The Chronicle

Seven Crackley Hall athletes have qualified for this year’s ISA’s National Track and Field Championships with nine further athletes just missing out, after a super successful outing at the regional qualifying event.

Crackley Hall took a team of Junior 4, 5 and 6 pupils to Saffron Lane Stadium in Leicester on Thursday 23 May to compete against schools in the Midlands ISA Athletics event. Many of the children put in amazing performances and the school was delighted with so many athletes being placed in both track and field events.

In terms of team placings, Crackley’s Girls were second overall with the Boys finishing third overall. Individually, the Year 5 Girls placed first with the Year 5 Boys and Year 6 Girls finishing second. The Year 6 Boys were third as were the Year 4 Girls team whilst the Year 4 Boys finished fifth.

Director of Sport, Mrs Kat Vaughan praised the outstanding attitude adopted by the Crackley team. “It was a long and exciting day,” commented Mrs Vaughan. “The atmosphere was amazing and our Crackley children really stepped up with team spirit second to none, with every child supporting their peers, regardless of event or year group. I am very proud that so many children have qualified for the National Championships.”

Congratulations go to Sienna L (J6) who qualifies for the 150m sprint, Leo C (J6) who qualifies for the 600m, Casper B (J4) who qualifies for the Throw and to Grace A, Amalie S, Jessie J and Scarlett (J5) who qualify for the Girls Relay.

Special mention for the J6 Girls Relay team who just missed 1st place after dropping the baton.

These results reflect the breadth of sporting excellence nurtured through class and extra-curricular sporting opportunities across the school.

The full results:

Junior 6 Girls:

• Sienna L – 1st 150m
• Ellie A – 2nd 60m
• Alexa B – 4th High Jump
• Issy C – 5th Shot Putt
• Eloise S – 5th 600m
• Sienna L – 8th Long Jump
• Relay team: (Sienna L, Ellie A, Eloise S and Issy C) – 4th

Junior 6 Boys:

• Josh B – 4th Long Jump
• Josh B – 7th 60m
• Harry B – 7th Throw
• Jenson S – 7th Shot Putt
• Harry B – 8th High Jump
• Isaac F – 8th 150m
• Relay team: (Josh B, Isaac F, Harry B and Wade D) – 5th

Junior 5 Girls:

• Jessie J – 2nd Long Jump
• Jessie J – 3rd Throw
• Grace A – 4th 150m
• Relay team: (Grace A, Amalie S, Jessie J and Scarlett M) - 1st

Junior 5 Boys:

• Leo C – 2nd 600m
• Rory S – 2nd Long Jump
• Ryan M – 4th 150m
• Rory S – 2nd 60m
• Relay team: (Ryan M, Rory S, Theo H and Alex T) – 2nd

Junior 4 Girls:

• Isabel AJ – 2nd 60m
• Isabel AJ – 3rd Long Jump
• Sara Y – 7th Throw
• Relay team: (Isabel AJ, Gabriella F, Emily F and Gabi A) – 3rd

Junior 4 Boys:

• Casper B – 1st Throw
• Harry W – 7th 600m
• Harry W – 8th Long Jump
• Relay team: (Casper B, Patrick BW, Hugo R and Archie J) – 6th

The ISA National Track and Field Championships take place later this term, on Monday 17 June, at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham. We wish all who have qualified the very best of luck.

Friday 24 May was an important day for six Crackley Hall pupils as they celebrated their first Holy Communion Mass. Junior 3s Sloane, William, Lewis and Liana, Isabel in Junior 4 and Vaughan in Junior 6, gathered together excitedly with friends, family and the Crackley Hall School community at St Francis of Assisi Church in Kenilworth.

The children have been preparing for this special day for a while, learning about their faith so that they understand what they are committing to. In March, they took the Sacrament of First Reconciliation.

In the joyful and celebratory Eucharist, Father Kevin Hooper spoke about the nourishing love of God that would sustain the young communicants throughout their lives. The children then received the sacrament with the utmost sincerity and reverence. They were all a credit to their families and the school. Following celebratory prayers, reflections and concluding hymns the recipients were presented with certificates and posed for proud parents and friends in front of the altar.

Special thanks were given to Mrs Forino, Mrs Simmonds and Mrs Hill for their support of the children and to Mrs Olden and the Chamber Choir for providing the music and singing.

After the Eucharist the children were presented with gifts and individual First Holy Communion cakes to mark the occasion. It was a very special day for all concerned.

Former Crackley Hall pupil, Toby Lee returned to his Prep school on Wednesday 22 May, ahead of his evening performance at Warwick Arts Centre with Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra.

He met with, Headmaster, Mr Duigan who was delighted to catch up with all his news.

Some of you may remember Toby from his school days at Crackley Hall, when he was cast as the first original Zack Mooneyham in the West End production of School of Rock the Musical.

Toby is currently on a 100 date UK tour – 60 performing with Jools Holland and 40 with his own band. He will even be playing at Glastonbury. You can find out more here.

Junior 4 visited Princethorpe College on Tuesday 21 May to take part in an Eco-Explorers Workshop. Led by Princethorpe's Science and Games staff, pupils enjoyed adventurous and interactive sessions that made use of the College’s extensive Outdoor Education facilities.

Working in groups, the children rotated round three activities, pond-dipping, mini-beasts and orienteering. Using their Science skills, everyone had fun exploring the natural world, observing and identifying the creatures that live on the Princethorpe estate. The pond-dipping took place in the Outdoor Classroom situated up in Switzerland and Junior 4 were particularly excited to observe the many tadpoles. While in their search for mini-beasts, pupils made use of the bug hotels up on the Mile Walk, spotting centipedes, beetles and worms galore. The orienteering had Junior 4 developing their map-reading and navigational skills while running around the main Sports Fields. Mid-morning there was time for a short break and an obligatory Princethorpe cookie, which was followed by a quick introduction to beekeeping.

The session was hands on, engaging and great fun. The children loved working outside, and the topics and activities linked to their learning back in school. On the way back to school, Junior 4 all agreed that the Eco-Explorers Workshop had been brilliant!

Crackley Hall welcomed grandparents and parishioners to school on Tuesday 21 May for a special afternoon cream tea. Organised by Crackley Hall’s Mini Vinnies, the junior arm of the charity St Vincent de Paul Society, the community cream tea is a favourite on the school calendar and the children were delighted to be able to welcome their visitors to the school.

The guests gathered in the School Hall which reverberated with friendly chatter and the clink of china, as teapots and plates piled high with scones, strawberries, jam and cream were enjoyed.

Alongside their tea, guests were treated to a programme of entertainment as pupils from across the school took turns to perform. There was also plenty of time to chat and the pupils from Junior 5 and Junior 6 enjoyed talking to the older generations as they enjoyed their tea.

Mr Duigan, Headmaster, popped in to welcome everyone to the school and to thank Mrs Simmonds for helping the Mini Vinnies organise the community event.

It was as always, a lovely afternoon thoroughly enjoyed by all.

What a super Saturday we had here at Crackley Hall with our amazing PTA hosting their sensational Summer Fair. The sun shone brightly, and the school grounds were filled full of happy families. As always, the tombola was popular, as were the new House activities, with pupils eager to earn housepoints taking on the obstacle course and the Lego ‘Build A Boat’ challenge. Then there was fabulous face painting, as well as lots of outdoor fun and craft to keep everyone busy. We had cake stalls, book stalls, pre-loved uniform and much more. The Gymnastics team put on an amazing display while Choral Group sang beautifully. On the refreshments front, we fired up the barbeque (or should we say braai) and employed two top chefs, Mr Duigan and Mr du Toit, to cook for us all. Teachers and parents volunteered their time, either by running a stall or with the organisation behind the scenes, while the children all enjoyed themselves. We were especially delighted to welcome the new Mayor of Kenilworth, Cllr Alan Chalmers, (a former Crackley Hall parent) to the fair who kindly spoke to the crowds. We can most definitely say it was a fantastic day, enjoyed by all! Huge thanks to everyone involved in organising and running the fair.

Princethorpe College is delighted to be partnering with Team Super Sports to offer Holiday Camps to children aged 5 to 16 years for six weeks this July and August.

The initiative is part of the Foundation’s new Commercial Enterprise activity aimed at generating additional sources of income and is in response to feedback and demand from parents.

The Summer Holiday Camps will run from 8.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday from 15 July to 23 August and are open to all. They will offer a wide variety of sporting activities, taking advantage of the College’s extensive grounds and sporting facilities. Youngsters aged 7 to 16 can take their pick of rugby, cricket, football, gymnastics, netball, hockey and tennis and create their very own sports camp. In addition to sports, dance and games there will also be optional arts and crafts activities for younger children aged 5 to 7.

Comments, Gemma Cullinane, Princethorpe Commercial Enterprise Manager, “Team Super Sports are an experienced provider of sport and multi-activity holiday camps with a fantastic reputation for top-level coaching for children of all abilities. We are very excited to be joining forces with them for the first of many holiday camps to come.

Dan Super, Founder of Team Super Sports, added, “Princethorpe’s beautiful campus is the perfect setting for a holiday camp. We are expecting it to be a very popular choice for many families in the local area.”

For more information and to book your child’s place simply visit the Team Super Sports website here. The camps are priced at £37 a day. Bookings before the early bird deadline of Sunday 9 June attract an extra 10% discount and there are further discounts available for siblings and four and five-day bookings. Childcare vouchers are also accepted.

Team Super Sports will be on hand at the College’s Open Evening on Wednesday 5 June and at Induction Day on Wednesday 26 June to answer any questions families may have or you can contact them at info@teamsupersports.co.uk or call 01675 448494.

Crackley Hall’s Holiday Club will continue to run as normal.