The Courier

Dear Parents

It has been a busy week in school, with lots going on for the children to enjoy their learning. We had a really interesting visit from the Freshwater Theatre company on Wednesday, where the children in Year 2 learned about the Great Fire of London from a really engaging and energetic presenter. They got to act out the events before and after and I am sure they learned a great deal.

Another real highlight was the LAMDA showcase on Tuesday evening for the Upper School. The hall was full to the rafters with a very healthy audience, and the children spoke and performed superbly well. The preparation for this event all takes place during drama lessons under the expert eye of our new performing arts maestro, Lizzie Bowdige. It is always great to celebrate those children with genuine talent in this area, but also there were a number of children for whom getting on the stage in this way was a real challenge. It was inspiring to see them meeting their demons head on and performing with such verve and confidence. A great evening all round and a real reinforcement of the growth mindset message that we talk about.

It was interesting earlier in the week to have a two-day visit from the new head of the Princethorpe Foundation, Ed Hester. As you know, Ed's role has changed this term with the appointment of Grove du Toit, who takes over as Head at Princethorpe College. The visit was a fact finding one and it was very pleasing to hear Mr Hester’s feedback to senior leaders afterwards. It is a school where learning is calm and purposeful, there is a friendly and happy atmosphere in the corridors, and everyone looks after each other, the children and the staff included. This is very much how I personally feel about the school and it is always good to hear such positive feedback that reinforces this, particularly from such a respected figure in the Foundation.

There is a short article in tonight's Courier about the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch that's happening this weekend. I would encourage as many of you as possible to take part. Not only is it a good way to support the work of the RSPB, it builds an understanding and empathy for wildlife and nature in young children, which I feel is more important than ever.

Whatever you do have planned this weekend, I hope you have a restful time with your families.

With best wishes.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

Friday 10 February 2023

If your child is going to the Disco, or going home to get ready before (Upper School Disco only), and will not attend their Co-Curricular clubs please can you let Mrs Tucker know in advance so we can ensure the children are in the correct locations at dismissal time. 

Please note paid for clubs will not be made up/refunded if they do not attend.

Further information on the Disco can be found here.

Crescent School

Weekly Calendar

Please click on the link below to view next week's calendar:

Weekly Calendar - 30 Jan 2023 

Please ensure children have the correct kit for their afterschool clubs. 

Below is a link to view the Lent Term Calendar.  Please note the following changes:

There are pros and cons to different formats for this meeting and we are keen to meet your needs as best we can.

Please indicate below whether you would prefer the meeting to take place in person in school, or as a Live Teams Event (where you can participate online and it is available for later viewing).  

Year 4 and Year 5 Destinations Meeting

Crescent School

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

Lunch Menu 30 January 2023 

Crescent School

Please click on the link below to view the Music Lesson timetable for week commencing 16 January 2023.

Lessons may not be able to be rearranged if children do not bring their instruments to school.

Music Lessons - 30 January 2023

The password has been emailed to parents. 

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.

Friday 3 February 2023 - 3.45pm to 4.15pm

On Friday 3 February, 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 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. On this day Years 5 and 6 will be dismissed through the pupil door. 

If your child is in a Co-curricular club then they will be expected to attend unless you arrange otherwise. Parking will be available on the playground.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Friday 17 February 2023

We will be holding a non-uniform day on Friday 17 February with all proceeds going to this term's chosen charity, Bwengu Projects. 

Please send a £1 donation with your child to be given to their form teacher.

Thank you.

A great week with so many children achieving full JDV status.

This week Penelope in 2W, MingYi, Matthew, Edward M and Maya in 4C and Alex T and Hattie in 5F become students in English.

James in 5F gains his in mathematics and Matthew in 4C becomes a full student in science.

Maisie and Shayla in 5F become full students in geography.

Congratulations to you all.

Mrs Symons
Junior da Vinci Lead

This week's Accelerated Reader Superstars are:

Top Quizzers are:

• 3S  Alfie and Kiran
• 4C  Alex W
• 5F  Edward F
• 6W Alex

Word Wizards are:

• 3S  Seren and Esme
• 4C  Toni
• 5F  Timi
• 6W Poppy

Mrs Nelson
Teaching Assistant

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.

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

Well done!

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

Well done to this week's Scientists and Artists of the Week:

Scientists

• Barnaby (4C)
• Max (4C)
• Samuel (4C)

Artists

• Ava (3S)
• Esme (3S)
• Edward M (4C)
• Edward W (4C)
• Shiv (5F)
• Sophie (4C)
• Alex T (5F)
• Harry (5F)

Well done all.

Crescent School

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

• Arielle
• Charlotte
• Evie
• Iris
• Isabella
• Klara
• Locan
• Nellie
• Sahiba 
• Tilly

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:

• Toni 4C completed 24% of the course.
• Roisin 4C completed 72% of the course.
• Max T 4C completed 24% of the course.
• Maisie 5F completed 72% then 100% of the course

Results for Battle 19-26 January 2023. Y1,2 and 5 against each other- average score per class member.

• 1st  1Q 87
• 2nd  5F 84
• 3rd 2E 37

Most valuable players in the whole competition:

• 1st Daniel 1Q
• 2nd Maisie 5F
• 3rd Shiv 5F

Well done, 1Q! First time winners 🏆

Last week most improved speedsters in the studio are:

• Alex B - Headliner!
• Lewis - Rock Legend!

• Maisie - Rock Legend!

Random Battle between Y3, Y4 and Y6 - 26 January - 2 February 2023. 

Please do not just do jamming and pick easy tables - that does not improve your maths skills and could lead to disqualification from competitions.

Please note only the children should play on their account or it influences the level appropriate to them.

Monday 6 to Friday 12 February 2023

Our School Promise focus this week has been, 'We are gentle and caring' and our assembly reflected this in terms of connecting with those around us.

Next week we will be supporting and engaging with this important week as we look at promoting positive mental health in us all. 

Alongside our, PSHE lesson, we shall be engaging with different activities supported by the Place2Be charity to highlight the importance of connection and its benefits to our mental health and wellbeing.

Their theme this year is 'Let's Connect' and look out for our Wellbeing Champions out and about in the playground next week, promoting ways in connecting with each other better!

We enjoyed a fun filled day that started with a close look at the number 75. We identified the number on a hundred square and counted to 75 and beyond. We agreed that was a lot of birthdays!

We sorted pictures and compared school in the past with Crescent School today. We each created a celebration poster but the highlight of the day was decorating a biscuit that we got to take home.

In 1Q, we learned about the Windrush sailings in 1948. We made some Caribbean facemasks using different materials and colours. 

A wide range of learning and fun took place on Founders day as Class 2E were immersed in life in 1948.

In French, they learned about life in France during the 1940s, watched a video clip of family life and school life in 1948, talked about food shortages, rationing and the German occupation during the war. They also looked at how the country was rebuilt after the war with the help of large numbers of immigrants. Finally, they looked at 1940s fashion and revised clothes vocabulary.

In music, children listened to a range of different tracks from the 1940’s and then had great fun being taught 1940’s dance styles of ballroom, swing and jitterbug.

They took part in a 1940's Home Economics lesson and learned that many foods were still rationed in 1948.  We talked about the impacts that would have on the amount and range of foods children would get. There were still treats for the children and class 2E really enjoyed baking ‘ Crunchies’. We held true to 1948 ingredients for all bar the lard (we cheated a little and used margarine).

In Games, we had lots of fun talking about how children used to play in the 1940’s – often outside on their own for a whole day at a time. We talked about outdoor games like marbles, hop-scotch, skipping and leap-frog and then enjoyed indoor games playing Beetle Drive, Noughts and Crosses and Penny Shove.

1940's Art looked at the style of Henry Moore and his post- war animal sculptures. 

Children in 2W loved finding out about 1948 and comparing their lives to those of children who first started at Crescent School 75 years ago. We played games from that era, planned meals according to rationing rules and even tried calligraphy. In French we learned about life in France during the 1940s and in Art we have been looking at the animal sketches and sculptures of Henry Moore and understanding the importance of drawing the animal before making a sculpture of it.

Last week on the 1940s theme day, 3S thought about rationing and how it continued after World War 2 well into the 1950s. The children discussed how difficult this must have been and then they cooked a recipe for rock cakes, using ingredients including margarine! They weighed in pounds and ounces too. Most of the children thought that they tasted ok?

Classes 3S, 5F and 6W learned about the project that began in 1948, the same year that Crescent opened, when a ship called HMT Windrush set sail from Jamaica for England for the first time.

Great Britain had promised members of the Empire (now the Commonwealth) safe passage, homes and jobs to rebuilt Great Britain after the destruction of World War II. Many West Indians found employment with the new NHS and London buses and trains. However, the promise of a warm welcome was not true for many as they faced terrible racism. Communities started to build as the Windrush generation found homes in certain places like Brixton. Only in the 1960s did racist acts become illegal and the plight of these 500,000 people brought about changes in race equality.

Windrush Day is 22nd June, the day the first ship arrived and around this time the West Indian culture is celebrated at the Notting Hill Carnival. 

Pupils empathised with these people and showed real understanding of an awful situation that was supposed to be a journey of a lifetime.

In Year 4, we considered what life might have been like after WW2, when rationing was still a part of people's lives. We explored clothes rationing and calculated what we could have bought with a limited number of coupons. We also calculated how many coupons our present-day wardrobes could be worth and compared it to the allowances children had during rationing. The children were very surprised by the results! 

Handwriting was the focus in their English lessons. We used a variety of pens and paper and styles to produce some lovely calligraphy - the concentration was intense. 

Year 4, 5 and 6 spent the morning looking at science inventions in the 1940s which changed the world. These included the transistor, LP records, the jeep and the first programmable computer. The pupils learned how finding solutions during the war helped science bring about new inventions. There was great fun listening and dancing to 1940's LPs!

In the last couple of decades, the volume of online traffic has increased exponentially – and with it has the amount of people trying to take criminal advantage of this. Despite how aware we have become of the concept of online scams, and how topical they are, more and more people globally are falling victim to them every single day.

Criminals continue to find new and devious ways to attempt to hijack our online transactions and harvest our private information. To them, the smart devices that many of us now use as standard at home are simply a convenient back door into our lives – and our networks. This week’s guide is one for the whole family, to make your household as safe and as scam-proof as possible. In the guide you'll find tips on a number of potential risks such as how to use a password manager, how to back up your data and how to check for breaches.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Welcome to another thrilling episode of the Crescent School Podcast! In this edition, we have features including ‘Test the Teacher’ a musical showcase, football skills, more terrible jokes and a superb interactive crafts tutorial! If you have any feedback about the podcast, please let us know!

Episode 3

Despite the long drive and the cold, soggy conditions, Crescent's cross country team represented themselves and the school superbly at the Midlands ISA Championships at Bedstone College. All runners ran with determination, skill and desire to do their very best in tricky conditions and came away with excellent results in a very crowded, talented field. Two of our athletes, Roisin C and Henry M qualified for the Nationals with a top-ten finish which is truly superb and several more were very close! We are awaiting confirmation of the Midland Team.

The highlights of the results were as follows, remembering these were out of approximately 150 runners in each race:

• U9 Girls – Roisin 3rd, Amber 31st, Evelyn 33rd, Sophie 35th, Sophia 61st, Lilah 62nd and MingYi 81st

• U9 Boys – Henry 10th, Kian 13th, Thomas 17th, Maxi 30th, Samuel 40th, Alex B 43rd and Lewis 82nd 

• U11 Girls – Ellie 16th, Grace C 18th, Bella 39th, Lara 44th, Grace M 51st, Roisin 82nd, Sofie 99th and Chloe 124th 

• U11 Boys – Sam B 17th, Sam M 45th, Alex T 83rd, Albert 84th , Alex G 103th and Shiv 109th. 

Huge congratulations to all of our athletes.

Mr Adkins, Mrs Dowling and Mrs Calder

Friday 10 February 2023

We look forward to welcoming all children to our school disco on Friday 10 February. The event will be run by a professional events company with support from Friends of Crescent volunteers.

The Pre-Prep disco (Reception to Y2) will be 3.45pm to 4.45pm.

The Upper School disco (Y3 to Y6) will be 5pm to 6pm.

Please note, all Reception children must be accompanied by a parent/carer for the entire event. 

Children in Year 1 and Year 2 attending the disco will be taken to the hall by their teacher. They will be given time in class to change clothes.

Drink and a small snack included. There will also be additional games and spot prizes.

Parents are to collect children from the Pupil Side entrance at 4.45pm. If children are signed up to After School they will be escorted there by a teacher.

The school is a mobile free zone. Parents are respectfully asked to keep their phone out of sight and not used at all times.

Friday 17 February 2023 - 3.30pm 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 privilege time for Year 3.

Friends of Crescent

Thanks so much to all those parents who took the time to complete our survey, it has proven tremendously useful. As promised we have pulled together a topline summary of the results which will influence our planning going forwards:

As a result of this we are excited to announce the inaugural Crescent Family Bingo on Friday 28 April at 6pm. More details to follow (but we will have a bar and food option!) 

This year, to mark the School’s 75th anniversary the Summer Fete will also be held on a Saturday (10 June 12pm – 2.30pm) and be a family-focused event, opening up the event to a wider group of parents

• Cheese and wine night 
• Comedy night 
• Live music 
• Wreath making 

We have taken these on board so watch this space! 

There was some enthusiasm to support the wider community. The Salvation Army Collection was a great example of this and we hope to work with School to continue supporting this - and other initiatives - in the future

And to the parent who requested that the Disco was not Valentines focused due to the unnecessary pressure it puts on the children – we wholeheartedly agree! 

Finally, thanks so much to the Parent Reps who helped write the survey and to Claire Tucker for uploading the survey and managing it.  

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 following items are stocked in the School Office and can be added to your account:

• Winter hats
• Scarves
• Gloves
• Ties
• Swimming hats
• Sports socks
• Hair bands
• Hair scrunchies
• Hair clips
• Sun hats
• Music group badges - Choir, Orchestra, String, Brass and Wind

Please do contact admin@crescentschool.co.uk in if you need any of the above items.

Crescent School Office

The Foundation has the following vacancies:

Princethorpe College

• Head of English
• Amissions and Marketing Administrator

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.