This week has seen a welcome return to Deep Learning Days with Year 5 experiencing a World War II evacuee day.  Dressed in suitable period costume, pupils learnt bout the experiences of child evacuees during the second war, and had a suitably 1940s lunch (including sprouts!) served to them.

…and even further back in time.

Also this week, the Year 3 classes visited Butser Ancient Farm in Clanfield to learn about the lives of prehistoric people.  It is startling to think that as a result of the pandemic this was the first school trip of any significance that these children have experienced at St Peter’s.

Thanks go to the staff and parent volunteers who were able to make these events and trips happen – and here’s to many more to come.  Please check the year group websites for photos of these wonderful learning experiences.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

As you can see from these photos, the Year R pupils who began full days of learning this Thursday have settled in extremely well to the St Peter’s family.

The good weather this week has allowed for lots of outdoor learning, with the children making the very best use of our refurbished garden area.  The climbing frames and outdoor equipment have been very popular, with great sharing of the resources between the children.

A full day at school certainly works up an appetite, with school lunches on ‘fishy Friday’ going down really well today.

These Reception learners, just like the rest of us, have certainly earnt a restful weekend, so that they can do it all again next week!

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

A message from Bishop Philip, Bishop of Portsmouth.

Next Sunday, 12th September 2021, is Education Sunday in England and Wales. The annual national focus on Catholic education this year will home in on the theme of “Thank You, Teachers!” We give thanks to God for all those who work in Catholic schools, for their hard work and for their dedication over what has been a very challenging 18 months.

To acknowledge the great contribution that our schools have made during the pandemic, the Catholic Education Service has provided a special prayer to say at home:

Dear Lord, Thank you for the gift of Catholic schools.
Thank you for all those who have given their talents to educating our young people.
Through the challenges they encounter each day, lead them to an ever deeper appreciation of the sacred duty to which you have called them.
Thank you for all those who contribute to the efficient running of our schools; support staff, kitchen staff, maintenance staff, governors and chaplains. We thank them for their hard work and dedication.
Thank you for all those who lead our Catholic schools. May they be people of integrity so that they can be witnesses as well as teachers. We pray that the schools they lead will become places where our young people can experience your love in their lives.
Thank you for our pupils. May your love strengthen and nurture them through the influence and example of those who care for them. We pray that through their time at school they will flourish and grow to discover who you have called them to be. We make this prayer through your Son, Jesus Christ, our teacher and our Lord,
Amen.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

How wonderful to open our doors wide and welcome back to St Peter’s all our pupils in Years 1 to 6 on Thursday morning.  As you would expect, the children settled down to learning with their new teachers straight away, with outstanding behaviour and fantastic attitudes to the schoolwork.

On Friday, in socially distanced assemblies comprising just 2 year groups at a time, I used the classic and delightful ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ to explain to pupils how each September is like the outset of a great new adventure. And even though in the story the family race home when they do actually meet a bear (!), just like the St Peter’s family they all stick together through every challenge, triumph and adventure.

Monday’s worship in school, again comprising just 2 year groups at a time in the hall, will centre on the story in Mark’s Gospel (7: 31-37) of Jesus giving speech and hearing to a dumb and deaf man.  Just as we should be open to the word of God and spread Jesus’ message in our words, so too I know that St Peter’s pupils are always open to learn from their teachers and peers, and help one another make progress to greater things during each school day.

Monday 6th September will also see the arrival of our youngest pupils in Year R as they begin their transition into Early Years, the first days of their great adventure with us here at St Peter’s.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher