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

On Sunday 20 October, a School Uniform Mass was held at Sacred Heart and St Peter the Apostle to recognise the work done by all schools within our Pastoral Area and as a way of recognising Education Sunday.  Well over 50 pupils and students ranging from Year R to Year 11 attended Mass in their school uniforms to represent their schools, both Catholic and non-Catholic, in our parishes.  It was a particularly special event as for St Peter’s as it formed part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations for the school. The parish was kind enough to provide a cake to add to the celebration, with myself and Chair of Governors Liz Holford shown here on cake-cutting duties.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

At the beginning of each October, World Teachers Day is a chance to recognise the incredible work done by teachers in all of our schools.  At St Peter’s, and right from the very start of my Headship, I have made clear that every adult who works in the school is a teacher, regardless of their official job title.  We hold the view that all adults have something to teach children when they are working together in our school, just as all adults at St Peter’s recognise that children can themselves teach us and each other lots about the wonderful world in which they live. 

To mark World Teachers Day, local facilities management company Citrus Services kindly offered to St Peter’s a selection of sweet treats and fruit for the staff room, and £100 in Amazon vouchers to spend on a staff wellbeing item which can be put to shared use for all colleagues in the staff room.  Thank you to Coralee from Citrus Services for visiting St Peter’s and donating these kind and much appreciated gifts.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

Thursday 17th October 2024: 9.30 – 11.00am

Tuesday 22nd October 2024: 1.15 – 2.45pm

Wednesday 6th November 2024: 9.30 – 11.00am

Monday 11th November 2024: 1.15 – 2.45pm

Wednesday 13th November 2024: 6.00 – 7.30pm

To book into one of our Open Events, please email d.champion@stpeterswaterlooville.hants.sch.uk or call 02392 262599. Please arrive for the start time of the events listed above for a presentation by the Headteacher Mr Cunningham before a guided tour of the school.

Well done to the pupils of St Peter’s who raised £349 for CAFOD during the recent Harvest Family Fast Day by coming into school in their own clothes with the theme of “Wear it bright!”.  The school was a riot of colour, and the children included in their learning plenty about how CAFOD helps the poorest and most vulnerable around the world.  Thank you to all the families of the school community who gave their support to this fundraising initiative.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

The staff at St Peter’s raised over £190.00 by hosting a MacMillan coffee morning at the end of September.

Taking a break from a very intense Inset Day, colleagues joined together for some lovely treats, all served on the best china,  to donate money to a great cause that gives incredible support to all those affected by cancer. The cakes and crockery were provided by www.anenglishtearoom.com .

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

On Wednesday, part of the school’s EARA (equality and rights advocates) group took part in a Climate Unity Conference with other schools in Hampshire, under the guidance of Miss Sheppard. The conference was part of Hampshire’s Climate Unity Project, raising children’s awareness of global issues effecting the environment.

During the conference, the children discussed different environmental issues brought to them by Hampshire Wildlife Trust. They worked as a group to identify solutions to each issue and it was interesting to see the range of different solutions suggested by each school.

Next, they were introduced to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, who ran a workshop on elephants. The children worked together using waste materials to create an enclosure to keep these animals from eating crops. Ideas the children encompassed in their models included: loud noises, fences, alternative food sources and other things to scare off the elephants.

Finally, the children had the exciting opportunity to use a program called Lyfta, where they were able to zone in on an area of Cornwall and a man carrying what looked like an Easter Island statue! After discussing their initial thoughts on what they saw, they then watched a video where the man was seen beachcombing and using what he found to make sculptures and artwork.

The conference generated lots of food for thought of how we can protect the environment locally and globally and the children look forward to actioning some of their ideas in the future.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

Fr James celebrated Mass to mark the start of the new school year at St Peter’s, with 370 children from Years 1 to 6 in attendance.  Fr James based his homily upon the upcoming Year of Jubilee 2025, the theme of which as decided by Pope Francis is to be ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. 

The children were made aware that this jubilee year will be marked across the whole Church throughout the whole world, but that its presence will be felt right here in the school on a daily basis.  Seeing the vibrancy, the solidarity and the love of the school community is a source of hope that in our little corner of the world we are creating a small piece of God’s kingdom here on earth.

Fr James explained that when he visits the school, he is always filled with hope for the future when spending time with the children of St Peter’s. 

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

This week has seen our newest and youngest learners join St Peter’s.  Children in the Reception Year have now started attending ‘big school’.  Once our Early Years teachers had set out to visit each child at their home, the children had an opportunity to come into school for an hour at a time with a family adult for a ‘Stay and Play’ session.  Then, a series of half-day sessions begun, giving the children a chance to experience morning and afternoon routines on different days, before moving on to include staying for lunch at school.  

From Monday 16 September, 60 girls and boys will be full time at St Peter’s in the Early Years Key Stage, setting out on a big adventure for the next 7 years of education, growth, friendship and formation.  Please keep our youngest pupils and their families in your prayers this week.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

We returned to school this week straight into autumn weather, with wet playtimes and puddles on the playground. The pupils in Years 1 to 6 have settled in exceptionally well, and on Friday we welcomed new children into Year R for their “Stay and Play” sessions before they settle in to half-days next week, and full time from Monday 16th September.

The new school year got off to a collective start at St Peter’s this week with pupils from Years 1 to 6 joining together on the first morning back for worship.  Even with primary-aged children, the challenges of this summer across the country could not be ignored, likewise the tragic loss of 3 girls in Southport of primary school age.  Therefore, the Beatitudes were chosen as the scripture for our worship, and rather than dwelling on the loss and violence, the focus was on inclusion, love, understanding and community, from the classroom to the playground to the wider community.  Our worship was concluded with the following prayer:

Merciful God, author and giver of peace, as we continue to pray for the families and friends of those who died and those who were injured in Southport, we remember that You have created each of us in your image, and that everyone is worthy of dignity and respect.
Heavenly Father, listen to the cry that rises from many towns in our country, from those subjected to violence and racial hatred. We pray for peace which, as your son Jesus Christ told us, is a peace which the world cannot give. We pray that closed eyes may be opened to see beyond the boundaries of race, religion, and hatred. May hearts be renewed to embrace all your children as brothers and sisters.
In your righteousness, stir the hearts of your people that, rejoicing in our diversity, we may be assured of your love, be free of all fear and strive for peace.
Amen 

Please keep the pupils, staff, families and community of St Peter’s Catholic Primary School in your prayers for the academic year ahead.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

Congratulations to the pupils who won end of year awards at St Peter’s in July 2024

Pictured here with Jodie Swaine, a member of St Peter’s governing body, and Mr Cunningham, Headteacher, are …

Performer of the Year – Luke

Sportswoman of the Year – Katie

Sportsman of the Year – Zachary

Mrs Daley Reading Award – Oliver

Early Year Governors’ Award – Anne Mary

Key Stage 1 Governors’ Award – Ishitha

Key Stage 2 Governors’ Award – Frankie

Termly House Plate (St John Paul) – Hattie

Sports Day Winners (St John Paul) – Bethany

House Cup Winners (St Oscar Romero) – Maddie

Congratulations to all of these pupils, and to all the children of St Peter’s for their hard work and many achievement over the course of the school year. We give our love and best wishes to staff and pupils leaving us at the end of this term, and wish you all a restful and enjoyable summer.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher