30th November 2006

• They did it!  Once again, our footballers succeeded in retaining the Eccles Shield. Our team played St Mary’s, Burton Latimer in the first game.  Despite falling a goal behind, we managed to win the game 2-1.  The second game was against Highfield, and was highly competitive, ending with a 2-0 win.  We made the most of the good weather, with Junior pupils out to support the game, and this really helped create a wonderful atmosphere-one of those ‘magic’ St P moments!  Our team was exemplary in their effort and organisation, and were consequently a credit to themselves and the School.  The presentation ceremony, held in Sunnylands Hall, was attended by all the teams and their representatives, and the Eccles Shield was once more handed to our team by Mr Ron Eccles, responsible for setting up this competition which is based upon the principles of good sportsmanship and friendship between small schools.
   
• There was a breach of School uniform regulations on Monday, when, during the morning drop-off, the Headmistress noted that a large number of Tudor gentry and peasants had infiltrated the ranks of the School population. Of even greater concern was the fact that the staff had donned the costume of this historical period too. Fortunately the time warp lasted for only one Tudor Day, filled with knowledge and fun, led expertly by Keith Prosser of ‘Time Zone’.  There was a chance for pupils to experience games and activities for Tudor children, join a Tudor school room and use quills and ink.  There was also a demonstration of Tudor weaponry, and the children even took part in a drill, marching as pike men and swordsmen.  The afternoon session involved the children taking part in the trial of a ‘scold’.
   
• This week certainly saw the start of the advent of Advent at St Peter’s School!  There had clearly been a flurry of activity at the homes of many families, with shoes collected for the Blue Peter Appeal and children’s books and toys for this Saturday’s PTAFA Christmas Fayre.  On Monday the School Office resembled Santa’s Grotto, with all manner of items taking root in its reception area: bottles for the bottle tombola, children’s gifts for the children’s tombola and of course the much admired Christmas jars, decorated so creatively by our pupils.  The spectacle of them all assembled en masse will be available for you to see at Saturday’s Christmas Fayre, because this year the Jar Stall will have an ‘official opening’ at 11am.  The class winners of the Christmas Jar competition will be announced towards the end of the Christmas Fayre, and then again at a future School assembly, but to my mind ALL the pupils who entered are winners for participating so wholeheartedly.
   
• The volume of homework set during next week will gradually decrease, with no homework being set for the week beginning 11th December.  This ‘extra’ time can be used by pupils for time reading, and further practice of number bonds and / or tables practice.
   
• Sarah Kings recent involvement in the Independent Schools Association National Swimming Gala brought with it continued success for this young swimmer. The event took place in Coventry’s Olympic sized pool, where Sarah was part of the team representing the Midlands region.  She came second in both the breaststroke and the front crawl races, and she was also part of the Midlands’ relay team, which came first.  I look forward to celebrating such successes together with parents and pupils, at Founders’ Day Prize Giving on July 6th.
   
• At long last, after a few cancelled dates the last match of the Floodlit Football League took place yesterday, with St Peter’s School playing Brambleside, and needing a draw to retain third place in the league.  I am delighted to tell you all that it was a case of ‘job done’!  Our team were 1-0 down, until Albertus Van Rensburg scored the equaliser, with just 10 seconds to go.  Coach Mr Anthony Holmes has made a remarkable recovery after the shock of it all, and the team are proud to have taken overall third place this year.  WELL DONE!
   
• Please note that the return date for pupils for the next academic year is Thursday 6th September.  The remaining dates of academic year 07-08 will be circulated during Lent Term. It is hoped that advance notice of this particular return date will assist parents wishing to book holidays, and minimise the need to request holiday time during the School term.
   
• The first issue of the St Peter’s School Newsletter will be distributed in January, in order for there to be a full report on all of the Christmas activities.
   
• In between the usual timetabling of core subjects, rehearsals are currently taking place for next week’s Reception Class and Key Stage One Christmas Concert, when children tell us the story of Ned the Donkey, who makes a Christmas discovery.  Parents of children performing have already received ticket booking forms, but any families who have not yet responded are asked to do so by tomorrow.
   
• Meanwhile, on Tuesday children in the Nursery are looking forward to presenting ‘Whoops-A-Daisy Angel” to their parents, when they will tell the story of a little angel who is different from the rest, in that she makes mistakes, is forgetful, clumsy and dresses untidily, but has a ‘heart of gold’ and never complains.
   
• Nursery has been even busier than usual over the last couple of weeks with a series of ‘Come and Play’ days, when parents of Nursery children join them for a day, to give the ‘grown-ups’ a flavour of a typical day for their child. 
   
• A letter regarding Carol Service arrangements accompanies this letter.  Please complete the tear off slip and return it to the class teacher.
   
• My thanks go to all of the parents and pupils who helped run the PTAFA Cake Stall a fortnight ago, and also to all those who baked and purchased.  A grand total of over £100 was raised for Children in Need.
   
• There is a great excitement among our pupils as Saturday’s PTAFA Christmas Fayre draws closer.  I have a suspicion that the fact that St Peter’s School Santa joins us once more is an incentive for this enthusiasm!  I look forward to seeing many of you on Saturday morning-the fun starts at 10am.