26th June 2008

• We are entering into the last few laps of the academic year, and the School Sports Programme reached its formal conclusion yesterday with Sports Day.  Field events took place in the morning for Key Stage Two, with the training for these having taken place during Games lessons in this half of Trinity Term.  All Key Stage Two pupils took part in eight field events: javelin, shot put, discus, long jump, triple jump, ball bounce, skipping and seated ball throw.  A number of records were broken: Dempsey Ainsworth broke three records: Year 5 &6 Girls Javelin 18.14m, Year 5 &6 Girls Standing triple jump 5.70m and Year 5 &6 Girls Seated ball throw 9.40m.  Kiran Bhavra set a new record for the Year 5 &6 Girls Shot whilst Rhys Alford set a new Shot record for Year 5 &6 Boys.
   
• In the afternoon the School took part in track events.  It was to a background of great parental support that our youngest Nursery pupils took part in their races, with the Novelty race a definite crowd-pleaser.  Time had been spent practicing the races in the last couple of weeks, in order to familiarise our youngsters with the scenario, but naturally the super support from parents is something that happens on the day, and some children take this in a quick stride, whilst others like to stop and have a wave at Mummy or Daddy in the middle of the race!  Meanwhile, the races involving 1KS and 2SW also displayed the pupils’ confidence and developing running skills to an admirable level. All of this is part of what makes Foundation and Key Stage One Sports Day so special!
   
• Our Key Stage Two pupils were in determined mood for the afternoon’s track events.  Pitsford, Grafham, Rutland and Thorpe were aiming to add to the scores of the morning’s events in a bid to win the much coveted Sports Day house cup.  This year, a new event was added, and it was superb to see our youngsters participating in hurdles relays.  Thanks should go to all of the parents who collected Tesco tokens which enabled us to acquire this new equipment.  Well done to all of the children who took part in this new race, and also to the teachers who had to make a mad dash to reassemble the hurdles ready for the next runner!  Congratulations Grafham on your victory.
   
• Whilst other schools may shy away from such sports events, the aim at St Peter’s School is to encourage fitness, reward everyone for participating and to also establish a regard for there being winners too, as this is reflective of the world our children are destined to inherit.  Well done to our pupils for taking part in today’s events so enthusiastically.  Sportsmanship was in abundance, and it was good to see children realising the importance their individual contribution had on their whole team’s success. 
   
• We are having something of a cricket run of success at present!  On Tuesday our Cricket team took part in the Kettering District element of the Kettering Grammar Schools Cricket Tournament, which had been cancelled previously due to poor weather.  Mr Holmes and Mrs Van Rensburg were staggered at how quickly our team gelled, and with this came excellent results. Our team are through to the County finals!  Many thanks to parents of these team members for agreeing to a slight change in the residential trip departure arrangements.  Our team play their Final on Tuesday and then travel up to Norfolk on the School minibus with Mr A Holmes and Mrs Marshall.  ‘Good luck’ to the team and ‘thank you’ to Mr Holmes and Mrs Marshall for offering to drive the mini bus up to Norfolk afterwards so that the children can do what they want to do-which is:  play to win!
   
• Loddington and Mawsley Cricket Club invited our Cricket team to play in a mini competition they have organised involving three other local schools.  Having won all of the games, our team finds itself in yet another final, to be played at some time during the last week of term.  All in all, our cricketers continue to astound staff and parents alike with their team play and ever-improving skills.
   
• Our Netball team participated in the Kettering High 5s Netball Tournament on Saturday 21st June. Despite the wet conditions they were raring to go, winning both games they managed to play before rain stopped play.  The tournament resumes on Monday and we wish our girls well.  With all of the other sports activities that have been going on and in which they have also been involved, I recommend a quiet weekend to conserve their energy.
   
• The prospect of a quiet weekend may be out of the grasp of our Year 5 and Year 6 families!  I would imagine that packing suitcases in preparation for Tuesday’s departure to Norfolk would take up some time, particularly because the baggage is restricted to one suitcase plus sleeping bag for each child!  A meeting took place after Sports Day yesterday at which Mrs Payne, Mrs Marshall, Mr Holmes, Mrs Dreyer and Mrs Sant were able to meet with parents and go through last minutes details with regard to this ever-popular residential. Pupils going on the residential are reminded that mobile phones are not permitted, and that excellent manners and behaviour are expected.  I look forward to hearing the tales of our travellers upon their return at the end of next week.
   
• Please note that Readathon sponsor money should be collected and returned to the School Office by tomorrow if possible.  It will be possible to send on late returns though, so please do not let that deter you from collecting for this charity. 
   
• French Day for Nursery, Reception, 1KS and 2SW will be next Friday.  There are lots of exciting activities planned.  Children can come to school on the day dressed in red, white or blue (remember…the School shorts are blue, so they can be worn!).  Clothes should be practical and not ‘party’ type, as there will also be sport activities in the afternoon…..with a French theme, of course!
   
• In preparation for the forthcoming academic year, parents of children in current Reception Class have received a letter inviting them to a short presentation on Monday 30th June at 3.30pm when Mrs Shakeshaft will talk about Key Stage One curriculum and classroom routines in 1KS.  On the same day and time, a similar event will take place for parents of pupils in 2SW, with Mrs Payne outlining the Key Stage Two curriculum.  Mrs Dreyer will also be in attendance, as she will be coordinating Key Stage Two upon Mrs Payne’s retirement from full time teaching at the end of this academic year.  Class teacher of 3JC, Mrs Cruickshank will be at the meeting too.
   
• Parents of pupils in Reception Class 2008 have a meeting with Mrs Bull in a similar vein on Tuesday 1st July.  Tea and coffee will be served in the Hall from 3.30pm to which parents of current Reception Class are also invited, in a bid to create some links between existing St P parents and newer parents too.  If you are attending this, please book your child into Late Club for a short time.
   
• The letter regarding the School Trip for Year 2 through to Year 6 has been distributed.  Please send in reply slips and payment as soon as possible to the School Office so that the administration for the trip can be completed quickly.
   
• As we enter into our first week of July please note that the setting of homework will cease for the remainder of Trinity Term.  Children are encouraged to read for pleasure, to use the time for tables and number bonds practice and to enjoy the great outdoors.
   
• The PTAFA Pond Restoration project is nearing its conclusion for this academic year.  I feel that it is time to publically acknowledge the grafters who have given of their time during precious weekends in order to create what will be a new classroom area:  an enormous debt of gratitude is owed to Mr Bowers Snr, Mr Bowers Jnr, Mr and Mrs Conway, Mr Chapman, Mrs Drage, Mr and Mrs Dreyer, Mr Styles and Dr and Mrs Taylor.  The goodwill of these folk is immeasurable.  Thank you.  I know that the team look forward to showing parents the fruits of their labour at Founders’ Day. Pupils and teachers look forward to making use of their new outdoor classroom.
   
• Many thanks also go to Mrs Kirk, Mrs Conway and Mrs Breuer for their hard work in organising the PTAFA Fathers’ Day cards.  I hope that Dads enjoyed receiving them as much as we enjoyed witnessing the children’s enthusiasm when making them.
   
• The PTAFA Barn Dance was a jolly affair.  The usual challenge of running the barbeque for a large number of hungry dancers was present, but a small but determined team of barbeque-rs were also fortunately present -thanks to those Dads who singed themselves at the coals in the process of helping out! The band were very persuasive, and even the most reluctant dancers were enticed to take part in a square dance…or two!  Thanks should go particularly to Gail Kirk for coordinating everything so efficiently, and for her patience and good humour too. She has stepped into the PTAFA secretary shoes for the remainder of this academic year so that Mrs Ager can take a short maternity break.  
   
• Please come along to the next PTAFA meeting.  The PTAFA really needs lots of help to get Founders’ Day evening events organised…..and we are all part of the PTAFA….  Again, we will need the barbeque to be manned, and there are a myriad of other bits that need to be done too. If we leave all these jobs to the good old souls who usually lend a hand, goodwill may run out and then there will be fewer events on offer for families to enjoy.  Please take a turn at helping out if you can.  Thank you.  The meeting is on Monday 30th June at 7.30pm in Sunnylands Hall.
   
• There will be a PTAFA Cake Stall tomorrow at 3.30pm in Sunnylands Hall, with proceeds going to Kettering Children’s Holiday Club.  Donations of cakes would be gratefully received at the School Office tomorrow morning so that they can be sold after school to assist this local charity.
   
• The next bulletin will outline arrangements for Founders’ Day and provide a final sports update.  It will be issued during the week beginning 7th July.