The Chronicle

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

Congratulations to them all!

On Monday 20 March, Crackley Hall travelled to the U10 ISA Netball tournament at Stafford Grammar School.

Crackley Hall started strong, recording the same score in their first and second games 10-1. They then nailed their third game with a great 7-0 victory. The results got tighter towards the middle of the day with a 5-4 and 6-2 victory but they finished the tournament with excellent wins 11-0 and 14-2.

Mrs Thomas and Mrs Duigan could not have been prouder of how the whole squad performed. The team's synchronisation and teamwork were impeccable, and they were able to use this to their advantage. The shooters made some amazing baskets, and the defenders succeeded in intercepting several passes from the opposing teams.

When they finished the final game the team were delighted and full of happiness. Winning the competition gave them a huge morale boost and a feeling of accomplishment.

Congratulations to the whole squad, they should be very proud of themselves. The U10 Netball team is unbeaten all season.

We wish Mrs Walter a fond farewell as she leaves Crackley Hall, she has been our Aftercare Leader for four years, I know all the parents, staff and especially the children will miss her dearly.

We thank her for her hardwork and care she has shown us all whilst here. Good luck Mrs Walter, we will miss you!

With the ISA U11 National Football Tournament being on the same day, Crackley took a team of eight Junior 5s and three Junior 6s to the ISA U11 Midlands Tag Rugby Sevens at Princethorpe College last Friday 17 March. With the majority of the team playing up a year against Year 6 pupils, Crackley’s squad put on a determined show and only just missed out on a medal.

The team showed great effort, determination and teamwork in the group stages; particularly after losing one of their top taggers and try scorers to a hand injury. They won four of their five matches, against Bowbrook 40-30, Crescent B 45-15 and Arnold Lodge 40-20, Tettenhall College A 35-25, but lost out to Dixie A (the event winners) 25-40. That just clinched the second spot in the group and a well-earned place in the 3rd v 4th play off. Despite being in the lead until the last minute - having shown excellent tagging and support play - one late try by a strong Twycross side denied Crackley the bronze. The team finished in 4th place overall out of 14 teams at the tournament.

Congratulations to the entire squad, you should be proud of yourselves after an excellent day of rugby.

Huge thanks go to the School Council and their parents for their involvement in the Save the Children Kenilworth Spring Fayre on Saturday 18 March at St Francis of Assisi Parish Centre. The pupils first prepared the plants in school with a volunteer from Save the Children. They then ran their own ‘Spring in a Mug’ stall at the fayre. Everyone said what a credit they are to Crackley Hall School. They contributed, in a large part, to the lovely atmosphere.

Their efforts exceeded the target the children set themselves. A total of £131.20 was raised. This will go a long way to support children and their families in the earthquake-affected areas. Altogether the Spring Fayre raised close to £1000.

The rain and the slate grey skies were not going to dampen the enthusiasm and exuberance of this year’s Junior 4 adventurers on their residential trip to Kingswood Activity Centre in Staffordshire.

For three days last week, pupils took part in a wide range of activities, including the zip wire, obstacle course, caving, crate stack challenge, archery, team games, mini-beast experience, the camp fire and, perhaps the most challenging of all, bed making!

All the pupils showed a wonderful willingness to try new experiences and to celebrate each other’s successes. They had a fantastic time and took home memories that will last a lifetime. Well done and way to go, Junior 4!

Father Kevin led the school mass in recognition of St Joseph's Day on Sunday 19 March. Pupils from Key Stage 2 led the readings and bidding prayers, and the Chamber Choir, under the musical direction of Mrs Olden, concluded the mass with a beautiful, reflective and symbolic rendition of Corner of the Sky; a song which embodied the vastness of love and emotion, which the Choir sang with thoughtful expression with the audience of pupils, parents and Trustees totally absorbed in their performance. Father Kevin also blessed crucifixes which were then given to the ten pupils who will be making their First Holy Communion in May, as well as awarding certificates to pupils in the Year 5 Minnie Vinnies, recognising their charity within the school.

The next Mass will be at 2pm on Friday 21 April.

On Wednesday we welcomed children new to the Foundation, who are due to start Reception at Crackley Hall in September 2023. They had an enjoyable morning making Easter baskets and cards, listened to an Easter themed story and were treated to an outdoor egg hunt!

As these pre-schoolers do not attend Little Crackers Nursery, it was a perfect way to sample life in Reception, meet some of the teaching staff and spend time in the Reception classroom. We look forward to seeing them all again soon in June for Moving Up Day, when they will meet the rest of their classmates and new teachers.

Children who attend Little Crackers will have their session in Reception when we return from the Easter break.

We would like to help the Leamington and Warwick Food Banks to support people in our local community. Each month we ask a different year group to bring in donations for the Food Bank, these will be distributed to people within Warwickshire.

During the week beginning 1 May we invite parents with pupils in Junior 5 to send in tins or packets of food or hygiene products so that these can be donated to people in need in our local community. Please give your donations to the class teacher who will put them in a box in the classroom. On Friday 5 May the donations will be taken to the Kenilworth, Leamington and Warwick Food Banks to help communities in need.

If you have any questions or indeed any suggestions in ways we could help our local community, please contact Mrs Jackson-Mayne at sjacksonmayne@crackleyhall.co.uk.

Thank you for your support.