As we reach the close of another school year, it is with a heart full of gratitude and joy that I write to you, reflecting on the incredible journey that the St Peter’s community has shared over the past months.  This year has been a testament to the resilience and spirit of our pupils, staff, and families. Together, we have faced challenges, celebrated successes, and most importantly, lived out the values of kindness, respect, and faith that define our school community.

Our pupils have grown in so many ways, not just academically but in their personal and spiritual development. From the wonderful Masses, Celebrations of the Word and prayers that have deepened our connection to God, to the school Nativity plays, sports days, the Year 6 production and charity events that have brought us together in celebration, this year has been filled with moments to treasure.  Of course, our very best wishes for the future go to our Year 6 pupils for whom their time at St Peter’s has now come to an end.  Good luck to you all in the months, years and many adventures that lie ahead.

Congratulations to our award winners below on their achievements this year.
Early Years Governors Award = Jenson
Key Stage 1 Governors Award = Emma
Key Stage 2 Governors Award = Caelen
Sportsman of the Year = Mason
Sportswoman of the Year = Neve
Performer of the Year = Bella
Sports Day Winners = St Oscar Romero
House Cup Winners = St Oscar Romero

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated teaching and support staff throughout the whole school for their unwavering commitment and care for the children in their charge. Their passion for nurturing each child’s potential is evident in everything they do, and I am proud to work alongside such a talented team.  Equally, to all our parents, carers and volunteers, thank you for your continued support. Your partnership is invaluable in helping St Peter’s continue to thrive. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a strong and supportive school community.

As we look ahead to the summer, I encourage you all to take some time to rest, reflect, and recharge. Pope St John Paul II once wrote ‘Through the recreation and leisure made possible by travel, people are restored and renewed, body and spirit. They return home to family and work with a new perspective and enthusiasm for life’.  We will return in September with renewed energy, ready to embrace the challenges and joys of a new academic year.

Wishing you all a peaceful and blessed summer break.

Mr R Cunningham

Congratulations to the pupils of Year 6 at St peter’s for their incredible production of Mary Poppins Junior this week.  After just five weeks of rehearsal, the pupils were able to put on an incredible show to the lower school and then upper school during the day time, and then two consecutive evening performances for families and friends.  Enormous thanks go to the staff and many volunteers who helped in the preparations for this musical theatre masterpiece!

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

Recently, pupils and students from schools all over the Diocese gathered at St John’s Cathedral for the annual schools Mass celebrated by Bishop Philip.  After Mass, the congregation moved to Jubilee Park for picnics and ice creams.  Pictured here in the park of are the pupils and students of St Peter’s and Oaklands with Bishop Philip, along with Mrs Moore, Mr Quinn, Mr Cunningham and Mrs Semple.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

Congratulations to the 19 pupils from St Peter’s who made their First Holy Communion at Scared Heart and St Peter the Apostle over the past two weekends.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

We are deeply saddened by the devastating news of the Air India plane crash reported on 12 June 2025, remembering the victims and all those affected in our prayers.  We understand this will be a distressing time for those affected by this disaster, especially for those in the St Peter’s community who share a rich Indian heritage and cultural background.  If any families or pupils are in need of emotional support having been affected by the plane crash, we have support services in school to help anyone who asks.

Earlier in the week we received a message from Father James with the sad news that Father Gerard Flynn of St Michaels and All Angels parish in Leigh Park died on Tuesday 10 June 2025. He had been ill for some time and was under medical care, but his passing has still come as a great shock to the Catholic community in our area. Father Gerard was a devoted and faithful servant to the local Catholic school communities, celebrating many masses and bringing with him a presence, wisdom, and kindness that will be deeply missed. Please remember him in your prayers.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

Returning from their half-term break, pupils at St Peter’s celebrated a special liturgy to mark the Feast of the Ascension. Having taken part in the recent vote, the children are very excited to find out about the name of the new parish which will be announced at the Pentecost One Mass Sunday on 8 June. Meanwhile, Year 6 have started rehearsals for the end of year production of Mary Poppins details of ticket sales will be published soon.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

The month of May seems to have flown by!  Since returning after Easter, Year 6 have successfully completed their SATs and are now in audition and rehearsal mode for their end of year performance of Mary Poppins.  Year 2 visited Southampton Sea City museum as part of their Titanic topic, Year 3 went to Fort Nelson to study the Romans and the Celts, and the whole school both marked and celebrated the 80^th anniversary of VE Day.  There definitely seems to be a strong history flavour to some of our curriculum events this half term, and how fitting that we have lived through the historic event of the election of a new Pope. 

The Church and the whole world will doubtless turn to Pope Leo XIV for guidance and moral leadership, so it is only right that we in return pray for him:

Faithful God,
You guide us on the path of life
and your goodness is our constant companion.

Be with our new Shepherd, Pope Leo XIV,
in his service of the Church.
Fill him with the power of your Spirit,
the peace of your presence
and the compassion of Christ.

May he walk with you,
in wisdom and humility,
and lead us, together with all God’s people,
to embody your love for the world.
Amen.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

The final report from the Ofsted inspection that took place at St Peter’s on 23^rd and 24^th April 2025 was published this week, and is available to read on the school website.  The outcome of the inspection is that St Peter’s Catholic Primary School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified in the previous inspection of November 2019, an inspection which rated the school as “Good”. 

This outcome is a fitting acknowledgement of the hard work done by all of the staff of St Peter’s over the past six years, a time period which we must not forget included the huge disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic.  I must commend the good behaviour and mature conduct that the pupils showed during the inspection; they were a credit to their families and their teachers, and gave the very best impression of St Peter’s to the inspector.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

St Peter’s marked the 80th Anniversary of the momentous Victory in Europe day by dressing up in red, white and blue and gathering for a whole school picnic on the playing field.

At 12:00 midday, over 430 pupils and 55 staff stood for 2 minutes silence alongside the nation to remember with thanks and prayer the sacrifices made by so many across the globe during the Second World War.

Gracious God,
At this time of commemoration, we give thanks for the courage of those who fought for freedom and Peace in Europe. We honour the lives lost, the sacrifices made, and the unity that brought an end to tyranny.
May their legacy inspire us to stand for justice, to seek peace with humility, and to cherish the freedoms we now enjoy. Guide us to be peacemakers in our own time, with hearts full of gratitude and hope.
Amen.

Next, lunch was served, as pupils tucked into picnics both brought from home and provided by the school canteen.

The picnic lunch in the sunshine was accompanied by entertainment. Pupils who attend the SD Dance Studio club after school performed three popular wartime songs, the most vibrant of which was “Doing the Lambeth Walk” (above), after which the choir sang for the school a repertoire which included “Run, Rabbit Run!” (below).

Thank you to all the staff who worked so hard to arrange such a fitting celebration for the children.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

The Easter Eggs which St Peter’s collected have been shared with seafarers who came to Portsmouth on two ships around Easter time.  Representatives of Stella Maris explained that they had only brought the Easter Eggs which were donated by the children from St Peter’s Catholic Primary School in nearby Waterlooville; the seafarers were all surprised to the receive eggs since they don’t have this tradition in their countries, and even more surprised and impressed that the gifts came from the children. 

There was a very big thank you to everyone who gave the Easter Eggs from both Stella Maris and the hard working mariners. They were a wonderful treat for those who do not have their families and friends around to see and socialise with at this special time of the year.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher