On Sunday 5th February 2017, a special event is taking place to combine a parish welcome to Monsignor Jeremy Garratt and to strengthen the links between St Peter’s and one of the two parishes from which it draws many children, the Waterlooville parish of The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St Peter the Apostle.  At the 10:30am Mass all children in the parish are invited to attend church in their school uniforms to take a lead role in the celebration of Mass, and volunteering if willing to help with readings, the offertory, etc.  When this special Mass was first discussed, I was keen from the start for it to be for all children of any school in the local area to attend Mass in their school uniform, and not just those children at St Peter’s.  So if you know of families with children who are not at St Peter’s but who attend Mass at The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St Peter the Apostle, please do encourage them to come along.  In time, it is hoped that such a celebration of Mass can take place in other Catholic parishes in the area, so Sunday 5th February really is a test run.  I know it happens elsewhere, and I have recollections of attending the same when I was a child at St Bede’s Catholic Primary School in Weaverham back in the 1980s (in short trousers with scratched knees and bruised shins as is de rigeur for small boys I am sure), so am keen for us as a school community to place children at the heart of our local parishes.

We were lucky enough this week to host Fr Jeremy as he celebrated Mass with our Year 3 and 4 pupils.  Fr Jeremy then set out on what was intended to be a visit to all the classes, but conversations with Year 3 about their taste in literature and quick-fire questions from Year 1 slowed his progress; a sign I am sure of a great relationship being forged between Fr Jeremy and the children of St Peter’s.

Mr R Cunningham

Headteacher

The main focus of my attention this week has been on observing lessons in St Peter’s.  I have drafted in the help of Headteacher colleagues from local schools and the local authority in order to validate my judgements and provide objective guidance on where we as a school can make progress in the coming months.  I am delighted to report that all of the visitors have praised the work ethic, good manners and excellent behaviour of our pupils.  The origin of such praiseworthy conduct is manifold, coming from pupil self-discipline and motivation, excellent professional instruction and guidance from the staff at St Peter’s, and of course the positive approach to school life that is encouraged and embedded at home.  I am confident in the knowledge that on such firm foundations can be built great academic and personal progress for all of the pupils at St Peter’s in the spring and summer terms of 2017.

Meanwhile, the highlight of the week for the pupils was surely the Italian Day in the canteen, where Mrs Gray and her superb team served over 380 meals to hungry boys and girls ready for a taste of Italy.  With that number to feed, thank goodness we ordered in more than ‘Just one Cornetto!’.  On behalf of everyone, therefore, to the canteen staff I say a heartfelt ‘Grazie’ for all your efforts every day in keeping us well fed and ready for the afternoons.

Mr R Cunningham

Headteacher

In the first two weeks of term, I have been very impressed with the enthusiasm shown by two year groups in particular who have immersed themselves in the history of our wider Hampshire area.  Year 2 visited the Sea City Museum in Southampton to investigate RMS Titanic’s fateful maiden voyage, and then deepened their learning with a Titanic dressing-up day at the end of last week.  It was great to have children in Edwardian garb reading prayers to the whole school as part of my Epiphany worship, and their topic learning has continued with the captivating picture book story of ‘Samson’s Titanic Journey’ by Lauren Graham.  Meanwhile Year 6 spent a day at Beaulieu Museum with a focus not on the classic cars, or the beautifully derelict Cistercian Abbey, but the work done by the agents of the Special Operations Executive during their top secret spy training for World War Two.  Of particular note was the promotion given to the brave women of the SOE who risked their lives on missions designed to, in the words of Churchill, ‘Set Europe ablaze!’ whilst under Nazi occupation.  As ever, thanks goes to the staff who organise the trips, parents who volunteer to help, and of course the pupils who are excellent learning ambassadors for St Peter’s.  And of course, I must thank my colleagues for giving me a decent ‘history fix’ to remind me of my old job in the week when I was appointed to the permanent post of Headteacher, but don’t worry, a whole school project on the significance of the ministry of Sir Robert Peel 1841 to 1846 won’t be rolled out just yet!

This week at the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St Peter the Apostle in Waterlooville the parishioners said a final farewell to Father Kevin Bidgood (see previous blog of 2nd December 2016 for how St Peter’s expressed our thanks to Fr Kevin) and welcomed Monsignor Jeremy Garrett as the new parish priest.  After the special Mass of transition on Tuesday evening I invited Fr Jeremy to come into St Peter’s as soon as he is able in the busy schedule of getting to grips with a new parish, and we look forward to making Fr Jeremy an integral part of our worshipping school community.

Finally, thank you for the many words of congratulations and encouragement that I have received in the playgrounds this week following my appointment to Headship.

Mr R Cunningham

Headteacher

Welcome back to all the children as we start 2017 with great enthusiasm and optimism for the year ahead.

This week, whilst still in the season of Christmas but with the bustle of the commercial season having passed, we took the opportunity in school for calm reflection in our two whole school worships.

We began on Wednesday with a worship centred around the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God.  Our pupils took the time to cast away in their imaginations the clean cut nativity figure scenes that adorn our homes and churches to think instead about the more realistic sights, sounds and smells that would have surrounded the Holy Family as the birth of Christ took place in a stable.  We then all reflected on what we know about the circumstances surrounding our own births, and this weekend would be a great opportunity to remind your children of when and where they were born, who their first visitors were, and any interesting anecdotes surrounding the special event.

In our whole school worship on Friday we turned our attention to the Epiphany.  The children all know that the birth of a child brings gifts galore for the new baby, with Jesus being no different.  What struck me with my own children in more recent years has been the rise of the (dreaded) party bag, where children walk away from parties to which they were invited with gifts of their own – it was a slice of cake in a sticky napkin in my day!  We thought about what we would have in a party bag if we were to leave a celebration of Jesus’ birthday, which in effect is one of the elements of the Epiphany as we return to Ordinary Time in the liturgical calendar.  The children were shown how the gifts from the celebrations of Christ’s birth, being Peace, Love, Hope, Joy and Faith, have more significance in our lives than any other gift, and will far outlast anything else that we may receive at Christmas or at our birthdays.  Each class took from the worship a party bag containing these gifts on slips of paper, and these will form the centre piece of class worship on Monday morning.

So, onwards St Peter’s with pride and confidence into 2017.  I wish you all peace, prosperity and happiness in the coming year.

Mr R Cunningham

Headteacher

Wishing you all a happy, peaceful, restful and holy Christmas, and a prosperous New Year for 2017, from all the staff at St Peter’s Catholic Primary School.

Thank you for all of the cards, gifts and good wishes that have been passed to the staff at school; each one is truly appreciated.

Don’t forget to read the December school newsletter for all the end of term and start of term updates you need.  A paper copy will go home with the children, and it is available on the school website via the quick link tab on the right hand side of the screen.

Looking forward to seeing all the children back for the new term at 8:50am on Wednesday 4th January 2017.

Mr R Cunningham

Headteacher

Well done to all of the pupils and staff at St Peter’s who rallied round today to run ‘A Mile for Maisie’ to raise money for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.  This service, funded entirely from public contributions, gave essential help when our Year 6 pupil needed to get to the teenage trauma unit at Southampton General Hospital at the start of November.  Our fundraising mile run today was our way of saying thank you in return.  Friday started with Mr Maxwell from Fry and Kent estate agents (other estate agents are available!) presenting a £60 cheque to Pets as Therapy when announcing the winners of their design a Christmas Card competition, as Maisie enjoyed visits from one of their pets in hospital whilst separated from her own dog Leo.  When Mr Maxwell saw 430 children in sports kit before him in assembly, he added another £60 to our Air Ambulance fund to get the ball rolling.  As I write we are still counting the donations from today’s event, and will add to that the retiring collection from our Carol Service on Tuesday night, so that a grand total can be announced next week.

Which takes me onto events earlier in the week.  The pupils of St Peter’s once again impressed as they conducted themselves impeccably on the journey to and from Sacred Heart and St Peter the Apostle Church, earning complimentary comments from members of the public.  Children from every year group made wonderful contributions to our Advent service, and I must thank especially the family volunteers who helped walk with the children for the service.  Then on Tuesday night the school celebrated what I hope will become an annual Carol Service at the church, brining together in one night and one place our Key Stage 2 children and families to set the Christmas spirit.  Add to that the amazing Year R nativity play, and we have had quite a busy week of it.

Of course, it doesn’t stop there, as next week sees two performances of the Year 1 and 2 nativity play on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning, Christmas dinner for the children on Tuesday (best Christmas apron on for me to serve the gravy!), our pantomime Peter Pan on Wednesday and Christmas jumper day on Friday for the last day of term.

Still, all that is yet to come, and I need to get ready for tonight’s Friend’s of St Peter’s Winter Wonderland Christmas Party!  Mince pie anybody?

Mr R Cunningham

Headteacher

Okay, so I have to admit that Christmas is on its way, and nowhere more so than here at St Peter’s.  As I have worked in my office this week, I have heard the regular rehearsals in the hall of Year R singing away for their nativity play called ‘Christmas with the Aliens’ and Year 1 and 2 belting out the songs for their nativity performance ‘Christmas Counts’.  These are special events which live long in the memory of the children and their families alike, so if you are fortunate enough to be able to come to see any of the performances, prepare to be dazzled.  As I mentioned in a much earlier blog, I am conscious that not everyone is able to attend such performances due to work commitments, but remember that you do support your children wonderfully well by the preparation and encouragement you give in providing costumes, rehearsing lines, and listening to song practices again, and again, and again!

Not to be left out, our Key Stage 2 children have their Carol Service on Tuesday evening 6th December at 6:00pm at Sacred Heart Church.  I took the decision to use the parish church so that we had a space big enough to host a large number of people in one go and in quite some comfort.  Although this is principally an event for Key Stage 2 children and their families, please do not feel that younger siblings need to stay away, we just did not want to make families feel obliged to keep littler ones up if they are starting to tire at the end of term having done their own performances in the daytimes.  Everyone will be warmly welcomed, and having heard the music rehearsals today from my office, it is sure to set the right mood of anticipation and joy for the season of Advent.

The St Peter’s community will also take the opportunity of the school Advent service on Tuesday to bid a proper and thankful farewell to Fr Kevin Bidgood, as he will be moving to St Francis’ Parish in Ascot in the New Year.  We are all grateful for the faith, prayer and joy that he has brought into our school during his time as Parish Priest in Waterlooville.  We wish him well in his new parish, and look forward to some good tips for Royal Ascot in June!

Mr R Cunningham

Headteacher

If you have already read my introduction to the November newsletter, you will know that I am quite particular on distinguishing Advent and Christmas.  I almost enjoy the build up, anticipation and preparation for Christmas as much as the great festival itself.  To mark the start of Advent in school, Patrick and Isobel Flynn, our local CAFOD representatives, gave a wonderful assembly on how CAFOD World Gifts make a telling difference to the lives of those in need around the world.  The children were able to clearly see how even the smallest of donations can add up to a gift which can improve the lives of the poor, the needy and those seeking refuge from war and persecution.  CAFOD World Gift catalogues will be coming home in children’s bags should you wish to make personal purchases as part of your Christmas shopping.  Alternatively, the web-link for CAFOD World Gifts is

https://worldgifts.cafod.org.uk/

Children have also been asked, if possible, to bring in just a few pennies each so that class groups can try to raise enough money for a small gift which we will purchase through the school.  We are not asking for large sums of money, so please don’t break the bank, but if there is a change jar that the children can tap in to, then all contributions will be gladly received.

I must also thank the many colleagues and parent helpers who have taken children out on trips this week in all types of weather!  The support of the St Peter’s community is always valuable in adding to the education we provide for the children.

Mr R Cunningham

Headteacher

My time this week has been dominated by pupil progress meetings.  Myself and my senior leadership team have spent time with each class teacher analysing the progress made by children to date and, more significantly, ways in which that progress in learning can continue and accelerate over the remainder of the academic year.  This is a valuable exercise which works in complement with the recent parents’ evenings to ensure that each pupil has their school performance carefully monitored.  What the meetings have revealed to me is just how well the class teachers know your children, and the depth with which my teaching colleagues understand the strengths and needs of individual children in their class.  I felt privileged and humbled to be working alongside such strong professionals who commit each day to the education and well being of our pupils, and am looking forward to the next round of meetings in February 2017.

I will admit, though, that I had to slip out of one such meeting to take part in some ‘hot seating’ with the children in Year 2, an experience which proved to me that in a school there is no such thing as an ordinary day.  Having spent 15 minutes being interviewed as George ‘The Smartest Giant in Town’ (a modern classic story book by the simply brilliant Julia Donaldson), I was returning to my office with just one shoe on and my tie undone (now you have to read the book!) when I saw Year 5 pupils in the hall taking part in a PE lesson of fencing! Yes, fencing!  This reinforced to me the richness of the education the children at St Peter’s receive, and I must offer thanks to all of my colleagues who go the extra mile for the learning of our pupils, your children.

And so to the weekend; if the England batsmen are still in the game in India when the England rugby players take to the Twickenham turf against Fiji at 2:30 on Saturday, I will be amazed!

Mr R Cunningham

Headteacher

Today, 11th November 2016, marks Armistice Day, and I know that many St Peter’s pupils will be taking part in Remembrance events with parishes, voluntary organisations and clubs on Sunday to complement the Service of Remembrance we held here in school today.  Thanks go to Mrs Luter for the organisation of the service and especially to Mrs Knight and a Year 6 pupil who sounded the Last Post, making a great impression upon our pupils.  I used my whole school worship at the start of the week to launch our Royal British Legion fundraising in school, and given the amazing demand that led to us running out of all our poppies and related merchandise, I have requested double rations next year!  Thank you to all of the pupils who have contributed in any way to the fundraising in support of the Royal British Legion.

In keeping with remembrance, I know that many of you will have been keeping in your prayers this week the family of our Year 6 pupil involved in the traffic accident last Thursday 3rd November.  I am please to be able to inform you that the pupil, surrounded by family, cards and gifts, is making a very good recovery through the expert care of the great medical teams at Southampton General Hospital.  I have been asked by the parents to thank the St Peter’s community for their support and kindness during such a challenging week, and I was able to inform the family that Bishop Philip, whom I met today, has remembered the family in his prayers this week.  Thank you all.

Finally, and sticking with remembering the important messages of life, the children this week all had the opportunity to watch a theatrical presentation called ‘The Power of One’ to reinforce the anti-bullying message that is so important in the successful and harmonious existence of a large community.  Teasing and bullying can occur in any organisation, be that an adult workplace as well as a children’s school, so we at St Peter’s will work hard to prevent its occurrence.  However, where it may occur, children and families need to be reminded that reporting it to staff promptly is the correct thing to do, and we will work as hard as we can towards reconciliation and education for the benefit of our pupils.

Mr R Cunningham

Headteacher