The Chronicle

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

Congratulations to them all!

Crackley Hall School pupil, Blythe Camilleri-Willis, has won the British Science Week National Poster Competition. Eight year-old Blythe was awarded first prize in the Infant Category for his amazing poster featuring a Volcano Energy Extraction System.

Back in March, Crackley Hall School joined schools across the UK in celebrating British Science Week. At Crackley Hall, pupils explored different inventors before taking on the challenge of this year’s Science Week theme ‘Innovating For The Future’. The children designed their own innovations and then created posters and five were chosen to be submitted into the competition.

Year 3 pupil, Blythe was one of well over 2,500 budding young scientists from across the UK who took part in this year’s poster competition, showing his passion for Science with his innovation idea.

Teacher and Science Lead at Crackley Hall, Julia Roberts, said, “What an amazing win for Blythe. His volcano energy extraction invention was a marvellous innovation and his brightly coloured poster showed off both his scientific and design skills! Our world needs inventors, and British Science Week was a fantastic opportunity for all our Crackley pupils. They really enjoyed studying famous inventors and I was so impressed with all their creative innovative ideas.”

Well done to Blythe, Crackley Hall School is very proud of you.

The Little Crackers Nursery team organised a very special ‘Graduation Ceremony’ to celebrate the pre-school group ‘moving on’ to big school. The ceremony took place on Thursday 24 June, and the children were each presented with a little scroll by Nursery manager, Clare Bird.

The children had practised three special songs for the occasion and performed them perfectly much to the delight of the Nursery team.

Mrs Bird commented, “The graduation was a wonderful event that reminded us all of the good times we have had this year. It was such a shame parents couldn’t join us but we wanted to mark this important moment for our little ones. We are all sorry to see this fantastic group of children move on, but we wave goodbye with a smile, and plenty of good wishes for exciting times in Reception.”

Lots of photos were taken to share with parents and the performance was also recorded which we know they will all enjoy.

Crackley Hall School took to the stage this week for a full-scale musical production of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Performed by pupils in Junior 6 ably supported by a chorus of pupils from Junior 5 the children rose brilliantly to the occasion as the cast surpassed themselves to ensure the show could go on. The energy and clear enjoyment of all involved was a joy to see.

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is one of the world’s most beloved family musicals, a multi award winning show that has been performed across the world. Told entirely through song with the help of the Narrator, the show follows the story of Jacob’s favourite son Joseph and his eleven brothers. After being sold into slavery by the brothers, he ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail. While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled showman, the Pharaoh (or in our case Elvis!). As Joseph strives to resolve Egypt’s famine, he becomes Pharaoh’s right-hand man and eventually reunites with his family.

Pupils across the school have enjoyed watching the streamed production this week and the show has been recorded so that parents will be able to purchase a copy. Information on how to purchase will be shared shortly.

Of course, no show like this could happen without the help of many people. Our thanks go to all of the staff involved in whatever way, all the parents for providing costumes and props and most of all to the children for working so hard at their numbers.

Crackley as always you were amazing congratulations to you all!

Princethorpe has received its first ever review by the prestigious Good Schools Guide. The Guide, which selects schools to be included on merit alone, is famous for its unbiased and candid reviews of state and private schools, and is trusted by families worldwide. Princethorpe is now one of just 1,300 schools currently reviewed by the Guide, out of over 30,000+ schools in the UK.

An editor from the Guide visited the College in May, interviewed Ed Hester, the Headmaster, toured the campus, observed lessons and spoke with pupils and parents.

The 2,500-word review, which now appears on the Good Schools Guide’s website and will be included in the next hard copy edition, includes a pen portrait of the Headmaster, plus insights into exam results, teaching and learning, co-curricular life, discipline and the College’s ethos and heritage.

Commenting on the College's approach to pastoral care, the Guide says:

“There are two rules at the school: be kind and do your best. The whole school runs on this ethos and it appears to be all that is needed as pupils and staff adhere to it. The school is renowned for its pastoral care and kindness. Every parent we spoke to mentioned it and for virtually all of them it was the reason they chose the school. ‘It really is like a family and we are included too.’ These two old fashioned values shape the school. It’s open minded and all are very welcome but the Catholic teaching permeates throughout. Every child is treated as an individual ‘and they really are,’ said parents. The overall feeling that this is a kind school, we would concur.”

The very comprehensive and positive review concludes with a Last Word, which sums up the Guide’s findings:

We have the impression that Princethorpe College just gets on with things, modestly feeling no need to blow its own trumpet. But during the long-term tenure of this head it has gained in confidence, reputation and status and parents have sat up and taken notice. They know that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to educating their children and have found the school that agrees with them; a good outcome for all.

To read in full what the Good Schools Guide says click here.

Comments Ed Hester, Headmaster, “It was a pleasure to welcome the Good Schools Guide to Princethorpe. We are delighted that they have recognised our ‘spirit of family’ and found us to be a ‘kind school’ and that every parent they spoke to was ‘hugely impressed by the diligence and commitment of our staff’. They have successfully managed to get under our skin and paint what we feel is an accurate picture of life at the school.

He continued, "As lockdown restrictions ease, we are looking forward to welcoming more prospective families to the school, so they can find out for themselves what a Princethorpe education could do for their child.”

To find out more visit www.princethorpe.co.uk/visit or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

Our Little Crackers had a fabulous time at their Nursery Sports Day on Monday 21 June. The children headed out to the front lawn excitedly in their teams with everyone ready to rocket down the course laid out on the front lawn. The determination and concentration on their little faces was amazing as they took on the challenges of the hoops, cones, hurdles and bean bags.

Miss Lois started with a warm up to get everyone ready to run and then they were off taking turns to run up and down the course. There were four teams in each race, the reds, greens, blues and yellows and plenty of staff on hand to encourage and support our Little Crackers as they flew up and down the tracks.

A great morning was had by all. A special thank you to our Nursery Team and to Miss Lois for organising all the fun. 

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

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Glen-Root's class is Hector

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Holmes's class is all of the class!

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

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Van Zyl's class is Ivy and Arthur 

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

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

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

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Lammas's group is Elsie G

Well done all!

Mrs Holmes has asked if parents can send in any empty cylindrical crisp containers that you have please.

Thank you