Christmas 2017

What a busy term it’s been and there is plenty of good news to share.

All year groups have participated in a Christmas liturgy led by our chaplain, Mandy Baker, and year 10 students celebrated the feast of their year saint, St Francis Xavier.

The ROCK award
This academic year we launched our ROCK award based on the values of Respect, Optimism, Community and Kindness. Students have really risen to the challenge and I am delighted that our first badges have been awarded for Kindness to Amber Cavanagh. Phoebe Chick, Gabriela Kojder, Nikitha Joby, Sophie McInroy, Leanne Rogers, Catherine Stainer, Erin White and Victoria Witherington. We look forward to lots more students gaining badges in 2018!

Mathematics Masterclasses
Well done to the five year 8 students who have been accepted for the Royal Institution Mathematics Masterclasses, 2018, which take place at Bath University in February and March. The following students will attend six classes which will enhance their work in maths and inspire them further: Dominik Brown, Laura Davis, Phoebe Jones, Ivy Wang and Benji Witherington.

Gold CREST award

Huge congratulations to Norbert Wegrzynowski who has received the prestigious Gold CREST Award for his participation in the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project.

Oxbridge candidates

Well done to Hannah Soares, Cosimo Marchetti, Charlotte Davis and Ashling Williams who applied to and have been interviewed for Oxbridge places.

The Duke of Edinburgh award scheme

Congratulations to Ella Derrick and Anna Barnes who have recently received their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards. We currently have 95 students working towards their bronze award; 15 working towards the silver award and two students (now at university) working towards gold. A big thank you to all the staff - led by Mr Edwards - who put so much time into this excellent scheme.

Twas the Night Before Christmas
Thank you to all the students who took part in Twas the Night Before Christmas which was thoroughly entertaining and enjoyed by pupils from local Catholic primary schools at matinee performances as well as by family and friends in the evening. Thank you to Mrs Skyrme who directed the play and who enjoys covering members of the audience in snow!

Music news

Congratulations to Harry Matthews who was selected for the prestigious National Youth Choir. Harry and lots of other students took part in Carols by Candlelight at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Stroud, last Friday which was as beautiful an occasion as always. It was lovely to hear former students sing with our current students. A huge thank you to the music department led by Catherine Perfect, to the students and staff and to parents and friends for being such a supportive congregation.  £200 was raised for the church and £200 was donated to the British Heart Foundation. On Sunday the girls’ choir also supported former student Mary-Jess Leaverland at a concert at St George’s Church, Tuffley.

Science news

The science department has set up ‘Lab Rats’ club for students in year 9 and 10 who are particularly enthusiastic about science or very able.  The first session started with a brief talk on the history of anatomy and dissection followed by dissection when students learned about respiratory and digestive systems. They developed skills from how to set up an animal for dissection to using scalpels and the careful disinfecting of work areas. Focus and concentration were needed due to the nature of the equipment being used and the complexity of the task. The practical work was guided by biology teacher Dr Piercy and supported by Mrs McNeill, Miss Brookes, Mr Brookin and Dr Taylor. Two further sessions are planned: a planetarium will be set up in school and students will dabble in the world of pharmaceuticals by making aspirin.

Parliament week

Parliament week took place in November. Thank you to Miss Fearn, head of politics, who organised visits from two local MPs – David Drew and Richard Graham - as well as a school-wide referendum, a parliament quiz and a workshop for lower school students who signed some parliamentary petitions.

Gymnastics success
In the recent Gloucester schools gymnastics competition St Peter's won three of the five categories and were comfortable overall winners. Thank you to Miss Hadley for all her work with our gymnasts.

 

Football success

Well done to the year 8 football team who have progressed to the sixth round of the under-13 national schools cup and await a home tie in the next round. This means the team is one of the last 32 schools in the country which is a fabulous achievement for the boys and their coach.

House sport

The most recent round of house sport means that Wye are leading on 1939 points:

 

House	Position	Points
Wye	1	1939
Thames	2	1761
Severn	3	1658
Avon	4	1630

 

Staffing news

Congratulations to Mrs Eakin from the RE department who has gained a distinction in her MA in Catholic school leadership from St Mary's university.

Five members of staff are leaving us at the end of term:  cleaners Julie Brown and Zoysa Bucha are retiring; Mrs Akester who is an administrative assistant in our Student Support centre is leaving to pursue her jewellery business full time; Mrs Green who has taught drama and English here is leaving to teach dance and Zumba; and Miss Hadley who teaches PE and has done excellent work with our gymnasts is leaving to teach gymnastics outside school.

A reminder that we return to school on Thursday 4^th January (the planners say Friday 5th but were published before term dates were finalised).

We hope that you have a peaceful and holy Christmas.