The Chronicle

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

Congratulations to them all!

On Wednesday 18 May Crackley Hall hosted an Art Show with pupils from across the school, from Nursery up to Junior 6, revealing their amazing creative talents to stunned parents, friends and teachers.

The children’s work on display featured over 250 different paintings inspired by artists and stories from around the world.  They included artwork inspired by Kensuke’s Kingdom and Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa, the abstract work of Kaninsky, art that explored the Cornish coastline, Jim Dine inspired pieces linked to the theme of Romance, as well as art based on the work of Georgia O’Keeffe, Claude Monet, paintings inspired by sunsets and collages developed using the techniques employed by Kirsten Peters.

Working on their pieces for the exhibition has given the children the opportunity to study different artists, to appreciate their work, inspirations and colour palettes.  It has linked into topics from across the curriculum including Science, English, Geography and even Maths.

Many parents and children attended the exhibition to view the framed artwork mounted on display boards in the school hall.  All were amazed at the talent on show with many remarking the pictures would grace any wall.

Headmaster, Rob Duigan, commented, “The standard of work on show is outstanding, a huge variety of approaches and styles that has given every child a chance to shine. The use of colour is exceptional and effective, it has been a real pleasure to view them all.”

Our thanks to Mrs Holmes for organising the exhibition, and to all involved in the production of the pictures. The artwork was incredible and was a joy to view.

If you missed the exhibition, a selection of photographs of the paintings will shortly be available on the school website. 

It was wonderful to welcome guests to Crackley Hall’s postponed 75th Anniversary Gala Ball on Saturday 14 May, the last event of the anniversary celebrations to commemorate the founding of a school on the site.

It was a very convivial affair with over 100 guests including current and former parents, current and former staff and past pupils. The sun shone favourably as everyone enjoyed a glass of prosecco and appetising canapes on arrival. The Gables was transformed into a party venue with atmospheric lighting and impressive table decorations, setting the scene perfectly for the live music and dancing as the evening progressed. The partygoers savoured the delicious hot gala buffet. Many gave their compliments to the chef who had been preparing the food since early that morning.

Guest speaker and past pupil, Fleur Sexton, gave a heart-warming speech, sharing fond and amusing memories about her time at the convent school. It was lovely to hear her speak so affectionately of the teachers she remembered, in particular Sister Philomena, who was Headmistress of St Joseph’s at the time and was a special guest at the Ball. Fleur finished with some encouraging words of how her school years had very much shaped the successful businesswoman she is now, and how a Crackley education is the best start you can give to your children.

Crackley Hall singing teacher, Shoshana Stokes, wowed the assembled guests with a tremendous performance of Never Enough from The Greatest Showman, followed by Don’t Rain On My Parade from the musical Funny Girl.

The evening’s entertainment continued with more live music from Revolver, a versatile Midlands-based band, who performed classic rock and pop covers from the 50s to the present day. Guests were quick to get onto the dance floor to show off their moves, while others retired to The Gables terrace to enjoy their drinks in a quieter spot; sharing memories and making the most of our Foundation Sixth Form photographers, who were on hand to take portraits of the guests and their parties.

It truly was a wonderful evening giving past pupils, current and former parents and current and former staff the perfect opportunity to celebrate the school’s success and rich history.

Junior 5 pupils enjoyed a day at Princethorpe College on Tuesday 17 May, when they took part in a special Crackley Hall only taster day. It was an early opportunity for them to experience life at the Foundation’s senior school, and start to become familiar with the bigger school environment, helping to make their imminent move to secondary school a less daunting experience.

Depending on their group, pupils participated in lessons in Maths, English, Science, Games, Music and Drama. They also had a walk around the school buildings and grounds, enjoyed a legendary Princethorpe cookie, spotted old Crackley friends now at Princethorpe, took lunch in the Refectory and participated in other activities including a Q&A with the prefects. At the end of the day they had the chance to familiarise themselves with the CEM tests that will be used on entrance examinations day.

Their parents were invited to Princethorpe too, to meet members of the Senior Leadership Team at the end of the day.

Parents are reminded that Crackley Hall children are not automatically entered for Princethorpe’s Entrance Examinations. Those wishing to apply for September 2023 entry must complete a registration form by Friday 30 September at the latest, with the Entrance Examinations then taking place on Saturday 5 November.

More information is available from the Admissions Office at Princethorpe, they can be contacted on 01926 634201/262/297 or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk

Holiday club will run from Monday 30 May until Wednesday 1 June 2022.

It will be open from 8.30am to 5.00pm each day, and will cost £30 per child. Hot lunch will be provided.

Holiday club will only operate on the days where there are sufficient numbers to open, therefore it is important for you to book early as we may not be able to accommodate last minute bookings, due to staff ratios. If you have booked a day and the numbers attending are not high enough, you will be contacted to either cancel or rearrange the day booked.

Please book via the Holiday Club email address - holidayclub@crackleyhall.co.uk

Thank you.

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Hardwick's class is Hugo

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Glen-Root's class is Aaryan

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Burley's class is Thomas and William 

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Van Zyl's class is Daiya

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Holmes' class is Charlotte

Mathlete of the week for Mr Stedeford's class is Phoebe 

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Robert's class is Evie and Elora

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Wildey group is Esme 

Well done all!

Please follow the link for more information 

Please find more information about the Kenilworth Naturewatch in the flyer.

Please find more details of an Art Competition in the flyer or follow the link.

Ms Holmes is collecting nails (the larger the better), screws, nuts and bolts, drill bits etc for an art project.

If you have any spares and could donate to the Art department, that would be fantastic.

Thank you.