News
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Monday 13 July 2026 Year 10 Retreat - Rise Theatre - July 2026 A thought-provoking retreat lead by 'Rise Theatre'. Students followed a quiz show where Daniel had to face the decisions he has made in life. Each room represented creation and the Fall up until the Great Commission. Students explored their own lives. Thank you to the Year 10 tutors who helped lead the retreat.
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Friday 10 July 2026 Isle of Wight - July 2026 This week 40 year 7 students and 4 members of staff have spent the week in the Isle of Wight. They have had an amazing time trying lots of new activities such as climbing, abseiling and kayaking.. Full report next week but they are having an amazing time so far!
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Monday 6 July 2026 Macbeth - Drama Workshop On Monday, a group of Year 9 pupils had the privilege of doing a drama workshop on 'Macbeth' delivered by Dr Toria Johnson, a University of Birmingham professor. The pupils engaged in drama games and a fast-paced retelling of 'Macbeth' before exploring the part that Birnam Wood plays in the story as well as their own connection with trees in Birmingham. Thanks to Dr Johnson and Erin from the Literacy Trust for this brilliant opportunity!
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Wednesday 24 June 2026 Year 9 Retreat - Vocations Last Wednesday Year 9 had their retreat on the theme of vocations. Our key speaker was Charlie Fogarty who inspired the students to believe they can achieve anything if they try hard enough. Following this, they heard from former student, Luke Reeves who spoke about being a police officer. Chimuka challenged them to think beyond jobs that make them rich but to follow their passions. We had Sr Ewa, Sr Mary, Eamonn and Conor who are student priests and Dan Rogerson a probation officer. Finally Fr Toby shared his story about becoming a priest.
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Saturday 20 June 2026 DofE Bronze Expedition Over the weekend, 25 Year 9 students embarked on their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Expedition. The four teams completed a self-sufficient, two-day, one-night walking expedition, covering almost 30 km. Despite a hot start on Friday and some early navigation errors, they persevered throughout the day, supporting one another along the way.
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Friday 19 June 2026 Year 12 Ahead Partnership Celebration Event On Friday our Year 12 Ahead Partnership students took part in an event to celebrate the progress they had made since starting the Programme in the autumn term. Supported by The Rigby Foundation and Inspiring Futures - two organisations dedicated to supporting the development of young people for the future - our students have benefitted from workshops, networking, interviews, workplace visits, work experience and access to advice from the Partnership. Suited and booted, our students took part in a Q&A panel where Delicia and Abdul spoke eloquently about the things they had learned from their particpation. Later on, Delicia and Marie were interviewed on camera about their experience. Our school co-ordinator Jacob Bannerman, was so impressed with the confidence, maturity and enthusiasm shown by our Year 12s.
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Monday 15 June 2026 Trip to Westminster Prayer Vigil
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Friday 12 June 2026 Debate Mate Grand Final - London Six members of our Debate Mate team travelled to London on Monday 15th June to compete in the prestigious Debate Mate Grand Final. The event was held at the headquarters of investment specialists Janus Henderson, where students had the unique opportunity to debate in professional boardroom settings.
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Thursday 11 June 2026 Year 12 Futures Day On Thursday 11th June, Year 12 students began to consider their post-18 options. In the morning, they go to grips with how to be intentional in their decision making, and making the best use of their time in Sixth Form to prepare them for life beyond school. After break, they familiarised themselves with the UCAS platform and started to consider their skills, preferences and potential courses. After lunch, Jeff Chilcote from Aberystwyth University spoke to students about the things they need to consider about Higher Education via a Music Quiz - which was won by Bobby & Neda! Jeff later talked about making the best use of Open Days.
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Wednesday 10 June 2026 Big Bang STEM at the NEC A huge and diverse range of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics interactive opportunities were relished this week by 90 students and 8 staff at Big Bang. Three collaborating schools jointly funded by The Royal Academy of Engineering This is Engineering West Midlands made models, conducted experiments, tested materials and handled zoo animals. 45 of the students were Year 7 Aquinas, 30 Year 8 Colmers and 14 represented St. John Fisher Year 6; each a superb ambassador for their school. An overarching theme was engaging children to thinking about future careers by what they enjoy, for which UKEngineering who sponsor the event provided plenty of hands-on inspiration too.
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Wednesday 10 June 2026 Parliament Action Day We are 'Send My Friend To School' Campaign Champions. On Tuesday Saoirse and I travelled to London with Mrs O'Driscoll to attend the Parliamentary Action day on Wednesday. This was a pleasant and great experience for both of us as we learned new skills and facts from various MPs and their opinions on global education. First we travelled to the Houses of Parliament to attend MP drop-in sessions where we had tables all set up for us to welcome and discuss global education issues with MPs. After our great few visits from various MPs, we headed over to the House of Commons to listen to Prime Minister's Question Time. This is when we had two parties debating about each question a candidate put forward. Then the Prime Minister had to explain and make accusations on the facts of if the statements were falsely accusing the government or if it was an agreement statement that they would further look on. When PMQs finished we had a bit of lunch and headed towards an office where we met the intern
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Tuesday 9 June 2026 Policing, Criminology and Law at Birmingham Newman University
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Friday 5 June 2026 Year 13 Mass and Celebration Last Friday we celebrated our Year 13 Leaver's Mass, and what a special occasion it was! The largest Year 13 cohort we have had in many years at St Thomas Aquinas came together to wish each other well, and mark the end of two years (and in most cases, seven years) as the Class of 2026. After coming together for some group photos, Fr Srinu celebrated Mass, dedicated to our friend and classmate Jake Timmis. After some words from staff, we watched a video showing how our students have grown and flourished since their induction day back in 2019. Afterwards we retreated to the Quad for pizza, wedges and lots of cake, remembering times shared. So, Year 13: thank you for the memories, the laughs, the madness and the friendships. Thank you for growing alongside one another, for being each other's support and competition, for letting me be 'so cringe', and for making me a much more patient and tolerant person. You are a handprint on my heart. Good luck & God bless.Maria Lavelle Head of
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Friday 5 June 2026 Junior Maths Challenge Certificates Last half term 20 of our best KS3 Mathematicians took part in the UKMT Junior Mathematics Challenge. Well done to all whom took part, lots of students have received Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates!
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Friday 5 June 2026 Duke of Edinburgh training walks in Bromsgrove This week, Year 9 and Year 10 students successfully completed their training for the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Following a term of after school sessions, groups ventured into the countryside to develop and practise their navigation and expedition skills.
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Friday 22 May 2026 Year 10 Geography Fieldwork This week we have taken all the year 10 Geography students to Carding Mill Valley in Shropshire for their GCSE coursework. They had to study the valley and the river. All students really involved themselves measuring the depth, speed and width of the water!
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Tuesday 5 May 2026 Year 11 Celebration Mass - May 2026 On Tuesday this week it was wonderful to have parents in school for our annual Year 11 Celebration Mass. Thank you to Fr Srinu for encouraging the students to have courage as they begin their exams and move on to the next stage of their education and the vast majority who will be joining our Sixth Form!
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Friday 1 May 2026 UKMT Junior Maths Challenge
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Friday 24 April 2026 Pilgrims of Hope Relay Race We kickstarted our Lumen Christi relay race from St Thomas Aquinas school with a beautiful prayer service. We prayed for Peter Vince and Jo McAleenan and the two charities we have been supporting – Ovavcom and The Brain Tumour Charity. As they prepared to run, we remembered the four Gospel values: Kind hearts, hunger for justice, questioning minds and thirst for justice. Students and staff ran to SJF school on the first leg of the journey.
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Friday 24 April 2026 MP Laurence Turner visit Today we were delighted to welcome our MP Laurence Turner into school. Our campaign champions for ‘Send my Friend to school' Saoirse and Renee presented statistics on how many children globally don't receive an education and asked what his government is going to do to improve the situation and when they are going to increase the aid to poorer countries. Chaplaincy change-maker students challenged him on what he is going to do to improve the situation for asylum seekers and refugees. We are a school of sanctuary and believe that it is important to welcome the stranger. Laurence listened and said he would do everything he could to take our questions to parliament.
