Well done and thank you to our fabulous school choir which has started its seasonal commitments in the local area for Advent and Christmas.

The children’s choir sang at the switching on of the Waterlooville Christmas lights, and (pictured above) at the Waterlooville Christmas Fayre. They will perform to residents of Oaklands Care Home next week, and will be leading the singing at our Carol Service at 6:30pm on Wednesday 17 December at Sacred Heart and St Peter the Apostle church.

Enormous thanks go to Mrs Knight and Mrs Moore for the hard work they do to lead our choir in school.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

Congratulations to our pupils in Year 1 who coordinated the school-wide collection for the annual Operation Christmas Child appeal. Donations from throughout the school of toiletries, toys, stationery and treats were packed into decorated shoe boxes to be sent across the globe to children living in less fortunate circumstances.

Pictured here alongside pupils from Year 1 are Miss O’Connell who organised St Peter’s collection campaign, along with Mr and Mrs Whelan from Oaklands and two of the Sixth Form Leadership Team who orchestrated the combined efforts of both schools to help young people around the world for him these donations may be the only Christmas gift they receive. Thank you to all families who donated, and to the staff in St Peter’s and Oaklands for their continued support of the Samaritan’s Purse international relief charity.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

As the Church’s Jubilee Year enters its final two months, and for the final five weeks of our school term, the pupils and staff of St Peter’s have renewed their commitment to a fairer world for all through a renewal of our Jubilee Pledge.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

Each November, St Peter’s community comes together to honour those who have served and sacrificed in times of war and conflict. Remembrance is not just a moment of silence—it is a time of reflection, prayer, and learning rooted in our Catholic values of peace, compassion, and gratitude.

In the lead-up to Remembrance Day, pupils across all year groups engaged in age-appropriate activities that help them understand the significance of this time. From creating poppy artwork to reading stories of courage and hope, St Peter’s pupils are encouraged to think deeply about the meaning of service and the importance of peace.

On Tuesday 11 November we held a two-minute silence at St Peter’s followed by age-appropriate prayers for all who have died in war, for those who continue to serve, and for peace in our world. The Gospel reminds us of Jesus’ call to be peacemakers, and we reflect on how we can live this out in our daily lives—through kindness, forgiveness, and standing up for what is right.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

As we step into November, the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, inviting us into a season of reflection and remembrance. At St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, this month began with a whole school Celebration of the Word on the solemnity of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day — two important occasions in the Church’s calendar that remind us of the communion of saints and the hope we hold in eternal life.

In the worship, our pupils learnt about the life of the recently canonised Saint Carlo Acutis, drawing inspiration from his courage, compassion, and unwavering faith. Saint Carlo Acutis’ life story helps us reflect on how we, too, can live out our values in everyday life — showing kindness, seeking justice, and walking humbly with God. As we journey through this month together, we hold in prayer all those who have gone before us, and we give thanks for the light of Christ that guides us through every season.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

This week, our Year 6 pupils embarked on an unforgettable residential trip to Fairthorne Manor – a week filled with adventure, teamwork, and lifelong memories! Nestled in beautiful Hampshire countryside, Fairthorne Manor offered the perfect setting for our pupils to explore the great outdoors and challenge themselves in new ways.  Throughout the week, the children took part in a wide range of activities including kayaking, den building, abseiling, archery, orienteering, and climbing. These activities were not only fun but also helped to build confidence, resilience, and cooperation. It was wonderful to see every child step out of their comfort zone and support one another with such enthusiasm and kindness.

Evenings were just as lively, with campfires, group games, and reflections on the day’s adventures. The children especially enjoyed singing around the fire and sharing stories with their friends.  A huge thank you goes to the staff at Fairthorne Manor for their excellent guidance and care, and to our school staff who supported the children throughout the week.  We’re incredibly proud of our Year 6 pupils for their positive attitude and excellent behaviour – they were a credit to our school! This trip will be a highlight of their final year.

Our Year 6 blog page shows you pictures of both the Fairthorne adventures, and the exciting project work that other pupils undertook whilst in school for the week.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

…is to lead by example.

Recently St Peter’s staff held a MacMillan coffee morning during our Inset day, raising £156 for the charity. One of the benefits of being Executive Headteacher over two schools is that I got to go to Oaklands’ MacMillan coffee morning on a different Inset day, so here I am pictured below leading by example in sampling the cakes, with the hearty encouragement of Mr Whelan from the PE Department. Our secondary school and sixth form neighbours at Oaklands managed to raise £600 for MacMillan Cancer Support.

The children and staff of St Peter’s also recently raised £337 for CAFOD with a “Wear it bright for harvest” non-uniform day. Thank you to all the staff and families who have donated to these two worthy causes.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

We are hosting a range of open school events as follows:

Thursday 16th October 2025: 9.15 – 10.45am 

Tuesday 21st October 2025: 1.15 – 2.45pm 

Wednesday 5th November 2025: 9.15 – 10.45am 

Monday 10th November 2025: 1.15 – 2.45pm 

Wednesday 12th November 2025: 6.00 – 7.30pm 

Applications for Year R September 2026 open in November 2025 

Applications for Year 3 September 2026 open now!

If you would like to book a place at any of these events, please contact the school on 023 9226 2599 or email adminoffice@stpeterswaterlooville.hants.sch.uk 

This week Fr James Lewis and I attended a meeting organised by the Catholic Academies and Schools Office (CASO) of the Diocese of Portsmouth.  Headteachers and Clergy from all across the Diocese came together to discuss how homes, schools and parishes can work in closer union to share the faith and promote the spiritual formation not just of our children and young people, but whole families as well.  There were presentations on best practice from schools and parishes, as well as a chance to discuss initiatives with schools and parish priests both in our pastoral area and the greater Portsmouth area.  There was an abundance of ideas, so there is a lot to digest from the day, but over the coming months and years we hope to be able to strengthen still further the links between our schools and parishes in and around Waterlooville.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

I had the pleasure of starting my week in the Reception Year classrooms, which always brings inspiration and joy to any day. Our youngest and newest pupils have as their book of the week “The Lion Inside”. This bestselling story is about confidence, self–esteem, and a shy little mouse who sets out on a journey to find his roar.

In a dry dusty place where the sand sparkled gold, stood a mighty flat rock, all craggy and old. And under that rock in a tinyful house, lived the littlest, quietest, meekest brown mouse.
Fed up of being ignored by the other animals, Mouse wishes he could roar like Lion. But, as he discovers, even the biggest, bossiest people are scared sometimes … and even the smallest creatures can have the heart of a lion!

Well I am please to report that all of our Reception Year children have been super-brave since starting school, and as we move from September to October it is as if these boys and girls have never been anywhere else. Their relationship with St Peter’s has got off to a brilliant start as they build friendships and confidence that will last them a lifetime.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

We are hosting a range of open school events as follows:

Thursday 16th October 2025: 9.15 – 10.45am 

Tuesday 21st October 2025: 1.15 – 2.45pm 

Wednesday 5th November 2025: 9.15 – 10.45am 

Monday 10th November 2025: 1.15 – 2.45pm 

Wednesday 12th November 2025: 6.00 – 7.30pm 

Applications for Year R September 2026 open in November 2025 

Applications for Year 3 September 2026 open now!

If you would like to book a place at any of these events, please contact the school on 023 9226 2599 or email adminoffice@stpeterswaterlooville.hants.sch.uk 

We would like to remind you of an invitation from the Waterlooville Parish of the Sacred Heart and St Peter the Apostle to a Mass at 11:00am on Sunday 12th October 2025.  

To mark Education Sunday (deferred from 14th September) children at St Peter’s, Oaklands and all local schools, whether they live in the parishes in Waterlooville and St Edmund’s in Horndean or not, are invited to attend this Mass in their school uniform.  This invitation is extended to school pupils and students of any age, no matter which school they attend, and to children of all parishes in the area, not just the Catholic churches.

We would be delighted to welcome as many families as possible to celebrate this special Mass.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher