Spiritual
Passover Meal
On Monday evening as the sun was shining, the Holy Communicants took one step further on their spiritual journey by sharing a Passover Feast with their family. The pupils have been busy learning about Moses leading his people out of slavery and they had each made some matzah bread over lunch time.
A big thank you to Father Kevin for leading the occasion and to the parents and children for joining in so wholeheartedly. It was lovely to see younger and older siblings also taking part. Thank you to Mr Horan and Mrs Kordas for helping with the readings and to Mrs Jackson-Mayne and Mrs Simmonds for preparing the food and for making the hall look so inviting.
Mass
On Friday Junior 6H led a beautiful Mass on the theme of Mary for Key Stage 2. During the Mass, pupils thought about the special role of a mother. Thank you to 6H for writing their own bidding prayers and making the Mass so special.
Nursery News
Last week’s grocer shop was so popular, that this week we set up a Hat Shop in the Role Play Area, and we have been amazed at the amount of customer orders which our budding shopkeepers have written. Business is clearly buoyant in Nursery.
This week’s Sensory activity required the children to take a risk during The Grand Jelly Tasting Challenge. Being brave and trying something new is one of the characteristics of Effective Learning which we try to nurture during Nursery and Reception.
To counter balance the general, jiggling, jelliness, our Little Crackers have planned their own healthy meals and their dinner plates are on display at the far end of the classroom.
Our Preschoolers jumped along giant number lines and estimated how many jumps a partner could do, in the time it took them to fill four jars with juice from a jug. This proved to be an extremely popular but sloppy, numeracy game.
The children also designed their own jim-jams this week and have seemed suitably over-excited about coming to school wearing pyjamas for ‘Jim-jam Friday’.
Thanks to all the Team for another lovely week of fun and learning.
For more information on the fun and goings on within Nursery, please click on this attached link.
New Nursery Faces
Nursery parents and children will recognise these two lovely ladies who have slotted in perfectly to our dedicated staffing team. Ashley Gough (right) joined us last November and has enjoyed getting to know all our Little Crackers and getting involved with all of their different activities. Emma Fazakarley (left) has now been with us for six weeks and is loving life here in Nursery, especially enjoying our creative sessions.
Yichen Says 'Cello' to Grade 5
'Year 5 and Grade 5'- it has a symmetry to it don't you think? Well to attain such heights takes real dedication and hard work, so we at the Chronicle are delighted to be able to report news of such success. Yichen certainly is modest, as the three pieces she performed, Gavotte, Easy Winners and la Cinquataine, represent a higher order of playing - and all this after just two years behind the instrument. No doubt you'll remember Yichen's recent piano recital within Crackley's whole school assembly, where she also demonstrated a prowess at the piano keys way beyond her years. Clutching a Grade 5 cello certificate with distinction, we asked which was her favourite. She replied, "They are both so different, yet they are both my favourites."
Well done Yichen, we are in admiration of your talent and take delight in your performances. We look forward to hearing news of how you do in the forthcoming Leamington Festival- could you possibly be lucky enough to win it again?
J1 Get Hands On Down On The Farm
Our J1 pupils have been discovering all about Plants this term as part of our Science and English learning. They have been busy growing all sorts of seeds thanks to some very kind donations from Jephson Gardens in Leamington Spa. Tomatoes, sunflowers, chillies, broad beans – what fun we have had watching our seedlings emerge.
Last week, we took a trip to Umberslade Farm and got hands on helping to care for the animals. It was hard work, as those lambs were really greedy and their bottles enormous. The chickens had a pretty sharp beak too! What a responsibility it was, but how exciting. We also got the chance to carefully hold the guinea pigs and long eared rabbits and saw lots of other farm animals including some really cute piglets.
After all our hard work, and repeated handwashing, we finally got to sit down when we took a trip round the farm on the tractor.
Back in school we will be busy writing chronological reports about our fabulous farm day out whilst keeping a watchful eye on how big our seedlings grow.
Plenty of Young Farmers in training here!
Crackley Welcomes One and All
Our last open event of the academic year on the evening of Tuesday 9 May was buzzing with visitors, some of whom were familiar faces and others visiting Little Crackers and Crackley Hall for the first time.
Thank you to all the children who gave up their evening to support the event, in particular those from Junior 4, 5 & 6 who acted as tour guides – as usual they did a fantastic job and visitors commented on their confidence and enthusiasm. One visitor remarked on leaving that they would love for their grandchild, still a babe-in-arms to grow into a child with such confidence and poise as that shown by our guides.
Interest remains high for places at both Little Crackers and Crackley Hall with word of mouth remaining the single biggest reason that people come to us. Mr Duigan’s presentations were well attended and visitors enjoyed watching the sport showcased in the hall and our talented musicians perform, as well as activities from ordering a French goûter to art and DT. The relaxed feel extended to the outside areas where the warm weather ensured that visiting children could enjoy the bouncy castle.
We would also like to extend thanks to the PTA for supporting our Open Evening and sharing their experience of the school and nursery with our visitors.
Non Uniform Day Provides Splash of Colour
Today, children from all year groups arrived at school in their own clothes in exchange for bottles, chocs and treats for tomorrow's PTA Summer Fayre. The school playground was a buzz of activity and a riot of colour, as the excited children compared their bright and colourful clothes prior to going into school. We believe that new friendships and friendly rivalries were formed as fans of Little Mix, Manchester United and Chelsea mixed happily amongst each other. We also understand that staff enjoyed their more casual dress for a day in the bright sunshine.
New Assistant Head, Early Years Foundation Stage And Key Stage 1
Pupils and staff at Crackley Hall will be welcoming a new member to the Early Years team this September. Mrs. Susan Glen-Roots, an experienced teacher and manager, has been appointed Assistant Head of Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1.
Mrs. Glen-Roots has a wealth of experience in Early Years and has previously taught at schools in Solihull, Warwickshire and London. She has been recognised as an outstanding teacher and is passionate about providing an Early Years and Key Stage 1 curriculum that enables pupils to become active and motivated learners.
For further information please see our school website by clicking on to this link or typing the following in to your web browserhttp://www.crackleyhall.co.uk/news/news-archive-2016---2017/new-assistant-head-early-years-foundation-stage-and-key-stage-1 .
Summer Production 2017: Reception - Junior 6 Costumes
As you may already be aware, the whole school is participating in this year's Summer Production which will take place at the Spa Centre in Leamington on Friday 23 June. We would be grateful if you would provide a costume for your child as detailed in the attached letters:
Rec - Junior 5 Summer Production Costumes
Junior 5 Girls (and selected Junior 6 girls) Costume link sheet
Junior 6 Summer Production Costumes
Please note, Miss Kefalas will be sending a paper copy of the Junior 6 letter home with pupils on Monday with their role and the relevant costume highlighted.
Trips & Important Dates
J4 Viking History Day - 16 May
Full details and permission slip can be downloaded from here.
J3A Stoneleigh Village Visit - 17 May
Full details and permission slip can be downloaded from here.
Clubs
All clubs are set to run next week.
Match Reports
Girls
U11 'A' Rounders vs Cresecent 10.5 - 8.5 (win)
Player of the Match - Emilie Maugis-Gonzalez
U9 'A' Rounders vs Crescent Match 1). 4 - 2.5 (win) Match 2). 7 - 6 (win)
Joint Players of the Match - Martha Harris & Amisha Modi
Boys
U11 'A' Cricket vs Crescent 52 runs - 62 runs (loss)
Player of the Match - Jai Chima
U9 'A' Cricket vs Crescent 244 - 254 (loss)
Player of the Match - Sebastian Owen
Messages from the PTA
Family Fun Day incorporating Crackley’s Got Talent - Saturday 13 May
We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the Family Fun Day tomorrow and thank you to everyone who bought in donations and has helped in any way. We are hoping that everyone’s hard work pays off and of course that the sun shines!
Termly Curriculum Sheets
Parents and guardians are advised that the Trinity Term Curriculum for your child's form has been included within the Letters Attached section of the Chronicle. For details of your child's upcoming curriculum please click on the highlighted link.
After Care
After Care forms can be downloaded by a single click using this link.
Change of Details
Please inform us by clicking here if any of your contact details have changed.
Lost Property
Sebastian Lloyd-Evans (J3A) has lost his named school cap.
Pretaam Sidhu (J4V) has lost his named school blazer and cricket shirt.
Stuart Nedjati (J4V) has lost his named black school shoes.
Found Property
A small burgundy pencil case with equipment.
A red and blue striped rubber water bottle.
A black Nikon HB-35 SLR lens hood.
A silver ball point pen was found in the Reception Foyer on Monday 21 March.
Two pairs of small sized glasses have been handed in to the office.
A Little Princess watch.
A clear cased children's watch with pale blue and dark blue face and striped blue strap.
A Citron quartz children's watch with red strap.
A Hereos 'Miles & Smiles' rubber red wrist watch.
A black glasses case, following Mass this afternoon.
Letters Attached
J3A Stoneleigh Visit Letter and Permission Slip - 17 May
France Final Payment Letter - 21 May
France Trip Medical Permissions Letter - 21 May
Trinity Lunch Letter and Order Form
Trinity Menus Week 1 - 27 Feb
Trinity Menus Week 2 - 27 Feb
Trinity Menus Week 3 - 27 Feb
J4 Viking Day Workshop -16 May
First Holy Communion - 9 June
After Care Booking Form
Nursery Forecast - 12 May
Junior 6 Trinity Term Curriculum Sheet - 24 April
Junior 5 Trinity Term Curriculum Sheet - 24 April
Junior 4 Trinity Term Curriculum Sheet - 24 April
Junior 3 Trinity Term Curriculum Sheet - 24 April
Junior 2 Trinity Term Curriculum Sheet - 24 April
Junior 1 Trinity Term Curriculum Sheet - 24 April
