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