15th November 2007

• Art Week is always well received by pupils and this week’s events have once again served to whet the creative appetite of boys and girls.  To open up creative opportunity even further, an ‘s’ was added, and Art Week has this year become Arts Week, so that themes could be explored not just through art, but also music,  drama, movement and dance.  As always, all of our activities were woven around the core elements of our curriculum, so that Mathematics, English and Science lessons also took place!
   
• Art Week has centred upon springboard activities that will lead to the completion of work that will be exhibited in the forthcoming schools’ art exhibition, which will be held at the Alfred East Gallery in February.  There will also be an opportunity to see finished work displayed at the end of the year on Founders’ Day.
   
• The theme we have chosen is ‘Growing Together As One’.  A large tree structure will eventually be moulded, with each class at St Peter’s School being allocated its own branch. Every class has chosen a country and researched national items such as flag, native animals and plants, famous buildings, historical figures and national dress.  Based on this research, pupils will then individually construct a 2D or 3D representation to hang on their tree branch.
     
• Reception Class have been learning more about England during Arts Week.  They have talked about what they see every day: buses, beautiful churches, the flag of St George.  Working with different media they have recreated some of these images.
   
• 1KS are been in the process of conducting some initial research into Australia this week, so that they can first appreciate some of the many aspects of this continent.  They have also made koala models, and designed and decorated boomerangs.
   
• 2SW explored the colourful sights and rhythmic music of Brazil.  In a movement lesson they learned some basic samba steps set to traditional Brazilian music, and they then went on to create a short routine on the theme of Carnival.  Collage masks were also made, using fluorescent paint, feathers and gemstones.
   
• In Key Stage Two a mass origami session took place on Monday, with pupils
  using their mathematical knowledge on angles, shapes and reflection to construct 3D origami structures such as cups, frogs, dogs and boats.  Then on Wednesday afternoon each class was given a bag containing an assortment of clothes, and other drama props.  Their task was to apply speaking and listening skills to create a class drama using role play, traditional storytelling and acting skills.  Each class’s work was presented to the whole Junior Department.  ‘Drama in a Bag’ delivered many laughs, some wonderfully precious acting moments and a great forum for pupils to present their skills publicly.  It should be noted that our pupils felt confident and happy when given such an opportunity.
   
• Well done to all the swimmers who represented the School last week at the Midlands Region Independent Schools’ Association Swimming Gala. Staff and parents accompanying the team commented upon our pupils’ determination in their races, and were proud of the excellent way in which our team behaved.  We are also proud to share with you the fabulous news that Sarah Kings in 5GM has been chosen to join the Midlands squad to represent the region at the ISA National Swimming Gala on Saturday.  She swims in the freestyle race and is one of the freestyle relay team too.  Good luck Sarah!
   
• On Tuesday 13th November a representative from the educational outreach department of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club visited St Peter’s School, to provide a cricket taster session for Years 4, 5 and 6. The day was very successful, if a little wet, but the children were provided with the opportunity to improve their: hand/eye coordination, listening skills, teamwork, tactical skills and general fitness work. There will be further professional coaching during Lent Term, when pupils in Year 5 and 6 will receive some more intensive cricket tuition in preparation for our involvement in a variety of cricket competitions in the Trinity Term.  
   
• Pupils in 5GM will present an assembly to the School on Thursday 22nd November.  Parents of children in this class are invited to join the assembly, and should arrive at the School Office for 10.20 from where they will be led up to Sunnylands Hall.
   
• A variety of trees have been delivered from the Woodland Trust.  Maple, Silver Birch, Rowan and Cherry trees will be planted around the School.  This is an ideal opportunity to involve Gardening Club.  Together with Mrs Tye and our Site Supervisor Mr D Holmes, pupils will consider suitable locations and incorporate them into a plan, and help in the eventual planting of the young trees.
   
• This is the last call for school photograph orders!  Please send completed orders to the School Office by tomorrow.
   
• If you would like your child to enter the Kettering Eisteddfod in March you are asked to return the entry form to the School Office, or directly to Mrs Payne by Tuesday November 20th please.
   
• Please remember Monday’s ‘share your work’ sessions, originally featured in the School Calendar and mentioned in the first bulletin of this academic year.  The format is the same as previous years, but this bulletin is accompanied by a letter detailing them, in case you need a reminder! This will be  a ’first’ for some of our Reception and Nursery parents, so I hope that the opportunity to sit with your child and allow him/her to show you their school work will be a special moment for you.
   
• Last Friday’s PTAFA Ghost Hunt saw the grounds of St Peter’s School lit up, not only with glo-sticks, but also with the eagerness of our intrepid ghost hunters, in pursuit of a cast that must have walked off the set of the last ever Hammer horror film ever made.  The fact that even the Headmistress nearly jumped out of her skin on one occasion should maybe comfort those younger pupils for whom it was all too much!  The conductor of this symphony of horror was Mr Mike Kilsby, and thanks go to him and his fellow spooks for giving us all another great PTAFA night.  Thanks also to the catering crew who managed to calm us all down with hot dogs and soup.  It was wonderful to see that so many past pupils and families had also gone to the trouble of purchasing tickets to ‘come back’ for this event, which just keeps getting bigger and better!
   
• Christmas starts early for the PTAFA.  It has to, because there is so much to do in preparation for Saturday 1st December and the Christmas Fayre, which this year will be opened at 10am by the Mayor of Kettering, Mr Christopher Lamb.
   
• You will by now have received information about the Christmas Fayre from the PTAFA.  There are all sorts of ways in which you can help, and these are listed in the recent correspondence from the PTAFA.  The ever popular Jam Jar competition returns, so there are two weekends when pupils can get creative.  Jars need to be in School by Monday 26th November.  There will be a mufti day next week, on Tuesday 20th November.  Each pupil’s ‘fine’ is to bring an item for the class’s hamper.  To avoid duplication, the item has been specified in a PTAFA letter distributed this week.  Don’t forget that tickets are now available for the Turkey & Tinsel evening.
   
• A final reminder that there will be a ‘fun swim’ tomorrow for pupils in Years 2 through to Year 6. The fine will be £1 which will be donated to Children in Need.  Proceeds from tomorrow’s cake stall will also support this worthy cause.  Please bake and/or buy to support this Cake Stall if you can.  Thank you!
   
• The next bulletin will be circulated on 29th November.