November 2022

We have had a busy few weeks since the October half term break with a number of special events and visitors.

On Friday 4^th November we were delighted to welcome visitors from the BBC to mark the centenary of the BBC with a special BBC 100 Share your Story event for all students in years 7, 8 and 9. 

Digital video journalist Jimmy Tam spoke about his experience growing up and feeling different because of his cultural heritage:

Training manager Kirstie Andrews spoke about living with OCD and the impact of a cancer diagnosis:

The presenters and crew were impressed with our students who listened well and asked some excellent questions.

Education Mass at Clifton Cathedral

On Thursday 3rd November Ms Baker, Mr McDonald and I accompanied a group of our students to the Education Mass at Clifton Cathedral. Our students led the bidding prayers and represented St Peter’s brilliantly.

On Wednesday 16^th November our year 9 students joined together for a liturgy to mark their year saint’s feast day. St Agnes of Assisi lived simply, refused to give up her faith and enriched the lives of others, a fitting role model for our students.

On Friday 11^th November staff and students paused in our work and lessons and all students participated in a special radio assembly for Armistice Day prepared by Mr Copestake and delivered by Mr Fullerton and Mr Lax. The focus was on the contribution of women and we observed a two minute silence to complete the assembly.

NHS Careers Bus – School visit

The NHS Careers Bus visited school on Friday 11^th November. Approximately ninety students  from years 10 - 13 visited the NHS staff to find out more about the wide range of career and apprenticeship opportunities available within the NHS. 

Students were surprised to find there are over 350 different careers available within the NHS and that the NHS currently employs more than 1.7 million people. It is the biggest employer in the UK, and the fifth largest in the World. Caring for millions of people every day, the NHS workforce has become an institution in Britain.

Students were given careers booklets and information regarding the range of work experience placements available within Gloucestershire NHS and all left inspired to think about their future careers.

BAE and the Royal Navy STEM Careers Roadshow for Year 8 Students

BAE Systems, the Royal Airforce and the Royal Navy came together again this year for the Schools Roadshow. The aim of the Roadshow is to inform students about the broad and diverse range of career opportunities that can be pursued by studying STEM Subjects (Science,  Technology, Engineering and Maths)

With a continued shortage of engineering skills in the UK and lack of diversity across the engineering sector, the roadshow aimed to inspire our year 8 students, highlighting exciting career opportunities on offer and how these relate to STEM subjects.

This year’s show focussed on “magnetism” and how magnets are used in a wide range of engineering processes in aircraft and aeronautical equipment.  A series of interactive demonstrations helped to showcase various applications and bring the subject of magnetism to life for pupils.

BAE are proud of the role they play to help address the UK skills gap and, by working alongside government, the education sector and industry partners, they are committed to developing a highly skilled workforce of the future.

BAE employ more than 34,000 people in the UK and are one of the country’s largest employers of engineers, with around 66% of staff employed in engineering or engineering related roles.

Chelsea's Story

On 11th November Year 8 students attended a performance of Chelsea’s Story, an internationally renowned, hard-hitting Applied Theatre Production that has proven highly successful in raising awareness around the issues surrounding Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). The play, which has now been seen by hundreds of professionals and over 950,000 young people throughout the UK, was followed by an actor facilitated post-show talk exploring the issues raised.

The play explores the story of a group of three students who discover the diary of a girl called Chelsea. Chelsea was a 15 year old girl who, having fallen out with her friends and family, met a man called Gary. Gary seemed kind, understanding, had a nice car, had his own flat and listened to her. Unfortunately, Gary was not what he seemed to be. Chelsea’s story is played out and examined by the three students who, along with their teacher, attempt to understand what happened to Chelsea.

Themes of the play include: healthy and unhealthy relationships; safe internet use; sexting; consent; grooming processes; child sexual exploitation; the avoidance of victim blaming and shaming; and how to access help & advice.

Year 8 students got an enormous amount from the production and the discussion of these important and relevant issues.

Sixth Form open Evening

On Wednesday 16^th November we welcomed many prospective sixth form students to our open evening event. Our own year 11 students and lots of visiting students visited departments and the sixth form centre, gained information about courses, extra-curricular and leadership opportunities, spoke to students, staff and former students, and heard presentations from current year 12 students.

Dates for your diary

Carols by Candlelight on 13^th December at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Stroud at 7pm

End of term: Friday 16th December at 1pm.

Whole School production of Made in Dagenham, October 2022

What a treat it was to once again see students from many different year groups come together to work as a real #greenarmy team to perform the musical Made in Dagenham immediately before the October half term break. Whether as members of the band, the ensemble or in one of the main roles, our students showed off their talents and both entertained and educated audiences about the industrial action taken by women at the Ford factory, Dagenham in 1968. The plot was uplifting and informative in conveying important themes about equal pay and women's rights in an often humorous way. And with a great soundtrack.

Thank you to the band, the cast, the crew and to Mrs Skyrme, Mrs Perfect, Mrs Greenow and Mrs Smith for this energetic, intelligent and enlightening production!

October half term

This term has been short but busy and our new students and staff have settled in well. 

We welcomed parents and carers back to school for information evenings for each year group. It was also lovely to see a huge number of prospective pupils and parents during open week and open evening. Our current students have been working hard in lessons and in a wide variety of extra curricular activities, some of which are reflected in this blogpost.

St. Peter’s celebrates the first term of 2022-23

Thursday 20^th October saw the first of our termly celebration assemblies where we reflected on and applauded a variety of endeavours and successes. Students spoke on a range of topics. Peace, a year 11 mentor, talked about the role of a year 7 mentor; Charlie in year 12 talked about what it’s like to be a buddy to an overseas student as part of our overseas students programme; Jennie in year 10 talked about her bronze ROCK tie and what she had done to achieve it; Josh in year 10 talked about his bronze DofE certificate and what he had done to achieve the bronze award. 

As well as hearing from student speakers we awarded ten year 10 students and one year 11 student with their bronze Duke of Edinburgh certificates and gave the attendance award to 7E. We also had two interviews, the first with Salim who is a first team football captain; he talked about some of our incredible cup success last year and how this season has begun. The second interview was with Jess and Ruby in year 10 who were in character to give us a glimpse of the brilliant Made in Dagenham school production taking place this week.

It was an excellent morning and we look forward to celebrating more success next term. Thank you to Mr Lax for coordinating this.

Ethos

Masses for the start of the academic year were celebrated by Father Liam Slattery on Friday 30th September. As always, the atmosphere was wonderful with students focused and respectful and lots of student participation including readers, altar servers, newly commissioned Eucharistic Ministers (pictured below) and, of course, our fantastic singers and musicians. Both Masses ended with the enthusiastic singing of Sing it in the Valleys which has become the school's anthem.

Year 7 and 12 retreats have taken place this term, giving these students a chance to discover more about our ethos, the school's values and, of course, to get to know each other at the start of a new phase of their education.

Sad news

Mr John O'Sullivan, a foundation governor at St Peter's since 1999, died on 20th September. Mrs Gittins, Ms Baker, Mr Newman, clerk to the governors, former governors and I represented the school community at his Requiem Mass on Friday 14th September at St Augustine's Catholic Church, Matson. We are extremely grateful to John for his unstinting commitment to the school.

Mrs Rosemary Steele who died last Friday 14th September at the age of 90 also served the school as a foundation governor for many years. She was equally dedicated to ensuring that our young people received the best education possible.

John and Rosemary remain in our prayers and we send our condolences to their families and friends.

 

Made in Dagenham

This week saw the return of the October whole school musical! Since July students have been rehearsing tirelessly to prepare for what has been a fantastic performance of ‘Made in Dagenham’. For most of our students, this has been their first foray on to the St. Peter’s stage and they have not disappointed!

Thanks to Mrs Skyrme, Mrs Perfect, Mrs Greenow, Mrs Smith, Mr Lyne, Mr Tempest, FOSPA (the Friends of St Peter's Association) and everyone else who has helped in any way.

 St. Peter’s welcomes European students

This term we have been able to resume our programme of overseas student visits to St. Peter’s. This programme began in 2018 but stopped soon after due to the pandemic. The programme involves students from overseas schools coming to St. Peter’s for a short period of time, usually 1 or 2 weeks. During the visit they 'buddy up' with a St. Peter’s student of a similar age and follow their timetable. The programme allows our students to meet young people from other parts of the world, make friends and, of course, they can keep in touch via social media.

So far this year we have hosted a group from Italy for four days and two schools from Spain for two weeks each. Over fifty St. Peter’s students have been buddies with dozens more having put in a request to become one. As always, our students have been welcoming hosts; if their buddies have limited English, they try and help explain what’s going on in their lessons. The whole programme has been superb for educating our students about other cultures whilst also showing that, no matter where they are from, young people are the same with similar ambitions, challenges and dreams!

Thanks to Mr Lax for organising these visits.

Double Gold ju-Jitsu Champion

Congratulations to Katelyn Lawrence who has achieved the remarkable feat of securing double gold in the European Ju-Jitsu championships!

Triathlon success

Year 11 student Eoin recently competed in his first triathlon in Falmouth. He had to complete all three elements: a 600m swim, a 20km bike ride and a 5km run.

Eoin finished the triathlon in 1 hour and 19 minutes. He was eighth out of the water and came nineteenth in his category which included the 15-39 year age group, a remarkable placing for a fifteen year old. Well done Eoin – this is a fantastic achievement!

Karate success

Congratulations to Tyrese Olaniyan on achieving a gold medal in his first karate competition at the regional karate competition held in Cannock in September. Tyrese, a beginner, said, ‘As a yellow belt this was my first competition. When I got there, we all bowed and then we were set into our categories. I went against my opponent and did my kata (a series of moves) I was delighted to win gold in this event!’ Well done Tyrese and good luck for the future!

Paired Reading

Every Friday during morning study period a group of sixth form students volunteer to read with younger students from year 7 and year 8 in the newly refurbished  Sixth Form Learning Centre. The younger students enjoy reading to the sixth form volunteers who encourage them and chat to them about the book. Some weeks they read together one to one while some students prefer reading the same book in small groups. The younger students are developing their confidence while the sixth formers enjoy their mentoring role with some bringing in their own books from home to read with the students. Keep up the good work everyone.

School shop

Year 13 students Phoebe Jones and Tessa Greaves have been appointed as school shop managers.

They are painting the newly purchased shed which will house the shop which will be open after half term. Students will be able to purchase stationery, tickets for school events (in conjunction with other departments) and, once a month, a tuck shop. The shop has been named ‘St Pick and Mix.’

Green Army alumni

We have created an alumni association to reconnect our community with those who have left. Our vision is that assemblies, careers events, masses and open evenings can be attended and supported by former students who can share their memories of St. Peter’s as well as the incredible things they have gone on to do with their lives. We know former students have a major role to play in inspiring the next generation and sharing positivity and optimism amongst the whole school community.

If you are a former student, please complete the Green Army registration form and feel free to share it as far and widely as possible. By completing the form, you are not committing to anything but you may be happy to support our students in future events such as careers days and sixth form open evenings.

We hope our students enjoy the half term break and look forward to seeing them again on Monday 31st October (week 2).

 

 

KS4 Results Day 2022

Congratulations to our students on their GCSE results. The results reflect the hard work of students and staff and it was lovely to see so many smiling faces on results day from both proud parents and students.

We are delighted to welcome so many of year 11 students as well as students from many other schools into our large, recently refurbished and student-centred sixth form where they can pursue both A-level and vocational courses and move on to the challenge of the next stage of their education as part of the unique St Peter’s family.

There were some excellent individual results, including from the following whose results were all grade 7 and above (equivalent to the old A/A*):

Ronan (pictured below) achieved 7 grade 9s, 1 grade 8, and 1 grade 7.

Grace (also pictured) achieved 4 grade 9s, 3 grade 8s and 2 grade 7s.

Anjola achieved 6 grade 9s and 2 grade 8s.

Ciara achieved 3 grade 9s, a Distinction* in vocational sports studies, and 4 grade 8s.

Many other students achieved grades which were above or in line with their targets.

Congratulations to our students and thank you to all the staff, both teaching and support, who worked so hard to prepare our students for challenging examinations in a wide range of subjects. Students of all abilities across a broad curriculum have done well and we are particularly pleased with the improvement in maths results since 2019 as well as the improvement in the progress of disadvantaged pupils.

The GCSE results follow on from an excellent set of A-level results last week with students going on to a brilliant range of destinations including Russell Group universities such as Cambridge, and exciting higher level apprenticeships.

This year 11 cohort has been impacted greatly by the pandemic, remote learning and periods of self-isolation. We have relied heavily on our mission statement and our core ROCK values of respect, optimism, community and kindness to guide us through a uniquely challenging period and our students have done us proud. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the families in our community and also our Governors for their tremendous support.