Headmaster's Blog *New*
It’s been a busier-than-usual start, this term. Parents have been invited, two year groups at a time, to learn more about the way their children are, we trust, learning even better.
We believe we are now better equipped than ever not only to help our pupils excel in their exams at 13, but also to prepare them fully for life beyond that point.
It is well documented that children at St Peter’s have become increasingly curious about their learning. Their enjoyment in finding out and presenting their findings is both visible and gratifying. We know that such enthusiasm and high order learning skills ensure that children are equipped for the next stage of their lives.
One parent pointed out in discussion that the concept of looking beyond pure academic achievements has long been embedded in the workplace, with annual assessments, appraisals and rewards being common features. In hospitals, for instance, regular patient feedback, staff 360s and appraisals attempt to identify difficult-to-assess qualities such as empathy and kindness.
To reiterate, the St Peter’s Baccalaureate has been designed to ensure high achievement not only in academic subjects but also in other disciplines and behaviours inside and outside the classroom. During its pilot year we have seen the majority of our children in Year 8 receiving Senior School scholarships, from major academic to all-round awards. At the risk of repeating myself, our new teaching style, I am confident, opens the door to sustained success.
My thanks are due to the entire St Peter’s staff, whose hard work over the last year brings us to the point where the Baccalaureate is up and running. And to Year 1 teacher Lucy Ball, in particular, who has been the guiding Baccalaureate force from the outset.
Feedback from our meetings last week was wonderfully supportive. Heads of two significant local schools gave us their full backing. One described the SPB (St Peter’s Baccalaureate) as ‘gold dust’ and the other told the audience that our system ties in seamlessly with what the children will find when moving on to their senor schools.
While looking ahead to official national ratification of the SPB next month, we are also delighted by the success the school has on the sporting front: double champions in the Independent Prep Schools squash tournament held at Wellington College in Berkshire; two players recently back from Toulouse, where they were representing the IAPS rugby side; no fewer than five girls selected for Devon netball.
Of course, winning a record-breaking 13 awards to Senior Schools has to be the highlight of our year so far, but we are proud of the above achievements, and in the all-round development in terms of drama and music, too.
Not only that, we are pleased to be creating links with state primary schools, thanks to our Gifted and Talented Scheme, and to be building the school’s reputation as an Eco-friendly site. Forest School is an increasingly popular venue and last Friday the Year 3 group enjoyed a visit to Exeter’s re-cycling centre.
Now the school is looking ahead eagerly to our Open Day on Friday, 11 May. As well as the wonderful views of The Exe that we are in danger of taking for granted, visitors will see the latest addition, the Pre-Prep garden, and might even get to hear rehearsals for the Summer Concert which will be held at St Peter’s Church in Budleigh on15 May.
‘Summer Concert,’ did I write? All we need now is some dry, warmer weather, so that cricket and rounders can gather some momentum. Of course we are delighted to have indoor facilities and nets in the Wessex Hall, but there is no substitute for the sound of bat on ball.
Speaking of which, parents of a sadistic nature might like make a note of the annual cricket fixture between St Peter’s and Lympstone Village, on the first team pitch, on Thursday 14 June (6pm start). This is in aid of the village church.
We are delighted to be doing a tiny bit to help our local community. My only hope is that this year I may be excused from bowling. Yes, I am all in favour of charity, with one proviso: that risk assessment for out-of-practice participants is taken seriously, and that the match is arranged so that it cannot – under any circumstances - involve personal injury and humiliation!