6th October 2005 - Today we celebrated National Poetry Day with the visit of Richard Tysoe. Pupils in Key Stages One and Two took part in workshops led by the poet, accompanied by their teachers. After listening to some of Mr Tysoe’s poetry, children worked with him on the use of poetic language. The theme of Animals was employed in Key Stage One, whilst pupils in Key Stage Two thought about seasonal influences as a stimulus for their own poetry. It does not have to be National Poetry Day for us to enjoy this creative medium, and I hope therefore that our pupils have been further inspired to read and write poetry.
- There has been a super response to Mrs Cumming’s new choir times. It is not too late to join the club though, and all late entrants will be made very welcome. Continuing on a musical note, we need your help! Most of our violin players last year were in Year Six, apart from one pupil. She is currently receiving a violin lesson from a Northamptonshire County Music Service teacher, who comes to St Peter’s each week after school. Unfortunately, the Music Service cannot continue sending him to us for one pupil, so we are desperate to recruit more violin players. There is a great deal to be gained from learning to play a musical instrument, and a wealth of educational research substantiates this. Please contact me should you wish to find out more about your child learning to play the violin. Last term there was also interest shown by one pupil in learning to play percussion, including the drum kit, but again, this could not be set up as we did not have the demand. If there are parents of any unfulfilled and untrained ‘percussionists in waiting’, please contact me!
- Last night’s Floodlit Football match saw St Peter’s meet with Avondale in what proved to be another exciting match. The opposing team gained two goals early on, which certainly served to wake up our team, who then scored in the first half, and again in the second half. Passions were running high thereafter, with our team being awarded a penalty which hit the post. Avondale then ‘pinched a winner’ in Mr Kinsella’s words, and despite late and valiant efforts from our boys to equalise, the result was 3-2 to Avondale.
- On Tuesday a team represents St Peter’s at the Independent Schools’ Association regional football tournament. There is some very serious training going on in preparation for this, and we wish our team the very best of luck.
- Running Club has proved even more popular this year, with many pupils using it as an opportunity to improve their fitness in conjunction with their involvement in other after school sports clubs. On Saturday a group of pupils will be accompanied by sports staff to a cross country event at Brooke Priory School. Last year there were many successes for us at Brooke Priory, but even more importantly, there was so much evidence of pupils’ determination and development of stamina. Good luck to the boys and girls representing St Peter’s in this event.
- A letter containing information relating to the forthcoming parent / teacher consultations was sent out earlier this week. Please return your reply slip as soon as possible if you have a strong preference for a particular appointment time, as appointments are allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis. If you need to make appointments with different teachers for siblings then you are strongly advised to make a quick return, to allow different teachers the opportunity to liaise when booking times. Please note that there will be no clubs on the days of Parent/Teacher Consultations, as teachers are in discussion with parents. Floodlit Football will however take place, with parents of pupils in 4SK being offered alternative appointments.
- Envelopes containing Barnardos donations should be returned to School by tomorrow. These will be entered into a prize draw for Barney the Barnardos Bear, which will take place later this term at an assembly taken by Mrs Barnes, who set up this Barnardos initiative at our School. Teachers of pupils returning envelopes will issue special certificates in due course, to mark pupils’ efforts in fundraising.
- School photographs will be taken on Tuesday 18th October, and as cited on the School Calendar sent out last week, pupils should be in winter uniform from Monday 17th October. If you have not yet done so, you are advised to make your winter uniform purchases at the Uniform Shop on Monday 10th October.
- Although we are well into the course of a new academic year, we have already had after school visits from many of our old Year Six boys and girls, who, whilst settling well into their new school, are eager to keep in touch with St Peter’s! I would like to take this opportunity to thank parents of pupils in all year groups for the cards and messages of thanks received by staff at the end of last year. We always welcome news of the progress of old boys and girls, so please pass it on!
- Details of the PTAFA sale of autumn and winter bedding plants was sent out to parents this week. Please return completed order forms to School before 18th October. It is hoped that many of you will want to take advantage of the substantially cheaper prices of the wide range of plants, bulbs and roses.
- Last week’s Harvest Supper organised by the PTAFA was extremely well attended. Sunnylands Hall was filled with goodwill and fine voices, with pupils relishing the chance to share their Harvest poems with parents and friends of St Peter’s, all eager to sing along with Harvest hymns. Pride was clearly taken in the way that our youngsters read aloud their work, and some members of the audience found it surprising that children so young could produce such powerful verse. Thanks to everyone who supported this event, and to all parents in donating produce. A letter was received from Northampton and County Age Concern, thanking us for the boxes of food delivered by a team of parents to Four Seasons Day Centre in Kettering. Once again, the money raised by you and the children for the Goodwill Village in India was a testament to the goodwill our St Peter’s community holds for others less fortunate.
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