Pope Francis to the youth of today: ‘You matter and you are important’
In the last week of term, the Kenelm trust, Soli House team and visitors from America and Canada came to St Edmund’s to speak to students involved in Pope Francis’ Synod on youth. Last year our students had discussed what challenges and issues they face in today’s modern world as a child of faith. On this visit the team shared the Pope’s response to their questions and concerns in a new document ‘Christus Vivit’
The Pope highlighted the challenges that young people face offering this as a “letter from the father to his kids’. Pope Francis reminds us: ‘you matter and you are important, and the church think you are important’.
The students received feedback on the Pope’s message and the session finished with prayers and music.
On Thursday 14 March St Edmund’s Catholic Academy held the first ever Year 8 Careers Day. The Kristian Thomas Sports Arena was host to more than 25 professionals who kindly agreed to hold a stall, displaying tools for their profession, and engage in conversation with students sharing their career experiences.
Students had the opportunity to ask the stall holders many questions and seek advice on subjects they may need to choose for their options in year 9. Students then recorded the information in their books to note their aspirations for their future.
Special thanks to everyone who gave their time so generously to make the event a huge success.
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”.
Two of our students attended a girls weekend retreat at Soli House. Here is Molly Kerins testimony of her time there.
Soli house weekend
During the 15th and the 17th of February Siwi and I went on a girls retreat to Soli House. The weekend was focused on our treasure, what is it, how we find it and how we use it. During the weekend we took part in multiple outdoor activities such as a scavenger hunt around Alton Castle, escape room and crate stacking. Additionally, we also had discussions about what we treasure in life and went to a mass on the Saturday evening where we all took part either through reading, singing or dancing. Over the whole weekend girls from all over the country were able to come together and discuss our faith and how we can use our talents to better our lives and the lives of others. I think that the weekend was an amazing experience and I look forward to going on another retreat soon.
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.
For 3 days, 35 students from year 7 and 8 experienced the delights of Alton Castle Catholic Retreat Centre in Alton Staffordshire. The theme for the retreat was ’Who am I?’ The students were to consider how they view themselves, how friends view them, family and God.
‘He counts the Stars and Calls them all by name’ Psalm 147:7
They then faced a range of challenges, such as survival skills, archery, trekking and a climbing wall. They also looked at the three things we need to survive, water, food and shelter. This helped them look at what they are capable of and how to work as a team.
They had opportunities to pray and attend Mass Celebrated with Fr Thé Quang Nguyen in St John the Baptist Church, on the grounds of the Castle.
The weather was frosty, many layers were needed but fun was had by all.
In case no-one told you today, you are God’s work of Art,
Wonderfully made, knit together by the almighty,
Anticipated since the beginning of time,
You are called to a unique and specific purpose.
You are not rubbish, and you never were,
Because God does not make rubbish
It is time to be fearfully and wonderfully you!
You are….FANTASTIC!
Samaritans- Operation Christmas Child
At the start of November each tutor group was asked to fill a shoebox for the Samaritans Charity-Operation Christmas Child, and again students and staff came up trumps.
Over 40 shoeboxes have been delivered. The boxes were filled with items such as hats, scarves, tooth brushes, toiletries, writing pads, pens, toys and a Christmas card. Each box also had to be sent with £5. A huge thank you goes to everyone who donated in any way, with special thanks to the 6 form Chaplaincy and Charity teams for all their hard work in collecting and putting the boxes together.
You have all made a difference to a child’s life this Christmas, thank you for your kindness and generosity, God Bless.
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