The Chronicle

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

This week our Girls and Boys Under 10 and Under 12 Cross Country teams ventured north to Bedstone College, Shropshire to tackle their arduous ISA Midlands Cross Country course. Team Crackley were eager and enthusiastic and tackled the course's tricky twists, challenging hills and freezing water with courage and determination.  Slippery conditions led to plenty of trips and falls but between them Crackley’s 40 runners delivered a super set of results.

Six runners have qualified for the ISA Nationals, huge congratulations to Elle, Sidney, Maxwell, George, Hannah and Amisha.

In the team events the first four across the line count so with so many top placings Crackley also secured first place in both the U12 Girls and U10 Boys events.

U12 Girls: Hannah, Amisha, Caitlin, Isla 

U10 Boys: Sidney, Maxwell, George, Olly 

A special mention must go to Elle, Sid, George and Olly, who are all only in Year 3 and competed in the U10 age-group and beat them!  Also, to Hannah, who has qualified for National Finals for the third year in a row.

The children then enjoyed cheering on the Princethorpe runners (many of whom were ex-Crackley Hall pupils!)

Commenting on the event, PE Teacher, Kat Vaughan, said, “As always, the children were exceptionally well behaved, a real credit to the school, and a pleasure to take to the competition.  They were nervous but excited and ran courageously despite the conditions.  This is an excellent set of results.” 

Crackley Hall took a team of ten boys to the National Hockey Finals at the Lee Valley Stadium last Thursday 7 February. It was an early start leaving school at 6am, the boys were full of excitement and anticipation although a few delays in traffic meant they got there only just in time!
The morning pool games were for qualification into the cup or plate competitions in the afternoon. Crackley played steadily to achieve the following results:

Game 1 vs Abercorn – 1-0 win

Game 2 vs Rosemead – 0-0 draw

Game 3 vs Lingfield – 0-1 loss

This put them on equal points with Rosemead however, on goal difference, Rosemead were ahead, so Crackley turned their attention to the plate competition setting their sights firmly on winning that.

The team had good results in the plate first round:

Game 1 vs Lewes – 0-0 draw

Game 2 vs Avon House – 1-0 win

Game 3 vs Oakkfield Prep – 2-0 win

That put Crackley top of the table with 11 points. However, one of the other team's results had been entered incorrectly, so having thought they were in the final the boys then found out they were equal on points with Lewes. So, it went to the result of their game – a draw. Then onto goal difference, which was also equal, then goals for and Lewes had scored just one more than Crackley over the tournament, so Lewes went into the final and Crackley were in the play off for 3rd/4th place.

The boys were really disappointed, but showed real grit and picked themselves up, playing the best game of the tournament and beating Queen Ethelburga 3-0 to secure the bronze medal!

Players’ player of the tournament – Fintan

Coaches' player – Sam 

Most improved player – Seb 

Player of the match in the final – Joe (as voted by the opposition)

Commenting on the event, PE Teacher Kat Vaughan, said, “The boys were an absolute pleasure to take out for the day. They showed exceptional team spirit, working hard to support each other in celebration and disappointment. Mr Vaughan and I were incredibly proud of them.  They certainly kept us entertained during the long coach journey!”

The educational experience of children dramatically affects their quality of life and their subsequent life choices. For this reason UNICEF champion the cause of children and seek to bring the world's attention to this important matter.  This week they hosted a seminar on educational inequality for our Junior 5 classes.

Education inequality is a measure of the experience and life choices a child may or may not have. For example, certain children have less opportunity and access to school materials and resources than other kids. These experiences are not confined to school either, as our pupils came to understand the differences between the home and school life of two children named Daniel and Sarah, who lived in the Phillipines and United Kingdom respectively. Even something as simple as how one might get to school can show a huge difference, with one taking a warm car journey to a smart school building, and the other walking miles over uneven terrain to an 'open air' classroom. 

Events such as these help bring the world closer, given our understanding and empathy for each is enhanced. We extend our thanks to the Warwickshire University UNICEF representatives, as your engaging knowledge and insight has brought real meaning to a matter that is often overlooked.  

For a great part of the World's population and Crackley's Key Stage 2 students, last Wednesday was New Year's Day. This event was savoured through the creation of genuine Chinese style beef dumplings, cooked by all to a regional recipe under the expert guidance of Mrs Wu, the children's Mandarin Teacher and Mrs Simmonds her dedicated assistant for the day.

Even the delicate pastry case didn't fox our plucky students, as an ever thoughtful Mrs Wu had made sure that all had conquered the subtle art of chop stick usage through some hands-on fun skill drills.

The Chronicle is happy to report that the dumplings made good eating and were a perfect way to bring in the New Year. 

On Wednesday 13 February all children at Crackley Hall School will have the chance to take part in a sponsored Skipathon for The Sister Mary Aloysius College of Mercy in Nigeria. 

Organised by Mrs Simmonds, our chaplancy assistant and the Mini Vinnies, each child will be hopping, skipping or jumping for 1 minute during the day. 

The children should have brought home a sponsorship form earlier this week for you to help them raise funds for this worthy charity. We would be most greatful if you could please send back your completed sponsorship forms by Monday 11 February. Thank you!

The Foundation is holding a special memorial service to celebrate the life of Mary O'Farrell, the Foundation's much loved former Chair of Trustees, on Friday 29 March 2019 at 6.00pm in the Princethorpe College Chapel.

Mary joined the Foundation’s Governing Body in 2000 and held the role of Chair of Trustees for eight years until 2016, continuing to serve as trustee until her death. A former primary Headteacher with many years’ experience, Mary played an integral part in the Foundation's growing success, overseeing the merger with Abbotsford in 2010 and with the Crescent in 2016.

Comments Ed Hester, Head of the Foundation "Mary very sadly died in September last year and is sorely missed by us all. She was a remarkable woman in so many ways and with her passing the Foundation lost a true and valued friend. She was an exceptional Chair of Trustees, known for her wise counsel, collaborative approach and sense of humour, all of which she brought to bear in her role. She had an implicit understanding of education, teaching and learning and this, combined with her unique personal touch with fellow trustees, staff and children, had an immeasurable impact on the Foundation over the years.

He continues, "We hope this Memorial Service, which we have organised with her husband John, will give the many people whose lives she touched a chance to come together and celebrate her wonderful life."

The service will be followed by refreshments in the Sixth Form Centre. All are most welcome.

If you would like to attend the Memorial Service please click here to RSVP by Friday 15 March.

Foundation parents, staff, past pupils and friends are all cordially invited to attend Princethorpe - A Vision For The Future, a presentation by Ed Hester, Head of the Foundation on Thursday 14 March at 7.30pm in the College's Clarkson theatre.

The presentation will outline the Foundation's vision for the next five to ten years, and provide more detailed information on the College's new Science Building and campus improvements, including an interactive walk through of the Science facility.  Mr Hester will also feedback highlights from the College's parental questionnaire, unveil the Foundation's new website and outline plans for a new, improved Foundation parent portal.

Refreshments will be served after the presentation in the Sixth Form Centre.

The event is aimed at adults, although pupils are welcome to attend if accompanied by an adult.

Please click on this link to let us know if you would like to attend by Monday 4 March 2019.

Work is well underway on an exciting, new Foundation website which is due to launch this spring.

The new site has been carefully designed as five websites in one to perfectly showcase the Foundation and its four schools - Princethorpe College, Crescent School, Crackley Hall School and Little Crackers Nursery.

Melanie Butler, Assistant Head – Marketing, Admissions and Communications, comments, “This has been a major project, which we hope will be well received by the Foundation community and prospective families. It will look better, work faster and be easier to use than our current sites. We can’t wait to share it with everybody!”

The project has been carried out in partnership with website company, e4education.

Keep an eye on the Foundation social media platforms for previews of the site and news of the launch date.