In Year Four, the children have been learning about World War Two and Remembrance Day. The children took on the responsibility of selling the poppies to parents, staff and children throughout the week and wore their poppies with pride. A special Remembrance Day Assembly was delivered by the children in honour of those who have fought for our country and the children educated the whole school about the symbol of poppies and why we wear them. As well as this, the children have produced excellent water colour paintings of poppies, which they proudly showed the rest of the school. A special Remembrance Day workshop was put on where the children enjoyed a visit from some students and teachers from St John’s Middle school, Bromsgrove.

Last week we wore odd socks to school to launch their ‘Anti-Bullying Week’, supporting this year’s National theme of ‘All Equal, All Different.’
Head teacher, Catherine Clubley said, “Anti-Bullying Week is a very important week in schools nationally. Our classrooms, playgrounds and assembly hall buzz with children sharing positive behaviour and anti-bullying messages through discussion, artwork, media and presentations. The whole school community uses the week as an opportunity to refocus our minds on the important messages of tolerance and respect.”

On Friday 10th November the children and staff welcomed Pudsey along with Hereford and Worcester Radio to their Superhero dress up day.   We celebrated ‘Superheros in our Lifetime’ and the children to the opportunity to dress as their Mums and Dads, doctors, teachers, police officers and Isabella (Class 4R) dressed as Emmeline Pankhursk.  Pudsey come along to the children’s assembly and he was greeted by ‘Pudsey chants’, hugs, high fives and lots of smiling faces.  The children filled their Pudsey envelopes and together we raised £478.81.  It was great to support Children In Need once again and a visit from Pudsey is always well received.  The children gave him a great St. Peter’s welcome.

The Reception children celebrated National Nursery Rhyme Week. They took part in a variety of activities and performed their favourite rhyme to their friends. They been weaving webs, making clocks and playing rhyming games. The dress up day was a huge success with children arriving at school as their favourite nursery rhyme character. A child said. ‘I was so excited, we do such fun things at school.’

Harvest Time at St. Peter’s

On Friday 6^th October, children, parents and staff from St. Peter’s Catholic First School (Academy) celebrated their Harvest Festival Mass. The families of St Peter’s donated an overwhelming amount of food which the school have donated to The Basement Project and New Starts. The school also held a raffle to raise money for CAFOD (Catholic Agency For Overseas Development). Twelve families won prizes ranging from a large loaf designed as a wheatsheaf and large vegetable hampers to smaller loaves of fresh bread, cakes and fruit. “A fun celebration of harvest was had by all” said Mrs Natalie Smith, RE Co-ordinator.

St. Peter’s visit St. Joseph’s Care Home, Coleshill

Residents of St. Joseph’s Care Home, Coleshill, enjoyed a concert in their living room from St. Peter’s Choir.   We sang a variety of hymns and songs to delighted residents and staff.  We also took part in a flower arranging activity with the residents, creating some lovely displays.

Organised by St. Joseph’s Home and the St. Peter’s staff, the visit gave the children a chance to see Catholic social care in action.  “The children showed their support by putting on an enjoyable concert” said Ginny Cullen, St Joseph’s Fundraising Officer.

Run by Father’s Hudson’s Care, St. Joseph’s cares for older people and those living with dementia.  It regularly welcomes guests who entertain residents.

St. Joseph’s staff and residents thanked the school for visiting and hoped that they would come again.

Lexi in Class 4R said “When we arrived there the first thing we did was to sing to a group of elderly people and then we did flower arranging and I enjoyed it so much. Then we went to a different group called Ruby and then we had food with the elderly and came back to school.”

Adventure at Pioneer

The Year Four children enjoyed a trip to the Pioneer Centre where they all got the opportunity to try out new activities and skills. Among the highlights were; rock climbing, abseiling, archery and zip wire. The children were also lucky enough to take part in a singsong and action games by a campfire in the evening. The children also witnessed Mrs Rowe and Miss Ellenger going head to head in a banana eating competition! It was a great enjoyed by all!

Year Four Fun at Wyre Forest

The children in Year Four enjoyed a recent trip to the Wyre Forest where they learnt the essential skills to survive in the wild. They enjoyed a morning of orienteering and using their map skills, followed by an afternoon of building shelters and campfires. The children loved testing out their new fires by toasting a marshmallow or two!  The children thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Look out Bear Grylls!

Leading Parent Partnership Award (LPPA)

St. Peter’s Catholic First School (Academy) has been awarded the prestigious Leading Parent Partnership Award (LPPA) for the third time.

The award celebrates schools with an exceptional relationship with their pupils’ families, especially parental figures.

In the report, the assessor said “Communication with parents and carers is excellent and all parties are well informed.”

“Parents value the good levels of communication with them and mention how the school has responded positively to their needs.  Parents believe that the school works well with them and seeks to support them wherever possible.”

“The commitment of senior leadership and all staff to ensure that effective parental partnership and engagement in children’s learning is clearly evident.”

“Parents also reported that staff helped to build up their confidence and self-esteem as parents, giving them the confidence to help their children with their learning.”

Upon receiving the LPPA Mrs Clubley said, “We are delighted to be re-awarded the LPPA as it recognises our sustained and continuing efforts to promote a positive parent partnership. The staff at St. Peter’s understand that engagement with parents is key to successful learning and happy children.”