The Chronicle

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

Congratulations to them all!

Crackley Hall’s Key Stage 2 Evening of Performing Arts took place on Tuesday 6 February showcasing the breadth and depth of pupils’ musical and dramatic talents.

Musical Theatre Group opened the proceedings with a spectacular The Greatest Showman Medley and that was followed by 22 performances all sparkling with crisp clear deliveries, fine-tuned fingers and well-rehearsed polish.

The evening finished, as it had begun, with the stage packed with performers as the Chamber Choir and Choral Group delivered glorious performances of favourites such as Hold Back The River and There’s A Power In The Music.

Headmaster, Rob Duigan expressed his delight at it all announcing, ‘There is no better way to spend an evening than to come and watch Crackley’s children perform. They never cease to amaze me. Thank you to them all, it has been a truly memorable evening.”

Many thanks to all of the staff involved in preparing the children and supporting the production and to Mrs Olden, Mrs Wildey and Mrs Paphitis who have shown us yet again what talent, energy and zest for the performing arts there is at Crackley Hall.

Crackley Hall’s KS1 Performing Arts Afternoon took place on Thursday 8 February and what a show it was. The concert featured music, poetry, song and dance, and parents, family and friends gathered excitedly in the hall to enjoy this celebration of the talent of our younger pupils.

Junior 1 opened the show with songs, Mirror, Mirror and The Dolphin Song, and an impressive recorder performance of the lively Djembe Jam. 15 further acts followed on including impressive instrumental pieces from young musicians, humorous poetry and a spectacular show piece from Encanto.

Our enormous thanks and congratulations go to all our accomplished young performers who took to the stage in front of their proud parents, and of course to their teachers who have worked so hard to help them achieve so much. Special thanks as well to Junior 6 pupils, Jenson, Sukhmani and Darcey, who hosted and introduced each act.

Nursery children were treated to a special visit on Wednesday, which included a dragon, a rat and a host of other animals. Liz from Drama Tots UK led a thrilling session based around the Chinese New Year story - her infectious energy and vivacious presence captivated the youngsters' imaginations and it was lovely to see how much fun they were having.

Our Junior 6 School Councillors came up with some fantastic ideas to support Children’s Mental Health Week. This year’s theme was, 'My Voice Matters' and was all about empowering children and young people by providing them with the tools they need to express themselves. Recognising that children who feel that their voices are heard and that they can make a difference, have a greater sense of community and self-esteem.

During Children’s Mental Health Week, we encouraged all children and young people to be able to say – and believe - 'My Voice Matters'.

The Junior 6 student councillors made a special box for children to put their concerns or worries in and the box has been checked daily throughout the week. Children could remain anonymous, ask for their concern to be passed onto their teacher, or speak to a Junior 6 councillor (with a teacher close at hand). They also encouraged the children to use their voice to tell others how grateful they are for them, as showing gratitude can really help you to feel positive and to reflect upon the things we are thankful for.

During the week pupils also had a calm half-hour in which they could chat in general or talk about some of the worries that were raised, take part in some activities and have a nice nurturing time together.

For further information about children’s mental health, you can access this website: Children's Mental Health Week - Place2Be

As part of our activities for Children’s Mental Health Week, Crackley Hall School was delighted to welcome Loudmouth Theatre, an educational training company, into school on Monday 5 February. Loudmouth Theatre provide learning through the medium of theatre on personal, social, and health education topics. They delivered a great performance to Years 4 and 5 and it was a really engaging way for us to begin Children's Mental Health Week.

Junior 3 worked very hard preparing for their class assembly which was eagerly performed on Thursday morning. The children have been learning all about Fairtrade and why it is so important to look for the Fairtrade sticker when out buying grocery shopping. The performances of the children were outstanding, from Pablo and bananas, to Paloma and the farmers, and the shopkeepers and narrators too. All of Junior 3 looked very well rehearsed and they spoke and acted out their parts with confidence and enjoyment, as well as singing fantastic songs about the hard work of banana farmers with The Banana Boat Song, and about how we should look after our world and each with We Are The World. Well done, Junior 3!

The latest edition of the Crackley Review has just been published and was sent out to families this week.

Our yearbook records and reflects the last academic year giving a super insight into life in school and the wonderful learning that goes on day in day out here at Crackley Hall School and Little Crackers Nursery.

It makes a wonderful memento for children and parents, and we hope you all enjoy looking through the stories and photos.

Thank you to all who have contributed their time and talents to help us put together this Review and who do so much to make this school such a vibrant, supportive and engaging place of learning.

You can find an electronic copy of the Crackley Review on our school website here which you are welcome to download to share with family and friends.

The latest issue of The Old Princethorpian, the Princethorpe Foundation’s termly e-newsletter for past pupils, staff and parents is out now. Click here to have a read. 

Our newsletter aims to keep our alumni in touch with one another and news, developments and events across the Foundation.

Upcoming events on the OP calendar are our Leamington Pub Meet on Friday 8 March, that will take place at the Fox and Vivian in Leamington Spa. That is followed by the St Joseph's Day Mass which takes place here at Crackley Hall School on Tuesday 19 March. For more details of our alumni events please visit Princethorpe Connect.

If you have any comments on the e-newsletter or news to share then please do get in touch, email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk.