Headmaster's Message

Headmaster's Welcome

Dear Parents

This is the final Chronicle for this term.   It has been the most unusual term of my teaching career but even through this most difficult time, I have been astounded at the way that the children, parents and staff have managed to learn and love throughout.  I would like to thank so many today but it would be impossible to list you all individually so I will at least attempt to make a collective thank you. 

Thank you to the children, who have been simply amazing and hardworking with their online learning and adapting to the ‘bubbles’ when they have been in school.  Thank you to parents, for continuing to support the learning and understanding the pressures we have faced during the term.  Thank you to my staff, the teachers, teaching assistants, office staff and caretaking staff have all played their part in ensuring that we can function and provide for the children as much as possible.  They are all in need of a much-needed break now so that they can return re-charged in September.

Sadly, we say goodbye to Mrs Tanya Hill, Mr Charles Lamprecht and Mrs Margaret Spillane and we wish them well for the future.  Mrs Malcolm will also be leaving us for a while as she begins her maternity leave.  We will of course keep you updated with regards to the exciting news of the arrival of baby Malcolm.   Thank you to our wonderful PTA who have supported us throughout the year.  We say a huge ‘thank you’ to Mrs Farquharson, Mrs Blenkinsop, Mrs Dhillon, Mrs Wasley, Mrs Hutton and Mrs Fox, all of whom have served on the PTA for a number of years and I am hugely grateful to their organisation of events, co-ordinating of fund raising and general support.  Hopefully we will be able to welcome some new members to the team in September.  Thank you to Mrs Lamb and her wonderful team for all that they have done.

There has been much to celebrate in school this week.  Move up morning was held on Wednesday and this was an opportunity for children to meet their new teacher, including Mrs Faye Burley, who will be teaching in Junior 4.  Junior 6 have enjoyed their last week at Crackley and although there were tears this afternoon, it reflects how important Crackley Hall has been, and will always be, to them.  The pupils have so many memories, even the children who have not been at Crackley for as long as others.  I hope that they enjoy looking through their yearbook, re-watching the videos and telling their families about everything that has been special to them during their time here.  If you would like to watch one of the fun highlights of the Junior 6 events this week, please see their page later in the Chronicle.  It has been my pleasure knowing every one of our leavers and I know that they will continue to flourish on their educational journey.  I ask that all Junior 6’s please keep in touch and I would love to hear how they enjoy Year 7.  Thank you to Mrs Horan and Mrs Vaughan, in particular, and Mrs Paphitis, Mr Vaughan and Mrs Bhogal for all the time spent with them.  Thank you to all the other staff members who worked in the various bubbles at different times over the past term.

You will have been sent several videos this morning including the Prize Giving, Celebration Assembly and the Leavers Service, all of which would have normally be held in school but I hope that you are able to enjoy these again in your own time.   Book prizes for Reception to Junior 5 will be sent home during the course of next week.  The final video will be one to enjoy when you have time to sit down with the family. It is a showcase of the music and drama talents combined into a Summer Concert video

The results of the Inter House Music competition have been decided these are detailed later in this edition.  Mrs Olden has announced that this will be an annual event as the number and standard of entries was very impressive indeed.  Well done to all who took part.  The results of the Inter House sports days are also available – thank you to the staff for organising these, particularly Mrs Vaughan, Mr Stedeford and Mr Vaughan.

In this morning’s assembly I announced the following Stars of the Week: Little Crackers Badgers, the whole of Reception, Joseph and Evie, all of Junior 2, David, Mitchell, George, Harry, Dexter, all of Junior 5, all of Junior 6.  Well done to the J1 pupils who were awarded their gold merit certificates (please refer to my assembly) and I also gave a Headteacher’s Award to Freddie in J5 for his positive approach to school life, always looking to give of his best whilst remaining cheerful at all times.

You will have by now received a letter regarding the proposed arrangements for September.  I appreciate there is a great deal of information contained within my communication but I wanted to reassure you that I will be considering every detail to ensure that children can return to school safely.  I will also contact you again prior to the start of term with further updates and an online calendar for Michaelmas term.  Reports will be available via My School Portal later in July and music reports will be sent separately.

For those parents who have booked holiday club, confirmation of arrangements will have been sent to you but if you have any questions please contact receptionist@crackleyhall.co.uk   I would like to remind you that we will be operating a strict opening time of 8:30am-4.00pm Monday to Thursday.  Children will be allocated bubbles for the duration of the time that they attend holiday club and reminded of the health and safety procedures in school.  They are welcome to bring their own electronic device into school but must please not bring in any soft toys; the same rules apply that were in force during the key worker school and other bubbles; washing hands, personal hygiene, washing of clothes before wearing them again and no sharing of equipment are most important.  The children must please bring in their own snacks, lunch and water bottles.

As the government is relaxing lockdown regulations, I would respectfully ask that all families who use the holiday club please bear in mind the safety of other families and of my staff.  If you are planning gatherings or are going out, please consider when it would be responsible to bring your child back into holiday club without putting others, who may still be shielding, at severe risk.  The virus is still very much amongst us and is growing again in certain areas not very far away from where we are.  A school in Nuneaton today announced two positive cases of Coronavirus amongst its staff.

I would like to say a special word of thanks to my senior leadership team of Mr Cottrill, Mrs Glen-Roots, Mr Lamprecht and Mrs Hill, along with my PA, Mrs Dyer and her team.  They have all helped to make such a difference during this challenging time.  I could continue with thanks and recounting memories of this year but I shall leave you to enjoy the start of the summer break and wish you and your families a wonderful time.  Thank you for all your support over the year.

Please stay safe and I look forward to seeing you again next term.

God bless,