The Courier

On Wednesday 11 November, Crescent School gathered outside on the playground. Headmaster, Joe Thackway, led a short service, reminding the children about the significance of the poppy and why we pause to remember. At 11am, Year 6, Alyssa played the Last Post on her cornet and the children and staff observed the two-minute silence.

A link to the service will be circulated to parents.

In school this week, Remembrance has featured in the children’s learning, both in written and creative activities. Class 3Y wrote acrostic poems and made poppies after learning about the importance of Remembrance Day, then they produced first-hand recounts of times during the Second World War. Class 1E made their own poppies which are all now mounted on the noticeboard in a super stunning display.

Crescent School will always remember.

Two talented young musicians from the Crescent School are celebrating after successfully auditioning for the National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain.

Alyssa Barnett plays the cornet while Charlotte Corbin the trombone, both have been taking lessons at school since they were seven-years-old and are stalwarts of the school orchestra and brass group. Both also play for the local Bilton Silver Training Band.

The girls auditioned for the prestigious National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain in October. With the restrictions of the pandemic, they had to pre-record their audition pieces but play their scales and take the sight-reading test on a Zoom call. It was a nerve-wracking experience so they were especially delighted when they received the exciting news last weekend that they had been selected.

Crescent School’s Director of Music, Julie Barnes, said “This is a huge achievement for Alyssa and Charlotte and we are delighted and very proud of them. Both girls have worked very hard in preparation for this and thoroughly deserve their places in the band.”

As part of National Children’s Brass Band, the girls will attend an intensive residential course in the summer holidays where they will get to play with the very best brass players in the country.

Hello

My name is Beverley Hunte and I am delighted to have been appointed as the Afterschool Manager at Crescent School.

My background is mostly an educational one having taught for over 25 years.  I have links and fond memories with the Princethorpe Foundation as one of my children attended the Crescent School nursery many years ago.  I have also taught Junior 5 and Junior 6 at Crackley Hall School.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Thackway, the staff here and in particular Mrs Gregory and the children for making me feel so welcome and I would like to wish Mrs Gregory good health and happiness as she starts a new path in her life.

I am looking forward to working with the children and my new colleagues - Miss Hanson and Miss V and meeting parents soon in person as they collect their children.

Mr Thackway has really enjoyed being a Super TA this week and we couldn't resist taking some photos of him enjoying reading with pupils in Reception and Class 3Y. Of course the children were all a little nervous reading to Mr Thackway but very proud to be able to show off their skill.

Crescent School

Year 4 pupil, Saira is a budding film star. Saira has been busy filming educational musical videos for an international publishing company. The videos will be used by schools around the world for their students who are learning English. They feature song and dance routines that are fun and catchy.

Saira’s passion for acting and drama began two years ago after she did her first LAMDA exam at Crescent School and was awarded a distinction. Two years later, and with four LAMDA exams under her belt, all distinctions, it is clear that Saira also has a lot of talent.

Alongside drama and acting, Saira loves to dance and she has been training since she was just 2-years-old. She dances in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and attends competitions performing duets and trios as well as taking part in musical theatre shows.

So, all those dancing and acting skills made her the perfect choice for the educational musical videos. And she fits her filming and training in alongside all her studies.

A huge well done Saira, it is great to see you working hard and trying your best!

We love sharing cards here at Crescent School but we are very aware of keeping everybody safe. Our plan is that we will welcome cards, but that these will need to be put in our special Christmas post-box which we will situate near the staff room.

This will be available from Monday 30 November and all cards must be in before Thursday 10 December to allow a good quarantine time.  The cards will then be sorted by the Year 6 children who will wear gloves on Monday 14 December, ready to be then given to each child. 

Things to remember:

• Please do not lick down envelopes

• Put the full name of the recipient on the envelope and their class

• All cards to be in before 10 December

Many thanks

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

Each class is planning to hold a Christmas Party in the last week of term.  Your child(ren)'s form tutor will let you know when and any other requirements for it in due course.

This will be a great opportunity for the children to socialise safely and enjoy some jolly festivities.

Thank you for your support with this.

The competition deadline has been extended to Wenesday 2 December 2020.  Sophia from Year 2 send in a copy of her wonderful entry - well done Sophia and good luck.  

From Panto Online:

We would like you to design a special ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ poster for Panto Online!  We are asking children aged 16 and under to design a poster for ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ with the winning entries receiving a special prize including their poster professionally printed, a live Zoom with Dame Trott and a feature in First News.

Use anything you like from colouring pencils, to paint, to glitter, your smart tablet and maybe even some 3D additions - with any characters you want to feature from Jack to the Giant and every bean in-between!

The entries will be entered in to three categories:

• 6 years and under
• 7 - 12 years
• 13 -16 years

You just need to take a picture of your final masterpiece and send it to us on social media (@PantoOnline) or at info@pantoonline.co.uk by Wednesday 2 December 2020.

All entries will be featured on Panto Online's Facebook gallery and the winners will be chosen by ex-Blue Peter presenters!

So what are you waiting for…? Get creative!  

Buy some books for Christmas for your friends and family using our Scholastic Book Club.

Don’t forget that our latest Scholastic Book Club is now online at https://schools.scholastic.co.uk/the-crescent/digital-book-club. There are hundreds of fantastic children’s books to choose from, and every £1 you spend on this month’s Book Club will earn 20p for our school in Scholastic Rewards.

Please place your order online by 1 December 2020. I may be able to get the books to school prior to the closing date if there is a total order of over £30. 

You may wish to look at the brochure for inspiration: 

Scholastic Book Club

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head