24th November 2005

• Last week was filled with sports success for St Peter’s pupils.  On Thursday, the football team retained the Eccles Shield for the fourth year running, with Mr Kinsella’s encouragement on the sidelines undoubtedly sharpening our team’s resolve to keep that trophy yet again! 
   
• On Saturday, Rachel Kings (5DF) represented the Midlands region at the Independent Schools’ Association National Swimming Gala, held in Coventry.  We are very proud of her success: third in her freestyle race, and second in the freestyle relay.  All of this is not simply down to luck.  Our pupils competing at all levels show determination and commitment, with parents getting them to and from practices and competitions, and sports staff encouraging the children to ‘aim high’.
   
• Rev Nick joined our whole school assembly this morning.  The theme for all of the week has been ‘forgiveness’ with pupils giving this consideration from a number of angles: saying sorry with sincerity, avoiding the ‘throw away’ meaningless ‘sorry’, giving others a chance by forgiving and forgetting and the reality of how hard it is to do this when one is tempted to bear grudges.  Rev Nick’s usual entertaining but thought-provoking presentation served to highlight these points.
   
• Please note that children are invited to come to School in mufti tomorrow.  The ‘fine’ for not wearing School uniform is a donation for the class hamper. A specific idea of the item you can send in has been sent out to you in a previous PTAFA letter.  Please note that mufti does not include fancy dress, and jeans should not be worn either.  Long hair should still be tied back.  Children have today been reminded that coats worn to School on Friday can be mufti, as long as they are as warm, or warmer than school coats, otherwise school coats should be worn. We hope that pupils will enjoy their mufti freedom despite their Headmistress’s conditions!
   
• At the time of writing, snow has been forecast for the region.  In such an instance, children should wear Wellington boots to School, with shoes in a bag, ready to be changed into when inside the buildings.  During the week, teachers have reported that a few children have dashed out of cars in the morning without bringing their coats to School.  Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
   
• Children in Foundation Stage and Key Stage One are looking forward to presenting their work in music to parents on Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th December.  Letters have recently gone out with information regarding the allocation of tickets for these performances.  Following the introduction of a Coffee Morning prior to the Key Stage Two Summer Concerts last year, we are pleased to have such an event for parents of our younger pupils before each of these Christmas Concerts.
   
• There was an important visitor at yesterday’s ballet lessons.  Mrs Debbie Thompson came to watch and work with Mrs Sheila Meeks, who retires from teaching at the end of this term after a long and distinguished career as a leading teacher of ballet in Northamptonshire.  Mrs Thompson, herself a former pupil of Mrs Meeks and now a successful teacher, will take over the teaching of ballet at St Peter’s from January.
   
• Pupils in 5DF and 6PP will visit two senior citizens’ clubs next week.  We have found that our older children particularly value the links St Peter’s has with the wider community.  The boys and girls will bring Christmas early to our friends at The Grange Over 60’s Club, and they will also visit the Four Seasons Day Centre for the first time, singing carols and other favourite songs.
   
• Invoices for the Lent Term are currently being issued to allow sufficient time for those parents who would like to pay by Bankers’ Order to make the necessary arrangements with our Bursar.  Please telephone the School should you wish to arrange this with Mrs Patrick-White.
   
• Please note that the Uniform Shop will be closed on Monday 28th November, but will reopen the following week.
   
• The PTAFA cake stall will run tomorrow after school in Sunnylands Hall, with proceeds being donated to Children in Need.   Alongside this will be the Used Book Stall.  There are a great many books from which to choose, so do please come out of the cold and join us in the Hall after School tomorrow.
   
• The School Office has been the collection point for a steady delivery of jars for the Christmas Fayre stall that will display them all.  If your child has not yet decorated a jar, and filled it with ‘presents’ to the value of a £1 then please encourage them to join in the fun!  Each jar should have a sticker with your child’s name and class on the bottom it.The last day for jars to be accepted is Wednesday 30th November, after which Mrs Sanders will come into School to judge each class’s entries for our usual competition.
   
• There has been a great response to the children’s toy and book stall.  Please leave your donations in the School Office rather than in Early/Late Club, as this area is used by children and it needs to be kept clear.
   
• Next week marks the start of Advent.  It will also be the week when the winner of the St Peter’s School Christmas Card Competition is announced!  The PTAFA Christmas Fayre takes place on Saturday 3rd December from 10am and there is currently an enormous amount of work going on from so many parents, teachers and friends towards ensuring that this is a success.  It will be, if you all come along and support us on the day!