The Chronicle

Dear Parents

I would like to warmly welcome you all back to Crackley Hall and extending an especially warm welcome to our new parents and children.  I hope that you are all looking forward to the year ahead and I can promise you it will pass incredibly quickly.  The weeks are usually full of excitement, visits, performances and lots of learning too.  For the benefit of our new families, the Chronicle is a weekly newsletter sent to all parents and it reports on events that have involved our children and the school during the week or recent weeks.  It is also a useful place to read about forthcoming important dates in the calendar, with links to letters and relevant information.  Please do try and read it over the weekend as it is my hope to reduce the amount of emails sent to parents during the week and to make the Chronicle the main conduit for information.

Unfortunately I must share with you some very some sad news which I received on Sunday evening.  Mary O’Farrell, our previous Chair of Trustees, dear friend of the school and who was known to many of you, sadly passed away during the early hours of Sunday morning.  Mary had wonderful zest for life, enjoyed a close relationship with school for many years and will be fondly and lovingly remembered by us all.  She was a wise and astute Governor and teacher who loved our school and the Princethorpe Foundation, giving so freely of her time and acumen. Prayers were said for Mary and her family during Mass this morning and I am sure that you will join the whole of the school community in sharing in our sadness and praying for the repose of Mary’s soul and for the comfort of her husband and family.  Further details, including those regarding Mary’s funeral can be found on our website.

The first week may have been a bit of a blur for many as you become familiar with the routines at school but I am confident that they will become second nature to you all very soon.  There are a few points I would like to draw your attention to which include parking around the school.  We receive frequent complaints from local residents (who in turn often contact the local policing team) regarding inconsiderate parking.  This has included blocking drive ways, parking on pavements, queuing in the surrounding area which prevents access or exits from local roads.  Not only is this frustrating for the residents but it can also prevent emergency vehicles gaining entrance to their destination.  Please try and park considerately, use car line or the school field as much as possible.

I would also like to clarify two uniform matters.  The summer uniform may continue to be worn until the half term while the weather is still mild.  Secondly, I have received questions regarding children wearing earrings. I can confirm that the School policy has not changed but I am aware that some children will have had their ears pierced during the holiday and therefore unable to remove their earrings for 6 weeks.  During this time, earrings (plain studs only) can be worn to school but must be covered with tape or a plaster at all times.  After the 6 weeks has elapsed and the hole has formed, earrings should not be worn to school.  I trust that I can count on your support on this issue.

It has been delightful to see so many enthusiastic, smiling, happy faces around school this week and hearing some stories of how children have spent their summer holidays.  Apart from our Reception class, there are a number of new children in other year groups who have already made friends and feel at home here at Crackley Hall. 

Whilst the Chronicle maybe slightly lacking on news stories this week, there has been plenty going on.  The children (and staff) enjoyed watching the Tour of Britain pass through Kenilworth on Wednesday.  They cheered the passing police vehicles as much as the cyclists and I am sure that the team enjoyed the support.

I would like to thank Father Kevin for celebrating our start of year Mass this morning; it was a pleasure to see him back in school and I know that he also enjoys meeting the many new faces each September.  My thanks are also extended to everyone who helped at Mass, especially Mrs Jackson-Mayne, Mrs Simmonds and Mrs Olden.

Our PTA Barn dance has been changed to Saturday 29 September and whilst we realise this will have inconvenienced some families it is unfortunately beyond our control.  If possible, please can you support this family event at a wonderful venue as it brings families together and supports the hard work and effort of our PTA.

I hope that you all enjoy a restful weekend with your families.

God bless,

Robert Duigan