St Peter’s Collegiate Academy
Serving the city of Wolverhampton since 1847
Newsletter: 26 June 2023
“Loving Father and Creator of all, we come to you today deeply grateful for your creation. As we look around us we are amazed at the greatness and majesty of all that you have made. Nature around us speaks of your greatness the vast expanse of the sky, the mountains, trees, lakes, and streams speak of your great design. You have given us such beauty in the colours of the rainbow, the beauty of flowers and fields. Words cannot adequately express the magnificence of all you have created. We humbly give you praise and thanks.
Amen.
Message from the Principal
The final half term has begun, with our Y11 and Y13 pupils having now completed their terminal exams and our Y10 pupils returning to the academy following their work experience placement. Over the coming weeks we have a number of activities and trips planned to expand pupils’ curriculum experience. This includes the opportunity to complete fieldwork for geography, completion of the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh expedition in a few weeks’ time and a range of other opportunities to access enriching experiences for our pupils which I would encourage them to try for the first time, or continue pursuing as interests or hobbies.
On Tuesday, 18 July 2023 we will be hosting an information event about the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Award. This will be a ticketed event with a link provided to you over the coming weeks in good time for the event. It will last between 30 - 60 minutes providing us with an opportunity to explore how you may be able to support this journey and how your child can join their rights respecting council.
Finally, we would like to work more closely with community and faith leaders across the city. Please can I request you share our contact details, or provide me with the details of community members to help us begin supporting important local initiatives? It would allow us as an Academy to give back to our community, helping the people of our city.
principal@stpetersacademy.org.uk
Mr T Mullen-Furness Principal
Dates for your diary
KS3
Year 7
• Monday, 10 July 2023: Geography Trip
• Wednesday 12 - 14, July 2023: Bikeability
Year 8
• Thursday, 22 June 2023: HPV Vaccinations
• Thursday, 22 June 2023: Parent’s Evening [online]
• Tuesday, 27 June 2023: Guess My Job
• Thursday, 29 June 2023: St Peter’s Day Eucharist
Year 9
• Thursday, 22 June 2023: DTP Vaccinations
• Wednesday, 28 June 2023: 2024 WEX Parent Presentation Evening
• Monday, 17 - 21 July 2023: PE Trip to Wales
KS4
Year 10
• Week beginning Monday, 19 June 2023: WEX Week
• Week beginning Monday, 3 July 2023: GCSE Spoken Endorsement week 1 of 2
• Friday, 7 July: Careers Trip to Wolverhampton University
• Week beginning Monday, 10 July 2023: GCSE Spoken Endorsement week 2 of 2
Year 11
• Wednesday, 28 June 2023: Summer Exam Series Ends
• Tuesday, 4 July: Year 11 Prom at Grand Station Wolverhampton
• Thursday, 29 June 2023: Bronze DofE Expedition Departs
• Friday, 30 June 2023: Bronze DofE Expedition Returns
KS5
Year 12
• Week beginning Monday, 26 June 2023: Review and Interventions Week
• Week beginning Monday, 03 July 2023: Assessment Week
• Week beginning Monday, 10 July 2023: WEX Week
• Week beginning Monday, 17 July 2023: UCAS Week
• Monday, 17 July 2023: Higher Education Fortnight begins
Year 13
• Friday, 30 June 2023: Year 13 Prom at Molineux
GCSE & A Level Results Days 2023
• A Level - Thursday 17th August
• GCSE - Thursday 24th August
School will be open from 8am on each day for students to collect results
Remaining dates:
• Monday, 10 July 2023: Summer Concert
• Wednesday 12 & 13 July 2023: Achievement Evenings
• Friday, 21 July 2023: End of Term Eucharist. 12:35 finish.
• Week beginning Monday, 17 July 2023: Music Tour to Germany for 5 days
• Monday, 24 and Tuesday, 25 July 2023: INSET days
St Peter’s Day Worship - Solid as a rock!
St Peter’s Day is an important occasion in our school community not just because the academy takes its name from the well-known disciple of Jesus, but more so because of Peter’s realisation and confession of Jesus as the Christ, the son of the living God. It was this declaration of faith, this rock, on which Jesus said ‘I will build my church’.
Therefore, to mark St Peter’s day as a school, we will be gathering in year groups, for a time of worship to explore, through a variety of different experiences, and reflect on Peter’s faith in Jesus, asking the question: What is the foundation of your life?
Year 7 will experience drama, song and reflection activities to consider the message of Jesus’ parable of the two builders - the wise and foolish man;
Year 8 will explore and experience a Eucharist in order to reflect on the purpose and meaning behind the symbols of bread and wine as a foundation for life;
Year 9 will be led in a Eucharist service and consider how they might build up a life of service and sacrifice both individually and within the school community;
Year 10 will be invited to take part in a music-based worship and hear that although life is complicated, faith in Jesus is a trusted foundation for life;
Year 12 will have the opportunity to listen to a lecture entitled ‘God and Science - Friends or Foes’ which explores a life perspective that actually brings both faith and nature together.
The faith Peter showed in his Lord and Saviour and the grace he received, despite his failings, is an inspiration to all who would seek to follow Jesus. Please pray for us as a school community as we explore, celebrate and respond to God’s love and faithfulness being solid as a rock!
Joe Maggs School ChaplainQuality of Education
At St Peter’s we believe that a broad and balanced curriculum with a strong academic core is a right for all pupils. We seek to encourage pupils to explore subjects of interest around their in-school learning and to enhance their curriculum experience through enrichment.
Exams
We are reaching the final stages of the exam season and our Yr 11 and 13 students will be looking forward to some rest and an extended summer break. Students have conducted themselves superbly in all aspects of the exams and it has been a pleasure to see students investing in their futures through attending revision sessions, their own personal revision and their prepared approach to the exams. Congratulations to you all on your hard work and conduct.
Academy Times September 2023
A reminder that the times of the Academy day are changing in September this year. The changes are a consequence of a Department for Education (DFE) review of time spent in schools. Following this review the DFE introduced a minimum expectation of the length of a school week of at least 32.5 hours. To meet this expectation at St Peter’s we need to increase the length of our school day by 20 minutes. Following an exploration of a number of options and consultation with other local schools and transport companies we have agreed the times below for the new Academy day. If you wish to read more regarding the reasons for these changes please follow the link below.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/length-of-the-school-week-minimum-expectatio
10, 11 & Sixth Form (Late
Homework Club
Homework is an important component of learning. Students secure and extend their learning through the completion of relevant homework activities. Teachers set homework on Class Charts and are busy at the moment preparing homework tasks for next year to ensure all students have access to a range of meaningful tasks that support and develop their learning in lessons.
Many students take advantage of the opportunity to stay on site and complete homework where they know they will have access to computers and support. Homework club runs at the following times in the ALC and students can attend if they wish.
● Every morning before school
● Every break
● Mon, Wed, Friday lunches
● Every day after school until 4.30pm
Behaviour and attitudes/ personal development
We encourage our pupils to set high expectations for themselves, developing a range of effective interpersonal skills they will need to be successful in their chosen career. St Peter’s seeks to provide a range of opportunities for all pupils to pursue new interests, develop their skills and to experience different cultural events.
Award Programme
There are now 14 students with over 350 achievement points and so have received a Silver Award. Over 100 students have now been given a Bronze Award - they have obtained over 250 achievement points!
Current Data
Staff in the school have awarded since September:
182,714 Achievement points.
85% of all points awarded have been positive.
Our Top 10 Achievers:
• Mohammed Ali (7RB)
• Simran Bangar (9MNA)
• Deea Gardy (9OP)
• George Spooner (10LC)
• Christbel Sarpong (10LC)
• Sienna Patel (7RB)
• Shekwoyemi Zarmai (9CO)
• Ellis Wilkes (7LMA)
• Jessica Johnson (12NJ)
• Rayan Noori (7RB)
Maths Department - SPARX Class of Last Half Term
So Summer half term 1 the winners were:
• 7Y4 with a completion rate of 79%
They will receive their exclusive "own clothes day" and a film double lesson in the next couple of weeks.
Uniform Standards for September 2023
Being smartly dressed and ready to learn is an important part of developing into responsible young adults. Students are representatives of St Peter’s whilst in uniform and being smartly dressed will reflect positively on the academy as a whole.
Please find below the list for the academy's uniform standard for the school Year 2023-2024. The following uniform standards are part of the academy's home school agreement.
Key Stage 3 and 4 Uniform
● Plain black blazer with school badge sewn on
● White shirt & school tie
● Plain black trousers (skinny fit trousers are not allowed) or plain black school skirt (no stretch/lycra)
● Plain black or grey V-neck or crew neck pullover
● Smart, all black ‘polishable’ leather shoes
● Patka/Turban – (Sikh student head covering) navy blue or black
● Hijab – (Muslim student head covering) navy blue or black
● Legacy uniform is acceptable until August 2024.
PE Kit – all items are compulsory unless stated
● Royal blue polo T-shirt with school logo
● Trainers (not boot type - no black/marking soles)
● Navy shorts/navy skirt with school logo
● Royal blue/navy/black base layer (optional)
● Navy tracksuit bottoms/leggings with school logo
● Football boots
● Navy mid-layer tracksuit top with school logo
● Gum shield
● Navy blue football socks and white ankle socks
● Shin pads
The following items are not included in the uniform policy and therefore should not be worn:
● Hoodies
● Trainers
● Non St Peter’s PE Kit
● No jewellery other than a single stud or sleeper only along with a simple, small pendant on a chain may be worn in school. All jewellery must be removable for practical subjects. The school takes no responsibility for any jewellery that is worn.
● Nails and eyelashes must be natural looking.
Rewards Trip - 11th May 2023
The top 2 students with the highest achievement points in each year group were selected for the second of our rewards trip from across Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12. They were presented with a Golden Ticket to take part in the trip.
Our Top 2 achievers in Years 11 and 13 unfortunately stayed in school as they were in the final stages of exam preparation. They each received an Amazon voucher for £25.00.
On the day we met students at the school then travelled to Star City in Birmingham by minibus.
On arrival students and staff divided into two teams then undertook two games of Ten Pin Bowling. There was a very competitive but supportive competition and the overall winners were Ellis and Callum.
It was then to the Escape Rooms! Again, the group was divided into 2 teams - one facing the challenge of escaping the Titanic, the other an Aztec Temple Ruin. Both teams escaped in the allotted time, finding all the clues and completing all the challenges!
And then the final part of the rewards - a much deserved McDonalds lunch before heading back to school.
Like our previous rewards trip the students were impeccable outside of school just as much as they are inside school, displaying all aspects of our school values. Miss Ball and myself felt proud to say that they were our St Peter’s students.
Mr Walker Assistant Principal
Visits, Trips and Sporting Fixtures.
Educational visits and trips enhance and develop the curriculum at St Peter’s. The school recognises students need to be offsite and engage with their learning in an interactive learning environment where students can experience what they are learning first hand such as a Geography visit to the coast or a MFL visit to Barcelona. Our visits link into careers and develop the skills that students will require in the modern world. Our students experience other opportunities offsite such as the Year 11 rewards visit to Alton Towers or a music tour to the Rhineland and the sporting fixtures at a local, regional and national level. 200 visits and offsite fixtures have occurred so far this year and a high percentage of our students have taken part.
The recent Year 10 Geography Visit to North Wales -
Safeguarding
St Peter’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the physical, mental and emotional welfare of every child and young person, both inside and outside of the Academy. We implement a preventative approach to managing safeguarding and child protection concerns.
Attendance award
We are delighted to share that the academy has been given an attendance award because we are in the top 10% of similar sized schools in the country and the top 25% of secondary schools nationally. We thank you for all of your hard work in supporting the school to achieve this award.
MyVoice
We have now launched our online safeguarding reporting tool for students. The students have been shown a video explaining how to use it this week, and I am delighted to say that some students have already used it. Please find a link to a video explaining where the button can be found and how to complete the form here.
This form can be used to report any concerns that your child may have. These could include bullying, mental health or a worry that they might have about a friend but it could be a range of other reasons. Of course, we still welcome students speaking to a member of staff about their concerns, this is not intended to be a replacement for this, rather an alternative. If your child has any concerns at all, please ask them to let us know, either in person or via the reporting button if this makes them more comfortable.
Social media - Tik Tok
As social media platforms seem to grow in number it is important to share with you about the most commonly used app (according to OFCOM) for young people to most content onto. Some of the most pressing concerns about Tik Tok are:
● Access to age inappropriate materials. On the app users can follow accounts, and these videos will appear on the ‘Following’ Feed. On the For You Page (FYP) the app suggests content that the user might like based on who they follow. Occasionally some material can appear on here that is not suitable and can be of an inappropriate or illegal nature (including nudity and violence). These types of videos are banned on Tik Tok but due to the sheer number of videos that are uploaded it is very difficult for the company to check the content of them all.
● In app spending. Tik Tok is free to use, but users have the chance to purchase Tik Tok coins which can be exchanged for emojis. Coin bundles range from £9.99 to £99.99 so please be mindful of this.
● The app has an addictive nature. Due to the quick and repetitive access to videos the app can be addictive. Compulsive usage can affect sleeping patterns and be a distraction from other activities.
More information can be found here.
Police School Panel Crime information
Linked to the information above Wolverhampton Police School Panel have asked us to share the following information with you all:
We have seen a new crime trend emerging whereby young people are falling victim to robbery when trying to sell items on social media platforms such as Snapchat. The “seller” is meeting the “buyer” in a pre-arranged location and then being robbed, often a weapon is involved. We are asking our young people to be vigilant and aware when selling items to unknown people.
● Meet in a public place.
● Try to meet when it is daylight
● Take a trusted adult with you.
Further support is available below: https://saferinternet.org.uk/blog/buying-and-selling-personal-items-considerations-for-staying-safe-online
If you would like support with this matter please do not hesitate to contact us in school at safeguarding@stpetersacademy.org.uk and we will support your child.