Whilst the Church is now in ordinary time, at St Peter’s that means a return to our usual routines of worship in school.  This week, pupils in Year 2 shared a celebration of the Word with their families, whilst pupils in Year 6 Penguin Class celebrated the sacrament of reconciliation.  The liturgical year has its cyclical motion, with times of great activity and times of regularity.  At St Peter’s, we work hard through weekly whole school Celebration of the Word, daily classroom prayers, and scheduled year group services to ensure that our faith is nurtured, encouraged and strengthened throughout the full school year.  With this in mind, please keep the pupils, families and staff of St Peter’s Catholic Primary School in your prayers during 2026.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

St Peter’s was able to raise £566.74 through donations made at their Carol Service and the selling of programmes at their Nativity plays in December.  The money raised will be donated to Motiv8, a life-changing youth support charity and organization operating in Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport, Havant that helps young people aged 9-25 and their families facing multiple, complex barriers. It provides one-to-one mentoring, youth hubs, and targeted support to reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour, crime, and disengagement from education. Thank you to all who contributed to these collections.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

As we returned to school on Monday 5 January 2026, the pupils at St Peter’s gathered for a whole school Celebration of the Word. The focal point of our worship was this nativity scene pictured below. I explained to the children that this porcelain crib, which I inherited from my grandmother when she died in 2006, is always the last item of Christmas decoration to be packed away in our house, staying on show right up to the Feast of the Epiphany.

I drew the school’s attention to the fact that in all the noise, colour and activity of Christmas, and indeed even compared to some of the intricate and decorative traditional Nativity scenes and paintings, the simplicity of this crib speaks volumes to remind us of what truly lies at the heart of the celebration. The power of the birth of Christ, and the message of love that it brings, lasts well after all the other trappings of the season have gone.

Wishing you all a peaceful and prosperous 2026.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

Our librarian Mrs Porter has excelled herself in preparing for the pupils two beautiful displays in the library to mark the Christmas season. Firstly, we see below a display the many names by which Jesus is know in both the Old and New Testaments.

Elsewhere in the library, we have a wonderful display highlighting some of the many picture books for younger children with a Christmas theme. Even when the school is shut over Christmas, local libraries will still be open for family visits (and maybe a bit of calming time!) over the festive period.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

On Tuesday 2 December the pupils from Years 1 – 6 packed out the church of Sacred Heart and St Peter the Apostle for our annual Advent Service. In a series of readings and hymns, the children were led from the prophecy of Jesus’ birth (Isiah 9: 2, 6-7) through the birth of Jesus foretold (Luke 1: 26-38) on to the journey to Bethlehem (Luke 2: 1-5). It is at this point that our story stopped so the children could focus on the season of Advent before Christmas.

Pictured above are the 370 children along with staff and volunteers listening to Fr James Lewis who led a reflection with a special guest appearance from our old friend Fr Jeremy Garrett which delighted the children.

Everyone is warmly invited to our Christmas Carol Service at the church of Sacred Heart and St Peter the Apostle at 6:30pm on Wednesday 17 December.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

Well done and thank you to our fabulous school choir which has started its seasonal commitments in the local area for Advent and Christmas.

The children’s choir sang at the switching on of the Waterlooville Christmas lights, and (pictured above) at the Waterlooville Christmas Fayre. They will perform to residents of Oaklands Care Home next week, and will be leading the singing at our Carol Service at 6:30pm on Wednesday 17 December at Sacred Heart and St Peter the Apostle church.

Enormous thanks go to Mrs Knight and Mrs Moore for the hard work they do to lead our choir in school.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

Congratulations to our pupils in Year 1 who coordinated the school-wide collection for the annual Operation Christmas Child appeal. Donations from throughout the school of toiletries, toys, stationery and treats were packed into decorated shoe boxes to be sent across the globe to children living in less fortunate circumstances.

Pictured here alongside pupils from Year 1 are Miss O’Connell who organised St Peter’s collection campaign, along with Mr and Mrs Whelan from Oaklands and two of the Sixth Form Leadership Team who orchestrated the combined efforts of both schools to help young people around the world for him these donations may be the only Christmas gift they receive. Thank you to all families who donated, and to the staff in St Peter’s and Oaklands for their continued support of the Samaritan’s Purse international relief charity.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

As the Church’s Jubilee Year enters its final two months, and for the final five weeks of our school term, the pupils and staff of St Peter’s have renewed their commitment to a fairer world for all through a renewal of our Jubilee Pledge.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

Each November, St Peter’s community comes together to honour those who have served and sacrificed in times of war and conflict. Remembrance is not just a moment of silence—it is a time of reflection, prayer, and learning rooted in our Catholic values of peace, compassion, and gratitude.

In the lead-up to Remembrance Day, pupils across all year groups engaged in age-appropriate activities that help them understand the significance of this time. From creating poppy artwork to reading stories of courage and hope, St Peter’s pupils are encouraged to think deeply about the meaning of service and the importance of peace.

On Tuesday 11 November we held a two-minute silence at St Peter’s followed by age-appropriate prayers for all who have died in war, for those who continue to serve, and for peace in our world. The Gospel reminds us of Jesus’ call to be peacemakers, and we reflect on how we can live this out in our daily lives—through kindness, forgiveness, and standing up for what is right.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

As we step into November, the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, inviting us into a season of reflection and remembrance. At St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, this month began with a whole school Celebration of the Word on the solemnity of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day — two important occasions in the Church’s calendar that remind us of the communion of saints and the hope we hold in eternal life.

In the worship, our pupils learnt about the life of the recently canonised Saint Carlo Acutis, drawing inspiration from his courage, compassion, and unwavering faith. Saint Carlo Acutis’ life story helps us reflect on how we, too, can live out our values in everyday life — showing kindness, seeking justice, and walking humbly with God. As we journey through this month together, we hold in prayer all those who have gone before us, and we give thanks for the light of Christ that guides us through every season.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher