The Chronicle

Dear Parents

I have been fortunate enough to attend the annual Catholic Independent Schools Conference in London this week where I had the opportunity to meet with other school leaders and listen to some inspirational speakers.  I am always very keen to return and share my experiences with the rest of the Crackley Hall family including the children and parents.  Crackley Hall was left in the capable hands of the senior management team and I thank Mr Cottrill kindly stepped into host assembly this morning.

I was delighted to hear that Edward, Jessie, Sara, Tommy, Andrew, Allegra, Willow, Jasmine, Henry, Maria, Cadie, Henry, William, Isabella and Zak all received a Star of the Week award and Sara also was awarded a Headteacher’s Award.  Well done to all of you.    Thank you to our PTA for serving refreshments in the hall prior to assembly.  I am sure that you all appreciate this facility and I am grateful to those parents present for taking their seats quietly as children are seated ready for assembly.

Congratulations should also go to David for receiving RE Book of The Week and Maria, Holly and Aaron who were our Gymnasts of the Week.  I know that there were many other presentations including sports certificates, music awards and our Junior 6 prefects were also announced this morning.  Well done to all of you and I hope that our Junior 6 prefects take pride in their newly appointed role within school.  I would like to mention that Mrs Vaughan should also be congratulated on her progress to date in the England Hockey squad selection process.  There is still another trial to attend, but to be able to have achieved the current stage is a marvellous achievement and I look forward to hearing how she gets on.

This week Junior 6 visited Coombe Abbey and enjoyed a morning of outside activities in a beautiful setting.  My thanks are extended to Mrs Lammas for arranging this visit and to the Junior 6 teaching team for accompanying the children.

We welcomed Father Kevin into school on Wednesday this week for our first Mass of the term and also on Tuesday evening to meet the parents of those children who will be making their First Holy Communion and Reconciliation later this year.  I am always most grateful to Fr Kevin for all he does for the benefit of our whole school community.  Thank you to Mrs Jackson-Mayne for all her hard work in RE, for the Masses and for the benefit of the First Holy Communicants.

Whilst I hope that you find reading all of the Chronicle useful, I would like to mention just a few items of housekeeping that you may not have the opportunity to read in full later in this edition.  These mainly involve the health and safety of all children both in and around school.  I would like to reiterate my request for considerate and careful parking when bringing your child to school in the morning.   Please use the lower playground when possible or the surrounding residential area but avoiding driveways and dropped kerbs.  If you do use the drop off area outside the school entrance, please make sure you move around the roundabout and that your child exits your car at the closest point to the pedestrian gate or front steps.  This will help ensure that children can make their way safely into school. There should not be any need to reverse cars within the drop off area as traffic should keep a steady flow. 

If your child is absent from school we would appreciate it if you inform the school office either by phone or email if it is more convenient, as soon as possible.  This information will then be forwarded to the class teacher.  However, if your child has a music lesson during a period of absence, you will need to contact the individual peripatetic teacher.

Next week will see school host a Junior 5 Tudor day, Junior 1 visit the Transport Museum, an Open Day and the much anticipated visit to the Genting Arena to celebrate Young Voices 2019.  I hope you all have a restful weekend in preparation for next week’s activities.

God bless,

Robert Duigan

Any medicines brought into school must be handed in at the office. They must also be clearly labelled with the child’s name, and dosage instructions, accompanied by an authorisation form (see below). We need a new authorisation slip for each new batch of medicine. Medicine to be returned home must be collected from the office by an adult and cannot be handed to a child.

If your child needs regular medication, such as an inhaler, please ensure there is one in the school office.

All medicines should be collected from the office at the end of the academic year; we cannot store medication over the summer period.

Authorisation Form

Please find attached the termly curriculum sheet for your child's year group:

Reception

Junior 1

Junior 2

Junior 3

Junior 4

Junior 5

Junior 6

Monday 18 February - Friday 22 February 2019

If you struggle for child care during the holidays, look no further. The Crackley Hall Holiday Club will be taking place during the February half-term holiday.

It will commence on Monday 18 February and run 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 (due to staff ratios), and are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Over Christmas we were fully booked on a number of days and even had to start a waiting list.

Children were kept busy with baking, arts and crafts, films, team building activities and festive party games. There's always lots of fun to be had!

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

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

Young Voices

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

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

Six students from Warwick University led an interesting RE lesson on the difficult subject of ‘Refugees’.

The students, who are part of the charity UNICEF, explained to the children how children and adults flee their countries due to war, conflict, natural disasters and extreme poverty.

Pupils played games, watched clips and listened carefully to the challenging problems facing so many people. During the session, they had the opportunity to think about the dangers facing refugees and considered ways that UNICEF aim to alleviate the problems and how we can get involved to help.

Pupils were told of famous people who were refugees and because they were given safety have gone on to be extremely successful and make a huge contribution to the society.

The scenic vista of Coombe Abbey Country Park was turned over to geographical analysis this week, as our budding J6 Geographers and Botanists took to the 'waters' to advance their curricular studies.

A varied and challenging program of studies followed as, 'Pooh' sticks in hand, they first analysed speed of flow and considered water systems and channel erosion. Then, with net, magnifier and ID card at the ready they were off to the Top Pool to discover the aquatic bio-diversity that might be found. The Chronicle is pleased to report that no stone was left unturned or leaf litter unparted, as shrieks of delight met the discovery of dragon fly lava. After such a busy day a quick 'spin' around the children's playground rounded off a great day prior to the short trip home. 

An energised Junior 6 team revelled in the day, a feeling perhaps summed up best by Mrs Horan (J6H Class Teacher), "Getting 'hands on' with the subject transforms learning into discovery. I am so proud of our students, their excellent attitude to their studies will serve them well as they progress into senior school.'      

There's nothing better than to come together and celebrate with a piece of cake. So it was a special treat when Mrs Simmons (Chaplaincy Assistant), with cake in hand we might add, hosted our medal recipients and their friends.

Congratulations, one and all. You have worked hard and continue to provide an excellent example in the role of Altar Server. 

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

A pdf copy of the Lent Term 2019 Calendar can be found below.

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

Lent Term Calendar

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 David (J3M).

This week ten new pupils in Junior 3 began the next step on their spiritual journey.

Father Kevin met parents of the new Holy Communicants to confirm the partnership between home, school and the parish as pupils prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of Holy Communion

On Wednesday 16 January, Father Kevin celebrated Mass to mark the beginning of a new year and a new term.

Pupils took time out of their busy day to think about the ways we can all make changes to our lives, that will enable us to serve God, create stronger friendships and develop an understanding of our faith. The opening hymn, Come Jesus Shine encouraged pupils to be the light to chase away the darkness and the flame that lights the way.

Our thanks as ever go to Father Kevin for helping us celebrate new beginnings. 

We are pleased to announce that Aaron (J3H) Maria (J4JM) and Holly (J3H) are our gymnasts of the week.

U9C Boys Football vs The Croft 0 - 8 (loss)

Player of the Match - George Fry

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

This week we have been very busy thinking about the letter sound ‘d’ and all the different things that start with that sound.  We made our favourite ‘silly soup’ with donuts, daffodils and a drum, but decided not to put the dogs or dinosaurs in!! 

The cold weather yesterday gave us lots to think about and we went outside to slip and slide, crunch the leaves and spot the ice all around us.  We really appreciated our gloves, hats and warm coats! 

Have a great weekend, who knows, the snow might be coming!

Newsletter

On Wednesday 16 January Little Crackers Stay ‘n’ Players enjoyed a visit from Little Earthlings Yoga.

Julia, from Little Earthlings, led the Stay 'n' Players on a journey of movement and stretching to the popular children's tale Monkey Puzzle.  Everyone enjoyed joining in with the actions for the different animals and playing with the colourful silk scarves.  All the children and grown-ups had plenty of fun trying out all the different interactive moves. 

The session was just one from a regular programme of visiting activities at Stay ‘n’ Play, Little Crackers' toddler group that runs every Wednesday morning from 10.00am to 11.30am during term-time.

The next visiting activity will take place on Wednesday 6 February when Stay 'n' Play will welcome Amber's Language, Music and Play. A musical French class combining simple songs, sign-language and sensory play. 

To find out more about what Little Earthlings Yoga offer, you can contact Julia via email on littleearthlingsyoga@hotmail.com or visit her Facebook page.  

Come and have a coffee on us .......

We hope you all enjoyed refreshments being served in the school hall rather than in the dining room, we hope this will help bring the school community together.

PTA Winter Ball 2019

There are still a few spaces available for the Winter Ball which is being held on Saturday 9 February at The Woodside in Kenilworth.  

Those who have already purchased tickets or who have expressed an interest will be receiving an email within the next few days with menu choices.  We respectfully ask that all tickets are paid for and food choices made by next Friday 25 January as we need to confirm everything with The Woodside two weeks in advance.  

It promises to be a fun evening with entertainment provided by Kat and Steve Vaughan followed by a disco.  If you would like to come, we can accommodate a full table of up to 11 or we can add you to a table with other parents.  Please do not hesitate to contact Julie Hutton (Emily in J5's Mum) on 07958 282235 or Jess Lenton (Sienna in J1's Mum) on 07702 571295 if you require any further information.

Tickets are £45 per person and payment can be made directly into the PTA's bank account:

Sort Code: 30-94-93

Account Number: 02023477

Ref: Surname/Ball

Please let Julie or Jess know if you have made an online payment so we can arrange to get your tickets to you.

The lucky winners of a free night's accommodation on the night of the Ball are Mr and Mrs Wasley.

We look forward to spending an enjoyable evening with as many of you as possible.

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.

Thomas Martins ((J5L) has lost his blazer.

Hugo Frazier (J5R) has lost his cap and school bag.

Archie Robinson (J5L) has lost his named tracksuit jacket.

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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.