The Chronicle

Dear Parents

I would like to begin this week by thanking everyone, very much, who was involved with the Christmas Fayre last weekend.  The hard work of the PTA, led by Mrs Lamb, and staff, along with the support from our wonderful Crackley Hall families, resulted in a very happy and successful afternoon.  The preparations began some time ago with our PTA collecting donations and making arrangements for the day to run smoothly.  I know that the PTA have reported on the event in more detail later in this edition – please do read it.

I am most grateful to Fr Kevin for coming into school this week for the J4 to J6 pupil reconciliations.  Fr Kevin and Fr David will both be joining us for our Christmas lunch next week and Fr Kevin will be celebrating our end of term Mass on Monday 17 December.

This week seems to have flown by and leaves us with only one full week of school left this year.  I don’t think we could have packed much more into this week if we tried; there have been several nativity plays, a rehearsal for the Advent service at Princethorpe, sports fixtures and Junior 1, Reception and Nursery enjoyed a visit to the Warwick Arts Centre today.  Thank you to all the staff involved in these events, each person has a role to play and no matter what it is, it will impact on the bigger picture and is much appreciated.

Next week we will have our Christmas lunch for all to enjoy, the Advent Service for Junior 5 and 6 at Princethorpe, Junior 4 and 5 visit Birmingham to watch The Nutcracker, Junior 6 have a history workshop at school and there is the charity Christmas Jumper day.  All in all, lots to look forward to!

 We will also be collecting ‘ad hoc’ donations for the ‘Shelter’ charity on Christmas Jumper day – a separate box will be available for this and more information will follow next week.  One of our past-pupils, Thalia, has made a poster which is being used as a card for fundraising towards the Shelter Coventry charity which looks after homeless people – especially important at this time of year.

Although the term will end on Tuesday 18 December, I would like to remind you that if you need to book Holiday Club for your child during the Christmas and New Year break (19, 20 and 21 December or 3 and 4 January) please contact the School Office as soon as possible to confirm a place.  There will be plenty of activities to keep the children busy and holiday club will be open from 8.00am until 6.00pm each day.

Unfortunately it is that time of year where there are many colds, bugs and illness and I would therefore like to remind all parents that if your child has suffered from sickness or an upset stomach, the Foundation policy is that 48 hours should have passed after the last episode before returning to School.  This reduces the risk of spreading illness to the rest of the children and staff. 

Congratulations to our ‘Stars of the Week’, Oliver, Mollie, Leonardo, Elsie, Henry, George, Jude, Rosie, Freddie, Dylan and Reece.  Most well deserved!  Kyra was awarded RE book of the week for her beautiful description of the Annunciation and Jared was our Gymnast of the Week – well done to both of you!

Our hockey and rugby players all gave of their best, with some much improved performances.  It is a pity that the season is coming to a close as, I feel, we are starting to play some of our best hockey and the U9 rugby team has definitely improved in all areas.

There has been a wonderful community feel in school this week and, although all staff and pupils are very tried, they have all dug deep and continued to strive for excellence and genuine care for one another at all times.

I hope that you all enjoy a restful and happy weekend with your families.

God bless,

Robert Duigan

Thank you to the parents that have already responded to the Evolve Consent Form for the Foundation’s new Use of Images Policy.

A small number are still to reply and we would be most grateful if they would complete and submit their response to the form by the deadline date of Friday 14 December.  A consent form is required for each child attending the school.

You can find the new Use of Images Policy attached to this article here.

The Foundation makes various uses of images of pupils during their time with us. Where these are necessary for administration and the safety of pupils, such as CCTV and for security ID, the Foundation does not require your consent.

Images are also used for marketing and promotional purposes, to celebrate the achievements of pupils, promote the work of the Foundation and the education it provides. The Foundation does require your consent for these purposes and we hope that parents will feel able to support the Foundation in using pupil images in this way.

Images generally will not have pupil names against them. Names will be used with images when, for instance, celebrating a specific pupil’s, team’s or group’s achievement.

Additional specific consent will be sought for instances when a single pupil is the main focus of a press release or on billboard or bus adverts.

You may withdraw consent at any time in the future by writing to the School Secretary at Crackley Hall. Please be aware that it may not be possible to change printed publications, such as a Foundation magazine or prospectus, or third party publications (for example where we have placed an advert or provided an image to a newspaper).

I am delighted to formally announce that Mrs Tanya Hill has been appointed as the new Assistant Head: Academic and will be joining Crackley Hall from January 2019.  At present Mrs Hill is an ISI School inspector and has previously been Deputy Head at Eversfield School and Warwick Preparatory School and joins us as a highly talented, successful and committed teacher and senior leader.  

Mrs Hill has spent two days at Crackley Hall recently, learning a little more about life here as she prepares to take up post in the New Year.