Twenty two of our year 11 students successfully completed their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award expedition on the weekend of Saturday 23rd September and Sunday 24th September.   They had previously spent one weekend learning the skills necessary for their expedition and had completed a practice expedition when they walked from Wombourne to Kingswood – their first camping experience.

Students walked from Milford Common to Beaudesert Camp Site in Cannock Chase and back again, working in different groups to navigate through the wilderness. They had a different route back on the Sunday after they had survived a night camping and cooking their dinner and breakfast at camp before sitting around the campfire. Over the two days students walked slightly under 20 miles and had to carry everything they needed to survive on in their rucksack. The temperature dropped on the Saturday night but on the whole the weather was a good walking temperature –  a complete contrast to the sweltering sun they had experienced during their practice expedition.  All groups worked brilliantly and showed great team spirit and determination taking a few wrong turns in very hilly terrain on board. They made excellent time on their walk on the Sunday, spurred on, no doubt, by the thought of home comforts at the end of the expedition.

They now need to complete a physical activity and learn more about volunteering skills, after which they will have completed their Bronze Award.

Well done to Bilal Aslam, Alyssa Capuno, Abigail Caron, Samuel Coleman, Larisa Corr, Amy Cox, Daniel Elrington, Rhian Cullen, Caitlin Grady, Bethany Henshall, Kaviraj Kumar, Daneille Lim, Julliana Mejia, Roisin Murphy, Ciara Nicholls, Marianne Peralta, Barbara Poczatek, Sandeep Sehera, Lorna Shorthouse, Corrin Smith, Sophie Tudor and Seren Young.

We are thrilled to announce that Khadija Henry (7WS) has been successful in achieving her black belt in karate (Shokotan KUBG – Karate Union of Great Britain), graded by Sensei Andy Sherry – 9th Dan and chief instructor of the KUGB, this week.

A fantastic achievement.  Well done Khadija.

On Tuesday 10^th October 2017, 44 students and five staff, including Fr Mark our school Chaplain, started their pilgrimage to Rome and the Vatican.

Our days were action packed from day 1. We were blessed with Fr Mark’s presence, as he could lead us round the beautiful city and had a wealth of knowledge because he had trained for 5 years at the English College in Rome. He and Mr Katumba could speak Italian, which proved very useful.

We visited world famous sites such as the amazing Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, the Catacombs, the Piazza Navona, the Spanish steps and the stunning Trevi Fountain. We visited many churches such as Santa Maria Maggiore, St John Lateran and the chapel of the Venerable English College.  This gave us time for reflection and prayer.

On Wednesday we got up very early, and, along with many people from all over the world, travelled to Vatican City as we were privileged to receive tickets to see Pope Francis at his audience in St Peter’s Square. The crowd was immense but we could get close enough to see the Pope in his ‘Pope Mobile’.  Just being in his presence gave some of us goose bumps. The master of ceremonies welcomed St Edmund’s Catholic Academy and as we waved our flags and cheered. You could not help but feel a sense of pride that we had created history and been in the presence of someone very special.

We then went on to visit the Vatican Museum, which show the vast history and wonders of the Catholic Church, the students were in awe of the paintings by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel.

We were blessed with beautiful weather and our days were full and long but we came back feeling blessed that we had the opportunity to experience such an amazing city.

Do you want to make a difference?

                      WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME INVOLVED?

Have a say in:-

                            Reviewing our Mission

                              The Curriculum Plan

         Ensuring a healthy environment for our students

                   Maximising the potential of the site

                                       Admissions

                  Helping to move St Edmund’s forward

                           AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!

Become a Foundation Representation on our Academy Committee here at St Edmund’s and join like-minded people who WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE and move forward!

WE CURRENTLY HAVE POSITIONS AVAILABLE

You will need to be a practising Catholic and should approach your

Parish Priest in the first instance.

Please contact Mrs Gallagher mgallagher@stedmunds.org or Mrs Knowles jknowles@stedmunds.org 01902 558888 Extension 120 in the first instance

Application forms are available from c.kirby@bdes.org.uk

YOU’LL BE GLAD YOU DID!

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.