The Chronicle

Dear Parents

I hope you have enjoyed the sunshine that we were lucky to experience at the beginning of the week and I shall keep my fingers crossed that it returns next week, especially for the Junior 6 visit to France.

I am writing this week’s Chronicle at the ISA Head Teachers’ Conference in Eastbourne.  This is a valuable event for Heads from the independent sector to meet and exchange ideas and share good practice and also an opportunity to be brought up to speed on the latest information on inspections, pedagogy and curriculum matters.  I am grateful to Mr Cottrill for hosting this morning’s assembly - and more on that later.

I would like to start by thanking everyone involved in the Family Fun Day last Saturday.  Whether you were involved in the arrangements, staffing a stall, performing or supporting the day I am hugely grateful to everyone and the day raised over £4,000 towards PTA funds.  The tireless energy of our wonderful PTA is to be applauded and I encourage parents to become involved whenever possible.

The ISA Netball was also held on Saturday and our U11 team travelled the long distance to perform.  I am pleased to report that they were placed second in the group which resulted in a final fourth place in the Plate Competition.  Thank you to the parents, children and staff who had an exceptionally long day cheering on our team.

On Monday of this week Junior 3 enjoyed their Ancient Greek day where they were able to dress up, learn and experience life as an ancient Greek.  My thanks to the parents who helped on the day, Mrs Holmes, Mrs Bhogal, Mrs Duigan and Mrs Van Zyl.

On Tuesday, the doors of Crackley Hall School were open to visitors for Open Evening.  It was a beautiful afternoon and the energy, enthusiasm and beautiful performances from the children were recognised by all our visitors.  Whilst it means an extended day for the children, I am pleased to say that they are very proud to act as tour guides or assist in whatever way possible at these events.

Junior 1 classes were treated to a Heritage Workshop held in school yesterday and experienced vintage toys and games that would have been used years ago in the playground at in the home.  Workshops such as these and the Ancient Greece day bring learning to life and is something that we like to arrange as often as possible for all year groups.

Well done to all of our Stars of the week:  Felix, Jessie, William, Adreena, Esme, Ralph, Jasmine, Harry, Max, Francesca, Nancy, Rosie, India, Stuart and Jack.  In addition to the Stars of the Week, I understand that awards were presented to Junior da Vinci recipients.  This is indeed a marvellous achievement for each child.  This week’s RE Book of the Week was awarded to Grace in J2 and the gymnasts of the week are Elizabeth, David, Isabelle and Jenson.  Congratulations to you all.  I am told that the Junior 2 recorder group performed a wonderful piece in assembly and I am sorry that I was not able to enjoy it personally.

All our Junior 6 parents will know that the French trip departs in the earlier hours of Sunday morning so I hope that all the children are almost packed and looking forward to spending a week with their friends in France.  We join in wishing them well for a lovely trip - J6’s final group trip with all their peers. It is also Mrs Williams’ last visit with Crackley Hall and we will be celebrating Mr Stedeford’s birthday during the visit, so certainly lots to celebrate and many memories to be made.

In staff news,  I am able to inform you that Mr Richard Hill will be leaving Aftercare at the end of next week as he takes a brief holiday before starting his full-time employment with a premier league football club.  We thank him for his contribution and wish him well for the future.  His position will be filled from within our team of teaching assistants for the last half term of the year.

Shoshanna Pavett, who teaches singing at Crackley Hall, is getting married next weekend.  We wish her and her fiancée a wonderful day and the very best for the future as they begin their married lives together.

Have a restful weekend with your families.

God bless,

Robert Duigan