19th October 2006 - Maths Week was such a success that when pupils in Key Stage Two returned to School on Monday, they were spied by teachers avidly searching for the next daily estimation challenge. Maths Week provides pupils and teachers with the chance of using number, shape and measurement in fun ways, at the same time developing pupil’s awareness of other mathematical ideas that may not be part of the formal curriculum until later on in their academic life. Pascal’s Triangle, Fibonacci’s sequence and triangular numbers were just some of the concepts brought to our pupils through this year’s Maths Week.
- Daily mathematical facts were also provided during Maths Week. This was in a bid to whet the appetite of so many of our pupils who want to sharpen up their study skills. They had the opportunity to memorise numeric facts such as the average depth of the ocean, the time it takes light from both sun and moon to reach the earth, the approximate time it takes for the blink of an eye, and most importantly, the fact that children need approximately 10 hours sleep per night. It is hoped that this last fact will be helpful to those of us parents challenged with the wish to maintain a sensible sleep routine for our children during the half term break!
- The Sponsored Sudokuthon to support The National Autistic Society certainly kept our pupils busy. It is hoped that sponsor money will be collected during half term, so that it can be sent in to School by the end of the first week back after half term.
- Last week 5DF proudly presented a class assembly about Healthy Eating to the School and to parents of pupils in that class. The boys and girls cleverly fused Science and History, examining the nutritional values of a range of present day foods and then looking back at the diet and work conditions of many Victorian children, comparing and contrasting between now and then.
- Boys and girls represented St Peter’s School in the Under 8’s, Under 9’s, Under 10’s and Under 11’s section of the Cross Country competition held at Brooke Priory on 7th October. Mrs Van Rensburg was delighted with everyone’s efforts to maintain stamina on this challenging run. Particular mention should be made of Sarah Kings and Rachel Kings, who both came first in their sections, with Albertus Van Rensburg coming second in his category and Hope Carpenter coming third in hers. Well done to all of the runners!
- Still on the sports front, our winning streak continues! In Netball, our girls won their match against Broughton with a 13-3 score line, and the game with Grange continued this pattern with an 11-0 victory. This really is such a brilliant start to the season. In the Floodlit Football League last week’s game was cancelled due to the pitch being waterlogged and yesterday’s game against Meadowside resulted in a 0-0 draw. Good luck to our teams in the second half of Michaelmas Term. Parents will remember that after half term, the after school sports programme will temporarily cease as a result of poor light. As we are currently experiencing unseasonably moderate weather conditions and better light than is usual at this time of year, we are keen to make use of this opportunity, and this is why, at the time of writing, sports staff are rightly reluctant to give an advance cut off date for the cessation of clubs! Sports clubs therefore continue after half term until the cut off date is announced.
- Last week pupils representing our School travelled to Birmingham to take part in the Independent School Association’s regional football tournament. In the first round they won two out of three games, reaching the quarter final, which they also won. Our team ended up with a joint third place, and returned to School smiling, after a long day and a long journey too!
- Details of the St Peter’s School Christmas Card competition have been distributed this week, in a bid to find the winning design for this year’s card, which will be sent out to all families and associates of the School. It is hoped that half term will provide an opportunity for pupils to work on original designs relating to this year’s theme: any scene from the Nativity.
- Individual and team photographs will be taken on Tuesday 31st October. A letter detailing the arrangements for this has been distributed. If you require a family group photograph, please return the reply slip by tomorrow, so that we have sufficient time after half term to make the necessary arrangements.
- Pupils should return to School after the half term break wearing winter uniform. Items of uniform such as skirts and tunics are of a particular design, and should be purchased from the Uniform Shop. Still on the subject of uniform, boys and girls with long hair should have it tied back, and this includes shoulder length styles too. This is both for health and safety reasons, as well as neatness. I know that many parents share the pride I have in seeing pupils of St Peter’s School looking smart and well turned out, but it is so easy for standards to slip with a few shirts hanging out, caps and hats missing and uncut hair not tied back.
- Parents of pupils in 6PP should please note that the application forms for places in county schools should be returned to the School Office before half term, in order for us to send them off and meet the deadline set by county for receipt.
- Thanks to the large group of parents who attended last week’s PTAFA meeting. Chairman Mrs Fiona Kilsby will send out details of the PTAFA’s current focus for fundraising after half term, as well as a round-up of forthcoming events. Tickets sales have been excellent for the Ghost Hunt to be held in the School Grounds on Friday 10th November, so if you want to join in with this family fun event, make sure that you buy a ticket from the School Office soon. Our St Peter’s School spectres have received their instructions, so ghost hunters - get ready!
- The first half of Michaelmas Term is rounded off tomorrow with the St Peter’s School annual Conker Championship. I know that pupils in Key Stage Two are looking forward to this event!
- I hope that our pupils enjoy the short break from their school work, and return after half term with an increased determination to do well in all aspects of School life, mindful of the fact that the Share Your Work session is on Monday 20th November and their parents want to be impressed!
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