News

Goodbye Mr Phillips

At the end of next week we say goodbye to a much-loved colleague, as Mr Phillips comes to the end of his time here at Crescent School. I wanted to use this opportunity to pay my own personal tribute to everything that Matt has contributed to Crescent during my three years here, as well as for the best part of a decade before I arrived.

When you teach games on the prep school circuit you become familiar with a certain type of sports teacher. Perhaps not win-at-all-costs, but teachers with an instinct to employ tactics that win matches without developing individual skills or encouraging self-expression. These are often teachers with competitive sports background themselves who like to see their teams as an extension of their own sporting prowess. Well, Mr Phillips has shown us, and them, that there is another way to do things. Mr Phillips always puts the children first. The tactical discussions and half-time talks involve the children themselves feeding back how they feel and what could be done better. Not for Mr Phillips the Churchillian rant or the upbraiding of individuals for missed opportunities. Of course, the magical trick is to combine this child-friendly approach with match-play competitiveness and, in an ideal world, some success in tournaments. That of course is exactly what Mr Phillips has achieved in bucket-loads

I know that he will be sorely missed by children, teachers and parents alike, not just on the games field and in the sports hall, but in the IT suite and in the staff room as well. Mr Phillips goes on to explore other opportunities in the developing world of information technology and he goes with Crescent’s very best wishes and blessing.

Matt, we hope you feel able to come and visit us in the future and share with us your new adventure and in the meantime we thank you for everything you have done for the school and for the children.

Joe Thackway
Crescent School

Sunshine Shirt Sign For Year 6

Year 6 pupils had the chance to partake in the age-old ritual of signing their school shirts on Thursday albeit at a suitable social distance. We laid the PE shirts out in the sun on the playground and the children and staff rotated round taking turns to sign the individual shirts. You can count on Crescent to come up with a creative solution to a challenge!

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Crescent Confirms Reception Teaching Team For September 2020

The Crescent School has announced that specialist Early Years teacher, Lisa Emery, will join existing Reception class teacher Claire Pullen in teaching the Reception year. Mrs Emery will lead a second Reception class at the school, introduced in response to local demand for this September 2020. Each class will also have a dedicated Teaching Assistant and subject specialists leading lessons in MFL, PE and Music. Together the Early Years teaching team will deliver a tailored child-centred approach that provides an excellent start for youngsters at the very beginning of their education journey.

Comments, Headmaster, Joe Thackway, “Having two classes of up to 20 pupils each will enable more pupils to benefit from our experienced Early Years team and excellent staff to pupil ratio. I know this will provide our new Reception children with a welcome boost to their learning after the disruption we have all experienced this year.”

There are a small number of places still available for children due to start in Reception this September and interested parents are encouraged to contact Mrs Helen Morley, the Registrar, on 01788 523851 or email admissions@crescentschool.co.uk to register their interest and progress their application.

Part of the Princethorpe Foundation, the Crescent is a co-educational independent day school for around 160 children aged 4 to 11 years. Traditionally one form entry, class sizes range from up to 20 pupils for Reception to Year 2 to up to 24 for Years 3 to 6. The school has excellent success rates in both the 11+ and independent school entrance examinations.

Year 6 Final Week Arrangements

I can't believe it is our final week. How did this happen?

I just want to keep you up to date and remind you of some key points during the week.  We have some different things planned for them, there will be some lessons available on Seesaw everyday but there will be some missing due to rehearsals, assembly or in school activities happening.

Thank you to all Year 6 parents for their support with home-learning and being back in school. It has been a pleasure.

Homelearners:

  • 10am Monday 29 June - Year 6 home-learners to come to the car park gate and record their memory - in school uniform, parents can wait and go.
  • 2.25pm Friday 3 July - come to car park gate for Leavers assembly - in school uniform, children to be collected at 3.45pm from Library door if 6W or pupil door if 6Y.

Year 6 children in school:

  • Monday 29 June  bring in a sturdy bag into pack their belongings into later in the week.
  • School uniform is required on Monday 29 June and Friday 3 July - this can be summer or winter (they can wear their leaver's T-shirt over it during the morning if they wish).
  • Please send your child into school in clothes that will not be harmed by getting wet on Thursday 2 July.
 
Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

 

Reading Over The Summer Holidays

We are always trying our best to encourage children to read, hoping to create a life-long love. There are so many distractions in life so I am always looking for ways to motivate children. I have discovered a summer reading challenge and a reading club that some of you may wish to do.  Take a look, have a go and I look forward to hearing how it went.

Scholastic Kids Club

Love books? Love fun and games? Love freebies? Then you'll love our online Scholastic Kids' Club. It's a place where you can read about books, get your hands on lots of games and activities, see what's hot and grab FREE stuff in our giveaways and competitions

Summer Reading Challenge

Parents and children can sign up to our easy-to-use website and create their own profile at sillysquad.org.uk from 5 June onwards.

  • They set their own challenge to read any amount of books during the Challenge, with children being encouraged to read anything that makes them happy – whether it be comics, joke books, poetry, fiction or non-fiction; in digital or print format; from e-book lending through the public library service or from what they already have at home.
  • Each time they finish a book, they add it to their profile and write a review. They are rewarded with activities and incentives along the way, such as online badges, games and videos. 
  • Families are encouraged to join in and ‘Get Silly’ with downloadable activities, games, quizzes and more. With new content to enjoy each week, the fun will continue throughout the summer to keep families engaged. 
  • They receive a downloadable certificate once they’ve completed their challenge!
Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

Harriett Takes Part In 10km Centurion Run

Well done to Harriett in Year 6 who took part in the 10km Centurion Run over the half term. We have so many budding athletes at Crescent to be proud of!

Crescent School

Uniform For Next Term

Should you require any new uniform items for your son or daughter in readiness for September we are now offering virtual Uniform Shop appointments via Zoom over the summer. Please complete the form for current parents on the Uniform Shop tab on the top menu of My School Portal https://princethorpe.myschoolportal.co.uk/section/270 and the Uniform team will be in touch to arrange a suitable appointment with you.

As normal, items can be added to your pupil account or payment can be made by credit/debit card at the end of the appointment. We will then give you a collection date and time.

Attached is the uniform list for your information, green text items are to be purchased from the school shop. Please note the following:

  • Class 2W will require white trainers for PE   
  • Class 3Y will require various items for sport/PE including the tracksuit and standard ties
  • Girls moving into Class 5F can now wear skirts for winter uniform
  • Gumshields and shin pads are mandatory for PE/Sport in Years 3-6 and we recommend base layers

Nicola Browne
Foundation Shop Manager

 

Learning Support Tips

Top tips to support your child move positively to secondary school!

Moving from primary school to secondary school is an exciting time of life; new teachers, new subjects, making new friends - however for some children this can also be quite a daunting prospect.  The following information offers practical advice and emotional support to help take the stress out of taking the next big step! 

Learning Support - Secondary School Move

Mrs Brazier
Learning Support

First News

We receive First News in school every week for the children to peruse. As they are currently unable to deliver printed copies, they are sharing the newspaper as a PDF: 

First News

I hope you are all enjoying this great newspaper, even as an adult, I enjoy reading it.

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

Accelerate Reading Final Quiz

Accelerated Reading will not continue through the summer holidays. The final time for quizzing is before 11am on Friday 3 July. This will allow me time to set up the new classes and be ready for September.

This does not mean we stop reading!  Please  keep reading, have a look at the reading challenge and book club that I have included in the Courier, read unquizzable books but keep reading!

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

End Of Year Reports Reminder

Please note a slight change to the published calendar. Due to the various adjustments made because of current circumstances and Trinity term being extended to 3 July, 'End of Year' Reports for Reception to Year 4 will be published on My School Portal on Tuesday 30 June 2020. Previously issued Year 5 reports will also be available on MSP from that date too. 

Thank you for your understanding.

Ms Forth
Deputy Head

Co-Curricular Clubs Michaelmas Term Reminder

Normally we would be busy making plans for our extensive co-curricular timetable ready for you to sign up for the Michaelmas Term.  However, as I am sure you can fully appreciate this is hard to plan at this time.  We would love to offer some co-curricular next term, it may well be limited to in house staff and during the day. As soon as we are able to make plans we will let you know, although this may well be during the summer holidays.

We really value our co-curricular provision and want it to return to full strength as soon as possible.

Thank you for your understanding with this.

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

Seesaw - Useful Top Tips

As we come to the end of the year, here is a link to show you how to download all the work on your child's journal if you would like to keep a copy. Some or perhaps all work will be archived before the start of next term, so you have plenty of time

Archive Student Journal
 
Ms Forth
Deputy Head

Virtual Assembly Links

Please find below the links to all the 'virtual' assemblies that have been sent to Pupils during Home Learning.

Monday 23 March 2020 Assembly 23 March 2020
Friday 27 March 2020 Assembly 27 March 2020
Monday 20 April 2020 Assembly 20 April 2020
Friday 24 April 2020 Assembly 24 April 2020
Monday 27 April 2020 Assembly 27 April 2020
Friday 1 May 2020 Assembly 1 May 2020
Monday 4 May 2020 Assembly 4 May 2020
VE Day Assembly  VE Day Assembly
Thursday 7 May 2020 Assembly 7 May 2020
Monday 11 May 2020 Assembly 11 May 2020
Friday 15 May 2020 Assembly 15 May 2020
Monday 18 May 2020 Assembly 18 June 2020
Friday 22 May 2020 Assembly 22 May 2020
Friday 5 June 2020 Assembly 5 June 2020
Monday 8 June 2020 Assembly 8 June 2020
Friday 12 June 2020 Assembly 12 June 2020
Monday 15 June 2020 Assembly 15 June 2020
Friday 19 June 2020 Assembly 19 June 2020
Monday 22 June 2020 Assembly 22 June 2020
Friday 26 June 2020 Assembly 26 June 2020