The Chronicle

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

Fresh from tickling the ivories at the recent Crackley Hall Advent Service, Chen Chen Pan (J6L) has proved that there's more than one string to her bow by securing a place within the prestigious National Children's Orchestra.

Chen Chen chose to augment her half hour of practice each night with a short audition in Birmingham one day last October and the rest as they say is 'history'. Now at the lofty heights of Grade 6, on what is her second instrument, she can take pride in converting her initial interest in the cello during J3 to an almost total command of this difficult to master instrument. 

Modestly she adds, "I like the sound that my instrument named 'Chip', makes and I hope to go to many places and perform to many, many people."

Congratulations Chen Chen! 

For one day only, the assembled J6 cohort, teachers and their helpers were transported back in time to 22 June 1897, the day of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, courtesy of History off the Page. The Gables provided the setting for a village school from the Victorian era, where Master Gray welcomed his charges to sit and learn a curriculum engineered to whether they were a 'master' or 'girl'.

A different style of teaching therefore awaited Crackley's most senior pupils. The teacher was to be addressed as 'sir' at all times, discipline was strict, whilst manners and decency were of paramount importance. And so, Master Gray's class eagerly set about their morning's lessons.

For the boys, preparation for the nation's economy and industry required an instruction in the British Empire and Mathematics. The girls were challenged to copy Bible passages and dictation, events that 'might' in the words of Master Gray develop them into a credible supportive wife for their future 'heads of house'. Still, all (especially the girls) adopted their roles for the day and immersed themselves in all things Victorian. Whether it be a dip pen or chalk in hand, they availed themselves of the opportunity and latterly finished some beautiful Christmas decorations.

In the afternoon, the class of 48 strong were challenged to select, learn and perform an act of their choice from a contemporary Victorian Music Hall bill. Who could forget how the pupils came together to put on a fine performance, where strongmen, comedians, hearty songs and a flea circus jostled for the limelight and because of their excellence, will forever remain in our memories. Certainly our modern day teaching practitioners, Mrs Lammas and Mrs Horan were impressed, as according to the latter, "It brought history alive and was a fabulous way to end their term on the Victorians."

Each year, Jaguar Land Rover runs its 'F1 in Schools - Jaguar Primary School Challenge', and, once again, Crackley Hall are excited to be putting a team of four forward. Our team is called ‘Speed Stingers’ and we are taking part in the Regional Finals in April next year.

The link for more information about the JLR Primary School Challenge is: www.f1inschools.co.uk/primary. Please take a look if you have time. You can see the high standard of the contenders and take a look at the cars made. It’s such an exciting time and our Crackley team think it’s very important to promote interest in education and careers for the future generation with STEM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Maths).

If you work with or for a company that you think may be interested in supporting 'Speed Stingers', the team would like to invite you to into school after Christmas to watch their presentation to see if you would like to help them through sponsorship or support more formally.

The presentation will take place on Wednesday 24 January at 4.00pm. If you would like to find out more about sponsoring the team or to attend this event, please email Mrs Spillane - margaretspillane@crackleyhall.co.uk  and she will send you further details.

Many thanks. 

On Friday 15 December, Christmas jumpers of all colours and shapes  were proudly displayed on the school 'body' in the now annual occassion of Christmas Jumper day in aid of Save the Children. The eclectic fashion mix was made sweeter still by the single pound coins that were simultaneously collected across our campus.

Drum roll please...we've raised over £237 for Save the Children! What a fantastic achievement - well done one and all and thank you once again to young Rocco George (J6L), who thought that it would be great if Crackley participated in such a simple and wonderful idea.

On Friday 15 December, Christmas jumpers of all colours and shapes  were proudly displayed on the school 'body' in the now annual occassion of Christmas Jumper day in aid of Save the Children. The eclectic fashion mix was made sweeter still by the single pound coins that were simultaneously collected across our campus.

Drum roll please...we've raised over £237 for Save the Children! What a fantastic achievement - well done one and all and thank you once again to young Rocco George (J6L), who thought that it would be great if Crackley participated in such a simple and wonderful idea.

Not even the glacial conditions earlier this week could separate Head Chef Ian Samsum and the mountain of foodstuffs that presented themselves to his team's preparation tables. So it was with sleeves rolled, approns on and sharp knives that Dawn, Wendy, Donna and Ian tamed the produce into a feast for both eye and tummy. The numbers are eye watering; 30kg of potatoes, 30kg of turkey, 400 sausages, 22kg of vegetables and 20l of gravy - and that's just the main course! Who could forget the homemade mouth watering mince pie or chocolate coated shortbread to finish.

We genuinely don't know how they do it, or for that matter, ever want them to stop. Thanks so much for making a special day even better!

Ist: Mars (225 House Points)

2nd: Venus (175 House Points)

3rd: Saturn (139 House Points)

4th: Jupiter (135 House Points)