The school is now closed for the summer holiday.

Start of Term (Week A)

Monday 2nd September 2019 - Inset Day (school closed)

Tuesday 3rd September 2019 - Inset Day (school closed)

Wednesday 4th September 2019 - Year 7 students (0820)     Year 11 students (0930)  

Thursday 5th September 2019 - All students return

Summer School

Venue: School Library

Week 1: 12th - 16th August 10am to 3pm  

Week 2: 19th - 23rd August 10am to 3pm

Lead Contact: Mrs K Scriven  Email: kscriven@saintedmunds.org.uk   Tel: 02392 823766 ext 240

A Warm Welcome 

St Edmund's is a thriving, positive and happy environment where individuals achieve excellent levels of personal development.   The students and staff recognize the importance of the school's Catholic and Christian education and are committed to it in every way.    Working with students we aim to foster a growth and commitment to the love and service of Christ through the teachings of the Catholic Church.

As we approach the last few days of this academic year, I cannot help but feel a sense of pride and joy at all that our children have achieved. This has been reflected in the amazing reward assemblies which have taken place over the last few days.   To see so many students nominated for their effort and achievement demonstrates the hard work that has taken place throughout the year. This final newsletter of the year also celebrates many of the  talents and extra-curricular events within the St Edmund’s family.

The school show this year was once again spectacular with some star worthy performances. It was great to see so many students involved and clearly enjoying themselves.  St Edmund’s continues to have great sporting success including recent victories in the Portsmouth Sailing Regatta where we were overall winners. The Sports Personality of the Year Award was another brilliant event, where the skills, talent, achievement and teamwork of students shone through. Congratulations to all students who won awards/nominations.

We have had some wonderful spiritual retreats this half term in Years 8 and 10. A great combination of reflectiveness, prayer and inspiration in two completely contrasting experiences. We cannot underestimate these opportunities to fill our children with the holy spirit and the chance to be close to God.

Finally I would like to thank parents for their support this year with all the ‘behind the scenes’ work. It continues to be a privilege to be part of helping our children to grow up and develop. My thanks also to staff throughout the school who work tirelessly to ensure that all the children have the best education and opportunities at all times.

We wish the following staff well who are leaving us at the end of the year; Ms Jerrard, Mrs Buckeridge, Mr Williams, Miss Bailly, Mr Miller, and Mr Brown.

As we have a bigger Year 7 joining us next year (the school is now full to capacity), we have thirteen new teachers starting in September. This will ensure that we can maintain the quality of education and provision for all of our students. When students return in September we will have completed our summer work programme. This will include the refurbishment of all of the swimming pool changing rooms, a science laboratory and the ground floor of the Kelly block (3 classrooms). As well as new artificial grass and seating area and student walkways.

I hope you all have a restful summer and I look forward to students return in September. Good luck to Year 11 who have left us and we pray that they will continue ‘to do all things with the help of God who strengthens me.’

God Bless.

Mr Simon Graham - Headteacher

In Our Prayers

As you may be aware, the school received the sad news last week that one of our students, Joe from Year 10, had been involved in a serious accident.  This resulted in Joe being rushed to Southampton Hospital and being placed in the intensive care unit.  Joe is currently in a critical but stable condition.   He has undergone several operations and is responding well at this early stage of his treatment.  Joe is a beautiful, vibrant, diligent, hardworking and likeable young man and we are all praying for his recovery and a return to St Edmund’s.     Within the Chapel a candle is lit each day and morning prayers offered for Joe and his family.

As of Friday 21^st June we are setting up a prayer chain inviting all members of our Christian community to join us in praying for Joe’s recovery.  This will involve praying each and every day for Joe.   Our hope is that we can allocate prayer times of between 30 minutes to an hour where individuals or groups can offer prayer/thoughts or reflection for Joe.  You can pray in your office, in a Church or wherever you would like to pray.   This can be as an individual or together. Our hope is that this prayer chain will be between 10-15 hours a day on a continuous chain.

If you would like to be involved in this, please contact Fiona our School Chaplain via email with 2/3 time suggestions you are available.  Her contact details are as follows:

Telephone: 023 9282 3766 extension 213 or email chaplain@saintedmunds.org.uk

Our thoughts and prayers remain with Joe and his family at this difficult time. Through our faith we pray for his full recovery and a return to the St Edmund’s family.   

Sad News regarding Mr B Wright

Former Governor, Former Headteacher and Chair of Governors

‘Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted’ (Matthew 5:4)

It is with great regret that I must share some sad news.  Unfortunately, Mr Wright passed away in the late hours of Tuesday morning.  This comes as an unexpected shock to us all.  Although Mr Wright was ill recently and in hospital he had returned home and we were hopeful for a recovery.

Firstly, our thoughts, prayers and love go to Mr Wright’s family.   Please pray for them.  It is impossible to express the sense of loss and grief our school family will feel.  I know that many staff and Governors were close to Mr Wright.   This news will be equally distressing to staff/students/families, both past and present, whom Mr Wright taught and cared for.

Mr Wright was an outstanding Headteacher and Chair of Governors.  Mr Wright spent 33 years working in secondary education which included 20 years as Headteacher of two contrasting comprehensive schools and was Headteacher of St Edmund’s from 1988 to 2001. Subsequently Mr Wright worked part-time for 11 years as an educational consultant. This work involved various roles including Ofsted Inspector, external adviser to governing bodies, School Improvement Partner and Link Inspector with a local authority. Mr Wright had a wide experience of school improvement strategies, action planning, the understanding and use of school data and the identification of school strengths and weaknesses.

Between 2009-14 Mr Wright was privileged to serve as Chair of Governors at St Edmund's and for in more recent years as Vice-Chair. 

Peace I leave with you: My peace I give you.   I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’   (John 14:27). 

Should you wish to contact the school to share your memories or have any questions please email the school on school@saintedmunds.org.uk. 

St Edmund's End of Year Whole School Mass on the 19th July was in memory of Mr Wright.  

Mr Wright will be sadly missed, but will always be part of our family here at St Edmund’s.