Following the success of our remote co-curricular programme during lockdown, our pupils have enjoyed the return to co-curricular activities onsite this term.
Since the start of term, over 140 different co-curricular activities have been taking place each week, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Debating, CCF, Radio 627, Keystone, various Art Clubs, Drama activities, Music and Sports.
Sports
Sports have returned to campus after months of remote teaching and learning, including tennis, cricket, hockey, rugby and even yoga.
Due to a lack of fixtures this term, the Sports Department at St Peter’s have also introduced competitive sport through Inter-House events.
Pupils from the school’s ten Houses will compete in their year groups each week to secure points for their House. The highest scoring House will win the title.
The games kicked off on Wednesday 7 October with Third Form Girls’ House Hockey and Third Form Boys’ Touch Rugby followed by the Lower Sixth on Wednesday 14 October.
The competition will continue after the half term break. We look forward to watching more exciting games as the Houses compete against each other to be crowned Inter-House Sports Champion.
Music
Pupils have returned to a full programme of individual music lessons and rehearsals have resumed for ensembles, which are divided into year group bubbles. Ensemble groups include the Upper Sixth Chapel Choir, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth String Ensembles, Lower Sixth Wind Band, Fifth Form Piano Trio and Fourth Form Trumpet and Cello groups. The Upper Sixth pupils have also recorded solo and ensemble performances for a special concert which was streamed via the School’s YouTube channel on Thursday 15 October.
Drama
Despite not being able to perform in front of an audience, pupils at St Peter’s are determined that the show must go on this term.
Individual LAMDA lessons have returned and year groups have been rehearsing in their class bubbles and several performances will be streamed to parents later this term, to showcase the pupils’ work.
Upper Sixth pupils are working on a deconstructed Main School Production, giving them the opportunity to perform in their final year. The production will include three Acts featuring a play, a dance performance and a montage of ‘Songs from the Shows’. The performance will be live streamed at the end of term.
Lower Sixth pupils have started working towards an outdoor performance that will be produced in the Summer Term, with live music and gritty themes, whilst Fifth Form pupils are working on a devised piece based on the Hindu story of Ramayana.
Fourth Form pupils have formed a drama improvisation group and are looking at new writing and in particular a play about young unaccompanied refugees.
Debating
The popular Debating Society returned in the first week of term. Pupils have been tackling topical, controversial and sometimes satirical topics to develop their research, debating and public speaking skills. The Inter-House Debating competition is running in year group bubbles this year, starting with the Fourth Form who have demonstrated high levels of style and reasoning.
Combined Cadet Force
St Peter’s School Combined Cadet Force (CCF) have battled against the odds this term to ensure that their newest recruits can celebrate their passing out parade.
Since returning to school in September they have trained weekly, with activities including drill and weapon handling.
Following a successful training schedule, the newest five recruits received their berets on Tuesday 13 October with a special passing out parade at School. Promotions to Lance Corporal were awarded to Ella Roebuck and Lucas Winn, with Lucas being named ‘Best Recruit’.
The recruits join a team of 22 cadets at St Peter’s School in the Fifth and Sixth Form, and they will be joined by Fourth Form pupils who will be begin their basic training after half term.
Clubs and Activities
Many clubs and activities have returned this term including MAKERSPACE*, a new co-curricular club introduced by the Design and Technology Department.
Our Makerspace is an opportunity to pick up a new skill, work with exciting materials and components and meet with like-minded, creative and inquisitive people. We’ve strived to make the club accessible to all (even staff) so that there really is something for everyone.
General Knowledge Challenge
This term saw the return of the general knowledge 'Challenge' to Houses, starting with the Upper Sixth. After the Grand Final the winners are Queens & Temple! A huge well done to everyone who took part and to the teachers who acted as Quiz Masters.
