After inviting expressions of interest for the post of Parent Representative at St Edmund’s over the last few months, we are very pleased to announce that this has culminated in the appointment of Mr Gethyn Ellis to the Academy Committee.  We are pleased to welcome him on board.

There have been a number of reports of young people throwing Fireworks over the weekend. The lights, colours and sound of a firework come from chemicals inside a small shell made of explosives.  If fireworks are not handled carefully they can  cause serious injuries and even death.

Please remind young people that fireworks are dangerous explosives that have the potential to kill when misused.

Last week 16 students from year 9 and 10, travelled to Soli House Retreat Centre in Staffordshire for 3 days. The theme of the retreat was ‘Legends’. Their first challenge was to ‘walk in faith’ a trek, which helped them to meet the Soli Team, including Fr Tye, to get to know one another.
They had a great day making their own prayers and 2 teams made their own St Edmund’s prayer for the school’s Mission week at the end of November. They had times of reflection, adoration and Mass celebrated by Fr Tye. Before and after each meal they sang grace.
Other activities included archery and the mystery room. I think this was the highlight for many of the students. It was similar to ‘Crystal Maze’. They had three rooms to find their way out off, working together, working out clues, collecting keys and deciphering codes which unlocked many padlocks.
We also looked at ‘Hostages’, each group was given a person who was being held hostage. Then presented the reasons why they should be released first. In the end all the hostages were real Saints.  It taught us not to judge each other by how we look and that everyone may have a past that we do not want other people to know or a reason for why we act or do things. We are all born to be Saints and can be forgiven for things we may do wrong.
Here is the pictures of the morning offering the students made and the 2 of the Mission Prayer.

The Academy will be closed to students at 12.30 pm on Thursday 12 October in order to prepare for Open Evening at 6.00 pm.

The date of the Y10 Parents’ Evening has changed from 30 November to Thursday 7th December 4.00 – 6.30pm.

Parent Evening offers you the opportunity to discuss the progress of your son/daughter at this very important stage in their school career.  It is important to discuss progress and to ensure that your son/daughter is on track to achieve at least their Nationally Expected Grades in all subjects.

See you on the 7th December.

Please accept our invitation to attend Open Evening 6.00 – 8.00 pm on Thursday 12 October. This will be an opportunity to see all of the wonderful and creative work on display, meet teachers and support staff and most importantly to talk to our most effective ambassadors, our students,  to hear their views on what it’s like to study and be a part of the St Edmund’s community.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

If you can’t make the Open Evening why not come and take a tour of the Academy at 9.00 am on Wednesday 11 October.

The 6 form Chaplaincy Group help a great cake sale today in aid of Macmillan Coffee Morning. Students and staff brought in cakes and biscuit galore, many were home made by parents, pupils and staff. We had so many donations that the sale had to be held over both lunch times and break time.

We also had a huge chocolate cake, and for 50p you could guess the weight of the cake. The winner was Mrs Devi from the Technology Department, who guessed 3pound 5 ounces and the weight was 3 pound 10.

The six formers and staff worked very hard and successfully raise £143.67 well done to everyone who contributed in anyway. I am sure the money will contribute to the hard work the Macmillan Charity do in caring for people with cancer. Bless you.

Today we had our first Lightfever of this academic year. The students of St Edmund’s love Lightfever, they welcome the opportunity to come into the Chapel during lunchtime or tutor time to light a candle and say a quiet prayer quietly for their friends, family or themselves. All our welcome, sometimes members of staff come in to join us too.
We ask that each students that comes, bring a friend, sometimes students go back into the dinner hall and invite their friends into the Chapel.
After they have lit their candle, said a prayer and had some quiet reflection time, they often want to light another candle. We have music playing in the background from many artist including music by CJM and Matt Redman.
Lightfever is on the last Thursday of every month and is based on the ‘Pillar nights’ that take part in the Diocese. Invited people into your place of worship.

On Friday our 6 form and Chaplaincy Team will be holding a Macmillan Cake Sale. This Charity is close to many people’s hearts and we are kindly asking students and staff to bring in any cakes for sale. Also, parents could you please send you child into school with some extra money, 50p if possible.
There will also be an opportunity to guess the weight of the cake, this will be 50p a go, the winner gets a cake for Friday night tea!
There are now 2.5 million people in the UK living with cancer. By 2030, it will be 4 million people, and we want to be there for them all.
One in three of us will get cancer, and it will be one of the toughest things we’ll ever have to face. Our goal is to make sure no one faces cancer alone.
We provide medical, emotional, practical and financial support, as well as campaigning for better cancer care. And because cancer affects more than just those facing it, we’re there for friends and family too. We are Macmillan.

Thank you in advance for your support and generosity