8^th July 2008

Dear Parents

This week’s bulletin begins with a quick review of Friday’s Founders’ Day arrangements:

• There is no Early Club on Friday.  The morning pupils’ drop-off will operate from 9.30am when you are welcome to also leave your labelled picnic hamper at the same time, allowing you time to find a permitted parking space in roads near the School. Your picnic hamper will be stored in a cool area of the School and brought up to the marquee for you after the Prize Giving ceremony.  This later start allows staff to prepare the marquee.
   
• Once the marquee is prepared you will be able to take your seat from 10.00am.  Please try not to arrive before 10am.
   
• Pupils will be supervised in the playground until 9.45am when the bell will ring.  Registration will then take place in classrooms, and following a quiet reading session and some mental maths, children will be led by teachers into the marquee ready for the ceremony's start at 10.30am.
   
• It is expected that picnic time would run from approximately 12.30pm.
   
• In the event of poor weather the plan is for the marquee to be used by families that would still wish to go ahead with the picnic, and chairs would be stacked quickly in order for this to occur.  We would be very grateful if parents would help teachers at this point, as teachers will be supervising children with their chairs.  It would be simply glorious if the sun shone, allowing families the opportunity to sit together and enjoy the School grounds, but it may be that this year we will have showery weather….be warned!
   
• At 1.30pm there will be the official opening of our new outdoor Environment Classroom, courtesy of the PTAFA pond restoration team.  Please come down to the orchard area of the School, behind Early/Late Club to view this regenerated area…it is worth the short walk!
   
• There is an opportunity in the afternoon for families to look around both of the School buildings.  Whilst we have had two ‘share your work sessions’ this year, there has not yet been an opportunity for parents to look at the work and wall displays of pupils in other year groups, so it is hoped that many of you will want to take advantage of our Open Afternoon. 
   
• Tea, cakes and cold refreshments will be available from 2pm until 3pm in Sunnylands Hall.
   
• Please note that, as last year, there will be no Early or Late Club, as all staff will be involved in preparations for the day and then for the PTAFA events in the late afternoon and evening.
   
• As this is a ‘special’ school day there will be an informal approach to its end.  You are welcome to take your child home at any point in the afternoon, after first signing out at the School Office.  As there will be no Late Club on Founders’ Day, children whose parents are unable to attend Founders’ Day will need to be collected from their classrooms by 3.30pm.
   
• Thanks to the work of the PTAFA, there will be a disco, barbeque and bar during the evening, which starts at 6.30pm and ends at 9pm.  Tickets are available from the School Office.
   
• After school clubs have now ended for the term. 
   
• Sporting success continues for St Peter’s School.  Our cricket team went through to the County Finals of the Kettering Grammar School Kwik Cricket Tournament last week and following some super fielding and bowling, found themselves placed third in Northamptonshire.  Well done boys and girls of the cricket team…we are so proud of you! 
   
• Congratulations also to the girls in the School’s netball team, who played a number of matches in one session to come third in the High 5s Netball Tournament. 
   
• Our rounders team took part in the Independent Schools’ Association Midlands Rounders Tournament.  Mr Holmes and Mrs Marshall report that our team played three games, with their technique improving in each game.  It was a super experience for the pupils, but deepest Shropshire was also a long way to travel on the minibus for it!
   
• The recent Summer Concerts for Key Stage Two showed a fantastic range of work. Well done to the children, Mrs Cruickshank and the teachers for assembling a performance showing a high standard, and a range of music making.
   
• Reception Class linked up with Year Six recently so that older pupils could share with younger ones their Powerpoint presentations which retold a traditional fairy tale of their choice.  Mrs Payne reports that once again this end of school year link between Year Six and Reception Class was a worthwhile experience for all concerned.
   
• Our Residential Trip to Norfolk returned to School on Friday after a wonderful week of glorious weather, exciting activities, and excellent hospitality from the staff of Letton Hall.  My thanks to the pupils for their good manners, which were commented upon by members of the public, and I noted those that also remembered to thank their teachers on Friday for taking them on such an adventure for four days and three nights.  I am grateful to Mrs Payne, Mrs Dreyer, Mrs Marshall, Mr Anthony Holmes and Mr and Mrs Sant for their goodwill.
   
• Most reply slips and payment for Monday’s Key Stage Two and 2SW trip to Cadbury World are now with the School Office.  Please refer to the top portion of the original letter for all arrangements regarding uniform and lunch.  When you come to organise a packed lunch for your child, please note that Mr Fountain will pack an apple and biscuit for morning/afternoon snack breaks and one drink.  Pupils should have no more than £5 pocket money in a named purse.
   
• The PTAFA AGM will take place on Monday 15^th September at 7pm for a ‘social’ with the meeting staring at 7.30pm.
   
• On Tuesday 15^th July it would be useful if each pupil comes to school with a plastic bag so that any art work or project material can be taken home.
   
• The first day of Michaelmas Term for pupils is Monday 8^th September.  Summer Uniform should be worn, with the exception of our New Reception Class, who for practical reasons will be in winter uniform.
   
• It has been a very busy year, and I look forward to reporting on its edited highlights to you at Friday’s Founders’ Day.