News

Pupils Thoroughly Enjoyed Growth Mindset Day

Last Friday, pupils were off timetable taking part in a carousel of activities for Crescent School’s Growth Mindset Day. Pupils were encouraged to think, approach and participate creatively as they took part in enrichment sessions to develop their skills in different ways.

You can read about some of their challenges and activities below and watch a short video of all the fun here: Growth Mindset Day

In RP they got creative with a range of construction equipment with a challenge to build a shelter for a small Lego figure. The children selected their equipment of choice and set to work, individually, in pairs and in small groups. It gave the children great collaborative opportunities, and it was wonderful to see and hear so many ideas being shared. Some offered suggestions and shared their experiences as they showed us what they'd made.  They tackled challenges such as including a roof, shelter height, size and doorways and adopted a growth mindset as they adapted and amended their work to make improvements to meet the challenge. 

Their physical challenge for Growth Mindset Day was to keep running around the playground perimeter and see how many laps they could do. It didn't take long before little legs started to get tired and there were lots of opportunity to talk about strategies to keep going when it got tricky - amongst the children's ideas were slowing down, walking for a while, having a drink, encouraging your friends and walking as a group to make it more fun. Everyone had to find a way that worked for them to complete an extra lap when it got tough. There was lots of talk throughout the day of their colourful brains and not being able to do things yet! 

Class 1SS had to build bridges that a toy car could travel across. The creative use of tape, lollipop sticks, card and wood led to the design and build of three original bridges. The children were innovative and solved problems quickly. Great excitement was had at the end of the session as two out of three cars successfully made their journey across! In their physical task, the children were given the same pieces of equipment and had to design their own game and present how to play, how to score points and ultimately, how to win. They continued their creativity in the classroom by being imaginative with a ‘it’s not a cup’ activity. The children crafted things such as a castle, a rocket and even a turkey out of a paper cup! They had to think carefully about their design and how they were going to construct their ideas.

Class 1LS had an extremely enjoyable and productive day. They began by talking about their grey and colourful brains and then embarked on a range of activities which explored their ‘having a try’ and ‘yet’ outlooks. The children had to use only an A4 sized sheet of foil to make a boat for a family of Compare Bears to float in, which didn’t sink! There was lots of experimenting with different shapes and sizes and there was lots of perseverance and resilience shown when some boats sank initially. The children also worked with Mr Stapleton in small teams to solve problems together. They had to move a golf ball using only gutter pipes, to make it roll into a bucket. They also had to find their way successfully across a crocodile infested swamp! Everyone felt a little out of the comfort zone at times, but the children loved every minute and enjoyed the challenges.

Children in Year 2 embraced the activities on Growth Mindset Day and developed their understanding of positive thinking and the impact it can have on their learning and friendships.  Mrs Mercer's assembly story of Walt Disney's knockbacks, resilience and subsequent success inspired them to consider their own strengths and qualities and things to be grateful for.  They loved the working together, including the practical team challenges presented by Mr Stapleton, and understood that they are better together.  We hope that you are beginning to see this growth mindset in their language and attitudes out of school too.

In 3Y the children used a range of resources to help them solve maths problems which had a variety of different answers. They had a think about the positive thoughts that can keep their mind growing and designed colourful brains. They imagined what they would do if we had a Yes Day where the answers to every request and question was YES!

Together, Year 3 and 4 were challenged to put their amazing imaginations to the test by creating fantastic and mythical creatures using advanced photo editing software. They then used their creations to compose a short play using the Puppet Pals app. Both classes had a wonderful time exploring their creative areas of the brain and rising to new challenges.

Class 4M really enjoyed using their 'colourful brains' last Friday, and they completed a range of activities and challenges. They kicked off the day with the 'Tangram Task'. The children learnt about the ancient mathematical activity, where they are given seven different shapes, all different sizes and colours, and they attempt to create different pictures using all of the shapes. They attempted an apple, a candle, a horse, a turtle, and many more. Some of them were even able to create a square with an arrow inside it, which was a real challenge. We have some wonderful pictures of their creations.

Next, they brainstormed some inspirational words for motivation, all around the Growth Mindset feelings - they came up with, 'I am unique', 'I am brave', 'I meet challenges’, and 'I show resilience', to name but a few. They them made their own 'Fortune Tellers', illustrating them with their positive affirmations. 

Lastly, over the weekend, the children completed the 'Imagination Workout' - a creative activity where they had a grid of twelve squares, each with a mark or shape inside. The challenge was to turn these marks into pictures and images as creatively as possible. Mrs Monteith was amazed at the results; the children did a fantastic job, and their images will make an eye-catching display.

Class 5F challenged their creative side by reading a story and changing elements to devise a new story. Some children loved this freedom of imagination whilst others had to dig deeper into their growth mindset and recognise, they did have the creative skills.

Class 6W and 5F were presented with a physical challenge - in groups of six, the teams had to lower a long cane to the ground, using only one finger on each hand of each pupil. The groups found it tough at first as the cane kept rising instead of being lowered. Those teams who were successful believed it was possible, showed great resilience every time it went wrong, tried and tried again and used positive vocal encouragement to each other until they lowered the cane to the ground and successfully completed the challenge.

These classes also met the Compose and Create strands by producing a way of promoting growth mindset to others: we had TV adverts, poems, raps and songs. The children enjoyed working collaboratively, having to agree and direct the group to a finished piece. There were some memorable presentations with some very catchy tunes!

In Music pupils explored the Compose strand by choosing and ordering sounds. They chose from a selection of body sounds, such as clap, stamp, click fingers or slap knees. They then experimented with them, getting faster or slower, louder and quieter, adding an ending and even doing them in reverse order. Pupils discovered that composing music is a lot simpler than they thought and were rather pleased to discover that they can call themselves composers!

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed Growth Mindset Day, it really focused their thoughts on how much they can all achieve by thinking positively and creatively. 

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Year 5 Taster Day At Princethorpe College - Thursday 19 May 2022

Year 5 are warmly invited to a taste of senior school life at Princethorpe College on Thursday 19 May 2022. The taster day will begin at 9.30am when the children will be transported to the College by mini-bus from Crescent. Pupils will experience a variety of classroom sessions, a tour of the school and a question and answer session with our current pupils. Break and lunch will be provided and there is no charge for this day.

At the end of the afternoon, parents are invited to join their children at 4.15pm for an informal Parents’ Information Session, offering information on entry to the College for September 2023. Light refreshments will also be served. Ed Hester, the Headmaster, along with other key members of staff will be available to talk to families about the College and to outline the admissions process. Children will also have the opportunity to trial the online CEM test, one of the exams that prospective pupils complete during the Entrance Examinations day, which will take place on Saturday 5 November 2022.

Please click here to access the online booking form for the Year 5 Taster Day. Please complete and submit the form by 9.00pm on Monday 7 March to secure a place for your child.

For those parents who are unable to attend the Parents’ Information Session, your child will be transported back to Crescent for 3.30pm.

For more information about the admissions process. please do not hesitate to contact the Admissions Team on 01926 634201/262/297 or by email at admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

 

Princethorpe's Admissions Deadline Fast Approaching For 2022 Entry

A reminder that parents of children who have been offered a place at Princethorpe College need to confirm acceptance of their place with a £300 deposit by Thursday 3 March 2022. Please be aware that the College can only guarantee places which are accepted by the deadline date.

Once you have confirmed your acceptance of a place and sent your £300 deposit you will receive an acknowledgment and a receipt. A Joining Pack will then be sent to you during the Easter holidays, this will include various permission forms and essential information on school life.

The Registrar, Mrs Vanessa Rooney and her assistants, Miss Helen Morgan and Mrs Catherine Rogers will be pleased to help you with any questions you may have regarding the transition and induction process and will be available throughout half-term. You can contact them on 01926 634201/262/297 or by email at admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

Year 5 Mid Year Reports

Please be aware that Mid-Year Reports for all children in Class 5F will be published on My School Portal today Friday 18 February around 4pm.

Staff have spent much time gathering evidence and writing these reports to keep you informed of your child's progress, achievements and wellbeing in school. We do hope you enjoy reading them and sharing comments and targets with your child. 

A change to our reporting system allows you to access which Junior da Vinci awards your child has received, why and from whom. To do this a 'Rewards' tab will appear on your screen for each 'My child' tab and build up over the year. JDV totals are reset every year on 1 September. The attached screenshot illustrates this.

Ms Forth
Deputy Head - Curriculum
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Reception To Year 4 Parents' Evening Poll

Thank you to all who responded to our poll on face to face or Teams Parents' Evenings for Reception to Year 4 later this term. 

76% of parents who responded would rather have face to face consultations; as this is an overwhelming majority, we will running Parents' Evening meetings as face to face sessions in school.

You will soon be invited to sign up to see Form Tutors (10-minute meetings) and any specialists that are also not Form Tutors (5-minute meetings) over two different days.

We will continue to review our provision and wish you a happy half-term.

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

After School - Booking Information

Dear Parents

We are very happy to see the increased interest in After School Club. We love to see your children, play with them, help them out with their homework and let them build valuable relationships with other children from different year groups.

Recently the interest in After School has been so high that we have had to recruit more people to our team – we have now an amazing team of lovely staff!

To ensure we take the best possible care of our children, we ask you to make sure you book your After School club slot in advance – 10.00am on the day is the deadline for bookings. This is to ensure we have the right level of supervision. It also allows us to let our lovely kitchen staff know how many children we expect to stay for tea so they can make enough food for all of the children.

Recently we have noticed many children have been booked in after that deadline or not booked in at all. This creates a real challenge for us as we have to either tell children they cannot eat tea with everybody else, or we have to split the food between all of the children, which means the portions are significantly smaller. I think you will agree with us that this is not a good solution at all.  As a result of this, starting this half term, if your child is booked ​into After School later than 10.00am we cannot provide food for them.

Additionally, please make sure your bookings are correct, ensuring the date and type of booking. After School club runs between 3.45pm and 5.45pm, with three options to book:

  • 1st session (with drink and biscuit) 3.45pm- 4.45pm 
  • 2nd session (with tea) 4.45pm and 5.45pm
  • Both sessions 3.45pm - 5.45pm

We serve tea around 5pm.  If you need to make changes to your booking on the day please contact the School Office.

We would also like to remind parents that the After School mobile number is for After School pick up use only. Any other queries should be directed to the office in the office working hours (8.15am – 4.15pm).

Thank you.

Miss Wrzesniacka (Miss V)
After School Manager

 

Privilege Time Gifts - Thank You

Class 5F would like to say a big thank you for their Privilege Time gifts purchased from the funds raised at the Cake Sale last term.

Ms Forth and 5F

Pokemon Cards

Dear Parents

Over recent days we've experienced some distress in the children over Pokemon cards. This subsequently impacts too upon classroom learning time. As such, please could we request that these cards are left at home and do not come into school again after the half term break.  

With many thanks for your understanding.

Mr Webb
Pastoral Head

Childcare Vouchers And Tax-Free Childcare

Parents are reminded that childcare vouchers and tax-free childcare can be used for costs for a child under their compulsory school age. Once a child reaches compulsory school age – on 31 December, 31 March or 31 August following their fifth birthday (whichever comes first) - these payments can only be used for before and after school care.

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar

Accessing Your On-Line Billing Account

Parents wishing to access their on-line billing account should visit: https://parent.princethorpe.co.uk/api/homepage/.

At the top of your screen you will see a menu that allows you to see your invoices and your statement.

To view your invoices please click 'School Fee Invoices'. This will provide you with a list of all invoices raised for all your children within the Foundation. 

To open an individual invoice, select the pdf icon from the download column and click to open.  A box will appear on your screen, please click the box to view your invoice.

To view your statement please hover your curser over 'School Fee Invoices'.  A drop-down box will appear 'Statement of Account'.  Please click on this. 

This screen will enable you to see the date, account code and current balance.  A list of the transactions made during any given month will appear (any brought forward balance from previous terms will appear under this section).  To change the month you wish to view please click on the 'v' to the right hand side of the box containing month and year.

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar

Reading Books Wanted

Dear Parents

We know that many of you read widely with your children at home alongside the regular and significant investments we make into our reading resources in school. 

We are always looking to add depth and variety to this and so if any of you have books at home which your children have outgrown and would support our school reading schemes, we're always very grateful to accept donations.  

Many thanks

Mr Webb (Pre-Prep)
Mrs Webb (Head of English)

World Book Day Vouchers

All children will be receiving a World Book Day voucher to spend on a book of their choice, in addition to this Hunts Bookshop in Rugby have given every child a golden ticket to spend in their shop. A big thank you goes out to them, please do support them by visiting and spending your vouchers there. We are not celebrating in school this year but I am sure you can all celebrate by enjoying a book together.

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head