The Chronicle

Dear Parents

It has been a pleasure to witness several events that have taken place at Crackley Hall this week, including today’s Charity Day.  Mrs Malcolm has just confirmed that a grand total of £1,298 has been raised through the various games, cake sales, arts and craft stalls, as well as non-uniform day.  This is a wonderful achievement and I would like to thank everyone involved, particularly Mrs Malcolm and the Student Council, for ensuring that the day was such a success; I know that the Guide Dogs for the Blind will be extremely pleased to receive the funds raised. 

Our Key Stage 1 Sports Day was held on the games fields on Wednesday and the weather was, thankfully, glorious (just).  I think I speak for everyone when I say that it was a particularly enjoyable event and I was very pleased to see so many parents and family members cheering on their children.  Thank you to Mrs Vaughan and Miss Jones for co-ordinating our school sports days, to the PTA for providing the hospitality and to the children for trying their very best.  Next Tuesday will be Key Stage 2 Sports Day, again to be held on the field.  The event will start at 11.00am and you are most welcome to attend and stay on the field during lunchtime and until the end of the day at 3.30pm.  I would suggest perhaps bringing a picnic rug or chair so that you can watch the proceeding in comfort.  The PTA have also asked me to mention that it would be appreciated if you could bring a re-usable cup if you are visiting the refreshment tent.

Following their success at regional finals, our Formula 1 team, Speed Stingers, took part in the national finals at Gaydon on Wednesday this week.  Whilst they performed brilliantly, they didn’t quite make the podium on this occasion.  They should however be congratulated on their achievement, particularly the speed of their car (3rd in the country).  I extend my sincere thanks to all involved in supporting the team – teachers, parents and sponsors.  Jaguar Land Rover have certainly staged a fantastically inspirational event, so huge credit should go to them as well.

There have been other events in School this week which I am sure you will have heard about from your children including the House Meetings, the India afternoon, ISA Rounders and voting for House Captains.  There will be much happening next week too, starting with the whole school photograph on Monday morning.  This happens bi-annually and involves every child and member of staff at Crackley Hall.  Therefore, to ensure the smartest photograph possible, could you please ensure that your child wears their blazer on Monday morning?  Please also ensure that all uniform is clean, neat and polished where appropriate– thank you.

The biggest events of next week will be our Prize Giving Ceremonies which will be held on Friday.  They are eagerly anticipated, particularly by our Junior 5 and Junior 6 students.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with the events, the format will follow the same as last year whereby there will be a ceremony for the prize winners in Reception to Junior 4 in the afternoon commencing at 2.00 pm and the later ceremony for all of Junior 5 and Junior 6 will start with refreshments from 5.30 pm.  I will have the delight of announcing our Head Boy and Head Girl for the next academic year during the evening; I do hope to see many of you that day.

Congratulations to all our Stars of the Week and to Amelia, Mollie and Rhomun on their fantastic musical performances at this morning’s assembly.  Our ISA, and other, sport teams all fared very well, with special congratulations going to the U11 rounders team on their bronze medals at the Midlands Tournament.  Well done to Aryan and his dad on their victory in the tennis tournament at Edgbaston – quite an achievement!  Also, very well done to Jimmy, Zach, Fintan, Conor and Oliver on their club football team winning the league and cup double this year.  I was particularly delighted with the children’s success at the Leamington Festival and a special word of congratulations goes to Cadie, Francesca, Marley and Alice on winning their respective categories.

I was pleasantly surprised to see South Africa beat England last week but certainly don’t expect it to happen again tomorrow.  I think that England will win this match in Cape Town. I thought that the England football team started really well on Monday and I hope to see them build on their opening victory.  I was particularly impressed with Harry Kane’s interview after the match as well.  The England women’s cricket team gave their South African counterparts a real cricketing lesson this week and the England men are teaching Australia a thing or two about cricket as well at the moment – all very interesting.

I wish you all a very happy and restful family weekend.

God bless,

Robert Duigan

Mr James has advised that there are numerous chess club fees outstanding for this term.   

Please can parents of pupils who have not paid already, complete the attached form with payment or payment advice and return the form to the school office as soon as possible.  Thank you for your help in this matter.

We have a number of trips and events coming up over the next few weeks. Please see the relevant letters below. 

J6 Costume letter for Production

R - J5 Costume letter for Production

Production tickets letter

Michaelmas Term 2018 - Lunches letter

Michaelmas Term 2018 Week 1 Menu

Michaelmas Term 2018 Week 2 Menu

Michaelmas Term 2018 Week 3 Menu

Junior 4 Visit to Kingswood Activity Centre

Your child is invited to several sports camps which will take place at Princethorpe College this summer. These camps are run independently of the Foundation, although you will most likely recognise a familiar face leading some or all of the activities.

The details of the various camps are as follows:

The Football Camp will take place over two days on Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 July from 9:30am until 3:00pm. Boys and girls are welcome between the ages of 10-13 years. Further details are available through this attached flyer.

The Netball Camp will take place over the same two days on Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 July from 9:30am until 3:00pm.  Children betwen the ages of 8 -13 years are most welcome. Further details are available through this attached flyer.

The Hockey Camp will again take place over the same two days on July 30 and 31 for ages between 8 and 16 years. Further details are available through this attached flyer.

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

On Saturday Mrs Wildey, Miss Rod, children and parents gathered nervously at Dale Street Methodist Church in Leamington Spa to take part in the Leamington Spa Competitive Festival of Speech and Drama. We had a cracking day where every child performed superbly with excellent results.

Cadie Hardwick came 1st in the Under 9s Verse and Prose section and Megan Shipton came 2nd in the Under 11s.  In the Humorous Poetry section Francesca Kelly, Jorja Parris and Martha Summers were placed in the much coveted 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions out of 20 candidates! Jorja also came 3rd out of 14 candidates in the Under 9s Verse section. Alice Minshull completed the day with her winning prose piece ‘Miss Trunchball from Matilda’.

Well done, Crackley!

The National Finals of the Jaguar Primary Schools Challenge took place at the British Motor Museum on Wednesday 20 June. Over the last year thousands of primary school children from across the UK have taken part in the STEM challenge and Crackley Hall’s team ‘Speed Stingers’ had made it all the way through to the final.

The team, Junior 4’s Jimmy Loftus, Soren Wasley, Zach Rose and Cadie Hardwick, had been fiendishly busy preparing for the big day.

The challenge requires teams to research, design, manufacture, test, promote and race the fastest car possible using standard chassis and engine housing nets with a car body made only from card.  It is a technical brief but one that has proven to really engage potential future engineers.

The final followed a similar format to the regional rounds and the children had a challenging but fantastic day.  They had to race their car, talk about the engineering, discuss and explain their ‘Pit’ display and portfolio and give a verbal presentation to four judges.

The cars were raced down a special 20-metre-long track propelled using compressed air gas canisters and they travelled the distance in a matter of seconds. Crackley’s car finished seventh when including reaction times, but was third overall out of the 36 teams competing at the event – a super result.

In addition, the children had to complete an additional challenge to create a racing car powered by an electric motor, and this took up most of their spare time.

Team Manager, Mrs Cat Hardwick commented, “Although Crackley’s Speed Stingers didn’t win any of the awards on the day, they represented our school superbly, with dignity and grace, and showed everyone that they were confident, knowledgeable and enthusiastic.  We are immensely proud of them all and have thoroughly enjoyed watching them grow and develop over the past few months.  I really hope we have one or two engineers in the making, taking their first steps along the road to becoming a real Engineer!”

Our thanks go to Mrs Hardwick and Mrs Spillane who have worked with the team over the last few months.

Incredible India was the topic for this week’s Geography lessons, organised by Crackley Hall Head of Geography and Year 6 teacher, Mrs Sarah Lammas. The J4s had a fascinating afternoon exploring this amazing country in an ‘Indian Experience’ workshop hosted by parents Mrs Mehta (mum to Jia and Aryan), Mrs Dhillon (mum to Kiran) and Mrs Gill (mum to Ajunee). They hosted our adventurous Junior 4 geographers in an amazing hands-on tour of the culture, food and history of this exciting country.

Beginning with some eye popping facts, Mrs Dhillon guided pupils around the geography of a land home to 1.3 billion people. She informed them of its 22 languages, its 29 states, its national emblem, the Bengal Tiger, its weather and famous buildings. Our junior explorers had plenty of interesting questions for our ‘expert’ mums, who were delighted to share their knowledge and love of the country.  The food table proved especially popular, as the bowls of exotic spices: cumin, coriander and fennel conjured up the familiar smells of Indian cuisine. Furthermore, the sugary jalebi dessert provided a perfectly sweet counterpoint to the aforementioned delights.  

Mrs Lammas, with her usual infectious passion for her subject, summed up her motivation for the event and the childrens' learning, “Immersion makes for memorable learning; it adds experience through one's senses, creating life long learning."

This successful event engaged everyone’s curiosity, the children picked up lots of interesting facts and information to take back into the classroom.  A huge thank you to Mrs Gill, Mrs Dhillon and Mrs Mehta for giving so generously of their time and knowledge, it’s really appreciated!

Wednesday 20 June was Crackley Hall’s Reception and Key Stage One Sports Day.  Set up on the main field with an activity station carousel structure, and aided and organised by Junior 6, Crackley’s sports stars of the future jumped, sprinted and threw their way through a jam-packed morning of sporting fun.  Proudly wearing their House colours and with big enormous smiles, the children enthusiastically launched themselves into each activity and clearly all had a super time.

Reception had their own designated area and had soon mastered the challenges of running, throwing and hurdling.  Whilst over on the Key Stage One pitch the children powered their way through athletics events such as the sprint, long jump, throw and hurdles, as well as enjoying traditional sports day favourites such as bean bag hoopla, bunny hops and the always exhausting scarecrow tig.

Conditions were a little windy at times but perfectly tailored to prevent overheating and it was lovely to see so many parents out on the field cheering their youngsters on.

The morning finished with the timed relay challenge and the House teams vied to score as many runs as possible.

Mr Duigan spoke to thank all those involved in organising the day before Mrs Vaughan announced the final results: 1st Jupiter (148 points), 2nd Saturn (140 points), 3rd Mars (128 points) and 4th Venus (116 points).

A very close finish, well done to everyone who took part.

Crackley Hall’s U11 Rounders Team travelled to Stafford Prep on Thursday 21 June to play in the Independent Schools Association (ISA) Midlands Rounders Championship. 

Playing with fire in their eyes in lovely sunny but challengingly, blustery conditions against 16 teams from across the region the girls stormed through their initial round robin pool.  Their hard work in training came seamlessly together and the girls were unstoppable easily winning all three matches.  Crackley vs Stafford Prep B – 9 ½ - 2, Crackley vs Tettenhall – 8 - 5 and Crackley vs Heathfield Knoll – 8 - 6

The girls were playing confidently making amazing catches, sensationally stumping out and batting better than they ever have before.

Crackley won their pool and went through to the second round play-off to decide the tournament’s final positions.

This was a much tougher group and the matches were closer, the girls played superbly and were unlucky to lose their first two games but in their last match they overcame their final opponent to finish third overall.  Crackley vs Stafford Prep A – 5 - 7, Crackley vs Malvern St James – 6 - 10 and Crackley vs Old Vicarage – 8 ½ - 8

Describing the day, PE Teacher, Mrs Kat Vaughan commented, “What you want from a competition like this is for the team to realise their potential and that’s what our girls did today. They dipped a bit in the second pool but everything they have learnt over the last few weeks in training came together really well.”

Playing in the team were: Emily Hennegan, Abi Gillard, Eva Plevin (Captain), Alice Minshull, Honor-Mae Minshull, Kaena Wasley, Sofia Mehta, Evie Berger and Megan Shipton.

The players of the tournament were: Emily Hennegan for her superb bowling and super control within the fielding area and Evie Berger for hitting the ball further than we ever knew she could!

Well done to all the girls for playing better than you ever have before.

The good folks of the Student Council have teamed up with Crackley's Gardening Stewards to bring about a most marvellous addition to the School's campus. Measuring almost three metres in length and weighing in at many kilograms Crackley's new kitchen garden, ably fashioned by Olivia Lamb's Grandad (J1G), has been born.

Packed full with rich compost the team has enjoyed getting their hands dirty and planting tomatoes, lettuce and herbs that have all been provided for, along with the timber for the planter itself, by our ever generous PTA.

Parents wishing to take note or gain some gardening tips are advised to take stock of this wonderful vista outside the entrance to the Gables.

1st: Jupiter (212 points)

2nd: Mars (208 points)

3rd: Saturn (204 points)

4th: Venus (158 points)

This Sunday 24 June from 2.00pm to 4.30pm Princethorpe College PTA is holding its traditional Summer Fête.  Crackley Hall families are warmly invited to come and enjoy a lovely afternoon out.

At the fête there will be lots of entertainment for both children and adults alike, including Zorbing, a BBQ, refreshments, bar, plenty of different stalls to explore, a raffle, competitions to enter and many, many more exciting activities for all the family to enjoy.

The fête includes the College’s 23rd annual Motoring Festival with classic, vintage, veteran or interesting vehicles all on show.  Fête visitors can also enjoy the College’s Summer Art, Design and Photography Show, showcasing the work of its talented GCSE and A-level pupils and, for those not wanting to miss the big sporting event of the day, the school will be showing the England World Cup match.

We do hope that you are able to come along to this fun, family event.

Please click on View Gallery to scroll through a few photos from this week's events. 

Pastures new beckon for our Junior 6 Minnie Vinnie members, so it seemed a most opportune moment for Mrs Simmonds (Chaplaincy Assistant), Mrs Jackson-Mayne and the Year Six teachers to get together and celebrate their time together.

This group of fantastic, dedicated and hard working students have made a sustained positive impact on the School's Christian and charitable mission. We thank you for your service and wish you all the best of luck in all you turn your mind to.

As you will know our prayer garden is now open, in order to make this a very special place for the whole school we would like to ensure that all pupils in the school have had an opportunity to lay a stone in the garden.

Over the years, new pupils in Reception and new starters have been given the opportunity to decorate a small stone and bring it to school to be blessed by Father Kevin in a little service outside. We would therefore like to invite all the pupils who have not yet done this to bring in a stone, that they have decorated in their own way. During the St Peter and Paul vigil Mass on Thursday 28 June at 2pm the stones will be blessed by Father Kevin and then added to the garden.

Pupils will be given a few ideas on how to decorate their stones during Form Time.

U8 'A' Cricket vs Bilton Grange 279/6 - 329/4 (loss)

Player of the Match - Eden Oshri

U9 Boys Cricket vs Bilton Grange (mixed 'A' & 'B' Teams)

Victory in first game by 30 runs

Loss in second game by just 1 run

U10 'A' Cricket vs Balsall Common - Win

U11 Rounders Tournament at The Croft School

Group Matches:

CH vs Bablake 'A' 10.5-14 (loss)

CH vs Croft 'B' 12-6 (win)

CH vs Solihull 9-5 (win)

Semi Finals:

CH vs Warwick loss 3.5-3 (loss)

The Chronicle has been told that the girls played the best Mrs Vaughan and Miss Jones have seen and they were desperately unlucky not to reach the final. That said, we have it on good authority that it prepared our girls well for the ISA Midlands Tournament.

U11 'A' Cricket vs Balsall Common - loss

Player of the Match: Fynn Walker

Match report to follow next week.

1st - Jupiter

2nd - Saturn

3rd - Venus

4th - Mars

We are pleased to announce that Leo Warne and Dillon Horan have been awarded Gymnast of the Week.

J3/4 Athletics Club is cancelled as it will be Sports Day. 

KS1 Art Club is cancelled on Friday as it will be Prize Giving.

Our butterflies have appeared! We watched our ‘chrysalids’ carefully this week; nothing happened Monday, but suddenly, at around 9.30 am on Tuesday our first butterfly made a quiet appearance from its cocoon and into our net. Over the day another came to play and by Wednesday mid-morning all 5 ‘Painted Ladies’ were putting on a show as their wings dried and they explored the flowers and fruit we had put into their small environment. We will keep them with us until the end of this week and will watch them fly free on Friday. Let’s hope the dry weather really does continue for them! Look out for butterflies and caterpillars as you are out and about this weekend, I found lots of tiny ones munching on my roses – but wasn’t quite so excited by those! Tell us what you find on Monday!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone. Please make sure you read this week's newsletter as it's packed with all the information you'll need.   

Our Stay 'n' Play toddlers had a fantastic, fun filled, final session when they joined us for our annual finale the Teddy Bears' Picnic. In a busy morning they enjoyed plenty of teddy bear craft, sticking and gluing cut-outs of teddy bears and created some colourful masterpieces.

Play Leaders Gail and Mary had put on an excellent indoor picnic feast which the children really enjoyed sharing with their adults and their teddies.

It was lovely to see so many familiar faces together.

Little Crackers Stay ‘n’ Play will be back after our Summer break on Wednesday 12 September in our regular time slot of 10.00am to 11.30am.

We look forward to seeing you all then.

We are looking to recruit an IT Apprentice, at Level 3, to join the busy Foundation IT department, to start by August 2018, although later starts will be considered for the right candidate.  They will report to the Assistant Head (Director of Digital Strategy) and will be based in Princethorpe College with some duties at the Foundation feeder schools, Crackley Hall School in Kenilworth and Crescent School in Rugby. 

The candidate will be a member of the IT Service Desk team providing a front-line service to staff across all three schools and for pupils in the College.

The role would provide the successful candidate with an inside view of the workings and the organisation of a multisite network, implementation procedures of new hardware/software, including expansion and development of existing and new IT services. They will have responsibility for the first point of contact on the ICT helpdesk with all users.

Interested candidates will have good communication and organisational skills, as well as the ability to work on their own and as part of a team. They will be studying an IT related Apprenticeship at level three or four. Likely courses are IT, Software and Telecoms Professionals, IT Application Specialist or Infrastructure Technician, although this list is not exhaustive.  Training for the Apprenticeship will be on day release at Warwickshire College, who are the training service provider for the Apprenticeship.

An IT Apprenticeship will enable the successful candidate to gain hands on experience; they will be trained to provide support to users on various levels, from toner replacements, stock checks and Audio Visual setups, to supporting end users with any technical and software queries.

Candidates are welcome to discuss the Apprenticeship courses in more detail with Emma Rogers, Worked-based Learning Manager, Warwickshire College Group on 01788 863230.

Single person accommodation on site may be available.

This is an excellent opportunity to join the fast growing Foundation that values its staff and offers a rewarding benefits package including discounted places for staff, a pension scheme, child care vouchers and a cycle to work scheme.

Application: To apply for this vacancy applicants must submit a Princethorpe College application form, together with a CV and covering letter detailing your personal qualities, experience and how you meet the person specification for the role. Applicants must ensure the application form is fully completed, including a detailed career history with specific dates.

Closing date: Wednesday 27 June at 9.00am, with interviews likely to be held on Tuesday 3 July at Princethorpe College.

Further details and an application form are available from the College website www.princethorpe.co.uk/employment-opportunities

Lost

Amelie Read (J5R) has lost two named jumpers.

Sid Weir (J6L) has lost his purple hoodie with 'SID' on the back in white lettering.  

Leo Warne (J1G) has lost his named clip on tie and his named blazer