This week pupils and staff at St Peter’s school received ashes to mark the start of Lent.

On Ash Wednesday, Miss Keogh (Lay Chaplain at Oaklands) and I visited the Year 1 and Reception classes to explain the reason for the distribution of ashes, and administer ashes to each child and colleague in the class.

Next, pupils from Years 2 to 6 gathered in the hall to hear the Gospel reading on Christ’s temptation in the desert before the beginning of his ministry here on earth.  The pupils were then asked to commit to actions or behaviours that would, during Lent, go the extra mile to reach out to those in need or those lacking friendship, love or happiness.  Finally, Miss Keogh and I distributed ashes to the 300 plus pupils and staff in the service, pictured below.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

Well done to the pupils who have recently represented St Peter’s in inter-school competitions.  Pupils from Years 4 and 5 took part in a Maths Challenge at Crookhorn College, showing the range, depth and adaptability of the mathematical skills they have learnt over time at St Peter’s.  Equally, 26 pupils from Year 6 took part in a Sports Hall Athletics competition at the Mountbatten Centre in Portsmouth in the week before half term.  Each competitor gave up lunch times to practice, and competed extremely well against other children in the area.  We are grateful to Oaklands for lending us a vital selection of indoor athletics equipment to help with training.  Thanks go especially to the staff who made the pupils’ participation in these events possible – just two small examples of why the pupils and staff at St Peter’s now deserve a well-earned half-term break.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

Friday at St Peter’s saw a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, as we held the second of our three annual STEM days. Year 6 were bridging gaps with their own colossal designs, Year 5 used spaghetti (uncooked!) and marshmallows to make space shuttle launch towers, Year 4 built a range of global habitats and ecosystems, and Year 3 were testing different boat designs made of tin foil. In Key Stage 1, Year 2 pupils used their computing skills to do some re-design work for Google before producing information on bees and pollination, whilst Year 1 investigated what different animals ate by researching herbivores, carnivores and omnivores. Finally, and not to be left out, Reception children followed recipe instructions to make their own cookies. Check out the class blogs over the coming days for reports and pictures of these stunning STEM studies.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher