There’s an old Christmas song that says “it’s the most wonderful time of the year”. In many ways this is true, after all, we are getting to celebrate the most amazing gift humanity has ever been given, Jesus Christ. However, for many in our communities and in our world, Christmas can be a very difficult, challenging and sad time of the year due to the difficult circumstances they find themselves in. To help with this, and to truly live out the mission of our school, this Advent, we at St Edmund’s will be working extra hard to support as many local charities as we can, through a variety of fundraising initiatives. 

Wolves Foundation Shoebox Appeal

The shoebox appeal is run by the Wolves Foundation every December, collecting new essential items and toys to be distributed to families in need. Local organisations they support include; The Good Shepherd, the Women & Families Resource Centre, the Haven, Jericho House and Strengthening Families Hubs.

Fr Hudson’s Caritas – Reverse Advent Calendar

If you’ve not heard of them before, a “reverse” Advent Calendar is the opposite of those filled with treats that we see for sale in the shops. Instead of taking something for yourself out of the calendar, the reverse calendar encourages people to put something in. Fr Hudson’s Caritas, the Social Action branch of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, are asking Catholic school students and their families to donate toiletries, which will be distributed to the homeless, as well as refugees and asylum seekers.

Christmas Hampers

We are very proud of the tradition in our school of reaching out to our most vulnerable families. We have done this at the end of each term for many years now, but since the beginning of the “St Ed’s Larder,” we have been able to extend this support through the year. This year we hope to put together as many Christmas Hampers as we can to support our families, for whom Christmas will be a challenging time.

What Can You Do?

Please be as generous as you can with donations and contributions to our charities. The old saying that “every little bit helps” is absolutely true – it really does! Wishing you all a Happy and Holy Advent.

Rev

On Monday, November 11th, Year 7 students attended a special careers assembly led by Mr Boland. The assembly focused on two significant topics: the importance of Remembrance Day and an introduction to careers in the army.

Mr Boland spoke about why we observe Remembrance Day, honoring the sacrifices of the men and women who served in the armed forces. He highlighted how values such as dedication, courage, and service connect to the many roles within a military career.

Students learned about different career paths in the army, including technical, medical, and leadership roles, gaining insights into the skills and opportunities the armed forces offer. The assembly encouraged students to reflect on the significance of Remembrance Day and consider the unique possibilities of a career in service.

This meaningful event left students with a deeper understanding of both the importance of remembrance and the diverse opportunities within the army.

Wolverhampton 360 are offering anyone, with concerns about their
personal or a loved one’s drug and alcohol use, the opportunity to discuss this with a professional and get support for the entire family.

Drop-In Clinics Near You:

Whitmore Reans (WV1 4AL) – 1st Thursday of every month – 1-5 pm
Dove (WV8 1TX) – 2nd Thursday of every month – 1-5 pm
Graisley (WV2 4NE) – 1st Wednesday of every month – 1-5 pm
Bingley (WV3 0JE) – 2nd Wednesday of every month – 1-5 pm

Private and confidential, free of charge, non-judgemental

Meet Tabitha Kirby, our 2023/24 Head Prefect. Since leaving St Edmund’s Sixth Form in July 2024, Tabitha has embarked on her higher education journey in Geology and Physical Geography at the University of Birmingham. Tabitha was kind enough to let us in on a glimpse of a Day in the Life of an ex-Sixth Form Prefect!

Morning guys! Join me for a day as a geology and physical geography student.

To get to Uni I get a lift to the train station and then get a train before walking to my campus and finding my lecture.

And of course, Food is fuel so I treated myself to a croissant and a rhubarb lemonade.

Walking to my first lecture studying Stratigraphical Measurements and Tutorial Meeting.

Lecture Time! We learnt about what Stratigraphy is and the different types of rock recognition.

All done and same journey home! Thank you for spending the day with me!

“Aspire not to have more, but to be more”

The energy, dedication and teamwork of St Edmund’s Year 9 girls basketball team have paid have in an extraordinary fashion. We are thrilled that these talented athletes have achieved the silver medal at the Black Country School Games. Their journey to the podium is a testament to their hard work and unwavering spirit.

The competition kicked off with a 9-0 victory against Shire Oak in Walsall. This game set the tone for the tournament, showcasing the teams offensive and defencive strength and skill.

The next challenge was against Wolverhampton’s other qualifier, S. Peters. During this game both teams displayed exceptional skill and possession. Despite a valiant effort. S. Peters clinched the game with a final result of 6-2.

Refusing to be disheartened, the team bounced back with victories against Phoenix 1 and Phoenix 2 teams. Their cohesive play and relentless drive were evident as they outperformed their opponents. Special mention goes to Ginerva Mensio from Year 7, whose remarkable shooting ability played a pivotal role in these wins.

In the final match against Walsall, the team’s confidence and skill shone brightly. Precision shooting and teamwork led to a decisive victory. With only one loss throughout the tournament, St Edmund’s Year 9 girls secured the runner-up position, earning a well-deserved silver medal.

This silver medal win is a fantastic achievement for St Edmund’s Year 9 girls basketball team. It reflects not only their talent and hard work but also their ability to overcome challenges and work together as a cohesive unit. We are immensely proud of each player and their contribution to this success.

Congratulations to our superstars for their outstanding performance at the Black Country School Games. You have made your school proud, and we look forward to seeing even more great achievements from you in the future.

Photo: Ginerva M, Kayliah H, Karis B, Sade J and one other student