3rd May 2007

• Summer Games Day fulfilled its description, taking place on Tuesday in truly glorious summer weather! Pupils in Key Stage Two participated in rounders and cricket. It was noted by many of the teachers leading the activities that our pupils showed an exceptionally high standard of play this year, particularly in the rounders matches.  Excellent team spirit was also evident, with older pupils encouraging the younger ones in each match. Thorpe were the proud recipients of the Summer Games Day trophy.
   
• Key Stage One pupils are looking forward to a series of special games sessions this term.  The aim is to further develop skills including throwing, aiming and skipping.  Later in the term, pupils in 2GM will be joined by the younger half of Key Stage Two for some Games activities, which will also serve as a ‘readiness’ opportunity in preparation for 2GM becoming Year Three in September, joining Key Stage Two.  In the same way, Reception Class will prepare for their move into Key Stage One with some team events with the current Year One class.
   
• 2GM presented an assembly to the School this morning.  Our theme for the week’s assemblies has been ‘Lead by Example’.  The children in 2GM took this idea forward in some research projects, finding out about ‘leaders’ such as Brunel, Nelson, Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale, Helen Keller, Neil Armstrong, and Grace Darling. There was also a catchy song which listed famous men and women from history, as well as a poem, both of which showed off the pupils’ skills of memory to good effect.
   
• There are a number of netball matches on which to report.  The home match played against St Mary’s Burton Latimer resulted in a 14-5 win for St P’s, whilst Park school got the better of us the following week with a 14-6 score line.  Yesterday’s away match against Havelock Juniors in Desborough brought a 6-4 win to our opponents. This means that all league netball games have now been played, and the final positions are currently being processed.  Miss Farrant and Mrs Marshall would like to thank all the parents who have supported our netball team during this season. 
   
• A netball tournament has been organised for Saturday 9th June at Avondale.  Players for this will be confirmed in due course.
   
• On Saturday Mr Anthony Holmes accompanied a football team to the English Schools F.A. Under 11 Small School Soccer Sixes Midland finals, held at Judgemeadow Community College.  The splendid sunshine was tempered by a useful breeze, and a great day of football was had by all.  St Peter’s School’s football team, representing Northamptonshire, met with teams from Herefordshire, Humberside, Warwickshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Shropshire.  Three group games were played, with St P’s winning one, drawing one and losing one.  Mr Holmes reports that the children put in 100% effort, particularly as some played out of position because of team absence.
   
• Football Club for Key Stage One pupils has been very popular this term, and it has also provided an opportunity for children in this area of the School to have a club led by a member of staff in Key Stage Two. Mr Holmes has been impressed with the attentiveness and effort shown by pupils in 1KS and 2GM.  It is important that they learn and understand the basic skills of the game at this early stage, this being the aim of the Club.
   
• The Creative Club held for children in Reception Class has afforded many opportunities for inventiveness.  Mrs Bull reports that model making and papier mache sculpting are amongst the most popular activities.
    
• Investigators spent Saturday evening figuring out who “Bumped Off” Mr Fedorowycz.  Mr Fountain and his team assisted our St Peter’s School PTAFA sleuths in considering the evidence, by serving up a hearty supper to give more power to their detection.  Mrs Payne was unveiled as our “Murder Mystery” culprit, whose instrument of slaughter was a pillow.  Do not fear….normal service has resumed and Mrs Payne is now back with Year 6 swotting away for those fast approaching SATs!  My thanks to everyone who supported this event.
   
• Last week’s PTAFA Cake Stall raised £51.96 for the Premature Baby Unit at Kettering General Hospital. Thanks to both purveyors and purchasers alike.
   
• Thanks go to Mrs Hunnings for selling some of her own home grown produce: seedlings from parsnips to lettuce.  I understand that many of you will be planting out this weekend as a result of your purchases.  Mrs Hunnings has kindly donated proceeds of the sale to the PTAFA.
   
• There has been a good response to tomorrow’s PTAFA pupil discos, kindly organised by Mrs Church and Mrs Drury.  Please remember that in the case of the first disco for children in Nursery, Reception and Key Stage One, we have asked for either one parent per pupil or small group of pupils, to be responsible for and accompany, to ensure safety but to also comply with fire regulations.  With such excellent weather, should there be a wish to enjoy the school grounds, parents are respectfully asked to remain with their children at all times. 
   
• It will not be necessary for parents to accompany the older children to the second disco, because supervision has already been arranged, and because parental presence tends to cramp the style of the dancers! As this is a later disco, children will be expected to remain in the Hall. With the necessary attention to Health and Safety covered, I hope that children have a great time.
  
• The next bulletin will be distributed on 17th May; a day alsonoted for being the one before the last day of SATs for 6PP!