13th October 2005

• It has been a very busy term for our sporting pupils and their teacher/coaches. On Saturday a team of runners from St Peter’s attended the cross country at Brooke Priory represented St Peter’s in a most favourable light.  There were many ‘personal bests’, and some magnificent wins too, with Rachel Kings winning the Under 10’s section, and Sarah Kings winning the Under 8’s. Our team of Under 8 girls were runners up overall, and our Under 10’s girls’ team gained an impressive first place in their competition!
   
• On Tuesday two teams represented St Peter’s at the Independent Schools Association regional football tournament, held in Birmingham.  Our Under 9’s team made an excellent debut, finishing fifth out of eleven teams. The Under 11’s won two games, drew two and lost one. Although this year they did not make the semi-finals, their level of playing looked very encouraging. Altogether in the tournament St Peter’s played ten matches, losing three, drawing two and winning five.  Well done, boys and girls!
    
• After the rigours of the ISA football tournament, there was no respite for our determined players, who faced up to a team from Brambleside in the Floodlit Football league on Wednesday.  Whilst our team was beaten 5-0, they remain focussed for next week’s game against Park.
   
• We regret that St Edwards have again cancelled Friday’s netball match that they had previously rescheduled.  Fortunately our girls can look forward to meeting Millbrook at home, on Tuesday 18th October.
   
• Mr Kinsella will be getting married at the end of this term!  He will also be moving away from the Kettering area, and as a result of this, parents of pupils in his class are already aware that a new class teacher is being recruited.  Mr Kinsella has made an enormous contribution to the development of sport at St Peter’s, encouraging and training pupils towards a number of memorable sporting achievements since his arrival in 2002, and he will be greatly missed.  Once the recruitment process is complete I will inform parents of the new Year 4 teacher, who will also take responsibility for boys’ games.
   
• Appointments for Wednesday and Thursday’s parent/teacher consultations will be issued by Monday.   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.
   
• Please note that pupils should be in winter uniform from Monday 17th October. 
   
• School photographs will be taken on Tuesday 18th October, and it is important that pupils are in correct uniform for this. If you have not yet handed in your reply slip regarding photographs please do so by tomorrow.  Group photographs will be taken at the beginning of the morning, so parents and pre-school age siblings will need to arrive at School for 9am.  Please be prepared for a wait, as the photographer needs time between shots.  A waiting area will be set aside in the Early/Late Club area. This area will need to be entered through the Fire Escape door, to avoid parents walking through the photography area. We will make every effort to keep the proceedings flowing smoothly.
   
• Although it seems a long way off, planning for Kettering Eisteddfod has started.  Mrs Payne, our Eisteddfod co-ordinator, has prepared a letter that accompanies this week’s bulletin, outlining the process by which pupils are entered.  We had an excellent response last year; one which we hope will be repeated this year.
   
• A bicycle rack has been positioned to the left of the main School entrance, as there has been an increased number of pupils and parents wishing to demonstrate their healthy lifestyle by cycling to St Peter’s.  It is hoped that the good weather will continue for at least a little while longer so that our cyclists resist the warmth and ease offered by other modes of transport!
   
• Please return completed order forms for the PTAFA sale of autumn and winter bedding plants to School before Tuesday 18th October.  At present there has been a tentative response to this opportunity, so if you have simply not had the time to complete your order form or can be persuaded to change your mind please do support this PTAFA initiative. If you require another form then one can be obtained from the School Office.
   
• There was an excellent turn-out to the first meeting of the Diamond Jubilee Ball committee, with many parents taking up the opportunity to put forward ideas about its organisation.  It is encouraging to know that there is such a huge support for this event amongst parents.  Mrs Lester will be distributing further information about the Ball in the very near future, but keep your diaries free for Saturday 15th July, as this promises to be an unmissable event.