29th June 2005

Today pupils in Years 5 and 6 presented an assembly about their trip to Norfolk, which took place in May.  Many parents attended a coffee morning before this, allowing time for them to look through the projects that children completed based upon their experience of a residential trip.  The assembly was an excellent example of the presentation skills of our older pupils, who, with their teachers, put together an assembly involving music, information, and good humour.  This was indicative of the sense of camaraderie and team spirit that this particular group of children have cultivated.  A Powerpoint presentation made up from parts of Powerpoints that each child individually completed in ICT lessons also featured in the assembly.  There were many comments about the high standard of this work.

Pupils in Year 5 visited Northampton Museum yesterday, as part of their history studies on the themes of ‘Children in World War Two and ‘Post War Britain’. They relished the opportunity to look at artefacts linking to these topics.

Formal homework has not been set this week and this will continue now up until the end of the Summer Term, so that pupils have ample opportunity to enjoy the ‘great outdoors’ and the best of the weather.

Parents who feel that their children will benefit from additional work at home are advised that number bond practice, recitation of multiplication tables, revision of the year’s spelling list and most importantly, reading aloud with discussion of the meaning of the text are all worthwhile and meaningful activities.  In addition to this, the keeping of a diary, the writing of stories or letters, and the compilation of projects may be areas of written work that parents and children will enjoy working on together.

Tomorrow is Games Day for Key Stage Two.  In the morning Years 3 and 4 will be playing ‘kwik cricket’ at Bishop Stopford School, whilst Years 5 and 6 will be playing rounders on our own school grounds.  This session will begin at 9am and will end at approximately 12.15pm.  In the afternoon Year 3 and 4 will be at St Peter’s playing rounders and Year 5 and 6 will play cricket at Bishop, with these sessions commencing at 1.30pm.  Parents are welcome to support pupils on either site, and parents of younger pupils who would just like to come along and have a flavour of Key Stage Two are invited to do so.  If the weather is inclement, then please telephone the School before setting out to join us, as there may have been a need to cancel this event.

The last swimming session of this academic year will take place on Friday.  Next year’s first swimming sessions will take place on Friday 9th September, for pupils in Year Two and upwards.

The sun shone in all its glory for last week’s Sports Day. The extremities of the heat fortunately did nothing to deter an excellent turn-out of parents supporting Key Stage Two pupils in the morning’s field events, and then all year groups for track events in the afternoon.  There was some excellent running from our youngest Nursery competitors.  In their midst we are sure that there are some future St Peter’s School record holders!

Mr Kinsella has free child tickets for the 20-20 cricket match (20 overs limited), between Northamptonshire and Worcestershire.  This takes place at the county ground on Tuesday 5th July, from 5.30pm.  I believe that adult tickets cost £10 at the gate.  Please send a note in to Mr Kinsella if you would like to request up to 5 free child tickets per family.

Invoices for Michaelmas Term 2005 fees will be sent out shortly.  This is done at an early date to allow parents wishing to set up bankers orders sufficient time to do so.

Many parents have now responded to the letter issued last week regarding arrangements for Founders’ Day picnic.  If you have not yet done this please return the form tomorrow, indicating how your child will spend lunchtime that day.  If it is easier to telephone the School Office with this information then you are invited to do so.

Parents of Key Stage Two children are also reminded to respond to the letter about the trip to the Black Country Museum.

Please note that there will be a PTAFA meeting at school this evening starting at 7.30pm.

The PTAFA Cake Stall raised over £60 for Kettering’s Centre for the Unemployed.  The School received a telephone call from this organisation, who were very grateful for such support.  Thank you to all the bakers and eaters of last week’s cakes!

As listed in last week’s bulletin, one of our Year 6 pupils will be collecting signatures from parents for a petition in support of the Make Poverty History campaign. 

We are looking forward to seeing many of you at next Friday’s Founders’ Day.  Prayers for good weather have commenced and you are all respectfully asked to add yours to them!