The Chronicle

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

The amassed ranks of Santa hats and flashing antlers (a.k.a Crackley Hall's Choir & Choral Group) came together at six o'clock last Friday evening and delivered a most marvellous medley of magical Christmas carols and seasonal favourites to help celebrate Kenilworth's Lights big switch on.

Not even Santa's sleigh mounted petrol generator (who would have thought it?) could drown our the amassed talent on show. Happily, the expected rain failed to materialise, and our singers and players galloped through their set list to the crowd's obvious pleasure. A polished performance and rousing finish was capped by the now traditional light switch on countdown.

A big thank-you to Mrs Olden and her team for creating such a heart-warming start to advent. 

For just one special Saturday in early December our lovely school is transformed into a 'Winter Wonderland'. A festive feast for all is laid before parents, children and guests by our ever industrious PTA and their army of wonderful, willing helpers. Crackley's corridors and classrooms magically transformed from place of learning to site of awe and festive inspiration. There genuinely was something for everyone; tombolas spun and circulated their teddies, bottles and chocolate treats; whilst children worked in secret to prepare special gifts for parents. And still there was more - we moved excitedly through home craft stores and the pampering room, whilst appreciating the truly excellent face-paintings on many of the children.

The Christmas Fayre continues to be the venue for acquaintances to be made and renewed, as our guests sampled fine foods served at the veranda cafe and all washed down with perhaps a delicious glass of mulled wine, Irish coffee or creamy hot chocolate. For the more outgoing and energetic the go-to destinations were the donkeys, the carousel or the visiting Imperial Storm Trooper.  

Let's not forget that the Christmas Fayre is also a chance to meet Father Christmas in his grotto and chat with his elves. Santa reports he really enjoyed his time with the children and that he would be delighted to visit us again next year.

Thank you so much to our wonderful PTA and to everyone who helped out at our Christmas Fayre or who came along to support us on the day. It was lovely to see so many people enjoying themselves and getting in the festive spirit.

The PTA report (see later) they have raised over £3700, which is an amazing amount for a school of this size. The money will be put to very good use, so thank you very much everyone!

Parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents were treated to a thoroughly entertaining afternoon when Juniors 1 and 2 performed their sensational Christmas nativity.  The musical production took place in a jam-packed school hall on Wednesday 5 December and told the special story of the Inn-spectors visit to Bethlehem.

Sent out to make sure all accommodation is in tip-top condition for the all important census, the Inn-spectors are horrified to discover that at one of the inns visitors are staying in a stable, and that worse still, a baby has been born amongst the hay and the animals!  They declare that this simply will not do!

However, as Mary and Joseph tell their story, the Inn-spectors realise that this is no ordinary baby and their worries slowly start to fade away.  The splendid production featured witty asides from a super Innkeeper's wife, a toe-tapping routine from a musical donkey, memorable moments from the shepherd and his sheep, amazing angelic angels, a sparkling spectacle by the stars, majestic performances from the kings and super song and dance routines from the supporting cast. 

Thus the Inn-spectors are convinced and they happily declare the stable fit for a King!

It was a smashing production performed with energy and enthusiasm.  Well done to all the children you really deserved the audience's ecstatic applause and many thanks to all the staff involved.

Reception’s Nativity took place in the school hall on Tuesday 4 December helping to herald the start of Christmas at Crackley Hall.  The 15 boys and girls were magically transformed into angels, stars, soldiers, shepherds and kings and confidently took their places ready to perform.  Their production of Shepherd Little was delivered with plenty of enthusiasm, with the children clearly enjoying every minute of their time on stage.  The story of Bethlehem's smallest resident, and his trouble with the truth, proved an enchanting retelling of the much loved traditional Nativity story.   The singing was beautiful and the lines were spoken clearly so that everyone in the appreciative audience could hear how the village finally learnt to trust Shepherd Little’s tales.

It was a gorgeously simple script told with sheer joy and delight.  Our most junior of children energetically sang crowd-pleasing tunes such as ‘A Little Trouble With The Truth’,  along with old favourites ‘Away In The Manger’ and ‘Happy Christmas’.  Reception Teacher, Mrs Whitehurst said, "It went very, very well. We are so proud of all our children, they have all worked so hard."

Well done children, everyone loved your little nativity.  Thanks go to Ms Kefalas, Mrs Whitehurst and Mrs Verma for putting together such a super performance.

On Friday 7 December, Nursery, Reception and Junior 1 took the short trip over to the Warwick Arts Centre to watch Wilde Creatures. 

A motley crew of storytelling musicians brought Oscar Wilde's classic fairy tales to life in a brand new show direct from London's West End.

Characters from The Happy Prince and other stories sprang to life as the pompous mayor, the petulant princess and the love-sick student competed to become the new town statue.

The beautiful tales were told with original live music and a generous dash of comedy. The perfect Christmas treat for our youngest children!