The Chronicle

Dear Parents
 
It's been getting colder lately, and as a result, people have been catching more colds and sickness bugs. To ensure the health and safety of everyone at school, we would like to remind staff and pupils that they should stay home for at least 48 hours after their last episode of sickness or diarrhoea. Additionally, if you are experiencing symptoms related to Covid-19, we kindly ask that you take a Covid test. If you need to report an absence, please leave a message on the absence line with your child's name and class, along with a brief description of why they won't be attending school. This will help us keep track of any illness trends and inform parents of any outbreaks. 
 
The PTA arranged and co-ordinated the Macmillan Coffee morning this week, and I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all those who generously contributed. I will keep everyone informed as soon as I receive more details about the funds raised for Macmillan Cancer Support. I am sincerely grateful to Mrs Gordon and her helpers and committee for their efforts and assistance in serving the PTA, and for their unwavering commitment to organising these important events. A few families enjoyed a lovely PTA family day last Saturday – thank you very much to Mrs Gordon and her team and Mr Vaughan for his support. Let us all continue to support the PTA throughout the academic year. They are also still looking for volunteers to help on the committee. If you are interested in joining the team, please contact my PA, Mrs Davis-Harris in the first instance. 
 
Last night, we held an open evening for families who are considering enrolling their children in Nursery or Reception in the near future, particularly from September 2024. We were thrilled by the turnout, as many families came to tour the school, meet with staff, and gain insight into the various facilities and curriculum offerings available. I would like to express my gratitude to the Princethorpe Marketing team, the Crackley Hall staff who were present and particularly Mrs Jenny Vaughan, for organising such a successful event. Additionally, thank you to Mrs Brew and the Holroyd Howe catering team for providing a wonderful selection of refreshments and treats. 
 
It is with great pleasure that we welcome Mrs Jemma Devine, our newest addition to the Crackley family. With her extensive experience in administration, we are confident that she will excel in her role as our new Receptionist. We kindly ask that you extend her a warm welcome as she begins to acclimate to her new surroundings. 
 
I would like to congratulate our Stars of the Week: Nursery – Emilia and Hari; Reception – Felix and James; Junior 1 – Orla and Charlotte; Junior 2 – Royce and Arjan; Junior 3 – Poppy and Millie; Junior 4 – Thea and Alexander; Junior 5 – Jude and Anthony; Junior 6 – Ria and Issy. We also enjoyed a lovely performance from Isla and Amy from Junior 6, singing Quiet from Matilda. Congratulations to Mars House on winning this week’s house points competition. 
 
Our school sports teams performed well this week, with the U10A Girls Football team finishing second in the ISA Midlands 5-a-side competition at Dixie Grammar School today. They did not concede a single goal all tournament! 
 
There is some good sport to look forward to this weekend with the Rugby World Cup in full swing. Teams are preparing for the Cricket World Cup with a few warm-up matches being played. 
 
I wish you all a very happy weekend with your families. 

God bless

Rob Duigan

‘What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action’.

- Meister Eckhart

Gillman & Soame will be visiting the school on Tuesday 10 October to take class, individual and sibling photographs.

All children will be required to wear their winter uniform on this day.

If your child has PE or a sports club, please send them in with their PE kit in a separate bag, and they will be able to change after their photographs.

The Blessings of the Stones, for all Reception and new children to the school, will now take place on Wednesday 18 October.

If you have not already brought in your painted stones, please do so next week.

We can confirm that Holiday Club will run throughout the autumn half term holidays, from Monday 23 October to  Friday 3 November. 

The programme is being finalised - so please watch this space!

If you would like your child to attend please email holidayclub@crackleyhall.co.uk 

Please find attached the termly curriculum sheet for your child's year group:

Nursery

Reception

Junior 1

Junior 2

Junior 3

Junior 4

Junior 5

Junior 6

When dropping off in the morning, if you are using carline, please move round the roundabout before dropping off and do not leave your car unattended. Carline can cause traffic issues on the Kenilworth Road, so please be mindful.

If you are dropping off and wish to walk your child up to the school or are coming into school please use the Lower Playground or the Sports Field. Please remember to park considerately as parking is at a premium.

We would ask that if you use the lower playground at morning drop off, that you leave the school site promptly, as parking is at a premium, and it has been causing traffic congestion.

Please do not park on the Grasscrete Parking area or on the left hand side when you enter the school main carline, as these are both staff parking areas.

Where possible, please avoid parking on the local residential roads, and if you do, please park considerately and legally. 

When collecting in the evening, please adhere to the collection times, as if you arrive too early, this causes traffic congestion. If you are early, we would suggest parking on the Sports Field and walking up to school.

If you are unsure or wish to clarify any points, please call the School Office.

Please see below the carline locations and collections for the Michaelmas Term:

Please see below collection locations for after games lessons (but not clubs):

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

Congratulations to them all!

Huge thanks to Crackley Hall School’s PTA for organising this morning’s fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support. At morning drop off parents responded most generously to the donation buckets and then at break time the children were delighted to purchase individual cakes to enjoy, although choosing did prove quite challenging for some.

The PTA and Crackley Hall School are very grateful to parents, pupils and staff for their support for this good cause. Thank you to all you baked, bought and consumed. We will let you know how much was raised.

To mark European Day Of Languages, Princethorpe’s Year 10 Language Leaders and their teachers visited Crackley Hall on Tuesday 26 September to work with our Junior 3 pupils. Working in groups they delivered four exciting Spanish activities on the topics of numbers, greetings, pets and the weather.

Junior 3 were excited to welcome the Year 10s and really enjoyed the structured, interactive sessions that built on and practised the vocabulary they have been learning in their lessons. There were plenty of smiles all round as the youngsters enthusiastically engaged, answering questions and playing matching games.

It was a fantastic learning experience for them all. A huge thank you to the Princethorpe pupils!

Junior 6 enjoyed a warm welcome when they visited Princethorpe on Thursday 28 September to take part in a special Science Investigators’ Workshops in the College’s brand new Science Centre.

Ably assisted by Head of Science, Miss Cooper, and her team of specialist science teachers, the children were put through their paces with some fun hands-on Chemistry, Biology and Physics activities. They found out how long it takes for an alka seltzer rocket to explode, discovered the favourite conditions for meal worms to live in using a choice chamber and last but by no means least, designed and constructed paper bridges that withstood some amazing masses.

It was great to see them all participating so enthusiastically in the experiments. Many thanks to Princethorpe’s staff for running this special science event.

The Crackley Hall Junior Da Vinci programme encourages all pupils to be inspired to be the best that they can be. The Junior Da Vinci programme embraces three adapted principles - Creativity, Practice and Mastery - that the children demonstrate in their learning.

This year we are ensuring that all pupils in the school have opportunities to achieve Junior Da Vinci awards. The attached leaflet gives more information about this programme.

Da Vinci Leaflet

Look out for children achieving Junior Da Vinci's in the Chronicle over the year.

Thank you for all of your very kind and generous donations so far to our local foodbank.

If you still wish to make a donation before Thursday 5 October, below is a list of items that are needed most urgently:

Long life milk

Long life fruit juice

Tinned vegetables

Instant mash

Instant noodles

Pasta sauce

Tinned fruit

Tomato ketchup/brown sauce

Shower gel

Toilet rolls

Deodorant

Washing up liquid

We love to celebrate our pupils' talents so every week in Celebration Assembly we hear of the children's successes and achievements and we watch performances by some of our pupils. Here are photos from this morning.

A huge well done to all.

In their current History topic, Junior 6 have been learning about the Victorians and the reign of Queen Victoria. We looked in detail at the power of the British Empire during the 19th century and how it was used to strengthen Britain’s economy at the expense of others. We also explored what school would’ve been like for children during this time. We looked at what Victorian lessons may have looked like, what children would be using in their lessons and the cruel punishments that children might have received. We then used all our research to write our own reports. Keep up the hard work Junior 6, well done!

Junior 5 have been busy working hard in every lesson and we absolutely love their enthusiasm, curiosity and wonderful creativity – we have some amazing artists! This week in Science we have been learning about the different phases of the moon. After learning why the moon seems to change shape, we then had fun demonstrating our knowledge using oreo biscuits, whilst explaining terms like, ‘waxing gibbous’ and ‘waning crescent’. We think that they are all amazing and we are all very proud of what they continue to achieve.

This week in Junior 4 we have been continuing our investigation into sound, how it travels and how we hear. Our journey through sound led us to further experiment how sound travels through vibrations, and to show this, we create string telephones using string and plastic cups. We trialled the phones in different positions and found out that for sound to travel properly, the string needs to be tight. We ended the lesson with a write-up to show what we had done and note what we had discovered.

Junior 3 have been learning about the democratic voting process this week when electing their class school councillors. Children who wanted to, made their campaign speeches to the class and told us why they would make a great school councillor using words like kindness, helpfulness, creativity and sacrifice. Junior 3W even had to have a revote as two names came out with an equal number of votes! Later on in the week, Junior 3 actually became Stone Age hunter-gatherers during their practical history lesson in the hall! In groups, they hunted and gathered the foods they would need from around the hall and then sorted them into seasonal groups.

Junior 2 have fully immersed themselves in our English lessons this week. We have been looking at expanded nouns and how these, along with adjectives, can make our work really exciting to read. We have made a ‘Wanted’ poster for our dragon, and the children loved sharing their ideas with each other to create fabulous posters. We have also used instructions on how we can trap a dragon. The children are so excited about this topic, especially as we have now introduced Spinach the class dragon, who is keeping a very close eye on us all! This story has certainly motivated us all, as well as helping with our creative writing.

History was a hit this week, in Junior 1, when we learnt about Tudor homes. They all recognised these infamous buildings, as we are lucky enough to have so many in our surrounding area. After learning how they were made, they created a picture using black and white paper, adding in details like the tiny windowpanes and wonky doors, just like the real Tudor houses. In Geography we had a map of an island, and we followed instructions to find different features on it using prepositions to help, knowing your left from your right helped in this lesson! Maths was fun too, as after a couple of lessons looking at ordering, we learnt about ordinals and how they describe the position rather than the amount. We learnt how to write first, second and third as numerals and had a great time playing an interactive game to help show our understanding of them.

One of the things which both Reception classes have been enjoying this week has been their Maths lessons – from noisy games of ‘Snap!’ to matching animal shadows, and putting together sets of cutlery. It has been all about finding things the same, sorting objects into groups, finding things that go together and spotting pairs. We are quite sure that everyone at home will be pleased with how good they all are at finding matching socks now – there will be plenty of help with the washing this weekend! 

This week the children have been exploring numbers to 3, finding ways to compare them and represent them in different ways. We have also enjoyed pretending to go on picnics together.

We have started to think about the signs of Autumn and had a go at creating some pumpkin pictures, using apples to print with. We also made some spider pictures using our handprints.

This week in RE, Junior 4 have been looking at how we are all created in the image of God. Using play dough, we each made an image of ourselves, remembering that God created us in a special way so that we could fulfil a specific plan that no-one else can fulfill. We were reminded that God chose how we all look, that "He is our Father, we are the clay and the Father is our potter, and we are all the work of Your hand." (Isaiah 64:8).

Please click on the link below for this week's Weekly Mission:

Weekly Mission

Please find information below:

Children's Liturgy

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Two sons are asked to help their father, but only one does. We explore how we can listen to what God is asking of us and how we can help other people at home and around the world.

Activity Sheet 

Please check team sheets and further details on www.crackleyhallsport.co.uk

A very nervous but excited group of Year 3 girls travelled to Bilton Grange for a hockey match on Thursday. Crackley started with high energy and spent most of the first half attacking the Bilton D. After a slick move created from Charley’s relentless tenacity in midfield, Sloane managed to find herself some space to carry the ball into the D and score Crackley’s first goal!

The second half continued to see our girls continuing to search for a second goal. They didn’t have to wait very long after Ashleigh won the ball and released the ball up the field for our attackers to run on too. Poppy and Sloane chased after the ball with Sloane managing to get on the end of it and score her second goal.

The third goal came from a great run down the left by Harriet which resulted in a great drive by Xanthe along the base line into the D to be finished off by Liana.

Crackley won the match 3-0. Well Done Girls!

Playing for the U8 team were: Laura, Charley, Xanthe, Fiorella, Poppy, Lillyrose, Sloane, Harriet, Millie, Olivia, Liana, Ashleigh and Charlie (Captain).

Player of the Match was Charlie

Natalie Carroll
U8 Hockey Coach 

As a reminder, please find attached the Extra-Curricular Club Timetable:

 Michaelmas Term Clubs

Changes to Extra Curricular Clubs

J5 and J6 Chamber Choir has moved to Thursday morning, from Wednesday.

J5 Art & DT Club has moved to Friday afternoon, from Thursday.

J1 Cartoon Drawing has moved to Wednesday lunchtime (12:30), from Friday

Rec Yoga has moved to Tuesday lunchtime (12:30), from Monday

Cancellations to Extra Curricular Clubs

There are no club cancellations for this week.

Afterschool Clubs - pick up locations and times

Mondays

J1 Rugby Tots - 3.45pm - Lower Playground

J3 to J6 Move It Shake It - 4.45pm - Gables

J4 STEAM Club - 4.45pm - Front Steps

J5 and J6 Girls Hockey Club - 5.00pm at North Leam School or 5.20pm at Crackley Hall

Tuesdays

J1 and J2 Eco Club - 4.15pm - Front Steps

J1 and J2 Coding Club - 4.15pm - Front Steps

J3 and J4 Hockey Club - 4.30pm - Lower Playground

J4 to J6 Fencing Club - 4.45pm - Gables

Rec to J6 Bayleaf Cookery - 4.45pm - Front Steps

J3 to J6 STEM Young Engineers - 5.00pm - Science Room Door 

Wednesdays

Rec to J2 Move It Shake It - 4.15pm - Gables

J5 and J6 Girls Football Club - 4.30pm - Crackley Hall Playing Fields

J5 and J6 Boys Football Club - 4.30pm - Crackley Hall Playing Fields

Thursdays

J3 and J4 Girls Football Club - 4.30pm - Crackley Hall Playing Fields

J3 and J4 Boys Football Club - 4.30pm - Crackley Hall Playing Fields

Fridays

J1 and J2 ATMA Karate - 4.00pm - Gables

J1 to J6 Complete Cricket - 4.30pm - Lower Playground

J5 Art and DT Workshop - 4.45pm - Science Room Door

J3 to J6 ATMA Karate - 5.00pm - Gables

Extra-curricular life at Crackley Hall was in full swing on Wednesday with six clubs taking place over lunchtime and five after school - we managed to capture two of these in action!

Children in Junior 1 and 2 can sign up to Coding Club and this week they were focusing on adding a 'loop' to their code, having previously learnt sequences and algorithms. While in Fencing, Junior 4, 5 and 6 practised their feint attacks!

We took part in big discoveries in Lego Club this week when we had a go at making volcanoes. With an array of brown, black and glowing red bricks at the ready, we made hot lava flow with mighty eruptions and clouds of smoke with volcanic ash and gases escaping from a magma chamber below the surface. Keen to carry on with the volcano theme, we learnt that there are over 1,500 potentially active volcanoes worldwide, and the word “volcano” comes from the Roman name 'Vulcan'. What a fun way to learn about volcanoes! 

Macmillan Cake Sale

We would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who baked, bought and made time to help the PTA with the Macmillan Cake Sale.

All the children enjoyed their cake at break today, and there were lots of smiles all round.

Donations are still coming in, but at the last count we have raised over £500 for Macmillan, a really worthy cause.

PTA Opportunities 

We have lots of opportunities for roles both on and off the core committee, all of which play a part in shaping the extra experiences we can offer our children, often the fun ones! In the last year it has been the PTA that has organised popular events such as the Colour Run, Christmas and Summer Fayres and the Christmas pantomime.

We support a whole host of other activities too, such as Fairtrade Fortnight, One World Week, the Inter School Cross Country Championships and many other sporting and social activities.  

Joining meetings and participating is a great way to enhance the experience for your child and for you too! There are lots of ad-hoc ways to help without huge ongoing commitment. Please do join the meeting and/or get in touch.

Pre-loved Uniform

The weather is slightly chiller now and we have winter uniform in stock. We will continue to sell jumpers, coats and winter pinafores for the next few weeks. If you have any orders you would like to place, please email uniform@pta.crackleyhall.co.uk. Please remember that we are volunteer run and aim to get back to you within seven days. We are continually grateful for donations, and these can be dropped into the box labelled ‘PTA uniform’, located in the front porch of the school. A huge thank you for your support; we couldn’t run the second hand shop without your generous donations.

Next PTA Meeting

Our next PTA meeting will be held at 4.30pm in the school hall on Thursday 5 October. All are welcome.

Crackley's Got Talent

It's back and will be better than ever. Our amazing children will be dazzling us with their performances as individuals and/or groups. Due to the number of upcoming events, this will take place in the new year, new date to be announced soon. 

If you require either permanent or occassional Aftercare for the new Term will need to book in their intentions by emailing aftercare@crackleyhall.co.uk or receptionist@crackleyhall.co.uk with as much notice as possible to ensure the children attending, receive tea.

If you have booked an Aftercare session, it would also be helpful to let your child know.

Please also note that permanent bookings are only valid for the term, due to club and activity changes.

Any children who are not collected from carline, for example if parents are stuck in traffic, will be taken to Aftercare at 4.15pm, when carline finishes and charged accordingly.

Aftercare runs from 3.45 pm until 6:00pm, with charges being £5.00 per hour or part thereof.

Childcare vouchers can be used as payment or part payment for Aftercare.

The office closes at 4.30pm, please call Aftercare directly on 07732 036625 if you need the staff after this time.

Please see the attached menus for the Michaelmas Term. These rotate on a five weekly basis.

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

To order uniform please use the electronic form.

New Uniform Order

If your child is interested in taking music or singing lessons at school, please complete the below Expression of Interest Form and hand in to the school office

Expression of Interest Form

For children who require any medication periodically or on a permanent basis, the Office will require a completed Administration of Medication Form a copy is attached for your convenience. 

Administration of Medication Form

Please ensure that any medication brought into school is in date and labelled with your child's name and form.

Please hand medication into the School Office, please do not give to your child to hand in. 

Parents, please ensure that all items of school uniform and sports kits are named.

Could you please regularly check all uniform and sports kits at home – if it does not belong to your child, please return it to the School Office as soon as possible.

We regularly recruit for a variety of roles, please do share news of the vacancies with interested friends and family. Current vacancies include:

Princethorpe College

• Archivist
• Casual Estates Asistant
• Examinations Invigilator

Crescent School

• Learning Support Assistant

Further information and application forms on all roles are available on the Foundation's website - www.princethorpe.co.uk/join-us