The Courier

Dear Parents

It has been lovely to welcome children back to a largely sunny week in school. It has seen the start of outdoor learning and forest school lessons, which have gone down really well with the children, and are made that little bit more enjoyable with a spot of good weather.

On the outdoor theme, we were pleased to announce in assembly earlier in the week that a number of new trees have been planted around the site, both to provide shade in the play areas but also for seasonal interest and environmental impact. You will have noticed the cherry trees at the front of the school, and there have also been new whitebeam trees planted in the playground area as well as a line of field maples next to the playing field.

We planted a number of trees in the forest school area this time last year, and many of them struggled through the long drought that we had, and it has been very pleasing to see these budding back into life this spring.

I like to tell the children about my magic moment of the holiday and there was a chuckle of laughter when I showed them a picture of me and Mrs Thackway on the top of a rainy and misty mountain in the Lake District. You can never bank on the British weather that's for sure but developing a love of nature and the outdoor life is hopefully something that will sustain the children as they grow.

This is always a good time to look ahead to the many opportunities the new term provides and again we talked about this in our assembly at the beginning of the week. All of the children in the upper school will be going away on their residential trips at some point during the term, and we have a very long list of special events to look forward to as well, including the coronation celebrations, the summer fair, sports days and various drama productions, trips and visits. Do keep a close eye on the school calendar and the Courier to make sure you're keeping up with all that is going on.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

As part of our Coronation Celebrations our house competition for this term will be to make a crown (or head dress). There will be one winner in each House and children can proudly share their entries at a parade in school on Friday 5 May.

All entries will be awarded housepoints and there will be prizes for the winning crowns. We look forward to marking this very special celebration so have fun creating your Crescent Crowns to mark the Coronation of King Charles!

We would like to wish a happy and peaceful Eid al Fitr to all of our Crescent families who are celebrating this weekend. We talked about the Eid celebrations that will be taking place across the world following the month of Ramadan in our assembly this morning, and shared our thoughts and best wishes with all those who will be enjoying this special occasion. 

Dear Year 5 Parents

As you will no doubt be aware, the local authority 11+ exams for entry into Year 7 in 2023 are scheduled to take place in September 2023, most likely on the second weekend of September. Registration for the exam will open in May 2023.

With this in mind, we would like to invite this year’s Year 5 children in for two days of Pre-Season Brain Training Sessions on Wednesday 30 August and Thursday 31 August 2023. These will run from 9.00am until 12.45pm each day.

The children will spend each morning with their familiar Crescent teachers, including Ms Forth, Mrs Webb and Mr Adkins, getting them back into gear and ready for their exams. Each day there will be taught sessions focusing on the four strands of the 11+; verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, Maths and English comprehension. Needless to say, these skills will also be useful for their Princethorpe exams on Saturday 11 November, as well as any other independent school exams they may be entered for.

Children will be expected to arrive in school smartly dressed with a mid-morning snack. They do not need to wear school uniform.

These sessions will be in addition to the revision packs that we send home at the end of the Summer Term. I am pleased to say that there will be no charge for attendance.

Please indicate if you would like to sign up by following this link by Friday 30 June 2023.

Brain Training

Best wishes 

We thought it would be useful to have some photos of the correct uniform for this term. 

Please note the following:

Girl's Summer Uniform

• Dress length should be on or below the knee
• White socks to be worn, not grey socks/tights or ankle socks
• Blazers and cardigans with black school shoes

Boys Summer Uniform

• Grey shorts or long grey trousers
• Grey knee high socks
• Blazers and jumpers with black school shoes

Summer PE and Games Kit

• Crescent sports polo shirt
• Black short (boys)
• Black skort or green shorts (girls)
• White short sports socks
• Sports trainers
• Tracksuit
• Crescent School sun hat/cap
• Cricket Whites can be worn

We would ask you to check:

• Uniform is labelled with the child's name not initials. We do get a lot of uniform in lost property which is not labelled so we are unable to return it. If it is not reunited with its owner it is put into the pre-loved uniform stock
• Your child is wearing their own uniform as coats/jumpers/cardigans/blazers etc sometimes get mixed up
• Hats, gloves and scarfs are optional but they need to be school provided ones if they do wear them
• Hair should be tied back

• Brass Group and Cricket are not running next week as previously communicated.

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 24 April

Crescent School

Below is a link to view the Trinty Term Calendar.  

Click on the link below to view the Music Lesson timetable next week:

Music Lessons - 24 April

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

Congratulations to all our Year 6 pupils who, back in March, had their secondary school places confirmed. Once again pupils will be moving on to a range of outstanding local independent and state schools.  

18 of the 24-strong class will be moving to the Foundation’s senior school, Princethorpe College, while two children have chosen the local grammar school as their future destination. We are especially delighted that seven of our Year 6 pupils have this year been awarded scholarships, including all-rounder, art and academic awards.

Sarah Webb, Assistant Head and Year 6 Teacher, said, “Our aim is always to do our best to help our pupils reach the destination secondary school of their choice. Despite the challenges of recent years, the children have enjoyed great success. We are particularly pleased with the range of scholarship offers they have received. It’s an excellent outcome and everyone here is thrilled for them.”

Congratulations to all the children on their achievements – Crescent School is really proud of you all.

Our Trinity Term programme of Outdoor Learning for Years 1-6 has kicked off this week. Combining forest school activities with orienteering, team building and leadership skills training, this term’s structured activities will develop the children’s collaborative work skills while enhancing their growth mindset in problem solving situations.

Our programme is guided by the well-respected John Muir Programme of Outdoor Learning, a nationally recognised environmental and conservation award scheme.

During the week, children in Year 1 through to Year 6 have enjoyed getting outside in the fresh air and taking on the oportunity to develop their problem solving skills.

All 90 Crescent pupils who took the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA) examinations in March have passed with the overwhelming majority, 84 pupils, achieving a distinction.

At Crescent School, children from Year 3-6 study for the examinations in their Drama lessons as part of the school’s curriculum. Years 3-4 take the Introductory level, Stages 1 and 2 respectively, while Years 5-6 study the Speaking Verse and Prose Entry Level, Grade 1 and 3 examinations.

At the higher level the children prepare two poems to perform. They are judged on interpretation, technique and knowledge. They have to consider their diction, expression and movement and be able to discuss the mood and meaning of their poems with the examiner.

Drama teacher, Lizzie Bowdige, explains, “What’s particularly brilliant about the LAMDA exams is that they equip the children with communication skills which will serve them throughout life. They also promote an appreciation of literature and poetry and help unlock imagination and creative thinking. They add value to the children’s learning in so many different ways. I really am delighted with these results, and very proud of all the children.”

Congratulations to them all, these superb results are a reflection of their hard work both in and out of school – all that rehearsing clearly paid off.

Pictured are some of the highest scoring pupils with Miss Bowdige.

The children were all very excited about Olive Catering’s ‘Street Kerb’ tasting event today. The North American menu had all our mouths watering with Louisiana Cajun Chicken, Philly Cheese Steak Subs or Mac Cheese with Crispy Onions on offer. Pupils were queueing round the corner waiting for their chance to get their hands on the tasty choices and in particular the Daytona Dirty Fries!

Olive Catering offer tasting events as part of their school dinner programme to engage and excite the children in their eating choices. They are always popular with the staff too! 

All Star Dance (Miss Charlotte) is offering a free taster for the Wake Up Shake Up Club next Friday 28 April. The club takes place in the hall from 8.15am for Pre-Prep children. 

Please let the School Office know if your child would like to attend.

Crescent School

Please can all children bring into school a coat hanger ready for the costumes that Miss Bowdige is sorting.

Thank you

Monday 24 April 2023

In light of St George's Day being on Sunday 23 April, children in Red House can wear one item of red clothing on Monday 24 April instead.

Crescent School Office

Monday 24 April - 4.00pm

All Year 4 parents are invited to a final drop-in session between 4.00pm and 4.30pm on Monday 25 April, regarding the residential trip to Rock UK. 

No new information will be given out, it is your opportunity to ask any quesions.

This will be held in the Class 4C form room.

Monday 25 April 2023 - 4.00pm

All Year 5 parents are invited to a final drop-in session between 4.00pm and 4.30pm on Monday 25 April, regarding the residential trip to the Frank Chapman Centre. 

No new information will be given out, it is your opportunity to ask any quesions.

This will be held in the Class 5F form room.

As the Princethorpe Admissions Cycle for 2024 entry begins, the whole of Year 5 are warmly invited to a taste of senior school life at Princethorpe College on Tuesday 25 April 2023.

The dedicated taster day will begin at 9.30am with the children transported to the College by minibus from Crescent School. Pupils will experience a variety of classroom sessions, a tour of the school and a question and answers session with current pupils. Break and lunch will be provided and there is no charge for the day.

At the end of the afternoon, parents are invited to a Parents’ Information Session. The session will commence at 4.30pm, finish at approximately 5.15pm and light refreshments will be served. Grove du Toit, Princethorpe’s new Headmaster, along with other key members of staff, will be on hand to talk to you about the College, its ethos and vision 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 11 November 2023 from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

If you have any further queries please feel free to contact the College’s friendly Admissions Team on 01926 634201/297 or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

Year 6 Playleader Training for pupils in St David's House will take place on Friday 28 April 2023.  PE Kit to be worn for the children in Yellow House in Year 6.

Following on from last years successful accreditation as a Sun Safe school, we will again be repeating the importance of care in the sun.

During the week beginning 2 May the messages regarding safety in the sun will be reiterated to all year groups with follow up activities as appropriate.

Prior to this, there will be a reminder in whole school assembly and a competition (with prizes) launched to design a sun safety poster. We will also be appointing our new UV Index Monitor from Year 6.

You children may talk about this at home and we hope that you will support them and us by answering any questions that they might have, or by making us aware if they feel the need for clarification.

Friday 5 May 2023

On Friday 5 May, we are coming together as a school to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles. This will involve an afternoon off timetable, a picnic lunch, a range of games to play, races, singing the National Anthem and maybe even an ice-cream. All we ask is that the children come to school dressed in red, white and blue. It will be a great memorable occasion.

Ms Forth and  Mrs Webb

Wednesday 7 June - 6.30pm to 8.30pm

Princethorpe College's annual Summer Open Evening will take place on Wednesday 7 June from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. This is a perfect opportunity for prospective families looking for a place in September 2024 and beyond to visit the school, for children to take part in departmental activities and for parents to meet and chat to members of staff and pupils.

The Headmaster will also address visitors during the evening. Light refreshments will be available.

Please click here to book your place. 

Tuesday 9 May - 5.00pm to 7.00pm

Please share news of our Open Evening for prospective pupils.

Prospective pupils and their parents are warmly invited to Crescent School's Open Evening on Tuesday 9 May 2023 - 5.00pm to 7.00pm.

Come and find out why Crescent School has been judged Excellent in all areas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. It's a great opportunity for prospective families to get a feel for the school and to meet, Mr Thackway, Headmaster.

We are already taking registrations for places in Reception and Year 3 starting in September 2024. 

To book your place please click here. 

For more information or to talk to our Admissions Team, please contact our Registrar Mrs Helen Morley on 01788 523851 or by email admissions@crescentschool.co.uk.

Availability for September 2023: 

We have had very high levels of interest in places for Reception and our Year 3 class for September 2023 entry. As a result, we have already allocated all of the available places in these year groups for September 2023. We are now operating waiting groups for families who are still interested in a place, should a suitable one become available.

We are currently operating waiting groups in most other years apart from our current Reception and Year 1 classes (Year 1 and 2 for September 2023 entry).

To find out more please click here.

Friday 12 May 2023 - 09.00am to 12.00pm

Class and group photos, including music groups, will be taken on Friday 12 May. Please ensure children are wearing their summer uniform, have sports kit in school and any musical instruments.

Crescent School

Wednesday 17 May 2023 - 9.00am to 10.00am

The celebration breakfast for 6W is on Wednesday 17 May. We will be eating around 9am, so the children in 6W will only require a light breakfast at home (and no snack required) so they can fully enjoy all the treats that Mrs Milioplulis will be laying out for us.

Wednesday 24 May 2023 - 9.00am to 10.00am or Thursday 25 May 2023 - 2.45pm to 3.15pm

This is an opportunity to share your child's learning journey through Reception. Further details will be shared in due course for booking.

We look forward to seeing you.

Friday 26 May 2023

We will be holding a non-uniform day on Friday 26 May with all proceeds going to this term's chosen charity, Pawprints Dog Rescue. 

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

Thank you.

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 this week:

• Eve 1S has completed 48% of the course

Most improved speedsters in the studio are:

• Sarima - Wannabe!

Pre-Prep Battle between 1Q, 1S and 3S, 4C  - 20 - 27 April 2023. 

TT Rock stars will block 2x,5x,10x,11x on jamming if you are efficient at them, so you cannot pick easy ones just to score more points in the completion! 

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

Stay Calm and Rock on!!

Congratulations to the following pupils for passing their music exams:

• Alice (2W)
• Alfie (3S)
• Evelyn (3S)
• Akaal (4C)
• Edward M (4C)
• Lewis (4C)
• Nora (4C)
• Patrick (4C)
• Shaylan (4C)
• Sophie (4C)
• Zac (4C)
• Alice (5F)
• James 5F)
• Timi (5F
• Charle (6W)

Mrs Barnes
Director of Music

Please click on the link below which provides information regarding areas of the curriculum where you may be able to help your child at home.

• Class 1Q Lent 2023

• Class 1S Lent 2023

• Class 2E Lent 2023

• Class 2W Lent 2023

• Class 3S Lent 2023

• Class 4C Lent 2023

• Class 5F Lent 2023

• Class 6W Lent 2023

Class 3S are learning about review writing, with the focus on gaming. This definitely grabbed their interest and they enjoyed trying some CBeebies games and then reflecting on them, writing notes to eventually write into a review.

This term 4C are starting a topic that is important to everyone - sustainability and the use of single use plastic. Pupils were introduced to the concept of sustainability and realised that if we carry on producing waste at the rate we are now, then we will fill up the land and seas with nonbiodegradable items. The children were already showing signs of frustration and anger regarding this topic that their generation will have to deal with. Here is a link if you are interested too.

What is sustainability? - BBC Bitesize 

Class 4C held their noses as we made a start on our next English unit, based on the modern fiction book 'Mr Stink'. This week we've looking closely at the different ways characters can be portrayed through description, actions and dialogue, inferring and predicting what those characters might do in different scenarios. 

Mr Thackway stepped in to cover the Year 5 History lesson earlier in the week. The children enjoyed a really interesting discussion about the differences between primary and secondary evidence when finding about history and the past. We all agreed that primary sources were the best but there was also the caveat that they could be biased.

To illustrate this we looked at two different stories of the same football match told by supporters of each of the teams. They both had a very different view of what had gone on and strangely the referee seemed to be a completely different person in each of the stories! 

Crescent School

Class 5F have been busy adding the finishing touches to their wonderful illustrative piece of textiles. They have enjoyed using ideas personal to them and exploring different ways of applying colour and texture to the fabric.

We are completing our PSHE topic from last term this week on Healthy ME. Part of this is being aware of different drugs and how they affect our bodies and reflecting on how we may feel about this when we grow up and meet peer pressure. This week we watched a video about alcohol and interesting and inciteful discussions were had.

Class 6W have been creating their own landscape paintings. They have worked hard to develop their colour skills and have produced the most fantastic pieces of artwork.

The thud of ball on bat, followed shouts from excited fielders, screams of encouragement for the batters and pupils running in all directions. It’s the start of the summer term and the cricket season and much to the delight of all, after school cricket for Years 4-6 kicked off this week.

Crescent School

Thank you for those of you who brought tickets for a night of family bingo. Hosted by our celebrity caller, the fabulous Ms Forth, the event will commence at 6pm on Friday 28 April. Doors will open at 5.45pm. 

A bar and shop selling alcohol, soft drinks and a small range of snacks such as crisps and chocolate will be available on the night to fill any hungry tummies!

In addition to prizes for a full house we will also be offering spot prizes for a line and corners. 

We look forward to seeing you there.

Thursday 28 April

Our next Bag2school collection is on Friday 28 April.  Weather permitting, the playground will be open to drive your vehicle in and unload any clothing bags from 3.30pm to 5.00pm on Thursday 27 April, the day before the collection.  Bags can be dropped on the morning of the 28 April from 7.30am.

We accept the following ‘good quality’ items for RE-USE*:

• Men’s, Ladies’ and Children’s clothing
• Paired shoes (tied together or elastic band around)
• Handbags
• Hats
• Bags
• Scarves and ties
• Jewellery
• Lingerie
• Socks
• Belts
• Soft toys
• Household linen
• Household curtains
• Household towels
• Household bedding (bed sheets, pillow cases and duvet covers)

* We reserve the right to refuse any unsuitable items

• Duvets and blankets
• Pillows and cushions
• Carpets, rugs and mats (including bath, shower and toilet mats)
• Soiled, painted, ripped or wet clothing
• School uniforms with and without logo
• Corporate clothing and workwear
• Textile off cuts, yarns or threaded material

Friends of Crescent

Friday 5 May 2023 - 3.30pm to 5.00pm

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 Class 1S.

Monday 15 May 2023 - 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.

Friday 26 May 2023 - 3.30pm to 5.00pm

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 Class 1Q.

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:

Crackley Hall

• KS1 Teacher
• RE Co-ordinator 

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.