The Chronicle

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

Congratulations to them all!

Our best wishes go out to all of the Junior 6 pupils who have taken or are about to take school entrance examinations.   The Princethorpe College Entrance Examination is this weekend and we know that your teachers have prepared you well and that each of you has also worked really hard in preparation. Remember to stay calm and focused and trust in what you have learnt. All of you are in our prayers; and although you might worry, remember to take strength from the Lord.

A team of 20 swimmers from Crackley Hall School made the journey to Walsall Baths yesterday, Thursday 3 November, to compete in the Independent Schools Association’s (ISA) Midlands Junior Swimming Gala.

With 27 schools competing, the pupils from Juniors 4, 5 and 6 knew right from the start they would all have to swim superbly if Crackley was to have any chance of being placed in the overall team competition. Success at the Regional event would qualify pupils for the ISA National Championships due to take place in early December in London at the Olympic Aquatics Centre.

The children swam 25m in the pool and the races included both individual events and exciting team relays. For some of the children it was their very first experience of competitive galas but as always Crackley Hall’s pupils encouraged each other, from the start through to the finish of every single race.

Junior 4’s Theo swam sensationally in the Year 4 Boys 25m Backstroke just snatching the victory in a super time of 24.25 seconds, earning himself a well-deserved place in the National Finals. While Junior 5’s Alexa stayed strong in the 25m Freestyle completing the course in 21.57 seconds to finish third and take the Bronze medal.

In the Relays, the Year 4 Boys claimed a Silver medal in the Freestyle Relay, while the Year 6 Boys and the Year 5 Girls earned themselves Bronze medals with third place finishes in the Freestyle Relay.

Across the team, Crackley’s swimmers put in strong performances with a number just missing out on medals when they finished in fourth place, but their performances all helped Crackley Hall to finish in 5th place overall at the end of the day. It was a very creditable result for the school.

Crackley Hall's Director of Sport, Mrs Kat Vaughan, was delighted and commented, “As always there was a fabulous atmosphere poolside, with the whole team willing each other on. We had some excellent swims and tight finishes, Crackley has some very determined children.  Many congratulations to Theo for qualifying for the prestigious National competition in London.”

Well done to all of Crackley Hall’s swimmers for their excellent effort and good luck to Theo in the National Finals!

In their classes the children have discussed together, and voted for, their new School Council representatives for this academic year. We are pleased to announce the following council members who will support the school community and work as the voice of our student body.

Reception - Ted and Imogen  
Year 1 - Ella, Matteo and Haris 
Year 2 - Josh and Ashleigh  
Year 3 - Elle, Leyton, Gabriella and Archie 
Year 4 - Josh, Lexi-Jean, Jude and Diya 
Year 5 - Alexa, Harry, Phoebe and Arthur 
Year 6 - Arisha, Mairen, Carter, Olivia and Evie 

Facilitatetd by Mrs Burley, our first School Council meeting was held on Monday 31 October where the children were set the task of talking to their peers and making a list of their ideas for the coming academic year. The School Council meets again on Monday 14 November. 

Thank you to these children for volunteering for this important role.

Here at Crackley Hall our Vocations Week is a celebration of the mission God has for us in our lives. We have all been given gifts and talents that enable us to serve others in our community.

The week began with ‘Saints Alive’, members of our school and parish community volunteered to bring alive the Saints who represent each House: St Joseph for Mars, St Francis for Saturn, St John Henry Newman for Venus and St Therese Liseux for Jupiter. Our 'Saints' were interviewed by their Houses, with the question and answer session helping the children learn about their lives and the work that they did.

During the rest of the week over 40 parents visited Crackley Hall to speak to the children about their career and the gifts they use to carry out their role. We also had representatives from the Police and Fire Service, alongside members of the parish and wider community. The Vocational Wheel was a lovely opportunity for pupils to learn more about the variety of roles that can be done and for them to be inspired by the gifts required for the varying roles.

Mrs Jackson-Mayne would like to say a huge thank you on behalf of all the staff, to the parents, friends, and relatives who volunteered to come in during Vocations Week to tell the children about their role. It has been an amazing experience for the whole school – pupils and staff - and we couldn’t have done it without our fantastic Crackley Spirit!

Saints Alive Quiz

Following on from the Saints Alive visit, pupils across the school took part in a Vocations Week House Quiz on Wednesday. Teams included children from Junior 1 to Junior 6 and the audience also scored bonus points for their answers.

The results for the House Quiz are as follows:

Last place on 15 points – Saturn on their saint St Francis

Third place with 21 points - Mars on their saint St Joseph

Joint first and second place Jupiter on their saint John Henry Newman and Venus on their saint St Therese Liseux, both received 23 points.

A special mention should go to Jude in Junior 4S and George in Junior 1 for their amazing answers which demonstrated their listening skills and understanding.

All Saints' Day Mass

All Saints' Mass, led by Junior 3H, was celebrated by Father Kevin on Tuesday for the whole school and he talked to us about his calling to become a priest during the homily. 

Last year’s Junior 1 and former Junior 6 pupil, Olivia Burley, were both recently recognised in the Independent Schools Association’s (ISA) Regional Art Competition.

Every year the ISA hold an Art competition and Crackley Hall always takes part. It is a great way to celebrate the outstanding artwork produced by pupils in the school.

This year, Junior 1’s A Fishy Tale took first place in the Key Stage 1 3D Group class while Olivia’s WW1 Gas Mask, which she produced last year when in Junior 6, took second place in the Key Stage 2 Drawing class.

We congratulate the young artists on their super success.

Junior 1’s work now goes forward to the ISA National Art Competition, that takes place later in November.

This half term, Holiday Club provided plenty of excitement and kept all the children thoroughly entertained. Running across the two-week break there was lots on offer and in the run up to Halloween the staff included plenty of spooky themed fun.

Week one saw trips out to Ryton Pools and Jump In, while back in school everyone got baking enjoying making pizzas and apple crumbles. Week two was just as busy, the children visited the cinema and a pumpkin farm. They also took part in sports and games and arts and crafts. Then on the last Friday of the break, everyone had plenty of pumpkin fun designing and carving their very own Jack-O-Lanterns. They all looked incredible.

It has been super to see so many children enjoying all the activities this half term.

Holiday club will be back at Christmas, watch out for more information and come and join in the fun.

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

The Year 6 School Council members will be selling these items during break times next week. 

The products available:

• Poppy- suggested donation 50p
• Rulers - suggested donation 50p
• Poppy Reflector - suggested donation 50p
• Pencils - suggested donation 50p
• Rubbers - suggested donation 50p
• Sharpeners - suggested donation 50p

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