Headmaster's Welcome
Dear Parents
The last full week of the Michaelmas term 2020 has been one to remember. I am sure that when you speak to your children this evening they will have so much to tell you about the excitement in school, especially today.
On Monday, ‘flu vaccinations were given to children in school by the visiting nurses. This year consent was managed online by the NHS and if you have any concerns following the vaccination, the school office will be able to give you contact numbers for the immunisation team.
On Tuesday Christmas lunch was served to Junior 2, 4 and 6. Mr Sansum and his team prepared a wonderful spread and children ate in their usual class bubbles which worked particularly well. Unfortunately, as I am sure you are all now aware, Christmas lunch on Wednesday had to be postponed and lunch was delivered to classes with the help of our teaching and office staff and the Princethorpe catering team. We were however able to resume service on Thursday with the assistance of Mr Ridgeway, Chef at Princethorpe College (from Holroyd Howe) when he served Christmas lunch. I am hugely grateful to everyone for pulling together this week in order to make sure the children did not miss out on their Christmas lunch this year.
Our Nursery, Reception, Junior 1 and 2 classes all enjoyed their Nativity performances this week. Mrs Stephenson, from Princethorpe, was on hand to capture the events on camera and a video of all of the children will be available shortly – the link will be shared with parents as soon as it is received by the School. I would like to thank Mrs Wildey, Mrs Olden, Mrs Paphitis and Mr Vaughan for helping to co-ordinate this event and I look forward to watching the video soon.
We welcomed Father Kevin into school on Thursday when he met with Mrs Jackson-Mayne and carried out the Sacrament of Reconciliation for our older Catholic pupils. We look forward to seeing Fr Kevin again on Monday for Mass which will be led by our Key Stage 1 pupils. I should like to thank Fr Kevin for all that he continues to do in supporting the spiritual development of our school community.
Today, our lovely PTA parents pulled out all the stops and revealed Crackley’s Enchanted Christmas. This was another first for Crackley Hall and the fun started when a cheeky elf welcomed children into school; a magical fairy then greeted classes as they visited the reindeer who were waiting just outside a magical grotto. The children had a lovely time chatting to Father Christmas who was keeping warm in his sleigh before collecting their gifts of reindeer food and a reindeer bell. I know that I speak on behalf of the children and staff when I say an enormous thank you to the super efforts of our PTA team who coordinated this event. My special thanks to Mrs Lamb, Mrs Wright, Mrs Davis and Mrs Ward for giving of their time today and in the days leading up to this special occasion. I am sure that the children will remember this day for a very long time and their excited laughter and smiles today made the hard work so worthwhile. The parents were well supported by a gang of school staff, especially Mrs Dyer – so a huge big ‘thank you’ to all of them!
The PTA Christmas light trail was also very successful and we even received calls from the public enquiring as to whether they could also participate. The results from the trail will be announced by the PTA and prizes will be awarded to the winning entries.
I hope you were able to watch assembly this morning where I congratulated our stars of the week who were: Musa, Lillyrose, Angelica, Francesca, Theo, Ivy, Olivia, Julia, Alex, Leo, Aaron, George, Anabel and Isabella. Da Vinci awards were presented to Elizabeth and Amy in J3, Olivia, Jack, Matilda, Theo and Isabella in J4. Super efforts from all of you collecting 3 stickers in one subject area. Jia and James in Junior 4 were presented with RE Book of the Week following their excellent work on David and Goliath. We also congratulate a number of pupils who received their bronze certificates this week and the talented and hardworking musicians who all passed their recent examination with merit or distinction.
On Thursday we welcomed a new member of staff to Crackley Hall. Adam Peters has joined the Aftercare team as Supervisor and I am sure that you will have the opportunity to meet him at some point soon if you use our aftercare facility.
As you are aware, term ends on Tuesday next week however, holiday club, the school office and nursery will remain open until 23 December. Please remember that holiday club hours are 8.30am until 4.00pm. Those parents who have booked their children into the club will be sent a list of planned activities next week. Tuesday, 15 December will be a non-uniform day where children can choose to wear either pyjamas, onesies or party clothes, with donations for this day going to the PTA.
I sincerely hope that we will be able to gradually return to offer the usual full Crackley Hall provision in 2021 with Masses, assemblies, comprehensive clubs’ timetable, sports fixtures, trips and having year groups playing together again. Your support and understanding during 2020 has been very much appreciated by me and wider Crackley Hall family – thank you.
I should like to thank, on behalf of the whole staff and me, all our pupils and parents for their many cards, gifts and good wishes at this time. We all love being there to support our wonderful families. My thanks are extended to the dedicated and caring Crackley Hall staff team. My best wishes go to everyone in our school community, that you have a peaceful and blessed Christmas and a happy New Year.
God Bless
Mr Duigan
