The Peterite 2024-2025

Peterite THE

2024-2025

New Health and Mental Health Centre St Peter’s champions mental health in exciting new campus development

Whole School Walk

Revived after 20 years to raise money for 5 charities

Sam Dickinson Returns to St Peter’s

Contents 04 WELCOME 06

Behind the Scenes - Learning Support

08

Wellbeing at St Peter’s

08 10 VALUES 12

Whole School Walk

18

Fireworks Display

22

House News

18 26 Boarding Focus - Wentworth 28 SKILLS 29

Art & Design

46

Yingya Joint Concert

52

Sam Dickinson visits St Peter’s

54

Sport

38 3844 Drama Music 52

68 INTERESTS 69

Holiday Camps

82 82 Kathmandu 76

CCF

86

The Public Lecture Series

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87 QUALIFICATIONS 88

Learning at 2-8

90

Learning 8-13

95

Learning 13-18

100 Exam Results 102 Careers 104 Leavers 2024-2025 106 Old Peterites 107 Governance

100 106

Keys for Life Our aim is to prepare pupils to be successful and fulfilled in their adult lives, to be leaders with humility and to make a positive impact on their world.

We define this as being able to make the most of their academic and personal potential, to have positive relationships in all aspects of their lives and to make an impact in their immediate communities and the wider world for the common good.

We achieve this through our Four Keys: Qualifications, Skills, Interests and Values.

Together, these keys prepare our pupils for life beyond school, challenging them to maximise their potential.

Values The values developed at St Peter’s enable our pupils to make complex, moral decisions and give them the courage to carry them out.

Skills We are committed to offering our pupils a wide co-curricular programme to develop those skills not always attained in the classroom.

Interests We nurture passions, individual interests and curiosity of pupils through the academic curriculum and co-curricular programme.

Qualifications In addition to excellent results achieved in academic examinations, we offer extra qualifications in music and drama.

2024-25 The Peterite 3

Welcome As we celebrate another successful school year in The Peterite, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all my colleagues across St Peter’s for their exceptional dedication and service to our school community. The excellent outcome of our recent Inspection Report was a fitting recognition of the collective commitment, professionalism, and care that underpin everything we do at St Peter’s.

Throughout The Peterite, we enjoy looking back on the lessons, activities and achievements, but I would also like to remind you of something more fundamental: the “why” behind it all. We aim to give our pupils the Keys for Life as we prepare them to be confident, successful and fulfilled adults who make a positive impact on their world.

Jeremy Walker, Headmaster

As our pupils look back on their time at St Peter’s, I hope they recall both the moments and the meanings behind them. Whether their journey began in Nursery or in the Lower Sixth, they have built memories that will endure. These events form the tapestry of school life — moments they will remember fondly. However, beyond the knowledge gained in classrooms, these experiences have shaped their skills, attitudes, and values — their resilience, empathy, curiosity, and leadership.

What they go on to do in life will of course be important: the careers, studies, families and friendships they build. Yet, it is a sense of purpose and direction, that will make the greatest difference.

This year I attended a ten-year reunion of the Class of 2015. What struck me was the variety of their professional paths. They were thriving in different sectors — business, law, medicine, the arts, academia, technology — yet what united them was not what they did, but how they approached life.

There remains a unifying thread — a shared Peterite character. Our alumni are sociable, engaging, confident, kind, ambitious, and well-rounded. Peterites are curious, connected, and busy making things happen. These traits, passed down through generations, are not only hallmarks of a happy and fulfilling life, but also the foundations of success.

As our pupils leave St Peter’s, they do so not as finished products, but as lifelong learners and contributors. We hope they carry forward the friendships they have made, the lessons they have learned, and the values that have shaped them.

Be proud Old Peterites — people of character and compassion who live lives that matter and make a difference in the world.

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St Peter’s 8-13

While this year has been bursting with energy, creativity, and achievement, above all, it has been defined by the character, kindness, and determination of our pupils.

From the very first day in September, our school has been alive with curiosity and enthusiasm. In the classroom, pupils have engaged with challenging ideas and demonstrated resilience and a love of learning.

Beyond the classroom and playing fields, pupils have enjoyed trips, residentials, and experiences that have built confidence, independence, and friendships.

Phil Hardy Head of St Peter’s 8-13

Our focus on kindness and respect has remained central throughout the year, with pupils raising funds for charity, supporting eco-initiatives, and embracing opportunities to lead with compassion.

As I look back on this year, I am reminded of my favourite quote from Ted Lasso: “It’s not about winning and losing; it’s about helping everyone to become the best version of themselves they can be”. That does not mean being perfect, it means showing up with a positive mindset, learning from your mistakes, and giving your best effort every day. That has been our guiding principle this year.

To our pupils: thank you for your energy and spirit. You are what makes this school shine. To our staff and parents: thank you for your support this year and for all you have done for our pupils.

Together, we have made this year one to remember.

St Peter’s 2-8

This year, St Peter’s 2-8 has been a place filled with learning, opportunity, creativity, exploration and wonder.

At the heart of our approach are three guiding questions: What should childhood look like? What should an excellent education look like? And what does the best research tell us about how children learn and thrive?

We believe childhood is a precious time, one that should be joyful, rich in experiences, filled with wonder and boundless possibility. Progress is not achieved by rushing children through this stage, but by allowing them to flourish as children, unique, curious, imaginative, and free to explore.

Antonia Clarke Head of St Peter’s 2-8

We know that children are highly competent, capable of complex thinking, curious, and rich in potential. When we see children in this way, we empower them to be engaged, resilient learners, ready to take on challenges and embrace discovery.

At St Peter’s 2-8, we combine this high regard for childhood with the best evidence and research in education, ensuring that every child is nurtured, inspired, and prepared not just for the future, but for the joy of learning.

This educational approach provides both breadth and depth through memorable experiences such as Forest School, trips, residential visits, a wide range of sporting and musical activities, performing arts, and a creative, thematic curriculum that inspires a lifelong love of learning.

I am proud to see our pupils are starting their journey as Peterites who one day will leave our school and make a valuable contribution to our world.

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Behind The Scenes Spotlight on Academic Support Across the school, a number of pupils benefit from extra help with their studies. This is especially so if they have been assessed as having a specific learning need, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or dyscalculia, or if they have been diagnosed with ADHD or Autistic Spectrum Disorders.

Our Learning and Support Team consists of Kirsty (2-8), Jules (8-13) and Caroline (13-18), who between them cover all parts of the school. We caught up with them to find out more about what they do.

Please tell us about your current job Kirsty:

I really enjoy being in classrooms: observing, meeting with staff, and offering recommendations to support children’s progress. Meeting with parents and working with external professionals is another key part of my role.

I find joy in the everyday moments—whether it’s helping with lunchtime duties, running after-school games club, or supporting before-school care. These times are often where some of the most meaningful connections are made!

Jules:

My role is varied and involves several different jobs. In the same day I can be an observer, an assessor, a teacher, a mentor, a plan maker, a training provider, a resource creator, a communicator with external support agencies and a playground or dining room supervisor! Amongst other things, of course.

Caroline: I work closely with students and their families to develop programmes and plans for them to achieve success in their chosen subjects. I work with the curriculum and teaching teams to communicate the student plans and support the adaptive curriculum. I also work with our pastoral teams and wellbeing teams to ensure plans have the specialist context they need from the people who really know the students well.

What are the best parts of your role?

Kirsty:

The very best part of my job is working directly with the children, watching their confidence grow and seeing the progress they make is what makes it worthwhile.

The parts of the role I enjoy best haven't changed in all the years I have been a teacher. Teaching wonderful Jules: children and working with amazing staff have always won for me!

Caroline: The highlight of this role is always when you 'get it right' for a student and you see the fantastic outcomes that tweaks and adaptions to the curriculum can bring to their learning journey at St Peter's.

What piece of advice would you give to pupils about to start in the world of work?

Kirsty:

Follow your interests and do what you enjoy—but try not to become too fixed on one particular area. I was absolutely certain that I would only work with nursery-aged children. However, over time, I’ve had the chance to work with children from age 2 right through to 16, across Primary, Special, and Independent schools. Each experience has taught me something new and shaped the way I work today. Keeping an open mind can lead to unexpected and incredibly rewarding opportunities.

Jules:

Follow your interests and be flexible, pick up as many skills as you possibly can and try lots of new things. Be kind to those you work with, they are usually invaluable.

Caroline: If you have not taken a gap year before university then try to take at least 6 months after you finish your studies to follow a personal interest and try out some different roles. Unless you are on a vocational pathway it is essential that you gain some experience in a variety of settings before you fully immerse yourself in a career. The skills you develop in these roles enrich your broader skillset and also make you more interesting and employable!

Find out more To learn more about how Academic Support works in the different parts of St Peter’s, follow the QR. 6

The Peterite 2024-25

25 years of service St Peter’s held a celebration on February 26th for three of our excellent staff members who have spent the last 25 years working at the school. A huge thank you to Bev Newell, Jenny Feetenby and Sharon Fisher for dedicating so much to St Peter's.

Staff gathered in the Dining Room for drinks and treats before Mr. Walker and Mr. Roberts (Head of Operations) read some speeches and presented each of the ladies with flowers and gifts in celebration of their service to the school. There was a great turnout which is a testament to the huge difference they make within the St Peter’s community.

Bev is part of the Housekeeping Team at Dronfield, and has a great relationship with her colleagues, who say they are “fortunate to have Bev as our colleague. She is kind, considerate, hard working, and we hope to have her working in Dronfield for many more years to come.”.

Jenny is a cleaner at The Rise. Over the years Jenny has played an important role in the pastoral care of the 700 or so girls who have lived in The Rise. Always willing to go the extra mile to help, Jenny never complains, and is always approachable for a chat or a giggle (often at her own expense).

Sharon has worked in catering since February 2000. Her dedication over the last 25 years makes Sharon such a popular person with pupils and colleagues alike, building strong relationships with generations of Old Peterites.

Sharon, Bev and Jenny are all an integral part of the staff here at St Peter’s and the school would like to congratulate them on their 25 years of excellent service.

Smudge retires June 3rd was a bittersweet day for St Peter’s 8-13 as Smudge the cat had her final visit to the school. Her friendly face has been a delight on her special annual visits to classrooms, exploring the space while pupils work and making the day a special memory for all.

Smudge is the beloved pet of Mrs Spencer, who has been at St Peter’s for 30 years and has chosen to retire at the end of the 2024/2025 academic year.

Her Year 4 classroom has been a place of learning, excitement, and fun thanks to her dedication to quality teaching and her compassionate approach to each pupil’s needs and interests.

Over the last 10 years, Mrs Spencer makes sure each pupil gets a chance to stroke Smudge during her visit and take home their own photo with her. It will be sad to say farewell to both Smudge and Mrs Spencer, and the school is grateful for all the years of good memories whilst wishing them the best of luck for the future.

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Key Moments

Wellbeing at St Peter’s New Health and Mental Health Centre In recent years, St. Peter's School has been a positive example for mental health provision in education, not only meeting the increasing demand for mental health support among pupils but leading in destigmatising mental health and embedding wellbeing at the core of our educational approach. We are proud to have established a robust and multifaceted mental health framework that reaches across all year groups and serves as a model for how schools can cultivate resilient, thriving communities by prioritising mental wellness.

Investment in Health and Wellbeing At St. Peter’s, our journey for enhanced provision began in 2018 when the school’s pastoral leadership, spearheaded

by Mrs Clarke, Miss Mounter, and Mr Ferguson, recognised the growing need for enhanced mental health services and facilities. With support from the Governors and school leadership team, we invested in better provision that would benefit pupils, staff, and our community.

This transformation grew to include the creation of the new Health and Mental Health Centre, a significant investment in the physical and mental wellbeing of pupils. The centre’s opening in October 2024 in a prominent location on campus at Burton Stone Cottage signalled the importance that St Peter’s places on ensuring that every pupil has access to the support they need to thrive physically and mentally. The centre is a safe, welcoming space where pupils can access resources, recover when they are unwell or injured, as well as drop-in for regular counselling sessions.

The repurposing of Burton Cottage has also allowed for a bigger and improved space for the Health Team, who many Old Peterites will remember as ‘The San’, which has been relocated from above the Head Masters office. Within the new Medical Centre, pupils have access to a GP style waiting room as well as multiple rooms with beds for consultations or rest.

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Breaking the Stigma around Mental Health The key to our success in our mental health provision has been the ability to create an environment where pupils feel safe to seek help without fear of judgement. The school's Mental Health Team has worked hard to break down the stigma, ensuring our community recognises that mental health exists on a spectrum, and that everyone can benefit from learning coping strategies to manage stress and thrive in a busy and demanding environment.

Evidence of this success is clear in the increased number of pupils accessing our services.

Since the introduction of new Mental Health Hubs, the school has seen a significant increase in both the number of pupils using the service and the frequency of their visits. In fact, the number of drop-in sessions has risen by 35% year-on-year, with 132 pupils attending 712 sessions, and 45 pupils receiving regular counselling in 2025.

This success has been mirrored by a shift in pupil attitudes towards mental health. The culture of openness, particularly through the pupil-run mental health teams, has led to a more supportive and empathetic school community. In a pupil-led initiative, a need for a peer mentoring programme for pupils transitioning into senior school. The implementation of this programme has provided invaluable support to Year 8 pupils entering Year 9, easing their anxieties and helping them navigate the challenges of moving to a new environment.

Proactive Measures Across All Ages Throughout the school, pupils learn how to talk about mental health and manage their own wellbeing through our PSHE curriculum, which starts with our Reception pupils and runs all the way through to Sixth Form.

Drop in Access Pupils can drop in on their respective mental health spaces across the campus. At St Peter’s 2-8 this space is called The Treehouse, 8-13 have a quiet room near the Library, and pupils in the Senior school have open access to the Mental Health Hub. Inside the Mental Health Hub, we have trained mental health counsellors available for sessions, and a calm and welcoming waiting space for pupils to sit and wait for their session during busy times or recalibrate if they are feeling upset or stressed.

A Future Vision of Wellbeing Looking forward, St. Peter’s is committed to continuing our work in mental health. The school plans to further enhance preventative measures by expanding the availability of ELSA-trained teaching assistants in the Junior School and providing additional layers of support before pupils need to access counselling. Planned further work and training sessions with parents will ensure that support is continued at home.

The ongoing investment in mental health services, coupled with a culture that prioritises wellbeing, ensures that St. Peter’s is not just preparing pupils for academic success, but for a fulfilling life beyond school.

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St Peter’sValues

The values developed at St Peter’s enable our pupils to make complex, moral decisions and give them the courage to carry them out. The School's Seven Values are practised by every member of the St Peter’s School community and they are: Friendship, Trust, Wisdom, Compassion, Endurance, Humility and Hope.

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Neurodiversity Celebration Week St Peter's supported Neurodiversity Celebration Week throughout all parts of the school over the week of March 17th. Pupils from 8-13 and 13-18 spoke in Chapel to raise awareness for Neurodivergent Celebration Week and how we can all work to be inclusive and kind to our peers.

In St Peter’s 13-18 tutor groups decorated their own colourful brain diagrams to help remove the stigma from those with Autism, Dyslexia, and much more. No two brains are alike, and St Peter's wishes to help everyone feel a sense of belonging within our school across all neurological variations. Year 3 pupils also drew their own diagrams which they labelled with all their favourite things to make up the inside of their brains.

Dyslexia Awareness Week Four dyslexia advocates gave a presentation to celebrate dyslexia and commemorate Dyslexia Awareness Week. Each pupil bravely shared their own challenges, such as organisation, following instructions, information processing, spelling and maths, but also described their many strengths.

They each discussed highly successful dyslexic adults from varying walks of life and made everyone more conscious that we are all the same but different, and differences are absolutely okay.

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Key Moments

The Whole School Walk Fundraising for the Community At the end of September, the whole St Peter’s Community came together for a Whole School Charity Day in aid of five charities.

Pupils set a goal of each raising £10, to split between The Island, York Mind, MND Association (Rob Burrow Campaign), My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, and the St Peter's School Keys for Life Bursary Campaign.

In the pool, pupils swam an incredible 96 km, roughly equivalent to 2.8 Channel crossings. While flooding prevented the rowers from taking to the river, they were able to hold an ‘Ergathon’ in the sports hall, with pupils, staff, and Mr Walker putting in some impressive times on the rowing machines.

In St Peter’s 2-8 the pupils made a muddy trek around Homestead Park, while the Nursery classes, also wanting to contribute, headed over to the Library Gardens. The Year 7s and Year 8s walked the Planet Walk from Naburn, while the Year 4s, Year 5s and Year 6s walked around the Ings to Rawcliffe Park and back again.

For the Senior School the Whole School Walk was a 21km journey from Selby back to school. With pupils and staff both running and walking the distance, great fun was had by everyone involved.

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Thank you to everyone who donated; we exceeded our target, raising an incredible £12,487, a huge testament to the school’s community spirit and values. A special mention also has to go to Paddy for organising the campaign and reviving an old school tradition for the first time in 20 years.

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Kindness Week Pupils at 8-13 participated in Kindness Week, inspired by the NSPCC, by taking on an ‘Acts of Kindness’ challenge.

They all did a great job going out of their way to make a difference in the Junior School, saying kind words and doing kind deeds across the week, and were awarded with a non-uniform day on the Friday to celebrate their efforts.

St Peter’s 2-8 held a Joke Booth to celebrate World Smile Day during Kindness Week. Pupils enjoyed dressing up with their friends and having photos taken of their biggest grins. Pupils took turns making each other laugh and dressing up.

Children's Mental Health Week St Peter's pupils across the school took part in a variety of activities to celebrate and promote awareness of positive mental health for Children's Mental Health Week.

A Tree of Positivity was placed in the 13-18 reception and pupils from all parts of St Peter's 2-18 contributed by placing 'leaves' upon which they had written responses to the questions 'What are you most proud of?', 'What do you love doing?', and 'What do you aim to do in the future?'.

The leaves also contain general affirmations and messages for encouragement for those going through hard times. It was a joy to watch the tree become full throughout the week by all the heartfelt notes pasted upon its branches.

Pupils in Sixth Form also participated in Children's Mental Health Week by hosting 'Movement Mornings' at St Peter's 2-8, as well as visiting classes at 8-13 to talk with younger year groups about how they have grown since they were their age. They shared photographs and experiences growing up, as well as answered questions to help support and encourage younger peers.

They also had a fruitful discussion about how physical activity can significantly boost mental wellbeing, reinforcing the importance of staying active. It was a great week where the whole school came together to promote such an important topic.

14 The Peterite 2024-25

Charity Support Movember Movember is all about raising awareness of Prostate and Testicular cancer, men's mental health and general wellbeing throughout the month of November, as well as provoking conversations with each other and GPs. Each year St Peter's aims to do our bit through our participation in the campaign.

In November 2024 our final total stood at a whopping £3717, which placed us in 22nd position out of 615 partaking schools.

18 pupils earned themselves a stylish Movember lapel badge by raising over £25, 7 raised over £100 and special mention must go to Cian (£304), Cormac (£376), Riley (£674) and this year's Mo-hero Alfie who raised an astonishing £1,114, through the highly impressive physical challenge he set himself of 8000 press-ups and 1000 pull-ups throughout the Movember campaign. This amount gained him membership of the Platinum club and placed him in 31st place out of 3178 active School's Challenge individual participants. A remarkable achievement - well done Alfie!

Thank you to everyone for supporting the cause and especially those who have contributed to the Movember charities via the St Peter's School Challenge 2024. Particular thanks go to all the brave young men who have met the challenge and grown a moustache for Movember.

Christmas Toy Appeal Just before Christmas, St Peter’s was proud to fill a whole minibus (and a car!) with more than 400 gifts, as part of a community effort to give every student at Grange Farm Primary School in Leeds a Christmas present this year.

Pupils collaborated with the St Peter’s Design Technology staff and made wooden Christmas trees with gift tags attached indicating the age and gender of the recipient. Pupils, parents and staff were then invited to take one or more of the tags and purchase presents for the children of Grange Farm, with a deadline of the end of term for the donations. Financial donations were also accepted to help purchase any remaining presents. The social action team, with the help of the funds collected, bought and wrapped additional presents.

The St Peter’s Social Action Team would like to express their heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed, whether through donating gifts, financial support, or their time. A special mention goes to Millie and Katie for their hard work in coordinating this year’s Toy Appeal, assisted by Mrs Rigby.

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Wear Pink Day for Breast Cancer Awareness Month St Peter’s Senior School held a 'Wear it Pink' Day in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. The Wear It Pink activities were entirely student led and raised money for the Coppafeel charity. Ribbons were also sold in Houses, including blue and pink to recognise both male and female breast cancer awareness. Special thanks to Tracey and Jackie from our St Peter's bakery who kindly made the delicious cupcakes which were sold.

George’s contribution for OSCAR’s Brain Charity St Peter’s 8-13 experienced a wonderful year of events and fundraising, inspired by pupil George and his amazing team. Events across the school year including bake sales and a charity 5km obstacle run at Harewood House raised a school total of £14,163.25. Oscar’s Brain Charity Manager Phil Martinez said the money raised ‘is an utterly astonishing, life-changing amount’.

A message from George, Year 8: “To start off my fundraising at 8-13 last year I nominated OSCAR’s Brain Tumour Charity as the school focus for the year. The charity is important to me because I experienced having a brain tumour when I was younger and valued the support of similar charities such as OSCAR’s. Together we organised three bake sales, an orange for OSCAR’s day and encouraged teachers and pupils to come to the annual OSCAR’s charity 5K inflatable run. There was also an annual school parents winter ball. At the end of the school year in total we raised over £14,000 which was the highest amount given to this charity by a school. We were very proud of our achievement.”

2-8's FOSP This year St Peter’s 2-8, in partnership with the Friends of St Peter’s (FOSP), proudly donated just over £22,000 to Yorkshire Children’s Charity, the school’s chosen charity for the previous year. The funds were raised through a range of community events and initiatives, including the hugely successful Spring Ball, Clif Fest, Christmas card sales and tea towel projects. The cheque was proudly presented to the charity during the Easter Term by pupils, staff and FOSP members.

This year, FOSP organised a spectacular Wonderland-themed Spring Ball in the beautifully transformed Memorial Hall, raising an incredible amount Guide Dogs UK. Guests stepped into an enchanting wonderland to enjoy a delicious three-course dinner prepared by the school’s own catering and events team. Throughout the evening, parents bid on a range of exciting auction lots before dancing the night away to a live band. It was a truly magical evening of fun, community, and generosity.

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SuperKind Social Impact Schools Award We are delighted that our Sixth Form earned the SuperKind Social Impact Schools Award for their work throughout the academic year.

St Peter's is proud of the social action work that our pupils have put in this year to make a positive impact on our local community and wider world. We are thrilled to have earned this recognition and are looking forward to having even more social impact next year!

International Men’s Day International Men's Day is a global awareness day celebrated in over 80 countries with the aim of highlighting social issues which men face today both physically and mentally. From its creation in the 1990s, International Men’s Day has aimed to draw attention to key problems such as abuse, suicide, and violence that continue to affect men around the world. Our senior school celebrated the day this year on 19th November through the theme of 'Positive Male Role Models'. The Social Action team did a great job raising awareness for men's mental health and St Peter’s Sixth Form pupils Wills, Archie, Callum and Anesu spoke in Assembly about the importance of leading by example for their male peers.

International Women’s Day March 8th is International Women's Day, and the Social Action team arranged various activities throughout the week to raise awareness for the day and how St Peter's works to support equality and inclusion.

Sixth Form pupils Millie, Emily, and Zara worked to put together a video featuring interviews with staff from across the school about the inspiring women in their life and why International Women's Day matters at St Peter's.

Pupils across the Senior School left messages on the Social Action board in the monkey cage to recognise the female role models in their lives. On March 7th money was raised for the local women's charity which saw pupils and staff volunteering to bake treats which were sold at breaktime. Pupils also wore purple ribbons to help raise funds for the charity Kyra, who work with women in York to "make positive and lasting improvements to their lives".

Red Nose Day To support Red Nose Day in March, pupils were able to wear their own clothes for the day in exchange for a donation of £2, and Sixth Form pupils could opt to dress up for a £5 donation. Pupils took the opportunity to have a lot of fun and raise money for Comic Relief with some fantastic costumes. The Social Action team also held a bake sale and sold red sweet bags at lunch and breaktime. It was a successful day, earning a significant total for the cause.

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Key Moments

Fireworks Display in aid of Keys for Life On Bonfire Night St Peter's hosted our first fireworks show since before the COVID-19 pandemic. As per tradition, St Peter’s has never burned an effigy of Guy Fawkes, who attended the school in the late 1500's.

There was a fantastic turnout of around 1300 guests as the St Peter’s community joined together to have hot chocolate, Yorkshire Parkin, and toffee apples before the fireworks began. Glow sticks and Guy Fawkes decorations were for sale by the Pavilion.

The spectacular fireworks display lasted over 20 minutes, as children from Nursery to the senior school watched as they lit up the sky above the campus.

It was a fantastic group effort by all the members of staff who contributed to ensure everything ran smoothly, and well done to the pupils who helped with stewarding.

All refreshments and fireworks were funded by the Old Peterite Committee, and it was brilliant to see many parents, pupils, OPs and neighbours gathered together at the school. The total amount raised by the fireworks was over £1800, which will go to the Keys for Life Bursary Fund.

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Our World Remembrance Day “Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget — lest we forget!” Rudyard Kipling St Peter’s held a Service of Remembrance in honour of all the brave men and women who lost their lives throughout war and conflicts in service of their country.

The service took place on the 11th day of the 11th month, and held a moment of silence at 11:00 o’clock, to recognise the time the armistice was signed in 1918 to end World War I. The service opened with a message from Head Master Jeremy Walker and an introduction for special guest Colonel (Retd) Jamie Baxter, who went on to give a poignant sermon about the importance of Remembrance.

Colonel Baxter joined the Army in 1991, and after service in the Reserves and Regular Army, gained his Officer commission at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He entered into the King’s Own Scottish Borderers and served in many countries, including Germany, Australia the UK, Northern Ireland, Kosovo, and Iraq where he saw active service as an Infantry Officer. In 2008, he transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corps where he again served in many countries and saw more active duty in Afghanistan and Mali with the European Union mission. Colonel Baxter also went on to command a Medical Regiment in Belfast before finishing as Commander Medical of the First Division in York. He retired after 33 years of service in February of this year. We were grateful to Colonel Baxter for his sermon and his service for our country.

The rest of the service was comprised of moving musical performances by our own choir, as well as a violin rendition of Nunc Dimittis in E flat, No. 2 (Charles Wood, 1866-1926) by Ethan S. The CCF participated with a special Act of Remembrance by Katie and Trumpet solo by Ethan W before the two minutes silence. The chaplain led the congregation through prayers for peace and commemoration.

The service concluded with the Laying of Wreaths on the war memorial in the ante-chapel by the Head Master, the Chairman and the Board of Governors, the president of the Old Peterite Club, and the Heads of School and a representative from the CCF. It was a beautiful and moving service, thanks to all involved.

The total amount raised by the Poppy Appeal at St Peter’s across the whole school was £900.68.

CCF Visit VE Day Veterans The 80th Anniversary of 'Victory in Europe' Day was on May 8th and St Peter's CCF marked the occasion by visiting veterans at a care home in York. It was a great way for our pupils to connect with older generations, hear their wisdom, and get involved in serving our community.

Pupil Henry said: "It was a privilege to speak with those who lived through the war and hear their stories first hand. We helped hand out and deliver ice cream to the residents, who really appreciated our visit, and it was a meaningful way to show respect and gratitude".

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Christmas Trees at The Minster Each year, York Minster places dozens of real trees around the entire Nave, Chapter House and Lady Chapel as part of their Christmas Tree Festival. This year there were 70 trees which all represented local schools, businesses and charities.

St Peter's had a lovely tree positioned in the Chapter House and pupils were invited along to decorate! The School Council at St Peter's 2-8 has been working hard this year and six pupils from Year 3 were selected to walk into town. They were very good representatives for the School and lowered their voices out of respect when entering York Minster. They worked together excellently whilst decorating the tree and helped each other reach the tallest branches.

The baubles used to decorate the tree were handmade by Year 3 pupils as well, who used recycled materials from old magazines and turned them into beautiful stars. Sustainability and recycling was another focus of the School Council this term and the pupils were proud to show off their handiwork.

European Day of Languages On October 26th we celebrated the European Day of Languages.

The day before in Chapel we had heard various different myths for the origins of language, from the Greeks and the mischief of Hermes, to the Wa-Sania of East Africa and a madnessinducing famine. On Thursday, pupils baked European-themed cakes for a bake sale, and in just 20 minutes we raised just under £175 which was donated to MacMillan Cancer Support.

Trinidad Carnival at Reception One of our Reception parents kindly gave up her time in the Easter term to speak to our pupils about the Trinidad carnival, which her family celebrate each year. The pupils loved learning about this colourful celebration of freedom, and were inspired for the rest of the week to create artwork relating to the carnival theme. At the end of the week, they had their own celebration day dancing to music and wearing colourful clothing and masks the children had created.

Diwali Pupils at St Peter’s Junior School celebrated Diwali after Christmas half term. Diwali was on October 31st and the children enjoyed creating their own Rangoli designs throughout the week whilst learning about the festival.

Lunar New Year This Lunar New Year, the Catering team made a delicious lunch in each part of the school to celebrate, and we saw decorations for the Year of the Snake in Boarding Houses, Dining Halls and Classrooms. Nursery helped them out for the day by making their own dumplings to eat!

Some pupils in Reception brought in traditional dress and lanterns, and they had a special themed Forest School, practicing writing in Chinese and stencilling animals of the Zodiac.

Pride As part of St Peter's celebration of Pride Month, staff and pupils had a joy-filled day representing our school in the York Pride Parade. It was a pleasure to take part and support the LGBT+ individuals within the community. St Peter's teaches that “love is love” across all year groups and hopes to foster an environment where every pupil feels accepted. We run an LGBT+ club starting in Year 9 to help ensure pupils will find a sense of unity and belonging with their peers.

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Easter Activities Nursery to Year 3 had a fantastic time at the Easter Activity Fun Run event in March in the superb sunny weather. The children decorated wonderful bunny ear headbands and prepared goodie bags for 2-8 FOSP, who generously handed out treats. All the children showed tremendous endurance along the route and shared great humour, supporting each other as they ran the course.

Reception also enjoyed a disco in the Dining Hall, dancing to their favourite tunes and playing games. Years 1 – 3 were able to participate in mini theatre and dance sessions with our camp partners the Star Academy, and play group games such as Dodge Ball and tower building.

World Book Day March 6th was World Book Day and pupils came dressed as their favourite book characters to mark the occasion. The day was filled with fun activities to celebrate reading and storytelling, and pupils were excited to see their friends and share their books with each other.

Year 1 pupils were joined by children's author and parent Emma Yarrow who read her book titled 'Ditchy's Adventure'. They loved hearing about the story and artwork and had a fun start to the day.

Year 5 pupils met with Year 2 classes in the morning to read stories they wrote and prepared. It was a great way to bring different classes together, and Senior School pupils also gathered in the library at St Peter's 13-18 for a 'Starbooks' event hosted by our Librarian for hot drinks and treats to celebrate pupils' favourite authors and books. Staff and pupils alike enjoyed the opportunity to discuss literary legends and impactful stories which is what World Book Day is all about!

Commemoration St Peter's 13-18 end-of-year Commemoration Service and Prize Giving took place in July. The service was a lovely celebration to mark the end of an unforgettable chapter. Prizes in recognition of pupils’ hard work and achievements were read out by Mr Walker, and Old Peterite guest speaker Gareth Barlow delivered an inspiring message: go out into the world, be yourself, and do not be afraid to stand out.

Pupils at St Peter’s 8-13 and 2-8 also had inspiring end of year celebrations, with pupils recognised across year groups for their hard work over the year.

In the Conkers’ Graduation Ceremony, our Nursery children delighted their families with confident performances of their favourite Nursery, Italian, and Music lesson songs.

Pupils from Years 1 - 3 sang a selection of songs before coming together for a moving finale, ‘Time to Fly’, which they accompanied with British Sign Language.

St Peter's Years 4-8 held two very exciting events before the end of the academic year, celebrating pupil achievement and character at our Prize Giving and Speech Day assemblies at St Peter’s 8-13.

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House News Our House system, which operates across the school, encourages children to support and cooperate with each other, build their compassion, trust and friendships as they represent their House in competitions and take on leadership roles.

House Sing 2-8 Our littlest stars were in full voice before the Christmas break at the 2-8 Christmas House Singing Competition. Anticipation was high, and it did not disappoint! The Dining room was filled with laughter, music, and festive spirit.

After the spectacular performances, our VIP judges deliberated whilst being treated to a beautiful ukulele performance by Year 3. It was a difficult decision as each House brought something special, with Micklegate being so focused, Walmgate bringing joyful energy and Monkgate managing to sing perfectly in time together with no music backtrack. The overall winner was Walmgate.

As the children filed out of the hall, they were astonished to see it was snowing!

Although it was just a snow machine, they still enjoyed playing and dancing in it as they went for break.

House Sing 8-13 Our five 8-13 Houses went head-to-head in February to compete in the 8-13 House Singing Competition and see who would hold this year's title and trophy.

Fairfax went first with an energetic rendition of 'Nine to Five', featuring different vocal parts and excellent direction. They were followed by Elmet who sang a true classic, 'Sweet Caroline'!

Ainsty changed the tone with 'Hallelujah', some pupils claiming they saw staff members nearly brought to tears by the emotional singing. Second to last was Alcuin with Katy Perry's 'Firework', with some great motions accompanying the lyrics, and the final House was York with 'Let It Be' who closed the competition very nicely.

It was a close competition, and Mrs. Craven said she believes it was possibly the best House singing she had seen in her time at St Peter's. Ultimately the winner was Ainsty. Congratulations to the other Houses who also won awards, such as best smiling and musicality.

House Sing 13-18 The annual Senior House Sing Competition took place in the Christmas term, and the pupils put on one incredible show! After some very difficult judging, the winner this year was Clifton with Journey’s 'Don’t Stop Believing’.

Everyone had fun personalising their performances and sporting their House colours. The whole senior school joined together in Memorial Hall to take part.

Well done to all who competed and congratulations to Clifton on the victory!

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Third Form Challenges Throughout the Christmas term, Third Form pupils at St Peter’s took part in a lively series of weekly House Challenges designed to foster teamwork, creativity, and friendships among new pupils as they move up the the Senior School. Kicking off in September, the first challenge saw pupils build Ancient Greek temples out of chocolate, with Linton emerging victorious. This was followed by a high-stakes maths challenge, where teams had just ten seconds to memorise and recreate a reference image—Clifton claimed first place, with Hope and Linton following closely behind. These activities provided a fun and competitive way for pupils to bond and work together in their Houses.

Further challenges tested both engineering skills and imagination. In October, Houses were tasked with constructing spaghetti and marshmallow towers using only Sellotape, with The Rise taking the win thanks to a 64cm structure.

November brought a creative twist with a ‘Costume Catwalk’ challenge, where teams designed outfits for famous characters using only newspaper and tape. The Rise claimed victory once again, impressing judges with a clever Willy Wonka costume. Across all challenges, pupils demonstrated enthusiasm, collaboration, and a great sense of fun.

House Debating In the semi-finals of the Senior Interhouse Debate competition, teams debated the motion 'This House Would Make the UK a Net Zero Nation By 2040'. Both debates provided a very high level of argumentation for this salient topic with impressive (& impassioned!) interaction between teams. All was done with real style and higher marks awarded than in any other round.

The final took place in November between School & Hope, which brought the end to a wonderful competition, well supported, researched and debated with everyone playing their part for their House. The final motion was ‘This House Opposes Long Sentences for Disruptive Activists’ and it was Hope that came out as victors.

In the Junior Inter-House competition, it was The Rise who came out as victors.

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House Rowing The Senior House Rowing competition was held in December where three races took place across the year groups to see who would hold the title as this year's champions.

Third Form raced with great teamwork and high energy, and the winner for their group was Temple. Fourth Form and Fifth Form competed together, and talented rowers took turns in their rotations during the second race, which saw Queens win. Sixth Form raced last and brought their best rowers and supporters. It was a tense seven minutes but Dronfield and Linton were this year's Sixth Form rowing champions. It is undeniable that each pupil competed with passion and determination and came together in good spirits after the competition regardless of the result. Congratulations to the winning Houses!

Inter-House Rugby, Netball and Hockey The House competitions are a great opportunity for pupils to compete in their age range against their peers, and for the bigger goal of winning for their House. In the Christmas Term, pupils competed in rugby and hockey, with netball and further hockey through the Easter Term.

House Squash House Squash this year was a very well attended and closely contested event. The eventual winners were Manor and The Rise who beat The Grove 3–0 in the final but all three matches were remarkably close, and some excellent quality Squash was on show for all the spectators.

Player of the Event was James who pushed Squash Captain Alex to a near shock victory. Both played accurate, fast paced Squash.

Inter-House Benchball In December, Year 3 House hockey was quickly diverted to House Benchball due to frozen Astroturfs, but the children were unfazed, playing some competitive matches and winning points for their House. Micklegate were the proud winners with 53 points.

House Run House teams were made up of pupils from each House, giving them the opportunity to earn points toward the Senior Trophy. They ran a 7km loop up through Clifton and Rawcliffe Ings and finished alongside the River Ouse. Third and Fourth Form ran 5km along the same track, turning back before Rawcliffe. Lots of runners got involved and even staff joined in, enjoying the crisp autumn air by the boathouse finish line with a beautiful sunset over the river.

In St Peter’s 8-13, individual and team efforts stood out, with Georgia, Oliver, and Olivia among the top performers, helping their Houses—particularly York and Elmet—claim victories.

Swimming Gala Pupils from Year 3 to Senior School participated in swimming galas. The day is about bringing pupils together to represent their House for a celebration of energy, determination, and team spirit.

This year in the 8-13 competition, Ainsty came out as the winners just 5 points ahead of Alcuin. Angus, Charlie and Joseph broke long standing House swimming times – well done and fantastic swimming.

In the 13-18 competition, the boarding Houses Dronfield, The Rise, Manor and Linton teamed up to take the win, coming first with 100 points. Temple came second with 92 points.

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Sports Days Sports Days took place across all year groups over the last few weeks of the Summer Term.

St Peter’s 2-8 Pupils from Reception to Year 3 participated in an egg race, relay races, a sack race and much more. Well done to all pupils who truly gave it their all. Monk was the overall winner.

Conkers held a PE Showcase for parents last week as well, taking part in a variety of games and the obstacle course. The events were an excellent display of the skills learned throughout the year in PE and games at 2-8.

St Peter’s 8-13 It was a valiant effort by all, having to endure high temperatures and staying hydrated whilst competing in long jump, races, and all sorts of track and field events. York was the victorious House. These skills help prepare pupils for more Sports Days in the future as they progress into Senior School!

St Peter’s 13-18 The day showed an impressive culmination of athletic skill and hard work combined with House spirit and celebration. Pupils participated in group events such as the relay and the House Tug-of-War, as well as individual events like the High Jump and Javelin. The girl's trophy went to Clifton and the boy's trophy, as well as overall winners for the day, went to Temple !

Congratulations to the winners and to all who helped bring excitement and energy to these joy-filled end of year occasions.

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Key Moments

Boarding Focus A Fond Farewell to Wentworth Wentworth House, originally known as Albany, was purchased by St Peter’s School in 1937. Initially, it served various functions, including housing the Sanatorium until 1942, when that facility moved to the senior school. In 1945, Albany was repurposed as a junior boarding house, with Andrew Wentworth-Ping as the ‘Master in Charge’.

In recognition of his significant role, the house was renamed Wentworth in 1949. It opened with 40 boarders and remained in the same building throughout its history, unlike other Houses such as Manor and The Rise. WentworthPing, a somewhat legendary figure, retired in 1955 after over 33 years of service. Known for his love of nature and countryside walks, his legacy lives on through vivid anecdotes—such as the tale of the squirrel and shotgun. We will let you contact our archivist to hear more about that one!

The House, once home exclusively to boys, saw major changes over the decades, including the addition of new facilities and the arrival of girls in 2000, when boarders moved from Beverley House across the Avenue. At that point, there were 28 boys and 18 girls residing in Wentworth.

Now, as the school evolves under a new structure, Wentworth House retires from its long-standing role as a boarding House, and the pupils who board from Year 7 to 9 will join their older counterparts in Linton or The Rise. From 2026, Wentworth begins a new chapter as a Sixth Form Centre for Business, Politics, and Economics—honouring its history while stepping forward “Super Antiquas Vias” (Over Ancient Ways).

Long standing Staff Member Babs said “I joined Wentworth in January 1995 as a cleaner then was asked by the then Housemistress Mrs Jackie Slingsby to try out being a Matron so with some trepidation I did and ended up doing both jobs. All my memories over the years are special and will stay with me forever. All the boarders over the years have a special place in my heart as do the House Parents. I will miss them all.”

Pupil Elena said: “I first joined Wentworth in 2021, when I was 12. Although I was only in Wentworth for a year before moving to the senior boarding house, I witnessed how incredibly well the House adapted to the changing needs of its boarders. The teachers on duty brought great energy and amazing personalities to the boarding experience, making a real difference in our day-to-day life. Some of my most special memories from Wentworth are the friendships I formed—many of which have lasted well into the future.”

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What is Boarding at St Peter’s Going to Look Like from 2025?

From 2025, boarding at St Peter’s School will continue to evolve as a dynamic, flexible and enriching experience for pupils from Year 7 upwards. With four distinctive boarding houses, a variety of boarding options, and new shortterm opportunities for international pupils, the future of boarding is bright and more accessible than ever.

Each boarding House has its own sense of community and character.

The Rise, a beautiful Victorian house on the edge of campus, will offer a supportive environment for girls from Years 7 to 11. Mrs Gillies is a Teacher of MFL and lives at The Rise with Mr Gillies and their dog.

Dronfield, which will be the girls’ Sixth Form House, is be a modern, lively, and open space complete with cosy nooks for studying or relaxing. From September 2025, Dronfield will be looked after by Mr and Mrs Sharp, who live with their youngest daughter and their dog. Mr Sharp is Head of Cricket and Teacher of Academic and Core PE.

Linton provides a traditional and characterful boarding experience for boys Years 7 to 11. Cared for by Mr and Mrs Battersby, the boys of Linton pride themselves on their camaraderie. Mr Battersby is Assistant Deputy at St Peter’s 13-18 and a Teacher of Business and Mrs Battersby is Head of Art.

Sixth Form boys will reside in the modern, family-style comfort of Manor, where academic focus is balanced with independence and opportunity. Manor is presided over by Houseparents Mr and Mrs Noy Scott who live there with their sons. Mr Noy Scott is a Teacher of Latin and Classics.

Flexible Boarding to Suit Every Family Recognising the diverse needs of modern families, from 2025 St Peter’s will expand its boarding options. Part-time boarding (between 2 and 5 nights per week) is now open to Year 7 - Sixth Form and offers flexibility for busy families while ensuring boarders remain active members of their Houses.

For occasional needs, flexi-boarding allows parents to purchase bundles of 10 nights, giving day pupils a taste of boarding life when needed — including boarders' meals, supervised prep, and evening activities. During the Summer Term, exam boarding is also available for Upper Sixth and Year 11 students, offering a quiet, supportive environment during revision and exams.

Launched for September 2025, short-term boarding options are designed to offer an authentic UK boarding school experience. Overseas students can join for a year or just one or two terms, benefiting from a tailored academic programme and full immersion in the boarding community and cultural life of York.

With boarding now more adaptable and inclusive than ever, 2025 marks an exciting chapter in the life of St Peter’s — one that continues to place community, care and opportunity at the heart of everything we do.

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St Peter’s Skills We are committed to offering our pupils a wide and inspiring co-curricular programme to develop those skills not always attained in the classroom, to accompany a wide range of curriculum subjects that develop a child’s lifelong talents.

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Art & Design 2-8 Art Gallery In March, there was an exciting art gallery at St Peter's 2-8, showcasing our pupils' artwork from the Nursery to Year 3! ‍ Parents had a chance to see all of the wonderful pieces produced by our hardworking pupils.

Nursery had fun creating collages of cute pigs, Reception enjoyed painting colourful owls, Year 1 created drawings in the style of Emily Gravett whom they had been learning about in class, Year 2 designed their own vibrant rocket ships and Year 3 created artworks inspired by Kenojuak Ashevak, a Canadian Inuk artist.

Overall, it was a great chance for the pupils to explore their creative side, and show their parents their artistic talents.

Max

An

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8-13 Art This year, our pupils have thrived artistically, developing skills across diverse media while exploring influential artists and movements worldwide.

Year 4 began with a vibrant study of colour theory, creating expressive mixed-media Christmas cards before crafting Viking-inspired figures using fabric and drawing, followed by watercolour longboats. Recently, they produced striking rainforest animal studies, showcasing growing confidence and creativity.

Year 5 started with detailed observational drawings of ancient Greek architecture, then studied Hokusai, recreating ‘Woman Wearing Kimono’ using the grid method. They developed printmaking skills with geli plates for Koi Carp designs, created Japanese-inspired coil pots, and explored Futurism through imaginative robot collages.

Year 6 embraced Georgia O’Keeffe’s floral compositions in oil pastel, progressing to ceramic penguins and polar bears alongside arctic wildlife illustrations. They then explored Orphism with bold geometric designs and concluded with nature-inspired bird collages influenced by Mark Hearld.

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Year 7s dived into Pop Art, creating mod-roc cake sculptures and vibrant oil pastel studies. Later, they designed cultural repeat patterns and explored portraiture and Cubism through abstract Picasso-inspired portraits.

Year 8 studied Kenneth Le Riche’s Alphabet in Space, mastering perspective and creating mixed-media initial compositions. They designed festive characters for watercolour Christmas scenes before their major Enterprise Project—designing and producing ceramic products for the end-of-year fair. This real-world challenge developed creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

Across all year groups, pupils have demonstrated technical growth, creativity, and a deep appreciation for art. From historical studies to contemporary design, their work reflects curiosity, imagination, and a passion for visual arts. This year offered a fantastic opportunity for pupils to explore their creative side and proudly share their artistic achievements with their families.

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13-18 Art Third Form Art Gallery Pupils in Year 9 prepared art pieces to be displayed in the Whitestone Gallery in an exhibition titled ‘Form and Face’.

They worked all Christmas term with a variety of mediums, from watercolour paint to wire hanging sculptures, which were proudly displayed over two weeks in February.

The pieces are mostly self portraits and resemble an impressive likeness to their artists.

St Peter’s Imagine 25 Art Exhibition On July 2nd, St Peter’s hosted the Imagine 25 Art Exhibition, showcasing the creativity and talent of our Fifth Form and Upper Sixth pupils. The event was very well attended by families, staff, and members of the wider community, who came to celebrate the pupils’ artistic achievements.

Upper Sixth pupil Islay presented a striking body of work developed over the past year, drawing on her interests in mathematics and architecture. Reflecting on the process, she explained: “The exhibition is a combination of work from our coursework and exam project. The final pieces displayed are the result of many outcomes along the way. During the projects, we start with a word or theme and develop this by researching artists and creating test pieces, refining our ideas and techniques. Our teachers support us throughout this process and encourage us to have the confidence to explore new mediums and areas of art that we enjoy”.

Visitors enjoyed an inspiring variety of mediums and themes, with each display reflecting the individuality and dedication of the pupils. The evening was a wonderful celebration of their hard work and creativity, and a fitting way to mark the culmination of their projects.

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Design and Technology A Journey from Year 4 to A-level The Design and Technology (DT) department has had an exciting and productive year, guiding pupils from Year 4 all the way through to A-level with a rich variety of hands-on projects that sparked creativity, built technical skills, and encouraged teamwork.

Year 4 In Year 4, our youngest designers began their journey by learning the basics of measuring and construction. They designed their own names for hazard boards, combining safety awareness with personal flair. As the festive season approached, they turned their attention to textiles, crafting their own Christmas-themed ties—a fun and festive introduction to fabric work.

Year 5 Year 5 pupils took a big leap forward, mastering sewing machines to create stylish drawstring beach bags. They explored the intersection of tradition and technology by using high-tech software to CNC embroider custom images onto their bags. Their first steps into Adobe Illustrator opened the door to laser cutting, allowing them to design and produce intricate pictures with precision.

Year 6 In Year 6, pupils continued to develop their textile skills by making durable and fashionable tote bags. They also embraced woodworking, constructing bird boxes that combined design thinking with environmental awareness. These projects helped them understand the importance of function and form in product design.

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Textiles remained a strong focus in Years 7 and 8. Pupils created aprons and zipper pencil cases, honing their sewing and pattern-making skills.

In the workshop, Year 7 pupils tackled box-making using finger joints, while Year 6 pupils had already explored woodworking through their bird box projects.

Year 7 also explored the world of electronics, designing and building buzzer games.

Through soldering and circuit design, they learned the fundamentals of electrical engineering in a fun and interactive way.

Year 8 pupils took on a major enterprise project: chocolate production. This involved designing and making chocolate moulds using vacuum forming and laser cutting, followed by creating professional packaging—a true end-to-end product development experience.

From the first stitches in Year 4 to the complex projects in Year 8, the DT department has provided a dynamic and inspiring environment for pupils to learn, create, and innovate. It’s been a full and busy year—one where we learned a lot, made a lot, and took home some truly impressive work.

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Year 9 and VEX IQ Regionals This year has seen significant investment in our Computer Aided Design (C.A.D) provision at St. Peters, with our first cohort getting to grips with our new SolidWorks software to create their 3D printed phone cases. This project sits alongside our textiles, workshop and systems and control projects.

In systems and control and through our VEX IQ co-curricular offer, St Peter’s pupils can compete at a national scale in the VEX IQ Robotics Competition. 2025 marks our first year as an Event Partner with the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation (RECF). We are proud to be a small part of expanding robotics provision in the North of England. Our York City Regional event welcomed schools from as far as London. Congratulations to our Year 8 cohort whom following their success at regionals, competed at Nationals for the first time.

More information on the competition can be found on p94.

Year 10 and Prospective Arkwright Scholars Year 10 pupils begin their GCSE journey by developing a diverse portfolio of practical skills.

Through mini-projects, they are encouraged to take creative risks in preparation for their Non-Examined Assessment. This year’s Design & Technology Exhibition featured standout projects including USB-powered lamps, coasters, and pewter casts.

This year marks not only another bumper year for Arkwright Scholarships applications, but a leap for Women In STEM and our Year 10 cohort, with 70% of our prospective scholars being female applicants. According to research from the Government Equalities Office, in 2020, women made up only 29.4% of the STEM workforce in the UK. We are grateful to our Year 10 cohort of scholars for seeking to buck this trend. We wish them the best with their 2026 applications.

Year 11, Exhibition Highlights and Awarded Arkwright Scholarships 2025 At the start of the summer term, we welcomed pupils of all ages to our DT Exhibition at the Whitestone Gallery. Exam board contexts this year engaged pupils to either explore educational toys and games, supporting or participating in a sport or eating away from home.

Highlights included: Ruby’s design for St Peter’s Touring Netball dress; Lola’s SUP Board River Clean Up Kit; Joseph’s drinks container for rowing boats and Lizzy’s Marble Puzzle Game.

Congratulations to pupils Finnan and William our Arkwright Scholars for 2025. Finnan aspires to be a Mechanical Engineer and submitted his Design and Technology coursework project; a collapsible backpack for food preparation, alongside his progress with his vehicle restoration projects at home. William wishes to study Computer Science at Cambridge University. His project – a prototype for detecting emotions from facial expressions in a Realtime video stream – was described by our Arkwright Liaison Officer as being one of the best submissions he has ever seen. Well done to both!

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Year 12 and GINETTA Motorsports Factory Tour and Scholarship Work Experience January saw our Lower Sixth pupils visit the GINETTA Motorsport factory in Leeds. Not only did they witness at an industrial scale some of the processes they have learnt first-hand within the workshop, such as MIG welding, milling and turning on a lathe, but they were able to try out their track simulator and explored GINETTA’s racing legacy. Read more about the Ginetta trip in the Interests section on page 78.

Millie, as part of her GINETTA Scholarship, completed a bespoke work experience placement over Easter. Her programme included time in carbon fibre lay-up and a day in sub assembly wherein she built a throttle for a G62 - an incredible launchpad for her future in Commercial Engineering.

Year 13 Exhibition Highlights If there was one project at this year’s Design & Technology exhibition that had visitors ‘driven’ with excitement, and it was the ‘Grow with me’ Go Kart designed and manufactured by William in the Upper Sixth. William, who aspires to study Engineering at Leeds University, put together an ambitious project brief that combined his enthusiasm for motorsport and his desire to learn more about Finite Element Analysis and ergonomic considerations in automotive design. Designed for children between the ages of 8 and 18, his prototype frame features telescopic extension mechanisms to accommodate growth and is capable of speeds of up to 20mph. William took home the Design & Technology Prize at our Commemorative Service this year.

Other notable projects included Darcy’s innovative shaving aid for the York Parkinson’s community, using innovative flexible 3D printed materials for a closer and safer personal shave, and to Alex for his experimentation with drone technology, made possible thanks to a FOSP Bid providing early inspiration through a drone kit. We wish our Upper Sixth the best of luck in their next endeavours.

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Drama Christmas Performances Acorns children performed a range of songs in their special Christmas jumpers including ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ and ‘Christmas Pudding’ complete with actions and lots of waving to families! Their renditions of ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas’ also included some beautiful tinkling of bells.

Conkers performed a memorable Nativity performance, bringing the Christmas story to life with joy and enthusiasm. Dressed as shepherds, angels, and wise men, the children charmed everyone with their singing, storytelling, and big smiles. It was a heartwarming celebration filled with festive spirit, and plenty of applause from family and friends.

Reception pupils did an excellent job in their Christmas Performances. It was such a treat for the audience as the pupils sang and danced their way through the nativity story. They impressed the audience by memorising so much choreography and helped the school get in the Christmas spirit!

Year 1 and 2 pupils held an excellent joint Christmas Performance this year and the audiences enjoyed every bit of singing, dancing, and storytelling which the pupils had been working so hard on.

In Year 1, the show was made up of musical arrangements to teach the audience about 'Christmas Around the World'. Their songs took audience members from Brazil, to Australia, to France, discussing the many versions of Santa in each country. It was a memorable concert for all.

Year 2 pupils told the nativity story in between song and dance performances in 'Lights, Camel, Action!'. Every soloist took their part seriously and the memorization and choreography was second to none. Well done to all of the pupils and staff involved in these joy-filled Christmas performances!

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Moon Landing Scenes St Peters Year 2 pupils enjoyed a drama class where they acted out several games and scenarios centred around exploring the moon! They bravely took turns volunteering to perform short scenes they prepared in front of the class and did an excellent job using their imaginations to put on a lovely show. They spent a few weeks writing and practicing their performances and got to record greenscreen videos of their moon landings.

Year 3 Lion King Year 3’s performance of ‘The Lion King’ was a roaring success! Following an inspiring trip to London earlier in the term—where pupils took part in a Circle of Life workshop with West End professionals and watched the hit musical at the Lyceum Theatre—the children brought all they had learned to the stage in two vibrant performances in the Shepherd Hall.

From beautifully painted props to confident singing (often in two-part harmony) and expressive acting, every pupil shone. Their hard work, enthusiasm, and teamwork made for a truly memorable production that delighted their audience.

Everybody Dance Festival at York Theatre Royal Two groups from St Peter's performed in the festival that is coordinated by York Dance Space. Our senior company was made up of students from Year 7 and 8 and the younger group from Year 3.

It was a wonderful opportunity to perform on a professional theatre stage. In addition, our dancers enjoyed working with a range of practitioners and explored different dance styles with fellow students from across Yorkshire.

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Year 4 took to the stage with their annual musical, ‘Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover’, showcasing growing confidence and performance skills developed throughout the year.

Year 5 explored the magic of storytelling through props and ensemble work, bringing ancient myths and legends to life with imagination and flair.

The Year 6 production of ‘Matilda’ was a showstopper, with every pupil taking part in acting, singing, dancing, lighting, sound, and set design. Their teamwork and energy resulted in a polished and professional performance that impressed audiences and left them beaming with pride.

Year 7 devised powerful Shadow Theatre pieces for younger pupils, tackling themes such as friendship, the environment, and social media. They also joined Year 8 in the Everybody Dance Festival at York Theatre Royal, where their creativity and stage presence shone.

Year 8 brought Shakespeare to life in their energetic and comedic production of ‘As You Like It’. Set in the vibrant world of 1970s Flower Power, the show was full of music, colour, and groovy flair. The pupils delivered complex dialogue and intricate storylines with confidence and humour, earning high praise when they performed at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford as part of the Shakespeare Schools Festival.

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A Midsummer Night’s Dream The school production of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' took place in December.

The performers did a tremendous job bringing the script to life onstage. The original tale had been cleverly adapted to be set in a music festival and the show's events played out against an array of musical performances and dances. It was a great group effort these last months by the cast and crew, as well as staff who helped put on the show.

A-level A-level Devised Drama performances took place in February. Pupils performed two 20-minute shows which they skilfully wrote and acted. The shows were titled 'Burnt Harbour' which was an immersive piece about love and loss, and 'Flowers on a Date, Flowers on a Tombstone' which shared important warnings about the realities of stalking.

Both shows were incredibly engaging and original, and thoroughly enjoyed by each audience who came to see them.

GCSE GCSE Devised Drama pupils showcased their performances in February as well, and the varied line-up of intriguing stories and characters made for an enthralling viewing experience.

From stories with larger set pieces and props, to full face makeup, to the simplicity of a small globe and some capes, the stories all came to life and brought audiences on some exciting journeys over the course of the shows. There was a great deal of thought and preparation put into the stories, which featured a wide range of topics and proudly represented the creativity and hard work of our talented Peterites.

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A Pair of Star-Crossed Lovers

In December Third and Fourth Form pupils again took part in the nationwide Shakespeare Schools Festival. This year eighteen actors and four technicians travelled to Bradford Alhambra to perform a production of ‘Romeo & Juliet’ which they had been rehearsing since September. This was a joyous performance which involved an ensemble cast who used their physicality to form the architecture of each scene. The technical team of Alice, Arthur and Bella created a lighting and sound system (with a Nick Cave soundtrack!) which fully enhanced the storytelling and Matilda was a very organised Stage Manager. Although an ensemble production special mention must go to Violet and Alex who played the eponymous tragic heroes and Maddie who was a feisty and hilarious nurse.

Crafty Characters and Twisted Tales

The end of year Middle School Play was a great success. Thirteen actors and four technicians worked really hard at the end of such a busy year in Drama to produce a powerful (and sometimes hilarious!) performance of a collection of twisted tales.

These blended puppetry, music and storytelling to skilfully create a noir theatre experience for the audience. Xanthe appeared throughout the play as the troubled tall-tale teller Tilly, and performed the demanding role with skill, showing she is a versatile and talented actor. Other Fourth Form performers showcased the puppetry skills they had learnt while studying GCSE Drama. Special mention must go to Third Formers Henry for his powerful portrayal of the smelly Mingus, and Isla, Amelia and Erin who proved themselves to be very talented narrators during the ‘Thingummy’ story. We were fortunate to have the talents of Stella from the same year group, who proved herself to be an unflappable and resourceful Stage Manager and costume designer. The Drama department is blessed to have so many talented Third Formers moving through the ranks towards their formal Drama study. Once again, we thank Miss Burns for the wonderful set she designed and constructed in very little time.

Sixth Form Creativity

At the end of the Summer term and for the second year running the Lower Sixth Drama students organised a totally pupil-led production of a beautiful collection of loosely linked duologues. Although having no defined characters or plot, these offered a series of observations on life, lusts, longings and mortality. A cast of nine were skilfully directed by Emily and Meg with technical support from talented Fourth Form pupil Arthur. The Drama teachers were bowled over by the direction and acting of this piece, which contained highly impressive performances from pupils, many of whom do not study A-level Drama & Theatre. It was wonderful to see former GCSE pupils Lottie and Lewis back in the Drama studio showcasing their highly impressive skills.

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Music 2-8 Music Music Concerts 2024–25 This year’s music concerts at St Peter’s 2-8 showcased the enthusiasm, confidence, and growing talent of our young musicians.

The Year 2 and Year 3 concerts in October set a wonderful tone for the year. Year 2 pupils opened with a lively choir performance featuring ‘Barbeque Blues’, complete with energetic dance moves, before sharing their hard work through recorder and piano solos. Year 3 pupils impressed with a wide range of instrumental performances, including some of their own compositions, and the Ukulele Club provided a delightful finale.

In the Summer Term, the Rayson Room was filled with music and joy as Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 pupils performed in three outstanding concerts. Each began with beautifully coordinated choir pieces, where pupils demonstrated their growing ability to sing in multiple parts and tackle complex harmonies. The concerts also featured a variety of solos and small group performances on instruments such as the recorder, violin, and piano, with many pupils showcasing creativity through improvised or original pieces.

These concerts remain a highlight of the school year, celebrating the hard work, of our pupils. Congratulations to all who performed!

Young Voices Concert A huge well done to all our Year 2 and 3 children who travelled to Sheffield to take part in the Young Voices concert in February. The children were so excited when they came to school, and it was so lovely to see and hear the excitement around school. Once in the arena, the children became part of the largest children's choir in the world, joining 4700 other children. All the children sang their hearts out, demonstrating the hard work put into learning the songs and dance moves in the months before.

Guitar Concert Pupils from St Peter’s 13-18 made a special appearance at St Peter's 2-8 during Easter Term to perform a guitar concert for our Reception children.

The younger pupils had taken a special interest in guitar when learning in Music class, and some pupils even got their own guitars during half term to follow in their older peer's footsteps. The young pupils listened very respectfully to the music and even made requests for more songs at the end. The familiar audience favourite was 'Happy Birthday' where pupils were inspired to sing along.

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Key Moments

St Peter’s, York and Yingya Joint Concert Piano music reverberated across the global St Peter's community on 25th March, as pupils from St Peter's collaborated in a joint livestreamed concert with St Peter's, Yingya.

Pianists from across the school took part in a livestreamed concert to Yingya, who then reciprocated with a varied and entertaining concert from the Yingya auditorium.

The performers were Tori, Oliver, Hector and Theo from 2-8; Adriana, Irwin, Zachariah, Lottie, Jonah, Polly, Mandy and Yuhan from 8-13 who all played piano, and Samuel from 13-18 who played the cello.

We were thrilled to share the concert with the pianists at St Peter's Yingya, and look forward to more collaborations.

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Music at 8-13 This year has seen a vibrant and varied programme of musical activity, with performances taking place in a range of venues including the Shepherd Hall, the Memorial Hall, and York Minster. The structure of the concert programme ensured that soloists were celebrated through events such as Virtualosity and optional chapel performances, while ensembles took centre stage in end-of-term concerts.

The formal concert in November launched the year with a Christmas theme and provided the first outing for many ensembles, setting a high standard for the months ahead. The Carol Service at York Minster was a particular highlight, featuring outstanding contributions from Chapel Choir and the Choristers, including a memorable opening solo of ‘Once in Royal’.

In February, Rock Band and Chapel Choir proudly represented the 8-13 community in the Foundation Concert—a debut appearance for Rock Band, marking an exciting development for contemporary music within the school.

The Easter term brought the Stars and Stripes concert, celebrating the music of America. Sinfonia’s powerful performance of ‘Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man’ was a standout moment, demonstrating technical skill and bold ensemble playing.

The summer term began with Electric Dreams, a high-energy gig in the Shepherd Hall that showcased rock and pop performances from drummers, vocalists, guitarists, and the ever-popular Rock Band. One of the most notable moments was an original song performed by Seb, praised for its maturity and musicality. In addition, Year 6 delivered an impressive production of Matilda, a challenging musical executed with professionalism and enthusiasm.

The final concert of the year, I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside, brought a celebratory close to the year’s music-making. Held in the Memorial Hall, the concert featured a diverse programme including Chapel Choir’s moving rendition of ‘Wayfaring Stranger’, lively contributions from Junior Wind, combined string groups, Mini Jazz Band improvisations, and chamber performances from clarinet, cello, and piano ensembles. A solo from Zach in Year 4 delighted the audience before Sinfonia brought the event to a rousing conclusion with Henry Wood’s ‘Fantasia on British Sea Songs’.

The year has been defined by creativity, collaboration, and a consistently high standard of performance, reflecting the talent and dedication of all involved.

A Message from Mrs Craven What a truly wonderful year it has been for music at 8-13. Our weekly concert series, Virtualosity, has continued to flourish, with debut performances almost every week. Pupils from every year group and of all abilities have taken to the stage, not only to perform, but also to support and encourage one another. A special mention must go to our enthusiastic Year 5 pupils, who regularly attend to cheer on their friends.

Their energy and encouragement have been heart-warming — everyone deserves friends like that!

As I prepare to leave St Peter’s, I want to say what an honour it has been to be part of this exceptional music team and the wider 8-13 community. As I said at the Leavers’ Service, I started here with colleagues, but I leave with friends. I have loved teaching here, and St Peter’s will always hold a special place in my heart.

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Chorister Report The York Minster Choristers have enjoyed a busy and rewarding year, demonstrating dedication and enthusiasm for every aspect of chorister life.

The year began with the arrival of a new group of probationers in Year 4, while Year 5 pupils took part in their Reading In services. The occasion was marked by the annual Reading In celebration, bringing together parents and the wider chorister community with drinks and nibbles, and dinner and games for the choristers - including spelling out the word CHORISTER with their bodies!

The Christmas term, always a highlight of the chorister calendar, was exceptionally full. By December, the choristers were performing with confidence and energy, delivering outstanding music throughout the festive season. The Advent Service set a high standard, followed by two Christmas concerts featuring a silver band and a celebrity speaker. The traditional Nine Lessons and Carols service provided a moving finale to the term, and choristers also joined the 8-13 Chapel Choir for the school Carol Service. Alongside their musical commitments, choristers enjoyed ice skating during the Christmas holidays, as well as the eagerly anticipated annual pantomime trip.

The Easter term brought a continuation of the weekly service schedule, enhanced by a powerful performance of ‘Messiah’ and the solemn music of the Holy Week services.

For Years 6-8 choristers, the highlight of the year was the tour to Normandy. Concerts were given in Lisieux Cathedral, Bayeux Cathedral, the Abbey at St-Pierre-sur-Dives, and at a parish service in Vimoutiers.

Performances were outstanding and warmly received by audiences. The tour also included cultural visits to Honfleur and the Bayeux Tapestry, as well as a memorable beach football match between choristers and staff.

Thank you to all the wonderful families who followed our performances throughout the trip as they were, as always, incredible cheerleaders.

Throughout the year, choristers have shown excellent teamwork and camaraderie, often demonstrated during informal gatherings and rehearsals. The year has been one of remarkable achievement, filled with music, friendship, and memorable experiences, all of which will remain with the choristers for years to come.

This year we say goodbye to our Year 8 team of Henry, Henry, Bertie, Dorothea, Thea, Polly and Heidi who were the first probationers to join the school in 2020. They have been kind to younger children, and have embraced every opportunity. We also say goodbye to Mrs Dee Cooley, the Minster Safeguarding Lead, who has worked so hard to ensure that the choristers are safe at all times.

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Autumn Concert We had an excellent Autumn Concert at the beginning of the year. The concert started with a complete performance of Mozart’s ‘Bassoon Concerto’ with orchestra, featuring soloist Sam. To take on a project of this size at school is a major undertaking and Sam produced an outstanding performance, with superb support from the Orchestra conducted by Mr Wright.

Following a move into the Chapel, the audience were then treated to a wide range of ensemble playing, including pieces from the Brass Ensemble, Senior String Quintet and Clarinet Choir. The Saxophone Ensemble played an ambitious contemporary piece by Andy Scott in multiple parts with a challenging improvisatory section.

The Chapel and Chamber Choirs were on fine form with music learnt ahead of our visit to Durham Cathedral. We also had three memorable solo performances from Nina (soprano), Andrew (trombone) and a very characterful rendition of ‘A More Humane Mikado’ from Loic.

Evensong in Durham Cathedral The Chapel Choir travelled to Durham Cathedral on November 18th to sing Evensong. This is always a special visit in one of the most beautiful and important cathedrals in the country and was well supported by parents, OPs and staff.

The choir sang the Evening canticles to a setting by Charles Wood, which allowed their sound to open out, with some exciting moments in the more dramatic passages. The psalm setting was more reflective with some descriptive text to communicate. The anthem ‘Great Lord of Lords’ by Richard Lloyd was an appropriate choice with the composer being a former Director of Music at the cathedral. This piece is written in quite a grand, ceremonial style which was well captured by the choir with some expansive and nicely shaped phrases.

This was a very successful service overall and received much praise from the Dean of Durham and the clergy present. We hope to return in two years’ time.

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Christmas Concerts This year’s Christmas Concerts had a great vibe to them, with over 175 pupils involved across the two evenings.

We experienced a very varied programme, with music spanning from the Renaissance era to some Wham and Mariah Carey classic tunes. We had warm and supportive audiences on both nights, who created a joyful atmosphere to begin the run up to Christmas.

Junior Music Festival Following the rounds, where we heard 80 performances, the final of the Junior Music Festival took place on May 20th. This was a very enjoyable event, with playing and singing of a very high standard. Our adjudicator was once again Professor Martin Suckling. He spoke warmly and positively about the quality of the performances and was very impressed. Congratulations to all the pupils who took part. The winners of the categories were as follows: Piano – Hannah Woodwind – Hannah Girls’ Singing (Classical) – Arina Girls’ Singing (Music Theatre) – Holly with Eliza highly commended

Strings – Pixie with Arthur highly commended Boys’ Singing (Classical) – Arthur Boys’ Singing (Music Theatre/Pop) – Richard Guitar – Josh Brass – Bea

The winner of the Junior Music Festival Prize for the outstanding performance of the evening went to Holly for her dramatic rendition of ‘As long as He Needs Me’ from Oliver!

Whole School Concert Our Whole School Concert in March was a spectacular celebration of music, unity, and talent.

From the angelic voices of our 2-8 Choir to the skill of the 8-13 Rock Band and the 13-18 Swing Band, every performance was a testament to each pupils' incredible dedication and passion.

The grand finale brought everyone together for a memorable mash-up of ‘Praise You / A Little Less Conversation’ and the classic ‘The Bare Necessities’. The energy was infectious, and the joy was shared by parents and pupils alike.

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Evensong in St Paul’s Cathedral The Chapel Choir travelled down to St Paul’s Cathedral, London to sing Evensong on March 10th. This is always a special visit, and the choir sang very well, with the unaccompanied anthem – Stainer’s ‘God So Loved the World’ – being a particular highlight.

Choral and Orchestral Concert Our annual Orchestral/Choral Concert in York Minster was a great occasion with over 180 pupils involved and a good audience of around 450. The Wind Band started the concert with the atmospheric ‘Dream Machine’ by Katherine Bergman involving a wide range of percussion and a glass harmonica! The Orchestra then accompanied Ed in a performance of Bruch’s famous Violin Concerto. Ed did a superb job with some beautiful tone colours and lyrical phrasing and the orchestra supported him brilliantly.

The concert finished with a dramatic performance of Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ involving our School Choir and Choral Society – a group of 220 singers! We were joined by a solo quartet featuring singers from York Minster Choir, Mr Rice and OP Ellie Miles-Kingston.

Senior Music Festival After many performances in the week before half term, the Senior Music Festival Final was a virtuosic display of our Fifth and Sixth Form musicians’ prowess. Our adjudicator was Professor Martin Suckling, Head of Music and Professor of Composition at the University of York.

Professor Suckling praised the way the finalists were able to communicate with the audience and congratulated all the performers on their expressive playing. The category winners were: Percussion – Joss Guitar – Danny Girl’s Singing: Musical Theatre – Mia Girl’s Singing: Classical – Sylvia Woodwind – Joint: Sam and Fred

Strings – Ethan Piano – Serene Boy’s Singing – Loïc Brass – Tom

The overall winner was Ethan, with a stunning performance of the 1st Movement of Bruch’s ‘Violin Concerto No. 1’.

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Cabaret The two Cabaret shows were once again spectacular, and are always a highlight of the year for our pupils and their parents. A welcome respite in the busyness of the last weeks of term, we were treated to solo and ensemble performances in many disciplines.

Our Upper Sixth Form soloists sang and played tremendously, and were backed up superbly by the Swing Band, Little Big Band, Chamber Choir, School Choir, Clarinet Choir, and Flute Choir. Our thanks to all the Upper Sixth musicians who have contributed to the musical life of St Peter’s, and for an entertaining final performance.

ABRSM Partner School Plaque St Peter's has recently been awarded as one of the ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) Partners. A plaque was presented

by Chief Examiner Andrew Dibb to our Music School staff and pupil representatives from a range of year groups.

The achievement recognises "institutions that have been recognized for their strong commitment to music education and their high standards in ABRSM exams".

St Peter's is grateful for this award and proud of all the talented musicians and staff for their ongoing music excellence!

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Key Moments

Sam Dickinson Returns to St Peter's In September, we were delighted to welcome back Old Peterite and British Triathlete Sam Dickinson (Manor, 2015) to talk to pupils of various ages.

The bronze-medal winning Olympian started the day with a lecture to the Sixth Form as part of the ‘St Peter’s and Beyond’ lecture series, aimed at inspiring pupils to think about their lives after school. The lecture, for which Sam was joined on stage by his old Manor Houseparent Mr Gwilliam, contained numerous useful messages, such as the importance of self-belief when faced by external pressures and negativity, and of resilience in the face of unexpected challenges. Sam’s journey from running the Beverley 10k at school, to attending Tokyo as a reserve triathlete, to finally winning an Olympic medal served as an inspiration to all pupils. Sam spoke about the impact that boarding at St Peter’s had on his life, allowing him to focus on his training, helping him develop organisational skills and forming life-long friendships which would accompany Sam all the way to Paris.

After this first lecture Sam was joined by our A-level PE students for an in-depth Q&A. The pupils asked Sam questions based on nutrition and how to fuel performance training, what a “rest” day looks like (Sam’s rest day is a 90minute run on a Sunday!), and what to do on the days that you feel unmotivated. Sam finished the session with a very inspiring message – to remember that if it was easy, everyone would do it. You have to work hard every day to achieve your goals, and if you’re struggling one day, do what you can, and remember that the next day is a new opportunity.

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After enjoying lunch in the new dining hall, Sam paid a visit to St Peter’s 2-8 where he explained to the Year 2 and Year 3 pupils what a triathlete did, what life was like at the Olympics, and highlighting the role of hard work in achieving one’s dreams. After this, the children got a chance to see Sam’s Olympic medal right up close!

The final visit of the day was a speech to St Peter’s 8-13. In front of a packed Shepherd Hall Sam told us some of the highlights of his path to Olympic glory, including his decision to pivot away from long distance running and the hard work he put in at school to improve all aspects of triathlon. In response to some insightful questions and observations he also spoke about the importance of setting personal goals, such as fulfilling your own potential, as opposed to those which are reliant on external factors.

Sam managed to inspire and advise all ages on his return to the school, and it was an absolute pleasure to welcome him back. Thank you Sam, and good luck with the next stage of your triathlon journey!

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Sport Physical Education at St Peter’s 2–8 At St Peter’s 2–8, our physical education programme is designed to nurture every child’s confidence and ability in movement, while instilling a lifelong enjoyment of being active. We provide a welcoming, inclusive environment where children can experiment with and develop a wide variety of skills.

In the early years, pupils engage in activities such as running, hopping, skipping, jumping, throwing, and catching, alongside coordination and balance games. These experiences build the core gross and fine motor skills that underpin all future sporting and physical activity. As children progress into Years 1 and 2, pupils are introduced to simple rules, techniques, and tactics across a wider range of sports and activities. Lessons encourage cooperation and teamwork, with opportunities to explore gymnastics, dance, athletics, and ball skills such as dribbling, striking, and passing. By the time pupils reach Year 3, the children refine their movement patterns and learn more advanced techniques, applying these to both individual and team sports. Activities also place greater emphasis on health, fitness, and wellbeing, supporting pupils to understand how exercise can contribute to a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

At every stage, physical education at St Peter’s 2–8 is about much more than learning skills. It is about giving every child the tools to enjoy sport, to connect with others, and to carry forward an active lifestyle that enriches their whole wellbeing.

Trophies Awarded 2024-25 year Our Athlete of the Year award goes to the child who has shone in PE and Sport all year round. Leading by example with their behaviour and acting as a role model to the rest of the children in their year group.

The Rita Resilience award goes to the child who we feel never gives up and works extremely hard to become the best version of themselves in all aspects of sport and PE. Our Fair Play/Sportspersonship award is given to the child who we feel has displayed excellent values throughout the year. From helping others, congratulating the opposition in defeat or cheering on their House.

Athlete of the Year

Rita Resilience

Fair Play

Reception

Teddy and Annie

Ava

Max

Year 1

Hugo and Aggie

Neve

Barnaby

Year 2

Rory and Mabel

Zacharia

Amelia

Year 3

Oscar and Clarabelle

Elizabeth

Xander

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Sport at St Peter’s 8-13 From thrilling tournaments and early morning fixtures to House competitions and national-level finals, the 2024–25 school year at St Peter’s 8–13 has been packed with sporting success and unforgettable experiences. The dedication and enthusiasm of our pupils and staff have been evident in every game, training session, and competition.

Christmas Term The year began with pupils across Year 4 to Year 6 enthusiastically taking to the field for their first matches of the term. Hockey and rugby dominated the schedule, with notable participation from Year 6s playing their inaugural U11 matches. Year 4 and Year 5 pupils focused on developing foundational skills, while swimming lessons also commenced—much to everyone’s excitement.

September and October saw pupils travel across Yorkshire for participation festivals, including the U9s rugby at Woodhouse Grove and U11 hockey at Bradford Grammar. These events proved crucial in developing tactical awareness, with players starting to grasp key principles such as spacing and positioning.

As the term progressed, pupils competed in several external matches. The NE Tournament at The Grammar School at Leeds challenged Year 6 hockey and rugby players, while girls participated in a festival at Oundle School, gaining valuable match experience. 67 Year 4 pupils proudly represented the school in one day, a logistical feat and a testament to their commitment.

The weather took a turn as winter approached, freezing pitches and prompting indoor adaptations.

Yet enthusiasm remained undimmed. The PE curriculum offered gymnastics, swimming, and dance, ensuring continued skill development across all classes.

Fixtures resumed with energy in late term. The U11s hosted GSAL and Terrington for a hockey festival, while rugby fixtures welcomed teams from Woodhouse Grove and QEGS Wakefield.

Aysgarth’s cross-country event pushed pupils to new limits, with Georgia and Oliver both finishing in the top six.

Easter Term The Easter term began in challenging conditions, with frozen courts requiring games lessons to shift focus to fitness and small-sided activities. However, things quickly picked up as the weather thawed.

The U13 boys kicked off with a stunning performance in their hockey cup, sweeping through regional qualifiers with dominant wins. Their success secured a spot in the Yorkshire round and ultimately led them to a remarkable 6th place at the national finals—St Peter’s highest-ever finish.

The U11 boys mirrored this success. At the IAPS in Edinburgh, they topped their group and narrowly lost in the final, qualifying for nationals in Suffolk. Meanwhile, the U13 netball teams also shone.

The A team finished 3rd at the IAPS, with standout performances from Romilly, who was named Player of the Tournament, and two U12s who stepped up impressively.

Throughout the term, netball at all levels flourished. The U13A team maintained an outstanding win record, claiming the York and District title while scoring 87 goals and conceding just five. Other year groups enjoyed block fixtures against Dame Allan’s, Cundall Manor, and Scarborough, showcasing development in positioning, shooting accuracy, and tactical awareness.

The U11 girls made their mark too, performing admirably in challenging conditions at the Hymers tournament and in their IAPS appearance. Their camaraderie and team spirit were a constant highlight, with close games including a dramatic 1-1 draw between our own A and B teams!

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Swimming saw some of the most impressive results of the year. At the North East Junior Schools competition, all six U9– U11 teams reached the podium, with multiple records shattered by Bertie, Hannah, Olivia A, and Olivia M. The U10 girls even retained their title as champions.

St Peter’s athletes showed their versatility in multiple disciplines. Pupils competed in the York Schools Cross Country, Terrington Hall’s muddy trails, and national-level events like the British Schools Judo Championships and the WKKC Nationals in martial arts.

Special mentions go to Lizzie (Year 6) for representing St Peter’s in Judo, and to Andrey for achieving his 1st Dan black belt in MMA and qualifying for the WKKC finals. Their dedication and discipline are inspiring.

From matches against Hill House, QEGS Wakefield, and Pocklington to national tournaments, hockey remained a pillar of our sporting calendar. The U13s' journey to the IAPS finals was historic. Victories over Cargilfield, Aysgarth, and Strathallan were hard-earned, and the squad of Arthur, Jesse, Ted, and others displayed skill, determination, and resilience throughout.

The U12s also impressed, finishing 5th at the North Finals in Chester after a strong Yorkshire championship showing. Joe M’s heroics in goal, including an acrobatic stick pass that led to a goal, became one of the season’s most memorable moments.

The Warwick U11 rugby tour proved a valuable experience, where boys battled tough conditions and stronger teams to gain confidence and skills. The U10s and U11s also impressed in matches against Ashville, Bootham, and Yarm, making clear the strength in depth of St Peter’s hockey and netball programmes.

The term ended with a sense of pride and reflection. Whether it was cross country medals, netball tournament wins, or hockey final appearances, every pupil had an opportunity to shine. Participation, progress, and positivity were at the heart of it all.

Summer Term The second half of the summer term has been a celebration of sport, resilience, and remarkable achievements across St Peter’s 8–13. Glorious weather allowed uninterrupted fixtures and inspired pupils to excel in a wide array of competitions.

Our swimmers made history at the IAPS and ESSA National Finals in London, competing at the Olympic Aquatic Centre. The U11 girls' team were crowned national champions at both events—an unprecedented double victory—while the boys finished 4th at ESSA. Across all age groups, swimmers delivered exceptional performances, with numerous top 10 finishes and medals including a gold and silver in butterfly events.

On the cricket field, U13 boys advanced to the semi-finals of the prestigious Bunbury Cup, showcasing outstanding partnerships. The U13 girls and U12 Super8s teams also delivered excellent performances. Meanwhile, Year 4 to Year 6 pupils enjoyed exciting fixtures and festivals, including the inaugural U9 Tennis Festival and inter-House competitions.

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Tennis fixtures against Ashville and participation in the U13 IAPS Finals brought further success. The term concluded with St Peter’s hosting the Northeast Girls’ Cricket Competition, reflecting the growing strength of girls’ sport at St Peter’s.

This vibrant term was defined by team spirit, skill development, and unforgettable memories—an inspiring end to a superb sporting year.

Netball

The 2025 netball season was a remarkable success, with participation at an all-time high.

Over 72 senior girls consistently competed across the 1st to 5th teams, while many more enjoyed the dynamic and competitive atmosphere of the intramural league. Additionally, more than 63 junior girls from the A-C teams actively competed each week, contributing to a truly vibrant season. This year was particularly exceptional in the National Schools competitions. Both the U14s and U19s made it to the Regional Finals, with the U19s finishing a commendable 3rd place, just one spot shy of the National Finals. The U14s also performed admirably, securing 5th place with every match being decided by a narrow margin of one or two goals.

It was an unforgettable season for the 1st Team. At the heart of their success was unity. The strong connections formed within the team went beyond the netball court, building lasting trust and showing that true success was driven by solidarity, not just individual talent.

Together, they proved that when they combined, there were no limits to what they could achieve. The training environment was fuelled by positivity, intrinsic motivation and a commitment to support each other, pushing to exceed limits and embrace challenges. With a remarkable 16-game winning streak, 726 goals scored, and an unbeaten season for the third year in a row, they set the bar higher than ever. Their historic journey in the ‘Sister n Sport’ National Cup and the two wins over Sedbergh highlighted the pinnacle of their success.

The 2nd team equally excelled this season, powered by a strong commitment to boosting their understanding of the game. They responded brilliantly to feedback, adapting their tactical awareness on the court in real-time. Their flawless 12-game unbeaten streak, coupled with an impressive 428 goals scored, highlighted their outstanding success. Their defining moment came in the thrilling match against Sedbergh, where, trailing by four goals at halftime, they demonstrated incredible tenacity. With a solid defence and swift transitions, they capitalised on interceptions and turned mistakes into goals, clinching a one-goal victory in the final seconds.

Saying we were proud of the 3rd team this season only began to capture the extent of their achievements. They went head-to-head with numerous 1st teams, not only holding their own but securing victories along the way. With just one loss all season, they showed exceptional perseverance. The strong leadership on court was pivotal in guiding the team and instilling the confidence needed to make crucial decisions in high-pressure moments.

The 4th team set a remarkable record for the least number of goals conceded all season, allowing only 45 goals against them. This achievement highlighted their exceptional defensive play. Losing only one match all season was a testament to their strength, with the Bootham game offering a valuable opportunity to refine strategies and strengthen team connections. What truly set them apart, however, was their positive mindset, high morale and optimism, all of which played a key role in keeping the team motivated, even in the face of adversity.

This year, we were proud to facilitate fixtures for the 5th team. They fostered a culture where every player was committed to achieving success through consistent effort and dedication. Whether playing in the intramural league during off weeks or stepping up to play with higher-level teams, their keenness remained unwavering.

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Girls’ Hockey It has been a brilliant term for hockey this academic year. We have had 148 girls choose hockey as their major sport this term!

The 4th team only lost 1 game all year to touring side St Gregory’s. The senior 3rd team also enjoyed plenty of competitive games this term, the highlight being their 7-1 against local rivals Ashville.

The 2nd team had a successful season, gaining wins against RGS, Hill House, Stonyhurst & Kirkham Grammar. They did particularly well to beat Kirkham Grammar (a tier one school), who went 1-0 ahead early and they showed brilliant resilience to keep creating chances and take home the 2-1 victory.

The girl’s 1st team have enjoyed a second successive unbeaten season in their regular fixtures; playing and beating several Tier one schools: Kirkham Grammar, Sedbergh School, & RGS Newcastle. The girls also made it to the last 16 of the England Hockey Tier two cup – only loosing out in heart-breaking fashion to Yarm on penalty shuffles.

St Peter’s 1st team beat Uppingham 3-0. In addition, they played against York University 1st/2nd team and won 3-0.

Overall, the 1st team girls scored 36 goals in the season – our top goal scorer was Saffron; however, goals came from all over the field, Eleanor being a short corner threat, Hatty, Cora, Alice, Olivia, Amber, Orla & Helena all getting on the scoresheet at various points in the season. This demonstrates what an outstanding team these girls are, not relying on one player to covert all the chances – instead adhering to clear principles and occupying the right spaces.

In only the second time in the school’s history we took our U16 & U18 indoor teams to the regional rounds hosted in Bradford. We have added indoor hockey to the curriculum which the girls have been working hard at before school indoor sessions to ensure we can build upon our 6th place finish last season.

Our U16s making the final against GSAL and finishing runners up at the regionals, narrowly missed out on national finals. Shoutout to Bea for taking St Peter’s through to the final with an exceptional diving save in the penalty shootout. The U18s also finished 3rd in the region, only loosing one game all day.

Boys’ Hockey It has been a brilliant term for hockey this academic year. We have had 138 boys choose hockey as their major sport this term and 52 boys elected for hockey at seniors – which meant we were able to regularly field three competitive boys’ senior sides.

The senior 3rd team boys team played 14 fixtures this season – team highlights included beating Hymers 2nd team & Barnard Castle 2nd team. The senior 2nd team boys played 15 fixtures – highlights included a hard fought 1-0 win against Barnard Castle 1st team and a 2-2 draw against Hymers 1st XI. The senior 1st team boys played 15 fixtures this year; scoring 37 goals in all games. It is testament to the strength of the squad that the 37 goals were spread across the team: Monty, Gabs, Oliver, James MB, Nathaniel and Wills all contributing to the overall goal tally. Joe made a particularly good contribution this season, scoring nine goals in total.

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The boys entered the Tier two of the England Hockey cup and were drawn in the first round away to Scarborough College – a performance of true St Peter’s grit, determination and resilience saw the team see out the 1-0 win and progress to the next round. In the next round we faced Ampleforth at home, and unfortunately Ampleforth came out 4-3 winners. The season included some impressive results against former Tier one boys’ sides: namely a 2-2 draw with Nottingham High School and a 3-2 win against Rossall School.

For the first time in our history, we entered a boys U16 indoor team to the regional rounds hosted in Bradford. The boys competed in every game and were victorious against Bradford & GSAL – just losing out to Scarborough College who went on to qualify for national finals. This puts our them third in the region, a fantastic achievement for our first time entering the competition.

The U15A played seven fixtures this term and only lost one away to Nottingham High School. This group of boys have an exciting potential and we are looking forward to them moving up to senior hockey. They were recently crowned Yorkshire U15 champions, not conceding a goal all day – thanks to the debut season of Will in goal – and scored nine goals.

Due to the high numbers of junior boys who opted to play hockey full time, an absolute priority of the programme was to ensure an enriching experience for all.

Our U15B team played an impressive seven fixtures and entered the Tier three U16 cup competition for the first time in St Peter’s history. The boys have done brilliantly playing other schools A team’s week in – week out; drawing to Tadcaster Grammar & Hymers College A team.

The U14A only lost one game in their regular season – away to Scarborough in the final week. The toughest team the boys played all year was the new fixture card of Nottingham High School, in a game where the boys spent long periods without possession, it was essential they took their chances in front of goal – Theo scored a notable hattrick to see St Peter’s edge the tight game 3-2.

The U13s had a successful season with over 60 boys playing hockey – we had brilliant depth in skill level and talent. The U13A achieved 2 national finals, other notable full block victories (across B to D) were against Pocklington, Scarborough College & Hill House. The U12s made lots of progress across the season – the A team achieving notable victories against Worksop & Hill House – they also finished 5th in the North region hosted in Manchester. The Bs, Cs & Ds, achieved wins against RGS and Worksop – all the boys enjoyed fixtures!

A Message from Ms Horsfield I would like to take this opportunity to thank the departing Upper Sixth for their outstanding contribution to the St Peter’s hockey programme: Helena, Olivia, Iona, Beatrice, Polly, Hatty, Wills, Callum, Riley, John, Gabs, Monty, Nathaniel & Fraser.

Thank you for your continued commitment to the school hockey programme and wish you all the best for pastures after St Peter’s. Hopefully we will welcome many of you back to play in the traditional OP matches in September.

In addition, a massive thank you to all staff who make the hockey programme possible – we are the largest girls’ programme in the North & the Midlands and one of the largest nationwide. This is testament to both the commitment and dedication of our pupils, but also the echoed dedication of our members of staff working tirelessly before school, after school, Saturdays and regular games sessions.

Individual hockey accolades and special mentions go to: Rohan, Alf, Sam and Ollie who are all part of Durham Talent Academy; Ethan & Alice are also valued players at the Yorkshire Talent Academy. Many of our girls play a high standard of women’s hockey outside of school which is brilliant to see, and a special mention should go to Cora, who competes in the National League Division 1 (second highest division in the country for women’s hockey) with Wakefield HC. 2024-25 The Peterite 59

2024-2025 Rugby First XV

1887-88 Rugby First XV

150 Years of Rugby at St Peter’s: A Season to Remember The 2024/25 season will live long in the memory of everyone connected to St Peter’s. As one of the oldest rugby-playing schools in the North of England and the country, we marked the 150th anniversary of rugby at St Peter’s with a campaign that was rich in history, passion, and performance. From the youngest age groups pulling on the brown and white stripes for the first time to the 1st XV competing in some of the toughest fixtures in the country, the season was about more than just results. It was a celebration of identity, resilience, and community.

Every squad contributed to the story. There were last-minute tries, heroic defensive efforts, and moments of individual brilliance, but above all, there was teamwork. Each match told its own story, and every player who stepped onto the pitch did so with the determination to represent St Peter’s with pride.

1st XV Led by captain Archie, the 1st XV set the tone for the anniversary season with ambition and commitment. The early fixtures brought a string of excellent results: a 38–15 victory against RGS Newcastle, a resounding 69–25 triumph over Hartlepool Sixth Form in the opening round of the National Cup, and a 45–29 win against Stonyhurst. This run of success reflected both the flair and the physicality that defined the team’s style. There were narrow defeats along the way, including a 12–13 reverse against QEGS Wakefield, but the squad always responded with resilience. Their determination showed in the National Cup, where they beat Harrogate Grammar 27–19 in a fiercely contested tie. Against Sedbergh, perhaps the toughest opposition on the calendar, St Peter’s produced one of the most entertaining matches of the season, scoring 33 points – the most Sedbergh conceded all year – even if the final score read 33–66.

One of the great highlights came in a 48–30 victory against Lancaster RGS, with Aiden crossing the whitewash five times in a single game. The Cup fixture against Durham was equally dramatic, ending in a 28–28 draw, with Durham advancing only by away advantage. After half term, there were further classics: a thrilling 31–31 draw away at Barnard Castle, and a 24–21 home win against GSAL, a particularly fitting fixture as they were our first opponents 150 years ago. Later defeats to Woodhouse Grove and a cancellation against Pocklington did little to dampen spirits. This was a season in which leadership developed, younger players grew into their roles, and the team demonstrated unity and belief. The attacking play was dynamic, the defence resilient, and the pride in representing St Peter’s unmistakable.

2nd XV The 2nd XV also enjoyed a spirited campaign, combining early momentum with sustained progress. Convincing wins against RGS Newcastle (41–7) and Stonyhurst (22–21) gave the squad confidence, while later successes against Lancaster RGS (20–15) and Durham (36–19) highlighted their ability to adapt under pressure. The real strength of the 2nd XV was its depth. Players stepped up from lower year groups, filling new positions when needed, and gaining valuable experience.

This flexibility provided a clear pathway into 1st XV rugby, with many squad members laying foundations for future senior success.

3rd XV Few sides played with as much heart as the 3rd XV, who enjoyed a season packed with memorable moments. A 20–19 victory against Sedbergh’s U18E side was a particular highlight, alongside a 45–34 win over Lancaster RGS and a commanding 36–5 triumph against Ampleforth. A dramatic 34–34 draw with Yarm further underlined their attacking flair and fighting spirit. The 3rd XV once again proved vital to the rugby programme, providing opportunities for players to develop their skills and contribute to the culture of rugby at St Peter’s.

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U16 The U16s stood out as one of the most exciting squads in the school. Their season began with a dominant run, including a 36–0 win at RGS Newcastle and a 22–0 victory over Stonyhurst. They also beat QEGS Wakefield, Prince Henry’s Grammar, and Lancaster RGS with authority, establishing themselves as a disciplined, powerful side.

A narrow 31–38 defeat to Sedbergh showed they could compete at the very highest level, and victories against Barnard Castle, Woodhouse Grove, and Dame Allan’s in the National Cup (32–27) demonstrated both resilience and ambition.

The Cup run took them to the fifth round, where they fell to Stamford 12–19. Their defensive organisation, physicality in the forwards, and creativity in attack all stood out.

U15 The U15s also enjoyed a season of progress and resilience. Their standout results included a 54–7 win over Stonyhurst, a thrilling 25–24 away victory at Sedbergh, and a 64–22 demolition of Harrogate Grammar in the National Bowl Quarter Final. They also put in an excellent performance to beat GSAL38–7. Although they faced setbacks against tough opposition, the squad never lost their determination. Each fixture provided valuable lessons, and the players demonstrated consistent spirit and commitment.

U14 The U14s enjoyed a remarkable season, cementing their reputation as one of the most talented year groups in the school.

From the opening games, they showed their class, with emphatic victories such as 50–0 against RGS Newcastle, 55–5 over Stonyhurst, and 47–5 against Lancaster RGS. They combined attacking flair with defensive discipline, recording further convincing wins against QEGS Wakefield, Barnard Castle, and GSAL. Their National Cup campaign was the pinnacle of the season. Successive victories over Harrogate Grammar, Woodhouse Grove, Wirral Grammar (26–24 in a tense Quarter Final), and Warwick School (40–26 in the Semi Final) took them all the way to the National Cup Final. There, they fell narrowly 14–15 to Whitgift in a contest worthy of the occasion.

Though disappointed not to lift the trophy, their achievement in reaching the final demonstrated the group’s talent, commitment, and resilience.

Rugby Sevens The Sevens season added another layer of excitement. The 1st VII impressed at the North of England 7s, reaching the Trophy Final and finishing as runners-up to Sedbergh. They continued their strong form at Ampleforth and Hymers, collecting silverware, before delivering an outstanding performance at Rosslyn Park, where they reached the Vase Quarter Final, finishing in the top eight nationally from over 250 schools.

The U16 VII also headed to Rosslyn Park, though their run ended in the Elimination Round against Clifton College. The U15 VII developed their tactical awareness and skills across tournaments which gave them valuable exposure to the hightempo format and prepared them well for the step up to U16 and senior rugby.

The U14 VII faced a unique challenge, with their XV success limiting preparation time, but they shone at Rosslyn Park.

They won the Plate Final, beating Torquay Boys’ Grammar in style and showing resilience, adaptability, and flair.

A Season of Celebration The 2024/25 season was about much more than results. It was about celebrating 150 years of rugby at St Peter’s, honouring the generations who have worn the brown and white stripes, and inspiring the next. The players, from U14 to 1st XV, demonstrated the values that define rugby at our school: courage, discipline, teamwork, and pride.

With so many successes across age groups, representative honours, and unforgettable memories, the future of St Peter’s rugby is brighter than ever.

Representative Honours

The strength of rugby at St Peter’s was also evident in representative recognition. These honours reflect not only the ability of the individuals but also the strength of the school programme that nurtures them.

Yorkshire Rugby Academy U18 League Squad: Anesu, Aiden Lambs U18: Archie Yorkshire RFU U17: George Yorkshire Rugby Academy U16 Core Development: Colm, Zach, Rory, Ben Yorkshire Rugby Academy U16 Extended Development: Will I, Raphael Yorkshire Rugby Academy U15 Development: Sam B, Tommy S, Teddie T 2024-25 The Peterite 61

Cricket The 2025 cricket season at St Peter’s was a celebration of continued growth, achievement, and unforgettable moments across all age groups. In a summer that saw only one game lost to rain – something of a record – cricket flourished at every level. From the youngest players discovering the joy of the game to our senior squads competing nationally, St Peter’s continues to build a proud tradition of sporting excellence and development. Our youngest cricketers (U9) took their first steps into the game with energy and enthusiasm. Weekly training focused on the basics of batting, bowling, fielding, and teamwork, always underpinned by fun. Inclusive fixtures and mini-festivals gave every player the chance to shine, nurturing a genuine passion for cricket that will carry them forward. The U10s built on their strong foundations with impressive progress in cricket awareness and technical skills. Fielding and catching were a major focus, and their infectious team spirit shone through.

Transitioning to hard-ball cricket is a challenge, but the U11s embraced it wholeheartedly. Their season was one of development and determination, with technical improvements matched by a growing understanding of the game. With several players showing real promise, the step into U12 cricket is set to be an exciting one. For the U12s, the season was about refinement and steady growth.

Players worked hard to improve their bowling actions and batting technique, and the annual Super8s Festivals provided both challenge and enjoyment. These experiences will serve them well as they progress into the U13s. The U13s enjoyed a season to remember. The boys’ squad were crowned North of England Champions and reached the David English National Semi-Final, finishing among the top four school teams in the country. Meanwhile, the girls made excellent progress in their indoor Cup and summer competitions, gaining invaluable match experience. Both groups demonstrated leadership, teamwork, and potential that promises an exciting future. A season of balance and quality saw the U14 boys’ and girls’ teams mirror each other’s development. Both squads impressed with disciplined bowling, aggressive intent with the bat, and a fiercely competitive edge, making them formidable opponents throughout the summer.

At senior level, leadership and high standards were at the heart of the season. The 1st XI boys backed up their stellar 2024 campaign with another impressive record: 27 matches played, 20 wins, and 7 losses. They reached the National T20 Semi-Finals, finishing among the top four nationally once again, bowing out to eventual champions Rugby School.

The girls’ 1st XI also enjoyed a season of promise, with a wave of talented young players who played with pride and passion. This summer laid the foundations for what promises to be an exciting era in St Peter’s girls’ cricket.

The 2025 season reaffirmed St Peter’s as a school where cricketing talent is nurtured and performance thrives. With expert coaching, dedicated players, and supportive families, the future is shining brightly for every age group.

Season Highlights

U18 Boys National T20 Semi-Finalists U13 Boys National Semi-Finalists Over 20 players (boys and girls) selected for National, Regional, and County honours Record participation in the winter programme, with high numbers at early morning sessions and in 1:1 coaching Introduction of state-of-the-art eye-tracking and visual training for senior squads Expanded support in performance confidence and mindset coaching Bowlers benefitting from an ECB-backed biomechanical assessment programme, supporting injury prevention and performance

Individual honours included:

Wills B awarded a Rookie Professional Contract with Yorkshire CCC, representing England U19s against India, Ireland, and Bangladesh. Highlights included a century against India U19s, a double hundred for Yorkshire 2nd XI, and a 1st Class debut against Kent. Wills has also been nominated for Wisden Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2025.

Alex J earned a Yorkshire Academy spot and scored a remarkable 1,123 runs this summer, making him one of Wisden’s Top 3 schoolboy run scorers of 2025.

Wills(135*) and Alex J (105*) set a National Schools Record with an unbroken 222-run T20 partnership, confirming the pair as one of the most formidable batting duos in school cricket.

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Football The Senior Football squad had a busy and successful year, with great strides being made in their organisation. With it being an Upper Sixth only option, fixtures have been tough with many schools we played having far more experience than us. However, in many games it would have been difficult to notice the gap in experience as both 1st and 2nd teams played with impressive ability.

Both teams grew in confidence throughout the year and came away with some good wins against strong opposition, the First team defeating Tranby 1-0 at home being the highlight of the season. Further wins followed for both sides against Ampleforth, along with a Second XI win away at Barnard Castle. We also competed strongly at our yearly ‘Roko’ 6 a side tournament, with all 3 teams picking up victories against strong opposition.

Many of the boys in the First team squad have completed two years in the team and have given great service to the programme. Special thanks to captain Barnie B, who led the side by example with a great work ethic, along with Cam and Max whose skill and effort secured several positive results. Alfie was a diligent and brave goalkeeper who regularly went above and beyond for the team.

Rowing The Boat Club has continued to grow in numbers – over 100 pupils row regularly during the year, representing the school mostly at local or regional events. In addition, over 50 Year 8s dipped their toes in the water during the summer term. The 62 event wins have been spread right across the year groups.

The Fourth Form boys and girls gained valuable racing experience we were able to boat two boys’ and a girls’ quad at the National Schools.

Simultaneous to this commitment to widening the number of those experiencing rowing has been the continued exploration of the requirements needed for serious participation in National level events and beyond.

The Senior rowers have steadily increased their training standards to improve our results. Seven pupils represented Yorkshire at the Interregional regatta. Individual highlights include Tristan taking part in the GB U19 trials system, ending up 40th overall in the sculling, William winning Under 16 singles and Andrew gaining a silver medal in U18 singles at the Junior Sculling Regatta and was also the second fastest U19 at the Olympic Performance Pathway Regatta, while Alexa impressively won the National Schools D final in atrocious conditions and qualified for the Henley Women’s Regatta. The cancellation of all the last day’s events at the National Schools Regatta was frustrating for our crew boats, but the Senior boys’ Eight finished the year well by qualifying for Henley Royal Regatta for the first time since 2012.

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Tennis U14 This year’s U14 group brought energy, enthusiasm, and teamwork to every match and training session. They enjoyed excellent fixtures against Ampleforth, Sedbergh, and Queen Margaret’s, with the girls also impressing at the Junior Girls Festival, finishing in fourth place. A smaller but determined group of U14 boys trained alongside the U15 boys, showing real progress and recording wins against Ampleforth and GSAL. Congratulations to Jake, who won the U14 Road to Wimbledon competition – a fantastic achievement to round off a great season.

U15 Girls The U15 girls showed great depth and enthusiasm this year, with many keen players vying for team places. Both A and B teams performed superbly, finishing third in their LTA divisions and gaining valuable match experience. The A team also secured a fine win over BGS and placed third in the Junior Tennis Festival. At the ISTA Championships at Eton, Abby, Charlotte, Amelie, and Emily worked tirelessly in challenging conditions, earning wins over strong schools including The Leys, Loughborough, and Wycombe Abbey – an excellent effort from a talented group.

U15 Boys The U15 boys had an outstanding season, full of enthusiasm and improvement. Both A and B teams competed strongly, with fine victories against Sedbergh and Bradford. The A team’s consistent performances earned them the title of LTA Division winners, qualifying for the Regional Finals this winter. At the ISTA tournament, George, Sam, Max, and Josh represented St Peter’s with distinction, gaining valuable experience against leading schools such as Repton, Warwick, and Radley – a promising sign for the future.

Senior Girls The Senior Girls enjoyed a busy and successful season, competing in the National Cup, Senior Students competition, and our own Senior Festival. St Peter’s performed brilliantly to retain the Senior Festival trophy and notched impressive wins against Sedbergh, Queen Margaret’s, Ampleforth, Ashville, Worksop, and Scarborough College.

At Eton, Millie, Lottie, Pippa, and Sophie all reached the knockout stages, achieving outstanding results against top national schools – a fitting reward for their hard work and dedication.

Senior Boys The Senior Boys’ teams had a strong season, with excellent results across both first and second teams. The A team recorded fine wins over Ampleforth and narrowly lost to Sedbergh, while the B team dropped just one match all year. Friendly fixtures with York TC added to an enjoyable term of tennis. At Eton, Rob, Oscar, Tom, and Olly played superbly, earning victories over Collegiate and RGS Newcastle before a close quarterfinal loss to Westminster. Their commitment and team spirit were outstanding throughout an excellent campaign.

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School Singles Competitions Our school singles competitions once again showcased the high standard of tennis at St Peter’s. Millie won the Shepherd Cup and Rob claimed the Alcuin Cup, both earning the honour of serving as next year’s tennis captains. Their success reflects the growing strength and enthusiasm within our tennis programme.

Squash Highlights Squash continues to thrive at St Peter’s School. Sessions are offered to all pupils from Year 8 to Upper Sixth. All sessions are well attended with a mix of pupils from the school. In all sessions the pupils worked tirelessly to improve with great enthusiasm.

The first team of Arthur, Alex, Alva, John, Will and Sam once again played in the England Squash National Schools event. The first round at Skelmenthorpe Squash Club could not have been tougher. We had an injury and illness hit the first team squad and we had been drawn against three strong schools, who had national and county players playing for them. We competed very well and then progressed to stage two, which we hosted at York Squash Club.

Here, we finished in third place, missing a place at the National finals by a few points. Very well done to all who played these matches.

Girls, boys and and mixed school squash tournaments were played throughout the year during the weekly sessions.

The overall winners were, for the boys Alex, for the girls Jennifer and for the mixed event, Alex again.

The winner of the Metcalf cup was Jennifer, who showed dedication, hard work, and commitment throughout the whole school year.

Individual achievements outside of school Swimming Zach F, Charles T, Callum A and Eloise H all qualified to swim at the British National Swimming Finals Tennis Georgia V Played for Yorkshire U9s in the county cup Rugby Ollie S played for Yorkshire County U18s Netball Rosie S U17s Leeds Rhinos NPL Millie F U17s Leeds Rhinos PDP Trampolining Elliotte S- GB Trampolining Cricket Ella D, Jasmine P, Ollie W, Rayyan A, Reuben McB, Sophia H-S & Wills B all selected for the Yorkshire Cricket Academy Athletics Sophia Horsfall-Samb won silver in the Under 15 England Indoor Pentathlon Championships and bronze in the Under 16 England Long Throws Championships Olivia won gold in the National Schools Biathlon winning new PB records for running and swim times.

Congratulations to Wills, for a standout school cricketing career.

Wills has earnt a Yorkshire County Cricket Club rookie contract and England Young Lions honours, building a reputation for prolific run-scoring, big-match performances and leadership that mark him as one of England’s most exciting young cricketing prospects. We are excited to follow his next steps.

Read more about Wills’ story

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Sports Tour to South Africa

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Tour in South Africa was great because it allowed me to see another part of the world with a different culture. My favourite part apart from the rugby was visiting the township.

Zach

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I thought the tour was the best school trip that I have been on. My favourite part was going to the Winnie Mabaso Foundation and engaging with the young children.

Seb

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The tour gave me a taste of a fascinating culture and gave me a chance to improve my netball and hockey skills with competitive teams.

Bea

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Tour was a great opportunity to experience different cultures and socialise with people we may not have done before. My favourite moment was when we visited the Winnie Mabaso Foundation and had the chance to spend time with the children.

Izzy

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I loved being immersed in the culture, bringing the team closer as group. My favourite moment of the tour was being hosted by the Namibian Schools and the atmosphere they brought. Rob

I thought the tour was not only an amazing time which I spent with my friends but also such an eye opening experience. I loved interacting with all the different people from all the different schools! My highlight was definitely going to the Winnie Mabaso Foundation, to interact with the children and learn new dances and sewing skills, it is such a happy memory! Olivia

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I really enjoyed the tour and it was really exciting to get to see all the animals like the penguins and the monkeys that tried to break into our room. I think my favourite part was getting to talk to all the players after the matches and learning about their food and culture directly from them. I even learnt some of the language. Eleanor

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

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St Peter’s Interests We nurture the passions, individual interests and curiosity of pupils through the academic curriculum and over 80 different club and activity options, as well as regular school trips for all year groups.

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Key Moments

Holiday CampsAll-Year Round For the first year, St Peter’s was thrilled to offer year-round holiday provision for children from Nursery to Year 8 which includes multi activity adventure camps, sports camps and a range of specialist offerings including performing arts (Star Academy) and STEM. The programme is delivered in partnership with United Education to provide an exciting and varied experience for our children, and ensure that parents have childcare where needed throughout the holidays.

To find out more about our camp provision scan the QR code

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School Council The new school year saw a fresh group of pupils chosen each term to represent their peers at St Peter’s 2-8. They were very involved in advocating for their fellow pupils and helping make positive changes, such as new playground equipment.

In the christmas term, pupils in the 2-8 Student Council had a special tour of 'The Lodge' and got a sneak peek at how the school operates behind the scenes!

Mrs Desport, Chief Operations Officer, greeted the group and answered questions about all the moving parts that are necessary to run St Peter's. Mr Hopwood from the Facilities team also demonstrated how the school is kept safe with our CCTV cameras. After, pupils asked the team how they would respond to different security situations, and pupils said they felt safe knowing someone is always keeping an eye on the school. Student Council also met with Mrs Johnson, our Director of Finance, to learn about how the school handles money. They were especially fascinated by the money counters and safe, and were able to try their hand at weighing coins themselves. It was an excellent opportunity to meet some of the people responsible for looking after the school, then sharing what they learned with their classmates.

The School Council also went to visit Mrs Hall from St Peter’s Senior School to learn about the recycling and environmental efforts being made across the school. Pupils learned about where the rubbish goes and why it is important to sort things like compost separately to give nourishment to plants as well. They also learned about different bird feeders and helped Mrs Hall hang some seeds to help take care of our local wildlife.

In the summer term our School Councillors talked about the importance of keeping our environment free of litter and how to deal with our rubbish correctly both in and out of school to look after our world. They used litter pickers borrowed from 13-18 Eco Club to check the school grounds, and were amazed how much litter they found and collected.

They also had the idea to plant a new wildflower area on some unused land near the new temporary classrooms. School Council also made signs to protect the seedlings, and when they visited they were delighted to see the flowers had started to grow. By the end of term there was a colourful display of flowers which will continue to bloom and provide a habitat for bees and insects for many years to come.

This year was Miss Franey’s last year at St Peter’s, and she leaves a lasting legacy of inspired children ready to make improvements to their community for the benefit of the environment. Thank you Miss Franey!

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Mini Dukes This year was the launch of the Mini Dukes challenge in 2-8, to complement the Junior and Senior Dukes Awards and Duke of Edinburgh programmes.

Over the term Year 2 and Year 3 pupils participated in activities which helped build important life skills, all the while recording it diligently in their booklets. They had a car wash for their Domestic Challenge, built bug hotels for 'Our Future', helped in the Nursery garden for their Eco Challenge and so much more. At the end of each term, the participating pupils received recognition for their hard work at the Celebration Assemblies.

Junior and Senior Dukes Awards The Junior Duke Award is a life skills award for children and it helps you to become: More independent More confident in your abilities More resilient; when working through the challenges in the Junior Duke, you are likely to fail a few times before you succeed.

At the start of the Christmas term we were pleased to give out two Silver Senior Duke awards to Grayson and Daniel in Year 8. Both boys had worked incredibly hard including completing challenges through the summer break to finish off their tasks.

In March, Bertie in Year 4 was the first person this year to complete the required 10 tasks of the Junior Duke Challenge and was delighted in being awarded his Silver badge and certificate. Huge congratulations to Bertie for his wonderful enthusiasm and determination in his challenges. Bertie's journal was so fabulously completed that he has also been awarded a special Certificate of Merit to recognise this.

Bertie said, 'The challenges were all lots of fun, especially the task on eggs, as the French toast I made was delicious!'.

Duke of Edinburgh The Duke of Edinburgh Award continues to be a highlight of the year, offering pupils the opportunity to challenge themselves and build resilience in the great outdoors.

During the summer term, the Third Form completed their Bronze Award with a two-day expedition navigating the North York Moors National Park. The Fourth Form followed with their Silver practice expedition, also in the Moors, refining their navigation and teamwork skills. Meanwhile, Fifth and Sixth Form pupils undertaking the Gold Award embarked on a four-day adventure, confidently tackling their final expedition after months of preparation and practice.

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Year 1 visit to Go Ape Year 1 pupils went on an exciting trip to ‘Go Ape’ in Dalby Forest before Easter. It was a day full of adventure, where pupils gained confidence by bravely zip lining and tackling the high ropes course.

It was the first time Year 1 has been on a trip of this scale, and it was a resounding success for the pupils, staff, and parent volunteers who all climbed to new heights.

Year 3 visit to London Year 3 enjoyed their educational trip to London. They travelled on the train from York Station to Kings Cross, then walked across London to a dance studio where they had a workshop on ‘The Lion King’. The children worked in small animal groups to create a set piece using dance and actions which they performed at the end of the workshop. It was an excellent workshop.

They then walked to Regents Park to eat lunch and from there to watch ‘The Lion King’ performed at the Lyceum.

Before returning home, they stopped for delicious pizza at a restaurant in Kings Cross before catching the train back to York.

Year 3 Residential at Newby Wiske It was a pleasure taking Year 3 away to Newby Wiske in summer term. They got their harnesses on and bravely tackled obstacles and ropes courses, and the sun was brightly shining, making for a beautiful day out. The children made the teachers really proud displaying all of our school values and achieving so much, often pushing themselves out of their comfort zones.

Year 2 trip to Bridlington Year 2 had a fantastic day at the beach in June. They made some incredible Mayan temples, using materials they found on the beach to further enhance their recent learning. After lunch they cooled off by splashing in the sea and finished the day off with an ice cream.

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Eco Club Pumpkins The Eco Club were successful in harvesting a beautiful crop of pumpkins in time for Halloween. The pupils then decorated the pumpkins to make spooky decorations which they put on display in the Naylor Hall to get everyone in the autumn spirit.

Reception Trip to Birds of Prey Centre Reception pupils experienced their first coach trip to the Huby Birds of Prey Centre. The children were very excited to hold different birds including owls and a kestrel, and learn about their different hunting styles, anatomy and habitats. One pupil said "my favourite part was holding Honey the owl", and another said "my favourite part was the picnic lunch!"

Year 3 Flamborough Lighthouse Visit Year 3 particularly enjoyed their visit to Flamborough in September. They listened to a talk in the Living Seas Centre about rock pool safety, how to handle all the small sea creatures that live there, before giving it a try themselves. They got to explore the Lighthouse that was over 200 years old and learned about how the lighthouse keeper would have to check the lamp every 45 minutes around the clock, but thankfully today it is an LED that helps protect a large section of the east coast. Everyone had a super day.

Museum Gardens Ghost Walk In September, the York Museum Gardens was home to a few of York BID’s Ghosts in the Garden Trial. As it is only a short walk away from school, pupils were able to take a trip and 'ghost spot'. Reception pupils stopped off at the Guy Fawkes statue, who was an Old Peterite himself. They drew spooky pictures of the statue before heading back to school.

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Folgarida Ski Trip The 8-13 ski trip went to Folgarida in the Italian Dolomites again this year. The area provides a fantastic venue for a school ski trip as the snow is sure, plenty of terrain, the hotel is lovely and the local area is very safe for younger children. There were 130 people that attended the trip, a mix of pupils staff and parents, and everyone had a fantastic time.

The weather was kind with lovely sunny days, but also a very heavy snow day on the last Friday, where it had snowed all night. This made the conditions difficult, with a lot of moguls by the end of the day. All of the children made great progress all week and were graded by their instructors at the end of it.

They had a Christmas jumper day on the Thursday where the children adorned their ski wear with festive things and we were even visited by Father Christmas. In the evenings there was plenty of après ski activities, with the pizza night being a close second to the Max Factor Karaoke. Congratulations to James and Oli for being the singing kings, with their version of ‘Ice Ice Baby’.

Murton Park Viking Day Pupils in Year 4 went on a trip to Murton Park for a Viking experience day. Upon arrival, pupils were greeted by the lovely staff who welcomed them into the hall to have an introduction to York’s Viking history. Then pupils and staff alike got into character with Viking costumes. Year 4 were divided into four ‘families’, and pupils were selected to be the ‘Mum’ and ‘Dad’ to represent their family throughout the day, speaking to the ‘Lady’ of the village and the other characters helping teaching activities.

They entered the Viking village and learned about the exciting tasks they would learn throughout the day, such as guarding, pottery, baking and traditional Viking games. Families took turns doing each activity, with a nice break for lunch in between.

Many pupils said their favourite part was the ‘guarding’ activity, where pupils donned shields and spears (with safe rubber tips) and were taught the formations used by Vikings to protect their villages from raids. They had to call their newfound skills to action when a make-believe raid suddenly occurred near the end of the day, and pupils responded bravely by driving the invader away and were rewarded with a banquet.

Pupils had a great time getting involved with the hands-on interactive learning which follows along with the historical period they had been starting in the classroom, and teachers were excited to use the experiences from Murton Park to help contextualize their lessons.

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Year 5 Trip to ‘The Dig’ On March 12th, our amateur archaeologists enjoyed a fascinating trip to ‘The Dig’ to learn more about artefacts found right here in York. We learned about what we can find out about civilisations in the past from objects like animal bones, pottery and pieces of metal. Year 5 even became hands-on archaeologists by picking up trowels and digging themselves – uncovering artifacts and making inferences about what they had discovered and the people who may have used them. We also enjoyed a walk around York to see what has survived 2000 years in the city, such as the multangular-tower containing Roman gravestones.

Aesthetica Film Festival Year 7 Trip St Peter's Year 7 pupils were given the opportunity to attend the annual Aesthetica Short Film Festival in York. The pupils were great ambassadors for the school, engaging with the filmmakers and taking the opportunity to learn more about the film process from the 16 industry experts who were attending. Following this, the group headed to York Theatre Royal where they watched a reel of six short films, selecting their favourite.

Year 7 Carlton Lodge Team Building and Pottery Painting After we returned from summer, Year 7 pupils visited Carlton Lodge for a day of team building. They enjoyed lots of group rafting activities in the water and a group outing to do pottery painting together where they were able to get creative and decorate a plate or mug to take home after being fired in the kiln.

NSPCC Chess In February, St Peter's hosted the regional NSPCC tournament. Chess teams from visiting schools all competed at the U11 and U9 level across five rounds. There was a great friendly atmosphere throughout the competition and some very close games.

In the U11 competition, the St Peter's A team won, while at the U9 level, the A team came first, and the B team came second. This meant that St Peter's qualified for the semi-finals, which they very much enjoyed.

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Year 8 Sports Tour Year 8 pupils enjoyed an unforgettable sports tour to Italy, filled with exciting fixtures, cultural experiences, and new friendships. The trip included brilliant hockey matches against Padua and Adige Hockey Clubs and fantastic rugby fixtures at Montebelluna Rugby Club. Even when poor weather led to the cancellation of some games, spirits remained high with beach games and sightseeing. Pupils explored Venice by ferry, marvelled at the artistry of Murano’s master glass blowers, and soaked up the sunshine in the colourful island of Burano.

The tour ended with a warm evening of pizza in Mori, celebrating a week of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fun before flying home.

Year 8 Residential Our leaving group of Year 8 pupils headed down to the PGL centre in Grantham at the end of the year for a weekend full of outdoor adventurous activities. The weather was incredible and we all enjoyed spending time together challenging ourselves with a range of activities such as axe throwing, rifle shooting and a range of high adventure rope courses.

The evenings were spent enjoying a silent disco (although not particularly silent!), and an orienteering course around the grounds. As we went over a weekend this year, the site was quite quiet and so the students had a large play area to themselves and the queues for food were also quick.

It was a pleasure to take the group away for the weekend and they had a lovely time - it revitalised everyone in time for the final week of term!

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CCF Range Day March The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) had an excellent time at the range day in March. The order of the day was an initial zero and grouping shoot at 25m, followed by competition shoots in both the prone and kneeling positions.

Remarkable progress was made throughout the shoots where all cadets were able to develop and perfect their firing position and employ the marksmanship principles. Six cadets qualified for first class marksmanship and an unprecedented 14 cadets earned their top marksmanship badges at this distance.

In the prone competition shoot, in third place Taras (Cpl), second place Jimmy (Colour Sgt), and in first place with a grouping of 35mm, Olivia (Cadet).

In the unsupported kneeling position competition, in third place Elena (L/cpl), second place Lizzy (Cadet) and in first place, Jimmy (Colour Sgt).

The top award for overall Best Shot of the Contingent, goes to Thomas (Sgt).

CCF in Cyprus Over the Easter Holiday, a contingent of St Peter’s cadets, together with cadets from across Yorkshire and Northumbria, travelled to the Sovereign Base Area in Cyprus for Exercise Ares Challenge.

The cadets took part in a large number of activities during the 12-day trip including visiting the working dogs unit on RAF Akrotiri, operating the Aircraft Rescue Firefighting vehicle to practise extinguishing a fire on a fighter jet, and travelling in a Chinook helicopter to a training village where they spent two days learning how to fight in built-up areas.

As well as the shooting and military activities, cadets also enjoyed cultural visits to learn more about the history of Cyprus and spent a day at the beach as guests of the Military Training Wing water sports centre.

As the academic year drew to a close, we reflected with pride on another outstanding year for CCF. Our cadets have demonstrated exceptional commitment, resilience, and teamwork across a wide range of activities and challenges. One of the standout achievements was securing second place at the regional military skills competition, Merlin Manoeuvres. Over an intense 48-hour period, our elite team of cadets tackled a series of demanding challenges, showcasing their fieldcraft, leadership, and determination. This result is a testament to the dedication of both our cadets and the staff who support them.

Throughout the year, cadets participated in two fieldcraft exercises, honing their skills in survival, section-level tactics, and ambush scenarios. These exercises provided invaluable hands-on experience and built confidence in operating under pressure.

Our cadets also played a meaningful role in the Remembrance Day parade, and in honour of the 80th anniversary of VE Day, members of the contingent visited veterans at a local care home, sharing stories and paying tribute to their service.

The final adventure of the year was our annual summer camp, this year at Otterburn in Northumberland, where cadets took park in a packed programme of exciting activities to round off the year.

We extend our sincere thanks to Colour Sergeant Jimmy and his team of senior cadets for their exemplary leadership throughout the year. Their guidance has been instrumental in the development of our younger cadets.

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Ginetta Factory Trip Pupils in Lower Sixth had the amazing opportunity to visit the Ginetta factory, and were taken on a full tour of the different stages that go into creating one of their excellent race cars.

The tour began with pupils having the opportunity to ride in the racing simulator which uses advanced technology to recreate the driving experience. Pupils analysed the data from their simulations and learned how Ginetta uses the data to improve each race. The tour then delved into the different sections of the factory, such as engine construction and testing, varieties of welding, and how the carbon fibre kits are designed and assembled.

An impressive amount of production goes on in-house at Ginetta, and pupils got to see the electrical room where engineers wire every part of their cars by hand. They also listened to staff describe how Ginetta uses state-of-the-art drills and lathes to specially make every bit of the car, down to the individual screws and bolts.

The pupils were able to ask staff questions at each step along the way and enjoyed relating it back to the welding and other skills they are using in class this term. It was an inspiring trip seeing so many talented individuals working in every department, especially for pupil Millie F who is the first recipient of the new Ginetta STEM Scholarship.

The Scholarship is thanks to the generosity of the Ginetta company, who provides one pupil annually with up to 100% of the day fee for St Peter’s School, as well as the opportunity to spend work experience at the factory learning from their industry experts. It is means tested and directed towards pupils with a special interest in STEM who intend to take related subjects at A-levels. Thank you to Ginetta for the excellent tour and for giving St Peter's pupils access to a variety of exciting learning opportunities in STEM!

To view a short clip from the trip, scan the QR code here

To learn more about the Ginetta Scholarship, scan the QR here

French Trip to Rouen During the Easter Holidays, our French A-level students embarked on an enriching journey to Rouen and Paris, immersing themselves in French language and culture.

In Rouen, they enjoyed varied and challenging French lessons, explored historical sites and indulged in local delicacies. Highlights included a guided tour of the city, the Historial de Jeanne D’Arc, l’Aitre Saint Maclou as well watching ‘Les Choristes’ at the cinema (which had been rereleased to celebrate its 20 year anniversary), and an escape game challenge. Each evening was spent with host families, using their French skills to build relationships and gain an invaluable insight into French culture.

Transitioning to Paris, they marvelled at iconic landmarks such as the Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower and the Arc du Triomphe, capturing memories along the Seine and enjoying free time to admire the city on what were beautiful sunny days. The trip fostered cultural awareness, linguistic confidence, and lifelong memories shared with friends.

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Media Circle and Tony Awards The Shepherd Hall filled with reviewers, presenters and audience members for the first ever St Peter’s Tony Awards at the end of May. It was an evening of musical entertainment and audience participation as members of the Media Circle Review Club presented their hard work for consideration before viewers took part in live voting.

Trophies and prizes were well deserved.

Mia and Leona’s opening medley was particularly entertaining, well done! Mr Redhead said “It was great working alongside performers who throw themselves into the role with real conviction and gusto”.

Special thanks to the site team and all the staff members who helped the pupils put together both a seamless performance and their first media review publication.

These magazine which included the pupils’ reviews then made their way across the whole school and made for a great chance for pupils to celebrate one another’s achievements.

To view the published Media Circle Magazine online, scan the QR code here

Debating Society Once again, an incredibly busy but exciting year in Debating with many pupils across the whole school getting involved with self-belief and confidence. Pupils developed an openness to alternative ideas and life-skills of listening whilst agreeing and indeed disagreeing with respect and logic.

The year started with our York Civic Trust Public Speaking competition; well done to our pupils who represented the school superbly on the topic “York is a city of the past, not the present or the future”. The annual Christmas Debate saw pupils discuss the motion “This House Believes that Santa is a bad role model for children” with spirited arguments from both sides before the holidays began.

Our ESU Mace and Public Speaking teams both progressed to the Regional Finals, however our BP team of Alice & Bea progressed to the finals of the Cambridge University competition.

The annual debating dinner was an excellent opportunity to say a fond farewell to the outgoing Upper Sixth and celebrate this year’s achievements.

Ms Lunardi said “I would like to say a huge thank you and good luck to the outgoing captain, Alice, who has been every bit the role model for younger debaters in the school.

Her calm yet confident approach to all interactions she has had as captain and as a school representative at many competitions over the years have been simply outstanding. We wish her the very best of luck in the future and extend our warm wishes to our new Captain for next year, Lewis and the Vice-Captain, Beth. Here’s to the class of 2024-25 and looking forward to seeing what the class of 2025-26 can bring!”

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Keystone Magazine Well done to the team of pupils who have put together this year's Keystone Magazine, centred around their chosen theme of 'Time'! It was an excellent collection of over 20 pupils' articles, poems, artwork and much more which was created by the hardworking and talented editors Serene, Edith and Serena. The contributors celebrated the launch of the printed copy with a party in the English Department.

Literary Lunchtime Event The English Department hosted a 'Literary Lunchtime Event' celebrating the work of Robert Burns and Virginia Woolf on the anniversary of their birthdays. Ms. Harter-Jones led the thought-provoking reading group and pupils enjoyed reflecting on the beautiful poetry and social impact left by these talented writers. The event was made complete with Scottish Shortbread to commemorate Burns Night.

Christmas Science Lecture In December the Science department hosted the annual Christmas Science Lecture. The theme this year was Pharmaceuticals and included talks on science history, the molecular breakdown of cinnamon, caffeine as a drug and even demonstrations of levitation. A particular favourite of the audience was the interactive 'drug trial', a hypothetical exercise which involved volunteers taste-testing baby food and dried crickets! The brave participants did a great deal in helping teach the importance of a good sense of smell in determining how taste buds work.

Classics Trip to Sorrento and Rome Over October half term the Classics department took 43 students from Fourth and Fifth Form to Sorrento and Rome to explore the wonders of the ancient world. An early start and a long drive to the airport did not dampen our spirits, nor did the torrential rain that greeted us as we descended through the clouds into Naples.

What was supposed to be a brief shower turned into two days of solid rain accompanied by thunder and lightning, the likes of which we have never seen. However, like stalwart Peterites, we remained positive and resilient in the face of Neptune's anger and forged ahead with our plans taking in the wonders and horrors of Herculaneum and Pompeii.

After numerous ice creams and soggy walks, we transferred to Rome and finally into the Italian sunlight. It was glorious. Like Russell Crowe, we conquered the Colosseum.

After saying a fond goodbye to the ghosts that still lived there, we hiked up to the Vatican Museum where we were blown away by the artefacts of antiquity that were on display there.

The Sistine Chapel was a wonder to behold, as was the vaulted ceiling of the Pantheon, which we visited on the final day before leaving for the airport via the ancient port city of Ostia.

After a few tense exchanges with our Italian coach driver, we finally arrived at the airport in good time for our return back to blighty. Like Odysseus, we returned victorious with wonderful memories of our trip and bags full of cheap tourist souveniers.

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Salamanca Trip As the Easter holidays drew to an end, we set off on our long-awaited trip to Salamanca.

Our 16 enthusiastic A-level Spanish pupils embarked on an unforgettable educational adventure to the historic city of Salamanca, Spain. Known for its golden sandstone architecture and vibrant student life, Salamanca proved to be the perfect setting for language immersion and cultural exploration.

Each morning, our pupils attended intensive Spanish lessons at a local language school. The lessons were tailored to challenge and inspire, helping students build confidence in speaking, listening, and grammar. The progress made in just a few days was remarkable, and many pupils commented on how much more natural Spanish felt by the end of the week.

To deepen the immersion experience, pupils stayed with experienced host families. This not only gave them a taste of authentic Spanish life but also provided daily opportunities to practise their language skills in real-world settings.

Afternoons and evenings were packed with a wide range of fun and enriching activities.

Highlights included: a guided tour of Salamanca’s stunning old town and university, a cooking workshop, churros eating, a tapas lunch and a day trip to the nearby city of Zamora.

We intentionally scheduled our trip for the third week of the holidays to coincide with Semana Santa in Spain. This allowed students to witness and immerse themselves in one of the country’s most awe-inspiring and emotionally powerful traditions. The processions, music, and cultural richness left a lasting impression, making it a truly unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

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Seňora López said “I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the students who took part in the trip and a huge thank you also goes to Mrs Robinson, whose support, guidance and company were invaluable during the trip”.

Pupil Quotes “I really enjoyed the trip, and it gave me a good chance to practice my Spanish with our host family and in the school, as well as visiting museums and other local sights.”

“I really enjoyed the trip, it was very interesting to see the Semana Santa festival and the trip helped improve my Spanish” “It was amazing trip because I met many new friends, and my Spanish improved. I would go again definitely!!!”

Senior Ski Trip to Bornio Pupils from across the 13-18 school enjoyed an unforgettable ski trip to Bormio, a snowsure resort famous for its demanding Stelvio run — soon to host one of the downhill races at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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With slopes suited to all abilities, everyone had the chance to learn and improve under the guidance of expert local instructors. Alongside five hours of skiing each day, pupils also enjoyed evening activities such as swimming and ice skating.

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Key Moments

Kathmandu, Nepal Trip Written by Alexa and Emily (L6) Busy Kathmandu was our first experience of Nepal when we first landed.

Overhead cables and fairy lights bunched above our heads and mopeds rushed around every corner. Just walking out into the middle of the road in order to cross takes a bit of getting used to!

We bartered for clothing and knock-off sunglasses by day, and stretched our budgets at restaurants at night.

A particular highlight was the monkey temple. It was a great introduction to the religious culture of Nepal and beautiful to look out over the city at sunset: the monkeys were also really cute!

Trek Our trip to Nepal was an unforgettable blend of adventure, cultural immersion and personal growth.

For five days we trekked through the Himalayas - an experience that challenged us both mentally and physically, while offering breath-taking views and meaningful time getting to know our Nepalese guides (often through dance parties!).

The highlight of the trek was the pre-dawn hike to the summit of Poon Hill 3400 meters. Armed with headlamps and wrapped up against the chill, we started our ascent in the darkness at 4:30am. As the first light broke over the horizon, we were rewarded with a spectacular sunrise illuminating the snow capped peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.

The sense of accomplishment and awe was palpable - standing together, we felt both humbled and inspired by the grandeur of the Himalayas.

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Community Project We started the ascent up the mountain to the village community of Sima, unsure of what we would find and how different it would be to what we were used to. We were greeted with flowers and tikka blessings on arrival and were quickly accepted into the community. Over three days, we planted 220 walnut trees which will go onto provide income for the community for many years. Despite the language barrier, we helped prepare meals and had a cultural exchange through dance and song on our last night. It was wonderful seeing all the women of the area excited to meet us and dance with us. To share our culture, we made friendship bracelets and taught the children rock paper scissors. We then had a traditional send off and exchanged Instagrams in order to monitor the progress of our trees before travelling back to Pokhara.

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The York ISSP The York Independent State School Partnerships (ISSP) continued to grow this academic year, with Mr Walker in the role as Chair for a third and final year. We remain incredibly proud to be a part of this wonderful partnership.

In November, the ISSP programme delivered the annual Year 7 Breakthrough Event which was held at St Peter’s School with over 100 students from the 13 ISSP schools. The event is based on the question “What is mankind’s most significant breakthrough?”. It is not run in a traditional debate style in that there were five teachers each giving a short presentation on what they felt was the greatest breakthrough. This year's selections were Numbers, Agriculture, Printed Word, Bicycles and Microscopy. Tables of pupils from school across the city then debated amongst themselves as to which they felt was the greatest of these. Presenters were able to go round lobbying for votes and questions were posed to the presenters, by the tables, to get them to further justify their pitch. The end vote revealed Agriculture was the winner on the day, followed by Numbers and Microscopy.

St Peter’s also hosted two of the ISSP 7/8 series of lectures delivered termly to inspire students in a range of different topics. The hosted lectures were delivered by St. Peter’s staff, and audiences of over 100 students were enthralled by Ms Anscombe’s lecture on “Language, culture and identity: lost in translation? An exploration into the art of translation”, and also Mrs Craven’s lecture on “Behind Enemy Lines: Women in Resistance (The women of the SOE in WW2)”.

In March, both the Year 7/8 Masterclasses, which we sent bigger numbers than ever to, and the Year 9/10 Masterclasses, which we hosted, were as successful as ever. Pupils had a wide variety of subjects to choose from (Year 9/10 Masterclasses included Cookery skills, Italian, Improvisation and Anglo-saxon Language and culture amongst the options). St Peter’s teachers Ms Harter Jones and Ms Faure were among the teachers of a very successful event.

The third year of the Business and Enterprise Project was as successful as every. The project continues to be led by three teachers including two from St. Peter’s (Mr Battersby and Mrs Rigby). They are supported by a team of local business leaders who help mentor the students throughout the project, culminating in a pitch event, where they hope to once again impress judges with their presentations, business acumen and communication skills. This project is supported and funded by the York Merchant Adventurers, with a highlight of the event being a trip to Betty’s.

Other ISSP events have included the Maths Excellence Club (y=mx+c) which has been attended by four talented Year 8 mathematicians from St Peter’s, GCSE Astronomy and Latin classes, Certificate in Greek classes and the Year 7-10 2025 Summer School which was held at St Peter’s. Mrs McAleese led the delivery of the week itself on behalf of the ISSP which offered a record number of masterclasses, again including those delivered by teachers from St Peter’s.

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Catering We have an exceptional catering team, who use locally sourced ingredients of the finest quality to deliver multiple options for each mealtime, including catering to all dietary requirements.

Where possible (over 90%), food is prepared from scratch on site, which is produced with a dedication to health and nutrition for all.

In addition to serving our pupils healthy, nutritious meals seven days a week in term time, our catering team also find time to support with events (including the FOSP Ball and Open Events) and education across the school.

Nutritionist Talk In February St Peter's was delighted to welcome Lorna Bell, a Registered Associate Nutritionist from catering consultancy ISCC, for an inspiring talk with pupils on the benefits of healthy eating and the gut microbiome. Catering also went through the school menus with Lorna to ensure the food at St Peter's is of the very best standard. Lorna said: “There is clear evidence of passion for fresh food and variety across St Peters. There is already a strong foundation for nutritious food”. A huge thank you to Lorna for an engaging and thought-provoking session.

Visit from Joshie This year, St Peter’s was thrilled to host budding chef Joshie, an 11-year-old boy with non-verbal autism, after seeing a local call put out by Roots’ Michelin star chef Tommy Banks.

Tommy Banks operated a York Christmas Market stall in November and December, and after a van full of his pies was stolen, Joshie baked him replacement pies after reaching out on social media. Tommy accepted the pies and kindly responded by giving him a cooking demo in his stall in the market, encouraged other kitchens to do the same.

The appeal was for professional kitchens to bring Joshie in for cooking lessons to help him pursue his dream of becoming a chef. Craig Robinson, Catering and Hospitality Manager at St Peter’s, responded to the call and reached out to Joshie’s father.

Joshie and his family travelled into York again on Saturday by train and made the short journey to our school. Chef Calvin helped Joshie learn to make a delicious batch of quiches. From cracking the eggs, combining the ingredients, and keeping a careful eye on oven timings, Joshie did an excellent job cooking.

Joshie’s dad has loved getting to spend time cooking with us - “St Peter’s in York have made us feel so at home. They’ve been so neuroinclusive, they let us into the kitchens and the chef spent a lot of time teaching Joshie his techniques”.

Joshie’s family raise awareness on social media to encourage workplaces to bring neurodivergent and autistic talent into the workforce. St Peter’s believes in encouraging young people to work hard at making their dreams a reality, not letting anything stand in their way. Joshie exemplifies this and was a joy to have at St Peter’s.

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Key Moments

The Public Lecture Series at St Peter’s School Once again, St Peter’s School delivered a dynamic and thought-provoking Public Lecture Series, welcoming a range of renowned authors, historians, and scientists in partnership with the York Literature Festival, and York Festival of Ideas.

The series opened with actor and debut novelist Richard Armitage, who discussed his thriller ‘Geneva’ with BBC Radio York’s Elly Fiorentini. He shared insights into the writing process, read an excerpt, and excitingly announced that the novel is being adapted for television.

Dr James Wright, buildings archaeologist and author of Historic Building Mythbusting, explored how folklore shapes our understanding of historic sites—particularly in Yorkshire—while warning against applying modern assumptions to the past. Recurring and much admired visitor to St Peter’s Iain Dale later presented his project ‘The Dictators’, reflecting on the dangers of authoritarianism through the eyes of 64 writers.

This year we were lucky with the Stargazing Evening, which included interactive exhibitions and telescope viewing in the clear sky followed by a lecture from Professor René Oudmaijer, Senior Scientist at the Royal Observatory in Brussels. His talk, ‘The Birth of Solar Systems’, offered fascinating insights into the formation of stars and planets, sparking enthusiastic discussion— especially around Pluto’s reclassification.

Abdulrazak Gurnah, Nobel Laureate and acclaimed novelist, spoke movingly about postcolonialism, nostalgia, and the refugee experience, reading from his latest work ‘Theft’, emphasising the enduring power of storytelling. Mental health advocate and author Matt Haig followed with an inspiring evening centred on his bestseller ‘Reasons to Stay Alive’ and latest novel ‘The Life Impossible’, sharing his personal journey with humour and honesty.

The series closed with historian William Dalrymple, whose lecture ‘The Golden Road’ showcased ancient India’s profound influence on global trade, science, and religion, challenging Eurocentric views of history.

Alongside the lectures, a series of workshops enriched the programme. Sophie Hannah led a transformative masterclass on thriving as a writer, offering strategies for overcoming creative blocks and maintaining control over one’s writing journey. Later in the evening she also hosted a lecture ‘Agatha Christie, Poirot and Me’, where she shared updates on her latest novels, stage productions, and writing projects.

Naomi Wood, winner of the 2023 BBC National Short Story Prize, led a hands-on creative writing workshop hosted by Real Writers Circle. Attendees explored short story techniques and shared their own work in an engaging, supportive environment.

This year’s series was a true celebration of knowledge, creativity, and community, and we offered free tickets to the St Peter’s Community.

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St Peter’s Qualifications In addition to excellent results achieved in academic examinations, we offer extra qualifications taken as co-curricular options as well as an exciting Academic Extension programme for senior year groups.

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Learning at St Peter’s 2-8 Thematic Learning At St Peter’s School, our Thematic Learning programme from Reception to Year 3 brings the curriculum alive by placing each class at the heart of a fresh, exciting theme each term.

Through stimulating texts and questions such as “How do kites fly?” or “How do bats see in the dark?”, pupils harness their curiosity and apply their learning in English, mathematics, research, art and more.

In EYFS the focus is on exploration and creativity, while Years 1 & 2 engage with broader topics that weave art, geography, history and science alongside core skills.

As children move into Year 3, they build on these foundations with increasingly rich themes that span a broad range of subjects, with digital tools and immersive experiences helping to prepare them for the next stage of their education.

Class Assemblies During the Easter Term, pupils in Reception to Year 3 delighted their parents with a series of engaging class assemblies, each showcasing the learning themes they had explored throughout the year.

Reception impressed with their work on birds of prey and creative junk modelling, while Year 1 took everyone on an exciting journey through the jungle. Year 2 reached for the stars with their fascinating space-themed assembly, and Year 3 tackled the important topic of climate change with insight and enthusiasm.

Each performance reflected the curiosity, confidence, and creativity of our youngest learners.

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Forest School Our hugely popular Forest School provides pupils with the chance to explore, discover, and learn in the great outdoors. From Nursery through to Year 4, children take part in weekly sessions that nurture a love of nature while developing important life skills such as collaboration, resilience, and creative thinking.

Whether building dens, toasting marshmallows over an open fire, or searching for mini-beasts, pupils embrace hands-on learning experiences that inspire curiosity and confidence. It is also used as an extension to the classroom, with themes of the term or learning from the week continued down at the Forest School site.

STEAM Week In March, St Peter’s 2-8 enjoyed all things STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths).

They carried many activities, such as experimenting to create rainbow water, engineering bridges to rescue bears from an erupting volcano and making 2D and 3D shapes talk using technology. Year 3 completed a super maths quest on a trip to the Minster! Pupils were also treated to an exceptional “magic” science show

by Science teacher Mrs Miller, which prompted lots of gasps of amazement as the pupils saw some fantastic experiments. Teachers sent home lots of fun STEAM themed activities for pupils to continue their learning.

Chicks Hatching with Nursery In nursery, the children had a fantastic time learning all about the life cycle of a chicken! They eagerly welcomed our special delivery of ‘Living Eggs’. The children gathered around the incubator, excited to see if any chicks would hatch. A few days later, there was an absolute buzz of excitement as five adorable chicks made their grand entrance and during the morning session, the children were thrilled to see two more little chicks hatch right before their eyes! When they were old enough, the children got to hold the chicks, learning to be gentle and kind to their new little friends. The joy and excitement in the room was contagious as the children shared their experiences, creating wonderful memories while caring for their feathered friends!

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Learning at St Peter’s 8-13 National Poetry Day

English

For National Poetry Day in October, pupils at 8-13 participated in a library poetry reading to mark the occasion. There was a great mix of their own work, as well as classics being read.

Poems ranged a wide array of topics, such as ‘My Dog at Home’, the importance of peace, and even hating piano practice. Staff members also joined in, including Mr Hardy with one of the poems he chose to read being about reasons why he did not do his homework. It was a colourful and fun activity for all who took part.

In English this year, pupils explored a rich variety of literature and experiences. Year 6 wrote formal letters and were delighted to receive replies from Sir David Attenborough and leading athletes.

In Assembly, readers from each class spanning Year 4 to Year 8 shared their own poetry work from throughout the week. Year 5 had been writing group Haikus which they particularly enjoyed sharing. The assembly ended with all Year 4 reading a group poem about counting, which was this year’s Poetry Week theme.

It was encouraging not only to have had a large number of readers this year, but also that most pupils volunteered to be readers and bravely shared their creativity with their peers.

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Year 5 enjoyed Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Just So Stories’ and ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’, including a special film screening, while Years 4 and 5 attended a live performance of ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’.

Older pupils delved into Shakespeare, with Year 7 studying ‘Macbeth’ and Year 8 exploring ‘The Merchant of Venice’ to complement a touring production.

Pupils also engaged with the Aesthetica Film Festival, offering critiques of short films, and plans are underway for an exciting new project for Years 3 and 4 for next academic year, inspired by ‘Around the World in 80 Days’.

We also hosted the York Book Awards again with five visiting authors, and engaging author visits for all year groups.

Celebrating Pi Day in Style!

The school buzzed with mathematical excitement as we celebrated Pi Day on March 14th. Pupils across all year groups engaged in a variety of fun and educational activities, exploring the fascinating world of π.

Our youngest mathematicians in Year 4 crafted colourful pi bracelets, learning about the sequence of digits in this never-ending number. Year 5 took their learning outdoors, creatively representing and discovering pi using the whole year group. Year 6 students delved deeper into the relationship between pi, circumference, and diameter, measuring string and everyday objects to discover this fundamental constant for themselves.

In Year 7, pupils applied their knowledge of pi to practical calculations, solving problems involving circles and exploring its real-world applications. Finally, Year 8 challenged their spatial reasoning with the intriguing "circles in circles" activity, demonstrating the versatility of pi in geometric patterns.

At lunch a great number of pupils took on the challenge of recalling pi to see if they could beat the school record of 201 digits correctly memorised set by Edmund (Year 6) last year.

We saw a total 34 pupils from Year 4-7 test their memory, and attempt to beat the record. This was double the participants in 2024! Edmund (Year 6) and Hugo (Year 7) were crowned overall winners, with an astounding 237 and 252 digits recalled respectively! Four pupils surpassed 200 digits including Joseph (Year 4) and Joyce (Year 5) and gold and silver awards were presented across year groups as follows: Gold: Joseph (Year 4), Joyce (Year 5), Edmund (Year 6), Hugo (Year 7) Silver: Lucas (Year 4), Sasha (Year 5), Charlie (Year 6) A special progress award celebrated significant improvement for pupils returning to the competition year on year.

It was a fantastic day of hands-on learning, demonstrating that mathematics can be engaging, creative, and fun!

Primary Maths Challenge Success In March, a small group of our talented mathematicians took on the challenge of the Primary Mathematics Challenge (PMC) Bonus Round, and we're thrilled to celebrate their outstanding achievements!

Following their success in the initial round, these pupils demonstrated exceptional problem-solving skills and mathematical reasoning in the more demanding Bonus Round.

We were incredibly proud that Tom (Year 6) achieved a well-deserved Bronze award, while Riya (Year 6) and Max (Year 6) excelled to achieve Silver awards.

This remarkable achievement is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and love for mathematics. Congratulations to all our participants! We look forward to seeing their continued success in future mathematical challenges.

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UKMT Junior Olympiad The Junior Olympiad is a rigorous follow-on round to the Junior Mathematical Challenge, designed to stretch and challenge the brightest young mathematicians across the UK. Chan M scored an incredible 54 out of a possible 60 marks, a truly outstanding result in this highly challenging national competition. This exceptional performance earned him not only a coveted Certificate of Distinction but also a prestigious Gold Medal and a Book Award!

To achieve such a high score, a distinction, and a gold medal is a testament to Chan's exceptional problem-solving skills, deep mathematical understanding, and incredible dedication.

UKMT Kangaroo Maths

Around 10,000 students from UK schools are invited to take part in this challenge following on from the Junior Mathematical Challenge based on their scores in the initial competition. Participation itself a significant achievement.

Our mathematicians showcased their incredible problem-solving skills and dedication on a national stage, bringing home an impressive array of awards. A huge congratulations to our students who collectively achieved two Gold Awards, four Silver Awards, two Bronze Awards.

FMC Maths Competition The First Mathematics Challenge (FMC) has been specifically created to give all Year 4 pupils the opportunity to take part in a national competition. They had 45 minutes to complete the challenge paper of 20 multiple choice maths puzzles.

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It tested their recall of the rules of arithmetic and other areas of the subject. Pupils had to then decipher the problems and find the correct answer.

The certificates awarded were: Bronze: 20, silver: 14, gold: 6 (achieved

by Irwin, Melanie, Joseph, Violet William, and Lucas).

Science Week at 8-13 Science Week was stretched to two weeks this year to fit everything in. Mrs Miller led an assembly with the theme “Magic or Science?”. Demonstrations including the magic blue bottle, colour changing beakers and burning money were all explained using science.

An ethanol rocket was used to demonstrate what could be used more widely as a fuel in the future. In their biology lesson, Year 8 pupils had an exciting lesson with demonstrations such as elephant's toothpaste, dry ice, methane bubbles and lots more.

During science week the 8-13 Houses also took part in a House science quiz.

It was a closely fought battle but Fairfax were the winners this year.

Modern Foreign Languages This year, a strong focus on linguistic and cultural diversity has shaped our Modern Foreign Languages programme. Pupils have developed curiosity about language and a deep appreciation for cultural differences, becoming confident and enthusiastic communicators.

Notable achievements include five Year 7 pupils reaching the national finals of the Foreign Language Spelling Bee at Cambridge University, and pupil Isaac winning first place in the North-East in Oxford University’s Spanish translation competition.

Archaeology Day

Maya Day

This year’s Roman Archaeology Day for Year 5s was a huge highlight. The day began with a brilliant Q&A session with Nicky Milner, the Head of Archaeology at the University of York. We saw some fascinating finds, got to see what was in an archaeologist’s toolbox and got to further our understanding by asking about what it is like to work in the field.

by Beatrix, Imogen and Sadie In April, Year 4 had a really fun Mayan day where we all wore colourful shirts and were off timetable for the whole day.

Year 5 were very excited to complete their first archaeological dig on school grounds.

While they sadly did not uncover a Roman villa, lots of fun was had using the tools of the trade to dig in the sunshine. However, pupils did uncover some interesting pottery and displaced lots of worms!

As part of the day, Year 5 enjoyed making Roman mosaics and baking honey biscuits. The children also did a fabulous job of making pinch pots and creating character by adding facial features. They took inspiration from the Roman face pots they saw during our visit to The Dig. Once the pots have air dried, they will be fired in the kiln.

Anglo-Saxon Day Pupils in Year 4 had an Anglo-Saxon themed day in December to learn all about the history and culture of people from years gone by. They got to dress up and have a fun day of hands-on lessons.

Activities throughout the day included a cooking class where pupils made traditional flatbreads with milled flour from the grains that would have been used at the time. In art, pupils got their hands dirty learning how to work with clay to make broaches.

A favourite of the children was the exciting weaving lesson where the pupils made some impressive designs.

First of all, we tasted milk chocolate buttons and compared them with 100% dark chocolate. We also tried to create the perfect Mayan hot chocolate by adding chilli and cinnamon. A lot of people were eager to try it, but when it came to chilli powder, people regretted their decisions! My favourite part of the day, was making chocolate corn cakes, which is a traditional Mayan food.

Our second activity was making Mayan masks, and we were all very excited when we walked into the room to be met by a flash of colour. We chose lots of different colourful pieces of fabric to stick onto our mask.

Our last task was making head dresses.

Feathers and jewels were used in headdresses for important people. Jade was the most expensive jewel and also the rarest, so very few Mayans had them. We had to pick feathers and jewels to make our headdress look like we were very important people. There were feathers everywhere but they look absolutely lovely!

Finally, we all went to the Shephard Hall, and Mrs Spencer led us in with a drum and we all followed her into a large circle.

Mrs Fynn read us the Mayan creation story and we all listened carefully. After a quick year group photo, with our masks and headdresses, it was time for home.

Year 4 all loved the Mayan Day and learnt so much.

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Robotics VEX Competition Congratulations to all St Peter’s teams who represented us at our first City of York Regionals VEX IQ Robotics Event hosted at St Peter’s on January 31st .

Three teams from Year 7, Year 8 and Third Form were put through their paces, as their robots navigated the Rapid Relay arena scoring goals and making passes through Driver's Skills, Autonomous Skills and Team Alliance challenges.

Mrs Staniforth, Head of Design and Technology at 13-18 was impressed not only by the team's engineering portfolio but by the teamwork and resilience shown by our pupils. Mr. Harvey, Head of ICT and Computing at 8-13 commented "When parts did not work as intended or the desired outcome did not happen, the teams set to work to correct the issues before their next challenge." One of our teams from 8-13 then went on to qualify for the National Finals.

On March 2nd and 3rd, Lochie, Will, Alexander, Raif and Zach attended the UK National Finals for the VEX IQ Robotics competition, held in Telford. The competition saw the top 60 UK teams split into two divisions and competing to score as many goals as they could by launching foam balls into one of four goals using a robot they had built.

The five St Peter’s boys worked well as a team, especially when having issues with their ball loading system that broke on the journey down. Rather than admit defeat, they spent time rebuilding and improving throughout the competition, finishing with a respectable average score of 36 points.

Unfortunately, it was not enough to get them to the finals stage and a potential place in the World Finals in America. The first thing the boys did was to talk about how they would improve for next year's competition. Mr Harvey said “This is a testament to their skills as learners, being able to put disappointment behind them and reflect on the positives as well as use failures as learning opportunities.”

Geography Biomes In the summer term, Year 6 thoroughly enjoyed exploring the topic of biomes.

They fully immersed themselves in to create a model of one of the world's biomes along with some accompanying facts. Pupils shared some of their research and discovered plenty of interesting facts including Monet's famous waterlily paintings were based on the freshwater biome.

In addition, as there is no sunlight in the midnight zone of the saltwater biome plants use a process called chemosynthesis rather than photosynthesis to convert light energy into chemical energy. Year 6's enthusiasm and engagement in this topic really impressed their teachers.

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Photo © Hydar Dewachi

Learning at St Peter’s 13-18 History of Art

History

History of Art pupils at St Peter's all take part in the senior Articulation Competition, exploring a wide range of artworks—from Myron to Paula Rego and George Wolfe Plank. The National Gallery describes the initiative as one that "uses art as a springboard to develop vital oracy, independent research, and presentation skills".

A massive congratulations to Emilia who progressed to the final of the Historical Association's Great Debate.

This year, Emily was selected to represent the school, and delivered a powerful speech on Marina Abramović’s ‘Rhythm 0’, winning the regional final at Newcastle’s Laing Gallery. The judges commented on the seamless way she wove her excellent research about Marina Abramovic’s work into her presentation and the quality of her ideas. They were also impressed by the way she contextualised the work’s relevance to a modern audience.

Speaking on the prompt “How can your local history tell a global story,” Emilia spoke eloquently and passionately about the need to diversify our understanding of York's history.

Progressing to the final of this competition, held at Windsor Castle, is a significant achievement - well done Emilia.

St Peter’s Booker Event In November we held the annual Booker Event in the Senior Library.

In pairs, the Sixth Form English A-level pupils worked together to read and recommend a book each from the Booker Longlist.

The evening started with a fun round where we judged the book by its cover, where “Wandering Stars” by Tommy Orange won with 34% of the votes.

Out of 250 participating schools, she reached the grand final at the British Library, placing her among the top ten nationally—an extraordinary achievement Next, our pupils reviewed their book, presenting a brief synopsis and excerpt. following Katie’s win last year.

In the third round, the pupils shared pros The final was a celebration of shared and cons to the book, working together passion for art, with pupils from across to present both sides. the UK presenting inspiring talks. Emily At the end of the evening, Upper Sixth now joins the National Gallery Alumni pupils Tassy and John with their teacher Network and hopes to study History of Ms Geraghty and their book “James” by Art at university, continuing St Peter’s Percival Everett received the most votes, strong tradition in the field. Looking and they walked away with the prize of ahead, the school will also introduce the the stack of books reviewed by them and Discover Articulation Challenge for their peers.

GCSE pupils.

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Modern Foreign Languages This year’s Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) programme at St Peter’s was packed with vibrant, engaging, and intellectually stimulating events.

A highlight was the MFL Debating Competition, where A-level students demonstrated linguistic finesse and persuasive argumentation in their second languages, debating motions such as “Marriage is an outdated institution” and “Public transport should be free.” Lower Sixth pupils stood out, often facing Upper Sixth opponents with confidence and eloquence.

Congratulations went to Ollie, Henry, and Leo for reaching the semi-finals, with all participants showcasing critical thinking, resilience, and a passion for languages.

Alongside this, the Onatti Theatre Company brought live foreign-language theatre to pupils from Year 8 through to the Sixth Form. Their Spanish, French, and German performances were packed with humour, audience participation, and memorable moments. These immersive productions made language learning vivid and enjoyable, bringing vocabulary and grammar to life through storytelling and culture.

In addition to theatre and debating, the Spanish Department ran a variety of enriching activities.

These included a study trip to Salamanca, tapas tasting sessions, and the ever-popular Spanish Cultural Evening. That event opened with delicious ‘churros y chocolate’ and featured a stunning spread of traditional tapas, expertly prepared by the school’s catering team. Former pupils James and Lottie returned to speak to the Fourth Form about their language journeys at Oxford and Durham respectively, encouraging pupils to embrace mistakes and value the human connections languages create.

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The evening ended with a fun-filled salsa class, where pupils enthusiastically joined in.

The French Department has been a hive of activity, bursting with creativity, cultural immersion, and commendable achievements across the year groups.

The Third Form poster competition displayed not only linguistic flair but also an imaginative take on French culture.

The Fourth Form enjoyed a little french cuisine at the French petit-déjeuner, and Fifth and Sixth Form enjoyed a French play and lunchtime speaking sessions as well as ‘literary lunches’.

We have had some individual achievements too with Ed earning a prestigious commendation in the Anthea Bell Prize for Translation, standing out for his nuanced and insightful work, and Will being highly commended in the French Flash Fiction Competition run by the University of Oxford, dazzling judges with his creativity and style.

This year’s MFL provision highlighted the joy and relevance of language learning through drama, food, travel, debate, and dance—reminding students that languages are not just academic subjects, but keys to global understanding, personal growth, and meaningful connection.

We also marked 25 incredible years of our beloved French Language Assistant, Véronique Weller. Her energy, intellect and great humour, have enriched our classrooms and hearts alike. She continues to bring laughter, creativity, and inspiration to all those lucky enough to learn from her.

Physics Olympics

Year 13 British Physics Olympiad

On June 11th, St Peter’s hosted our annual Physics Olympics event that brings together bright young minds from across the region.

About 3500 pupils take part in the Year 13 British Physics Olympiad competition annually, and participants spend nearly three hours completing the challenge papers.

Pupils from 23 different independent schools gathered to test their skills, creativity, and teamwork through a series of physics-based challenges.

Throughout the day, pupils participated in a range of activities designed to stretch their understanding of physical principles and encourage collaboration. Events included everything from constructing towers of wooden sticks and blue tack to building Lego vehicles which went impressive distances.

The atmosphere was filled with excitement and friendly competition.

Teachers and visiting staff enjoyed the collaborative event not only for its educational value but also for the enthusiasm and sportsmanship shown by all the participants.

The event concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing the topperforming teams and quiz winners.

Each activity had a winner, with Millthorpe School, Yarm School, St Peter’s and Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate all taking home a T-shirt prize.

The day also consisted of the usual Fermi quiz which challenged each group to get answers to the power of 10. The Overall Winners of the Fermi Quiz were Yarm School, and this year’s overall trophy went to Royal Grammar School Newcastle.

The organisers, who are based at Oxford and Cambridge universities, say the questions have a steep ladder of difficulty, which cause even the most able students to grind to a halt.

Pupils achieving any certificate in the Olympiad have made a significant achievement at a National level, and this year we recieved two certificates for St Peter’s, with many congratulations going to: Kieran (Bronze) and Sam (Gold).

Cambridge Chemistry Challenge In June, 12 pupils entered the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge for Lower Sixth, with 9 receiving an award.

This competition is organised by the Chemistry department and Cambridge University and aims to stretch and challenge Lower Sixth pupils, encouraging them to go past the Alevel curriculum and encourage them to think about science in the way they would at university.

Five Students obtained the Copper award: Wendy Eleanor Joseph Carina Bibar One Student obtained the silver award: Tom Three students achieved the gold award which is awarded to the top 10% of candidates who enter: Isabelle Alva Daniel 2024-25 The Peterite 97

Lessons for Life Throughout the Senior School we offer the Lessons for Life programme, where pupils learn valuable knowledge outside of the curriculum. The programme runs year-round and consists of engaging talks and presentations by our own specialist team and featuring occasional guest speakers on widereaching topics such as how to look after their finances, drug awareness and digital responsibility.

The personal development of pupils spiritually, morally, socially and culturally plays a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve. The Lessons for Life programme reflects, reinforces and makes a valuable contribution to all these school aims and supports all related school policies. Some of the sessions that were on offer last year are below.

For Sixth Formers, this is further enriched by our Sixth Form Lecture Series and Super Saturdays, which explore topics from critical thinking and Oxbridge applications to self-defence.

Isla Van Tricht sessions Fourth Form pupils were joined by a guest speaker Isla Van Tricht to learn about what pornography is and the negative impacts it can have on young adults. The talk discussed statistics with regard to pornography causing young adults to have low self-esteem and other adverse effects.

Isla also spoke to Sixth Form pupils on the importance of understanding what consent means and how to be responsible with respecting boundaries. She used helpful analogies to clearly explain the concepts and left Sixth Formers with a greater understanding of the topic.

Bob Tait Drug Talk Bob is a former member of the Royal Navy Drugs Education Team with over 28 years of experience in drugs intelligence in the police. Bob spoke to all pupils in Third, Fourth and Sixth Form. The sessions were tailored for the specific age groups and covered everything from illegal drugs, medicines and alcohol, energy drinks and smoking through to UK and global law on drugs-related convictions.

CPR Training Pupils in Third Form took part in CPR training sessions this year, led by our talented medical team.

They discovered the importance of knowing what to do in an emergency and practised CPR technique on stuffed animals they were asked to bring in for the activity. Despite the unserious appearance, it was a useful way for pupils to get involved and familiarise themselves with the proper steps to take if they ever find someone in need of help. They also were quizzed on the difference between cardiac arrest and a heart attack, what emergency telephone numbers to call, and how to operate a defibrillator.

They handled the workshops with focus and determination, and managed to have fun with the lessons as well.

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Gambling Addiction and Mental Health In January, our Sixth Form pupils were joined by guest speaker Patrick Foster for an insightful talk titled ‘Back from the Brink: Gambling, Addiction, and Mental Health’.

Patrick spoke about his background as a professional cricket player, teacher, and career in London for Lloyd’s, and how it all got taken away by his struggle with gambling addiction.

He emphasized how his biggest mistake was never speaking out for help until his very lowest moments, urging pupils to seek help and share their own struggles with trusted individuals.

The message was extremely moving and highlighted the importance of taking gambling and similar activities seriously, as the risks can have a major impact on one’s future career and life aspirations. Thank you to Patrick for sharing his experiences and helping raise awareness for options which exist to help people with addiction.

Super Saturdays In June, our Lower Sixth pupils enjoyed a variety of enrichment activities on Saturdays.

Saturday morning lessons were switched for practical workshops including creating coasters, trying archery, running a mock trial or learning how to speed stack cups (harder than it looks!) alongside informative workshops on various subjects such as History of Art and applying to Oxbridge. They also ventured into York to try out escape rooms, learn about Roman York and walk the walls.

Gareth Barlow’s Talk to Sixth Form On January 30th, Old Peterite Gareth Barlow came to give a talk for Sixth Formers at St Peter’s. Gareth left the school back in 2008, and has since done a great deal to make St Peter’s proud. He shared with us the story of his varied and non traditional career path including leaving university to become a sheep farmer, supplying meat to over 20 Michelin star restaurants, changing direction to a presenter at the BBC from 2017-2023 and to now be a host of Sky News’ Breakfast Show.

He started at the bottom and through perseverance and advocating for himself, he rose through the ranks and attracted the attention of the right people. He emphasized hard work and a willingness to use your mistakes to your advantage, being unafraid to go for what you truly want.

The Sixth Formers listened to his useful advice to try and become successful by confidently being yourself. He also touched on his past struggles with mental health and how he relied on those around him for support. It was a greatly motivating talk, hosted by his former House tutor and Biology teacher Mrs McKie.

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Exam Results GCSE Results Pupils at St Peter’s School are celebrating another set of fantastic GCSE results. Almost a quarter of all grades awarded were a 9, with nearly half at 9 or 8 (previously A*) and over 80% of grades from 9 to 6 (previously A* to B).

There were outstanding individual performances with ten pupils achieving at least ten grades at 9 or 8. Emily achieved an extraordinary clean sweep of all grade 9s and will begin A-levels in Maths, Chemistry, Biology and Art in September 2025. Ella and Will both achieved all 9s and 8s in 11 subjects and Helena, Anna, Isla, Seb, Róisín, Oscar and Phoebe all bagged 10 GCSEs at grades 9 and 8.

Jenny was commended by OCR, the examining board for Art and Design GCSE, having achieved one of the highest grades in that subject in the country.

Anna and Will added to their impressive tally of GCSEs with Astronomy which is taught after school as part of the York Independent State School Partnership (ISSP). St Peter’s is enormously proud to be a part of this partnership and of all the students from schools across York who entered additional GCSEs in Astronomy and Latin through the ISSP this year.

Head Master Jeremy Walker said: “I would like to congratulate all of the pupils who achieved wonderful results today. All at St Peter’s are very proud of them for all they have achieved, and they should be thrilled. It is wonderful to see such outstanding results from pupils who not only work hard in the classroom but also demonstrate their talents in sport, music, drama, art and so many other aspects of school life. They have managed to have a tremendous amount of fun while studying for their GCSEs, forged strong friendship and made memories which we hope will last a lifetime. I would also like to extend my thanks to their teachers and parents for all their support.

We now look forward to our pupils taking their next step to Sixth Form when they will be joined by many new pupils from other schools. We look forward to seeing their skills, values and interests develop even further.”

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A-level Results We are delighted that almost one fifth of all grades in 2025 were at A* with half of all grades at A* and A. With over three quarters of grades at A* to B our pupils have earned well-deserved acceptances to their university of choice.

29% of this year’s cohort, 41 pupils, achieved an exceptional three or more grades at A* and A with 11 pupils gaining three or more grades at A*.

The school is proud of the achievements of all pupils, and amongst the excellent results, there have been some outstanding individual performances. Alice and John both achieved a clean sweep of four A* grades and both will be taking up places at Oxford. Alice will read Classics and we hope will further her talents in debating. John will read Ancient and Modern History and will be putting his musical, dramatic and sporting skills to good use. In other Oxbridge success, Katie is going to Cambridge to read History of Art with A*AA, having also won a national public speaking competition in the subject.

Georgie achieved four A* grades and moves on to the University of Bath to read Chemical Engineering. One of our boarders, Jimmy, is taking up his place at Imperial College London with four A*s, also to read Chemical Engineering.

Harry will be furthering his love of mathematics at the University of Warwick with four A*s. Islay achieved an extraordinary five A-levels, all at grade A* and A, with her A* in Art being recorded by the exam board as one of the best in the country. Roman earned five A-levels at grade A* to B and is moving on to University College London to read Mathematics and continue his passion for rowing, having been part of the school crew who qualified for Henley this summer. Tristan, Conor, Maisy, Cameron and Matthew all achieved at least three A* grades each and will be going on to destinations including Durham, UCL and Nottingham.

Whilst most Peterites go straight on to leading universities to study a wide variety of subjects, others choose different paths. Head of School Wills, having secured A*AA, is excited to accept a professional contract from Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Mia is taking up her offer from a prestigious London drama school, Penelope is taking an Art Foundation course and others will be embarking on degree apprenticeships or taking places at highly competitive US universities.

Jeremy Walker, Head Master said: “Everyone should be very proud of the work they have put in over the last two years, and the results they have achieved. Their A-level results give them the key to unlock higher education and exciting careers. They have also achieved so much more at St Peter’s, participating and excelling in a huge amount of activities including sport, music, drama, debating and social action. They have developed a strong set of values, confidence and leadership skills to ensure that they leave St Peter’s and make a positive impact on their world”.

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Careers We are lucky to have a thriving parent and Alumni community who volunteer their time to talk to pupils across year groups about their experience in different sectors. A flavour of some of the talks we have had this year are below.

Toby Kinread, a Corporate Banker for Handelsbanken, gave an insightful talk to pupils in the Senior School considering a career in the financial sector. He explained the importance of internships and shared his advice for having a successful interview. Pupils in attendance asked a range of questions, anywhere from “What is the work-life balance like in banking?” to “What is the best and worst parts of your job?”. Everyone seemed to get a lot out of the informative talk, and the business cards Toby shared were quickly claimed by pupils keen to learn more.

Nick Robinson from Drax Power Station gave an enlightening presentation breaking down the opportunities and various roles involved in their organisation. The pupils in attendance were particularly interested in the careers in innovation which are helping Drax Power to focus on greener energy generation.

The Careers Department hosted a ‘Lunchtime Talk’ for pupils interested in Dentistry as a future aspiration. Guest Jon Martin discussed his role as a Dentist, how he got through School and University to achieve that goal, and what he enjoys about working in his field. He kindly answered questions and gave guidance to those pupils wanting more information.

In March the Careers Department hosted another insightful ‘Lunchtime Talk’ with O.P. Junya Iwamoto titled 'A guide to Investment Banking'. Junya started at St Peter's when he was 11-yearsold and worked hard during his school career, ultimately becoming Head Boy in Sixth Form. He started his finance career in 2008, an incredibly difficult time to break into banking jobs due to the economic state at the time, but long hours and perseverance brought Junya to his current Senior Managing Director position at Raymond James. Pupils enjoyed getting to ask questions about the pathways into Investment Banking and the financial sector in general, and it was lovely to welcome Junya back to St Peter’s.

Pupils in Year 8 were joined by guest speaker and Interior Designer Clare Danahay for an 'Enterprise Talk' in January. Clare told the pupils about her experience as the Director of a global architectural practice and her responsibilities with client relations, as well as the creative components of her role. Pupils learnt about careers in design as part of their Enterprise Project.

Pupils in Reception enjoyed a wonderful series of talks from parents this year, following our invitation for volunteers to share their careers during Friday assemblies. We were fortunate to hear from a wide range of industries, including engineering, robotics, and marketing. The children listened with great interest and asked thoughtful questions at the end. A big thank you to all the parents who generously gave their time to broaden the children’s understanding of the many exciting careers available beyond school.

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Futures Fair St Peter's hosted our annual Futures Fair which welcomed pupils in Third Form and above from our school and others in the local area to learn more about their potential future pathways.

There was a great mix of exhibitors in attendance to speak with pupil and their parents. Guests included universities, gap year providers, work experience contacts, and apprenticeship organisations. Pupils also heard talks to learn more about the exciting options they can start to consider for after their time at St Peter's.

Could you inspire the next generation of Peterites?

We're reaching out to our fantastic community with an exciting opportunity to inspire the next generation!

As our current pupils begin to dream about their future careers, your incredible experiences hold the power to truly shape their aspirations.

Ready to make a difference? Here's how you can get involved: • Be a Mentor: Guide pupils as they navigate career possibilities in your field, share your wisdom and insights.

• Offer Work Experience: Provide invaluable real-world insights through placements – even short virtual opportunities can be hugely impactful.

• Deliver a ‘Lunchtime Talk’: Share your unique career journey in an engaging, informal chat right here in school.

• Host a Futures Fair Stand: Connect directly with pupils and their parents at our annual event, discuss your industry and spark their curiosity.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch - every professional experience is valuable and inspiring to our pupils.

If you're ready to share your journey, please submit the form by scanning the QR code here

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Leavers 2024-2025

In May we held the annual Leaver's Day for our incredible Upper Sixth cohort as they departed daily life at St Peter’s to prepare for their exams.

One final Eucharist service in the morning was a reflective way to start the day before pupils enjoyed being outside for Sports events, yearbook signing and a delicious lunch. Beautiful weather made an excellent environment for the annual colour run obstacle course before pupils were treated to ice creams to finish off the day.

Once exams were over, our leavers were then welcomed back for the Leavers Ball in June which was an unforgettable night and a fitting celebration for all of their hard work over the year. The event was held in the beautiful Assembly Rooms, with a three-course meal, live music, and plenty of dancing. It was a perfect send-off shared by leavers, parents, and staff.

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A message from Mr Walker for the Upper Sixth Leavers When you look back on all you have done in your time at St Peter’s, whether you joined in Nursery or the Lower Sixth, I am sure you have a host of memories. Beach trips to Filey, the Year 3 play, nativity plays and Christingle services, sports tours to Venice and residential trips. Junior and Senior Music Festivals, Whole Foundation concerts, Cabaret, carol services, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, hundreds of sports fixtures, CCF exercises, theatre trips, debating and Inter-House competitions to name just a tiny number.

Think about all you have done during your time at St Peter’s on two levels. On the first level, the events themselves. Those memories are precious and will be the sort of things you recall in years to come.

Next, think about them as learning experiences. Not in the sense of knowledge, but in developing skills, characteristics and attitude. Your exam results will be the portal to the next step of your path, but you will not be defined by letters such as A*, A and B. Your education at St Peter’s is more about becoming the best version of yourself and continuing that process as you travel over new ways.

As Socrates said at his trial, “The unexamined life is not worth living” and Aristotle wrote about the concept of eudaimonia. This literally translates as good spirit, and is the highest form of human flourishing – living well, and happiness founded on self-awareness and reflection.

Each of us only gets one shot to be on this planet, so making the most of it and having fun is of paramount importance. Embrace uncertainty. The world you are entering has no shortage of that, and knowing yourself, founded on deep values, will sustain you when life gets challenging. Adopt optimism. That will be your greatest supporter and ally in grabbing opportunities.

Be proud Old Peterites and, as you go from this place, live lives that matter and make a difference. And finally, as you may recall from Assemblies in lockdown; stay safe, go well and crack on.

Of our 2024/2025 Cohort... went on to the top 20 institutions as listed in The Times Good University Guide (incl. 30% to the top 10).

53% 65% to Russell Group universities

Popular destinations were UCL, Durham, Newcastle, Bath, Edinburgh, Loughborough. Many pupils also chose Degree Apprenticeships, Art Foundation courses, Drama School and Agricultural College

Stay in Touch To stay in touch with your full cohort after St Peter’s and to ensure you are notified of reunion events, please make sure your contact details are up to date using the QR code here.

Leavers who attended St Peter’s since Nursery

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Old Peterites Keys For Life Campaign November 24th was the Keys for Life Gala Dinner at the York Minster Refectory, a night where current parents, Old Peterites and donors of the school gathered for great conversation and a three-course meal whilst taking part in an auction to raise funds for the Keys for Life Charity.

The evening was hosted by Gareth Barlow ( OP 2008), and included a delicious three course meal, games and drinks. There was a speech by Ian, a parent of a current pupil who receives a bursary from the Keys for Life fund. It was an uplifting talk which demonstrated the importance of such an occasion, and the incredible difference the generosity of everyone who donates to the Keys for Life campaign is making to pupils who would otherwise be unable to attend the school.

OP Day 2024 A programme that gets bigger and better every year! In August 2024, we saw the official start of the St Peter’s school year with the addition of cricket, and new games that meant more OPs than ever could take part as well as spectate.

We also had a reunion with the Class of 2004, who returned with their families and friends to meet back up with one another and enjoy the day.

To read more Old Peterite news, scan the QR code to access the Cross Keys Magazine 106 The Peterite 2024-25

Governance The Board of Governors at St Peter’s are custodians of the school and play a key role but often one that goes unseen in the general day to day running of the school. We would like to acknowledge the work that the Governors have done this academic year, and thank all of them for their support and collaborative approach to the strategic direction of St Peter’s, which has arguably never been more needed.

Governors have ultimate responsibility and liability for all that happens at St Peter’s, be that educationally, financially, or from a safeguarding point of view. Their role is to ensure that the school thrives, both now and into the future. Governors are all unpaid volunteers and we appreciate them giving up their time to use their expertise for the benefit of the St Peter's community.

This June we said a farewell to Bill Woolley who has served on the Board of Governors for the last 13 years, 11 years of which as Chair. A huge amount has been achieved during Bill’s time and such a tenure is unlikely to be repeated.

St Peter’s formally thanked him for his unstinted commitment at a dinner in the Memorial Hall in the Summer Term. Catherine Baker will become Chair from August 2025 and we are looking forward to welcoming her to that role.

ISI Report 2025 The hard work of the Governors and staff was recognised this year through our excellent 2025 inspection report by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), which was celebrated by all in the community.

Jeremy Walker, Head Master of St Peter’s School said “It was such a pleasure reading this report which was a true reflection of everything we seek to do at St Peter’s and we thank the ISI for conducting such a thorough and detailed inspection. To have their acknowledgement of the importance we place on balancing the academic, co-curricular and pastoral focus for pupils aged 2 to 18 is a testament to all involved. I would like to thank all of the staff, pupils, Governors and parents who were involved in the inspection, and I hope they take great pride in seeing the outcome. Most importantly I would like to thank our pupils who made such a positive impression on the inspectors by being themselves, and wonderful examples of Peterites. As you would expect, having received the report we will not rest on our laurels and will always continue to strive to make the school even better and always adapting to changes ahead.”

To read a summary of the ISI report, please scan the QR code here

To read more about out Board of Governors, please scan the QR code here

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School Office, St Peter’s School York, YO30 6AB Tel 01904 527300 Email enquiries@stpetersyork.org.uk

www.stpetersyork.org.uk