The Chronicle

Dear Parents

Welcome to the final edition of the Chronicle for 2021.  It’s been a challenging year in many respects but with the wonderful support of our families, friends at home and in school, we are now able to look forward to spending some time together with our loved ones during the Christmas break.  As a school, we have managed to stay open all term, arrange as many fixtures and events as possible. For this, we are most thankful. It was especially wonderful to be able to welcome families back into school for the various assemblies and Advent services and Nativities.  We will have to pray hard that we are able to continue this approach from the start of next term and that the Covid virus does not force us into more stringent measures of trying to prevent a further outbreak at Crackley Hall.

During this last full week, the pupils and staff have been particularly busy.  As mentioned, we have held Nativities and Advent Services and have also had academic assessments, our Christmas lunch, the Christmas Fayre and today we had a spectacular display of Christmas jumpers to support the charity, Save the Children. 

I would like to sincerely thank the PTA and the parents who assisted on Monday morning with the Christmas Fayre.  Each class visited the fayre during the course of the morning where they could win prizes, have their faces painted, play stall games, choose treats, make Christmas cards and also visit Father Christmas himself.

Our Nativities were held on Tuesday with Nursery to Junior 2 each performing to their families in the Hall and Junior 3 and Junior 4 each presented and performed separate Advent celebrations on Wednesday afternoon and evening. I am so pleased that the children were able to experience being on stage and having an audience after all their efforts during rehearsals.   I am very grateful to Mrs Olden, Mrs Wildey and Mrs Jackson-Mayne for co-ordinating these events and to Mrs Griffin, Chair of Trustees, for taking time to attend.  My thanks are also extended to Mr Kefalas for filming the events and Mrs Stephenson for capturing the performances on camera.  My thanks are also extended to the classroom staff who helped with preparations and the office and estates team for assisting with logistical arrangements. If you were unable to attend the nativities or advent service, Mrs Taylor will be able to send recordings of these performances next week.

Our catering team provided the whole school with a magnificent Christmas lunch on Wednesday and I was delighted that Father Kevin and Father David were also able to join me on this occasion.  I know that the staff enjoyed the lunch and I am sure the children were also particularly grateful for the super spread, although there may have been a sprout or two left on the plate.

I am most grateful to Father Kevin for all his care and support over the course of the term, including celebrating Holy Mass, hearing confessions and helping to plan the sacred and spiritual events of the term. He is always most willing to lead in his ministry and I wish him and Father David a most blessed and happy Christmas. It was also a pleasure to welcome Father Kevin to our Junior 3 Advent Service this week.

During assembly this morning it was wonderful to see so many different Christmas jumpers on display.  I was able to congratulate our Stars of the Week: Sanniv, Haris, Henry, Chace, Savannah, William, Leo, Josh, Isla, William, Oliver, Beatrice, Mya and Hattie.  There was an impressive collection of Junior da Vinci’s awarded too; congratulations to everyone on your exemplary efforts. Well done to the pupils who earned their bronze awards and to Marley on his certificate from the Catholic Independent Schools’ Association for his Christmas card design.

Next week will come and go all too quickly but we will be able to hold Mass in school for J6 and J5, class parties, class award assemblies and a panto (live and live streamed) before the end of school on Tuesday.   Holiday Club will be open from Wednesday 15 December until Thursday 23 December and the school office will also be open between 9.00am and 4.00pm until 23 December.  The school will close from 24 December and will re-open from Tuesday, 4 January 2022.  If you need to book Holiday Club or cancel your booking, please contact the school office by Tuesday, 14 December.

An electronic calendar card will be sent to all parents during the Christmas break and I sincerely hope that we will be able to keep all events in the diary, but I will update you regarding any changes to our Covid arrangements as we continue to follow the Government advice.

Although England have rallied today, I fear that the Aussies are teaching the England cricket team a big lesson in the first Ashes test.  I hope that you are all able to have a restful weekend.

Thank you for your support and interest over the past term; it is greatly appreciated and what helps to make us the school we are.  I will never underestimate the importance of a parent’s role and appreciate all the support that our mums and dads give their children and the school.  I am also most grateful to my excellent staff for all their hard work over such a demanding and challenging term. High standards have been maintained whilst coping with additional pressures and demands. The front office, ably led by Mrs Taylor, the estates and support teams and the academic team, led by our most capable SLT have all helped to grow and improve the school and ensure a smooth and happy experience for our pupils. The pupils are to be commended on their hard work, kindness and determination. Our staff and pupils all deserve a good rest and I hope that everyone finds the time to be with loved ones over the Christmas period. I should like to wish everyone a most blessed and merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

God bless,

Mr Duigan