The Chronicle

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

Alistair Darnell was awarded a certificate in assembly to celebrate his achievement of becoming one of our first Junior da Vinci pupils - well done Alistair!

Pupils can earn merits for demonstrating the traits of Creativity, Practice and Mastery in their school work as well as for extra-curricular activities such as sport and music. Alistair is a talented mathematician and has already earned all three merits in this one subject area, leading to the award of becoming a full Junior da Vinci pupil.

We are hoping that this will be the first of more Junior da Vinci merits for him and many other pupils at Crackley Hall School. The programme is named after Leonardo da Vinci because of his iconic status as a Renaissance man. The Renaissance Ideal considers man to be boundless in his capacities for development. It champions the notion that people should try to embrace all knowledge and develop wide ranging capabilities as fully as possible.

In this way, we can encourage the children to extend their potential beyond a ‘notional’ limit and help them to see that knowledge and learning is not just something that happens to them but is actually an activity in which they can and should take an active part. With this ‘growth mindset’, they can remove any limits on their learning and see where a thirst for knowledge, a creative mind and dedication to pursue new learning can take them!

Disney's musical phenomenon The Lion King continues to captivate audiences of all ages, so it was no surprise that Juniors Five and Six enjoyed leaving a cold and damp London for the warmth and majesty of Pride Rock and surrounding grasslands.

Combining dazzling staging and highly imaginative costumes, masks and puppets, this astonishing show at the Lyceum Theatre uses breathtaking theatrical magic to tell the story of Simba - who returns to the pride as an adult lion to take back his homeland from Scar with the help of friends. An enthused Mrs Holden couldn't contain her delight, "The Lion King presents the wide open spaces of Africa, packed with animals, beasts and birds of all description. This show is a feast for the eye and with hits such as 'I Just Can't Wait to be King' and 'Circle of Life' it's a bonafide treat on the ear too." We are reliably informed that the word 'spellbound' might encapsulate the wonderful feeling from such a terrific production.

When the main event delivers such as this it's easy to forget the 'slap-up' meal our students enjoyed within the confines of the legendary Planet Hollywood restaurant earlier in the day. 

Oh what a day, packed full with memories that will be treasured for a lifetime. We at the Chronicle fully expect inspired yet tired children placed their weary head on their pillow's that night.

Pupils and staff at Crackley Hall welcomed a new member to the school’s senior management team at the start of the Lent Term.  Charles Lamprecht, an experienced teacher and senior leader, has taken on the role of Assistant Head of Co-curricular and Cross Phase Liaison for the school.

Mr Lamprecht is from South Africa. He grew up on the picturesque Garden Route and after studying for a BEd degree worked as a teacher in Cape Town in a number of roles. In 2009 he relocated to the UK and for the last eight years has worked for an independent preparatory school near Windsor. He brings a wealth of experience to his new role having previously been a Head of Year, Head of Design Technology and Director of Sport.  

As a member of the senior management team at Crackley Hall, he will work closely with the Headmaster, Rob Duigan, and colleagues to ensure pupils enjoy the very best co-curricular opportunities.

Explaining his approach, Charles Lamprecht comments, “I have a strong pastoral focus and believe that empowering pupils develops stable, confident young people ready to make a positive difference to society.  I look forward to working with the children, their parents and my fellow staff.”

Rob Duigan, Headmaster at Crackley Hall, comments, “We are delighted that Charles has joined us as Assistant Head, Co-curricular and Cross Phase Liaison. When interviewing him for the role I was impressed with his holistic approach to education, an ethos which is echoed here at Crackley. He will be a key figure in the provision of the all-round education we offer the children here at Crackley and I wish him well in his new role.”

Our new Admissions and Marketing Secretary, Jenny Vaughan, is enjoying her new role as the first point of contact for parents interested in Crackley Hall School and Little Crackers Nursery.  Her warm, welcoming manner and natural enthusiasm ensures that new pupils have a seamless and smooth start to their school life.

As an Old Princethorpian and having previously worked at the Foundation senior school,  Princethorpe College, she has a wealth of organisational experience and a broad knowledge of the Foundation and its schools so we have no doubt that she will excel in this important role. 

On Tuesday 16 January she will be welcoming prospective parents and children to the school as Crackley Hall hosts its first Open Day of 2018.

Comments Jenny, “I am very much enjoying my new role and I am really looking forward to supporting Crackley Hall parents and pupils through the admissions process.  The Open Day is a good way for parents to get a picture of the school on a normal working day, they will be able to visit lessons and have a tour of the wonderful facilities.  The Open Day is for both Crackley Hall School and Little Crackers Nursery and runs from 10.00am to 3.00pm.”

Last year's half term holiday saw the launch of Crackley's very own Christmas Holiday Club and we're pleased to report that it was a resounding success! Daily, from 8am until 6pm, our charges were led in a range of themed activities by a group of Crackley's finest.

Needless to say, we all had a great time and a special thank you to those who attended - you children were awesome! We added some new activities to the programme this time around, who can forget Dodge Ball, crafty animals, mince pie making and park fun - they all, especially the hot mince pies, went down a treat!

The next Holiday Club will take place in the Easter holidays.  Please keep your eyes peeled for the signing up sheet which will be released soon, as places are limited and fill up fast.

The Foundation's senior school Princethorpe College celebrated its 50th Anniversary last academic year 2016-2017.  

To celebrate the year The Foundation has produced a 60-page souvenir review of all the activities and events that took place. An electronic version is available to view on the College website here.

Any Old Princethorpians or Crackley parents who would like to receive a printed hard copy of the review should contact the School Office or email goldenjubilee@princethorpe.co.uk with your name and address.