Enrichment and Extra-Curricular Activities

“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that simple word - extra”

Extra Curricular Activities

‘The range of activities on offer, and the way in which the school encourages participation

in these, help pupils to become active and responsible citizens.’ – Ofsted Sept 2016

There is a wealth of opportunity for learning experiences beyond the normal curriculum. Here

are some examples of the different activities that we provide.

Showtime! – a chance for singers, musicians, dancers and actors to showcase their talent.

PE sports activities a range of activities each year including football, netball, swimming,

table tennis, basketball

Read it, watch it – compare the film to the book

Debating – opportunity to improve communication and debating skills and work towards

regional and national competitions.

Art – develop your artistic skills

Craft Club – Get creative and learn how to use different craft skills which to make fabulous

products.

Chess Club

Prayer - opportunity for all students and staff to take part in the Catholic life of the school.

To come together in prayer three times a week and get ready for the day ahead

Geography Club and History Workshops

Science Club - experiments, science skills and a bit of gardening too!

Computing Club

Please click here for an updated list of activities that are on offer this term

“Performing Arts is a great way for students to gain confidence and try new things e.g.

Showtime is an event where students can shocase their dance, drama and musical

talents.” – Year 8 pupil

Reasons why pupils should get involved in extra-curricular activities?

Improve your academic performance

Make new friends with people who have a similar interest

Improve your social skills

Learn new skills

Extend your knowledge and understanding

When applying to schools and colleges it shows that you are an interesting person – they

like to know how you spend your free time.

“Being part of the school football team is amazing because I like to develop my skills,

improve my teamwork and get the opportunity to represent my school whilst doing

something I love”. Year 7 pupil

Birmingham Catholic Secondary Schools Events

Pupils at Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School get to represent their school at a range of different

events and competitions throughout the year alongside other secondary schools from

Birmingham, Solihull and Coventry. These events are great opportunities for our pupils to

perform and compete against the best students from 12 secondary schools. This helps to improve

their performance and inspires them to aim higher.

Here are some of the events that pupils will be taking part in this academic year:

Performing Arts Event

KS3 and KS4 Maths Challenge

KS3 and KS4 Public Speaking Competition

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Event

Swimming Gala

Chess Competition

PE Events (a range of competitions throughout the year)

A wide range of enrichment activities support the spiritual, moral, social and cultural

development of pupils effectively. These activities include trips and visits, including

visits to science museums, a retreat in France and a visit to Oxford University for the

most able. Pupils can also enter inter-school sporting as well as debating competitions

or musical and drama performances. Ofsted Sept 2016

We promote healthy competition across the school with our House System. All pupils represent

their house group which helps to develop a team spirit e.g. Sports Day.

Educational Visits and Trips

Many educational visits take place every year at various times, to a diverse range of locations.

These specialist trips are aimed to educate, inspire and provide new experiences for our pupils

including:

Paris – ‘Maths is Everywhere’ – visit one of the world’s greatest capital cities whilst

improving your understanding of Maths.

London – be inspired by the world of Science

Retreats to numerous pastoral centres including Savio House and Alton Castle

Trips to Oxford University for the most able pupils

Theatre visits to gain a better understanding of set texts in English and Drama

Shakespearience – a trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon.

a visit to the British Science Festival at Birmingham University for the most able Scientists

Birmingham Through the Ages – understand the history of the city that you live in.

as part of the Arts Across the City trip, Year 7 students attend a concert at Symphony Hall

in the International Convention Centre

“Having the opportunity to perform a duet during Mass gave me an immense confidence

boost. I loved that I got to exhibit my talent infront of the whole school at such a sacred

time” – Year 7 pupil

The Pupil Pledge

We feel so strongly that all pupils deserve the opportunity to have their lives enriched with a

variety of different opportunities and activities that we have designed with our pupils a Pupil

Pledge consisting of 15 things that pupils should do before leaving the school.

Pupil Pledge

Things you should do before leaving school …

1. Take part in a residential trip.

2. Take part in charity work or a fundraising activity.

3. Take on a leadership role.

4. Help to make a change in your community.

5. Visit an art gallery/museum.

6. See a production at a theatre or attend a concert.

7. Attend a regional/national sporting event.

8. Take part in a performance.

9. Take part in a liturgy.

10. See the sea.

11. Climb a mountain.

12. Represent your house.

13. Represent your school.

14. Visit a place of non-Christian worship.

15. Visit a place of further or higher education.

When pupils start school, staff give them a ‘pupil pledge’ that lists 15 ‘things you

should do before leaving school’. This pledge includes activities such as ‘take part in

a residential trip’, ‘help to make a change in your community’, and ‘visit a place of

non-Christian worship’. – Ofsted Sept 2016