ST. PETER'S SCHOOL

28th September 2006

• Pupils and teachers are on full throttle heading through Michaelmas Term……….
    
• There was a welcome break from the formality of sensible school clothing on Tuesday, as a result of the Scarecrow Day being held in St Peter’s School Nursery.  Linked to this theme were a range of activities, involving the use and development of numeracy and literacy skills, as well as creative projects such as the making of print patterns using fruit and vegetables, and even traditional country dancing.
   
• Using this week’s School theme of Harvest, Mrs Bull and Miss Perkins turned the Reception classroom into a ‘restaurant’ so that children could sort the ‘play’ food into different types.  Pupils also had the opportunity to lay the tables in the ‘restaurant’ and take turns with all of the different jobs.  Such an activity also provides the opportunity for children to talk about their favourite food, want to ‘write’ menus, count out coins and use mathematical vocabulary.
   
• In Design Technology pupils in 1KS are investigating moving parts.  This week they have looked closely at how a pair of scissors works, and then using split card and a pin, children have modelled their own pair of scissors.  Opportunities to look at each others designs and subsequently to consider improvements to their own designs are also an important aspect of working in this subject area.  Meanwhile, in addition to the main focus of numeracy and literacy, boys and girls in 2GM have created autumn pictures using oil pastels following a consideration of the different visual aspects of the season.
   
• 3CVR’s current Geography topic is Passport to the World. Children have started making their own ‘passports’ which will be used to keep a record of the places they will investigate during the term.  Still with Geography topics, pupils in 4AH travelled to Northampton Recycling Centre last Tuesday. The aim of the morning was to determine which elements of household waste can be reduced, reused or recycled.  During this week, pupils in Year 4 have also been developing their use of descriptive language when writing poems on the theme of Autumn.  They plan to display these around the School for fellow pupils, parents and visitors to appreciate.
   
• As part of their Science topic 5DF and 5LD have been considering Healthy Eating.  They have analysed food labels for nutritional content following a review of the major food groups and why they benefit the body.  Hopefully this will also provide children with the right knowledge to make good food choices independently, and not just when encouraged to do so by ‘grown-ups’!
   
• Having examined extracts from Charles Dickens’ work, pupils in 6PP proudly presented their research and demonstrated their talents in a class assembly last week.  It was refreshing to see that children of this age could clearly appreciate the significance of Dickens’ social comment, and his talent for character description.  I should also note that there are certainly some budding thespians in the making in 6PP, as was evident in their setting of the workhouse scene from Oliver Twist!
   
• With the new school year now well underway, pupils minds are firmly set upon next week’s assessments.  These will provide an opportunity to measure the progress pupils have made since last October, which is when NFER Progress in Maths and English, and Salford Reading Tests last took place.  Meanwhile, pupils in Reception Class are in the process of completing a PIPS assessment, which is externally marked and gives a base line assessment from which another external assessment is then made later during this academic year in order to mark progress.  Boys and girls in Year 4 have completed a Cognitive Ability Test, again externally marked, which gives a predicted level for the end of Key Stage Two, and is a useful target setting tool for teachers and students.
   
• The prime aim of assessment is to provide teachers with more information on where each individual pupil needs to be taken on their learning journey during the course of this academic year.  In assemblies over the last few years, when I have asked children to share with me their feelings about all the different sorts of assessments in which they partake, it has been interesting but not surprising to note that they like ‘tests’!  I believe that part of the reason for the children feeling secure about tests, is the way in which the whole notion of assessment is portrayed here at St Peter’s School, both by parents and teachers alike.  Assessments are not a ‘stick’ with which to push children with fear through their education.  Assessments are an opportunity for pupils to show what they can do, and a chance for teachers to plan appropriately for the learning of each individual pupil. 
   
• The first Parent/Teacher consultation evenings take place on 17th and 18th October, and will provide an opportunity for discussion about the progress of each pupil following Assessment Week.  The appointment booking form will be distributed in due course.
   
• Please note that this bulletin accompanies the calendar detailing events throughout the School year.
   
• Pupils in Key Stage Two will shortly receive a letter about the new ‘Shakespeare for Kidz’ production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which we are looking forward to them watching at The Castle Theatre in Wellingborough, on Friday 13th October. 
   
• The football season is with us once again and training has started on Tuesdays after School, for pupils in year 3 to 6.  This will run up until half term.  Yesterday saw our first game of the Floodlit Football League, and an opportunity for our team to play against Henry Gotch.  After a long break from competition, our team were hungry for the challenge.  Mr Anthony Holmes reports that the more experienced players worked at the back in this game.  More attack was evident from our boys and girl in the second half.  Playing left back, Harry Dennis-Jones came forward and scored the winning goal.  Well done team – a super start to the season!  The next game in this league will be next Wednesday, against Avondale.
   
• A team representing the School will attend an Independent Schools Association Soccer Competition in Birmingham on Tuesday 10th October, and all players are currently sharpening their soccer skills in the hope of being chosen!
   
• Last week saw the welcome return of Mums ‘n’ Tots. If you or your friends have a child under the age of 2 years 6 months then you and they are invited to join Mrs Pip Walshaw on Monday afternoons between 2pm and 3.15pm.  This is a social opportunity for parents and younger children, with age appropriate toys and a creative table for the latter and refreshments for the former.  There is a weekly £2 charge for this event.
   
• The hanging baskets and planters ordered by some of you at the end of last term have now been delivered to School.  If you have not yet done so then please remember to collect your order from outside the School Office.  My thanks to Mrs Carol Crooks for once again organising this fundraiser for the School’s PTAFA.  An order form for the sale of autumn plants and bulbs will be sent out to you on Monday should you wish to take advantage of the offers available.
   
• Last week’s PTAFA AGM was well attended, with minutes of the meeting being distributed to families earlier this week.  The Chair of this year’s committee is Mrs Fiona Kilsby, with Mr Graham Flatman continuing as Treasurer and Mrs Pip Walshaw holding the post of secretary. 
   
• At today’s Harvest Assembly, Rev’d Stockdale led us in a time to reflect upon what we have, what the world has and our role in addressing its needs. I would like to thank parents and pupils for their complete support of our Harvest Festival.  The donations of produce for local community groups as well as the Goodwill Village in India were once again a reflection of your care and generosity. 
   
• I look forward to many of us meeting together at the PTAFA’s Harvest Supper later this evening.