Head Boy and Head Girl

2022-2023

This year has been both a return to the St Peter’s of old, and a year of change and progression as a school and we are proud of all the school has achieved during our time as Heads of School (2022-2023).

Sport has returned to absolute normality this year with a full schedule for the first time since Covid, and we can proudly say that as a school we have embraced this with excitement and effort. Pupils have dived back into the exciting co-curricular opportunities available, thanks to the work of Mr Williams and Mrs Barnard, who are sadly leaving us at the end of the year. We have had good results all round, notably the Under 14 Girl’s hockey finishing eighth in the national hockey finals, and the squash 1st team, which is mixed for the first time, also reaching the national finals, being played later in the year. Since the newly-built boat house arrived, along with the new Head of Rowing, Mr Gunn, rowing has stepped up a level, with St Peter’s taking the highly coveted title of ‘Fastest Boat of the Day’ at a recent Yorkshire Head. It can’t be overstated how encouraging it is to see, on games afternoons, pupils enjoying sports, but more importantly having fun with their friends.

Much like with sport, life in the Music Department has been thriving this year. The Whole Foundation Concert was held in the York Barbican for the first time, which allowed us to showcase our efforts on a much larger scale. Highlights included Barbieshop and Barbershop from 13-18 and improvisations from the 8-13 Mini Jazz Band. The performance that will stay long in everyone’s memories, however, was a joint rendition of ‘Tequila’ by The Champs from the Swing Band, Mini Jazz Band and 2-8 (although audience participation was also highly encouraged!). The Chapel Choir are also looking forward to performing in Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral, having already had a highly enjoyable trip to Lincoln Cathedral earlier this year. The Drama Department has also seen similar successes with the school’s production of Wendy & Peter Pan this year, which thanks to some technical wizardry from Ms Burns, saw students flying around the stage.

As always, the school has continued the outstanding range of House competitions, driving House rivalries and a fun competitive spirit. Unfortunately for most, House cross country did go ahead this year, with Temple taking the overall win. The fan favourite of House Singing made its long-awaited return, with Hope taking the victory, but special mention to Manor for not being disqualified this time. New House events included House rowing and volleyball, which both added to the House’s competitive spirit and are sure to be good additions for the future. Other competitions included House debating which, as always, brings together a wide range of people and allows for current topics to be discussed with a competitive element to add excitement!

Charity fundraising has gone from strength to strength this year: we managed to raise £5,105 for ‘Movember’, with many of the Sixth Formers taking part (not that any of us could tell!), and after a positive home clothes day raising money for aid in Turkey, all eyes now turn to Red Nose Day…

One change in the Sixth Form this year is the uniform policy; long hair and jewellery for all is now allowed, although our campaign to allow the infamous ‘schoffel’ continues. We also have increased leadership roles in the Upper Sixth and look forward to next term when 51 trained Sixth Formers will begin their work helping and mentoring the Third Form.

We leave excited to see what the future holds and with fond and happy memories of our time at St Peter’s.

In 2019, the school embarked on an ambitious strategy to promote positive mental health and wellbeing alongside supporting pupils who were struggling. We were one of the first independent schools to implement a whole school approach to tackle mental health issues.

The mental health and wellbeing approach was formulated in response to an increase in mental health concerns which mirrored the national picture. Then, unexpectedly the Covid 19 pandemic came along which accelerated the volume and complexity of need with lockdowns having a significant impact on pupil mental health and wellbeing as evidenced when pupils returned to face-to-face school.

The whole-school approach was designed to be inclusive and engage all members of our school community in fostering positive mental health and wellbeing. One crucial aspect of this was reviewing and improving how we teach pupils about mental health and wellbeing, ensuring stigma is removed and our pupils feel empowered to know how to manage their own mental health successfully and how to seek support if they need it. This teaching programme that begins with our very youngest pupils to our oldest is the foundation of building a school community of mentally healthy and resilient pupils who can thrive during their time with us at St Peter’s and beyond into their adult lives.

A further key development has been the launch of The Wellbeing Hub at 13-18 which opened its doors in September 2022. It provides a calm and comfortable space that houses the school Mental Health Team, comprising a mental health nurse and two counsellors. They deliver one-to-one sessions for pupils referred for support and have had considerable success in supporting recovery and enabling some of our most vulnerable pupils to reengage in school life. The Hub also