Headmaster's Welcome
Dear Parents
I sincerely hope that you were able to have some precious time with your families over the half-term break, although I know that many of you would still have been hard at work. With the clocks going back over the holidays I’ve noticed the nights drawing in but, thus far, we have been lucky with the weather not feeling too cold.
Thank you to all our parents who completed the questionnaire we sent out near the end of last half term. This was a super opportunity to tell us how you feel about our school and this valuable feedback is crucial to us as we map out the path to ongoing improvement. We will study on the results and come together as a foundation to work through your comments, whilst also gratefully accepting the immense positivity and support form a truly amazing parent body and school community.
I am conscious that the Assistant Head appointment came through quite suddenly at the end of last half term. We are delighted that Mrs Narelle Copland has accepted our offer to join us as a staff member and we also are mindful of the outstanding, ongoing contribution being given to the school by Mrs Sue Glen-Roots. For Junior 3G pupils and parents, in particular, I will very shortly be detailing the next steps, the handover and the arrangements being put in place for a seamsless and happy transition. I need to confirm details with both Mrs Copland and Mrs Glen-Roots. The arrangements being put in place will include you having the opportunity to meet Mrs Copland and, of course, the children being able to spend some time with her as well.
We are thinking of our Junior 6 pupils who will sit their entrance examinations at Princethorpe and other schools on Saturday. Feeling nervous is normal but we have a lot of faith in all of you and wish you the very best. Well done for working so hard in preparation.
On Monday our U11 Football Team took part in the ISA MIdlands 6-a-side competition. The team gave their all throughout the day, showing super teamwork and commitment, overcoming some rather tough opponents along the way, to reach the final. They played exceptionally well, beating Crescent School 2-0 in the final, thereby making us the Champions of the Midlands! Mr Stedeford also commented on how the team conducted and behaved on and off the pitch, making us very proud of this fantastic achievement! Well done to the team and to Mr Stedeford and Mrs Carroll.
Our U11 girls’ hockey team played extremely well at the National tournament in London, making it all they way to the final where they won the silver medals. This exceptional achievement is most noteworthy and I’d like to congratulate the whole team, Mrs Vaughan and Miss Farquharson on this fantastic achievement.
On Tuesday, acclaimed author Jennifer Killick visited school. She delivered an assembly to our KS2 pupils about her books, where she gets her inspiration from, and what she enjoys reading. I learned she also illustrates her own books too. She also visited classes and spoke with our pupils to engage them with some ‘budding authors sharing tips’! Thank you very much to Jennifer Killick for paying us a visit and Ms Holmes for arranging this wonderful opportunity for the pupils.
Patrick in Junior 5, continues his fundraising efforts. As you will remember he raised over £200 from highly regarded pumpkins and now he also can add the sum of £800 from selling a cow at an auction! The monies raised will to go to the same charity to support those with ovarian cancer. Wow Patrick! This is over £1000 you have raised – you are a great ambassador for our ethos at Crackley Hall, in caring and thinking of others. We are very proud of you.
We celebrated a whole school mass on Thursday on the theme of all saints, where we ask for the intercession of the saints and reflect on the Christian calling to follow in their footsteps. A huge thank you to our readers and singers, Father Kevin, Mrs Olden and Mrs Forino as they continue to enhance and support our spiritual journey throughout our school.
I really enjoyed watching both of the delightful performances this morning in our Celebration Assembly, Sherry on the violin and the P–Buzz Brass Band doing their showpiece number. They were all exceptionally good and certainly had a lot of fun making some lovely music.
Congratulations to this week’s Stars of the Week: Nursery – Anneliese; Rec – Sohan and Arjan; J1 – Alexander and James; J2 – Harper and Clement; J3 – Delilah and Arjan; J4 – Charlie and Poppy; J5 – Aaryan and Thomas; J6 – Malachi and Rory. As always, well done to all our stars of the week! Congratulations to our Da Vinci certificate winners and to Venus house on their success this week.
I would like to wish everyone a happy and restful weekend. Many will be watching some interesting sport – I do hope that you enjoy it.
God bless,
Rob Duigan
