The Award Ceremony of Wolverhampton Young Citizen of the Year 2017 took place last night in the Mayor’s Parlour at the Civic Centre.  It was hosted by the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Phil Page.

Earlier in the year Mrs Knowles, after discussion with Heads of Year, nominated Alisha Swali 13HM and Carina Bougan 10RH for this prestigious award as a result of their valued contribution to the academy and the local community.  Alisha and Carina were notified that they had both been selected as one of the eight finalists and attended at the Civic Centre last week to participate in interviews.

Invitations were sent to Alisha and Carina, together with their parents, and nominator, who all attend the event last night.   Alisha and Carina were presented with their certificates.  Other guests included representatives from Rotary, the City Council, Express & Star, The Way, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Waitrose, who sponsored the event.

Well done girls – we are really proud of you – a remarkable achievement.

Friday 31 August will see the retirement of a very special lady who has devoted more than 38 years of her life to the teaching profession.  After obtaining her degree at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne Mrs Hughes taught Mathematics in several schools in the Walsall area, moving from one to the next on promotion.  In 1989 she was appointed Head of KS4 at Thomas More Catholic School, taking on the role of Head of Mathematics and Head of House at Stuart Bathurst Catholic High School in 1992 and in 2001 she became Assistant Head Teacher there.  She moved to St Edmund’s Catholic School in September 2007 as Deputy Head.

1 July 2013 saw the conversion of St Edmund’s to an academy, changing its name to St Edmund’s Catholic Academy – part of Bishop Cleary Multi Academy Company (BCCMAC), incorporating SS Mary and John’s Catholic Academy, St Michael’s Catholic Academy, SS Peter and Paul’s Catholic Academy and St Teresa’s Catholic Academy.

September 2013 was a watershed in St Edmund’s history: a move to a bright, part new, part remodelled premises as a result of a unique collaboration between some of the main partners on Compton Park; St Edmund’s Catholic School, the University of Wolverhampton, the Archdiocese of Birmingham and Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, together with Redrow Homes and Wolverhampton Building Schools for the Future team from the Local Authority.

Following the retirement of former Principal,  Deirdre Finucane, in August 2014, Mrs Hughes was appointed by the Directors as Principal.  She has taken the academy from strength to strength, achieving ‘Good’ from the Ofsted Inspection in March 2016 and Good during a recent Section 48 RE Inspection in February.

The academy is now over-subscribed with approximately 630 children applying for the 200 places available in year 7 in September 2018 and has a thriving Sixth Form.

Directors, Representatives, stakeholders, staff, students and friends have a series of events planned in the near future to mark their appreciation of a long career in Education, but most especially for the time spent serving the students and staff of St Edmund’s Catholic Academy.

The BCCMAC motto of ‘Learning and Growing Together in Christ’ has certainly been achieved by Mrs Hughes on her journey.  We wish her well as she hopefully meets a relaxing new chapter in her life – but somehow we don’t think so!!! Thank you for your wonderful contribution.

Megan Hughes in Year 7 won a gold medal in a local Kayaking Competition last week.

Well done Megan.

On Friday 22nd June, Mrs Hughes attended the annual Diocesan School Leaders’ Conference at the ICC in Birmingham. The theme for this year’s conference was, “You will be my witnesses.” with keynote speakers  Canon Luiz Ruscillo and Michelle Moran leading prayer and reflection on what it means to be Christ’s witness in Catholic education.

The day was particularly special for our Principal, Mrs Hughes as she was greatly honoured to receive the Ubi Caritas Award from His Grace the Archbishop Bernard Longley. This is an award made by the Archbishop each year to head teachers who are retiring from Catholic schools in recognition of their role in leading all that is exceptional in Catholic education.

Director of the Bishop Cleary Multi Academy Company Dr. Chris Walker, Mrs Hazeldine and Mrs Hughes’ sisters were all present to help her celebrate!  

Congratulations Mrs Hughes.

St Peters and St Pauls Mass
The Solemnity of St Peters and St Paul is this Friday 29th June, which is a Holy Day of Obligation. The whole school, students and staff, we will be walking to St Michael’s Catholic Church on Coalway Road, Penn to celebrate Mass with our Chaplain Monsignor Mark Crisp as the celebrant. This will be a true show of our faith, as a school and a joyous celebration.
St Peter and St Paul were two great Christian Martyrs, Christians who were prepared to stand by their faith in spite of persecution, or threats of death. Through them, the church first received our faith.
St Paul
He was firstly a Jewish leader who saw Christianity as a direct threat to the Jewish way of life. He persecuted Jesus’ followers in a bid to wipe them out. He famously converted to Christianity on the road to Damascus, having had an apparition from the risen Lord.
He then set about preaching the Good News of Christ. He suffered tremendously for his newfound faith, he had several stints in prison and suffered a gruesome martyrdom in Rome AD 62
St Peter
Was a humble fisherman who didn’t always agree with Jesus and occasionally rebuked him. He recognised the true nature of Jesus “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” but he also denied Jesus when his life was threatened. He saw the error of his ways, repented, wept for his sins and was forgiven by Jesus.
He was elected as the leader of the Jesus’ followers… “You are the rock on this rock I will build my Church.”
He became a fervent preacher and leader in the early Church. He went to Rome to preach the Good News. His faith, along with that of thousands of followers was challenged but he did not give up.
He was crucified for his faith in 64AD.

Deanery Summer Sports and BBQ Sunday 24th June at 3-5pm at St Edmund’s Catholic Academy, WV3 9DU

5-a-side football, Rounders, BBQ, shin pads, consent form, £1 per child, £2 per adult; more info:

vicki.chatten@kenelmyouthtrust.org.uk

England Football will be screened from 12.45pm.

On Tuesday 5^th June many primary schools in the diocese, along with schools from the Bishop Cleary MAC, including St Edmund’s Catholic Academy, gathered together at St Michael’s Catholic Church in Penn to celebrate ‘The Good Shepherd’ Mass.

The choir and a group of musicians from St. Edmund’s Catholic Academy provided the music and were led by Mr Bard. Students from the different schools in attendance read the scripture and bidding prayers, including two students from St Edmund’s.  Four of our Altar Servers did us proud and were a credit to themselves and our school.

Students brought gifts during the offertory and offered donations they had helped to raise money for, for the Father Hudson Society. Some of the ‘Hope Community’ also joined us to celebrate Mass. The Hope Community Project is based in Wolverhampton and is one of the many causes that the Father Hudson Society supports.

Unfortunately, Bishop David couldn’t be with us but Monsignor Mark Crisp did a fabulous job of stepping in.  He led us all in a prayer about being a ‘Good Shepherd’ to one another, one very important way that we can Love and Serve the Lord.

Take part in Beacon Centre’s Blindfold Walk
challenge and experience some of the situations blind
and partially sighted people overcome every day.

What’s involved?
You will walk a mile along a designated route and walk in pairs, one sighted and one blindfolded and swap over at the halfway point. There may be additional challenges
en route. There is an entry fee and we also ask you to raise as much sponsorship as
possible to support our work helping to make a visible difference for people living with sight loss.

When will the walk take place?
Saturday 7th July 2018

Registration will be open at 10.00 am.

Where?
The Beacon Centre,
Wolverhampton Road East, WV4 6AZ

How much?
£10 for adults & £5 for 12 – 16 year olds

For more information or to book a place, visit our website
www.beaconvision.org or call 01902 880 111

Registered Charity number: 216092 (under 16’s will need to be accompanied by an adult)