Headmaster's Welcome
Dear Parents
In this last week of this before we enjoy the half-term break, I would like to commend all the pupils on their efforts over the term and to thank all the staff for their hard work, care and initiative. I hope that you all have some time with your families and loved ones, to refresh, recoup and enjoy time together.
We held our online Parents` Evenings on Monday and Wednesday, which, I hope gave parents` a good chance to discuss their child`s progress with their teachers. It is always a pleasure to speak with you about your child, so please do feel that you are able to approach all members staff as we work together to help each child be the best they can be.
On Thursday, we sent a several teams to Walsall to compete in the ISA Midlands Gala. Congratulations to all swimmers on their excellent efforts and thanks to the staff who supported and accompanied the teams. Huge congratulations to Charlotte on being selected to represent the Midlands Squad at the national gala.
Mrs Olden also held an informal music recital yesterday evening, which was a wonderful opportunity for the children to have their moment on stage. They all performed extremely well! We admire them for giving it a go - a huge well done! We hope parents enjoyed it and thank Mrs Olden for organising a lovely concert, as well as extending thanks to our music teachers.
Today we held our annual House Music Competition – wow, what an afternoon! All singers and musicians amazed us with their outstanding performances in front of their peers. Congratulations to the winners – Jessie for singing and Angelica for her musical performance. Special thanks go to the judge, Mrs Heather Nadin, Mrs Olden and Mr Vaughan who teamed up in organising the event.
Congratulations to this week’s Stars of the Week: Nursery – Percy; Rec – Evelyn and Tamara; J1 – Aurora and Isher; J2 – Yuvraaj and Marie; J3 – Sherry and Raya; J4 – Ashleigh and Sloane; J5 – Gaby and Hector; J6 – Grace and Eleanor. As always, well done to all our stars of the week! You all deserve being recognised for this effort.
I am delighted to inform you that Patrick (J5) has raised £220 for his chosen charity. The money raised from selling the pumpkins will be donated to the ovarian cancer charity. Thank you very much to parents and staff members who helped and supported this in any way. This means so much to the family and to the school community. Thank you!
We will bid farewell to Mr Mick Luis during half term break, as he begins his well-deserved retirement. He is determined to reduce his golf handicap whilst spending precious time with his family. We join together in thanking him for all he has done for Crackley Hall over the past four years and wish him well for the future. I hope to be able to welcome Mr Luis back to school for events such as Remembrance Day in the future.
After a very exhaustive and rigorous interview process yesterday, I am delighted to inform everyone that we have appointed Mrs Narelle Copland to the role of Assistant Head: Pastoral. Mrs Copland will be starting with us after the February half term. An outstanding classroom practitioner and educational leader, Narelle joins us from Our Lady's Catholic Primary School in Birmingham, where she has held the role of Deputy Head, SENDCo and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for the last two years. Previously she taught across the primary age range and held a variety of positions at St Thomas More Catholic Primary School in Coventry, including Key Stage 1 Phase Leader and specialist Dyslexia Teacher. Narelle feels as if she is coming home as she is a past pupil of St Joseph's School (Crackley Hall’s previous name). We had a very strong field of applicants for the role and Narelle stood out in terms of her wealth of experience, proven leadership skills and an approach to teaching, learning and pastoral care that is fully in tune with Crackley's Catholic ethos and values.
We wholeheartedly congratulate Narelle on her appointment, she will further strengthen Crackley's Senior Leadership Team and I know you will join me in welcoming her to the school in this new capacity in the new year.
Thank you very much for completing the recent parental questionnaire. Your feedback is invaluable and will inform us as we continue to do our best to develop our lovely school. Teamwork makes us so much stronger, so thank you for your input and genuine care. It means a lot to us. There will be some feedback from the questionnaires which we will share with the parent and staff community next half term.
I hope that you are all able to enjoy some special time with friends and family over the half term break.
Thank you for your support over the past few weeks.
God bless,
Rob Duigan
