29th March 2007

• Last week’s bulletin was crammed with good news resulting from the excellent efforts of pupils at St Peter’s School, competing in the Kettering Eisteddfod, as well as those representing the School in sporting pursuits.  I am pleased to report on continued success!
      
• On Tuesday 13th March our cricket squad attended the Kettering Kwik Cricket Tournament at KLV. After playing two games and winning them both, the team returned for a quarter- final tie on Thursday 15th March. They started a little slowly and had to work hard in the latter stages of the game to qualify for the semi-finals, where they played their old sporting rivals, Havelock. In a very tight game, in which all our players concentrated throughout and maintained a commendable level of focus, we emerged as clear winners and progressed to the Final. In the Final our squad played the Year 7 team from Southfield School.  Although that team played very well, our pupils were undeterred by the age difference, and continued with their excellent form, winning the Final to be declared winners of the competition. Albertus Van Rensburg won the award for the top scoring batsman in the whole tournament and was also second in the award for the most wickets taken.  
   
• In addition to the Eisteddfod results detailed in the last bulletin, there is more to share concerning competitions held toward the end of Eisteddfod Week:
   
• In the second Verse Speaking 6 and Under competition, Toby Lyles came 1st, with Matilda Middleton and Kuda Taruvinga sharing 3rd place. In Verse Speaking 8 Years and Under, Tapi Taruvinga scored an incredible 90 marks, gaining the 1st place plaque. She was also subsequently presented with the Churchill Award, in recognition of an outstanding performance in the discipline of verse speaking during the course of this year’s Eisteddfod-a high accolade indeed!  As if that were not enough, the 2nd and joint 3rd places in that same competition were awarded to Sarah Kings, Erin Hill and Anna Hart respectively.
   
• Still with solo verse speaking, Jordan Summerfield won the Under 9’s competition, with Sarah Crooks gaining second place.  The Under 10 competition was won by Rose Beckett, with Jessica Todd and Albertus van Rensburg sharing second place, and Hope Carpenter receiving a certificate for 3rd place. The Group Speaking competitions resulted in our Year 5 and 6 group being awarded 2nd place in their competition, with our Year 3 and 4 group winning their category.
   
• In music, our choir was awarded joint 3rd place in the Open choice, and our singers were delighted to once again win 1st  place in the hymn singing competition.  Tapi Taruvinga won the solo vocal 8 and under competition, with Alex Taylor winning a second place certificate in the Under 10 competition, and Edward Taylor and Francesca Bowers sharing third place.  Playing his clarinet, Gregory McCallum was awarded second place in the Woodwind Solo Under 10 category.
   
• The School assembled last week to celebrate the success of all of our Eisteddfod 2007 competitors.  All children entering in competitions were awarded their certificates, and there were performances given by those either winning competitions or gaining the highest position out of our pupil competitors. It was refreshing to see how even the youngest children took great delight in listening to the performances, and clapping the success of all of our competitors.
   
• I am so proud of the high number of pupils representing St Peter’s School at the Eisteddfod once again this year.  We are clearly supporting our community events, and doing so with a high level of success. When children are encouraged to involve themselves in competitive pursuits, whether in sport or the arts, they develop confidence, discipline, acceptance of rules and acknowledgement of expert judgements.  I hope that children will feel driven to meet the challenges and rewards possible in next year’s Eisteddfod.
   
• Please note that children may return to School in summer uniform after the Easter holiday.  The date from which all pupils should be in Summer Uniform is Tuesday 8th May.
   
• Last Tuesday St Peters' School attended their first Tag Rugby competition in Newcastle-Under-Lyme. Not having played competitively before, our expectations were not very high but as usual the team’s enthusiasm was inspiring! There were several debutants in the team, along with some old hands at representing the School. Our team played in a round-robin format against the other seven teams, on a day of high, biting winds which made playing very uncomfortable. There were lots of cold hands and ears but despite the conditions, our boys remained upbeat. They continued to learn from each game, and their handling and positional skills grew as the competition progressed. The boys are to be congratulated on their behaviour and attitude throughout the day, representing the school in an exemplary manner.
   
• Good luck to our netballers for their home match against St Mary’s after School today.  The game played with St Edward’s on 15th March was very close, with both teams battling hard, and resulting in a 5-3 score line favouring our opponents on this occasion.  Please note that Wednesday netball practices have now ceased for the remainder of this academic year, allowing staff and pupils to focus on other areas of sport.
   
• On Tuesday the annual inter-house Winter Games Day took place for Key Stage Two pupils. For the first time in several years the competition took place wholly at St Peter’s School, and as if to mark the occasion, we were blessed with glorious spring weather! Many parents came to support their children and enjoyed the lovely sunshine as well as cheering on their house.  Pupils had the opportunity to participate in four games; netball, hockey, football and tag rugby.  All the games were played in good spirit, and a high standard of skills was displayed. Thorpe ‘Tigers’ dominated their half of the draw and in the other half, honours were shared.  When the points were added up Thorpe were declared the Winter Games Day champions, by just two points!
   
• Some interesting characters formed the Key Stage Two line-up after the morning bell was rung last Thursday! Amongst them was a whole class from Hogwarts, including two teachers suitably attired! Throughout that day there were many alliances made:  Alice met up with a few of the characters from Wonderland, and friends from Narnia chased Tom Sawyer, Willy Wonka, Elizabeth Bennett and Oliver Twist about the playground during morning break.  All this excitement was to enhance Book Week!  Having made a mufti charge of £1 for each child we will be able to send off another donation to Comic Relief.  Any unpaid ‘fines’ can be settled at the School Office!  My thanks go to children, parents and staff for making it such a ‘fun’ day.
   
• Reviews of favourite books were written by pupils in 1KS and 2GM during Book Week, and a Big Book of all the reviews is also being created.  Additionally, visits to Nursery were made, with our Key Stage One pupils relishing the opportunity of reading to the youngest members of St Peter’s School. 
   
• Sunnylands Hall was positively buzzing with avid readers last week, choosing new books from the wide selection offered at the Scholastic Book Fair, hosted by Key Stage Two.  Mrs Payne reports that it was lovely to see the children discussing what to choose with their parents, who as always were very supportive. The amount spent on books earned the School a total commission of over £330. This will be used to further develop the range of reading books in what is already a well resourced area of the School……children LOVE the fact that there are always new books to be read at St Peter’s!  Thanks to everyone who came along and to the Fair and bought books. Your support is much appreciated.
   
• When visiting the Book Fair, you may have also caught sight of the magnificent display of photographs of children reading in unusual situations.  There was a great response from pupils of all ages to the Extreme Reading challenge posed as part of Book Week!  It is evident that children can read whilst sitting on a cow, in mid-air, underwater, hanging upside down, up a tree and even to animals!  If you haven’t had a chance to marvel at these feats, then remember to visit the display when looking around the School on Founders’ Day, on 6th July……you will be amazed at the lengths some people will go to get a good read!
   
• Parents of children in Reception, Year One and Two have recently received a letter detailing arrangements for ‘Come and Listen’ sessions. Reply slips for this event should be returned to the School Office or to the class teacher, by tomorrow. If you have not yet returned your reply slip for Clubs for Summer Term following the receipt of Wednesday’s letter, please do so by tomorrow.
   
• Thank you to all children and parents that have kindly baked cakes this term for our PTAFA cake stalls.  There are quite a collection of Tupperware and other containers in the School Office, so do please if at all possible collect these items tomorrow. Last week’s Cake Stall raised £55.70 for the Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.  Thanks to the bakers and purchasers involved!  The next Cake Stall will be on Friday 27th April. 
   
• The next bulletin will be distributed on 19th April, and will report upon Foundation Stage’s Easter Fun Day, as well as the Easter Egg Hunt that rounds off Lent Term for Key Stage One pupils. It has been an incredibly busy term, with so much going on in all areas of the School.  I know that the children will enjoy their Easter break, and hope that they will return suitably refreshed and ready for the Summer Term, which promises to be equally lively!