17 December 2021 Newsletter

No 8. 17 December 2021

Christmas Term

ST PETER’S 8-13 NEWSLETTER Well we made it! A huge well done to children, parents and staff for getting to the end of a very busy term. Yesterday’s Carol Service in York Minster (the first time we have ever held it there) was incredible. For many of the children it was the first time they had been to a service in the Minster, and to listen to our Chapel Choir as well as the Minster Choir sing inside such a magnificent cathedral building was very special. My thanks to Mr Ferguson and Miss Bath, as the logistics involved were quite something!

The Minster Choristers were performing in two Christmas Carol Concerts last week in the Minster, accompanied by a full brass band. They had done so well to learn so many new songs, as well as the late nights and extra rehearsals involved, on top of their normal schedule of evensongs.

They will be continuing to rehearse and sing at services right up until Christmas Day itself.

Our Seven Key Values are Friendship, Trust, Wisdom, Compassion, Endurance, Humility, Hope Collaboration and Empathy...

Thank you to the many of you who bought Christmas presents to help fill our Salvation Army Appeal sleigh. Miss Shelley has ensured that it has all been delivered to them ready to be handed out to families in need this Christmas.

Mr Hunter organised for the J2s to meet a real astronaut as part of their work in science. Dr Jeffrey Hoffman wasn’t able to be here in person but he beamed in live via Zoom, not from space but from MIT in the States. He answered all sorts of questions that the children had about space.

It has been such a lovely start to each day this week to have children busking with Christmas songs in the main reception area. This morning the staff were singing carols as the children arrived! Our Candlelit Carols on Wednesday was very well supported by families as we gathered outside to have hot chocolate and sing carols together. Mrs Craven and Mr Edwards, supported by an incredible team of music teachers, have done such a fabulous job over the last few weeks in particular.

The boarders, both full time and part time, have had plenty to celebrate this week. Our sports graduates organised an evening of Christmas games on Monday night; on Tuesday we had the traditional Carols on the Stairs in Wentworth House, Wednesday saw “Ready Steady Cook – Wentworth Edition” where the teams were paired up with one of the chefs to produce festive food; and then last night they had their House dinner. Mr & Mrs Sharp and the boarding team must be exhausted, but if you are interested in finding out more about part time or full time boarding then please just email Mr Sharp.

Parent Zone, funded by BBC Children in Need’s ‘A Million & Me’ initiative have developed Ollee. Ollee is a digital friend for children aged 8-11. It helps them explore feelings around school, family, friends and the world – and share advice with a parent or trusted adult. Children can tell Ollee how they’re feeling and it will give them ideas about what to do. If they’re not sure, Ollee will help them figure it out. Together, parents and children can share Ollee’s advice and talk about feelings together through connected accounts.

Thank you for all your continued support over this long Christmas term. We don’t know what January will bring but behind the scenes the staff have been planning for the various possible scenarios, but hopefully it will be business as usual.

Have a wonderful break this Christmas, whatever you do and wherever you go.

Andy Falconer Head Twitter: @andyfalconer Instagram: @andyfalconer_

Our Christmas Lunch on Wednesday was a huge success, with the usual ingredients of brussel sprouts, bad jokes and paper hats! The catering team did a fabulous job in getting everything ready and served on time. There has also been lots of Christmas baking lessons going on over the last few weeks and I hope the results made it back home for you to taste.

St Peter’s 8-13, York, YO30 7WA www.stpetersyork.org.uk Registered Charity Number: 1141329

Social Media Instagram: @stpeters8_13 Facebook: stpetersschoolyork8.13

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St Peter’s 8-13 Learning Habits Collaboration, Creativity, Curiosity, Embracing Challenge, Empathy, Flexible Thinking, Initiative, Perseverance

2 Christmas Term 22021

St Peter’s 8-13 Newsletter

Daily testing for contacts of COVID-19

Pupil Voice Newsletter

From Tuesday 14 December, all adults who are fully vaccinated and children aged 5 to 18 years and 6 months, identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19 – whether Omicron or not – should take a lateral flow device (LFD) test every day for 7 days instead of self-isolating.

Unvaccinated adults over 18 years 6 months still need to isolate.

The first ever Pupil Voice Newsletter is available to read here.

This has been written, edited and produced by a team of J1-5 pupil ambassadors, we hope you enjoy it!

Save the Date Petersport will take place on 15-19 August 2022

PE and Games in January In the Easter term the boys will be playing mainly hockey in games. They must have gumshield, shin pads and a hockey stick to take part in hockey lessons. The girls will mainly be doing netball in their games sessions.

It is also very important that the children have suitable equipment at home to take part in any online learning that may occur next term. A hockey stick, hockey ball, netball/football and a tennis ball. Please take them home at the end of term.

At this time of the year, with the possibility of inclement weather, it is important that children have indoor and outdoor trainers at school, and that they have their swimming kit in school for all PE and Games lessons. Can we also point out that the children are allowed to wear underwarmer skins in all outside lessons if they wish, as long as they meet the criteria on the uniform list. There are lots of layers on the school uniform list that children can wear to keep warm if necessary.