The Chronicle

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

Congratulations to them all!

On the Wednesday 4 November 2020, all children at Crackley Hall, from Nursery up to Junior 6, went out in their year group bubbles to plant Daffodil bulbs. We did this to brighten up the surroundings, to create memories and to remind us that things are always changing and growing. Children will be able to look back at the flowers and not only see a memory of planting them, but will also remember, as a team we can get through anything and that there is always hope for the future.

Here are a few quotes for some of the Junior 6 children:

“It’s a great experience planting new life.” Scarlet Hammond 6H

Anabel Davis in 6V said “I like how everyone got involved and no one was left out.”

Isabel Reddish commented “I am grateful to the school for giving everyone a chance to brighten up the surroundings and help out the environment!”

“I think planting bulbs was a great idea and I enjoyed it thoroughly.” Amelia Hunt 6V

We would like to thank Mrs Jackson-Mayne and the Estates team for making this wonderful experience possible for us and look forward to seeing the flowers emerging in the new year.

Helayna Collins
RE Captain

The montages show some of the children from Junior 2 through to Junior 6 planting.

Although Little Crackers Nursery has remained open throughout the pandemic, the nursery staff have been missing out on meeting up every Wednesday in term-time with all their Stay ‘n’ Play, toddler group, families. So, with social distancing restrictions set to continue for the foreseeable future, the toddler group’s organisers Gail Buswell and Mary O’Brien are now offering exciting virtual sessions to help entertain all those lovely little ones at home.

This Wednesday saw the launch of Stay ‘n’ Play At Home, a series of fortnightly videos featuring favourite activities such as: settle down for story-time, join in our sing-a-long and get creative with craft. Each video will offer the mums and tots the chance to take part in activities that will entertain and support early learning and as a video, families can choose to join in with all or part of each session at a time to suit themselves.

Gail explains, “The sessions are going to be great fun and although we can’t meet up in person, through technology I know we can keep the spirit and fun of our toddler group going.” Mary added, “It has been fun putting the videos together and they contain activities we always have on offer at Stay ‘n’ Play. So, we hope everyone will enjoy them.”

The first Stay ‘n’ Play At Home was sent out on Wednesday 4 November, and we have been delighted with its popularity. If you know someone you think might be interested in joining our Stay ‘n’ Play community and receiving the video links, especially as we are now back in lockdown, then please ask them to contact Jenny Vaughan on jennyvaughan@crackleyhall.co.uk or on 01926 514410.

We hope to resume Stay ‘n’ Play in its familiar format as soon as it is safe to do so.

A very warm welcome to Alan Sullivan who has joined our support staff here at Crackley Hall. Alan will be working in the Estates Team, alongside Michael Luis.

Alan is familiar with the Princethorpe Foundation having worked at the College site for several years but has now transferred across to join us here in Kenilworth. One of his first jobs has been to tackle the leaves all around the grounds so he has been busy with his rake all week.

Said a delighted Alan, “I am really enjoying working at Crackley, the staff and pupils here are so friendly, it already feels like the next best place to home!”

Crackley Hall’s Half Term Holiday Club offered an exciting programme of events that kept all the children thoroughly entertained. It ran throughout the two-week break providing parents with the perfect place to keep their children active and safe. With access to Crackley’s super facilities there was lots on offer and in the run up to Halloween the staff included plenty of spooky themed fun.

On the menu were arts and crafts including autumn creations such as leaf hedgehogs and autumn leaves collages and in the always popular cookery sessions the children really enjoyed biscuit decorating.

There were bingo challenges and scavenger hunts plus plenty of time outside playing on the playground, play area and in forest school.

For Halloween the children made wool spider webs, handprint spiders, witches made out of paper plates and spooky ghost banners. They also enjoyed Halloween sweet treats, including making marshmallow Frankensteins, edible body part cakes and chocolate covered apples.

And then on the last Friday, everyone had plenty of pumpkin fun designing and carving their very own Jack-O-Lanterns. They looked incredible especially when the staff lit them all at the end of the day.

Holiday Club hopes to be back at Christmas so do watch out for details and be sure to come and join in the fun.

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Holmes's class is Evelyn

Mathlete of the week for Mr Stedeford's group is Lizzie

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Hardwick's class is Zachary

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Wildey's class is Joseph

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Burley's group is James

Mathletes of the week for Mrs VanZyl's group are Sara and Ivy 

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Robert's group is Alfred

Well done all!

As in previous years, we are supporting The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and have various items in school for the children to purchase.

Because of the current restrictions, each form have an allotted amount of merchandise to purchase and will be offered it in their own bubble.

The items available are as follows:-

Small Zip Pull  in various colours - suggested donation 50p

Poppy Reflector - suggested donation 50p

Silicon wristband in various colours - suggested donation £1.00

Snap Band in various colours - suggested donation £1.50

Please note that no change will be available so please discuss with your child beforehand and send in exact money for your chosen items.

The Flu Immunisation Team will be visiting the School on Monday 7 December to carry out Flu Vaccinations for all children from Reception to Junior 6. Unfortunately, we have no control over the date as it is set by the Immunisation Team on a rolling monthly timetable every year.

The immunisation (given to the children in the form of a nasal spray) will be carried out in class bubbles, in the school hall, with the area decontaminated between each year group.

Further details will be sent to you approximately two weeks before the immunisation date and this will contain a link to an e-consent form which should be returned directly to the Immunisation Team.

Ms Holmes invites entries from children at Crackley Hall School from Nursery through to Junior 6

The theme this year is ‘Joy to the World’

Please see information attached - CISC Christmas Card Design Competition

The weather is on the turn and this quick reminder is to let you know that you can purchase your school winter wear essentials from either the Uniform Shop at Princethorpe College or from the Office at Crackley Hall. Items are priced as follows:

Fleece Gloves – Ages 2-4, 5-7, 7-9, 9-12 - £4.00

Fleece Hat – Small/Standard - £5.00

Fleece Scarf – One Size - £7.00

Crackley Hall's Office Team can accept cash or cheque, whilst the Uniform Shop at Princethorpe can also accept card payments. Alternatively, you might choose to add your purchase to your bill and have the items delivered to Crackley Hall for you to collect.