This half-term the Equality And Rights Advocates (EARA) team have been planning a special project to revamp the Buddy Benches in the Key Stage 1 and 2 playgrounds.

Before they started, these were plain benches which were not being used for the correct purpose – to be a place to go for those who can’t find a friend. The EARA team have added a brightly-coloured label to make the benches stand out, and rules for how to use the Buddy Bench correctly. The rules of the Buddy Bench were shared with the whole school during assemblies, where the EARA team acted out different scenarios of people using the bench (some correct and others incorrect) and the children had to guess which were the correct uses. 

Everyone now know how to use the Buddy Bench if they are feeling left-out or lonely, or what to do if they see someone else sitting on the bench because they feel this way. Hopefully this will be a useful spot for children and help them to build new friendships.

Thank you to the EARA team and their staff coordinator Miss Sheppard!

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

St Peter’s has returned fully  to normal routines for 2025 by continuing with our typical variety of opportunities for praise and worship.  Already during January, pupils and families in Year 1 have enjoyed a Celebration of the Word liturgical service, and one of the Year 6 classes received the Sacrament of Reconciliation in school.  Most recently, pupils in Years 3 and 4, along with many family members ranging from a newborn babe in arms to worldly wise grandparents, celebrated Mass in school.  Fr Jeremy was the celebrant, and in his homily he reminded the pupils that even when faced with life’s greatest challenges, the loving support of Jesus and a strong faith in God can help us to overcome any obstacle. 

Masses and Celebrations of the Word will continue for other year groups this term before we mark the season of Lent in March when we return from the half term break, whilst the Sacrament of Reconciliation takes place for six different classes over the full course of the school year.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher