The Chronicle

It is with great sadness that I would like to dedicate a piece in this week’s Chronicle to Marlene Head.

Marlene was a very dear friend of St Joseph's Convent and Crackley Hall School for over 30 years.  Whilst having taught for 10 years elsewhere in the County, Marlene then moved to Crackley Hall where she was a passionate and dedicated educator.  Even in her retirement, Marlene continued her contact with Crackley Hall by providing support for lessons and attending events whenever her commitments permitted. 

I have been informed that Marlene was involved in a serious road traffic accident on Thursday morning and tragically passed away last night from the injuries she sustained.  Our thoughts and prayers are now with her family; her husband Tom, daughter Sarah, son Murray and his family.  We will arrange a suitable occasion to pay our respects, remember Marlene and all that she meant to Crackley Hall at some point in the future.  She was a much-loved colleague, friend and teacher.  May her dear soul rest in the loving peace of God.

Robert Duigan
Headmaster

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

This morning the PTA organised Crackley’s fourth Macmillan Coffee fundraiser.  At morning drop off many parents took advantage of the drive through tea and coffee service or took the opportunity to enjoy coffee and cake with friends in the sunshine on the patio and the entertainment provided by the children. Later at break the children had their chance to buy lots of tasty biscuits and cakes.  Special thanks also go to Ian Sansum and Holroyd Howe Catering for the pastries. 

We are still counting but so far this year’s Macmillan Coffee Morning has raised well over a £1000! (which will all go to Macmillan Cancer research).

It’s still not too late to donate if you haven’t already - just text our unique code MUG HHQ1 to 70550 to donate £5.

Huge thanks to our caffeine-motivated Crackley Hall PTA team, chaired by Lucy Lamb, to Reception for their help and to all the cake and pastry bakers across the school.

This week Mrs Jackson-Mayne with the help of Crackley's SVP Mini-Vinnies and the Student Council launched 2018 Operation Christmas Child.

But why is this needed you might ask? Sadly, the simple fact is that not all children around the world are fortunate enough to receive a Christmas present from their loved ones.  The charity Samaritan's Purse asks other more fortunate children to collect presents and gifts for boys and girls and to pack them in shoe boxes.  They then send them off to distant lands including Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia on their behalf.

So there you have it, a simple act of kindness and generosity that can transform the lives of children far less fortunate than ourselves. Further details about what might be suitable to go within the box will be with your child by the time you read this, but as a 'rule of thumb', new tooth brushes and small toys are especially welcome. That said, please refrain from including toys that have a military or conflict context as many of the shoe boxes will be sent to areas that have recently experienced war. 

Junior 1 pupil Blythe has entered into his first ever fundraising event to help the Birmingham Children’s Hospital KIDS/NTS team.

Birmingham Children’s Hospital KIDS/NTS team supported Blythe and you’ll see from the links below that they do amazing work. There are many stories like Blythe’s but without this amazing team he may have never had the chance to live life to the fullest. This is his way of saying thank you and he would love it if you can help to get people to donate to his cause. 

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/blythe-camilleri-willis

https://kids.bwc.nhs.uk/

Many thanks.

Leanne Jones of Drama Tots led Stay ‘n’ Players on a journey of make-believe when she visited the baby and toddler group on Wednesday 26 September.

This was a repeat visit from Leanne as part of a programme of activities at the weekly group and Stay ‘n’ Play was thrilled to welcome her back.  Involving all ages, Drama Tots blends imaginative play with music and movement to transport children on exciting adventures.  Our Stay ‘n’ Players were transfixed thanks to Leanne’s enthusiasm and warmth.

Little Crackers Stay ‘n’ Play continues weekly in term-time and the next visiting activity will be Twirling Toddlers on Wednesday 10 October 2018.

To find out more about Stay 'n' Play, please click here.

The latest edition of Crackley Hall and Little Cracker's Admissions Update e-newsletter was published last Friday.  The newsletter reminds parents that our Open Day takes place on Tueasday 2 October between 10.00am and 3.00pm and our Reception Open Evening is on Thursday 22 November between 7.00pm and 8.00pm.

This issue is packed with news to give prospective parents and pupils a feel for Crackley life, information on forthcoming events and helpful advice about the admissions process, particularly for those who are looking at entry in September 2019.

Our Admissions Update Newsletters are issued twice a year to coincide with key admissions periods, the next edition will be published in spring 2019.

Please click here to go to the Admissions Update newsletter.

Or if you have any queries relating to admissions please do feel free to email the team at admissions@crackleyhall.co.uk or telephone our Admissions Secretary, Jenny Vaughan, on 01926 514410.

With a little over six weeks to go, the countdown to Princethorpe's Entrance Exams for admission in September 2019 is underway. This year the exams for Year 7 to 10 entry will take place on Saturday 10 November from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

The deadline for registrations is Friday 5 October, to enable the seeking of references from junior schools. Junior 6 parents wishing their children to sit the exams do need to complete a registration form and submit it with the accompanying registration fee by this date.

For more information on the admissions process click here or to read the Admissions Update newsletter click here.  A copy of the Registration Form is avaiable here.

If you have any queries relating to admissions please feel free to email the Registrars at admissions@princethorpe.co.uk or to call them on 01926 634201.

Click on the attachment below to download the latest ‘In the News’ posters featuring some of the Foundation's recent media coverage.

In the News

In the last few months we have had stories in the local press including the Leamington Courier, Kenilworth News, Rugby Advertiser, Daventry Express, Leamington Observer, Rugby and Lutterworth Observer and the Coventry and Warwickshire Telegraph.  The Foundation has also been featured in Catholic Today and the Independent Schools’ magazine Attain.