The Courier

Dear Parents

It has felt this week as if we are really getting back into the rhythm of school life. There has been a real hum of activity and endeavour in all of the classes around the school as we embark on the longest term of the year, when so much of the groundwork is put in place for later success.

This year I will be shadowing each of the classes on one morning a week and I started with Year 2 on Wednesday. It was really useful to watch them enjoying their music, drama and English lessons and experiencing it from the point of view of a child. Learning walks like these are great way to get the inside story on what is happening in the school and it is something that we use, not only for senior leaders but also other teachers who will take time to move around school and see how different areas are functioning.

The Reception classes have settled into life really nicely and it is great to see so many of them coming in happily in the mornings and being able to say goodbye to mum and dad without too many tears (or any at all in most cases!). Well done to all of the children and we hope that it is the beginning of a long and successful school career for all of you.

This week of course has seen the first positive Covid cases in the school and we continue to monitor these carefully and consider different contingency plans that we can put in place to minimise further transmission. We have a number of options open to us in this regard, including running assemblies on Teams, eating separately in the lunchroom and other less palatable ones such as stopping co-curricular clubs involving more than one year group. The enormous benefits of face-to-face learning have been really brought home to us all over the last 18 months and the relatively minor impacts that these measures might have are a price we may have to accept in the short term. For example, today we had assemblies today on Teams and staff have been wearing masks around school in public areas. I will of course continue to communicate with parents on any measures that we do need to bring in to play and thank everybody for their continued support of the school in this area.  On a similar note, we have been advised to introduce a Test and Release recoomendaiton which you can read here and in an iSAMS message sent tonight.

I personally have a busy weekend planned with lots of different appointments already in the diary, mostly my son’s football matches and also the open afternoon at Princethorpe on Sunday. If you are coming along to that, I hope to see you there. Whatever you are doing, I hope you enjoy some relaxation with your families.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

Below is the link for next week's school calendar:  

Weekly Calendar - 20 September 2021

Reception Yoga, Yoga/Mindlfulness and Cookery all start this week.

Please ensure payments are made for any external co-curricular clubs. There is still availability on some After School Clubs, please let Mrs Tucker know if your child would like to join any. 

After School provision can be booked through My School Portal:

MySchoolPortal 

Crescent School

As many of you may have already seen, parent consultations are in the calendar for this term with Pre-Prep being face to face in school and Upper School over Teams.  We have taken on board feedback that we received through the questionnaire sent out last academic year that Teams consultations do have their place and are convenient for some families.

We have planned that Pre-Prep consultations are face to face as for many parents this will be the first time they have been able to come into school and see their child's classroom. 

For all the parent consultations early this term the focus is on how your child has settled into their new year group and their Maths and English, which is usually taught by the form tutor.  Next term all year groups will have opportunity to talk to all subject teachers, if they so wish, hopefully face to face.

It has been great to see the children embracing all that is on offer for co-curricular at Crescent School. As you will have noticed, the feedback from the questionnaire from last year has been taken on board and we have a good variety of new clubs which is very exciting after not having external providers in for so long.

As Head of Co-Curricular I am aware of having a progressive spread of opportunity and activities for all the children and the provision for each term will alter slightly.  We recognise sometimes they are oversubscribed but we do need to be mindful of ratios with all of these clubs and keep our children safe.

Thank you to you all for your patience and support as we have built up our provision again.

All 39 Crescent School pupils who took the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA) examinations in the summer passed, and despite the challenges they all faced, an outstanding 34 were awarded the highest grade possible, a distinction.

Drama teacher Kim Thompson, explains, “It’s a super set of results. The children worked so hard for their exams coping with all the disruptions of the lockdowns while polishing and perfecting their performances. I really am very pleased.”

Children from Years 3 to 6 study for the LAMDA examinations in their Drama lessons in school taking the Solo Introductory Stage One, Solo Introductory Stage Two or Speaking Verse and Prose Grade 1 examinations. In the examination the children are judged on interpretation, technique and knowledge, they have to consider their diction, expression and movement.

Ms Thompson continues, “What’s brilliant about the LAMDA exams is that they equip the children with communication skills which will serve them throughout life. They not only promote an appreciation of literature and poetry, but also help unlock their imagination and creative-thinking.”

Crescent School congratulates all of the children, we are very proud of you.  These results are a reflection of your hard work both in and out of school – clearly all that rehearsing paid off.

Pictured are the children who achieved over 95/100 in their LAMDA examination.

Just a heads up to parents travelling to and from school.  There are planned roadworks due to start on Monday 20 September to Friday 1 October from 9am until 3.30pm.  

More information can be found here:

https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/roadworksmap

Crescent School

As mentioned in this week's Platform Presentations, Abacus is our interactive Maths tool that is used at both school and home. Attached are the published guides - one for parents, one aimed at pupils for your reference. Teachers can allocate activities, videos, worksheets etc to the children and they can practice skills whilst winning coins to use in various ways on the portal.

With just eight weeks to go, the countdown to Princethorpe's Entrance Exams for admission in September 2022 is well underway. This year the exams for Year 7 to 10 entry will take place on Saturday 6 November from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

The deadline for registrations is Friday 1 October. Year 6 parents wishing their children to sit the Princethorpe entrance exam must complete a registration form and submit it with the accompanying registration fee by this date.

More information on the admissions process can be found in Princethorpe's Admissions Update newsletter here or on the Foundation website here.

A copy of the registration form can be found here.

If you have any queries relating to admissions please speak to the Registrars at Princethorpe College, either by email at admissions@princethorpe.co.uk or by calling 01926 634201/262/291.

Friday 24 September 2021

Individual and siblings photographs will be taken in school on Friday 24 September.  Children may choose to wear either winter or summer uniform but with blazers please.

Crescent School

Thursday 30 September 2021 - 4.30pm

We are extremely excited to be able to welcome back our past pupils for football/netball matches against the current Year 6 children on Thursday 30 September 2021.

We will have drinks and cakes/biscuits in the marquee on the field from 4.30pm for children and parents (please come on to site via the side entrance). Children will need to arrive dressed and ready for their game. 

Following this, we will show the former pupils the new areas of the school with the football/netball matches starting around 5.00pm. After the matches, everyone usually congregates on the sports field and we will say our goodbyes.

Thursday 30 September 2021 - 7.00pm

We are very much looking forward to sharing with you our approach to the teaching of Phonics and Early Reading at Crescent School and offering some hints and tips on how you can support your child at home. 

This will be run as a Teams meeting on Tuesday 30 September at 7.00pm. The link will be sent through to you prior to the event. Any questions can be written through the session chat and we will endeavour to deal with them then or they can be sent to your child's Form Tutor.

If you are unable to make the time of the meeting, we will be recording it and will send it along with any resources to all parents in Reception.

Monday 27 September 2021 - 4.00pm

All Year 6 parents are invited to an information session about the residential trip to Slapton Ley Centre. This will be an opportunity for you to find out what happens there, note the key dates and ask any questions. We will soon be asking for you to sign up for this trip, securing your child's place with a small deposit.

This will be held in the Class 6W form room at 4.00pm on Monday 27 September 2021. Your child is also welcome to attend and there will be light refreshments served. It should last no more than 30 minutes.

Monday 4 October 2021 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Thursday 14 October 2021 4.00m - 6.00pm

We all value the importance of these meetings to discuss your child's academic progress.

These will be held in your child's classroom.

More details will follow in due course.

Thursday 7 October 5.00pm - 7.00pm

Monday 11 October 6.30pm - 8.30pm

We all value the importance of these meetings to discuss your child's academic progress.

These will be running these via Teams meetings.

More details to follow in due course.

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

Friday 8 October 2021 - 10.00am to 3.00pm

We are opening our doors for an Open Day on Friday 8 October from 10.00am to 3.00pm.

This is an opportunity for prospective families to look around the school. Visits will be by appointment only in order to keep our pupils, staff and visitors safe. Please register your interest in attending our Open Day and our Registrar will be in touch nearer the time.

To book your place please click here.

We have a limited number of places available and are now accepting registrations for admission to Reception, Year 1, 2 and Year 3 in September 2022.

If you can't make the Open Day but would like to visit the school, please call our Registrar, Mrs Helen Morley on 01788 521595 or email admissions@crescentschool.co.uk and come on a day to suit you, we welcome visitors on most days.

For more information visit www.crescentschool.co.uk

Friday 8 October 2021 - 3.45pm to 4.15pm

We are planning to host Open Corriders for parents on Friday 8 October from 3.45pm to 4.15pm. This is a lovely opportunity for your child to show you the work they have produced that is being displayed in their classrooms and along the corridor.

More details to follow.

Wednesday 13 October 2021 

Please save the date - more details to follow soon.

Friday 15 October 2021  3.00pm to 5.00pm

Any Year 6 parents who wish to discuss their child's 11+ results and implications are welcome to see me and Mr Thackway and myself between 3.00pm and 5.00pm on Friday 15 October - please just drop in via the main school entrance. 

If you are unable to make the drop in session please do email me to arrange an alternative time.

Even if you do not feel that you wish to have a discussion, please inform us of the position and scores of your child. The local authority does not inform us and we need them for our records.

Results for All Class Battle 9-16 September 2021 - well done 3Y:

• 1st place - Class 3Y with 5842 points
• 2nd place - Class 4M with 1310 points
• 3rd place - Class 2W with 190 points

Most valuable players in the whole competition:

• 1st - MingYi 3Y
• 2nd  - Henry 3Y
• 3rd  - Matthew 3Y

Improve your levels rehearsing in the Garage at least three times a week, before you play your next 'Gig'. The computer will give you bespoke questions depending on your answers and speed.

Go to Arena and play against classmates only - all must be logged on at the same time at the same Arena.

Each class can have the speediest TT Rock Star and that gets you up the status board on the poster below. To get on this board you must tackle the single player game in the 'Studio', multi-player does not count for these. These also earn more coins than the multiplayer games too. 

Last week was quite a quiet week, but most improved speedsters in each class are:

• Barnaby - Wannabe!
• MingYi - Rock Legend

See the poster attached to see what your next level and speed needs to be. 

I have also set up a new all class  'Battle' 16-23 September 2021. Please note only the children should play on their account or it influences the level appropriate to them.

You can read the Parent Guide mentioned in the Platforms Presentation here. 

Stay Calm and Rock On!!

Below are the top quizzers and readers for the last two weeks.

Top Quizzers are:

• 3Y   Matthew
• 4M  Alex G
• 5F   Poppy
• 6W  Dorrit

Word Wizards are:

• 3Y  Lewis
• 4M Sofie
• 5F  Chloe
• 6W Sophie

Pre-Prep reader certificates have this week been awarded to:

• Felicity
• Harry
• Lilah
• Sophia

Well done to you all.

Please click on the link below to read all about what the Reception Classes have been learning this week.  Please scroll through the gallery of photos attached to this article.

Reception Round Up - 17 September 2021 

This week, 1LS have been continuing their work on counting, understanding and ordering numbers to 20. In fact, the children were so good at it, we added more numbers to 30! The children worked in groups of four to put the numbers into the correct order. They did a wonderful job!

We have been following the adventures of Jay the Alien this week in Phonics and using all sorts of different ways to practise writing our new 'ay' words. The children enjoyed making words out of playdough and also writing them in the black space sand.

Class 3Y's craft club would like to introduce the newest members of the class:

Sparkle, Sparkly, Spark, Lily, Bexie and Amelia.

They had so much fun creating these wonderful pompom peg bugs.

The children have made a great start to life in Year 3. The school promise has been embraced by everyone with our existing pupils welcoming their new friends enthusiastically. 3Y have enjoyed starting their history topic on Ancient Egypt and have had great fun finding different ways to represent numbers using a fantastic selection of maths resources.  In English, a key objective is learning how to punctuate speech correctly and all the children have made a sound start, beginning to punctuate group conversations.

We are really enjoying being together and are looking forward to more fun learning to come!

In the first week of term, the children reviewed the behaviours that will keep them safe when working in the Science Laboratory. Classes 3 to 6 designed posters to remind everyone of the key safety rules. The posters designed by the following children will be created into our official science safety posters.

• Evie 6W
• Kai 6W
• Rosina 6W
• Tegan 5F
• Annalise 5F
• Charlie 5F
• Ava 5F
• Yash 5F
• Leela 4M
• Harry 4M
• Roisin 4M
• Shalya 4M
• Zac 3Y
• Nora 3Y    

For a two or three week period this year we will be focusing on one of the sayings in the School Promise. We will talk about this in assembly and in form period. It would be great if you could discuss this with your children at home and support the messages we are emphasising in school.

This week’s promise is an excellent one to start the year with and is in the category of Good Friends:

‘We are kind to each other’ 

Computer programming or ‘coding’ is now a huge part of the Primary and Secondary computing curricula, and for very good reason!  It is an absolutely fantastic subject for fostering a wide range of vital transferrable skills including problem solving, reasoning, resilience, creativity, self-regulation and thinking outside of the box, not to mention the extremely useful cross-over with maths. Thinking to the future, computer programming and software games design is also one of the fastest growing global industries and most lucrative employment opportunities, and this certainly shows no sign of slowing down. Above all it is immensely fun, can be done on your own or collaboratively and doesn’t require any expensive apps… just a device with an internet connection. If your child is keen to get stuck into some extra programming and coding at home, please take a look at the suggestions below.

If you have any questions or would like a guide to any of these, please do get in touch.

Happy coding! 

It is fantastic to be able to start our fixtures programme again this week with girls hockey and boys football.

The U11 girls headed off to Bilton Grange for a triangular fixture against Bilton Grange and Crackley Hall, the girls were able to analyse their opponents play first of all before taking to the pitch for their first game against Crackley.  They quickly responded to the pitch size and spread themselves out well, passing and driving in to the space.  It was a closed contested match with both teams moving the ball into their attacking D and getting a couple of shots at goal. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.  Warmed up and ready for the 2nd match students listened to advice from their coaches and went out with more confidence in their own ability.  Amazing defence from Eva, Chloe and Evie stopped any chances that BG made and then a quick ball up to Stephanie saw some great team work and passing between Katherine, Stephanie, Rosina and Charlotte who were able to keep the ball in the D for Evie to get the winning shot on goal.  Finishing 1-0 win to Crescent. 

The U11B Team drew 0-0 against against Crackley Hall and lost 1-0 to Bilton Grange in exciting end to end games. Freya and Harriet worked exceptionally hard to cover the pitch and Dorritt showed great determination to get the ball. Fantastic play from Liana and Sophia with some brilliant tackling and defensive work, whilst Bella passed the ball really well and Ellie made brilliant runs down the right, threatening goal several times. Both stepped up from Year 5 to help out and were invaluable members of the team. An excellent start to the hockey season with great team work all round.  Abigail provided excellent management skills throughout. Well done all.

Crackley ‘A’   1 – 7   Crescent ‘A’

The Under 9s A team opened their season in emphatic fashion with a very accomplished all-round display away at Crackley. Timi opened scoring after just three minutes, Ed G-H slotting one in coolly round the keeper. Following some excellent midfield prassing from Sam B, Timi then made it 2, firing from close range from a corner in a ‘Lukaku-esque’ fashion.

The Crescent striker then completed his hat-trick just before half-time, intercepting a cross field pass and again calmly dribbling around the keeper to find the back of the net, the score 3-0 to Crescent at the break.

After a slight reshuffle to a more attacking formation, the U9s came out strongly again, this time Alex G scoring from the edge of the box with a powerful low drive. Good pressure from Alex T then led to a great ball into the box from Alex G, controlled and finished amazingly by Albert, a real wonderstrike curling away from the helpless keeper.

Timi then found himself on the score sheet again, collecting a pin-point long ball from Shiv to fire past the keeper. Although the tide was against them, the well organised Crackley side never gave up, and a good counter-attacking move led to a super individual goal for the opposition striker.

Timi finished the game turning in close, after great pass by Sam B and Albert led to a series of corners That made it five goals in total for him and a well deserved 7-1 win, a fantastic whole team performance.

Crackley ‘B’   6 – 0  Crescent ‘B’

Crescent ‘B’ kicked off their season with a very spirited team performance, not at all reflected by the final score. The entire team worked their socks off for each other, encouraging each other throughout, which was fantastic to see!

Despite strong defending from both Edward F and Remi at the back, Crackley’s star player managed to net three super goals, making it 3-0 to the home side at the half.

After the break and a very inspiring team-talk from Mrs Calder, it was all Crescent at the start of the second half, both Ollie and Darius coming so close to pulling a goal back on a multitude of occasions. Unfortunately Crackley’s counter attacking game proved just too strong, and after the visitors over committed in search of a goal, they were able to score three more without reply.

The match finished 6 – 0, although it was a far more even affair than the score suggests, the only big difference being the clinical finishing in front of goal. Man of the match goes to Darius for his excellent attacking play, but a very special mention to the whole team, who never let their heads drop and worked hard to the last.

Year 6 Pupils Sophie and Grace rose to the challenge of learning a new hockey skill and threw themselves into learning how to be goalkeepers.  Well done girls, great job!

Monday 20 September 2021 - 4.00pm to 5.00pm

This meeting will be held in school. Please come along and join us if you're available. We will be discussing the events for this academic year.

Facemasks will need to be worn.

If you need childcare please sign your child into after school.

Sunday 3 October 2021

Last year we made some lovely memories during active October. This year we are returning to one of our favorites, Draycote Water. We would love to challenge your children and you their family to make a sponsored trip around the water, on the path. 

Children are encouraged to walk, cycle, scoot or whatever suits them! Please note they must be accompanied by an adult who remains responsible for them at all times. 

We would love to see your photos of the day (chair@friendsofcrescent.co.uk).

Please download the sponsorship form here.

• Our next Bag2school (www.bag2school.com) collection is Thursday 23 September 2021. This has changed from the date published in the calendar.

Bag2school is a fundraising scheme which collects unwanted textiles and sells them to importers and textile manufacturers in many countries of Eastern and Western Europe, Africa and Asia - all of benefit to the circular economy. 

This is an excellent way to get rid of all the unwanted clothing etc you have been collecting during lockdowns!  After collecting the items they will weigh them and present FoC with a cheque.

A list of the items they will collect can be found here.

Weather permitting, the playground will be open to drive your vehicle in and unload any clothing bags from 4pm to 5pm (3pm - 4pm on the front laen) on Wednesday 22 September, the day before the collection.  Bags can be dropped on the morning from 730am.

Friends of Crescent

Friday 24 September 2021 - 8.15am to 9.30am

The FoC will be supporting this wonderful charity. We will be holding a coffee morning from 8.15am - 9.30am in the Horton Centre. Everyone is welcome to come, please feel free to bring younger siblings along and join us for coffee and cake.

We require smaller individual cakes that the children can purchase as well as bigger Victoria sponges, chocolate cakes that the parents and teachers can enjoy. Any left over cakes will be used to sell at the Year 6 Cake Sale in the afternoon.

Please could all nut-free cakes be brought into school from Thursday 23 September.

Friday 24 September 2021 - 3.45pm to 4.45pm

Please come along and support the FoC by buying cakes and sweets, all priced at 50p each. All the money raised at these market day events goes towards Crescent Adventure and privilege time for Year 6.

You can also purchase pre-loved uniform.

Friday 15 October 2021 - 7.30pm

The FoC Quiz Night will return on Friday 15 October at 7.30pm in the school hall hosted by Ms Forth.  Prizes and a trophy to be won!! These are always a fabulous event and a great way for parents to come together!  

More details to follow.  Book your babysitters now!

It’s great to be back and we’re all really excited about the forthcoming school year. Over the next few weeks we’ve got some great events lined up: Bags2School Charity Collection (23/09), Macmillan Coffee Morning (24/09), Y6 Market Stall (24/09), Active October (03/10) and a Quiz Night (15/10). 

We have a larger fundraiser running this year called 'Crescent Adventure’, which will provide a safe outdoor play area with a wide range of outdoor equipment designed to engage and challenge children physically, on the school site. It will help to develop children’s confidence in movement and support better peer relationships while developing a lifelong passion for physical activity. Most funds raised this year will go towards this project. More details to come soon.

The first two FoC meetings are on the 20 September and 1 November after which your class rep will feedback to you. 

Thank you for your continued support! And just in case my contact details are below.

Hi I’m Lisa Millward and I am delighted to be Vice Chair for FOC. I have Charlie in year 5 and Alfie in year 2 and before too long will have Emily joining too!

We joined Crescent 3 years ago and I signed up for the FoC straight away. I believe the committee is about enhancing the already excellent environment the school provide for the children to create events filled with fun and laughter which they can remember and look forward to each year. With my husband Simon, we run our own financial advice company and in the little free time i get i enjoy running, reading and eating cake!

Below are the details of the FoC Year Group Representatives. These reps will communicate with you on all our events via email, whatsapp or facebook. 

Please click below to view the lunch menu: 

Lunch Menu - 20 September 2021

Please note children are able to choose either of the two main lunch options.  

Olive Catering

Please see below for useful school contact information:

Please find below term dates for 2021/22 and 2022/23:

The Foundation has the following vacancies:

• English Teacher - Princethorpe College (Fixed term Contract)
• IT Service Desk Team Leader - Princethorpe College
• Teacher of MFL – Crescent School (Part Time)
• Teacher of MFL – Crackley Hall School (Part Time)
• Caretaker – Crescent School (Part Time)
• Lunchtime Supervisors – Crescent School
• Estates Assistants – Princethorpe College (Casual)

Full details and information on how to apply are available on the Foundation website here:

www.princethorpe.co.uk/join-us

Should you know anyone who might be interested in these posts, please do share this information with them.

Important Information For Parents

From the beginning of term our after-school provision will be based at the newly refurbished Horton Centre. This provides an excellent location for this facility and will enable children to complete homework and reading assignments in a peaceful and calm area of the school. We also now have two double doors that lead directly from the after-school room to the playground which can be used later in the afternoon when homework has been completed.

We had planned to install an electronically controlled entrance gate next to the car park that will allow parents to be buzzed through, using an intercom and camera system. However, there have been some problems with the manufacture of this new door and hence this is not yet in place and is unlikely to be installed before the end of this month.

For that reason, we are introducing a temporary system for collection from after school that will run as follows:

• Parents or guardians who want to collect their child should go to the side gate next to the field
• Parents should then call the after-school number 07467 488440 on their mobile phone. This number will also be on the parent notice board
• Your child will then be brought to you at the gate for safe hand over

This system will ensure that all of the children are kept safely within the school site at all times and only handed over to parents or guardians when closely supervised by a responsible adult. As soon as the new gate is installed, I will communicate with parents again to clearly outline the new procedures that we will put in place at that point.

Dear Crescent Parents

Over the course of the last week, we have had two positive COVID-19 cases here at school. The situation at Princethorpe College is also serious with a significant number of positive cases being reported since the beginning of term.

Following a visit to Princethorpe College from PHE advisers, we been asked to introduce a ‘test to release’ recommendation for siblings across the three Foundation schools. This is designed to manage the number of Covid cases and hopefully reduce new cases.

Effectively, this means that if someone in a household tests positive, this would require siblings and other relations to take a PCR test and only return to school when they have received a negative PCR result. For example, if a child in Year 7 at Princethorpe tests positive and has a sibling in Crescent Year 4, the Year 4 child would need to take a PCR test and receive a negative result before returning to school. Similarly, a child in Crescent Year 3 were to test positive and had a sibling in Year 8, the Year 8 pupil would need to take the test.

In the meantime, the most important thing I can ask you to do is to is to continue to monitor your children for Covid symptoms. Do not send children into school when they are unwell or exhibit any of the signs of Covid. If they do develop symptoms, please book them a PCR test.

In the meantime, please be assured that we will do our utmost to keep day to day school life, both in and out of the classroom, as normal as possible for our pupils.