The Chronicle

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

Congratulations to them all!

Friday 12 May was an important day for ten Crackley Hall pupils as they celebrated their first Holy Communion Mass. Junior 3s Niamh, Una, Edward, Tristan, Thomas, Gabriella, Jessica, William, Leyton and Thomas, gathered together excitedly with friends, family and the Crackley Hall School community at St Francis of Assisi Church in Kenilworth.

The children have been preparing for this special day for a while, learning about their faith so that they understand what they are committing to. In March, they took the Sacrament of First Reconciliation.

In the joyful and celebratory Eucharist, Father Kevin Hooper spoke about the nourishing love of God that would sustain the young communicants throughout their lives. The children then received the sacrament with the utmost sincerity and reverence. They were all a credit to their families and the school. Following celebratory prayers, reflections and concluding hymns the recipients were presented with certificates and posed for proud parents and friends in front of the altar.

Special thanks were given to Mrs Jackson-Mayne and Mrs Simmonds for their support of the children and to Mrs Olden and the Chamber Choir for providing the music and singing.

After the Eucharist the children were presented with gifts, balloons and individual First Holy Communion cakes to mark the occasion. It was a very special day for all concerned.

Five Crackley Hall athletes have qualified to take part in this year’s ISA’s National Track and Field Championships with two further athletes just narrowly missing out, after a super successful outing at the regional qualifying event.

Crackley Hall took a team of 29 Junior 4, 5 and 6 pupils to Saffron Lane Stadium in Leicester on Wednesday 10 May to compete against schools in the Midlands ISA Athletics event. Many of the children put in amazing performances and the school was delighted with so many athletes being placed in both track and field events.

In terms of team placings Crackley’s Girls were first overall with both the Year 6 and Year 4 Girls teams taking top spot. The Year 5 and Year 4 Girls team both placed second while the Year 6 and Year 4 Boys team came fourth overall.

Director of Sport, Mrs Kat Vaughan praised the outstanding attitude adopted by the Crackley team. “It was a long and exciting day,” commented Mrs Vaughan. “The atmosphere was amazing and our Crackley children really stepped up with team spirit second to none, with every child supporting their peers, regardless of event or year group. I am very proud that so many children have qualified for the National Championships.”

Congratulations go to Emily D (J6) who qualifies for the 150m sprint, James C (J6) who qualifies for the 150m sprint, Patrick F (J5) who qualifies for the Long Jump, Leo C (J4) who qualifies for the 600m and Jessie J (J4) who qualifies for the Long Jump.

Special mention for Sienna L (J6) who was equal first in the Long Jump but just missed out on qualification when placings were decided on the athletes 2nd longest jump and to (J3) Isabel A-J who placed 2nd in the sprint final and 3rd in the 300m competing in the Year 4 competition.

These results reflect the breadth of sporting excellence nurtured through class and extra-curricular sporting opportunities across the school.

The full results:

Junior 6 Girls:
Emily D – 2nd in 80m Sprint
Emily D – 1st in 150m Sprint
Esme C – 4th in Long Jump
Esme C – 5th in 600m
Penny T – 3rd in Shot Putt
Relay team: Emily D, Esme C, Leani dT, Jessie N-S – 2nd

Junior 6 Boys:
James C – 2nd in 80m Sprint
James C – 1st in 150m Sprint
Patrick F – 7th in 600m
Patrick F – 1st in Long Jump
Jay J – 4th in Shot Putt
Relay team: James C, Patrick F, Theo C, Joseph M, Sebastian C – 4th

Junior 5 Girls:
Sienna L – 2nd in 70m Sprint
Sienna L – Joint 1st distance (2nd on countback) in Long Jump
Elsie A – 3rd in Throw
Relay team: Sienna L, Amy C, Elora H, Adreena G – 7th

Junior 5 Boys:
Josh B – 8th in 70m Sprint
Harry B – 5th in 150m Sprint
Isaac F – 8th in 600m
Harry B – 2nd in Long Jump
Relay team: Josh B, Harry B, Isaac F, Jamie V – 6th

Junior 4 Girls:
Isabel A-J (Year 3) – 2nd in 60m Sprint
Grace A – 3rd in 150m Sprint
Isabel A-J – 3rd in 600m
Jessie J – 1st in Long Jump
Elle W (Year 3) – 8th in Throw
Relay team: Isabel A-J, Grace A, Jessie J, Harriet S – 2nd

Junior 4 Boys:
Josh B – 5th in 150m Sprint
Leo C – 1st in 600m
Ryan M – 7th in Long Jump
Casper B (Year 3) – 5th in Throw
Relay team: Josh B, Theo H, Ryan M, Alex T – 5th

The ISA National Track and Field Championships take place later this term, on Monday 19 June at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham. We wish all who have qualified the very best of luck.

Have a look in the gallery to see photos from the regional event.

As you are aware the children will be involved in performing Peter Pan for our summer production.

All children in the school are invited and encouraged to design a programme for the two shows drawing inspiration from Peter Pan.

 The following information must be on the design:

• Crackley Hall Presents Peter Pan
• Leamington Spa Centre
• Friday 23 June

Children are encouraged to be creative and produce a colourful design, handing it into the office by Monday 12 June at the latest.

The Performing Arts Team along with Mr Duigan will then select a winner and their design will be used on the programme.

We look forward to seeing what the children come up with.

Good luck!

To celebrate the coronation of the new king, Crackley Hall's Choral Group, joined primary school and community choirs at Kenilworth Castle, for a fabulous Choirs At The Castle celebration on Sunday 7 May.

Head of Music, Mrs Olden, led the pupils in singing amongst others, Coronation Day, a song specially written for the occasion. It was lovely to see so many children attending and celebrating this momentous moment in British history.

Little Crackers Stay 'n' Play went wild in the outdoors on Wednesday morning, with a special session of Forest Fun in Windmill Wood. Lots of muddy fun and exploring was had by all, with some water play and even worm hunting!

It's lovely to share this wonderful outdoor resource with our weekly toddler group.

Our next activity with be Outdoor Play on Wednesday 24 May and don't forget our Teddy Bears' Picnic on Wednesday 21 June.

Stay 'n' Play's autumn activity dates will be available shortly on the Little Crackers website, please do share them with interested family and friends as booking is essential to avoid disappointment.

https://www.littlecrackers.co.uk/stay-n-play

Crackley Hall’s Junior 4 pupils enjoyed a half-day music technology workshop at Princethorpe College this week, on Thursday 11 May. Hosted by Director of Music, Gil Cowlishaw, and Music Teacher, Alison Wakeley, the sessions took place in the College’s dedicated Music Technology suite and IT classrooms.

The children were introduced to computer music production concepts such as sequencing and arrangement and then encouraged to experiment. Using the technology software Soundtrap, the children enjoyed creating music in a completely new way. Starting with drum machine patterns and loops and adding texture through the addition of bass, keyboard and even vocal lines the children each created their own unique piece.

After a short break and an obligatory Princethorpe cookie, the children moved on to explore the concept of harmony. This time using online song writing software Hookpad, the children built a pattern of major and minor chords and overlaid their own melodies. Finally, the children listened to their music in a variety of music styles including rock, pop, jazz and even reggae. Junior 4 clearly enjoyed the workshop and exploring music in a new way. 

Mr Cowlishaw, commented, “We had lots of fun in our music technology taster, the children were all fantastic to work with and created some amazing pieces.”