St Peter’s is in its final month of its 60th Anniversary year, or Diamond Jubilee.  It has been a year marked with various celebrations, such as St Peter’s Fest, a commemorative booklet for all pupils, the sale of jubilee merchandise, a Feast Day Mass, the opening of a school time capsule from 1989 and the burying of a new one to be opened in 2049. 

The year of special events sum up just what it is that makes St Peter’s so special.  Staff were creative and dedicated in how they helped the pupils to understand, appreciate and celebrate the anniversary, be that through work done in the classroom or behind the scenes.  Volunteers gave willingly of their time to create fun and memorable events that will live on warmly in children’s experience of St Peter’s. Links with our two local parishes remain strong, and the values with which we raise, educate and love the children in our care have remained constant over the 17 years I have been associated with the school (I was a parent of pupils long before taking on the Headship 8 years ago).  So, ahead of the season of Advent and the celebration of Christmas, I would like to express great thanks to the staff, volunteers, pupils and families who have made 2024, our Diamond Jubilee year, so special for St Peter’s.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

Well done to the Year 1 pupils at St Peter’s who led this year’s initiative on collecting gifts as part of the annual Operation Christmas Child appeal.

Year 1 at St Peter’s collected over 40 shoe boxes full of toys, games, craft materials, toiletries and winter essentials to be sent to children around the world who may otherwise receive no gifts at Christmas.

We are fortunate to be able to combine forces with Oaklands Catholic School and Sixth Form College to send off a bumper collection of Christmas gift boxes in the most efficient way possible. Students and staff at Oaklands were delighted to be able to host some pupils from our Year 1 to help load the boxes and send them on their way to those in need around the globe.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

St Peter’s is bringing to an end its year of celebration to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the school.  Back in the summer term, a time capsule which was buried on the old school site in 1989 was opened in a special assembly.  This contained a list of the prices of sweets, crisps and drinks at the time, a local newspaper, and lists of children’s favourite TV shows and music groups. 

For the time capsule that was buried this month, a pupil vote led to the inclusion of the school’s Diamond Jubilee memento booklet, a whole school photo, our school uniform, stamps, coins and a photo of King Charles III.  Also included in our 2024 time capsule were letters from Year 6 about life in the school and our Diamond Jubilee celebrations, along with pictures of the summer school show The Wizard of Oz.  Each class was then asked to choose their favourite book, and a copy of each was included in the time capsule.  I wonder what the children and staff of St Peter’s will think of our choices when the capsule is dug up in 2049!

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

With autumn setting in, the girls and boys at St Peter’s are being encouraged to turn to a good book when the nights draw in and the weather takes a turn for the worse.  As well as having weekly library lessons and daily class story-reading in school, the library at St Peter’s remains a traditional lending library.  Staffed by our very own dedicated librarian Mrs Porter, ably assisted by a fleet of junior librarians, pupils can borrow books on all topics, fiction and non-fiction, to take home and read for pleasure. 

And, with lovely displays in our library such as the one in this picture, who would be tempted to put the gardening to one side and settle down with a book instead!

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher