3rd November 2005

• This week saw the return of our Mums and Tots group on Monday.  Mrs Walshaw welcomed an eager band of toddlers keen get to know each other and ready to play with the toys set out, whilst mums had a rare opportunity to sit and talk.  Our group is open to all, so if you have friends with children under the age of 2½ years who would like to join the group, which runs on Monday’s from 2pm to 3.15pm in the front section of the Infant Mobile, then please invite them to attend.
   
• Pupils in 1KS and 2GM visited Manor House Museum today, where they had the opportunity to participate in a ‘Toys and Forces’ workshop.  The best way of learning about science is through ‘hands on’ experience.  The pairing up of toys with the theme of forces was a great way for our boys and girls to consider pushes and pulls. 
   
• A group of 14 pupils have been selected to represent St Peter’s School tomorrow, at the Independent Schools Association Swimming Gala, held in Hinckley.  We have a strong and determined team, who go with our good wishes. 
   
• Our football team played St Andrew’s last night in the Floodlit Football League.  They gained an early lead with one goal, but the opposing team managed to equalise before half time.  The urgency of a win was very much in the minds of our team, and I am pleased to report that they came back quickly, scoring another two goals, and winning 3-1.  Well done!
   
• Please note that there has been an adjustment made to the winter uniform for pupils.  Those pupils who wish to wear their school blazer may do so. Regulation school coat should also be worn on cold days.  Pupils’ hair should be tied back if its length requires this, for health and safety reasons.
   
  After an excellent year regarding the parking arrangements for school drop off, there has recently been a telephone call to the School from a local resident, complaining that some of our parents have been sighted parking in resident bays, or indeed blocking private driveways.  Our neighbours are well aware that the greatest offenders are commuters who park up and then walk to Kettering Station, but they also note that lately there has been an increase of users of St Peter’s School whose parking is causing problems. One of our parents has also raised concern over the increased volume of cars parking on either side of Headlands, thus causing a hindrance for the Fire Rescue Service, who need to use this route.  Please pay attention to parking restrictions.  A parking attendant visited the surrounding area last term, and on that occasion he was ‘restrained in his paperwork’.  However, there may well be a return visit if complaints are made to the council by local residents.  To clarify the arrangements:

Parents are kindly requested to use our one way system, travelling down The Crescent on the ‘school side’.

After dropping off pupils, please do not make a U turn, but instead continue along The Crescent to where it meets Queensberry Road. 

If you intend to park and walk your child in to School, please ensure that you respect the parking restrictions and also avoid parking across residents’ drives, so that the good relations we have developed with the surrounding residents are maintained. 

• There has been a good response to the St Peter’s School Christmas Card competition.  All entries must be in by tomorrow.
   
• Thanks to parents for noting the temporary School Office arrangements set up during Mrs Sharp’s absence. The Office is currently staffed between the hours of 9.15am and 3pm each day.  Please leave non-urgent reply slips, letters or written requests in the tray provided near the office door.  Such matters will be dealt with by Mrs Patrick-White, who has temporarily taken over School administration during Mrs Sharp’s absence.  Any instructions regarding medicine should be written down, and the medication labelled with your child’s name and class.  Any urgent information should be left in the tray outside my office.  A pen and pad have been left near each tray, together with envelopes for matters of a confidential nature.  The School’s answer phone will allow messages to be left outside of the listed office hours. Thank you for your cooperation during this time.
   
• Pupils in Year Six will visit children in all classes next week, to sell poppies to support the Royal British Legion’s appeal.  So many of our children understand the importance of wearing their poppy, and next week there will be opportunities in assemblies to consider the significance of ‘remembering’.  4SK will be presenting an assembly on Thursday 10th November to which parents of children in that class are invited.  If you are attending then please report to the School Office when the main gates are opened.
   
• A PTAFA meeting will be held in Sunnylands Hall this evening at 7.30pm  Arrangements for this year’s Christmas Fayre will be discussed.  I hope that many parents will once more weave their magic in making this another highly successful event by running stalls.  New ideas for developing the Christmas Fayre and other events are always welcome at meetings.
   
• Tickets for next Friday’s Ghost Hunt are selling well.  This event is probably one of the most popular on the calendar as far as our pupils are concerned.  If you have not yet purchased your ticket there is still time to do so.
   
• There has been a tremendous response to the PTAFA sale of used books.  It is clear that many children and parents see this as a great opportunity to both recycle and eventually purchase ‘new’ books for their children.  Collection boxes are situated in the School Office, and these are being emptied very regularly.  The book sale will take place on 25th November, which is also the date for the next cake stall.
   
• Thanks to all parents who supported the recent PTAFA plant sale.  The orders have now been delivered to school, and have been kindly set out for your collection by Mrs Crooks.  The funds raised amounted to a very healthy £91.63
   
• The PTAFA calendar will be produced again this year by Mrs McCallum, who has already started working on its format.  The calendar contains the birthdays of all pupils at St Peter’s School, and is illustrated with pictures drawn by each pupil at our School.  Order forms will be sent out soon.
   
• This year’s PTAFA key event is the St Peter’s School Diamond Jubilee Ball.  Following an extremely well supported planning meeting, Mrs Lester and her team are now in the process of organising the finer details of this special occasion.  Details of ticket purchase will follow in due course, but for now, book Saturday 15th July into your diaries, and furthermore, invite your friends to do the same!