Achievement Responsibility Love Diversity

St Peter’s PressDECEMBER 2019

Chris’s life began in the rural surroundings of Port St Johns, in the eastern Cape of South Africa. At High School, he discovered he had a gift for speaking and led students in protest against the unjust system of ‘apartheid’. This action was to set him on a collision course with the ‘apartheid’ regime, so he has spent the rest of his life involved in the relentless struggle  against discrimination.

His purpose is to inspire positive change and to help others discover their own purpose. He believes that each of us has an in-built ability to make a positive contribution to the world.

He had the honour of working with some of the greatest world leaders including Nelson Mandela,

Desmond Tutu, FW De Klerk and Colin La Foy. He shared his story and the unique story of South Africa’s’ transition from ‘apartheid’ to a democracy with our Year 9 and Year 11 students. It’s a story of determination and resilience which is a tribute to the thousands of South Africans who have given their lives in the pursuit of freedom.  The key themes from his message were determination, courage, perseverance, persistence and the power of forgiveness.

CHRIS LUBBE - MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERST PETER’S WELCOMED MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER AND EX-BODYGUARD TO NELSON MANDELA, MR CHRIS LUBBE TO SPEAK WITH OUR YEAR 9 AND YEAR 11 STUDENTS.

St Peter’s students got behind the charities Unity Outreach (Glossop) and Haircuts for the Homeless  in support of ’Bags for the homeless’ which provides essential items, such as hats, gloves, deodorants, blankets and treats for rough sleepers in Manchester.  The students raised £310 and were able to fill 40 bags.  Well done!

CHARITY BEGINS AT ST PETER’S

‘Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world.’

Nelson Mandela

ST PETER’S PRESS | OCTOBER 2019PAGE 2

Newly appointed Chair of Governors, Mr Peter Crowe was elected by our Board of Governors in November 2019.

Mr Crowe who is Head of Technical Services at the University of Manchester, is one of 1,000 staff and alumni volunteers using their expertise to help schools through the University’s School Governor Initiative.

Mr Crowe and all our governing body recognise the challenges that the community and young people face, and they help us deliver on resolving some of those issues – not just academically, but also socially.

Mr Crowe’s expertise has previously led him to chairing the school’s Premises Committee, resulting in major improvements in safety. He’s also helped raise students’ aspirations by promoting visits to the University campus – just a five-minute drive down Plymouth Grove, but light years away in terms of size and scale.

We are delighted to welcome someone of Mr Crowe’s calibre as Chair of St Peter’s Governing Body.

Dear Parents, Carers and Friends of St Peter’s,

We close for the Christmas holiday at 3.05pm on Friday 20 December 2019 and re-open at 8.45am on Monday 6 January 2020.

There has been an enormous amount happening in school this term: we began with some very good examination results; sporting successes continue; our students have been involved in supporting a number of charities by contributing generously; and we rounded off the term with our school Christmas concert on 10 December. In the midst of all the activity at this time of year, we also focus on the true meaning of Christmas through our Advent liturgies. I hope you enjoy reading this snapshot of school life and that you and your family have a happy and a holy Christmas.

Yours sincerely

S Gabriel - Headteacher

MESSAGE FROM THE HEADTEACHER

SCHOOL MASS TIMESMonday, Wednesday and Friday,

12.35 pm and 1.35 pm Parents and Carers Welcome

INTRODUCING ST PETER’S NEW CHAIR OF GOVERNORS - MR PETER CROWE

ARMISTICE DAY 2019In November some of our GCSE historians attended the annual commemoration with the local community in Gorton for Armistice Day. This is a tradition St Peter’s History Department has observed now for many years and our latest students did the school great credit as they laid their wreath on behalf of everyone associated with St Peter’s.

ST PETER’S PRESS | OCTOBER 2019PAGE 3

A massive thank you to our security firm G4S for donating £50 in high street vouchers and a luxury prestige Christmas hamper.

We were able to put these as prizes for the Christmas raffle where all the money that is raised goes to our homeless charity Cornerstone.

Members of Year 7 and 8 Chaplaincy GIFT Team attended the St Ambrose Barlow Deanery Day, at St Ann’s Stretford with 23 of our 32 Deanery Schools, to celebrate the launch of the Catholic Church’s  “2020 The Year of the Word”. We were invited to present one of the 10 Prayer Stations based around our Patron, St Peter, telling Jesus that he is, “Christ son of the Living God” and Jesus saying to him, “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church.” Our Prayer Station was a whole school

contribution, with staff from all faculties helping with students to produce our 2 metre high St Peter on the rock, with a dry stone wall, representing each of us and the Church. Everyone was invited to sign the wall. We were presented with a Candle and Certificate. During Advent we are inviting everyone in our school community to sign the wall. 

ST AMBROSE BARLOW DEANERY DAY

Former Chair of Governors, Mr Egerton (RIP) was laid to rest on 3rd October, at St Joseph’s Church, in Mossley. Staff and students were fully involved in his Requiem Mass, with Fr Joel and Fr Desmond concelebrating. Thirty of our students created a guard of honour as Mr Egerton’s body was received into Church. St Peter’s School Choir sang along with staff , parent/carers and a number of past students. Former Headteacher, Mr John McNerney gave a moving Eulogy along with Mr Egerton’s son Paul.Mr Egerton was a great servant for the city of Manchester and he had been a constant figure on St Peter’s governing body for over 20 years. Within this

time, he championed improving the life-chances of our students and was a formidable force in driving forward improvements within our school. Mr Egerton will be greatly missed, but his contribution to our school community will never be forgotten.

MR WILLIAM EGERTON - RIP

As part of celebrating Black History and Culture, our Year 9 historians were invited to the University of

Manchester to attend an event led by Professor David Olusoga, one of Britain’s foremost historians and presenter of documentary series’ ‘Civilisation’,

‘A House Through Time’, and ‘Black and British: A forgotten History’. Professor Olusoga discussed the hope and potential he has seen through studying figures in history that at one time appeared almost absent from the history books. He encouraged students to read widely and find inspiration in History to influence their own futures like he had, drawing upon examples from his African heritage.

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During November, a group of mathematicians visited the University of Salford to listen to and be inspired by guest speakers for the Maths in Action Programme. This gave students an insight into the career pathways mathematics can lead to.

The use of statistics in sport to get the competitive edge was covered to show how maths is used by coaching staff and teams to win competitions. Using Bayes Law for predicting outcomes and using game analysis and statistics showed how real-time analysis helps teams get the upper hand in match play.Students thought that exploring how fractals are evident in the natural world and that their structures

are transferred across into the gaming world to create graphics was fascinating.

It was inspiring listening to Sophie Harker of BAE Systems who showed us how maths is used in the world of aerospace engineering and how the transport of the future has already been designed, built and tested using concept engineering.

Anisha from Year 10 summed up the effect that the trip had on her with the statement, “Exploring the limitless possibilities of mathematics in action, helped me to realise how vast and unexplored maths is. This fills me with curiosity and wonder and has inspired me to further explore the possibilities for the world that maths provides.”

MATHS IN ACTION

The Autumn and Winter terms have seen St Peter’s sports teams continue with their fine tradition, already experiencing a number of successes. Contributing to this success has seen an immensely busy first term of sporting action. There have been over 70 fixtures and events seeing over 400 students engaging in clubs and fixtures. There has been multiple success in a range of sports with the year’s first silverware being collected in the Indoor Athletics Championships for Y10/11 teams and Y8/9 boys and girls teams. The Y8/9 Boys team were victorious in the County Finals against some stern opposition including some fine individual performances in the process.

In basketball, the U16 boys are currently unbeaten in the English Schools Elite competition as they bid to go one step further than 2019 and make the National Final.

The Y8 team have also started the defence of their 2019 Jr NBA title in style and currently top their pool remaining unbeaten in the process. The Y8, U14 and U16 teams all currently top their Manchester Schools league as they bid to reach the finals in the New Year. The Y7/8 Girls Jr NBA team also started their campaign with some

excellent performances against some experienced teams.

In football, there have already been a large number of games. Stand out team performances include our newest team, Y7 who are currently unbeaten in the Manchester League as well as progressing to the quarter finals of the Catholic Cup. The Y11s have also made it through to the quarter final of the Manchester Cup in their last season with us.

The Y11 Netball team (pictured) in their final season have been victorious in winning the league. They have played 5 games, winning all 5 with a goal difference of +53. A fitting way to end their 5 years at St Peter’s.

SPORTING SUCCESS A TRADITION AT ST PETER’S

STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE IN ALL THAT WE DO