The Chronicle

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

On Monday 11 June Crackley’s Reception class enjoyed a day of animal antics at Twycross Zoo.  This term the children have been discovering all about animals so what better way to bring their learning to life than by immersing themselves in the animal world at the award-winning centre for conservation.

Accompanied by Mrs Glen-Roots and Mrs Verma, along with three parent helpers, the children spent the whole day exploring and encountering a host of  fascinating creatures.

Assistant Head, Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, Mrs Glen-Roots said, “We explored the habitats of a range of different animals and learnt how zoos look after them, especially those which are endangered. The children saw pets, wild animals, sea creatures, wetland animals, butterflies and tropical birds. They got up close to the animals by walking with the lemurs, standing amongst the lorikeets, creeping through the Explorer Zone and stroking the goats.”

On what was a very hot and sunny day the children also had the chance to let off steam at the play area and enjoy a picnic lunch under the shade of a big tree.

Mrs Glen-Roots continued, “We had an absolutely amazing time, the children were so excited, but also impeccably behaved. We have come back to school with our minds full of facts and there is an incredible buzz around the classroom.”

31 Junior 5 and Junior 6 girls enjoyed a specialist netball coaching session this week with Wasps’ U19 Netball Coach, Lesley Blair.

Back in March the Crackley girls visited the Ricoh Arena to watch Wasps defeat Northumbria and were lucky enough to go court-side to meet the players.   Mrs Vaughan and Miss Jones had organised this follow up training session to capitalise on the girls’ fascination with the professional game.

Lesley began the intensive coaching session with a series of netball drills that tested the girls’ physical skills as well as their ability to think tactically.  The girls enjoyed playing games such as netball ‘noughts and crosses’ and netball ‘end zone’ that demanded quick thinking and quick feet.  She encouraged the girls to keep moving, to look after their team mates and to stay focused and look for quick clear shots.

Lesley has been involved in netball for over 20 years and has played at county, regional and national league level.  She has worked on the performance side of netball for 10 plus years and has coached girls up through the programme and on into the Super League.

After the training session the girls had the chance to ask questions.  They were particularly fascinated to find out that the senior players use the same training drills.

It was a motivating and inspiring session and one of which will encourage Crackley’s young netballers to train hard and aim high.

On Wednesday 13 June, Crackley Hall hosted its annual ISA Midlands U11 Hardball Cricket event, which was, by all accounts, a rousing success.

Mr Duigan, our co-ordinator on the day, rallied the Crackley Hall and visiting Princethorpe College staff early in the morning to set up the playing pitches for what promised to be a glorious day of cricket bathed in partial sunshine. We were delighted to welcome teams from Heathfield Knoll School, Lucton School, Old Vicarage School, Ruckleigh School and Tettenhall College.

The event was a fun-filled day for all. In addition to the main competition, all teams were given the opportunity to participate in a range of fielding, catching, batting and bowling clinics, and competitions, which assisted the players’ general development alongside their matches. 

The quality of play on display was excellent, with clear evidence of each school improving not only their fundamental cricketing skills, but also their tactical awareness in the specialised 6-a-side format contested over 5 overs each way. This made for fast-paced action on the field of play, which kept all the supporters enthralled. 

As the day drew to a close, the final was hotly contested between Lucton School and Tettenhall College, with Tettenhall College eventually lifting the winner’s trophy. Awards were also presented to the best fielder, batter and bowler, as well as the player of the tournament. 

Many congratulations to all the players who took part. There was a real sense of sportsmanship shared by all involved, which bodes well for the future of the game, especially within our broader ISA community. 

Special thanks to all the Crackley Hall and Princethorpe staff for their valuable input on the day. 

This week representatives from AECOM called into school to present the ecological work that they are undertaking in preparation for the construction of HS2, the new high speed rail line to link Birmingham to London.  

This ecologial undertaking is called 'enabling' works, where AECOM ensures that no harm comes to the many varied species that currently live in the build area. So, for example new homes are being built for those badgers found along the route, as well as the many great crested newts which have also been identified and being translocated. AECOM are also recreating the meanders in the River Tame at Park Hall, which is hoped will help otters, water voles and other creatures thrive beyond their original habitat.

Such knowledge has to be acquired, so the children were captivated by the skills and technology including cameras and trackers that are used. Many different kinds of wildlife were found and translocated to new habitats including; water voles, otters, a variety of bats, slow worms and badgers.

Mrs Lammas observed, "It was an extremely interesting presentation and the children were captivated by the scope of the project they have had to undertake." Testament to this is the time and dedication devoted to the rehousing of newts up to two years prior to the start of construction.

Crackley Hall School will be holding a Charity Fundraising Day on Friday 22 June in which the children, led by our Student Council, are being given the opportunity to raise funds for our chosen charity; Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Thank you to those who have supported their children in creating a stall for the event. There will also be a non-uniform day and children are asked to bring a donation of £1. They may bring up to £5 (in pound coins) to spend on the various stalls and games that will be running throughout the morning.

The Student Council thanks everyone for their continued support and charitable donations for this event. They are sure that everyone will enjoy a great day, whilst they raise lots of raise money for our nominated charities.

1st: Jupiter (248 points)

2nd: Mars (239 points)

3rd: Venus (201 points)

4th: Saturn (172 points)