Ethnic Student Alliance Trip to the Mayor’s Parlour

6th June 2023Mrs D Curtis

On the 20th March 2023, St Edmund’s ESA group (Ethnic Student Alliance) went on a trip to visit the Mayor’s parlour in Wolverhampton. We were able to meet Cllr Sandra Samuels OBE, the former Mayor of Wolverhampton. Not only is she the 163rd Mayor of Wolverhampton, but she was the first African-Caribbean female to have ever been elected to run our city. ESA felt proud and honoured to have her as Mayor and wanted to express our gratitude in person.

 

When we arrived we were led to a big room, where we were going to be spending our time with Councillor Samuels. The moment that we met Councillor Samuels for the first time was overwhelming, yet we couldn’t have been more excited to meet such a remarkable woman. She spoke to us about her life and her job as a nurse before she became Mayor. She told us about her motto “Dare to Dream” and how “no dream is too big or too small, as long as we do it with confidence”. She told us to do everything with confidence as “with confidence, you have won before you have even begun”.

 

When she finished her speech, we were shown her conference room, which is where she holds big meetings with members of the council. We were able to take it in turns to ask her questions and discuss the struggles she went through being a black woman running for Mayor. She told us about how we should never let racism take over our lives, that “racism is their problem, not yours”. We talked about what work she has done for the community and what it takes to be truly successful in life.

 

Once everyone had asked their questions, we had some refreshments and told Councillor Samuels a bit about our school diversity group, the ESA. When we were leaving, she gave us hugs and a small gift to remember our time at the Mayor’s parlour. It was an eye-opening experience, we have learned so much from Mayor Samuels and can’t wait to share it with others.

 

“People won’t always remember your face, what you’ve done or what you’ve said. But they will never forget how you made them feel.” – Cllr Sandra Samuels OBE

Written by Pooja Sonsana

 

 

ESA Group Photographs

Shnai Johnson, Peggy Mafiamba, Christina Agbasoga, Christina Cudjoe, Adrianna Brown, Leoni Francis, Temitope Omololu, Reyhan Birdi, Dumebi Umensofor, Khadija Henry, Dylan Coe, Pooja Sonsana and Jovita Edobor

Staff:  Mr Taylor (Head of Year 8) and Mrs Grant (Assistant Head of Year 8)

 

 

Happy Pride Month! Let us celebrate diversity and acceptance!

5th June 2023Mrs D Curtis

We must respect other people, regardless of their sexuality or gender. This month is a great time to learn about identities other than our own. It is a month of celebration and acceptance of all people. We are part of one family and it is our duty to support all people to achieve all they can. Therefore it is right that we support and celebrate people of the LGBTQ+ community so that they may be their true selves.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. – 1 John 4:7-8

Today we celebrate the Feast Day of St Bede the Venerable

25th May 2023Mrs D Curtis
On this day we celebrate the feast day of St Bede the Venerable. He was a theologian, historian, and chronologist who was best known for his Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum, a source for the history of the conversion to Christianity of the Anglo-Saxon tribes. His work introduced the method of dating events from the time of the incarnation (AD, anno Domini, “in the year of our Lord”) into general use.
Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. – Isaiah 46:9

Today We Celebrate African Day

25th May 2023Mrs D Curtis

Africa Day is celebrated annually on May 25th. It commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on May 25, 1963. The OAU, which later became the African Union (AU), was established to promote unity and cooperation among African countries and to support the decolonization of African nations.

Africa Day serves as an occasion to recognise and celebrate the rich cultural heritage, diversity, and achievements of the African continent. It is an opportunity to showcase the various traditions, languages, music, art, cuisine, and attire that represent the vibrant African cultures.

Overall, Africa Day is a significant occasion to appreciate and honor the diverse cultures, achievements, and potential of the African continent, while also recognizing the collective efforts to address the continent’s challenges and promote its prosperity.

 

Lourdes Pilgrimage 2023

25th May 2023Mrs D Curtis

Saturday 27 May 2023 to Friday 2 June 2023

The annual Diocesan pilgrimage is returning to Lourdes under the leadership of His Grace, Archbishop Bernard Longley, and Bishop David Evans.

Around 500 pilgrims are joining the Diocesan Pilgrimage with many other groups meeting up there, including staff and students from St Edmund’s Catholic Academy, taking the numbers up to around 600.

Please pray for all those involved in this year’s pilgrimage to Lourdes, as they will be praying for you.

You will be able to see photos and other coverage of the 2023 pilgrimage by clicking the link below.

https://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/Pages/FAQs/Category/lourdes-daily

 

Today we celebrate Biodiversity Day

22nd May 2023Mrs D Curtis
It is our duty to work towards the common good. In the words of the Pope in Laudato Si, we learn how it is essential that we care for the planet God made. International Day for Biological Diversity is an excellent opportunity to work towards a better world and follow Pope Francis’s teaching. We must be humble in our actions and allow the world to grow as it needs.
How many are your works, LORD In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. – Psalm 104:24

Feast Day of the Ascension of the Lord

18th May 2023Mrs D Curtis

Today marks the sacred Feast Day of the Ascension of the Lord, a momentous occasion that commemorates the ascent of Jesus into Heaven following his resurrection. It is a holy day of obligation, calling upon believers to reflect on this significant event.

To honor this day, Father Sean and Rev Michael McKeaney led a jubilant mass in the chapel, uniting both staff and students in a spirit of celebration.

The account in the Acts of the Apostles recounts a poignant exchange: “Then they gathered around him and asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.”

This passage encapsulates the profound message of the Ascension, emphasizing the disciples’ role as witnesses and heralds of Jesus’ teachings throughout the world. The imagery of Jesus ascending into the heavens, concealed by a cloud, signifies his departure from Earth and his divine presence in the celestial realm.

On this Feast Day, let us reflect upon the significance of Jesus’ Ascension, and may it inspire us to carry forth his teachings and serve as faithful witnesses to his message, both within our immediate community and to the ends of the earth.

 

Solemnity of the Ascension

18th May 2023Mrs D Curtis

On this day we commemorate the ascension of Jesus into Heaven, an act that showed his power over death and inaugurating his reign over heaven and earth as the Living King. While we do not hold this divine power as Jesus did, we are able to be God-like in the small acts we accomplish. This is a day for joy, celebration, and reflection with God.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:16-20

Year 10 Introduced to T-Levels and Apprenticeships

16th May 2023Mrs D Curtis

On 11th May Walsall College delivered a presentation to Year 10 students at St Edmund’s Catholic Academy.

This was an informative event aimed at introducing students to T-Levels and Apprenticeships.

T Levels offer students practical and knowledge-based learning and on-the-job experience through an industry placement of at least 315 hours – approximately 45 days.

The objective was to provide them with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse range of career paths they can pursue and the corresponding qualifications required to achieve their goals.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/41Ik5Oj

Feast of the English Martyrs

4th May 2023Mrs D Curtis

On this day we remember the martyrdom of 40 men and women who were executed between 1535 and 1679 for treason and related offences under various laws enacted by Parliament during the English Reformation. 25th October is a sister day to this event which commemorates the Welsh members of the group. Amongst these people was our patron saint, St Edmund Campion, who was arrested while conducting an underground Catholic ministry in an officially Anglican England.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. –  Matthew 10:28