The Chronicle

Dear Parents

Welcome to the last issue of the Chronicle for this academic year. It has been such an honour and privilege to serve the community as Headmaster of Crackley Hall this year. Sharing in the growth and progress of your children and collaborating with an outstanding team of teachers and support staff has been an incredibly fulfilling journey. I would like to convey my sincerest gratitude to all those who have steadfastly supported Crackley Hall throughout the year. I extend my thanks to our dedicated parents, the PTA, and most importantly, the pupils. Your contributions are highly valued. 
 
Last night, I had a heartwarming experience listening to the Junior 6 pupils reminisce about their time at Crackley Hall (in some cases, reading what they said). It was truly inspiring to hear or read their words of encouragement and support for the future Junior 6 pupils who will be mentors for our younger years. Talking with all of you reminded me of how nurturing and strong in preparing our pupils for the future Crackley Hall is. The exceptional performances and well-deserved prize winners showcased our pupils' hard work and dedication. Every child should feel proud of their accomplishments this year, whether in academics, sports, performing arts, or personal growth. 
 
We are pleased to inform you that Blythe Camilleri-Willis has been selected as the new Head Boy and Evie Kettle as the new Head Girl of our school. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to them and wish them all the best in their new roles. We also congratulate the newly appointed Deputy Head Girl, Beatrice Parizzi, and Deputy Head Boy, Arthur Cowell, on their well-deserved appointments. The entire school community is very proud of them. 
 
We have received an overwhelming response for this year's Summer Holiday Club. Ms. Osborn has informed me that several days are already fully booked, and only a few spaces are available. If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us via email at holidayclub@crackleyhall.co.uk. 
 
Yesterday, I had a wonderful experience that made me contemplate the significance of life experiences. That was just before I had to rush off for an emergency appointment before being able to return for the prize giving! Three Sisters of Mercies visited me, unannounced, who had previously been teachers at St. Joseph's before it merged with Princethorpe College in 2001, resulting in the formation of the Warwickshire Catholic Independent Schools Foundation. During our conversation, one of them mentioned that they knew my father through her work as a missionary nun in South Africa and another said that she had recently met my mother at a school who was visiting the sisters at the school where I was previously the Principal. As some of you may know, I was born in South Africa, and after many years, my wife and I decided to take a risk and relocate to the UK to advance our careers and raise our family. This coincidental encounter with people who knew my parents from a distance was most surreal and very heartwarming and reaffirming, especially as they were able to relay stories and anecdotes about my parents. 
 
As the term comes to a close, I want to express my deep appreciation for my colleagues. Their dedication and hard work to serve our pupils and strengthen our communities are truly commendable. With International Mandela Day approaching on July 18th, I am reminded of his favourite poem, 'Invictus,' by William Ernest Henley. One line from the poem that particularly resonates with me is "I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul." This, of course, should be approached in line with God’s will. The line represents the remarkable strength and resilience of the human spirit, which you all have demonstrated by supporting each other, our pupils, and our communities through your tireless commitment and effort. Henley's poem celebrates the unique quality of humanity, showcasing that individuals have the power to persevere even when faced with challenges. I'd like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to you all for your contributions to Crackley and for being a constant support for our pupils and each other. 
 
It's heartwarming to witness how you our school community all come together to share experiences, rely on each other, and promote a culture of respect and care. For the role you've played in supporting our children, for the way you've tackled numerous challenges, for your selflessness towards others, for going above and beyond your duties, for your unwavering support and care towards each other, for embracing change and turning it into a positive, and for delivering exceptional results consistently – I thank you sincerely. As you take a well-deserved break, I hope you have a relaxing time, regardless of how you choose to spend it. 
 
A highlight of the year was the fathers’ inaugural charity football match against Crescent School fathers. The dads have currently raised over £2000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Please see further details about this wonderful achievement in this edition.

God Bless,

Rob Duigan