Welcome to The Courier, Crescent School's electronic newsletter.

We have had some fabulous entries for Mr Thackway's bird drawing competition.  Do have a look at all the lovely drawings we have received so far which we have included in the News section of this edition.

Please do send in any photos and information we can feature in The Courier to show what children are doing during this lockdown period.

Please click here to email The Courier.

And remember - Hands - Face - Space - so we all stay safe.

Preview

Headmaster's Message

Headmaster's Message

Dear Parents

I hope this edition of the Courier finds you well and that you are coping with the demands and constraints that the lockdown is imposing on us all. I know how hard it is for families at home to juggle the home learning with their own commitments, but I hope you have been getting into a rhythm this week and that the children have been actively engaged in their learning. It is a strange time for everyone but with mutual support and encouragement, we can make this a productive time as well.

Communication is obviously more important than ever when we are not meeting each other in person. I hope you find the Courier a really useful way to keep up with school activities and as usual there is plenty in today's edition that I hope you will find of interest.

I have initiated a bird drawing competition in the school and it has been pleasing to see lots of children responding to this, with lots and lots of very lovely drawings and paintings coming in. Please do have a look at the online gallery that you can see elsewhere in the newsletter.

Taking the time to look after others and take care of those who need our help is such a worthy trait and more relevant now than ever before. I hope that thinking about the birds in the garden will help the children to do this. You will have noted a couple of teacher entries as well, Mrs Stapleton in particular has clearly got some previously hidden talents! Any parents who would like to contribute, please do. We would love to see your entries.

We post assemblies onto the children's Seesaw areas each week and you can also find links to them from today's Courier, should you wish to view them.

On a health and safety note, from next week Crescent staff are able to access lateral flow COVID-19 testing over at Princethorpe College. There is also the prospect of staff home testing kits being delivered to the school very soon. We have spent time this week refining the risk assessment for those in school as well as undertaking the normal fire drill.

As you can understand, staff who are running the key school are anxious to keep their exposure to risk as low as possible. Many thanks to all of you who are observing the lockdown so well and keeping children at home where you possibly can. By doing this, you help to keep yourself safe, as well as the staff and children in the school.

Enjoy your weekends everyone. 

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

 

Home Learning

It seems like no time at all, but as from Monday we will be fully two weeks into the current lockdown and another bout of home learning.

A lot of thought and hard work has gone into the programme that we are currently providing. As you know, we have a combination of lessons delivered through our online platform of Seesaw and live Teams sessions. Alongside this, the children are involved in regular live meetings for pastoral contact with their form teachers. Through these media, we are providing five lessons a day for all of the children that reflect the full range of the curriculum that we would normally deliver.

The Seesaw lessons are carefully put together by Crescent teachers to reflect the work that the children would otherwise be doing in school. They are multi-media, and combine video, picture and sound input. The intention is that they fully engage the pupils and at the same time give families the flexibility they need to access the learning in a way and at a time that is convenient for the whole family. Importantly, they also have the function of giving regular and rapid feedback from the teacher to the pupil.

The Teams sessions provide an opportunity for live learning and engagement in a real time activity, as well providing important contact for the children with each other and their teachers. Small group meetings can be particularly effective from a social point of view in keeping the children’s spirits up.

Many of you will remember that we surveyed parents’ feedback on these issues back in April of last year. Inevitably, opinion on some issues was divided, but overall satisfaction with the provision at that time was high, with 96% of parents saying they were happy with the provision (16% said very good, 59% good and 38% generally good).

We do not want to rest on our laurels, and we continue to strive to provide the best online service to the children that we possibly can. In that spirit, I feel it would be useful for us at this time to gather thoughts and feedback from you in the current lockdown to help us continue to refine and adapt our approach. With two weeks under our belt on Monday, we will be sending you out a survey form for you to complete to give you the opportunity to share your thoughts with us.

Keep a close eye on your inboxes.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

News

Accelerated Reading Book Finder

We are so lucky that we can support reading whilst the children are learning from home. Each week the staff in Years 3-6 will monitor who is reading, so we can praise and encourage the children in their reading journey. If you need to check if a book is on the accelerated reading system then please use this link, it will also let you search for books at a certain book level.

https://www.arbookfind.co.uk/

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

Bird Drawing Competition

I set a bird drawing competition this week on Seesaw.  There will be a prize for the best picture in Pre-Prep and Upper School.

So far I have already received many delightful entries which you can view by clicking through the photo gallery. It's going to be a difficult decision choosing a winner.

  • RE - Max GH
  • 1S - Amber
  • 1S - Charlotte
  • 1S - Everly
  • 1S - Isabella
  • 1S - Nimeeta
  • 3Y - Edward GH
  • 3Y - Emily
  • 4M - Bella
  • 4M - Chloe
  • 4M - Esme
  • 5F - Grace
  • 6W - Ayla
  • Mrs Stapeton
  • I have also drawn a picture!

Keep the drawings coming in, I am really enjoying seeing them.

Submit your entries through courier@crescentschool.co.uk by Monday 25 January 2021.

Mr Thackway
Headmaster
View Gallery

Virtual Assembly Links

Assemblies play an important part in school life. They help us to come together as a community and share important messages and celebrate good news. They are also an engaging way to discuss moral and topical issues and promote the ethos of the school promise.

During the lockdown we will publish links to the school assemblies, for you to view at home.

Friday 8 January 2021 Assembly - 8 January 2021
Friday 15 January 2021 Assembly - 15 January 2021
 
Joe Thackway
Headmaster
 

                    

Awards

Accelerated Reader Achievements

Word Millionaires this week are:

  • Sofie (3Y) 
  • Poppy (4M)

500k word achievers are:

  • Maisie (3Y)
  • Alex T (3Y)
  • Harry (4M) 
  • Tegan (4M)

All badges will be saved and awarded when we return to school.

Top Quizzers:

  • 3Y James 
  • 4M Ava 
  • 5F Caspar 
  • 6W Isla 

Word Wizards:

  • 3Y Alex G
  • 4M Chloe 
  • 5F Abigail 
  • 6W George R
Mrs Webb
Assistant Head
View Gallery

Times Table Rockstars

Landmark Levels 

Pupils who have reached Landmark Level on automatic training mode in the Garage and Gigs are awarded JDVs for Maths Practice, apologies to Shayla for missing her out last week:

Landmark Level Class Name
100+ 3Y Shayla 
  5F Harriet
200+ 5F Caspar


Weekly battle 8 - 14 January 2021

  • Boys scored 8,748 points
  • Girls scored 5,648 points

Well done, Boys' Team, again! Good to see some new names competing this week!

Most Valuable players contributing the most points to their teams are:

  1st 2nd 3rd
Boys Bryson - 4M Hany - 6W Kai - 5F
Girls Shayla - 3Y Harriet - 5F Grace M - 4M
 
Improve your levels rehearsing in the Garage at least three times a week, before you play your next 'Gig'. The computer will give you bespoke questions depending on your answers and speed.
 
Go to Arena and play against classmates only - all have to be logged on at the same time at the same Arena.

Each class can have the speediest TT Rock Star and that gets you up the status board on the poster. To get on this board you must tackle the single player game in the 'Studio', multi-player does not count for these. These also earn more coins than the multiplayer games too. 

Plenty of action so last week's most improved speedsters in each class are:

Class  Name  Title
2W Matthew Rockstar
3Y Roisin Wannabe
4M Poppy Unsigned Act
4M Yash Headliner
4M Bryson Rock Legend
4M Tegan Support Act
5F Harriet Unsigned Act
5F Stephanie Rockstar
6W Hany Rock Hero
6W Alyssa Rock Legend
6W Michael Rockstar
 
Please see the cover photo which shows the status levels.
 
I have also set up a 'Battle' from Friday 15 - Thursday 21 January 2021, 'Girls Vs Boys' for the whole school. 

Battles add up any points at all as you play! I will let you know who wins in the next Courier.

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

Stay Calm, Stay Home, Save Lives and Rockdown!

Art Frizzmeister 
Deputy Head

Wellbeing

Supporting Emotional Wellbeing

Each week I will be sharing chosen resources and activities to support emotional wellbeing during this time of lockdown and home learning.

As a source, I will be choosing my favourite finds from the following website:

https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/ 

ELSA stands for Emotional Literacy Support Assistant, alongside training opportunities for staff, they also provide resources for schools and families to download to help with managing feelings, emotions and behaviours. As well as their website, you can follow them on social media and subscribe to the new resources being created each week.

This week, I am reminding you of the ‘5 Ways To Wellbeing’ that we introduced last February during our Wellbeing Day:

  • The ways we CONNECT with each other
  • Continually LEARN new things
  • Stay ACTIVE even through the winter months
  • Take NOTICE of nature and new experiences around us
  • How we can GIVE our time, kindness and gifts to help those less fortunate than ourselves

I have attached ELSA’s ‘5 Ways To Wellbeing’ as slides with a selection of good ideas and examples to get you started. I pray that this will help you promote positive emotional health within your families during the coming weeks.

Mrs Stapleton
Head of Wellbeing
View Gallery

School Promise

Acts Of Kindness

On a local walk last weekend, Mrs Webb and I happened to look over to the right as an old lady stood alone in her upstairs bedroom window waving at us. Upon returning the wave, her face broke into a huge smile. A tiny action causing a moment of happiness to another person. 

The Courier often, rightly, reflects excellent learning that has taken place during the week but as we proceed through the upcoming weeks of lockdown, we'd love to dedicate a section to small acts of kindness which Crescent children and families have committed to simply and safely enhance the lives of someone else.

Please do send examples/pictures to alanwebb@crescentschool.co.uk for inclusion next week and onwards.

With all best wishes.

Mr Webb
Assistant Head

 

Digital Citizenship

E-Safety During Home Learning

Once again we have entered a hopefully brief period of home learning, meaning an even greater reliance on electronic devices in our lives... and an even greater need to make sure that we all stay safe in using them.

For most of us things like 'screen time' and no chatting or playing games with your friends online have had to go completely out of the window as we enter yet another unprecedented time for Primary education. In light of this I have attached a couple of handy guides from National Online Safety, one for parents and one for pupils on how to make sure that you and your families stay as E-safe as possible while learning from home.

Also if it is a subject you would like to delve more deeply into at home, there are some fantastic E-safety resources, all available free of charge on the Thinkuknow website, including a lot of activities designed for parents to do alongside their children, just click on the link below to access them.

Thinkuknow

If you have any E-safety questions or concerns, no matter how big or small, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.

Best wishes 

Mr Adkins
Head of Digital Learning

Sport

Interhouse Weekly Challenge - Week 1

Wow what a great response to this week's inter-house challenges with more than 90 pupils taking part!  It is a great way for pupils to stay fit and to show fabulous teamwork. Fantastic focus and concentration shown by all involved. 

Results:

  • Red House 1st place with 202 points
  • Yellow House in 2nd with 152 points 
  • Blue House in 3rd place with 112 points 

If you were not involved this week make sure you get involved next week with our new challenges:

Mrs McCollin
Head of PE and Games

FoC Events

FoC Meeting - Monday 25 January 2021

Monday 25 January 2021 - 8pm

The meeting on 11 January has been postponed to Monday 25 January.  This will take place via Zoom, please come along and join us for this meeting where we will be discussing events for the Easter term.

Log-in details will be sent out nearer the time. 

Nick Brosnan
FoC Chair

Housekeeping

Term Dates 2020/21 And 2021/22

Please find below term dates for 2020/21 and 2021/22:

2020/21
Michaelmas Term
Term starts Tuesday 1 September 2020
Half Term Saturday 17 October to Sunday 1 November 2020
Term ends Tuesday 15 December 2020

Lent Term
Term starts Tuesday 5 January 2021
Half Term Saturday 13 February to Sunday 21 February 2021
Term ends Friday 26 March 2021

Trinity Term
Term starts Monday 19 April 2021
May Bank holiday - Monday 3 May 2021 (no school)
Half Term Saturday 29 May to Sunday 6 June 2021
Term ends Tuesday 6 July 2021

2021/22
Michaelmas Term
Term starts Monday 6 September 2021
Half Term Saturday 16 October to Sunday 31 October 2021
Term ends Tuesday 14 December 2021

Lent Term
Term starts Wednesday 5 January 2022
Half Term Saturday 19 February to Sunday 27 February 2022
Term ends Tuesday 5 April 2022

Trinity Term
Term starts Monday 25 April 2022
May Bank Holiday Monday 2 May 2022 (no school)
Half Term Saturday 28 May to Sunday 5 June 2022
Term ends Wednesday 6 July 2022

The Princethorpe Foundation Employment Opportunities

The Foundation has the following vacancies:

  • Crackley Hall School - Assistant Head (Key Stage 2 and Academic
  • The Princethorpe Foundation - Marketing and Communications Executive 

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.

Home Learning

Reception Class French

In Reception this term, we are reading La CLasse à l’ours (We’re Going On A Bear Hunt) and this week, the children learnt to name the characters in the story. They made some lollipop stick puppets (or pencil puppets when they had no lollipop stick!) to practise and play with. 

Mme Tatton
MFL Teacher
View Gallery

Class 2W Exercise

Children in Year 2 understand the benefits of exercise and fresh air alongside their home learning.  Maya enjoyed a long walk in the cold last weekend.

Mr Webb
Class 2W Form Teacher

Class 4M Have Fun With Humorous Fiction!

Class 4M have kicked off their Home Learning in style with a topic on the fiction of popular author, David Walliams. Using his novel Billionaire Boy as inspiration, the children have thought about an imaginative idea for a school and created a dynamic timetable for it. Ideas include 'Aquatic School', 'Sport School' and 'Phenomenally Fun School'.  Some of their super work can be seen here.

Well done, 4M!

Mrs Monteith
Class 4M Form Teacher
View Gallery

Class 6W Pets

Class 6W love talking about their pets, so I took the opportunity to meet them in our PSHE Teams catch up. The picture only shows a few of them.  We had:

  • dogs who did tricks and danced
  • cats who looked cute
  • a tortoise, who I thought should be asleep
  • even stick insects

We are all finding that pets are very much part of our home-learning and I think help our well being too.

Mrs Webb
Class 6W Form Teacher

Science Round Up

Class 5F

  • Charlotte has been recording her evaporation experiment where she left a salty solution and a sugary solution on the windowsill to see what happened.
  • Grace produced some super examples of irreversible changes.
  • Caspar (and his dad!) and Aryan and his brother set out to predict and then test how you can produce more carbon dioxide when mixing bicarbonate of soda with vinegar. They found stirring, adding more of both mixtures and heating all produced more gas.

Class 6W

  • Hattie S and Isla both did some fabulous work comparing the contents of a variety of snacks whilst Ayla produced a super poster to promote the sport of trampolining.
Mrs Byrne
Head of Science
View Gallery