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National Citizen Service (NCS)

30th January 2017Mrs D Curtis

Ms Buckle, Head of Year 11, arranged for two members of the National Citizen Service to join the Year 11 assembly today to explain how NCS offers students an opportunity to gain new skills and have plenty of fun this summer.

NCS is open to all 16 and 17-year-olds in England and helps build skills for work and life, whilst taking on new challenges and making new friends. The programme runs in the spring, summer and autumn and brings together young people from different backgrounds. Being part of NCS is a great way for students to improve confidence, self-awareness and responsibility. The programme encourages personal and social development by working on skills like leadership, teamwork and communication. Students taking part will have a short time away from home and will have to develop a social action project to deal with a local issue they’re passionate about. They will then spend 30 hours putting the project into action in our community. This is a great example of community engagement.

NCS quote on their website that, “Teenagers will develop the skills that employers increasingly value: confidence, leadership and independence and that NCS is a great addition to a teenager’s CV. In fact, almost three quarters (72%) of NCS graduates feel more confident about getting a job after doing NCS. All NCS graduates receive a certificate signed by the Prime Minister, and moreover, UCAS recommends students put NCS in their personal statement”.

Students at St Edmund’s are being offered the NCS experience at a discounted price of £30 if they complete applications by 8 February 2017.

More information can be found on the following websites:

http://www.ncsyes.co.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/government/get-involved/take-part/national-citizen-service

Y9 Careers Event

30th January 2017Mrs D Curtis

St Edmund’s, with the support of Carol Codner, Education Business Advisor, held a Careers Fair earlier this week following a school review of careers, enterprise and employability activity.

There were 24 exhibitors from both industry and education who came together to showcase the opportunities available to students after completing their studies at St Edmund’s. Members of our Sixth Form also joined the exhibition and shared valuable information, guidance and the benefits of completing A Level’s at St Edmund’s.

All exhibitors gave practical advice, careers guidance and information to students in Years 9,10 and 12. Feedback from students and staff, following the event, was very positive. Exhibitors thoroughly enjoyed the event. They were so impressed with our students. The commitment to the task, the quality of the questions asked and how polite and well-mannered they were.

Nigel Moorhouse, Enterprise Adviser, commented, “I think it’s wonderful to see that St Edmund’s has embraced the Careers and Enterprise Company initiative, through working with Wolverhampton City Council and UTC to feature careers guidance within the school and preparing young people for the world of work. In today’s event 350 students have been exposed to 24 different organisations, including local employers, colleges, universities and training providers. The response and enthusiasm of the students has been overwhelming in their thirst to find information about careers. This is the third event that I have been involved with and it is a big well done to Mr Katumba and his team for their efforts and organising this important event.”

Rebecca Ward from Walsall College said, ” The key thing to remember is whatever route is chosen after GCSEs, whether it’s A Levels, BTECs or an Apprenticeship, students need to work hard to achieve good pass marks in their GCSEs to unlock the doors to their future”.

Many thanks to all exhibitors for contributed to this highly successful event.

St Edmund’s Sixth Form, Army, Royal Navy, Halesowen College, City of Wolverhampton College, Dudley College, Walsall College, University of Wolverhampton, Birmingham City University, Edge Hill University, Cardiff University, Staffordshire University, NHS, GTG, Performance Through People, Access to Music, Juniper, Sixteen25, Carillion, Babcock, Wolverhampton Homes, The Way, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Mint and Games Design Digital Media.

St Edmund’s Features in January Edition of Cake Masters

24th January 2017Mrs D Curtis

Update on December’s ‘Bake-off’

St Edmund’s has received a mention in the January 2017 edition of Cake Masters magazine where their ‘Out & About’ article features information about the inter-Wolverhampton schools’ Bake-off which took place in December. Sam Munger and Isobel Rafferty, Year 9 both took part, coming 5^th and 6^th in the competition, which was organised by staff of a local school, jointly with local Baker, Laura Nolan, owner of The Nuthouse Bakery, Dudley.

We Will Rock You Show – Tickets Now On Sale

24th January 2017Mrs D Curtis

S Peter’s Collegiate School and St Edmund’s Catholic Academy are pleased to announce tickets are now on sale for the We Will Rock You Musical. The show will run from Tuesday 7th March until Friday 10th March. This will be a spectacular opportunity to see the students showcase their wonderful talents after many months of rehearsals.

Tickets can be purchased from S Peter’s Finance Office or the Performing Art’s Office at St Edmund’s at a bargain price of £5 each.

What Career Live ? – 3 & 4 March NEC, Birmingham

21st January 2017Mrs D Curtis

The What Career Live? and What University Live? show take place in Birmingham in March. This informative and FREE event will help school leavers decide what to do next, whether it’s an apprenticeship, training programme or heading to university after A Levels.

Find out exactly what’s opportunities are out there; meet potential employees face-to-face, hear from a range of speakers and put questions to careers experts.

To find out more visit the website: https://www.whatcareerlive.co.uk/

Afternoon Tea with the Mayor

18th January 2017Mrs D Curtis

Unison recently held the ‘Stars in our School’ competition and our Head Cook, Pam Dhaliwal, was chosen to share afternoon tea with Mayor Councillor Findlay in the Mayor’s Parlour.

Pam has served students and staff for over 27 years. She was joined for her celebration tea by her work colleague and friend, Paula Jones, and Bhaksho Raj, our Business Director.

Mayor Councillor Findlay said: “It takes a whole team to make a school a safe and happy place for children to learn. “School support staff help children learn, keep children safe and healthy and make sure schools run smoothly. They are the caterers, the admin staff, the finance officers, the teaching assistants, the librarians, the ICT technicians, the parent support advisers, and more. I was delighted to meet the winners of Unison’s search for Stars in our Schools and to reward them for their hard work for our city’s young people.”

Councillor Claire Darke, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, added: “School support staff are vital to the effective running of a school, helping to raise standards and improve outcomes, but this is not often recognised as they are usually tucked away behind the scenes. They are the unsung heroes of our children’s education.”

Warm Congratulations to Pam in receiving this award.

From left to right: Pam Dhaliwal, Mayor Councillor Findlay, Paula Jones and Bhaksho Raj

Former Student Assistant to Deputy Mayor of London

16th January 2017Mrs D Curtis

St Edmund’s Catholic Academy likes to keep in touch with former students when they leave. We have wonderful news about James Potts, a student who joined Year 7 from St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School in September 2004.

James progressed into the Sixth Form and left in the summer of 2011, going on to the University of Nottingham where he studied Politics. He became involved with the Student Union and the Politics Department and worked two part-time jobs whilst studying. He must have been a very busy student, graduating with a 2:1 degree in 2014.

On leaving University James was offered a post working for an MP in Parliament (his office being just under Big Ben – not as loud within the Houses of Parliament as you would think, we are assured) where he held down a Junior Researcher post for over a year, helping the MP get re-elected, before being made the Senior Assistant in October 2015, responsible for running his Westminster Office. James was involved with managing the team, writing speeches, handling press coverage and social media amongst other things.

In November 2016 he moved down the Thames to City Hall to work as Researcher and Assistant to one of the Deputy Mayors of London, Joanne McCartney, whose remit is Education & Childcare. James supports her in her capacity as member of the London Assembly.

In his spare time James is an active member of the Labour Party and a school governor.

Principal Maggie Hughes said, “James is moving forward in his career, going from strength to strength, and we are thrilled to know that he is holding down this role. He will be an excellent role model to invite back to our annual Presentation Evening in September to speak to our existing students about his success”.

Teaching Staff Vacancies

10th January 2017Mrs D Curtis

We are seeking a well-qualified, enthusiastic and dedicated Curriculum Leader to drive forward standards and achievement in Mathematics. This is a dynamic and thriving Faculty within the Academy. Lessons are taught within an excellent suite of purpose built teaching spaces.Closing Date: Friday 20th January 2017, 12 noon. Interviews: Tuesday 24th January 2017.

We are also seeking a well-qualified, enthusiastic and dedicated full time Teacher of Geography to join our dynamic and successful Department from September 2017. This post is suitable for newly qualified or experienced teachers. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to teach Geography from KS3 to KS5. Closing Date: Monday 27^th January 2017. Interviews: Monday 6th February 2017

And finally we are seeking a well-qualified, enthusiastic and dedicated full time Teacher of History to join our dynamic and successful Department. This post is suitable for experienced (or newly qualified teachers). The successful applicant will have the opportunity to teach History from KS3 to KS5. Closing Date: Friday 27th January 2017. Interviews: Monday 6th February 2017

More details can be found on our vacancies page: http://www.stedmundscloud.co.uk/jobs/teacher-of-history-2/

Premier League 4 Sport Basketball Match

9th January 2017Mrs D Curtis

On Saturday the 7th January Mr Randhawa, our basketball coach, hosted a friendly basketball match between Team West Bromwich Albion and Team Wolverhampton Wolves at Aldersley Leisure Village for the Premier League 4 Sport. Mr Allen, Albion Basketball Head Coach and England International supported the event throughout.

The game was competitive and exciting throughout with lots of children engaged and showing their skills.

Adriel Sarmiento, Kurt Aco, Zachari Flosa (Team Wolves) and Patryk Piwowar (Team Albion) all represented St Edmund’s. They impressed all the coaches with their skill and positive attitudes.

Adriel Sarmiento, Year 7, played in the under 16s category and won the Individual Coaches Award for his excellent performance.

Adriel Sarmiento, second from left, can been seen with his winning trophy.

Coach Randhawa, left, with Team Albion, Team Wolves and Mr Allen, Albion Basketball Head Coach and England International.

Book of the Week

9th January 2017Mrs D Curtis

Heartwarmers: Warm up the winter nights with stories about Friendship and camaraderie overcoming adversity.

Book of the Week: The Weight of Silence.

Calli Clark is a dreamer. A sweet, gentle girl, Callie suffers from selective mutism, brought on by a tragedy she experienced as a toddler. Her mother Antonia tries her best to help, but is trapped in a marriage to a violent husband.

Petra Gregory is Calli’s best friend, her soul mate and her voice. But neither Petra nor Calli have been heard from since their disappearance was discovered.

Now Calli and Petra’s families are bound by the question of what has happened to their children. As support turns to suspicion, it seems the answers lie trapped in the silence of unspoken secrets.