The Chronicle

Dear Parents

I should like to welcome everyone back to school and to the start of the Lent term.  I hope that you all had a peaceful and happy Christmas, including a period of rest with your families and wish everyone the very best for the New Year.  All the children certainly seem full of energy on their return to school and were very happy to reunite with their friends.

You will have noticed a change to our school reception area, including an additional set of security doors.  These are an extra safeguarding measure which I believe benefits the whole school.

As mentioned in my last letter to you, Mrs Tanya Hill joins the Crackley Hall staff team as Assistant Headteacher and although you may not have met Mrs Hill personally yet, I am sure that you will have the opportunity to meet her very soon.  She has already made a very good impression with pupils and colleagues alike.

I was fortunate enough to accompany the Junior 5 and 6 classes on their visit to London this week.  The two year groups, and several members of staff, enjoyed a meal at Planet Hollywood and then were entertained by a wonderful performance of Matilda.  The children behaved incredibly well during the long day and completed the short walk from the theatre to the coach proudly representing Crackley Hall.  Although it was a late finish, I think it was enjoyed by everyone involved and look forward to next year’s visit to London.  My thanks to all those members of staff who attended the visit and helped organise the event, in particular Mrs Olden and the office staff.

As you may know, Mrs Katie Skidmore-Bird left Little Crackers in December to begin her maternity leave and I am delighted to be able to inform you that, after a long wait, her daughter was born yesterday.    I am sure you will join me in sending congratulations to both Katie and her husband on the exciting news.

There are a few other points also covered later in this edition of the Chronicle of which I would like to draw your particular attention to.  Firstly, it is that time of year when children suffer from viruses and bugs.  These are easily spread within school and I would ask that you please note that children should not attend school if they are unwell and have had at least 48 hours since the last episode of sickness.  Please inform the office as soon as posisble of any absence so that class teachers are aware and registers can be adjusted.  Also, in order that you are able to collect your child as swiftly and easily as possible at the end of the day, could I please request that you use the lower playground car park if at all possible which reduces the number of cars in car line and congestion in the approach roads.

We continue to offer a wide range of extra curricular activities and all clubs have re-started this week with the addition of a few new choices, including yoga and tennis.  I know that certain clubs are particularly popular but I hope that children have been able to find at least one club that they are able to join this term. It is so important that all children involve themselves in the greater life of the school where they are able to extend, or learn, various skills and forge stronger friendships and inter-personal skills.

Congratulations to our stars of the week, Fleur, Lexi-Jean, Patrick, Rory, Ralph, Grace, Alex, Sidney, Max, Francesca, Archie, Kiran, Georgina, Harry and Maddie, to Martha and Henry who were awarded RE Book of the week, to our first recipients of the Da Vinci badges Roshan and Teddy and to those who were recognised in any way this morning. Well done on your efforts and achievements.

The excellent Lamda results are to be celebrated, as are this morning’s super musical performances by Elise and Isabella.  Well done to them and their teachers.

I should like to wish everyone a restful and relaxing weekend.

God bless,

Robert Duigan

Cyber-crime – please be vigilant

Parents are asked to be vigilant when reading emails relating to the payment of school fees and any other items to the Foundation.

We continue to receive reports regarding spam emails being sent to parents of independent schools asking them to pay future fees to a ‘new’ school bank account.

Please be advised there has been no change to the bank details of either Princethorpe College, Crackley Hall or Crescent and there is no intention to make any changes in the foreseeable future. Any electronic notification that appears to be from any of the Foundation schools changing these details may be fraudulent.

Our bank details are available on the Parent Bills, the Online Payment Portal and for Princethorpe in the Princethorpe College Information Booklet 2018 – 2019, and only those details should be used.

Please do not hesitate to contact me or my colleagues in the Bursary if you are have any doubts about the correct details or indeed if anything appears suspicious.

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar

We have a number of trips, events and activities coming up over the next few weeks. Please see the relevant letters below:  

J5 LAMDA Information Letter

J5 LAMDA Consent Form

J6 LAMDA Information Letter

J6 LAMDA Consent Form

Monday 18 February - Friday 22 February 2019

The Crackley Hall Holiday Club will again be taking place during the half-term holiday.

It will commence on Monday 18 February until Friday 22 February 2019.

There will be exciting crafts, games and activities taking place at school between the hours of 8.00am and 6.00pm.

Please be aware that places are limited, and are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Please follow the link to book a place https://princethorpecollege.parentseveningsystem.co.uk/

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

Current students Andrea, Thomas, Isabella and Andrew were joined by former students Erica and Ethan for enrolment into the prestigious Guild of St. Stephen at St. Francis Church, Kenilworth, on the 26 December. The Guild of St. Stephen requires that trained altar servers meet their exceptional standards, assist Mass on a regular basis and that they display their St. Stephen's medal of office.

We at the Chronicle are delighted to report this fantastic news and offer our congratulations to pupils, their families, Mrs. Simmons (Chaplaincy Assistant) and her team. 

This year in the lead up to Advent, J2 decided to have a different type of Advent calendar in their classrooms. Usually the class would have a traditional calendar – perhaps even with a chocolate behind each door. However this year, they thought about the autumn term virtues, ‘Faith-filled and Hopeful’, and wanted to help families less fortunate than themselves.  They realised that many families would be full of faith and hopeful that God would provide them with food for Christmas and decided that instead of having a traditional Advent calendar, they would have a ‘Reverse Advent Calendar’. Instead of receiving a chocolate from the Advent calendar each day, the children would give something to help others.

So each day a different child brought in a non-perishable food item, such as a jar of coffee, or a packet of biscuits, or a toiletry item such as some shower gel, and put it in the hamper. By the end of term both classes had hampers which were over-flowing with lots of delicious food as well as plenty of toiletries. Mrs Simmonds took the hampers to two families who are supported by St Francis church in Kenilworth. The families, who between them have three children, were so surprised and grateful to receive the hampers!   

All roads led to the Cambridge Theatre, London last Wednesday as Mrs. Olden's amassed ranks of lucky J5 and J6 students took their seats to enjoy a fabulous afternoon of musical theatre. We can report that writer Dennis Kelly and composer and lyricist Tim Minchin should go to the top of the class with their anarchically joyous, gleefully nasty and ingenious musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda. 

Inspired by the beloved book of the same name by the author Roald Dahl, this multi-award winning musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company won the hearts and aspirations of our students. To be this close to Miss Trunchbull, Matilda Wormwood and Miss Honey (amongst others), for inspirational renditions of many a well known ditty, including Naughty, When I Grow Up and Quiet was a well earned treat and no-doubt will inform our own pupils in their own musical theatre grade exams and school end of year show. 

We are very grateful that our Parish Priest Father Kevin is able to visit our school and lead the religious instruction of our pupils.

For this reason, Tuesday's whole school Collective Worship on Epiphany revealed and showed itself in the true meaning of the feast. His careful and considered instruction led our pupils through the features and events of advent, including our preparation for and differing dates for the celebration of Christmas across different denominations across the world. Ever inventive in his instruction, Father Kevin brought the meaning of the calendar to life through the skilful use of Three Kings, in the guise of Jasper (J4W), Connor (J5K) and Isabella (J6V).   

You should now all have received a copy of the Lent Term 2019 Calendar.

Please be aware that things are always added as the term progresses, so remember to keep an eye on the Chronicle for any additions/changes.

Lent Term Calendar

Thursday 24 January - 10.00am to 3.00pm

Crackley Hall is opening its doors to prospective and current parents and children for an Open Day on Thursday 24 January from 10.00am to 3.00pm.

This is an opportunity to look around the school and to meet staff and pupils on a normal working day. All are welcome, no need to book.

If you can't make the Open Day but would like to look around the school, please call our Admissions Secretary, Mrs Jenny Vaughan on 01926 514444 and come on a day to suit you, we welcome visitors on most days.

For more information visit www.crackleyhall.co.uk

Please click on 'View Gallery' to scroll through a few photos from this week's events.

RE Book of the Week has been awarded to Martha (J6V) and Henry (J4JM). Martha was awarded the award for her imaginative lego model of the ‘parting of the Red Sea’, which Martha devised during a lunchtime Lego club. Mrs Hill was extremely impressed with Martha’s religious knowledge and her explanation, which Martha described in detail in Assembly today.

We are pleased to announce that Woody (J4W) is Gymnast of the week.

SOCs sign up is now open for you to sign your children up to extra curricular activities during the Lent Term.

Can we please remind you that if choosing a club lead by an external provider, you must sign up both on SOCs and with the provider themselves.

Please see the attached letters for more information on individual clubs: 

Bayleaf Cookery Club

Irish Dancing

Karate

Mad Science

Chess

Rugbytots

Cricket

Tennis

Yoga

Ballet

Guitar

Mini Brass

Hello and Happy New Year! to all our nursery parents, and welcome back to the normal routine. 

As many of you knew we had a few challenging moments at the end of last term due to ‘The Great Flood of 2018!’ but luckily we are back to normal.  Unfortunately the carpet didn’t survive, but our new hard floor makes clearing up so much easier, the children have enjoyed the simpler surroundings and we have had positive feedback regarding how much bigger the room feels.

This week we have also welcomed a new addition to the curriculum with ‘Dramatots’ taking place on Wednesday afternoons.  Thank you Sam for an exciting start this week as the children went on a fabulous imaginary ‘New Year’ journey, exploring celebrations, fireworks and a muddy walk through puddles!  Next week I think we are off to the zoo! 

Can I take this opportunity to thank everyone for the lovely gifts we received at Christmas, you have been so kind and thoughtful and they have been much appreciated. 

Baby News - We are pleased to announce that Katie has had a baby girl.

Newsletter

Have A 'Winter Ball' This February Courtesy of the PTA

Happy new year, we hope you all had a lovely Christmas break....

A quick reminder that following the success of last year's Winter Ball, the PTA are organising another event at The Woodside in Kenilworth on 9 February 2019 (which is only a month away!)

We still have some tickets available and we’re hoping to get at least one table together for each year group as it will be a fantastic opportunity for old friends to get together and also to get to know newer members of the school community. You can either put together your own table of 6-10 people or we can add you to a table with other parents from your child's year.

The Winter Ball will be a black tie event with a welcome drink, 3 course meal and tea, coffee and truffles. There will be live entertainment and a disco and we will have the function room with dance floor, plus sole use of the bar area.  Tickets are priced at £45 per person.

If you wish to book accommodation, this can be done directly with The Woodside on 01926 852217.

Payment for tickets can be made directly into the PTA account (details below) or we can arrange for card payments to be made at school.  Please speak to Julie Hutton (Emily in J5's Mum) on 07958 282235 or Jess Lenton (Sienna in J1’s Mum) on 07702 571295 if you have any questions, if you’d like to pay by card, or if you have paid online so we can arrange to get your tickets to you.

PTA bank account:

Sort Code: 30-94-93

Account Number: 02023477

Ref: Surname/Ball

We hope you will be able to join us for what promises to be another really enjoyable evening.

Job Vacancy - After School Assistant – Crackley Hall

Required to start in as soon as possible, an After School Assistant to work as part of a team to provide after school care for children, term time only from 3.30pm until 6.00pm each day. They will support the smooth running of After Care and undertake duties in supervising homework as required.

This is an excellent opportunity to join the fast growing Foundation that values its staff and offers a rewarding benefits package including discounted places for staff, a pension scheme, child care vouchers and a cycle to work scheme.

Application: To apply for this vacancy applicants must submit a Crackley Hall application form, together with a CV and covering letter detailing your personal qualities, experience and how you meet the person specification for the role. Applicants must ensure the application form is fully completed, including a detailed career history with specific dates.

Closing date: Friday 18 January, at 9.00am, although candidates are advised to apply immediately. Interviews are likely to be held on Monday 21 January at Crackley Hall.

Further details and an application form are available from the College website www.crackleyhall.co.uk/employment-opportunities

Required for September 2019 a dynamic, innovative and well-qualified graduate to lead Mathematics in this flourishing school.

Candidates should have strong leadership and management skills, be visionary in their approach, have a proven track record of success in the classroom and be effective team players. An enthusiasm to become involved with the co-curricular life of the school is essential.

Single accommodation may be available. Princethorpe has its own pay scale which is above national scales.

This is an excellent opportunity to join the fast growing Foundation that values its staff and offers a rewarding benefits package including discounted places for staff, a pension scheme, child care vouchers and a cycle to work scheme.

Application: To apply for this vacancy applicants must submit a Princethorpe College application form, together with a CV and covering letter detailing your personal qualities, experience and how you meet the person specification for the role. Applicants must ensure the application form is fully completed, including a detailed career history with specific dates.

Closing date: Monday 21 January at 9.00am and interviews are likely to be held on Thursday 24 January, at Princethorpe.

Further details and an application form are available from the College website www.princethorpe.co.uk/employment-opportunities

Reporting to the Foundation Estates Manager, we are seeking to appoint an Electrician to maintain and service all electrical engineering plant and equipment on Princethorpe College, Crackley Hall and Crescent School sites. They will carry out technical duties in the college theatre and assist in the supervision of electrical contractors. A flexible and pro-active attitude to duties and additional working hours will be required.

The successful candidate should have an appreciation of the priorities of a school environment and have the ability to appropriately interact with pupils of all ages, especially when providing technical support in the Theatre.

This role is working 40 hours a week, on a 7 days’ contract. The working pattern will include evenings and occasional weekends on a flexible basis, according to the needs of the school, with core hours Monday to Friday. We will also welcome part time and job share applications for this post.

The salary for this role is £28,000 to £35,000 (full-time equivalent) – depending on experience.

This is an excellent opportunity to join the fast growing foundation that values their staff and offers a rewarding benefits package including discounted places for staff, a pension scheme, child care vouchers and a cycle to work scheme.

Application: To apply for this vacancy applicants must submit a Princethorpe College application form, together with a CV and covering letter detailing suitability for the role.  Applicants must ensure the application form is fully completed, including a detailed career history with specific dates.

Closing date: Monday 4 February 2019 at 9am, and interviews are likely to be held on Thursday 7 February 2019.

Further details are available from the School website www.princethorpe.co.uk/employment opportunities

Jimmy Loftus (J5R) has lost his named maroon and black Crackley sports jacket.

Alfred Cowell (J3H) has lost his named rugby boots (blue/black), boot bag (black), and water bottle (blue). 

Jenson Stokes (J1GR) has lost his named Tennis racquet.

George Fry (J4W) has lost his named school cap.

Sara Alvis (J1PG) has lost her Bronze award badge.

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Parents please can you check all uniform and sports kits – if any of it is not yours, please let the School Office know, and return it to us as soon as possible.

Also please ensure that all school uniform and sports kits are named.