29th November 2007

• In the haste to tell you about Arts Week in the last bulletin, mention was not made of Time Zone, a visiting history project, which led pupils and staff in a day of workshops, focussing upon Ancient Greeks. 
   
• Pupils in Key Stage Two examined how early forms of democracy were established, and they also delved into the structure of Greek society.  There was a chance to see how some Greek children studied, with pupils working with the Greek alphabet and numeric system.  Significant Greek philosophers were considered too, particularly Aristotle.  It wasn’t all work though, and pupils had a chance to experience the ways in which Greek children might have played, sampling a variety of early board games and other games similar to hoopla, skittles and dice.
   
• The aim of this project was to enliven the study of history, and it was a chance for pupils to receive another valuable and exciting learning experience, allowing pupils to see the links between the past and the present, as well as sharpen a host of other skills into the bargain, such as teambuilding, coordination, mental maths, strategic planning and the ability to hold reasoned arguments.
   
• In a bulletin sent at this point of the term last year, I wrote to you all about Sarah Kings involvement in the Independent Schools Association National Swimming Gala.  This year seems to be no exception for Sarah, who once again represented the Midland region.  Sarah came second in the individual freestyle race, and the freestyle relay team in which Sarah swam came third.  Well done Sarah….and second time around, too!
   
• Please note that the volume of homework set during next week will gradually decrease, with no homework being set for the week beginning 10th December.  This ‘extra’ time can be used by pupils for time reading, and further practice of number bonds and / or tables practice.
   
• Many thanks to pupils and parents for supporting Children In Need on Friday 16th November through donations for the pupils’ Fun Swim, and also for all of the baking and buying of cakes for the Children In Need Cake Stall.  A total of £200 was generated from these fundraising activities.
   
• A letter will be distributed early next week about the Carol Service.  As listed in the School Calendar sent out in September, this is a very special ‘end of term’ moment for pupils, families and teachers, and it takes place on Thursday 13th December at the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul.  I hope that you can join us in this pre Christmas spiritual time of preparation.  Please note that if you are unable to attend you will need to make arrangements for your child to be collected from the Church at 11.45am as there is no afternoon session for pupils and no Late Club.
   
• Congratulations are conveyed to Allana Berwick in 6PP for having her design chosen as the winning one for St Peter’s School Christmas Card 2007.  In this morning’s assembly, certificates were awarded to all pupils who took part in the competition.  It has been a privilege to look through this year’s designs……it is so often through the eyes of children that the Christmas message is most effectively conveyed.
   
• There will be a Christmas Disco for pupils in Key Stage Two on Friday 7th December from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.  Tickets cost £2.50 and are available from the School Office.
   
• Children in Nursery and Reception Class are looking forward to presenting their Christmas performance of Fishing for Stars on Wednesday 5th December 2007. Meanwhile, pupils in Year 1KS and 2SW are looking forward to presenting their Christmas production of The Gigantic Star on Thursday 6th December 2007.  There will be a recording of the dress rehearsal on Tuesday 4th December, so it is hoped that all of our performers will be in school on that day so that they do not miss the opportunity to have their contribution recorded for posterity.  Parents of children involved have already received an order form for DVD purchase.  Please return your reply slip by Monday 3rd December.  Please also remember that: 1) there is a Coffee Morning for parents attending the performances beforehand and 2) tickets will be collected, so please bring them.
   
• There is such a buzz about the School as we approach Saturday’s PTAFA Christmas Fayre!  Parents come into the School Office every day with items for stalls.  We have received bottles for the Bottle Tombola, chocolates for the Chocolate Tombola, and toys and books for the ever popular Toy Stall. Mrs Vicki Ager, PTAFA secretary has coordinated everyone’s efforts so well, and I thank her for her commitment to organising this huge event.
   
• “Thank you” goes also to Mrs Lyles, Mrs Brown, Mrs Taylor and Mrs Owen for meticulously preparing items for the Sweetie Stall, which we urge children to support.  These good ladies will run the Sweetie Stall alongside the Jam Jar Stall, but the Sweetie Stall will open at 10am.
   
• Mrs Manning has created some lovely homemade pomanders for the Fayre, made from St Peter’s School lavender.  These gifts look and smell fabulous, and I predict they will quickly sell out on Saturday!
   
• Please now help us out by baking for the Cake & Pantry Stall, run by Mrs Bowers and Mrs Hart.   Your wares should be brought in to school either tomorrow morning or after School.  If anything needs to be refrigerated then please make us aware in the School Office.
   
• The Jam Jars have been judged and the results will be announced after midday at the Fayre, after the drawing of the raffle.  Please remember that the official opening of the Jam Jar Stall is at 11am and not a minute before!  Pupils are asked to only buy one jar please, so that the majority of pupils get the chance to buy a jar.  Thank you!
   
• St Peter’s School Chutney is made from apples from the School’s orchard which Mr D Holmes always collects.  Our very own Mr Fountain then takes a break from Chef Duties, goes into ‘parent mode’ and performs a little miracle for the PTAFA, creating this fine chutney using his secret recipe.  Finally, Mrs Ager packages the delicacy beautifully, with the aim of enticing you all to buy and so further support your School. What a team!
   
• The entry fee to the Fayre is the usual submission to the Head’s ‘Buy Extra Raffle Tickets’ approach.  Having seen the hamper goodies come in to School during the recent Mufti Day, I assure you that it is well worth purchasing even more tickets than you might have originally planned!Advance thanks go to Abi Flatman, her brothers (all ‘old boys’!) and her parents for once again taking on the blistering task of folding the tickets. 
   
• This year the PTAFA School calendar will be on sale at the Fayre.  It is a special exclusive colour print-run created by the Ager family, with100 copies available. Please make sure that you get your calendar this year, before it sells out!
   
• Now I really must go and see if that special room is ready for St Peter’s School Santa………..come and join in the family fun on Saturday 1st December.  The Mayor opens the Christmas Fayre at 10am!