3rd March 2005

• Today is World Book Day and it has been marked with a visit to St Peter’s from Mrs Freda J Stewart, an author working in conjunction with the Arts Council. She read one of her short stories to pupils in their class rooms. They were then able to discuss with her aspects of the story, as well as ask her about her job as a writer.  Mrs Stewart is also an ‘old girl’ of St Peter’s, who attended the School during the time of its first Head, Mrs Joyce Rutherford.
   
• Pupils took part in Tuesday’s Spring Yellow Day, in aid of Help a Hospice.  The total sum raised was a staggering £156 which has already been sent off to the organisation.  Pupils in Key Stage 2 were lucky recipients of the charity’s sunflower badge, whilst special Help A Hospice teddies were awarded to some of the pupils in Foundation and Key Stage One, for their efforts in donning yellow for the day. 
   
• Nursery pupils were enthralled by the arrival of Captain Beaky at School on Wednesday.  Having a duck in class not only delighted the children, but also gave them the opportunity to work on activities ranging from using language to recreate experiences, to trying to capture experiences using a range of mediums.
     
• Moving on from the colour yellow to that of red, it is Comic Relief Day next Friday, 11th March, and to mark this occasion pupils are invited to come to School wearing a Hilarious Hat, or any hat at all. St Peter’s will be providing each child with a Comic Relief red nose.  We are still awaiting delivery of these at the time of writing, but we have confidence in the organisation’s promise to get these all important items to us on time!  The Comic Relief ‘crazy hair’ and makeup that is also part of this year’s appeal is not suitable for our School day, as many pupils will be attending competitions at Kettering Eisteddfod, which is a very formal occasion.  This doesn’t mean though that the crazy hair wigs can’t be worn at home later that evening!  In short, pupils need to come to School in regular uniform if they are taking part in an Eisteddfod competition that day, in tracksuits if they are not involved in the Eisteddfod that day, and all are welcome to wear a Hilarious Hat, but no wigs or make-up.
   
• St Peter’s achieved a 1-0 win over Henry Gotch School on Wednesday, in the Floodlit Football League.  This means that they are through to the semi-finals, against a team that has yet to be announced.  There is a great deal of excitement mounting about this future match, but hopefully not enough to distract our team’s focus.
   
• Our Year 5 and 6 netballers play Park School in an away game after school today, and a further game has been organised against Meadowside School next week.  We look forward to receiving their match reports.  The girls are very excited about the prospect of playing against other schools again.
   
• With less than a week to go until Kettering Eisteddfod, there is a great deal of preparation taking place during lunchtimes for next week’s competitions . Singers entering the solo competition invited me to attend their open rehearsal earlier this week. There was a strong sense of mutual support among the children there, which was good to witness.  We wish all of our pupils well in the final run-up to next week’s competitions.