Super STEM
Friday at St Peter’s saw a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, as we held the second of our three annual STEM days. Year 6 were bridging gaps with their own colossal designs, Year 5 used spaghetti (uncooked!) and marshmallows to make space shuttle launch towers, Year 4 built a range of global habitats and ecosystems, and Year 3 were testing different boat designs made of tin foil. In Key Stage 1, Year 2 pupils used their computing skills to do some re-design work for Google before producing information on bees and pollination, whilst Year 1 investigated what different animals ate by researching herbivores, carnivores and omnivores. Finally, and not to be left out, Reception children followed recipe instructions to make their own cookies. Check out the class blogs over the coming days for reports and pictures of these stunning STEM studies.
Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher
Our staff briefing prayer for 31st January 2020
Father of mankind, Lord of history, bringer of peace,
watch over Europe, the whole of Europe, all of her nations.
Europe to whom you have sent philosophers, legislators, wise people,
forerunners in faith of your Son, who has died and has risen again
Watch over these peoples, evangelised by Peter and Paul,
by the prophets, by the monks, by the saints;
blessed by the work of the humble,
and touched by the voice of the reformers.
Watch over the peoples united by so many ties
but also divided, over time, by hatred and war.
Help us in working for a Europe of the Spirit
founded not only on economic agreements,
but also on human and eternal values.
A Europe capable of ethnic and ecumenical reconciliations,
ready to welcome the stranger, respectful of each person’s dignity.
Grant that we assume our duty with hope
to inspire and promote an understanding among peoples
which ensures in all the continents justice and bread,
freedom and peace for all of your people.
Adapted from a prayer by Card. Carlo Maria Martini
Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher
Early Years Liturgy
Congratulations this week go to our pupils in Early Years for celebrating their first Year Group liturgy at St Peter’s. All of the children from Miss Deacon’s Seahorse class and Mrs Conlon’s Starfish class welcomed members of their family in to share in worship on the topic of kindness. The pupils acted out the parable of the Good Samaritan to show how Jesus taught us what true kindness towards others looks like. This was followed by the world premiere of an amazing “Early Years Films Production” of examples of their kindness to others in school, which was projected onto the big screen in the hall. Finally, the pupils showed through pictures and words what they could do to be kind to others in their daily lives. Thanks go to all of the Early Years staff for the hard work that went into preparing the Liturgy, to lay chaplain Miss Keogh from Oaklands for supporting the worship, to Fr Jeremy for visiting the children and offering a blessing, and to all of the family members who were able to join us on a crisp and frosty January morning.
Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher
A lesson in humanity
This week the pupils in Years 4, 5 and 6 were lucky enough to have a visit from an inspirational speaker by the name of Chris Lubbe. His life began in the rural surroundings of Port St Johns, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. At high school, he discovered he had a gift for speaking, and led students in protest against the unjust system of ‘apartheid’. This action was to set him on a collision course with the ‘apartheid’ regime, and he has spent the rest of his life involved in the relentless struggle against discrimination.
When the ‘apartheid’ regime ended, Chris found himself by chance being selected as a body guard for Nelson Mandela by the great man himself. In that role, he had the honour of meeting some of the greatest world leaders including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, President Bill Clinton, Her Majesty the Queen and Pope John Paul II.
His purpose now is to inspire positive change and to help others discover their own purpose in life. He believes that each of us has an in-built ability to make a positive contribution to the world, and works hard to imbue that in every group to which he speaks. He shares his life story and the unique story of South Africa’s transition from ‘apartheid’ to a democracy. It is a story of determination and resilience which is a tribute to the thousands of South Africans who have gave their lives in the pursuit of freedom. The key themes from his message are determination, courage, perseverance, persistence and the power of forgiveness, centring on the power of unconditional love and the true meaning of humanity, known as ‘Ubuntu’ in Zulu.
Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher
Terrific topics
The start of the new term heralds the start of new topic learning in each year group at St Peter’s. During the first half of the spring term, Year R children will be getting creepy crawly with mini-beasts, Year 1 children will be researching toys past and present, and Year 2 pupils will be taking ‘one small step’ as they learn about the moon landing of 1969. In Key Stage 2, Year 3 are trekking off to the rain forests for their topic work, Year 4 are ‘island hopping’, and Year 6 are about to embark on adventurous activities with an assault on Mount Everest. Finally, Year 5 are blasting off into space for their topic, which they launched with a trip to the Winchester Science Museum this week. Thanks go to all the Year 5 staff and the parent helpers who made the trip possible in the first week of a new term. Take time over the coming weeks to speak to your children about their topic learning, and visit year group blogs, to get an insight into the broad curriculum on offer here at St Peter’s.
Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher
Happy Christmas
Happy Christmas from all the staff at St Peter’s Catholic Primary School.
Thank you for all of the kind words, thoughtful cards and generous gifts.
With our very best wishes for a restful holiday and a prosperous 2020.
Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher
Top of the tree
Thank you so much to all of the families who donated tons and tons of tins and tins during Advent and today on our Christmas jumper day. The can collection was also boosted by a very generous retiring collection from our Carol Service this week which raised £176 to go towards buying items for our Christmas Caring Cans tree. Pictured here is the tree in all its splendour, carefully constructed with mathematical and engineering precision by Mr Pratley and Mr Land.
On Friday afternoon Mrs Knight and Mrs Walls’ drama club presented their Christmas show of The Bethlehem Star, and we were lucky enough to be joined by Councillor Wade, former Mayor of Havant, and his wife Mrs Wade. After watching the show, we ‘presented’ to Councillor Wade our Food Bank donations, and he spoke to the whole school about the difference their generosity will make to those families in need and the homeless of Havant and Waterlooville this Christmas.
Pictured below are Councillor Wade and Mrs Wade, Mrs Pearson who was the inspiration behind the project, and Mr Land and Mr Pratley, who along with their Year 6 classes coordinated the collection and construction.
Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher
Do you hear what I hear?
St Peter’s school choir have been doing wonderful performances lately as the festive season starts to get into gear. Pictured below you can see the choir performing at Oaklands Catholic School, where once again they opened the annual Craft and Gift Fayre to a great reception. This coming week, they will be performing at a Volunteers’ Christmas Party at the Rowans Hospice, and leading the congregational singing at the school Carol Service. The service is at 6:30pm at the Church of the Sacred Heart and St Peter the Apostle in Waterlooville, and all people linked to the St Peter’s community are warmly invited to join us. Special thanks must go to Mrs Sumba for leading the choir and preparing them for their many seasonal commitments.
Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher
The best of the virtual world
We had a really exciting Key Stage 2 assembly this week entitled ‘Be Internet Legends’.
The pupils were reminded of the many different ways to stay safe on-line so that they can truly enjoy the best that the virtual world has to offer. Reminding pupils to be “Sharp, Alert, Secure, Kind and Brave” when using on-line material, our presenters guided the children through Interland with the help of some good, and not so good, virtual characters.
On-line safety is an ever changing topic, with new issues to address on an almost monthly basis, so do please take the time to talk with your children about the ways in which they can stay safe on-line. Looking up ‘Be Internet Legends’ or ParentZone.org.uk will provide a whole host of materials for discussion with your family.
Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher
Clean sweep – the numbers add up!
Congratulations to Aaron, Roberta, Matthew and Annie (below) who won the annual Maths Olympiad at Oaklands Catholic School this week. Competing against other local primary schools, our pupils faced real life maths challenges, and after some gruelling tasks came out on top.
It was a close run thing, as they beat the second placed team by just 1 point! “Who was the second placed team?” I hear you ask. Well, it was the other team from St Peter’s, meaning that Caitlin, Daniel, Tilly and Joe ensured a ‘one-two’ finish for the brilliant mathematicians from St Peter’s! Thank you to Mr Pratley who arranged for our teams to compete.
Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher