St Peter’s students broaden horizons
Students from St Peter’s Catholic School Bournemouth enjoyed two very enlightening trips recently that will certainly broaden their horizons as they consider options after leaving school.
On 5 March 2025, seventeen Y10 students left early in the morning to travel to Oxford for philosophical seminars and a College tour.
The seminars were part of Academy Learning’s ‘National Senior Stretch’. Julie Arliss led the event as she, and professors gave talks on Quantum Realms, Oxbridge interview questions, the Psychology of Unconscious Bias, and Shakespeare. The House debate centered on The Rise of Veganism: health trend or moral imperative.
As it was a glorious sunny day, we ate lunch in Christ College Meadow.
Afterwards, we were given a private tour of Keble College by Henry Pearson: a past pupil of St Peter’s School, in his final year reading Anthropology and Archeology. Henry spoke about his life at Oxford University, the tutorial and essay-based system, the challenges, the entry requirements (high grades as a given), the opportunities, and the Oxford interview experience (hint: be charming, passionate, and knowledgeable). The students asked some insightful questions. The main aim was for the St Peter’s students to see that, as one of their alumni can make it to Oxford, so can they.
The students really enjoyed the day. It was a wonderful opportunity, and a valuable shared experience.
St Peter’s in London
On 15 March 2025, 12 students from Years 10-12, travelled by train from Christchurch to London for a free day and a Bar Mock scrimmage. After checking in at the Premier Inn Farringdon (Smithfield), the students had free time to explore London by foot and the Underground. For some it was the first time catching the Tube. After dinner at Pizza Express, it was back to the hotel for some late-night practice.
Bar Mock is a Crown Court legal competition with students playing the roles of Barristers and Witnesses, and using mock cases based on actual criminal law. Our opponents were The Boswells School, and the scrimmage took place at Matrix Chambers as arranged by Mark Summers, a Kings Counsel at Matrix, and Miss Hale a teacher from Boswells.
The students competed in four trials for two cases based on assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and possession of a Class B controlled substance, Zoomilor (a made-up drug).
For some of the St Peter’s students it was their first Bar Mock trial experience. The students’ advocacy, oratory, Court management, and portrayal of the witnesses in character was phenomenal. I am proud to say they represented St Peter’s with aplomb.
After three train cancellations at London Waterloo, we made it back to Christchurch by 23:30. Another wonderful shared experience, and unique opportunity for the St Peter’s students.
The students were: Zuzanna B, Ibby E, Millie H, Isabella H, Jessica H, Vicky K, Wiktoria M, Rae M, Karolina N, Alice P, Lara T, and Eliza U.
Footnote: the following week Boswells won the Young Citizens Bar Mock National Final at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. I am sure the intense and competitive scrimmage with St Peter’s helped contribute to their Championship.
HF
Science Week
British Science Week at the primary phase started with an incredible assembly led by our Year 13 Science Prefects who showcased a number of experiments which engaged us in our theme for the week ‘Adapt and Change’.
Throughout the week, children across the primary phase will be carrying out their own investigations alongside celebrating the work of some of the world’s greatest scientists!
Year 7 student, Vincent, produced some fantastic work for his Religious Education homework, so much so that it is on display in our Southbourne reception area, for all to see and enjoy. His 3D creation, called the Trinity, depicts the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Students were asked to choose one of the following three homework tasks, and encouraged to put real effort into creating a great piece of homework, as they had two weeks to complete it.
Option 1: ‘A picture can speak a thousand words.’
Option 2: Can businesses act selflessly?
Option 3: Not all heroes wear capes
Vincent chose 'A picture speaks a thousand words', creating a piece of art that teaches others the meaning of the Trinity. The task stated that it needed to include: God as the Father (Think of the creation story!); God as the Son (Think about Jesus!); and God as the Holy Spirit. (God still present on earth today).
Vincent said, "I wanted to create a more unique piece of art, so I was influenced by a more modern style of art that I am interested in – Pop Art. My main inspiration was Lichtenstein and his comic book style of pop art. I also found this style of art interesting because it only uses primary colours. Primary colours create all other colours, just as God created everything. The Trinity makes up God and there are three primary colours just like there are three beings in the Trinity."
Vincent met with Headteacher, Mr Doyle, who congratulated him on such an excellent and well-thought-out piece of homework.
Congratulations
Huge Congratulations to Sixth Form student and U17 Vice Captain England Rose, Sascha Dale, who recently won the Europe Netball Cup after a final victory over Scotland.
Everyone at St Peter's is beyond proud of your journey so far.
