Headmaster's Welcome
Dear Parents
As we draw to the end of this school week, I have had a brief opportunity to reflect on the events that have taken place over the last 5 days and this week has been an exceptionally busy one for all staff and pupils at Crackley Hall.
Mr Joe Thackway, the Headmaster of Crescent School, visited Crackley Hall today and enjoyed his time speaking to staff and pupils. It was a pleasure to be able to show him around the school; he was most complimentary.
On Tuesday, Junior 5 and 6 pupils from our Chamber Choir hosted pupils from Crescent School. The day was filled with music and song and the pupils from both schools worked together beautifully, rehearsing, performing, and improvising a mix of vocal pieces. Under the guidance of the Directors of Music, Susan Olden and Julie Barnes, they created something truly special. It was a fantastic day that left everyone feeling inspired and motivated, culminating in a wonderful concert for parents. To watch clips of the children singing some of the songs please click here. Thank you to Mrs Olden for arranging this.
It brings me great joy to see the positive response to our previous request for donations for our local Food Bank. It is so important that we support the marginalised in our local community, and we plan to continue doing so through the work of the Food Bank this academic year. For the month of November, we are asking Junior 5 and 6 pupils to bring in their foodbank contributions. This is an excellent opportunity to show love in action. Kindly bring in your donations during the month of November, and we will bundle together all contributions for delivery on Friday, 8th December. Thank you in advance for your continued generosity.
The Little Crackers children have been learning about kindness and empathy towards others. Their discussions about what it means to be a true friend have been truly inspiring, and we are so impressed at their ability to show so much compassion at such a young age.
Witnessing the pure excitement and enthusiasm of the children in KS1 as they rehearse for the upcoming nativity is also truly inspiring. The joyful echoes of their rehearsed songs fill the air and lift our spirits during this festive period. It’s heartwarming to see the children's dedication and passion as they learn their lines, reminding us all to approach every task with the same level of energy and excitement.
The Crackley Hall Christmas Card design competition is a celebration of creativity, imagination, and the festive spirit. This year's winner, Alex from J5S, captured the magic of the season with a stunning stained-glass representation of the nativity. His design will adorn every card during advent, spreading joy to all who receive it. Alex's talent and vision shone through in a field of high-quality entries that showcased the artistic skills and aspirations of our students. I am proud of all the children who participated in the competition and whose creativity enriched our school community. The Crackley Hall Christmas Card is more than a piece of paper; it reflects the hopes, dreams, and values that we cherish as a community. We want to congratulate not only Alex but also our runners-up Liana (J3W), Isher (RecO), Imogen (J1G) and Tazio (J1G), whose designs will grace the reverse cover of the card. We thank everyone who submitted entries for the CISC Christmas card competition and hope that this experience has inspired them to continue exploring their creativity and making a positive impact in the world.
Yesterday, the Crackley Hall gymnasts showed exceptional talent and dedication at the Midlands ISA Gymnastics competition. They performed two vaults and a set floor routine, impressing everyone with their skills. The Under 11 Girls' Junior 6 Team earned a well-deserved Silver Medal, while the Under 11 Boys' Team brought home the Bronze Medal. Felix H in Junior 5 achieved the Individual Bronze Medal, which was a remarkable accomplishment. Elora H's 9.45 score on the floor was outstanding and she achieved an overall 4th place in the Individual Under 11 Girls' competition. Congratulations to all the children who participated in the competition. Their hard work and determination have made us all proud! Thank you to Miss Whitley for coaching them and to Mrs Ellis for supporting and coaching on the day.
I am thrilled to share the news that Avni D, in Junior 1, has received a Highly Commended award in the Independent Schools Association’s (ISA) National Art Competition which placed her in the top three entrants in the country. This recognition is a testament to the remarkable creative talent of Avni and many of our other pupils, who continue to inspire us every day. We are so proud of Avni for her hard work and dedication, which has resulted in this wonderful achievement. Congratulations, Avni, for your outstanding accomplishment!
Our neighbours have expressed concerns about traffic congestion created by parents who do not vacate the lower car park after dropping off their children. Our goal is to build a safe and welcoming environment for our pupils and parents. By doing so, we demonstrate our commitment to safety, as well as respect for our neighbours and set a positive example for our children. Any interactions with neighbours should, please, always be courteous, even when faced with unpleasantness.
If you are accompanying your child into school, please use the Lower Playground or the Sports Field. On Assembly Days, please avoid parking your car in the lower playground after drop-off to prevent congestion in the Carline drop-off area. We need this area and space for other families who are dropping off their children. I appreciate your cooperation and good humour and thank you for your continued support in ensuring a safe and welcoming school environment for everyone.
There have been a few recent changes to the Extra-curricular clubs, please ensure you check the Chronicle regularly, so you do not miss out on any changes.
Next week will see preparations increase in pace, ready for the Christmas Fayre and I know that the PTA will appreciate your help with donations to the various collections. May I remind you that there is a non-uniform day on Friday 1st December and, in return, children should bring in their donations to the fayre.
If your child is attending the switching on of the Kenilworth High Street lights this evening, please ensure they arrive in full school uniform, ready to start singing at 17:30. Everyone is welcome to attend to support them; and to sing along as well. The Kenilworth High Street is a spectacle of Christmas stalls, pork batches (and other food) stands and a festive family atmosphere for everyone and I look forward to watching our pupils perform.
Congratulations to our Stars of the Week from each year group - Nursery: Oliver and Kit - Reception: Darcy and Seva (awarded next week) - Junior 1: Autumn and Jacob - Junior 2: Reuven and Ella - Junior 3: Charley C and Charlie CE - Junior 4: Layton and Emily - Junior 5: Milly and Alex - Junior 6: Sara and Sebastian R. Casper (J4) sung so well at assembly this morning and provided inspiration for our younger pupils; many congratulations to him! Well done to all the pupils who were awarded Stars or Da Vinci today – all thoroughly deserved.
I would like to draw your attention to forthcoming events information so that you do not miss any notices that may affect your child. We have so many events at school over the next few weeks.
I really felt for the Indian cricket team who, in my opinion, were the best team at the Men’s Cricket World Cup. They played such good cricket over the whole tournament but were beaten in the final by Australia, who often seem to rise to the big occasion. Well done to them!
I wish you all a restful and happy (and warmer) weekend with your families.
God bless
Rob Duigan
