Daily Gospel Reflection

6th May 2020Mrs D Ferris

SEND-OFF

“Then, after they had fasted and prayed, they imposed hands on them and sent them off.” —Acts 13:3

When the early Church gathered for prayer, they did something before and something after. They fasted before praying. This freed them, “releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke” (Is 58:6). They were free to hear the voice of God, pray the prayer of faith, go up prayer-mountain, and move the mountains of the evil one (Mt 17:20-21). After they prayed, it was not that the people just went off; rather, they were sent off (Acts 13:3).

 

The assembly at prayer should be a launching pad, shooting Spirit-filled, empowered, commissioned believers into the world. Propelled by the community’s prayer and fasting, we rescue people from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light (Col 1:13) and attack the gates of hell that cannot prevail against us (Mt 16:18).

 

The Catholic Church has traditionally emphasized fasting, praying, and sending. Before receiving Holy Communion, we are to fast for at least an hour. I recommend we fast for a significantly longer period of time. After Holy Communion, we are sent out with the final blessing. This is what the word “Mass” means: “sent.” Fasting, praying, and sending launched the first missionary journey, and will certainly begin the final one.

 

PRAYER:               Father, during this Easter time, launch me into full-time missionary work.

PROMISE:            “The Father Who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to speak.” –Jn 12:49

PRAISE:                 Praise those who ‘Lay their hands’ on other to give love, care and hope.

Daily Gospel Reflection

4th May 2020Mrs D Ferris

CLUED IN TO THE SPIRIT
“As I began to address them the Holy Spirit came upon them.” —Acts 11:15
Peter, a Christian and a Jew, took the unprecedented step of entering the house of a Gentile, Cornelius (Acts 10:25). Gentiles, that is, non-Jews, were excluded from the company of Jews. However, the Holy Spirit made it crystal-clear to Peter that he was to enter Cornelius’ house (Acts 11:5ff; 11:12).

The Spirit hadn’t yet instructed Peter what to say to the assembled Gentiles. So Peter “proceeded to address them” with a standard witness to the risen Lord (Acts 10:34ff). Then Peter brought up the subject of sin (Acts 10:43). Based on his previous preaching in Acts, it’s quite possible that Peter’s next words would have involved accountability for sin and the need for deep repentance. Theologically this makes good sense, but the Holy Spirit had a different subject in mind, for the Spirit took over from Peter. “Peter had not finished these words” about forgiveness of sins “when the Holy Spirit descended upon all who were listening to Peter’s message” (Acts 10:44). Although Peter’s Jewish Christian companions were surprised at this turn of events (Acts 10:45), Peter followed “the Spirit’s lead” perfectly (Gal 5:25). Rather than trying to take the floor back from the Holy Spirit and finish his sermon, Peter “gave orders that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 10:48).

Let us hear the voice of Jesus (Jn 10:16) and thereby learn the voice of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit knows exactly what is the right word at the right time (see e.g. 1 Cor 2:10ff). Like Peter, let us “live by the Spirit” and “follow the Spirit’s lead” (Gal 5:25).

PRAYER: Father, I will serve You not by my own intelligence or wisdom, but by Your Spirit (Zec 4:6).
PROMISE: “I am the Good Shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me.” –Jn 10:14
PRAISE: Give thanks to those who lead you and think of how you can lead others along the right path

Lent in Isolation | Announcement

19th March 2020Mr B Thompson

Each day there will be:
•The Daily Readings
• A homily from a priest
• An act of Spiritual communion
The Kenelm youth trust will be doing all they can during these days to help people with their spiritual lives.
Follow all our pages:
Alton Castle: @altoncastle_kyt
BCYS: @birminghamcys
Soli: @soli_kyt
Chaplaincy: chaplaincy_kyt
Prayers for your school community🙏
God bless,

First Aid Skills

11th March 2020Mrs D Curtis

Jessica, Bhavesh, Elizabeth, Hajrah and Owen learnt some basic first aid skills today. They learnt about DR ABC, the Primary Survey, which is used by St. John Ambulance. 

 

Mrs Beech, who used to be a paramedic in the Navy and currently volunteers with St John Ambulance, shared her real life experience with the group. 

 

The session began with looking at hazard and risk in real life scenarios, everyone critiqued the situation well and recognised the potential hazards. The students justified the correct contents for a first aid kit and when they should be used.

 

We then discussed how to assess a casualty, looking for evidence and clues. This included inhalers, Epipens, Insulin pens, medic-alert tags, prior knowledge etc. 

 

We complicated the situation to include an unconscious casualty, everyone tested their new skills to assess the situation and their casualty using D (danger), R (response), A (airway), B (breathing) and C (circulation) using the Resusci Annie. They then went on to roll each other into the recovery position and learn the importance of maintaining a casualty’s airway.

Vacancies – Exam Invigilators

6th March 2020Mrs D Curtis

We are seeking to appoint a number of Exam Invigilators, to work under the supervision of the Examinations Officer, to ensure the smooth running of both external and internal examinations.

Good numeracy and literacy skills required together with the ability to be flexible and to be able to relate to children and adults.

Permanent Casual Contract – £9.55 ph

Hours: To meet the needs of the Academy during Examination Periods (no guaranteed hours) 

Closing Date
16 March, 2020 09.00

Interview Date
W/C 23/03/20

For more information please click on the link below.

http://www.sfscmac.co.uk/vacancies/exam-invigilators/

BTS Comeback

2nd March 2020Miss A Kane

On the 21s of February 2020 the K-Pop group BTS made a comeback with their hit song “ON” which has already had millions of views in the span of just three days!

Their new album ‘Map of Soul 7’ talks about their relationships and hardships. It explores the band members’ relationships with each other and how they grew up together as a group for 7 years.  

 

Their hit song ‘On’ talks about how they’ve experienced  distress due to their experiences as worldwide sensations and their status as idols. Band member Suga aka Min Yoongi explained how hard it was back in the days when their journey to fame was just beginning!

Their song ‘UGH!’ is a rap song by t

heir leader ‘RM’ (Kim Namjoon), Suga (Min Yoongi) and J-Hope (Jung Hoseok) talking about all the hardships and anger they’ve felt throughout the years.

BTS’ song “Friends” Is a duo with Jimin and V (Kim Tae-Hyung) which is about how Jimin and V plan to keep their special bond for as long as possible.  Part of the song says “You are my soulmate” because they feel they were destined to meet.

Now that the band has begun performing again, many fans are hoping that many more epic songs will follow.

By Abbigail,  Aila,Angelina

Maths In Action A Level Trip

25th February 2020Mrs D Curtis

As part of the school-wide Loyola programme 10 select year 12 students recently travelled to Butterworth Hall, at the University of Warwick, for five wide-ranging and interactive university style maths lectures.

These introduced students to mathematical concepts including mathematics in music, living is a risky business, fighting disease with maths, the quest to find prime numbers and patterns and predictions. The day was highly interactive and engaging, illustrating the wonder and applications of maths to the next generation of budding mathematicians. The students had a great day and got to see what university life is like.

Chaplaincy Display

24th February 2020Mrs D Ferris

Alton Castle

36students from year 7 and 8 have recently spent 3days on retreat at Alton Castle Catholic Retreat Centre in Staffordshire, where we looked at the theme of ‘Called’.

What are we called to be?

How are we called to live?

The students tried different activities to enable them to push themselves and see the beautiful countryside they were staying in. They tried a range of activities, cycling, trekking, climbing wall, archery and survival skills-looking at the 3 things we need to survive, water, shelter and food.

During their time they took part in prayer, adoration and a beautiful Mass celebrated by Fr Paul Wheldon at the St John Catholic Church which is on site.

We shared our Retreat with St John Wall Catholic School in Handsworth and many new friends were made.

We are all called to do be ‘Saints’ .

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.

Sixth Form Ernst & Young Workshop

18th February 2020Mrs D Curtis

Some of our sixth formers took up a fantastic opportunity to visit the prestigious Ernst & Young (E&Y) offices in Birmingham.

The students had the opportunity to take part in workshop and  networking with E&Y personnel and a tour of the offices. 

They took part in a very focused 4 hour workshop event within the Tech / Accountancy sector. During the event they took part in workshops led by leading professionals within the firm, students networked with E&Y staff and heard all about the work experience and degree apprenticeship opportunities with some possible fast tracks on offer! 

Brandy Sasa felt the workshops were fantastic. Brandy has already started the application process for the summer internships. The students were informed about the apprenticeship process and how EY supports university placements. Brandy had the opportunity to identify her own key strengths. “ It was a great day, I am so glad I went”. 

Harjan Sangha thought the trip to the E&Y offices was very scrupulous and interactive. He is in the process of applying for a one week work experience at the E&Y offices in Birmingham, and has also persuaded other scholars to also look at the opportunities presented to them. The students took the opportunity to gain presentation skills, and evaluate their strengths and get an idea of what kind of field of accountancy would best suited for them.The students were notified of all the amazing and punctilious opportunities that Ernst And Young offer to young people, to give them a jumpstart in the working world.

Poems, Triangles & Snowflakes At Symphony Hall

21st January 2020Mrs D Curtis

Year 11 students visited Birmingham Symphony Hall to enjoy the GCSE Poetry Live event on Monday 20th January.

This informative and enjoyable event was well received by a packed Symphony Hall, who were treated to both chief examiner sessions along with a range of live performances from the cream of  modern British poets who feature on the GCSE syllabus.

As ever the highlight being John Agard’s much-anticipated electrifying performance that drew together, science, mathematics, history and identity.

“Who knew there could be a poem about equilateral triangles wanting to be a snowflake”, said Rajbir, a member of our group.