The Courier

Dear Parents

There have been a number of notable highlights this week for us all to enjoy in school. I calculate that Crescent pupils have taken part in 12 sports fixtures during the week, one of which was a whole day tournament. Then our Year 5 pupils are off today on an educational visit to Bletchley Park as part of their computer studies, the first time we have run this particular trip. Having read quite a bit about the work that went on there during World War II, I would love to have gone myself but other appointments and commitments dictated otherwise, unfortunately. As with every school trip we will evaluate the success and value to the pupil’s learning before we book again next year but I am pleased to see more of these events appearing on our calendar.

On Tuesday we hosted an Orchestral Day, with Crackley Hall musicians and staff coming over for a day of musical bonding and rehearsals, followed by an excellent concert in the hall at the end of the day.  It was an inspiring sight to see both orchestras arrayed in the hall and the sound they produced was a wonderful combination of power and quality. Bringing together a junior age orchestra is never an easy task and the music staff from Crackley and our own Mrs Barnes deserve a great deal of credit for the success of the day.

Later next week we will be launching our all-new website with a completely new look that I hope you will enjoy. It is all in the wings ready to go and we are hoping to flip the switch on Thursday so you might want to check the web address, which will remain as www.crescentschool.co.uk and have a surf.

I would like to finish by flagging up an important upcoming event that you can find full details about elsewhere in this week’s Courier. That is the visit of Mark Groome on 26 March, who will be delivering talks to parents about nurturing your children through a happy childhood and the pitfalls of exams and other potential causes of stress. This theme is designed to fit in with our focus on well-being and mental health and I know you will find Mark an engaging and interesting speaker. I do hope many of you will be able to take the time from your busy schedules to come along.

Have a great weekend.

Best Wishes

Joe Thackway

For a two or three week period this year we will be focusing on one of the sayings in the School Promise. We will talk about this in assembly and in form period. It would be great if you could discuss this with your children at home and support the messages we are emphasising in school.

This week we are looking at the idea of being a calm and sensible pupil. The school council chose this one in the category of Good Learners as all children know that they learn best when they are focused in class and there is a determined, hardworking atmosphere.

‘We are calm and sensible’

On 26 March 2019 we welcome Mark Groome to school for two information sessions on the important area of promoting childhood happiness and well-being. The first will be in the main hall from 4.00pm and is aimed at parents form all year groups in the school. That evening there is an information evening for Year 4 and 5 parents on the transition process into Year 7 and Mark will be talking as part of the evening on the theme of managing exam stress.

Mark is a retired head of some thirty years’ experience in independent preparatory schools. Having spent over ten years as a head of two preparatory schools, he is now an independent education consultant, an ISI inspector, and chair of governors of a large Independent Girls’ Boarding School. The talk will finish at around 5.00pm.

Mark is an engaging speaker with a 'parent friendly’ approach that I am sure you will enjoy. Full details of both events have been sent to all parents in a separate ISAMS message so please do check your inboxes for this and respond to the school office as required.