CONGRATULATIONS

• To one of our young men, Jake Beltran, who has been selected to join the National
Youth Theatre summer school. There were over 5,000 young people who auditioned and Jake was one of the 500 selected. This is a truly incredible accolade and my congratulations go to Jake and to the staff who helped him reach such an outstanding level of performance.

• To our Year 7 and 8 soccer teams who won the County Cup Final. Also, to Year 11 who were runners up in their final, in a very closely fought game. This is a tremendous accolade to the boys and to Martin McDermott who has done so much to develop soccer in the school. Quite amazing how many people see St Peter’s as only a rugby school and yet the success we have across the board in sport and in other areas of school life is truly terrific.

• To our U18s tennis team – despite having two Year 7, one Year 8, a Year 10 and captained by a Year 12 student, this very young team has beaten Malvern School and Christ College, Brecon, in the National U18s competition. What a marvellous achievement and again congratulations to these very talented young men and to their coaches for the work they do with them.

• To our Year 8 boys who won the County Rugby League – Yes, I do mean rugby league competition. The hotbed of rugby league is considered to be the North of England but it is interesting to note it is also being played in Gloucestershire.

• To Chloe O’Donoghue who has been selected for the Southwest Hockey Squad. It is great to see that our young ladies are making progress on the national scene.

• To Nico Woodward in our sixth form. Nico has gone through all the matches and
appropriate trial games for Gloucestershire, the South-West of England and England and in fantastic style, he was pick to start for ENGLAND U/18’s Schools and Clubs against IRELAND last month in Ireland which they drew 23-23. Nico’s position is hooker and now his picture will go onto the wall of fame. He is the 22nd schoolboy INTERNATIONAL the school has produced in the last eleven years!

• Whilst under the heading of ‘Congratulations’ I could not possible let this part of the newsletter close without mentioning our terrific Lourdes Group. Once again this year they travelled 18 hours on a coach to Lourdes, to work with the Handicapped Children’s Pilgrimage Trust. Not only are they an incredible advert for the qualities of young people, but they are a tremendous witness to the principles and ethos of St Peter’s High School. My thanks to them and to the staff: Vin Kilty, Trish Tedstone, Father Kevin and Mick Gibbons, for giving their time to go with the students. I know they had tremendously long days, but the work they do has a lifelong influence on the young people who go with the Lourdes trip. It is also worth emphasising that whilst at Lourdes they prayed for St Peter’s and the staff and students of the school. I know Father Kevin has this as an intention in the Masses he celebrates whilst on pilgrimage.