The Chronicle

Dear Parents

 
This week seems to have passed incredibly quickly which is normal for this time of year in school as there is much to do before the end of term.  Although events may not take place in their usual format, I am trying to ensure that the children experience as much normality as possible in terms of their school life.  Home learning continues and has now become the (temporary) norm for many children.  Those children in Nursery, Reception, Junior 1 and Junior 6 have adapted very well to the restrictions in school but my thoughts are drawn to all those who are still yet to have had the opportunity to return to school, albeit it briefly.  I admire their stoicism and continued application, along with their cheerfulness. 
 
The Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, announced on Tuesday the government’s updated plans on the return to school for primary school pupils, including taking away the requirement for all children to return to primary schools by the end of this term.  However, the statement and new guidance also makes provision for schools who are able to cater for extra pupils to do so in a safe way.  Hence, we need to consider how we can do everything possible to bring all of the children back, at least for some time (any time is better than nothing at this stage), before the end of term. Social interactions with the rest of the group are so important and a return to school, even for a short time, would be a wonderful opportunity to provide closure, including emotionally and psychologically, on the current year. Of course, against this I have to weigh the need for required distancing and safe practice and this will be the overriding consideration – safety! I am currently working hard with the leadership and compliance teams, looking at the options available. I will be back in touch with all parents early next week with more concrete plans.  
 
Something important which is now being recognised more widely, are the worldwide protests on the issue of race equality and discrimination.  I would like to add my voice in support of those key messages of anti-racism and equal opportunities.  I hold strong beliefs about the rights of all to equality; and the wrongs of all forms of prejudice.  Individuals should not suffer negative or demeaning comments as they go about their daily life.  It undermines self-belief and the impact of spiteful or misjudged comments accumulate over time for those on the receiving end. This sort of everyday racism may seem to be at the low end of the scale when compared with the tragic circumstances of the death of an individual, such as in the shocking case of George Floyd, but can be enormously damaging in their own right. I believe that the message of these recent protests is absolutely about both ends of this spectrum.  Celebrating differences is a central part of our PSHCE programme as well as our broader pastoral message. However, that's not to say there isn't more we can do.  All of us here need to reflect honestly on this and ask ourselves what we can do; and we are already looking at this as we make our preparations for the next school year. 
 
I hope you enjoyed this morning’s assembly and the Junior 3 Art video that followed.  I am very grateful to Mrs van Zyl and Mrs Hancock at Princethorpe College for co-ordinating this and compiling the video.  Congratulations to our Stars of the Week: Edie, Patrick, Katherine, Jude, Aaron, William, Eve, Andrew, Amelia, Elle, Maria, Isabella, Ajunee and Jimmy.  I was delighted to be able to announced that Arthur in Junior 2 has earned a Headteacher’s Award for his work on Seesaw – a tremendous effort from Arthur.  As we near the end of this school year, the stars and awards are being collated and there are numerous bronze, silver, gold awards to be sent home.  Esme has achieved her platinum award which is a super achievement.  Mrs Spillane has confirmed that there are lots of Da Vinci Awards and you will be able to read about these later in the Chronicle.  Well done to everyone – your hard work has been recognised and your certificates will be with you very soon.  I especially acknowledge the work of the many pupils who are working from home. 
 
As I confirmed in this morning’s Assembly, our end of term date has changed to Friday 3 July which will hopefully allow for some extra activities, both in school and online, to be enjoyed at the end of term. 
 
Holiday club will operate from 6 July and those parents who have expressed an interest will be sent a booking form.  It is important to stress that this year, booking will be necessary to secure your child’s place.  Once booked, you will be invoiced and changes or refunds cannot be made as staffing will need to be confirmed.  Holiday club hours are 08:30-4:00 and will be charged at £30 per day. 
 
It will not only be the Junior 6 children who we will be saying farewell to at the end of term.  Mrs Margaret Spillane, Mr Charles Lamprecht and Mrs Tanya Hill will also be leaving Crackley Hall.  Mrs Spillane will begin her retirement, so spending more time with her family.  We wish her much happiness and rest in her well-earned retirement.  Mrs Tanya Hill will be taking up a Deputy Headship in the Midlands and we wish her the very best in her new role.  We are delighted to share in the good news of her well-deserved career promotion.   Mr Lamprecht will also be missed as he embarks on his career change and a new business venture.  We wish him everything of the very best in this exciting new stage in his career.  If you would like to contribute to a leaving gift or add your name to a card, please see the link later in the Chronicle.  Thank you very much to all three colleagues and friends who have contributed so much to the life and growth of everyone in our school community.  Their replacements will have a hard act to follow but will, no doubt, ensure the continued excellent care and educational provision continues. 
 
I hope you have a restful weekend and that you are able to spend some time outside, weather permitting. 
 
God bless, 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

Congratulations to you all.

Both Junior 3 classes have been hard at work during the lockdown developing their amazing art skills. From works inspired by their history topic on Ancient Greece, to African animals, marvellous mosaics and landscapes printed from recycled bubble wrap, these are some of their truly wonderful creations. The diversity of their fantastic efforts is celebrated in a little online art gallery. Sit back and enjoy!

A huge thank you to the children for their wonderful work and to the parents who continue to support their home learning.

Mr Lamprecht, Mrs Hill and Mrs Spillane will all be leaving Crackley Hall this term and there are separate collections for each member of staff should you wish to contribute.  

Mr Lamprecht Mr Lamprecht's collection

Mrs Hill   Mrs Hill's collection 

Mrs Spillane Mrs Spillane's collection 

We wish them well for the future.

On Wednesday 17 June at 7.30pm, the PTA will be holding a meeting.   This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom, please contact Melissa Fox for the ID number should you wish to be involved at mfox1401@gmail.com

We are always looking to welcome new members, so if the PTA is something that you fancy getting involved with, we would be very pleased to have you on board.

Look forward to seeing you there! 

Happy birthday to Katherine in Reception and Grace in Junior 1, we hope you enjoy this pre lockdown video Birthday wishes

There have been lots of Da Vinci's awarded this week, including in:

Junior 2

• Blythe for Science
• Sienna for English

Junior 3

• Carter for his Science work 
• Julia for her Maths work
• Jay for Maths
• Andrew for Maths and English
• Mairen Steel – English
• Lexi for PSHECE/Citizenship 
• Georgie for Maths
• Ralph for Art
• Kate for Maths
• David Lamprecht for Art

 Junior 5

• Joseph for his English work

The House Drama Competition resulted in Da Vinci's for:

• Arthur, Olivia, Aaron and Elizabeth in Junior 2
• Isabella and Carter in Junior 3
• Elsie in Junior 4
• Jasper and Thomas in Junior 5
• Jorja in Junior 6

The award period for this year has now ended.  Any certificates or merits awarded after Friday 12 June will be carried over into the next acdemic year. Well done to everyone who received an award. 

Junior 6 have been learning about evolution and human intervention in science. This has proved a very thought provoking topic and it has been interesting to hear everyone's views.

History has also been stimulating as we have discussed rationing during WW2 and how our meals now are very different compared to back then.  We wondered what our daytime snacks might have been during WW2!

In English, classes have explored personal layers using Russian dolls as an example. We have had to dig deep, be honest with ourselves and think about the layers that we reveal to different people and how we can portray this as poetry.

It has been lovely seeing the children participate with such gusto in music and have the school hall filled with singing and music once again – just as it should be! We are learning a new song by Miley Cyrus and hope to perform this as part of a whole school Foundation choir.

It has been another super week of hard work and positivity in Junior 5. Niamh and her little brother have been busy growing lots of vegetables in the garden during lockdown. They've grown potatoes, carrots, green beans and strawberries, and they seem to be growing really well at the moment. Niamh has also been learning about muscles and exercises, she tried to do some bicep curls with some tins! 

There has been some great science work about photosynthesis from lots of children across the year group, so well done. 

It was Millie’s birthday on Sunday, and she started the day with some birthday pancakes. Once she’d opened all of her presents, she had an amazing surprise when some of the girls in her year group did a ‘drive by’ with banners, cards and pressies – this was probably the highlight of her day, and she was ever so grateful!  This is definitely a birthday Millie won’t forget in a hurry!

Lots of families in Junior 5 have been getting back to nature: some taking lovely, long walks together, while others are cycling together. Jasper cycled 27 km to Draycote water and back home again; an amazing achievement. Well done, Jasper! Helayna and her family walked 4 miles daily during half term; Maria walked 2 miles through the woods, which sounds delightful, and Maxwell walked 10 miles over the weekend and says he is planning on walking 100 miles during the month of July, for charity (yet to be chosen) – watch this space for updates! Check out the gallery for photos.

Amelia and Leyton celebrated their parents’ anniversary in style – they dressed up and made a restaurant for them to enjoy! 

George is very pleased to announce that he has two gorgeous new Bengal kittens, Esme and Iris. 

Well done to Isabella and Maria for being our Stars of the Week. 

Bronze certificates have been awarded to Jacob and Rupert.  Silver certificates have been achieved by Sam, Scarlett, Freddie, Millie, Francesca, Lily, Henry, Niamh and Henry W.  

The children in Junior 4 have been working on the Norman Conquest and have made some really exciting comic strips of the events of 1066, from the Battle of Stamford Bridge to the Battle of Hastings – it’s all there in their comics. They have been learning about young boys training to become knights, hopefully there will be some Norman shields to see on the Chronicle next week!

Junior 4 have been working on differentiated Time problems this week - telling the Time in digital and analogue and also calculating intervals of Time. Some of us have also been working on Geometry and learning about shapes, symmetry and angles. We have been so impressed with how the children have been navigating Century Tech and housepoints have been rewarded to those who spend time watching the teaching videos carefully in this brilliant learning tool.

In English J4JM have been looking at performance poetry. Using the model of Michael Rosen's conversation poem, 'The Car Trip', we have tried writing and performing out own versions of ‘The Car Trip’ using our personal experiences which has resulted in some very funny poetry.

Junior 4 have also been getting into Character as Jim Hawkins from Treasure Island as part of their Drama this week! Willow and Elsie made very convincing Jim Hawkins. Well done!

 Isabella's poem

This week Junior 3 have continued to immerse themselves in the mysteries of Ancient Greece. They have explored the settings of Greek myths and worked hard to describe them using powerful language and images. They have also found out about ‘reflection’ in science and written messages in mirror writing to send to friends. Some children even wrote their own science quiz! It has been lots of fun exploring all the new language of angles, lines and shapes in maths and we have become very accustomed to spotting mathematics all around us in our homes and neighbourhoods. Great job, everyone.

Highlights from J3V:

J3V are getting very good at sharing our news in our own ‘weekly news time’ and Mrs van Zyl cannot wait to see what great stories, models, toys, and talents everyone chooses to share. It makes everyone feel so much closer. Well done for persevering with your reading and taking the time to listen to each other too. Mrs van Zyl has seen some fantastic drawing and mask making skills this week – keep up all your creative efforts. Congratulations to all of you who have achieved a full Da Vinci this week.

Highlights from J3S:

J3S have been showing great enthusiasm for their reading, especially Seb and Beatrice, whose reading has hugely improved through lots of practice and importantly, enjoyment for a range of stories. It’s always wonderful to hear everyone’s news, including seeing Julia’s model dragons and seeing Joseph’s creative breakfasts that he has been cooking. J3S also learned about democracy in Ancient Athens, where they all took part in a virtual version. After the class voted on the winner, they then voted whether to ostracise the tyrant Mr Stedeford. However, the dog ate all of the voting slips, so they will never know the decision!

Mathlete of the week was Grace 

Junior 2 have been so busy this week testing capacity in maths and thinking about poetry in English! There have been some super 'happy' poems flying around SEESAW and the pupils have really enjoyed thinking about lines, verses and rhyming words.

In Science the children are recalling some of the work from earlier in the year, animals and their young, herbivores and carnivores, and in RE we have all been thinking about the Eucharist in the month where Holy Communion would normally be for the J3s.

PSHECE reminded us that we all want to see each other again but know that we have to stay safe and socially distanced for a while longer. Well done everyone a super-busy and productive week. There is no end to your talents.

Our Mathlete of the week is Sienna.

Jessie has been working hard writing poems this week. As you can see from her smiling face,  she is ready to write some more. We have been looking at weather poems and Jessie wrote a poem telling the rain to go away.

Hopefully the sun will be out next week and we’ll be able to see some of Junior 1 having fun in the sun!

Joseph has considered carefully why Jesus wanted Matthew the Tax collector to be his friend. This led him to think about qualities we look for in friends and how we should treat others. Joseph was keen to share his thoughts with the class.

Charlie has been super speedy with his maths this week and showed how well he can partition 2-digit numbers.

Theo enjoyed some forest school time in Thickthorn Woods in Kenilworth. Looks like a place Andy Goldsworthy would enjoy, the artist Junior 1 are currently studying.

Diya has been showing how to be kind to people in the wider community. She visited the Hope Centre in the middle of Coventry town, a part of the Mosaic Church, where they have a Food Bank. Due to Covid 19, a lot of Food Banks are unable to open.  Diya couldn't hand out goods personally, so this timw she just donated rice pudding tins, biscuits, crisps, runner beans, pineapple and toothpaste. She is going to try and volunteer with her mum next week.

Our Mathlete of the week is Diya.

It has been another fun week in Reception for the children at school and also for our home learners. ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Kinder’ bubbles have worked so hard in their classrooms and had lots of fun playing outside, whilst the children at home have continued with their live lessons.

This week, Reception classes have been learning about a wide variety of zoo animals. They have been writing poems, learning lots of facts and making habitats for them. They even went hiding in the bushes, pretending to be wild animals with the masks they had made! The children have loved listening to the story ‘Dear Zoo’ by Rod Campbell in their English lessons. They wrote a letter to the zoo keeper to tell him how they would look after the puppy and filled out labels to describe the animals in the story. Mrs Olden has also kept the children very entertained during their music lessons with lots of jungle songs and dancing!

In maths this week, Reception have enjoyed learning about odd and even numbers. We explored our surroundings, finding odd and even amounts of everyday items such three shelves on a bookshelf (odd) and four toothbrushes in the bathroom (even). Using practical resources like Lego and pencils we created our own odd and even categories and we also looked at door numbers on houses and decided which were odd and even. Can you spot any odd and even numbers in your house?

This week in nursery we have watched our children grow in independence as they manage the routines and systems in place.  Lunchtimes are especially lovely as everyone sits with their lunchboxes to compare yoghurts, fruit and the content of sandwiches… the conversations are wonderful to listen to, and very funny!  We also heard good news from a couple of our home learners who have been caring for caterpillars… the butterflies have appeared, been admired and have now flown free! 

I hope everyone enjoys a restful weekend, stay safe and stay dry!

 Nursery News

Children’s liturgy – Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Year A)

Preparation of the worship space

Colour: White

Props: Different types of bread from around the world for the children to try or pictures of different types of bread for the children to look at, a world map

Song suggestions:

Eat this bread, drink this cup (Taizé) (151, Celebration Hymnal for Everyone)

Bread of life, hope of the world (95, Celebration Hymnal for Everyone)

Bread for the world, a world of hunger (92, Celebration Hymnal for Everyone)

Welcome: Today Jesus tells us that anyone who eats the bread that he offers will live forever. How amazing! But how can this be? Let’s think about this and the importance of bread around the world today.

Opening prayer: Christ Jesus, Bread of Life, feed us with your love and wisdom and show us how we can help others, so that all people may have enough to eat. Amen.

First reading (optional): Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16

Psalm: Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20. R. v. 12

Gospel acclamation: everyone stands and sings the acclamation together.

Gospel: John 6:51-58

Jesus said: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread, he will live for ever. The bread that I will give him is my flesh, which I give so that the world may live.”

This started an angry argument among them. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked.

Jesus said to them, “I am telling you the truth: if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in yourselves. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them to life on the last day. For my flesh is the real food; my blood is the real drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood live in me, and I live in them. The living Father sent me, and because of him I live also. In the same way, whoever eats me will live because of me. This, then, is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the bread that your ancestors ate. They later died, but those who eat this bread will live for ever.”

(Gospel passage taken from Good News Translation® and used with permission, see details below*)

Gospel reflection: What do you remember from today’s reading?

Today Jesus tells us that he is the living bread which has come down from heaven. That anyone who eats this bread will live forever.

He goes on to say that the bread he gives is his flesh, and that whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood lives in him and he lives in them.

What do you think this means? We can’t eat Jesus can we?

Every time we come to Mass, the bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Jesus. And we come to share in it, even if we only have a blessing, welcoming Jesus into our lives.

With older children who have made their First Holy Communion, you could talk more about the significance of the Eucharist at this point. For younger ones, we have chosen to focus more on the importance of bread around the world.

Why do you think Jesus chose to talk about bread?

Bread is a very important food. It is a basic food eaten by people all over the world. It is an everyday food that all Jesus’ listeners would have recognised and understood.

When was the last time you had some bread? How often do you eat bread? Every day, once a week or just on special occasions?

How many different types of bread can you name? (eg. brown, white, baguette, pitta, naan, chapati, tortilla, rolls etc). How many different types of bread have you tried?

Bread is very important in the lives of many people around the world today. In fact, it can be life-changing.

In a village called Puentecitos in El Salvador a group of women run a bakery where they make rolls and other nice things. (You could show the illustration at this point).

One of the women, Sibia, says that making and selling bread has changed her life. “It has made a big change because for the first time we have some savings,” she says. Sibia and her friends are using this extra money to buy more ingredients for making their bread. They have also set up a savings group which Sibia leads so that they have more money for things they will need in the future.

The ingredients are getting more expensive but the women have not put the prices of their rolls up. Sibia says this is because people who are poor cannot afford it.

The women know that everyone needs food, so if their customers have no money, they will let them ‘pay’ with a small possession that they are happy to give away instead of paying with money.

Normally after children’s liturgy we would go back into Mass and share in Communion. So we remember now how very special the bread at Mass is, because it becomes Jesus’ body. We look forward to the time when we can go back to church and take part in this special meal again.

And we pray for all the people who make sure that we have bread to eat every day. The people who grow the ingredients, who make the flour. We pray for Sibia and for all people who make bread around the world. The people who sell the bread and who buy it for us to eat. Let’s also pray especially for people who are struggling to get enough food to eat at this time.

Intercessions You may want to ask the children to offer their own prayers or you can use the suggestions below.

We live in Jesus and he lives in us and so we pray together:

We pray for all people in our world: that they may have their fair share of the good things that God has given for everyone. Lord, in your mercy…

We pray for all members of our global family who are hungry: that through our prayers and actions, we may all have enough food. Lord, in your mercy…

We pray for our parish, family and friends: that we may be inspired to work together with others so that all people have enough to eat. Lord, in your mercy…

Closing prayer: Lord, Giver of Life, we thank you for the gifts that you have given us. Watch over all your people and work through us so that all your children around the world may have enough to eat. Amen.

Activity suggestions: 

Ask the children to colour in the accompanying illustration of the bakery in Puentecitos and on the back to write or draw what they will do to help make sure that all people around the world have enough food to eat.

Get different types of bread from around the world to show the children, and let them feel and taste them. (Do bear in mind any allergies). Or you could look at images of different types of bread if that’s easier/safer. What are they like? Did they enjoy them?  Ask the children if they can name any of these different breads. Explain to the children which country the breads originally come from and show them or challenge the older ones to find on a map where that country is. Talk about the fact that even though these breads are all different, they are still bread. Much the same as all people are different but they are still people – who are special and loved by God.

Encourage the children to think about all the people involved in producing their bread, from those who grow and produce the ingredients, to those who bake and sell the bread.

As a family discuss all that you have heard and thought about today. As a family each time you eat bread in the coming week, remember Sibia in El Salvador, and also pray for all people around the world who are struggling to get enough to eat. Perhaps you could do one thing in the coming week to help those who are hungry either in your local community or around the world.

This summer, like never before, we are called to be signs of hope for our world. You and your family are invited to be part of a Summer of Hope which will ensure clean water and food reaches some of the poorest families in the world during this global emergency. Visit cafod.org.uk/summerofhope to find out more.  

See cafod.org.uk/primary for more child-friendly activities.