The Chronicle

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

Congratulations to them all!

Crackley Hall School has marked the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with the creation of a new wild garden at the bottom of the school’s playground. The new Jubilee Garden was officially opened by the Headmaster after assembly on Monday 13 June. The Head Boy and Head Girl, Aaron and Lily, helped to unveil the new garden's sign in front of the whole school who had gathered on the playground for the event.

The new garden has been landscaped as a semi-wild area. It is accessed through an arch and path planted with willow, that as it grows will be woven to create a tunnel. The garden includes native trees purchased by the PTA earlier this year as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, a small wildflower meadow with seating and a bird bath.

The Jubilee Garden is intended as a space for the children to spend time relaxing together with their friends away from the busy playground at breaktimes and lunchtimes.

The plan is to continue to develop the garden year on year and for the Jubilee Garden to be looked after by the school’s gardening stewards.

Headmaster, Rob Duigan, said, “We hope the garden will grow into a peaceful wild space that will encourage wildlife. It has transformed what was a patch of unused land into a space where the children can enjoy nature through the seasons. I am really looking forward to watching it grow.”

What a fantastic day Crackley Hall School had at the Leamington Festival of Arts on Saturday 11 June.

Crackley children from Junior 3 up to Junior 6 competed with many others, including private LAMDA pupils, at the Motionhouse Studios, performing a variety of poetry and prose to a distinguished adjudicator. The children from Crackley showed commendable confidence and performance skills and were a cut above the rest, winning a whole host of gold, silver and bronze medals and receiving excellent feedback from the adjudicator who was very impressed with the high standard of performance on the day.

All together, Crackley pupils came away with five gold medals, six silver medals, five bronze medals and four certificates, an amazing achievement. Special mention must go to Willow R from Junior 6 who won a gold, silver and bronze medal for her performances. Congratulations also to Elsie G, Leo C, Mairen S and Marley H who were our other gold medallists.

For many of the children, this was the first time they had performed at an arts festival and they certainly rose to the occasion showing enthusiasm and confidence. Mrs Wildey was so proud of the hard work of each and every one of the children who had entered, commenting, “Crackley had its most successful results to date. The competition was to a very high standard but the children absolutely smashed it. They all did brilliantly not just the winners, they all gave their very best. It's another excellent result for the performing arts at Crackley!”

There was also good news for Junior 2s, Henry F, who was delighted to win the Henri Shawe Trophy for Piano Grades 1 and 2, when he competed at Warwick School, in a separate festival event. It is wonderful to have such talent here at Crackley Hall. 

On Wednesday 15 June, Crackley Hall hosted its annual ISA Midlands U11 Hardball Cricket Festival welcoming teams from The Priory School, Twycross House School, Birchfield School, Old Vicarage School, Tettenhall College and Ruckleigh School to play two teams from Crackley Hall on the sports fields.

In addition to the main competition, all the teams participated in a range of fielding, catching, batting and bowling clinics. The quality of play on display was excellent, with clear evidence of each school improving not only their cricketing skills, but also their tactical awareness in the 6-a-side format contested over 5 overs each way. It made for plenty of fast-paced action on the field of play. 

After the first round, The Priory School and Ruckleigh School topped their groups and both went forward to contest the final, with Ruckleigh School eventually lifting the winner’s trophy. Having finished second in their group Crackley Comets faced Tettenhall College to decide third place. After a tight match, Crackley Hall was delighted to take the win and claim the Bronze Medal.

In the presentations there were also awards for the best fielder, batter and bowler, as well as the longest throw and the player of the tournament. 

Special thanks to all the Crackley Hall and Princethorpe staff for their support of the event, and to Sixth Formers Will and George who did an excellent job umpiring all day. 

Last week the Nursery children welcomed some very special visitors - Warwickshire County Council's Road Safety Officer and their friendly mascot Warwick Bear. Warwick Bear came to visit to share some important road safety messages.

Through story, song and activities the children were helped to understand how to be safer around traffic. They found out that they should stop before the kerb, look and listen for traffic and then hold hands with a trusted adult to cross the road safely.

It was a really engaging interactive session and our lovely little ones were delighted to receive their very own safety bears.

Crackley Hall School’s Mini Vinnies would like to invite Grandparents and Housebound Parishioners to their Strawberry Tea afternoon on Tuesday 28 June between 1.30 and 3.00pm. Guests to be seated by 1.15pm.

Please contact the school office to book a place - 01926 514444.

Dear Parents,

Do you have any of the following?

• Aladdin/Turkish style rug
• Large baskets – round (think snake charmer or similar)
• Unwanted costume jewellery

Please send a photo of anything you have and we will see if it is suitable.

Please send details to CarrieHolmes@crackleyhall.co.uk

Many thanks,

The Props Team

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

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Glen-Root's class is Aaryan and Harry

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Burley's class is Thea and Francesca 

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Van Zyl's class is Felix

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Holmes' class is Henry

Mathlete of the week for Mrs Wildey group is Esme

Well done all!