Lent 2024

14th February 2024Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

Lent is a time of introspection, repentance and spiritual renewal.

Lasting approximately 40 days, it mirrors Jesus Christ’s 40 days of fasting in the desert.

We use this period as an opportunity to draw closer to God through prayer, fasting and acts of charity.

By sacrificing indulgences and worldly distractions, we seek to deepen our relationship with God and grow in holiness.

Lent encourages self-discipline, reflection on one’s sins and a commitment to living out the Gospel more fully. It’s a time for us to focus on our spiritual journey, to repent for past wrongs, and to prepare our hearts to fully embrace the joy of Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals and angels attended him. – Mark 1:12-13

Saint Valentine’s Feast Day

14th February 2024Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

Saint Valentine’s Feast Day commemorates Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr who lived in ancient Rome.

Whilst historical detailed about Saint Valentine are somewhat obscured, he is widely revered as a patron saint of love, marriage and relationships.

On this day, we honour his legacy of compassion and devotion be expressing affection for their loved ones, friends and family members.

Saint Valentine’s Feast Day serves as a reminder of the Christian call to love one another as God loves us, and it encourages us to deepen our relationship through acts of kindness, generosity and selflessness.

It is an opportunity for us to reflect on the importance of love in our lives and to embrace the virtues of patience, forgiveness and compassion exemplified by Saint Valentine.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Ash Wednesday

14th February 2024Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a solemn season of reflection, repentance and renewal.

On this day, we receive ashes on our foreheads in the shape of a cross, symbolising mortality and penance. The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebration, signifying the cycle of life, death and resurrection.

Ash Wednesday invites us to acknowledge our mortality, turn away from sin and commit themselves to a period of fasting, prayer and almsgiving. It serves as a poignant reminder of the need for spiritual purification and the transformative power of God’s grace in preparing hearts for the joyous celebration of Easter.

for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. – Psalm 103:14

Shrove Tuesday

13th February 2024Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

Shrove Tuesday holds special significance in the Catholic tradition as the day preceding the start of Lent. It marks a time of preparation before the solemn season of fasting, prayer and reflection leading up to Easter.

On this day, it is traditional to indulge in rich and decadent foods, symbolising the last opportunity for feasting before the austerity of Lent begins.

It’s a time for us to confess our sin – the term shrove comes from the Old English 2shrive2, meaning to confess. As a result of this we can receive absolution and enter into a period of spiritual renewal.

In essence, Shrove Tuesday serves as a reminder of the importance of self-examination, repentance and spiritual discipline in the journey toward Easter’s celebration of resurrection and redemption.

“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” – Joel 2:12

Our Lady of Lourdes Feast Day

11th February 2024Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

Our Lady of Lourdes holds a special place in our hearts as a manifestation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In 1858, in the small town of Lourdes, France, the Virgin Mary appeared to a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous. The messages conveyed during these apparitions centred on repentance, prayer and the sanctity of the Immaculate Conception.

The Blessed Mother also revealed a spring with healing properties. Lourdes has since become a significant pilgrimage site, drawing millions seeking physical and spiritual healing.

We honour Our lady of Lourdes as a symbol of grace, intercession and maternal love. The feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes serves as a poignant reminder of the power of faith and the compassionate presence of the Virgin Mary in our lives.

Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. – Isaiah 66:10

Chinese New Year

10th February 2024Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

Chinese New Year is an occasion to celebrate cultural diversity and the importance of family, community and renewal. The festival, marked by vibrant traditions, serves as an opportunity for us to appreciate and respect the rich heritage of the Chinese people.

Embracing the teachings of Christ, we recognise the significance of unity, love and understanding among different cultures. As we engage in the festivities, we reflect on the values of gratitude, generosity and reconciliation, seeking to build bridges of friendship and harmony with our Chinese brothers and sisters.

Chinese New Year becomes a moment of shared joy and mutual enrichment, emphasising the universal themes of hope, renewal and the pursuit of a more just and compassionate world.

You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. – Psalm 65:11

Saint Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio Feast Day

10th February 2024Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

Saint Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio is a remarkable example of youthful courage and unwavering faith.

A Cristero martyr in Mexico, her faced persecution during the Cristero War for refusing to renounce his Catholic beliefs. Even in the face of torture and death, Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio remained steadfast, declaring “Viva Cristo Rey” (Long live Christ the King) as his final words.

Canonised as a saint by the Catholic Church, her serves as an inspiration for us, particularly the youth, to stand firm in our faith and remain committed to Christ’s teachings, even in challenging circumstances.

His life reflects the resilience of the Catholic spirit and the enduring power of faith in the face of adversity, motivating us to emulate his courage and dedication to Christ.

Saint Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio’s feast day is a reminder to us of the profound sacrifice made for the faith and the call to live authentically as witnesses to Christ’s love.

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. – 1 Timothy 4:12

Mental Health and the Mercians

9th February 2024Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

This afternoon Year 10 had a talk about mental health. Following this was a performance from the band The Mercians.

The band discussed how mental health can have an impact on a person’s life. The students asked questions such as “how do you have the confidence to perform in front of people?” which the band answered throughout the afternoon between their songs.

The Mercians are “bringing Indie back to the Midlands” with their 5 piece band. Playing a mixture of their own tracks and a cover or two they showed the students what you can achieve when you feel great in yourself.

It’s fair to say the students loved it!

Geography A2 Level Fieldwork

9th February 2024Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

This term the A-Level Geography students participated in Geography Fieldwork with Mrs Hill and Mr Petrie.

This involved them touring the city of Birmingham observing the spectacular sights of Corporation Street, The Bull Ring, the new HS2 Curzon Street Station, Millennium Point, China Town, The Mailbox and Symphony Hall.

To top it all off they finished with a visit to Birmingham Library and got the opportunity to get a panoramic view of this amazing city right from the top!

The aim of this fieldwork was to practise A level fieldwork techniques in preparation for their NEA.

This included completing questionnaires on perceptions of the Bullring redevelopment scheme and the HS2 link investment. This included studying its popularity when counting pedestrian number in both geographical areas.

Students also completed environmental quality index surveys in Grand Central and the Mailbox.

They compared places through photographic analysis over time and completed retail surveys throughout the city, to investigate shopping trends in 2024.

Careers in Geography

Many of our geography students may see this as an opportunity to discover the many career opportunities that studying Geography can bring. This can include careers in urban design and architecture; civil engineering; and construction.

Geography is the only subject where you can complete fieldwork in which a range of transferable skills are developed. This is something that employers find valuable.

Whilst studying processes and systems, you select research questions, apply relevant techniques and find appropriate ways to analyse and communicate your findings.

This makes the subject truly relevant and brings many issues on an ever evolving landscape to light.

Well done to all those Geographers in attendance who excelled in their studies on the day!

Apprentices at St Edmund’s – Miss Martin

9th February 2024Rhiannon Watts-Robinson

On the final day of National Apprenticeship Week we are focusing on our final apprentice – Miss Martin.

Miss Martin has successfully completed her apprenticeship as a science technician and now works for the Academy as part of our Science Department.

As well as achieving her apprenticeship, she achieved a National Diploma in Applied Science and a certificate in Laboratory Technicians Standards.

Over the two years of study Miss Martin successfully gained three qualifications from her training as an apprentice.

Her course was predominantly online but the practical aspects were assessed in Sutton Coalfield. For the Laboratory Technicians Standards, Miss Martin was monitored for the day on how she conducted her work and her knowledge about how the Academy functions. This included how to assist in a first aid incident and how to respond in a fire alarm.

Over the course of her apprenticeship at St Edmund’s, Miss Martin has grown in confidence and become an integral and very well-liked member of the team. She has taken part in school events such as open evening and covered while the senior technician has been away.

The Science Department has greatly benefitted from Miss Martin. Her skills and knowledge which she has developed while completing her apprenticeship have allowed for more laboratory based work.

Her work ethic and commitment are truly inspirational.