Headmaster's Welcome
Dear Parents
Welcome back to the last half term of this academic year. This, traditionally, is the busiest half term of the year and this year is certainly no exception. Whilst we are awaiting the Government’s decision on whether there will be a delay to the relaxation of COVID restrictions, we continue to plan events assuming that we can move forward in the safest and most inclusive way possible. Various options have been considered for all planned events and, as soon as we have government confirmation, we will inform parents of how these events will be staged, the number of people who can attend and the level of hospitality that will be provided.
Children have been taking assessments throughout the week and have also been enthusiastically rehearsing for the annual production. As mentioned before, it is still our hope and intention to extend an invitation to Junior 6 parents to attend the production this year. We hope to apply similar arrangements for the annual prize giving (probably in three parts). I will confirm arrangements as soon as updated information becomes available but both events will be recorded so that we can share the children’s experiences with you all.
I was delighted to be a part of the First Holy Communion Mass for 17 of our pupils today. This is a very special event in our school calendar and, although we were restricted on how many visitors could be accommodated, it was expertly co-ordinated by Mrs Jackson-Mayne. I would like to thank everyone involved who helped make this day memorable, particularly Mrs Jackson-Mayne, Father Kevin, Fr David, Mrs Simmonds, Mrs Hill, Mrs Olden, Mr Owstrowski, Mrs Stokes, the Office Team and Mr Luis. I do hope that everyone who attended enjoyed the day and continued celebrating this special day with their extended families.
A representative from the Good Schools Guide will be in school on Tuesday and will be talking to individuals across the school in order to compile her review of Crackley Hall. We will also have a detailed and routine health and safety audit on Wednesday and, finally, there will be a photographer in school, capturing images to be used in future prospectuses. All visitors to school will be following our COVID visitor procedures.
There will be sports and leavers photographs taking place on Monday (in bubbles); children have been reminded to wear or bring in the appropriate kit. On Tuesday, Junior 4 will be attempting a world record when they join an online ‘Big Sing’. I hope to be able to let you know next week whether their attempt was successful.
In assembly this morning I announced our stars of the week as Aarav, Sophia, Savannah, Theo, Amelia, Vaughan, William, Leo, Sebastian, Willow, Elle, Niamh and Seb. Bronze awards were ‘presented’ to Kyra in Junior 5, Theo in Junior 2, Rosa in Junior 6 and Issy, Lily, Grace and Amelia all in Junior 5. Thank you to Penny and Olivia for their match report and to Aaron for his wonderful performance of ‘Pluto’, which was a lovely way to end assembly.
There was a ‘bumper crop’ of Da Vinci awards this week with Kate in Junior 4 receiving an award for French and Grace in Junior 2 achieving all 3 strands in Maths. Junior 6 pupils receiving Da Vinci’s were Henry, George, Penelope, Samuel, Noah, Jacob, Anabel, Rosa, Millie, Daya, Harry, Thomas, Harry, Isabel and Yung. There were more awards this morning as a result of earlier this year when a number of Junior 5 and Junior 6 pupils took part in the Primary Maths Challenge. Four pupils qualified for the bonus round that should have taken place in February. Unfortunately, due to lockdown the bonus round was cancelled. To mark this achievement the organisers sent the pupils badges instead with bronze awards being received by Thomas, Sebastian and Jasper and Noah achieving silver.
The end of term will be upon us very soon and I am aware that some parents would like to use our holiday club facility. It is intended to operate holiday club from Thursday 8 July until 31 August and potentially 2 and 3 September. It is hoped that the early notification that no holiday club will operate on Wednesday, 7 July will allow parents time to find alternative childcare on this day. This is due to whole-staff training. These dates are subject to there being a need for places and I would urge you to book next week if you would like to use this facility as staffing will need to be sourced. If we do not receive sufficient bookings, it will not be viable to operate holiday club and I would like to give parents as much notice as possible should there be a need to cancel.
I hope you are able to make the most of forecast, fine weather this weekend. There is some excellent sport on at the moment and some more to look forward to in the near future – the French Open is building up to the finals this weekend, the cricket series against New Zealand is interesting, the Euros start today and the upcoming Lions tour to South Africa is being eagerly anticipated by everyone who is British … I, personally, am not confident that South Africa will win as I feel that the Lions will be too strong.
God bless,
Mr Duigan
