The Courier

Crescent School warmly welcomed former pupil and teacher, Felicity Furber, and former governor, Mark Furber, back to school on Tuesday 16 January to help celebrate Founder’s Day. The school was marking its 76th birthday and also the publication of its updated A History Of Crescent School.

Mr and Mrs Furber took part in a Founder’s Day Assembly, then answered questions posed by the School Council before enjoying a tour of the school.

During the assembly, six Year 6 pupils shared extracts from the school’s early history. Dressed in original school uniform, they spoke about the experiences of the early pupils when the school was situated in Rugby town centre, on Horton Crescent adjacent to Rugby School.

Mrs Furber is the daughter of the school’s first headmistress, Mrs Eve Mortimer, and has a long and close association with Crescent School. Mr and Mrs Furber were delighted to be able to share new information and anecdotes about the school’s early years, bringing the Founder’s Day celebrations vividly to life for pupils.

During the visit, Crescent School discovered that Mr Furber has his own strong connection to the school’s current Bawnmore Road site. Mr Furber was one of the first pupils to attend the former, St Mark’s School when it opened on the Bilton site back in 1950, prior to its acquisition in 1988 by Crescent School.

Headmaster, Joe Thackway, said: “We were delighted to welcome Mr and Mrs Furber into school. The children had so many questions for them, and it really helped them understand what the school was like in its early years and to appreciate that while many aspects of the school have changed, there is much that remains the same.”

Mrs Furber commented, "It meant a lot to me to see how the school is thriving in every way.”

Copies of the second edition of A History of Crescent School have been shared with parents and contributors and a digital version is available to download for free on the school website here: https://www.theprincethorpefoundation.co.uk/publications-crescent. Printed copies are also freely available for all Old Crescentians and local residents. They can be requested here: https://connect.princethorpe.co.uk/shop (there is a small £2 charge to cover UK postage).

On Monday 15 January, pupils from Years 5 and 6 enjoyed showcasing their fabulous performance skills. Pupils have been preparing for their upcoming LAMDA exams and their LAMDA Showcase was a fantastic opportunity for them to share their much practised and perfected poetry and prose.  Pupils in Year 5 will be taking Entry level exams, while those in Year 6 will take Grade 1 or Grade 3.

In their Drama lessons, pupils have been building confidence, developing character, learning how to project and developing the use of gestures, emphasis and emotion. In the Showcase, they relished performing to an audience, rising to the occasion in style and the watching parents were all amazed by the children's ability and confidence.

Drama teacher, Miss Bowdige was extremely proud of everyone who took part and would like to thank all the children, staff and parents for their hard work and dedication.

Well done to everyone and good luck in your LAMDA exams!

Mrs Fisher has for many years organised Bilton Silver Mini Brass and Bilton Silver Training Band on Monday evenings at Bilton Silver Band Hall, Winwick Place, Bilton.

Pupils from Year 3 and above are welcome to attend, please see the poster for full details. The sessions are free of charge and instruments can be provided for members. 

Many children who have become members have gone on to achieve membership of the National Children’s and National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.

This activity is supported by the Bilton Silver (Rugby) Band for young people in the local community and last year Crescent's Brass Group performed in a Christmas Concert with the Bilton Silver Evolution Band.

If you would like your child to attend or would like more information please contact Mrs Fisher: difi2@hotmail.co.uk

This term, we have a new co-curricular activity for pupils in Years 1, 2 and 3. Edith Huang is leading a Mandarin club giving pupils the chance to learn the Chinese language and explore Chinese culture. The club takes place on Thursdays after school.

Yesterday, the children were enjoying learning how to count, practising how to say and write the symbols for the numbers 1 to 7. They played a simple spotting games with dominoes to help them memorise the new sounds.

There are still places available in the club, please contact the Office for more information.

Next weekend it is the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. The children will learn all about this in our assemblies next 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.

If your child is in one of the following groups and you would like to purchase a Music Badge for them to wear on their uniform please complete the form below.

• Choir
• Orchestra
• Brass Group
• String Group (Violin)

Music Badges Order Form