The Chronicle

Dear Parents

I am preparing this week’s message to you in Scotland whilst attending the Catholic Independent School’s Conference with Mr Hester.  It has been a worthwhile conference where I have heard some very interesting and inspiring presentations which I will share with staff upon my return.

The main event this week, which I sadly was not able to partake in this year, was Young Voices.  I have heard that last night’s event was another hugely enjoyable evening with the children in fine voice in the best seats.  I look forward to hearing more about it on my return but I hope that those of you who accompanied the children enjoyed the evening as much as they did.  My thanks to Mrs Olden for co-ordinating our participation and to the office staff for ensuring that everyone received the merchandise, tickets and seats on the parent coach. 

I am grateful to Mr Cottrill for hosting assembly today and I understand that our stars of the week included Sloane, Alfie, Joshua, Jude, Elsie, Thomas, Joseph, Oliva, Elsie, Marley, Caythan, Millie, Aryan and Daisymay; congratulations to you all for your wonderful efforts.  Elizabeth was presented with RE book of the week and Patrick was awarded Mathlete of the week in J2H.   I know that there were a collection of music examination certificates awarded to those children who sat exams last term and I will hopefully be able to present the LAMDA certificates next Friday.

As you will read later in this issue, we will be saying goodbye to Mrs Skidmore-Bird on 29 January.  ‘Miss Katie’ joined Little Crackers in 2012 and has seen many children progress through the school.  If you would like to sign her card or make a small donation to a leaving gift, please speak to a member of the school office when you next visit school.

For those parents who would like to use holiday club at February half term, please keep an eye on your emails as the booking system will be open from next week.  This facility is available for Reception to Junior 6 children and open from 8.00am and 6.00pm from Monday to Friday.

Thank you for your continued support of the arrangements at the start and end of the school day.  This has had a positive effect on the school has a whole and your support with this initiative is very much appreciated.

England have certainly got the upper hand over South Africa in the third cricket test.  I would like to wish everyone a happy and restful weekend.

God bless,

Mr Duigan 

Please can parents provide a photocopy of their child's valid passport to the school office as soon as possible.

If your child's passport will have less than 6 months left to run in May 2020, please apply for a new one.

Thank you 

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

75th Anniversary Celebrations To Be Crowned By Diamond Anniversary Gala Ball

As part of the school’s 75th Anniversary celebrations, in addition to a St Joseph’s Day Mass on Thursday 19 March from 9.00am to 10.00am and an Open House from 10.00am to 1.00pm on Saturday 21 March 2020, we are delighted to confirm that we will be holding a Diamond Anniversary Gala Ball on the evening of Saturday 21 March at Crackley Hall.

The event will give past pupils, current and former parents and staff the perfect opportunity to celebrate the school’s success and rich history.

The Gables will be transformed into a party venue for the occasion and guests will enjoy a red-carpet welcome, champagne and canapes, a delicious hot gala buffet, with a choice of desserts, cheese and tea and coffee, followed by speeches and live music and dancing. There will be a pay bar with the facility to pre-order drinks. The fun will kick off with a reception at 7.00pm and carriages will be at midnight.

Heading up the evening’s entertainment will be one of Warwickshire’s favourite live bands, Streetlight Soul, with a funky repertoire covering hits from the 70s to the present day that’s guaranteed to get everyone up on the dance floor.

Tickets will cost £40 per head, with a maximum of ten tickets available per person and online payment will be taken at time of booking. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. 

Tickets will be available from Friday 24 January at 5.00pm. Please click here to purchase tickets.

The dress code for the evening will be black tie and the equivalent for ladies.

Do put the date in your diary and encourage friends and family to come along to what promises to be a very enjoyable and memorable evening.

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

On Thursday 16 January pupils from Junior 4 and Junior 5 joined thousands of children to sing their hearts out at Young Voices, one of the largest children’s choir concerts in the world.  For everyone it was an unforgettable afternoon and evening, a fabulous spectacle, a celebration of all sorts of music, an experience that will stay with them for a lifetime. 

The event took place at the Birmingham Arena and, following a full afternoon’s rehearsal under the inspirational conductorship of David Lawrence, thousands of school children from across the Midlands were ready to perform, to amaze the audience and to have the time of their lives. 

Crackley Hall has been attending Young Voices for many years; a testament in itself to the quality of the event.   

Director of Music, Susan Olden, described the occasion, “There is nothing like hearing and watching so many young people singing together. The atmosphere is extraordinary. This event provides incredible inspiration for every child no matter what their musical background is.  It gives them memories that will stay with them forever.  The repertoire ranged from classical pieces, through catchy television themes and on to modern day pop medleys. It is an awe-inspiring experience for everyone.” 

The event was an amazing experience that more than fulfilled all our expectations. We can’t wait till next year! 

Saturday 28 March 2020 - Arrive from 6.30pm - Walk from 9.00pm

The Foundation's senior school Princethorpe College is delighted to be hosting a major fundraising event for the charity Myton Hospice on Saturday 28 March 2020.

Glow For Myton - Around The World In 5km is a night walk that will wind its way through the beautiful grounds of the College campus, taking in the sights and sounds of some of the world’s best celebrations along the way. Myton Hospice has been running sponsored night walks for a number of years in city centre locations. The events have proved so popular that the charity started looking for a new venue and Princethorpe College was delighted to step in. Ideally situated midway between the charity’s three hospices in Coventry, Warwick and Rugby, Myton Hospice is hoping to attract hundreds of walkers from across Warwickshire for what it is describing as its biggest and best Glow fundraiser ever.

The 5km walk will begin and end in the Orchard where there will be entertainment and food available both before and after the event. The route will take walkers off around the College grounds. There will be plenty of volunteer marshals to cheer all the walkers on and along the way will be exciting zones showcasing festivals and cultural celebrations from around the world including Oktoberfest, Chinese New Year and the Holi Colour Festival. The event isn’t timed, instead it is all about enjoying the experience and the sights and sounds laid on for the event.

Comments Clare Cropp, Myton’s Community and Events Fundraising Manager, “We are hoping to raise £60,000 from this event and are really looking forward to holding it at Princethorpe. The event is already generating a lot of interest and we’re very grateful to the College for so generously supporting us.”

Glow For Myton - Around The World In 5km is open to all, and pupils and parents are encouraged to sign up for the event at the early bird price of £15 for adults and £10 for children on the charity’s website here.  (Children of all ages are welcome but under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.)

The event is sure to be great fun for a good cause so we are hoping lots of families and friends of the Foundation will want to get involved.

Mathlete of the week from last week for Mrs Lammas group was Thomas 

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Mathlete of the week for J1H is Diya

Mathlete of the week for J4JM is Alex

Mathlete of the Week for J3VZ is Mairen

Mathlete of the Week for Mrs Wildey's maths group is Alfred 

Mathlete of the Week for J2H is Patrick

Well done all!

If you are interested in finding out more about teaching at Princethorpe College why not come along to our A Taste of Teaching at Princethorpe Event on Thursday 23 January 2020 from 4.30pm to 6.00pm.

You’ll get a tour of the College with some of our Sixth Formers, a chance to visit your subject area and meet the Head of Department, followed by a short presentation by the Headmaster and the opportunity to ask questions of our senior team. Light refreshments will be available.

We have recently become a training school through the School Direct Scheme in partnership with the Lion Alliance and we actively encourage applications from those just entering the profession too.

If you would like to attend the Taste of Teaching event please click here to book your place by Monday 20 January 2020.  Further information on the event will be confirmed nearer the date.

Any other questions about recruitment should be directed to recruitment@princethorpe.co.uk or call 01926 634269.

Thursday 23 January - 10.00am to 3.00pm

Crackley Hall is opening its doors to prospective parents and children for an Open Day on Thursday 23 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 copy of our Lent Term School Calendar is attached below:

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 Elizabeth (J2H).

Tennis Club is cancelled on the Thirsday 23 and Thursday 30 January.  

If you have not paid for the course - please send your payment as soon as possible to Mr Roe.

We are pleased to announce that George (J4JM) and Summer (J4W) are our gymnasts of the week. 

Please find below information that may be of interest on a Netball course running in the February half term.   Please note that this holiday course is not run by the school and you will need to deal directly with the organsiers.

Netball Coaching Course

Netball Course Timetable

The Badgers had a fantastic time at Forest School this week, we explored the wonderful Windmill Woods, swinging in the hammocks, sliding down the muddy bank and climbing through the bouncy branches on the trees.

It was fantastic watching them explore, especially when the sun popped out briefly to see what we were up to! In a wild woolly stormy week, we all appreciated taking a deep breath and enjoying the fresh air.

I hope everyone enjoys a little of the same over the weekend.

Could I also just ask, on behalf of Miss Gail… if anyone would like to share photos of their Baptism she would really appreciate showing them to the group next week.

We have been talking about ‘Mary, Mother of God’, but move towards the importance of Baptism in the coming weeks.

Newsletter

Please find a link below to the current vacancies available across the Foundation:

• Teacher of Art
• Teacher of Business Studies
• Teacher of Computer Science
• Teacher of Design Technology
• Teacher of English
• Teacher of Mathematics
• Head of Law
• Groundsman
• Nursery Practitioner

Full details of the roles and how to apply are available via the following link  https://www.princethorpe.co.uk/employment-opportunities

Should you know anyone who might be interested in these posts, please do share this information with them.

Lost

Diya (J1H) has lost her school hat 

Max (J5L) has lost his sports fleece

Rory (Rec) has lost his clip-on tie

Amelia (J3S) has lost her school coat

Leyton (Rec) has lost his school tie

Lena (J1H) has lost her shirt, tie and dress after Karate last week

George (J5L) has lost his track top (after hockey match)

Julia (J3Z) has lost her school jumper and track top

Jakob (J3S) has lost his sports bag (no. 357)

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Parents, please ensure that all school uniform and sports kits are named.

Could you please regularly check all uniform and sports kits at home – if it does not belong to your child, please return it to the School Office as soon as possible.