The Chronicle

Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.’

– Confucious

Dear Parents 

The week has really flown by!  I am writing my message to you just before departing for the Kenilworth Lights Switch-on in the High Street.  I am so pleased that we are able to participate again this year as it is wonderful that Crackley Hall pupils are able to help start the seasonal celebrations in Kenilworth.  I hope to see many families this evening and hear the children in fine voice.

We have continued to liaise with the UKHSA this week following their advice about winter sickness and have, thankfully, reported a significant reduction in cases.  This is a combined effort by school and parents heeding the advice and procedures issued.  We have however been informed that it is possible to be reinfected after a short period of immunity or for the bug to mutate and spread again so it is most important that we react without delay to any further instances of illness.

During the course of this week Junior 3 and 4 have been participating in LAMDA exams and I look forward to hearing about their results in due course.  I know that Mrs Wildey and Mrs Paphitis have prepared the children well for these exams and I am sure that they have all been busy rehearsing at home too.

I was delighted to see so many entries for the CISC Christmas card competition and, from these entries, we have chosen the winner of our school Christmas card design.  Congratulations to Rosie (Junior 6) for her beautiful artwork, which will form the front cover of our school Christmas card. Thank you to everyone who entered.

During assembly this morning I congratulated many pupils on their awards and efforts as I presented their certificates.   Our Stars of the Week this week were Victor, Alice, Eli, Sherry, Tommy, Fiorella, Aaryan, Thomas, Daiya, Gwen, Amy, Rory, Jay and Chloe.  I was also delighted to present certificates to pupils who were awarded Stars of the Week last week.  Well done to everyone who received a Star of the Week, a Da Vinci or maths certificate; you have all worked so hard.   

Penny (Junior 6) performed exceptionally well at assembly; she has a lovely singing voice, and we were all privileged to have enjoyed her performance.  The Choral Groups also performed exceptionally well and I was very proud to be able to hear how well both they and Penny sang this morning.

Unfortunately, our sports fixtures were affected yesterday afternoon by the weather.  Whilst we try to continue with fixtures, sports clubs and lessons, sometimes we have no option but to accept that the weather or ground conditions are not safe for the event to take place.  Decisions regarding any cancellation is taken after consultation with Grounds and Sports staff and we will then try to inform parents and other schools who may be travelling to Crackley Hall School, as soon as possible. 

Families of Junior 6 children will have, or will soon be receiving, communications from secondary schools confirming places for next year.  I am proud of every Junior 6 pupil as I know they would have all tried their very best when sitting the entrance examinations.  Whatever the outcome, whether a scholarship has been awarded by a school or the first choice place has not materialised, their education journey will continue and each individual will blossom at a different stage.  Junior 6 will be able to have some respite from their intensive examination preparations next week when they participate in activity week.  The ‘cake off’ is always an impressive event which I look forward to judging.

Next week, in addition to the Junior 6 activities, Junior 2 will visit Kenilworth as part of their geography topic and ‘flu vaccinations will take place in the school hall on Tuesday.  On Saturday 3 December, the School Christmas Fair will return and the PTA have worked tirelessly during the last few weeks to make sure that there is plenty to entertain families.  Please do try and come along to support this event as the children enjoy being in school for a fun event and seeing staff and families gathering outside the classroom setting.

The Men’s Football World Cup has produced many surprises in the first round of matches, and we can look forward to some more exciting matches this weekend.  South Africa will find it difficult against England at Twickenham although I am hoping that it will be an exciting game of rugby.

I wish you all the very best for a relaxing weekend with your families.

God bless,

Rob Duigan