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

Congratulations to all the pupils of Year 6 who staged an incredible performance of the Wizard of Oz this week. 

In the space of just 6 weeks they have gone from auditions through to set building and costume making, culminating in two “in-house” performances to the other year groups in the school before then staging two evening shows for parents, carers and families.  Thank you also to the incredible school staff who have worked so hard to bring this show into a highly successful event.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

Well done to members of staff from St Peter’s who ran in the 5k and 10k Race for Life on Sunday 30 June in Southsea. The team raised an incredible £5,536.00 for Cancer Research UK, an amount that won St Peter’s the award of being the biggest fundraisers at the Southsea event. It’s not too late to donate if anyone wanted to boost our funds still further via the Team Fundraising Page, with enormous thanks to all our supporters who have sponsored us so far.

Thank you to Mrs Pearson for the team photos and selfies!

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

The month of June was rounded off with a celebration of Mass for pupils in the whole school from Years R to 6 to mark the Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul, the former of course being the patron saint of our school. It is no mean feat to gather over 400 pupils and 50 staff to celebrate Mass in a primary school hall, but this annual event is a key part of our faith, our ethos and our community. No such celebration would be complete without a treat, so it was ice creams for all at lunch time – much needed on such a hot June day. Thank you to both Fr Jeremy and Fr James for celebrating Mass for us at school.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

Pupils from St Peter’s joined hundreds of other young people from many of the 70 Catholic schools in the Diocese of Portsmouth for the annual Schools Mass this week. Celebrated on the Feast Day of St Anthony of Padua, Bishop Phillip’s homily focused on the strength of faith in this patron saint of the recovery of lost items.

Each school brought their banner to take part in a procession and display to encompass the whole of the Diocese in a great display in the presence of Bishop Philip and Canon P J Smith, the Episcopal Vicar for Education.

Pupils also presented posters on the theme of ‘Actions speak louder than words’, showing the works of faith in action that take place throughout the schools in our Diocese. I was joined in the great celebration by Mrs Moore and Mrs Richardson, pictured below in the Cathedral with our pupil chaplains.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

And in the blink of an eye, the second half of the summer term is underway.  Or, to put it differently, the final 7 weeks of this school year are now upon us!  A range of our pupils went through national statutory tests in May, and others continue to do so in June, all well prepared academically and pastorally by wonderful St Peter’s staff.  The summer term in June and July brings with it usual and unusual events – this year we will have our usual Sports Days, SummerFest, St Peters and St Paul Feast Day celebrations, Year 4 camping on the school field and Year 6 presenting their end of year show The Wizard of Oz (Youth Edition), as well as the less usual events such as marking our school’s 60^th Jubilee, the Football Euros, the Paris Olympics and giving pupils an insight into the democratic process through education around the General Election.  

Of course, the first week of this half-term began with learning events to commemorate the 80^th Anniversary of the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy.  Each class in school took part in age-appropriate learning about the significance of this major event (please don’t believe the media when they say such topics are not taught in school), with Year 4 in particular going deeper.  The Year 4 History topic for this half term is to investigate and assess the role that Portsmouth played in changing the course of the Second World War in Europe, and they received a more detailed presentation on the global and historical context of D-Day.  This included a presentation by me, reprising my former role as a History teacher!

We are also pleased to let you know that working in partnership with Hampshire Design Studios we have produced a commemorative tea towel that all the children have worked on in school. The tea towels have been produced in recognition of St Peter’s 60th Jubilee this year and should provide a nice memento for all families of their child being at St Peter’s in our 60th year.

The tea towels are available to purchase through the below website link at £4.99 each, along with a whole range of jubilee merchandise available to buy. All funds raised through the purchase of merchandise and tea towels go directly back towards school resources, so you are supporting school with any purchases made.

St Peter’s 60th Jubilee Merchandise Shop

We thank you for your ongoing support and look forward to sharing Jubilee celebrations with you over the coming weeks.

A busy few weeks ahead then – watch this space for updates!

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

An unexpected visitor dropped into St Peter’s this afternoon in the form of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

We are led to believe that an emergency incident took place in the locality, but we have no further information about this. However, in searching for a spot to land at about 2:20pm on Tuesday 4 June, St Peter’s school field was the most convenient place. Because the emergency was off site, two paramedics set out on foot to attend, and the pilot waited with the helicopter. In conversation, he invited pupils to come out to look at the aircraft as an impromptu learning opportunity about our incredible emergency response services. Many classes were able to see the helicopter up close before we had to close off the field for the end of the day collection time. However, once clearance was given, at 3:18pm the helicopter took off to fly back to base, meaning hundreds of children had a chance to see it take flight!

As stated, we do not know any details about the emergency that took place in the local area away from the school site, however we hope and pray that all involved are now safe and well. We give thanks for the incredible work done by all who work as first responders in our emergency services, who work in accident and emergency hospital care, and those who work in longer term medical treatment and recovery.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher