Year 5 went back in time this week with a superb World War II theme day on Thursday. Arriving in period costume, the Year 5 pupils made sure that they had their gas masks and identity cards with them at all times throughout the day. The Golden Key celebration assembly for Key Stage 2 gathered to the Dad’s Army them tune, and was dismissed to the sound of Run, Rabbit, Run. I even had a chance to revisit my former career as a history teacher and tell the Year 5s about my link to the Second War. My grandfather Sub-Lt T Cunningham served in the RNVR, and is buried in the smallest Commonwealth War Graves cemetery in the world on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina following the sinking of HMS Bedfordshire on 11^th May 1942 when struck by a torpedo from the German submarine U-558. For lunch, still in the Blitz spirit, it was corned beef hash all round, and massive thanks to Mrs Gray who prepared and served lunch in period and patriotic costume. The Year 5 blog will have further tales of the day and photos aplenty. Thank you to the year 5 staff team who put such hard work into preparing the day for the pupils.

We had our first year group Liturgy of the school year on Tuesday, celebrated by pupils in Year 2. It was, as ever, lovely to welcome several generations of families into the school to worship with the pupils and get a taste of their learning in RE.

Mr R Cunningham

Headteacher

Two weeks into the autumn term, we can now say that the 2018 new school year has officially started at St Peter’s as we celebrated our New Beginnings School Mass on Tuesday 18^th September.  Pupils from Years 1 to 6 joined together in worship as Fr Jeremy celebrated Mass, and we were lucky enough to welcome some parishioners from Sacred Heart and St Peter the Apostle as well.  During Mass, staff and governors made an open commitment to reflect the wonder and awe of God’s creation in their teaching, prayer and work in the school.  The pupils themselves promised to be disciples of Jesus, bringing God’s love to St Peter’s school, to their families and to their friends.  Oaklands’ Chaplain Miss Keogh led the music and singing at the Mass, and we are looking forward to working with her this year as we develop our praise and worship as a school community.

Reception Year pupils are still finding their feet during their part time induction period – this week they were to be seen exploring the school wearing their specially made ‘listening ears’!  They start full time on Monday 24^th September, so do please keep them and their families in your prayers over the coming week.

Well done to the pupils in Year 3 who have blazed a trail with the first off-site trips of the year.  They visited Butser Ancient Farm to learn about Stone Age life, and my thanks go to the staff and family volunteers who made this trip happen.

Mr R Cunningham

Headteacher

We have reached the end of the first full school week, and the pupils have returned to school exceptionally well. Having had successful transition days in July, we were able to settle straight down to hard work on the first day of term last week after whole school worship, and that spirit has continued throughout this week. I have had cause to show several visitors around the school in the first 9 days of term, and without fail each of them has commented on how industrious and focussed our pupils are. It is great to see that even after 6 weeks of holidays, the children know what is expected of them in terms of work, behaviour and effort.

All of this will, in time, serve as a great example to our newest arrivals. The new intake of Reception children began their 2 week induction process on Monday of this week, and they have taken to Primary School like ducklings to water. This is due in no small part to the skill and dedication of our Early Years staff team. Having spent last week clocking up the miles on home visits, Mrs Jonas, Mrs Light, Mrs White, Mrs King, Mrs Graham, Mrs Aquilina and Miss Ingleby have created a wonderful and welcoming environment for our youngest learners. On behalf of the Year R families, I express my thanks and admiration for the great work they do in the Early Years area.

Mr R Cunningham

Headteacher

Welcome back to the new school term at St Peter’s; 2018-2019 promises to be another exciting year for pupils, families and staff alike.

During this week I have hosted assemblies for each year group in the school. My message to each pupil was a simple one, that by making just small changes to how we work and learn we can produce amazing results, and that every individual is in fact much stronger than they may think. Using only balsa wood, split pins and empty egg shells, the children were shown two demonstrations about how simple changes to a basic shape can make big improvements, and in the right way even a delicate egg shell has the strength to bear a mighty weight. Ask you children about these demonstrations, and talk with them about the lessons they have learnt to take into this new school year.

Mr R Cunningham

Headteacher