The Courier

Crescent School enjoyed welcoming Foundation Principal, Ed Hester, into school this week and helping him get to know our Crescent community better. Although he has worked closely with Mr Thackway for several years, getting first-hand knowledge of all aspects of the Foundation prep schools and seeing the children and staff in action is key as he starts to develop a strategic vision and plan for our Foundation.

As well as meeting with Mr Thackway and senior staff, Mr Hester also visited classrooms and spent time with the children in their lessons. He particularly enjoyed leading a Year 6 Maths lesson. Mr Hester went out on to the playground with the children at break, joined them in the hall for lunch, took part in our Wellbeing Club and even attended assembly. He also toured the grounds, buildings and facilities and spoke with support staff.

It was great to show him our wonderful school.

Today in assembly, we announced the introduction of a new reward for children in Reception. These will be known as ‘Mini-Da Vincis’ and come with the lovely new yellow stickers that you can see below.

These will be a simplified version of the Junior DaVinci's that children receive in Year 1 to 6. There will be no distinction between mastery, creativity or practise, but simply a lovely sticker to reward excellent work. In particular, they are for children who have gone over and beyond the expectation for a piece of work or for those ‘wow’ moments, when they have made a real breakthrough in their learning. Mrs Pullen will continue to give other stickers to reward the children but the Mini-DaVincis will be held back for those moments of special achievement.

When a child does receive an award, Mr Thackway will come to the classroom to see the work that they have done and give the sticker to the child. This will be an excellent addition to the reward systems in the class and we hope to see many children working towards and achieving these awards over the coming weeks.

All of the children had great fun in assembly on Tuesday morning, learning about how the Chinese years got their names, through the story of the Jade Emperor and The Great Race.

The 12 animals who were involved all took their turn to cross the river, acting out their roles with some impressive drama skills. Matthew played the part of the Emperor with some real gusto, and Barnaby managed to finish in first place as the rat, following a neat little trick riding on the back of Max the ox. 

We had some lovely books brought into school telling Chinese stories related to the new year, which are now on display for the children to look at in the breakout space.  

On Tuesday 24 January, the parents and friends of Years 3 to 6 were treated to a wonderful evening’s entertainment of poetry performances. From My Puppy to From a Railway Carriage the children relished performing to an audience, who were all impressed by the children's ability and confidence. 

The showcase was a super opportunity for the children to execute their much practised and perfected poems, ahead of their LAMDA examinations. 

We would like to thank Miss Bowdidge for all her efforts in preparing the children in her first LAMDA showcase so well and for affording them the benefit of her talent and experience.

Mr Adkins is working on a Vimeo of all the photos which will be circulated next week.

Year 2 enjoyed an amazing, interactive, drama workshop on Wednesday 25 January, thanks to the Freshwater Theatre Company. The classes have been studying the ‘Great Fire of London’ learning about the key events and people involved. Workshop facilitator, Dawn Horne, used drama, role play and storytelling to help bring their history studies to life.

Washerwomen, Mary, took the children on a memorable and engaging trip back to the bakery on Pudding Lane, the source of the Great Fire. They discovered what life was like in Pudding Lane, how the fire started and events subsequently unfolded, how Samuel Pepys recorded the fire in his diary and how the people of London eventually put the fire out.

Year 2 teachers, Mrs Emery and Mr Webb, said, “The children were captivated, they clearly all enjoyed the session, and it was great reinforcement for their learning in class. Elliot made an excellent Samuel Pepys and Max was the spit of King Charles! It was a great way to consolidate our topic.”

Well done Year 2, you were all fantastic Great Fire of London explorers!

This weekend it is the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. The children have all been told about this in our assemblies during the week and it's a wonderful opportunity to get out into the garden and observe the wildlife on your very doorstep. It also plays a big part in building an understanding of changing bird populations and it's great for children to be aware and involved in nature conservation.

As I do every year, I will be out in my garden observing the birds and I'm encouraging the children to do the same. Please follow the links below to find out more from the RSPB website.

Big Garden Birdwatch - The RSPB

If you do take part, we would love to see photos of you and the children doing your bit. Please send them into the Courier and we'll put together a gallery of the best ones for next week’s edition.

Mrs Johnson and DT Club were putting their creative talents to good use on Tuesday making bird boxes. Caretaker, Mr Knowles joined them to help the children learn how to use the junior hacksaws safely.

The children have already completed their designs and were careful to measure their wood accurately as the birds would not enjoy a wonky home! Everyone was keen and willing to learn new skills and they are all looking forward to starting to assemble their bird boxes next time.

All pupils in Years 3-6 will be playing cricket in their Games lessons in Trinity Term and we are hoping to have some cricket fixtures.  For those who would like to wear the kit we offer a cricket shirt, trousers and sleeveless slipover which can be ordered here. The cricket kit is not compulsory.

Cricket will also be played in Co-Curricular Team Sports for Years 5 and 6 after February half term.  Again not compulsory to wear the cricket kit. The cover photos shows the Year 5 boys in the cricket kit.

Summer Dresses can also be ordered here.  These will be worn after Easter with Blazers and white socks.

Please place all orders by Friday 17 February for delivery to school after half term.