I had the pleasure of starting my week in the Reception Year classrooms, which always brings inspiration and joy to any day. Our youngest and newest pupils have as their book of the week “The Lion Inside”. This bestselling story is about confidence, self–esteem, and a shy little mouse who sets out on a journey to find his roar.

In a dry dusty place where the sand sparkled gold, stood a mighty flat rock, all craggy and old. And under that rock in a tinyful house, lived the littlest, quietest, meekest brown mouse.
Fed up of being ignored by the other animals, Mouse wishes he could roar like Lion. But, as he discovers, even the biggest, bossiest people are scared sometimes … and even the smallest creatures can have the heart of a lion!

Well I am please to report that all of our Reception Year children have been super-brave since starting school, and as we move from September to October it is as if these boys and girls have never been anywhere else. Their relationship with St Peter’s has got off to a brilliant start as they build friendships and confidence that will last them a lifetime.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

We are hosting a range of open school events as follows:

Thursday 16th October 2025: 9.15 – 10.45am 

Tuesday 21st October 2025: 1.15 – 2.45pm 

Wednesday 5th November 2025: 9.15 – 10.45am 

Monday 10th November 2025: 1.15 – 2.45pm 

Wednesday 12th November 2025: 6.00 – 7.30pm 

Applications for Year R September 2026 open in November 2025 

Applications for Year 3 September 2026 open now!

If you would like to book a place at any of these events, please contact the school on 023 9226 2599 or email adminoffice@stpeterswaterlooville.hants.sch.uk 

We would like to remind you of an invitation from the Waterlooville Parish of the Sacred Heart and St Peter the Apostle to a Mass at 11:00am on Sunday 12th October 2025.  

To mark Education Sunday (deferred from 14th September) children at St Peter’s, Oaklands and all local schools, whether they live in the parishes in Waterlooville and St Edmund’s in Horndean or not, are invited to attend this Mass in their school uniform.  This invitation is extended to school pupils and students of any age, no matter which school they attend, and to children of all parishes in the area, not just the Catholic churches.

We would be delighted to welcome as many families as possible to celebrate this special Mass.

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

The children from Years 1 to 6 gathered together this week to celebrate Mass, and mark the start of a new school year as a Catholic community.  Fr James was welcomed into school and his Homily focused on how we can show our love for God and our love for our neighbours with kind, helpful and thoughtful actions towards those around us. 

It can get hot in a school hall with over 400 children and around 40 staff gathered for Mass, but this week we benefitted from new heat-reflecting windows that have been installed in the school hall over the summer thanks to support from the Diocese.  Work continues to keep the school insulated during the winter, yet protected from summer heat, as St Peter’s commits to being a responsible and ethical user of energy in the modern world.

We are hosting a range of open school events as follows:

Thursday 16th October 2025: 9.15 – 10.45am 

Tuesday 21st October 2025: 1.15 – 2.45pm 

Wednesday 5th November 2025: 9.15 – 10.45am 

Monday 10th November 2025: 1.15 – 2.45pm 

Wednesday 12th November 2025: 6.00 – 7.30pm 

Applications for Year R September 2026 open in November 2025 

Applications for Year 3 September 2026 open now!

If you would like to book a place at any of these events, please contact the school on 023 9226 2599 or email adminoffice@stpeterswaterlooville.hants.sch.uk 

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

The pupils in Years 1 to 6 returned to school at the start of September full of enthusiasm and eager to meet up with old friends and new teachers.  The school is full to bursting with pupils, and we are ready to welcome the new pupils into the Reception Year to begin their learning journey with us at St Peter’s.  But even though we’ve only just started, attention turns already to opening our doors to prospective parents and carers for September 2026.  We are hosting a range of open school events as follows:

Thursday 16th October 2025: 9.15 – 10.45am 

Tuesday 21st October 2025: 1.15 – 2.45pm 

Wednesday 5th November 2025: 9.15 – 10.45am 

Monday 10th November 2025: 1.15 – 2.45pm 

Wednesday 12th November 2025: 6.00 – 7.30pm 

Applications for Year R September 2026 open in November 2025 

Applications for Year 3 September 2026 open now!

If you would like to book a place at any of these events, please contact the school on 023 9226 2599 or email adminoffice@stpeterswaterlooville.hants.sch.uk 

Mr R Cunningham
Executive Headteacher

As we reach the close of another school year, it is with a heart full of gratitude and joy that I write to you, reflecting on the incredible journey that the St Peter’s community has shared over the past months.  This year has been a testament to the resilience and spirit of our pupils, staff, and families. Together, we have faced challenges, celebrated successes, and most importantly, lived out the values of kindness, respect, and faith that define our school community.

Our pupils have grown in so many ways, not just academically but in their personal and spiritual development. From the wonderful Masses, Celebrations of the Word and prayers that have deepened our connection to God, to the school Nativity plays, sports days, the Year 6 production and charity events that have brought us together in celebration, this year has been filled with moments to treasure.  Of course, our very best wishes for the future go to our Year 6 pupils for whom their time at St Peter’s has now come to an end.  Good luck to you all in the months, years and many adventures that lie ahead.

Congratulations to our award winners below on their achievements this year.
Early Years Governors Award = Jenson
Key Stage 1 Governors Award = Emma
Key Stage 2 Governors Award = Caelen
Sportsman of the Year = Mason
Sportswoman of the Year = Neve
Performer of the Year = Bella
Sports Day Winners = St Oscar Romero
House Cup Winners = St Oscar Romero

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated teaching and support staff throughout the whole school for their unwavering commitment and care for the children in their charge. Their passion for nurturing each child’s potential is evident in everything they do, and I am proud to work alongside such a talented team.  Equally, to all our parents, carers and volunteers, thank you for your continued support. Your partnership is invaluable in helping St Peter’s continue to thrive. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a strong and supportive school community.

As we look ahead to the summer, I encourage you all to take some time to rest, reflect, and recharge. Pope St John Paul II once wrote ‘Through the recreation and leisure made possible by travel, people are restored and renewed, body and spirit. They return home to family and work with a new perspective and enthusiasm for life’.  We will return in September with renewed energy, ready to embrace the challenges and joys of a new academic year.

Wishing you all a peaceful and blessed summer break.

Mr R Cunningham

Congratulations to the pupils of Year 6 at St peter’s for their incredible production of Mary Poppins Junior this week.  After just five weeks of rehearsal, the pupils were able to put on an incredible show to the lower school and then upper school during the day time, and then two consecutive evening performances for families and friends.  Enormous thanks go to the staff and many volunteers who helped in the preparations for this musical theatre masterpiece!

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

Recently, pupils and students from schools all over the Diocese gathered at St John’s Cathedral for the annual schools Mass celebrated by Bishop Philip.  After Mass, the congregation moved to Jubilee Park for picnics and ice creams.  Pictured here in the park of are the pupils and students of St Peter’s and Oaklands with Bishop Philip, along with Mrs Moore, Mr Quinn, Mr Cunningham and Mrs Semple.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

Congratulations to the 19 pupils from St Peter’s who made their First Holy Communion at Scared Heart and St Peter the Apostle over the past two weekends.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

We are deeply saddened by the devastating news of the Air India plane crash reported on 12 June 2025, remembering the victims and all those affected in our prayers.  We understand this will be a distressing time for those affected by this disaster, especially for those in the St Peter’s community who share a rich Indian heritage and cultural background.  If any families or pupils are in need of emotional support having been affected by the plane crash, we have support services in school to help anyone who asks.

Earlier in the week we received a message from Father James with the sad news that Father Gerard Flynn of St Michaels and All Angels parish in Leigh Park died on Tuesday 10 June 2025. He had been ill for some time and was under medical care, but his passing has still come as a great shock to the Catholic community in our area. Father Gerard was a devoted and faithful servant to the local Catholic school communities, celebrating many masses and bringing with him a presence, wisdom, and kindness that will be deeply missed. Please remember him in your prayers.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher

Returning from their half-term break, pupils at St Peter’s celebrated a special liturgy to mark the Feast of the Ascension. Having taken part in the recent vote, the children are very excited to find out about the name of the new parish which will be announced at the Pentecost One Mass Sunday on 8 June. Meanwhile, Year 6 have started rehearsals for the end of year production of Mary Poppins details of ticket sales will be published soon.

Mr R Cunningham
Headteacher