Children at St.Peter’s were greeted by a sea of purple at school on Monday morning. The colour of preparation, penance and prayer in church. All prayer areas and displays have turned our thoughts to this new church year which begins with Advent. In whole school worship children were invited to think how they can prepare their hearts for the coming of Jesus Christ. The children love preparing gifts and decorations but are also very reflective when they consider how to prepare themselves for Jesus.

Year 5 had a busy week last week with their first whole year group Mass at Sacred Heart. A kind parishioner took the time to email me to say how lovely the Mass was and how well behaved and reflective the children were. Thank you to all those who joined the children at Sacred Heart Church and to those of you who walked with the children.

Back to Advent… our Advent service which the whole school will attend will take place at the Church next Tuesday 6th December. This is a very special day of reflection and we very much look forward to celebrating this time together. The Carol Service is also at Church this year on the evening of 6th December. Parents are invited to the Carol Service. It is for KS2 children and their parents and would love to see as many children from years 3 – 6 there. Children to arrive at 5.45 for a 6 o’clock start.

In class this week all children are thinking about how we prepare for the coming of Jesus. Reception children will be finding out how we prepare for a new baby from, a tired but delighted, new dad Mr. Austin. Year 4 are turning their attention to the Jesse Tree and how it helps us to learn about the ancestry of Jesus. They will also be visiting the Chapel at Oaklands this week to help with this learning. Year 5 will be discussing the symbolism of the Advent wreath. From the symbolism of the shape of the wreath to the colour of each candle.

The busiest but most special time of year in a Catholic school!

Enjoy your preparations at home!

Kind regards,

Sarah Luter

On Friday we had a beautiful and moving Remembrance service led by our children. Children from all year groups joined us. It was lovely to have the Reception children with us for their first whole school event.

Children from Year 5 wrote and shared monologues written as if they had been soldiers, or family members of soldiers in the war.

Year 6 children created and shared some very thoughtful and mature poems.

Staff commented how beautiful the service was, how well behaved the children were and how it moved some to tears.

Mrs. Knight and Amy from Year 6 played the Last Post and inspired other children to set up a music club. Our two minutes silence was just that. 437 children aged 4 to 11 reflecting on the loss of lives in the war. Children from each year group held candles around a central prayer area where classes contributed poppies, prayers and wreaths.

A very proud day for all the staff at St. Peter’s.

Here are the photos of the display we created with some of the work the children produced for the service.

In other news; Year 5 and 6 children have their first Mass at The Church of the Sacred Heart and St. Peter the Apostle on Tuesday 22nd November. Families and friends of the Year 5 and 6 children are warmly invited to join us at 10.45. Children will be arriving at 10.15 where they will be greeted by Father Kevin who will spend half an hour with the children preparing them for Mass and familiarising them further with the Church. This week in class children will be preparing the Mass which they would like to dedicate to their friend Maisie who is in hospital and to the people of New Zealand.

We have started to organise our Advent service which will also be held at the Church on the 6th December. We would like to invite parents to walk with us as we need lots of helpers to keep our children safe. In the evening of the same day we will have a carol service also at the Church for Key Stage 2 parents and their families and friends. Perfect timing as it is the Feast of St. Nicholas. More information to follow!

Thank you for visiting!

Sarah Luter

Hello to all our families and friends,

It has been a particularly busy week for the Reception children this week who have had their first whole year group worship with families and friends and of course Father Vitalis. They were finding out all about Simon Peter in class and then based their worship around him. Thank you to Father who helped the children and their families to pray together. Father Vitalis then enjoyed a tour around school meeting old staff and new!

Reception children also visited the chapel at Oaklands this week looking at all the religious signs and symbols that they could find. Many thanks to Mrs. Floyd the chaplain at Oaklands for helping the children to learn and pray. I know the children really enjoyed this special experience and I was told that they were in awe and silent upon entering the chapel. This is quite something for 60 4 year olds!

Home Learning

I would like to mention 3 children who have shown commitment to RE through home learning in the last couple of weeks. Sienna from year 4 came to visit me with her rather beautiful home made Rosary. Well done Sienna!

Kyle, also from year 4 came to show me his Remembrance home learning. Well done Kyle! We will be having our own remembrance service on Friday. Please ask your children all about it.

Brandon form year 6 came to see me early one morning this week with a Remembrance video he had made. I am delighted to say that it will feature in our service! Well done Brandon!

Thank you for visiting!

God bless,

Sarah Luter