After the busy schedule of December and all that the season of Advent brings to a primary school, the start of January has seen us settle back into a calmer school life. Part of this return to ‘Ordinary Time’ in the second half of the month has been the return to Liturgies and Masses at school rather than Nativity Plays and Carols Services.

Pictured here is Fr James Lewis celebrating Mass with Years 3 and 4 and their families this week in school.

Fr James admitted to the pupils that Priests aren’t perfect (no mention was made of Headteachers at this point in his homily though) and that on occasions we admit that there are some people we like less than others, choosing instead to spend more time with those we do have common interests with. Using the example of the Good Samaritan, Fr James encouraged us all to try to spend a little more time with those of whom we may be less fond, learning about them and learning to love them as a way of living a Christian life.

Last week the pupils in Year R celebrated their first Year Group Liturgy with Fr Jeremy. A theme of Creation saw the 4 and 5 year old children retell the story of Creation in words and pictures, with a live piece of artwork created by the children during the Gospel reading. As always, my thanks go to Mrs Semple, Oaklands’ Lay Chaplain, for preparing our worships, to Fr Jeremy and James for celebrating with us, and to the families who join us in school as part of the St Peter’s community.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

Pupils from Years 4, 5 and 6 who live in and around Waterlooville were involved in a consultation exercise this week looking at the major redevelopment of the town centre. The children were asked to give their ideas on transport, access and activities in the Waterlooville, and what they may like to see for their home town in the coming years.

Well done to all the pupils involved for giving such insightful and creative ideas to the development plan. For more information on the project, see here: Waterlooville Town Centre Masterplan | Havant Borough Council The latest phase of the engagement – the Waterlooville Town Centre Festival of Ideas – is taking place between Monday 22 January and Thursday 25 January. Based in the vacant ‘GAME’ unit on the main precinct, this event aims to bring together all those with an interest in the town centre to collaboratively explore and shape the future for the area. You can register your place at the Festival of Ideas here and find out more information about the Waterlooville Town Centre Masterplan. 

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

2024 marks the 60th, or Diamond, Anniversary of St Peter’s School. Over the course of the summer term 2024, we will be marking this occasion with learning and curriculum activities for the pupils, and fundraising campaigns from the brilliant Friends of St Peter’s to mark the event for families and provide mementos for the children. Our ever popular annual St Peter’s Summerfest will have a 1960s theme both in appearance, music and outfits, so start thinking about what groovy gear you will wear to the best show of the summer on Friday 21st June 2024.

As we know, St Peter’s is like a village school in a town setting, so there are many generations of families who have passed through the school either on its original site on London Road or here now on Stakes Hill Road. In due course we will be asking for memories, artefacts and photos from parents, carers and grandparents of their time at St Peter’s during the previous six decades. Watch this space.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

As we mark the Feast of the Epiphany, and on our return to school, we wish everyone in the St Peter’s community a Happy New Year 2024.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher