The Courier

Dear Parents

I hope you have enjoyed as productive a week in work and at home as we have here at school. The sport that I mentioned last week has carried on uninterrupted into our second week of the half term and we also enjoyed a choral workshop over at Crackley Hall, as well as our World Science Day focus in lessons on Thursday. I particularly enjoyed one comment from a parent who had attended the finale of the choral workshop who said, ‘I would happily have paid good money to see something of such good quality’. Well done to those children who took part.

Today we had our remembrance service on the school playground, where we followed a different format to our normal one. This time, Year 2 children asked questions about remembrance, and our Head Boy and Head Girl gave them straight forward, easy to understand answers. We try hard to strike the balance between remembering the dreadful reality of armed conflict and the sensitivities of young children. At the same time, we try to make this as inclusive for everyone as we can. It was a short service, only 10 minutes long, and I hope we pitched it right.

Something else in the news this week has been the COP 27 conference in Egypt, and I have spent some time focusing on the issues this raises in my Geography lessons during the week. One interesting side-line to this is the use of LED lights in the school which are so much more energy efficient than the traditional style. With this in mind, we undertook a survey that showed just over 30% of our lights have yet to be converted to LED and we have begun to rectify this as rapidly as we can. I have noticed that lights have been turned off more regularly in the school as well and it is good to see that we are doing everything we can to save electricity. I look forward to the Green Club’s presentations in assembly next week on our ‘Switch Off Fortnight’ efforts that begin next week.

I hope you all enjoy a restful weekend with your families.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

Classlist has been set up and the link to sign up to Classlist has been emailed to parents this week. It can also be accessed here:

Apart from the initial set up of Classlist there will be no further involvement from Crescent School other than as a system admin updating front page information, structure etc.  Community Reps and Class Reps have been allocated roles and it is they who will maintain and administer their class groups as per below:

• Inny (FoC Chair)
• Laura (FoC Secretary)
• Ashley (FoC Committee)

Weekly Calendar

Weekly Calendar - 14 November 22 

Please note the following re Co-Curricular clubs:

MySchoolPortal

Crescent School

Please click below to view the lunch menu for next week, children are able to have either the Main or Vegetarian option. 

Lunch Menu - 14 November 2022 

Crescent School

Please click on the link below to view the Music Lesson timetable for next week:

Music Lessons - 14 November 

The password has been emailed to parents. 

Keyboard lessons are also available with Mrs Fisher.  Click here for details.

This morning, Crescent School gathered in the playground to mark Remembrance Day.

This year in our service, Year 2 children asked questions about remembrance, and our Head Boy and Head Girl gave them straight forward, easy to understand answers.

Prayers were read by Mr Thackway and Ms Forth and Sam P played the Last Post and Alex T the Reveille. We were very proud of the children who observed the silence impeccably.

At the Eleventh Hour on the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month – We Will Remember Them.

Elsewhere in school this week, Remembrance has featured in the children’s learning, both in written and creative activities. Both Year 1 classes have produced beautiful displays.

In assembly this week we recognised an important date in the Sikh calendar, the birthday of Guru Nanak. The children watched an interesting video clip from the BBC about his life and two children in Year 6 helped me to tell the story of Guru Nanak and the Jasmine Flower. It included a lovely message of always making room for one more person in whatever you are doing.

Happy Guru Nanak Jayanti to all our families who celebrated this week.

On Tuesday 8 November, Years 4, 5 and 6 visited Crackley Hall School for a fantastic, full day of uplifting and inspiring music. The pupils worked together with Crackley's Junior 5 and 6, under the guidance of Directors of Music, Susan Olden and Julie Barnes, rehearsing, performing, and improvising a mix of vocal pieces.

Mrs Olden and Mrs Barnes both agreed that the joint initiative had been another very successful day, remarking that, “It is so good to work together, everyone really enjoys themselves, it’s always one of the highlights of the term.”

During the day, pupils worked on songs that included the lively Building by Richard Stilgoe, the amusing Pirates by Alan Simmons and the uplifting Sing From Your Heart by Jon Allen. They also had great fun singing Abba’s upbeat Money Money Money and Thank You For The Music with their catchy refrains.

In the afternoon, the pupils put on a concert for their parents. As well as the shared works the concert included a number of individual school pieces and pupil solos. The audience were most impressed with the children’s enthusiastic performance.

Julie Barnes, Director of Music at the Crescent School, continued, “Both schools have such a strong musical tradition, and the children really rise to the occasion, it is great to come over and work together.”

Susan Olden, Director of Music at Crackley Hall, added, “There is real talent within our schools and our music workshops always inspire our pupils.”

The Junior Schools Music Workshops are just one of the many performance opportunities that pupils at the schools take part in.

To watch the children singing Money Money Money please click here.

Mrs Emery was presented with flowers and pupils sang Happy Birthday in Assembly.  

Happy Birthday Mrs Emery.

Crescent School

Thursday 17 November 2022 at 7.00pm on TEAMS

Are you interested in learning about the Junior da Vinci award system at the Crescent? It is implemented across school to allow all children to be recognised for being the best that they can be in all areas of the curriculum and beyond. The da Vinci scheme runs across the Princethorpe Foundation and we will be extremely lucky to welcome Helen Pascoe-Williams from Princethorpe College, who will outline how the da Vinci scheme originated and the philosophy behind it, as well as learning how the da Vinci scheme works specifically for Crescent learners

Please join Helen Pascoe-Williams and myself on Thursday 17 November at 7.00pm on TEAMS. This has been changed from an in-person event, as published in the calendar.

Friday 18 November 2022

On Friday 18 November,  we are encouraging all staff and pupils to wear, colourful odd socks to recognise the importance of Anti-Bullying Week 2022. The premise of 'Odd Socks Day' is to celebrate the fact that we are all different and it reinforces our School Promise focus of, 'We respect everyone, and we are tolerant'.

Mr Thackway will be sharing the school's approach to bullying and what it actually means in assembly and our form teachers will commit time during their PSHE lesson to discuss what this means for our children, by completing some activities to help them explore this important focus. 

Odd Socks Day will not be a fundraising day within school but an opportunity for staff and pupils to stand together in solidarity in supporting the importance of Anti-Bullying Week.

For further information, please check out the website: What is Odd Socks Day? (anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk)  We look forward to welcoming your colourful, odd socks next Friday!

Monday 21 - Wednesday 23 November 2022

Please take the time to come to our Scholastic Bookfair on 21 - 23 November in the Library 8.15am to 8.40am and 3.30pm to 5.00pm. Please enter through the Main School Entrance.

Take a look at the document below which gives you some ideas of which books will be available:

Bookfair Leaflet

If there are any books you would like to buy but you cannot make it in to school, then please complete this form and return it to your child's form teacher or Mrs Webb:

Order Form

Most of the classes will have time to look at the books, they can then tell you which ones they like and you can pay for them in school or online, you will receive the books when you have let us know which books you want and payment has been made.

Payments can be made without even coming into school but please make sure you return the wish list to us so we can get the books from the bookcases. 

Payment

Thank you 

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

Monday 28 November 2022

The children will be decorating the school for Christmas on Monday 28 November.  They are able to wear a festive accessory with their school uniform such as a Christmas hat, hair accessory or tinsel that day.

Children must have their art aprons in school.

It is a day the children look forward to every year and you will be able to see see their work at our Christmas Open Corridors.

Crescent School

Wednesday 30 November 2022

Children in Blue House can wear one item of blue clothing on St Andrew's Day with their school unform if they wish. 

Crescent School

Wednesday 30 November 2022 - 3.45pm to 4.15pm

Following Christmas Art Day, on Wednesday 30 November, after school, we will have our Open Corridors event where we will share with you all the great work that we have been doing in school.

Please collect your child, Years 5 and 6 will be dismissed through the pupil door, before entering through the front door where you will be welcomed in to look at all the great work in school from 3.45pm. Entry and exit will only be through the front doors. Last entry is at 3.55pm.  

If your child is in a Co-curricular club then they will be expected to attend unless you arrange otherwise. Parking will not be available on the playground due to lessons.

We are all very excited about this.

Wednesday 7 December - 4.35pm

Funstar would love to invite the families of their Wednesday Street Class group to join them at 4.35pm on Wednesday 7 December to enjoy the work the children having been doing this year. 

Please come to the front door at 4.35pm on 7 December 2022 and you will be shown to the hall to enjoy the fun.

Tuesday 13 December 2022 - 6.30pm to 7.45pm

This year we will again hold our Christmas Carol Service at Princethorpe College in the Our Lady of the Angels' Chapel. Please join us for a wonderful evening of carols, readings and re-telling of the Christmas story.

All children in Years 3-6 are required to attend. Please request permission from Mr Thackway (by emailing admin@crescentschool.co.uk) if your child is unable to attend for any reason. 

Further details will be provided in due course.

Friday 16 December 2022

Our Christmas Jumper Day this year will be on Friday 16 December 2022. On that day, children should wear normal school uniform, but instead of their green pullover/cardigan, they can wear a Christmas jumper, if they wish.

Please bring in £1 to wear a festive jumper which is in aid of Birmingham's Children Hospital.

Mrs Stapleton

Congratulations to Zahra in 6W who becomes our first full Junior da Vinci student of the year. She has achieved this award in English.

Quite an achievement for only mid way through our second half term. Here is to many more!

Mrs Symons
Junior da Vinci Lead

It is always an exciting time for the children when they gain their pen licence, enabling them to make the move from writing in pencil to pen.

For this rite of passage, the children have to show that they can write neatly and consistently in cursive, joined handwriting in all of their work, not just handwriting tasks.

Mithun has shown pride in the presentation of all of his learning tasks and has been awarded a Pen Licence and his first handwriting pen.

Well done!

This week's Accelerated Reader Superstars are:

Top Quizzers are:

• 3S  Aria
• 4C  Sophie
• 5F  Darius
• 6W Poppy

Word Wizards are:

• 3S  Kian
• 4C  Alex W
• 5F  Oliver
• 6W Zahra 

Many apologies for my tardiness, last month's Class Word Wizards and Top Quizzing Class are: 

• Top Quizzing Class of October having quizzed on 79 books successfully is once again 3S

• Class Word Wizards having read an amazing 1.9 Million Words are 5F

Well done to all our avid readers here at Crescent School.

Mrs Nelson
Teaching Assistant

Each week we have a Scientist and Artist of the Week who is recognised in assembly with their work displayed in the school corridor.

Well done to last week's Scientist and Artist of the Week:

Scientists

• Annalise 6W
• Bella 6W
• Charlie 6W
• Grace C 6W
• Harry 6W
• Mya 6W
• Tegan 6W
• Zara 6W

Artists

• Rachael 2E
• Penelope 2W
• Albert 3S
• Seren 3S
• Mithun 3S
• Annalise 6W
• Chloe 6W
• Tegan 6W

Well done to this week's Scientist and Artist of the Week:

Scientists

• Dudley 2W
• Felicity 2W

Artists

• David 2E
• Alice 2W
• Evie 2W
• Ava 6W
• Bella 6W
• Lara 6W
• Grace M 6W
• Olivia 6W
• Poppy 6W

Well done all.

Crescent School

Garage and Gigs are the most important games to show your progress. Pupils who have reached landmark % on automatic training mode in the Garage and Gigs, and therefore are awarded JDVs for Maths Practice:

• Isabella 3S completed 72% and 100% of the course
• Tomisin 3S completed 100% of the course
• Henry 4C completed 48% of the course
• Roisin 4C completed 24% and 48% of the course
• Sophia 4C completed 72% of the course
• Maisie 5F completed 48% of the course
• Sam O 5F completed 72% and 100% of the course

Results for last week's battle.  All classes against each other- average score per class member.

• 1st 3S 946
• 2nd 5F 386
• 3rd 6W 190

Most valuable players in the whole competition:

• 1st Shiv 5F
• 2nd Kian 3S
• 3rd Alfie 3S 

Well done, 3S!

Last week most improved speedsters in the studio are:

• Finn - Unsigned Act!

3S

• Charlotte- Support Act!
• Kian - Rock Hero!
• Alfie - Rock Hero!
• Tomisin - Rock Legend!

4C

• Henry - Rock Star!

5F 

• Shiv- Rock Legend!

6W

• Yash - Rock Star!
• Annalise - Gigger!
• Tegan - Rock Star!

Stay Calm and Rock on!!

Class 3S have thoroughly enjoyed making a clay sarcophagus each. They thought hard about the types of design to use to decorate the lids and had to work hard to make the correct shape with the clay and tools.

In 4C this week, we've been delving deeper into problems involving time and length in Maths and developing the skills we need to write effective inventor biographies in English. In RE, we've been exploring what is important to Hindus, with a particular focus on symbolism and gods and goddesses. We have considered what it means to make assumptions about people based on appearances in PSHE. We've also completed a writing assessment this week, working very hard to showcase the skills we have developed in writing so far this year and in previous years. 

Class 5F have been reading Goth Girl and the Ghost Of A Mouse by Chris Riddell. This is set in Ghastly Gorm Hall, 5F imagined they were tour guides using descriptive language and adverbs of possibility.

These were recorded and are available for families to listen to on Seesaw.

Mental maths is being tested this week in 5F as children try to calculate all the factors contained in a number. Skills in times and dividing tables are needed as well as halving, numbers knowledge and the divisibility tests earlier in the week. Children really challenged themselves with some big numbers beyond tables!

In Geography classes this week, we have been learning about the COP27 conference taking place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

Year 6 thought about their impact on the environment by making their own carbon footprints and considering ways they could reduce the carbon dioxide or methane produced by everyday activities. This will fit in very nicely with the ‘Switch Off Fortnight‘ campaign that The Green Team club are going to talk to the school about in our assembly next week.

This annual event was established by UNESCO, over 20 years ago, to highlight the important role that science plays in bringing peace and development to society. It helps raise debates about important problems such as global warming.

On Thursday 10 November, pupils in their Science classes took part in quizzes, researched famous scientists and learnt about the amazing broadcaster and biologist, Sir David Attenborough. 

At Crescent we work hard to ensure that all of our pupils feel as safe, secure and confident as possible when dipping their toes into the online world that we live in, and obviously as parents you too want to take a keen interest and active role in their digital journeys. This can however be a very daunting prospect, having to identify and pre-empt potential risks, establishing a culture of online safety at home, and most crucially striking an important balance between promoting the positive use of the internet while simultaneously keeping your children safe from harm.

For this reason, National Online Safety have created their Annual Award in Online Safety for Parents and Carers, a completely free course designed to provide parents with the knowledge and skills needed to feel confident and empowered in keeping children safe online. Developed by educational safeguarding experts, and presented by the lovely Myleene Klass, it’s a great place to start if you would like further support as well as useful hints and tips.

Just click on the relevant links below, create a free account and navigate through the different modules:

Annual Award in Online Safety for Parents & Carers of Children aged 3-7 | National Online Safety

Annual Award in Online Safety for Parents & Carers of Children aged 7-11 | National Online Safety

Annual Award in Online Safety for Parents & Carers of Children aged 11-14 | National Online Safety

If you have any further questions or require more specific online safety advice, please just ask!

It was fantastic to head off to Walsall for the annual Midlands ISA Swimming Gala on Thursday 3 November.  It is always a fabulous event with such a great atmosphere.  This year there were 27 schools competed with over 300 students swimming. The excitement, anticipation and adrenaline on the bus was palpable.   

After a very short warm up, explanation and demonstration of the starting procedures the Year 4 breaststrokers were the first up. Matthew made his way to poolside as our first Crescent competitor, and did a fantastic job finishing 2nd in his heat and 7th overall putting valuable points on the table for Crescent.     

Next up was Roisin, who had a superb swim to win her heat and a nervous wait to find out if she had won the whole event to earn the place at National Finals. Sam B was next up for Year 5, putting in another confident swim finishing 3rd in his heat and 9th overall. Ellie and Charlie stepped up for the Year 6 breaststroke race with Ellie diving in to make a fantastic start pulling away from her opponents quickly to finish her heat in 1st place and taking 2nd place overall and the Silver medal. Charlie put in a strong swim to finish 3rd in his heat and 11th overall. 

The next event was the backstroke with Sophie taking to the water for the Year 4 girls. A powerful start saw her take the lead ploughing her way through the water confidently to win the heat and finish in 4th place overall. Zac powered through the water for the Year 4 boys finishing his race strongly to touch first in his heat and 2nd overall, taking the Silver medal. Next up was Roisin and Alex G for the Year 5 team both gliding effortlessly through the water to win their heats and going on to win Bronze medals overall.  The Year 6 races followed with Bella finishing in 4th in her heat and 16th overall and Sam M powered through the water to win his heat and winning the Silver medal.   

We then moved on to the Year 6 butterfly races with our swimming captains Ellie and Sam taking part. Ellie had a great start with a superb dive before fluidly making her way through the water in a tightly contested heat to touch in 1st place, and earning herself a Gold medal for 1st place overall.  It was then Sam’s turn, he also had an impressive start, from a racing dive, and he put in a commanding performance to win a Bronze medal in 3rd place overall. 

Ploughing through the programme we moved on to the freestyle races with Sophie stepping up for the Year 4 girls with an energetic performance to finish 2nd in her heat and 4th overall. Maxi took to the water for the boys with a very thrilling performance, to finish in Silver medal position overall.  It was then Sofie and Timi’s turn for the Year 5s with Sofie finishing 11th overall and Timi 10th overall, both swimming fantastically.  Chloe put up a solid performance for the Year 6 girls in a strong heat placing 17th overall.  Alex G dived in for the Year 6 boys swimming strongly to take 12th place overall. 

After a short lunch break we moved in to the final events of the day the freestyle relays and what an exciting climax they were with every student swimming their socks off for the team. The Year 4 boys team, Maxi, Zac, Lewis and Matthew finished in 5th place, Year 5 Girls, Maisie, Hattie, Sofie and Roisin swam superbly to win their heat and finished 5th overall, Year 5 Boys, Sam B, Timi, Harry and Alex G also came home in 5th overall. The Year 6 girls, Chloe, Bella, Ellie and Maisie (Y5) came in 7th and Year 6 Boys, Alex M, Sam M, Charlie and Alex G (Yr5) finished in 6th overall.   

The final event of the day was a 25m freestyle qualifying race to ascertain the fastest swimmers for the Midlands relay team, this was open to those who had not competed in the individual freestyle race. Ellie and Sam took part for Year 6, Roisin, Alex G and Harrys S for Year 5 and Matthew for the Year 4 with Ellie and Roisin being selected for the Midlands Relay team.   

It was a fantastic day and all the pupils were a pleasure to be with, showing maturity, respect and commitment, actively encouraging, motivating and supporting each other throughout the day, with every pupil being the best version of themselves.

We were incredibly proud of the team whose superb efforts helped Crescent School finish in 3rd place overall, a super achievement for the school. Every swimmer was incredible, and we were extremely impressed by them all. 

A special congratulations go to  Roisin, Ellie and Maximillion who have all been selected to represent the ISA Midlands Team in the National Finals that will be held at the London Aquatics Centre on Saturday 3 December, with Sam M first reserve for the Year 6 boys team.     

Mrs McCollin, Mrs Dowling and Mrs Calder 

All of the girls worked hard and played with a competitive spirit and determination.

The fairplay and sportsmanship award went to Red House for offering a player to the Blue House when Sophia needed first aid treatment.

Mr Adkins and Miss Clark

Rather than letting their heads drop however, Crescent rallied superbly in the second half of the day, hammering St. Joseph’s 3-0, followed by further resounding wins against Heathfield, Priory, Loughborough and Bedstone. This meant Crescent finished the competition with 5 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses, leaving with their heads held high. Player of the tournament was Sam M for his excellent battling and deadly finishing throughout, with a special mention for Bryson who played superbly in goal.

Mr Adkins & Mrs Dowling

Friday 2 December 2022

We are looking forward to the Christmas Bazaar on Friday 2 December 2022. The playground will be open for car parking from 3.10pm. 

All children are to be collected at their usual times and normal collection points except Years 5 and 6 who will be dismissed from the pupil door. Please enter via the Main School Entrance where you will be welcomed in to enjoy all of the fun from 3.30pm for Reception and 3.45pm for the rest of the school.

Entry and exit will only be through the Main School Entrance. Please be aware that once your child is handed over to you at dismissal, they are your responsibility.

Unfortunately, children in After School will not be able to attend as they will need a parent or guardian to be with them.  

Please also note the impact on Co-Curricular activities that day.

• Choir has been cancelled
• Art Club for Year 5 has been cancelled
• Secret Agent Club will still be running 
• Didi Rugby will still be running 

Please do let the club leader know if they are not going to attend a club and also their form tutor, so that on the day we know where they need to go.

I am sure it will be a great event and we look forward to seeing you.

Tuesday 15 November 2022 - 4.00pm to 5.00pm

Please come along and join us for this meeting where we will be discussing events for the term. This will take place in Room 1.

Children can be booked into After School, free of charge, if you attend this meeting.  Please advise Mrs Tucker via email.

Please see below for useful school contact information:

• My School Portal: MSP Login
• SOCS: SOCS Login

Click here to view the term dates for 2022/23 and 2023/24.

Crescent School

The Foundation has the following vacancies:

• Nursery Manager - Litte Crackers
• Teacher of Mathematics (Maternity Cover) - Princethorpe College
• Exam Invigilators - Princethorpe College

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.