St Peter's School - Latest News

Public lecture - The Friendship of Science and Religion

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:45:50 -0800

Tickets are now available for the forthcoming Public Lecture by the Revd Dr John Polkinghorne, KBE, FRS.

The Friendship of Science and Religion takes place at 7pm on Wednesday 14 March 2012 in the Shepherd Hall.

Admission is free, but tickets are required. Light refreshments provided.

To reserve tickets please contact Charlotte Cranfield at St Peter’s School by email at c.cranfield@st-peters.york.sch.uk, or phone 01904 527300.

More information

Saturday 28th January - All netball matches v Ashville college are cancelled

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:55:36 -0800

Saturday 28th January - All netball matches v Ashville college are cancelled

Tim Pearce exhibition opens

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:25:01 -0800

An exhibition of new works by established local artist Tim Pearce opens at St Peter’s School today (Friday 13 January).

The collection of paintings and drawings will go on display at the Whitestone Gallery.

Tim Pearce works in both painting and ceramics, and has been working in Yorkshire for more than four decades.

The exhibition runs until Friday 27^th January and is open to the public during school hours, and from 9am – 12.00pm on Saturdays.

School netball teams welcome former England captain

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:58:19 -0800

Budding netball players at St Peter’s School, York, have been brushing up their skills at a workshop with former England Captain Tracy Neville.

Tracy, who is currently coaching the England U17 team, was capped for England 74 times and played twice for her country at the Commonwealth Games.

Around twenty pupils from the Fifth and Sixth Forms were in attendance at today’s workshop, which focused on game strategies and centre court attacking play.

“This is the first time that we have welcomed a visiting netball coach of this standing,” said a member of the school’s PE department. “We’re hoping that today’s session will kick-start our season by giving the teams a better understanding of strategies. We are already doing well in the region, and we’re aiming to increase our competitiveness and push through to national level. Tracy’s session today has been a real inspiration to the girls, and I’m sure the work we have put in today will make a real difference at forthcoming matches.”

St Peter’s School meets Barnard Castle this Saturday in the first match of the season.

In Remembrance of David Hughes

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:30:27 -0800

As you may well be aware, David Hughes’ funeral/thanksgiving service was held on the 19^th December 2011 with over 250 Old Peterites, Staff, Parents, Friends and Family present. It was a very moving occasion. The final rendition of Guide Me Oh Though Great Redeemer certainly showed the huge affection that David was held in by all those present. Many Old Peterites who were unable to attend have sent messages to the School or have asked for David’s parents’ address so they can write directly to them. David’s brother, Bill, has suggested it would be better if these letters could be sent to him first so that Mum and Dad are not overwhelmed in what remains a very difficult time for them. Please contact s.baron@st-peters.york.sch.uk for Bill’s address.

We have also created a Book of Remembrance which will be sent to David’s family and a copy held in the archives. If you wish to contribute your thoughts please e-mail s.baron@st-peters.york.sch.uk.

A substantial collection was taken at the funeral and any other contributions to an award in David’s name should be sent to Sharon in the Foundation Office.

Read the Eulogy for David, given by friend and colleague John Owen-Barnett

Stargazing Live Party! Friday 13th January 2012 - SOLD OUT

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:02:37 -0800

The Stargazing Live Party 2012 is now sold out. Next year’s event will take place on 11 January 2013, and further details will be available in due course.

St Peter’s School is running a series of public lectures throughout 2012. Details will be published on the website as they become available.

St Peter�s Community Christmas Party

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:32:27 -0800

More than 80 residents of sheltered housing and residential homes from across York have gathered at St Peter’s School for an annual Christmas party.

The event included afternoon tea with sherry and Christmas cake, and musical entertainment ranging from a swing band to a barbershop quartet. Visitors also enjoyed a bingo session and raffle, and sang carols.

The event was organised by the St Peter’s Community Action team, which gives pupils an opportunity to work closely with members of the community through a regular programme of events. Jane Dawson, Head of the Community Action team for the School, said: “We were delighted that so many people were able to attend for the party. Christmas is the ideal time of year to welcome visitors and make new friends, and our pupils and staff worked extremely hard to make this a magical event for all our visitors.”

Those in attendance at the event included Silver Surfers, who attend computing sessions at St Peter’s every Saturday. Residents from Fothergil Homes, Guardian Court, Mulberry Court and Ivy Lodge also enjoyed the party along with members of the St Luke’s Church Tuesday Group.

Member of the House of Lords meets Sixth Formers

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:44:37 -0800

Member of the House of Lords meets Sixth Formers

Baroness Harris of Richmond visited St Peter’s recently to talk to the Sixth Form about the work of Parliament and the House of Lords. Lady Harris has over 30 years’ experience of politics both in Yorkshire and nationally and so was able to explain the work she does in the Lords and dispel some of the myths about it.

Ben Fuller Head of Government and Politics at St Peter’s said “This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to meet someone who knows the parliamentary system inside out, as it can sometimes seem far removed from us in York.”

The talk was part of the series of Global Perspectives lessons and lectures which students follow to introduce them to topics beyond their A-level studies.

Mr Fuller

TITLE PAGE: Lady Harris talks with students Tom Nelson and Vicky Herrenschmidt before her talk.

ABOVE Lady Harris and VI Form students: L-R: Charlotte McDermottroe, Tom Nelson, Alasdair Hall, Vicky Herrenschmidt, Harry Deed and teacher Ben Fuller

Lively Debate against Fulwood Academy

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:44:37 -0800

Above: Luke Hawthorn closes the debate for St Peter’s. Title Page: Adam Janes opens for St Peter’s

Lively Debate against Fulwood Academy

A team from Fulwood Academy, Preston crossed the Pennines to St Peter’s at the beginning of December and bravely chose to propose the motion: This House believes that private schools should be abolished.

Not surprisingly St Peter’s students were keen to oppose the motion and defend the school! Well over 100 students packed the Lecture Theatre on a Friday evening to hear the arguments.

Zainah, Chloe and Natalie put up a confident and well-argued case for the Proposition, citing the unfair advantages independent education conferred and the ‘golden ticket’ this could provide for life. Adam Janes (School House) opened the opposition and made a case for the freedom of parents to choose to spend their money on a high quality independent education. As usual Adam made his points forcefully and with authority. Fabienne Roth (The Rise) took up our case looking at the educational benefits of private education, deploying well researched material and making some quick rebuttals along the way.

A spirited but friendly floor debate ensued, chaired by Bill Goss (School House). The opposition closed with Luke Hawthorn’s (Linton House) summation. Making his maiden speech Luke was quick thinking in his response to the proposition and floor debate. He tackled the argument but with a lightness of touch and entertained the House by referring to the ‘Golden Tickets’ at Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory - where not everyone made it out alive!

After the debate the Fulwood visitors discovered more about St Peter’s life, two stayed in boarding houses overnight. The following morning we enjoyed their company and contributions to our LVI lessons.

We look forward to a return match!

Mr Fuller

Minister & Best Selling Author gives St Peter�s Lecture

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:44:37 -0800

Minister & Best Selling Writer visits St Peter’s

Renowned politician and now best-selling diarist Chris Mullin visited St. Peter’s to give the latest in our series of Public Lectures.

Chris entertained his large audience with tales of life behind the scenes in politics, bringing in a cast from the Queen and the Blairs to Humphrey the Downing Street cat.

‘It gave me a real insight in to how politics works, I was surprised at how much he’d had to do over his career’ said Amber Esposito (The Rise)

Chris Mullin started keeping a diary on the day John Smith died in 1994; he was then M.P. for Sunderland. This chronicles the rise of New Labour under Tony Blair and his own time as a junior minister in three departments, then its demise under Gordon Brown up to the 2010 election. The diaries have now been published in three volumes, turned into radio series and now a play - which has just transferred from Newcastle to the West End.

Details of future lectures, where tickets are free and open to all, can be found on the website.

Mr Fuller

Still open until Friday! Last minute gifts for Christmas at our Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:56:57 -0800

David Miliband talks to students

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:35:35 -0800

Sixth Form Students hear from David Miliband

Politics and Economics students were invited to the University of York recently to hear former Foreign Secretary and Labour leadership contender, David Miliband M.P. speak and answer questions.

Mr Miliband’s talk was a tour de force covering international concerns in China, Iran and the Eurozone. He reaffirmed that he had done the right think in declining a position in his brother’s Shadow Cabinet to avoid constant press comparison of what the two of them were saying.

There was a capacity audience of university and school students. Two Peterites asked questions. Tom Nelson (Linton House) asked whether the recent Strategic Defence Review (SDR) had been a mistake. Mr Miliband felt that it had been rushed and too driven by cost cutting rather than strategic thinking, reaffirmed by some of the decisions being reversed. Chris Burn (Clifton House) asked about the role of the unions, the public sector pensions strike having occurred the previous day. David Miliband and Chris clearly disagreed; he defended the unions right to strike.

The afternoon provided useful insights from someone with long experience at the centre of political life, we are very grateful to the University Politics Department for inviting us.

Mr Fuller & Mr White

Christmas Arts and Crafts

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:07:18 -0800

Stargazing Live Party! Friday 13th January 2012

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 02:09:59 -0800

National Schools Hockey

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 01:40:49 -0800

U16

Congratulations to the U16 girls’ hockey team who have qualified to represent the North-East in the north final which will take place later this month. The standard of hockey was very high but a 1-0 victory in the final against the Grammar School of Leeds ensured progression to the next round. All girls must be congratulated on their performances – skilful, determined and committed – well done.

U18

The U18 team Lost in the Semi-final of the North-East tournament to a very strong Greenhead College team, which ended their progression in the National School Competition. The girls played some fantastic flowing and exciting hockey but could not take advantage of opportunities in front of goal. Overall the girls should be commended on their efforts, attitudes and the team spirit.