The Chronicle

Dear Parents,

I hope that Storm Gareth has not caused too much disruption to your week.  Thankfully, the worst seems to be over now and we may have a slightly more settled weekend.

I would like to start by thanking those families whose start to last weekend was delayed a little by allowing their children to return to school in order to participate in our Open Day.  It was a hugely successful day and I am very grateful to all the children as their behaviour was, as usual, exemplary.  The older children were kept busy with tours of the school and took pride in describing, often in great detail, the school day and activities that they are involved with.  I was very proud of all of the children, including their manners and behaviour and how confidently they presented themselves to our guests.

The most talked about event this week was the Key Stage 2 Performing Arts Evening.  I am sure that you will agree, the standard of performance was simply outstanding.  It was easy to see that everyone present enjoyed the evening and your kind comments, post-performance, are very much appreciated as so much thought, time and effort goes into each act or piece.  I would like to thank all of those involved especially Mrs Olden, Mrs Wildey, Mrs Paphitis, all of our wonderful peripatetic teachers and your very talented children.  Thank you for joining us at a most delightful evening.

It is unfortunate that the weather this week has affected fixtures, particularly the ISA National Netball Tournament but many of these cancellations are out of our control and are cancelled with health and safety in mind.  We did manage some keenly contested fixtures against Bablake, with the spoils being shared between the schools over the four year groups.  I thought that our pupils reported on the matches extremely well this morning, speaking clearly and concisely – well done to them as well.  The House Football was also hard-fought, with Mars and Jupiter winning the respective competitions this week.

The wonderful flute ensemble’s super performance, as well as Millie’s beautiful singing enhanced our assembly.  Thank you to all of the pupils and their teachers.  Congratulations to our stars of the week: Alexander, Harrison, Amy, Sienna, Mitchell, Penny, Kyra, Amelia, Anabel, Rosa, Louisa, Arun, Wilf, Isabella and Alistair.  They certainly had a lot of fun, engaged in their scientific investigations on top of their all-round lovely work over the week. 

The gymnasts of the week are Elle and George; well done to both pupils!  I’d like to thank Mrs Roberts for organising the science week events – the pupils really enjoyed the activities.

Next Tuesday, on 19 March, we will be holding our annual St Joseph’s Day Mass, along with a special service in memory of Mrs Marlene Head, former teacher at Crackley Hall and Mrs Mary O’Farrell, our former Chair of Trustees.   As mentioned in assembly today, you are warmly invited to attend these events but please let the School Office know by Monday morning if you wish to attend so that we may allocate adequate seating and prepare our catering.  A short service will commence at 13.40, with Mass starting at 14:00.  Visitors are kindly asked to park on the School Field for this event.  If you are unable to attend, there will be an opportunity to view the benches that have been bought in Mary and Marlene’s memory, at a later date.  The pupils will all receive a special ‘feast day treat’ as part of the day’s proceedings.

Ten of our pupils are preparing for their First Holy Communion and, as part of this journey in faith, they will be making their First Reconciliation on Monday.  Please keep them, their families and teachers in your thoughts and prayers.

The Six Nations will be decided this weekend, after a closely contested competition this year.  May the best team win!  There is a still a grand slam up for grabs!  The English football teams have done exceptionally well thus far in this year’s European competitions, with all six qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Champions League or the UEFA Cup.  Let us hope that some of them reach the finals.

I would like to wish you all a restful and happy weekend.

God bless,

Robert Duigan