The Chronicle

Dear Parents

Welcome to the last edition of the Chronicle for this school year.  It has been my pleasure and privilege to be Headmaster at Crackley Hall for another year; to teach and watch your children grow and to work with a great teaching and support team.  My thanks to everyone who has supported Crackley Hall this year and who have, in turn, made my role more rewarding.  Parents and staff across the Princethorpe Foundation, PTA and of course the children; thank you most sincerely.

I could not help but be moved and immensely proud of our Junior 6 children yesterday evening listening to their memories of their time at Crackley Hall and encouraging next year’s Junior 6 in their role as mentors for the younger children.  As our Chair of Trustees, Mrs Liz Griffin, mentioned, the reviews were inspirational and hopefully a heartfelt reminder that Crackley Hall is the next best place to home where your children are nurtured and prepared for the next step in their education.  Our performers were outstanding, the prize winners deserving and every single child should feel proud of their achievements this year whether it is academic, sporting, performing arts or on a personal level.

I am delighted to announce that Lucas Summers and Isabella Ward were confirmed as our new Head Boy and Head Girl; I am sure that they will perform their duties both confidently and with the support of the whole school.  Deputy Head Boy and Girl and other roles will be formally announced next term, although all the Junior 5’s were informed first hand of their roles in class today.  A note has been emailed home to all Junior 5 parents.

We have just about completed all reports and will be updating attendance figures and performing final checks this evening and tomorrow, so we expect all end of year reports to be available to parents before the end of this week.  Although there should not be any surprises, please feel free to discuss anything with your child’s class teacher in the first instance.

In addition to Prize Giving, we have also held the end of term Mass this week and I would like to thank Father David for visiting school on this occasion.  I knew that Leavers Assembly would be a special occasion, it always is, but there were some very special moments today that I know will remain with me for the rest of my career and I am sure that those who attended were also very moved.

There will be more communications from the School Office throughout the summer and an update just before you return for the Michaelmas term.  During the summer there will be considerable improvements to the facilities in Nursery and upgrades to other parts of the school building.

We will be appointing a Teaching Assistant for Key Stage 2 and another After Care Assistant.  The School Office will be open throughout the holiday period, together with Holiday Club and Little Crackers but please do ‘phone ahead to ensure that there will be someone to deal with your enquiry.

Thank you for your kind words and most generous gifts that have been received; it means so much at the end of a busy year and especially busy few weeks, that so many people take the time to thank us.  It is genuinely a privilege to help educate such wonderful pupils.

Unfortunately, the England football team were knocked out by the USA in the Woman’s World Cup.  However, as I write, the England mens cricketers are getting the upper hand over New Zealand, so I am told.  India are an impressive team, Australia are coming into form at the right time, England started as favourites before their drop in form and New Zealand cannot be underestimated.  I think Pakistan will unluckily just miss out on the play-offs.  It will be exciting whichever way it goes.

I hope you all have a relaxing, well-earned break and we look forward to welcoming you and our new pupils in September.

God bless,

Robert Duigan