16th November 2006

• We are looking forward to tomorrow’s visit of Think-tank: the education outreach section of Birmingham’s Museum of Science.  Pupils in Reception, Year One and Two will take part in a ‘science show’ about keeping healthy.  The presenters of Think-tank will cover areas of scientific knowledge such as the skeleton and major organs’ function, and how healthy eating impacts upon them…all of this at a level and tone suitable to this younger audience, whose age does not lessen their eagerness to learn!
   
• Boys and girls in Key Stage Two will then take part in the Luminous Light Show, which covers scientific areas such as light, shadows, and refraction.  They will witness Sir Isaac Newton’s experiment to split light into the colours of the rainbow, they will ‘paint’ with coloured light and find out where all this light comes from.
   
• Throughout the week there have been science facts displayed about the School. Boys and girls have been seen rushing into the buildings each morning, ready to memorise the next fact.  I am pleased that there are such opportunities for our children at St Peter’s School to develop their general knowledge, when it is apparent from  many national press reports that a concern grows among many in the field of education about the ‘dumbing down’ of standards. 
   
• On Tuesday pupils in Key Stage One presented models they had made at home which demonstrated a push, pull or twist.  I called in on this ‘sharing moment’ and it was wonderful to see the imaginative creations on display, as well as hear the lucid explanations children gave of their models.  Thanks to parents who joined in with the project. Also on Tuesday, Key Stage Two pupils enjoyed a ‘round robin’ of experiments, exploring concepts such as static electricity and cohesion, acids and bases, prisms and light, heat transfer, and air pressure.
   
• As we draw to the end of another exciting Science Week at St Peter’s School, and having spoken to children at this week’s assemblies and during the course of the week about the activities in which they have taken part, it is clear that our young scientists relish the opportunities that such curriculum enhancements provide. 
   
• It was not just science that was order of the day for pupils in 5LD when they presented their class assembly.  The assembly was about a ‘day at St Peter’s School’, and once again such an event demonstrated the growing confidence of our pupils when making public presentations.
   
• Last week a group of pupils from Key Stage Two travelled to Hinckley to the Independent Schools Association Regional Swimming Gala.  They had a great day, marred only by a very long journey home as a result of appalling traffic conditions.  Particular mention should be made of: Sarah Kings-chosen to represent the Midlands Team in the breast stroke and freestyle races of the Independent Schools Associations National Swimming Gala, due to take place on Saturday 18th November in Coventry, and of Rachel Kings who has been selected as a reserve for the Midlands Team free style relay.  Well done also to our girls’ team for coming joint first in the Regional Year Six team result!
   
• The football tournament for the Eccles Shield will be taking place at St Peter’s School on Tuesday 21st November.  Parents will remember that we have had the honour of holding this shield for four years, which really puts the pressure on our team and coach this year! The longer we hold the shield the more likely it becomes for us to reach a year when another team takes it from us!  Whatever happens, I want our boys and girls representing the School at this match to have a great game, play their hearts out, use their skills, and keep a level head which can up high at the final whistle, safe in the knowledge that they did their very best.  GOOD LUCK ST P’s.  I hope that as many families as possible will turn out to join me in supporting our children next week.  Get the layers on and the brolly out….just in case!
   
• Last week’s Floodlit Football League match was against Park, who are currently top of the table.  Our team absorbed a lot of pressure, and were unlucky to lose 1-0.  Yesterday’s match against St Andrews brought with it a 2-0 win, with goals scored by Albertus Van Rensburg and Cameron Penny.  Mr Holmes reports that  the player of the match was Tilly Calcutt, who ran her heart out in her debut game.  Next week’s match is the last of this season, with us playing Brambleside, having had this match cancelled earlier in the term due to poor weather.
   
• Defeat has been a rarity for our netballers of late, but last week’s game went to Mawsley with an 11-6 score line.  Miss Farrant reports that our team didn’t always take the chances available, but they certainly battled hard.  This was the last match until netball resumes after half term, when I know our girls will be raring to go again, eager to continue their successes in the High Five’s League.
   
• This letter is accompanied by details of the Christmas pantomime theatre trip for pupils in Years One to Year Six to see Pinnocchio. There is also information about the Tudor Day, to take place in Key Stage Two.
   
• The period in which Tesco vouchers have been passed to customers has passed, and it is time for us to send in those collected.  Miss Farrant is organising this again, and would appreciate any vouchers parents still have at home being sent in to School by tomorrow, so that we can take advantage of some of the sports equipment for which the vouchers can be exchanged.
   
• A letter from Mrs Payne has been distributed this week, outlining the application process for children wishing to enter competitions in Kettering’s 2007 Eisteddfod.  If you wish your child to compete then please ensure that replies are returned to Mrs Payne or to the class teacher by 17th November.
   
• Individual, team and class school photographs were taken at School after half term.  Photograph proofs should now be with parents, and we ask that replies are returned to the School Office by this Monday, 20th November, so that orders can be processed by the company and delivered to School before the end of Michaelmas Term.  
   
• A letter regarding the reintroduction of Chess Club in Lent Term was distributed last week.  Please return your reply slip and payment by tomorrow if it is your intention to book your child in for the Club.  Extra copies of the letter sent out to pupils in Year Two onwards are available in the School Office.
   
• Most parents are labelling bottles and passing written instructions to the School Office regarding the administration of medicines.  In addition to this I would ask that parents alert class teachers to any need for a pupil to receive medication.  Although class teachers are not permitted to administer medication to pupils, they do need to know if they are to send a pupil to the School office.
   
• Business was booming at the Scholastic Book Fair, resulting in a commission of over £600 for the School to spend on further expansion of reading materials for pupils.  We are fortunate to be able to offer such a varied choice of reading to our boys and girls already, but there can never be too many books for our pupils, so your support of the Book Fair is greatly appreciated.
   
• Earlier this term, the Sudokuthon in which pupils took part during Maths Week raised £150 for The National Autistic Society.  My thanks go to our boys and girls for ‘puzzling it out’ for others.  I understand that furrowed brows were the result of some of the particularly challenging sudoku grids.
   
• The spirits haunting the school grounds last Friday were not deterred, neither the ghost hunters spirits dampened, despite the rain. Well done to Gregory McCallum and Dan Gadsby for locating the dreadful spectres at the PTAFA’s Ghost Hunt, and to Mr Kilsby and his team for providing the fun, and to the PTAFA catering team for this event, for feeding so many so quickly!  Once again, there was huge support for the Ghost Hunt, and I look forward to giving you an update on what it raised in the next bulletin.
   
• The menu for the Turkey and Tinsel Christmas Dinner organised by Mr and Mrs Fountain is featured in the School notice boards.  Half of the tables have already been purchased by a number of parties, so please hurry and place your order to avoid disappointment.  To assist couples who wish to purchase tickets but do not have a table of six, it was decided at the last PTAFA meeting to make tickets available for individual purchase.  I hope this helps!
   
• A wad of letters from the PTAFA relating to the Christmas Fayre accompanies this bulletin.  Please take the time to read the information, and respond in line with the date deadlines.  So many new parents comment on the warmth socially within our School.  It takes the participation of many to create such an atmosphere, so please try and help out with the Christmas Fayre in any way you can. Most importantly, come to the Fayre, on Saturday 2nd December!  Please note that at the time of writing this bulletin, the raffle tickets had not arrived from the printers.  They will be sent out to parents as soon as we receive them.
   
• Tomorrow is Children in Need, and to support this very important appeal the PTAFA Cake Stall hopes to make a lot of money, all of which will be donated to this year’s appeal.  And so I urge all the cake bakers of St Peter’s School, and any novices eager to make their debut, to get out your cake tins and preheat your ovens!  It would be simply wonderful to cram the Early/Late Club Mobile with the patisserie of your labour.  For this to be followed with a complete ‘sell-out’ at the end of the day would be simply perfect.
   
• The next bulletin will be distributed on Thursday 30th November, when there will be a full report about the Tudor Day soon to take place in Key Stage Two.