Harold Wilcox) represented the academy very well at the Wolverhampton School Indoor Competition on Thursday 8 February.  Held at Aldersley Leisure Village, overall our boys finished 3rd out of 14 boys’ teams that entered the competition.

Notable achievements include:-

Hurdle relay team (Roy, Christian, Harold and Leo) – 2nd in heat

2 lap race – (Lukas and Roy) – 1st in heat

4 lap race – (Ollie) – 1st in heat (Lukas) – 2nd in heat

6 lap paarlauf (Leo and Ollie) – 2nd in heat

1 lap relay team (Herbie, Christian, Roy and Lukas) – 3rd in heat

 

Speed bounce (Ollie) – lst

Standing triple jump (Roy) – 1st (Ollie) – 2nd

 

Well done team.

 

 

Barbara’s a Winner

6th February 2018Mrs D Curtis

Congratulations to Barbara Poczatek, our year 11 student, for winning the June feature in the Sandwell College Calendar Competition.

Barbara’s design is featured on the desktop calendar that has been distributed far and wide throughout the West Midlands.

Jas Uppal, School Liaison and Events Officer, presented Barbara with copies of the calendar and £50 worth of Amazon vouchers.

Barbara’s winning entry:

Barbara receiving her prize from Jas Uppal, Schools Liaison and Events Officer, Sandwell College.

Family Engineering Days for Year 7, 8 & 9 Students

25th January 2018Mrs D Curtis

At The Smallpeice Trust, they believe anything is possible when you know how. That’s why they’re here to give young people everything they need to fuel their passion for engineering, helping to make their big ideas a reality.

The Smallpeice Trust is running a series of Family Engineering Days at five locations across the West Midlands, during Spring half term as part of a Royal Academy of Engineering Ingenious project.

Thinktank, Birmingham 19 February 2018 10:00 – 12:30
13:30 – 16:00
Soho House, Birmingham 20 February 2018 10:00 – 12:30
13:30 – 16:00
Aston Hall, Birmingham 21 February 2018 10:00 – 12:30
13:30 – 16:00
Grand Station, Wolverhampton 22 February 2018 10:00 – 12:30
13:30 – 16:00
Coventry Transport Museum 3 March 2018 10:00 – 12:30
13:30 – 16:00

To allow students from as many schools as possible to participate, The Smallpeice Trust is offering FREE places to Year 7, 8 & 9 students from our school to attend these Family Engineering Days with a parent/guardian.

Family Engineering Days are a free half-day event aimed at students and a parent/guardian to show how studying STEM subjects could potentially enhance their career prospects.

Held at locations around the West Midlands, graduate engineers and apprentices from automotive companies such as Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover will hold a Family Engineering Day for up to 60 Year 9 students and a parent/guardian. Each Family Engineering Day will last approximately two and a half hours and be run during either the morning or afternoon.

With the aim of bringing the STEM experience to families, parents/guardians are invited to take part and help their children with an automotive based challenge that is designed to be fun and educational for all involved. These activities are designed to complement the National Curriculum in science, technology, engineering and maths by demonstrating the link between what’s taught in the classroom with the wider world. They are especially beneficial for students in the process of choosing their CGSE options.

Family Engineering Days are supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering under the Ingenious Award scheme, an awards scheme that supports and funds the most creative and impactful projects that engage the public with engineers and engineering.

Further details for these Family Engineering Days and how to apply can be found at: https://www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk/free-family-engineering-days-book-now/

Collection for the Brothers of the Good Shepherd Appeal

15th December 2017Mrs D Curtis

Mr Selvey, teacher of PE, decided to encourage purchases for the Good Shepherd instead of Christmas presents for his sons this year.

Mr Selvey said, “I encouraged those people who feel obliged to buy a £5 toy, just because it is Christmas, to purchase some things for the homeless. Our boys get enough and we wanted to give something to those who are less fortunate, especially at this time of year”.

Mr Selvey would like to thank all the people who have donated items for the appeal. Mr Katumba, Curriculum Leader RE, and two year students will be delivering the items on Thursday 21st December.

Stars In Our Schools

27th November 2017Mrs D Curtis

On Friday 24 November St Edmund’s took part in the nationwide Unison Stars in Our Schools event to celebrate the wonderful work support staff do every day.

Members of the Senior Leadership Team and Governing Body served tea and cake to support staff to say thank you for all they do in helping St Edmund’s students reach their full potential.

Mrs Hughes, Principal, thanked each and every member for rising to the challenges they face every day and emphasised the vital role they play in education.

Mrs Gallagher, Chair of the Academy Committee, said, “I think the event was very well received and what beautiful cakes!  The timing of the support staff “Stars in Our School” was very timely as we’re going to need everyone’s support to ensure the success of Mission Week.  I’m sure it will be another great week for everyone”.

Special thanks to members of the Catering Team for helping to organise the event and a massive thank you to Sam Hamilton who made the beautiful cakes.

Left to right: Paula Jones (Catering Supervisor), Sam Hamilton (Baker) and Pam Dhaliwal (Head Chef)

 

Left to right: Mrs Raj (Business Director), Mrs Hughes (Principal), Mrs Gallagher (Chair of Academy Committee) and Mrs Shorthouse (Member of Academy Committee)

 

Member of the Support Team enjoying tea and cake.

 

Sam’s delicious cakes

Cleaner Required for Jan 2018

22nd November 2017Mrs D Curtis

We are an 11 – 18 Catholic Academy with 876 pupils on role including 137 in the Sixth Form.  We are seeking to appoint to St Edmund’s Catholic Academy an Academy Cleaner to carry out under reasonable direction the appropriate duties in the case of buildings and the teaching environment, in matters of safety, cleanliness and comfort, conducive to the working needs of pupils, staff and other site users.

 

CLEANER – VACANCY Required for Jan 2018

Vacancy Ref. ES003

Rate of Pay £7.78 per hour

15 hours per week – 3.45 – 6.45pm Monday to Friday

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

For more information or for an application pack, please contact Reception, at the company registered office: (c/o: St Edmund’s Catholic Academy; Compton Park, Compton Road West, Wolverhampton, WV3 9DU or call 01902 558888).  Application packs can be accessed via our Academy website:  www.stedmunds.org

 Completed applications can be returned by post to the registered office or via email to  recruitment@stedmunds.org

 St Edmunds is part of the Bishop Cleary Catholic Multi Academy Company. You can find out more about the Bishop Cleary Catholic Multi Academy Company at:  bccmac.co.uk

 Closing Date:  Tuesday 5th December 2017, 12.00 Noon.

Interview Date: Thursday 14th December 2017

 

Children In Need

21st November 2017Mrs D Ferris


On Friday 7th November St Edmunds, along with many of the Nation, ‘did their bit’ for Children In Need. Apart from a mufti day, when students and staff donated a pound, members of the 6th form dressed up as Pudsey and went around the classroom collecting any loose change.
So far we have raised £849.67 but Parent Pal is still open for anyone who would still like to contribute.
Thank you to everyone for all your efforts to help those who need an extra helping hand. God Bless you all.

Operation Christmas Child-Shoebox Appeal

21st November 2017Mrs D Ferris


For the last 4 weeks the students and staff of St Edmund’s Catholic Academy have been collecting items to fill shoeboxes, such as toys, stationary, toiletries etc. The boxes are then checked, and sent with £5 to cover the shipping cost, to a depo where they are checked, then dispatched to different parts of the world.
These Christmas boxes will be the only gifts some of these children will receive this Christmas and they make such a difference to their lives. If you would like to find out more about this campaign please check https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
Maybe you could help us next year with your donations. Also on this page you can watch some of the children receiving their goods and the smile on their faces says it all.
This year we collected 25 boxes but also sent 3 bags of extra gifts because we ran out of shoeboxes. We would like to give a big thank you to the 6 form Chaplaincy team for all their hard work towards this successful campaign. They gave a presentation in assemblies, collected goods from the classroom and packed and checked the shoeboxes. A wonderful example to us all of generosity and service.