Headmaster's Welcome
Dear Parents
Our school was transformed into a breathtaking Winter Wonderland last Saturday, adorned with twinkling lights, vibrant decorations, and the sound of festive music. The annual Christmas Fair was a joyful occasion that brought together families and friends to revel in the magical atmosphere. Children were immersed in the array of games and crafts on offer, while traditional tombolas and stalls were brimming with goodies. I would like to convey my deepest appreciation to the incredible PTA (particularly Mrs Gordon and her small team of willing helpers) and everyone who lent a hand or participated in the event. Witnessing so many people enjoying the festive mood and creating unforgettable memories was a heartwarming experience.
The Stay 'n' Play Christmas Party was a wonderful representation of the season. The children had a fantastic time participating in seasonal crafts and play activities. The delicious party food and mince pies further added to the joyous atmosphere. The most exciting moment of the day was undoubtedly the arrival of Santa Claus himself, spreading happiness and warmth to all.
The excitement was palpable in the Junior 1 classes as they welcomed their elf visitors. With Christmas just around the corner, the children were eager to show their gratitude and wrote letters to their elf and to Father Christmas. During their science lesson, they had the opportunity to make a Christingle, a powerful symbol of hope and love. The orange, candle, red ribbon, and sweets/fruit all came together to represent God's creations in the four seasons, Jesus bringing light and hope to people on earth, and God's love and sacrifice for humanity. It was a heartwarming reminder of the true spirit of Christmas.
The Advent Service, delivered by J5 and J6, was both prayerful and joyous. It was heartening to see so many parents and family members attending, all eager to witness the fantastic performances of our talented pupils. Our pupils delivered a performance of the highest order and reverently portrayed the meaning of Advent, with an early glimpse of Christmas. Before the performance, the guests enjoyed a warm welcome and delicious refreshments, which added to the festive mood. The catering staff did an excellent job and the Estates and Office teams ensured that the venue was in top-notch condition. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Mrs Olden, Mrs Wildey and Mrs Paphitis for their exceptional efforts in organising this event, ably supported by the J5 and J6 classroom staff.
On Thursday, Junior 4 presented an inspiring class assembly on the theme of Advent. Through their lovely performance, they celebrated the spirit of hope, peace, joy, and love that permeates this special season. The pupils shared their understanding of Advent and how John the Baptist encouraged people to prepare the way for the Lord. They also explored how various cultures around the world celebrate Christmas and talked about the positive impact of Operation Christmas Child. Junior 4's performance left everyone filled with hope and with a deeper appreciation of the Year for Prayer that we are now in. The pupils also lifted everyone's spirits through their singing of Away in a Manger and Feliz Navidad with such enthusiasm and joy.
Don’t forget the children can still experience the magic of the season at Crackley with our fun-packed Christmas Holiday Club! Join us on the 21 and 22 December, and from the 2 to 5 January for a memorable adventure. Limited spaces are available, so please book soon to secure your spot.
This coming Wednesday we have a wonderful opportunity to make a meaningful difference to those in need. We will be donning our Christmas jumpers to show our support for children who face serious challenges such as war, hunger, and poverty. By participating in Christmas Jumper Day and donating £2.00 to the Save the Children charity, we can help make a significant impact on the lives of many other children. Let's come together this year to make a real difference and create a brighter future for those less fortunate than ourselves.
It was inspiring to see the generosity of Junior 5 and Junior 6 pupils, who will have made a significant impact on others through their contributions to the Foodbank. Their actions embody the essence of kindness and serve as a reminder to us that we need to join together to support those in need. I am sincerely grateful for their support to those less fortunate in the local community.
Due to the recent inclement weather, along with major after-school events this week, we made the difficult decision to cancel some outdoor clubs this week. We remain committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all our pupils, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. On a positive note, I eagerly anticipate hearing about the success of our talented musicians after their music exams today.
Get ready to celebrate the magic of the season with your loved ones and the wider community at the Princethorpe College PTA Christmas Fair. Immerse yourself in a day filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of Christmas spirit on December 10, 2023. Discover unique artisan crafts, jewellery, and gifts at the Christmas shopping market, where you can also get creative and design a one-of-a-kind table decoration. Indulge in delicious refreshments such as mince pies, mulled wine, hot drinks, and cake while participating in the bottle and chocolate tombola, browsing the Princethorpe student stalls, or browsing the pre-loved school uniform stall. Don't forget to grab your Christmas Raffle tickets to have a chance at winning incredible prizes, such as £250 cash, £150 cash, and a Fortnum and Mason Hamper, among many others. Join the Princethopre community at the Princethorpe College Christmas Fair, and continue the festive season in style, creating unforgettable memories together.
We are experiencing an increase in ‘last-minute’ requests for Aftercare places. Whilst we will always do our utmost to accommodate emergency requests, please could I ask that, effective immediately, everyone try to adhere to the strict deadline of 1 pm for booking Aftercare services. We need to adhere to staffing ratios and allow our catering team enough time to prepare food for them. If you have already booked the service for the term but cannot collect your child on a specific day, please inform the office as soon as possible. This way, we can offer the spot to another child. We highly appreciate your cooperation and understanding in this matter.
Congratulations to our stars of the week: Nursery - Georgia and Daphne; Reception - Rosie and Parker; J1 - Faryal and Anna; J2 - Oscar and Anna; J3 - Olivia and Kenji; J4 - George and Alfie; J5 - Harrison and Jessica; J6 - Olivia and Vaughan. Well done to all of you and keep up the good work. Congratulations to the many pupils who were awarded their Crackley Compass bronze stars at assembly and to the pupils who received Da Vincis. I thought that Edward was excellent on the guitar at assembly – very well done! Congratulations to all pupils who earned house points this week; it was a very close finish and congratulations go to Jupiter House.
We have a very busy end to the term, and I would like to draw your attention to upcoming events so that you do not miss any notices that may affect your child.
I wish you all a restful and happy weekend with your families.
God bless
Rob Duigan
