The Courier

Dear Parents

We have all enjoyed a week of sunshine and distinctly spring-like weather. The crocuses on the village green in Bilton at this time of year make a spectacular display, that I have shared with the children in my assembly this morning. With the daffodils and snowdrops also in full bloom it should make for a good family walk this weekend.

I have written to you earlier today with full details regarding our return to school arrangements for Monday 8 March. I hope this provides all of the information that you need at this stage and everyone here is excited but cautious about the return to school. It will be wonderful to see all of the children and I'm sure they also are excited to come back. At the same time, I will be stressing to staff and children the necessity to remain vigilant and keep safe. We will be keeping strictly to the year group bubbles and hand washing arrangements we had in place last term, and remind parents of the importance of observing all of our control measures, including not bringing children with symptoms to school and isolating all other siblings if symptoms do occur.

When we do return to school, our focus will be on re-establishing school routines and getting down to some good old-fashioned hard work in the classrooms. We have refined our home learning skills enormously over the last 12 months but nothing can quite replace the in-school experience and the care and expertise of a professional teacher and the support team.

Ensuring that children are where they need to be with their learning will continue to be our absolute priority, not only in the next 3 and 1/2 weeks but over the next 12 months. I believe that the home learning provision for Crescent children has been outstanding. Crescent children have had the fortunate combination of access to technology, genuinely interactive learning and the backing of supportive families. Over the coming months, we will put in place a measured and patient approach to build strong foundations for future learning, to lock-in success and to grow children’s confidence. We do not want them to worry about ‘being behind’ – they are not, and we have every reason to be optimistic as we return. I know you will want to work with us on this important strategy, as you have done throughout the lockdown.

It was lovely to see so many children taking part in the ‘wrong uniform’ event today. This was clearly eagerly welcomed by the children and a great new idea from the FoC. I also hope to see plenty of yellow being worn during the lessons on Monday by the children in St David’s House. We also have World Book Day to enjoy next Thursday (not Friday as previously advertised) so there is plenty to look forward to as spring approaches.

I hope you are all able to enjoy some of that spring sunshine at some point this weekend.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

It is with some sadness today that I have to announce the departure of Jo Byrne at the end of this academic year. Mrs Byrne had made the decision to move to the south coast to be nearer to her family in what is an exciting move for her. It isn’t full retirement just yet, but a move in that direction.

Jo has been an inspirational teacher at Crescent School over the last 15 years or so, who is much loved by the children for her kind and caring nature, as well as her most excellent science and design technology lessons.

Whenever I walk down the corridor past the science room, I hear a low murmur of interested and engaged children, thoroughly enjoying their active investigations or sharing their findings. A glance through the beautifully presented children’s exercise books in these subjects also gives just a flavour of the outstanding teaching and learning that has been going on.

We will wish her all the very best for the future when the time comes to say goodbye in July. In the meantime, we have already begun the process of recruiting a successor and I will keep you fully up to date with this in due course.

To keep all our spirits high and to raise funds the Friends of Crescent organised a 'wear the wrong uniform day'. Whether at home or in school everyone was encouraged to wear school uniform 'with an unusual twist'. Anything went whether it be wacky hair, ties on heads or crazy tights and of course the children at Crescent School have had plenty of fun taking part. We have really enjoying seeing all your photos coming in - do look through the photo gallery!

Well done everyone you all looked amazing, but we are sad to say it is back to correct uniform for everyone from Monday 8 March!

Crescent School

A reminder that parents of children who have been offered a place at Princethorpe College need to confirm acceptance of their place with a £300 deposit by Thursday 4 March 2021. Please be aware that the College can only guarantee places which are accepted by the deadline date.

Once you have confirmed your acceptance of a place and sent your £300 deposit you will receive an acknowledgment and a receipt. A Joining Pack will then be sent to you during the Easter holidays, this will include various permission forms and essential information on school life.

The Registrar, Mrs Vanessa Rooney and her assistants, Miss Helen Morgan and Mrs Catherine Rogers will be pleased to help you with any questions you may have regarding the transition and induction process. You can contact them on 01926 634201/262/297 or by email at admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

The latest editions of the Minnacle and Pinnacle magazines have just been published.  They showcase exceptional work by pupils from across the Foundation and are an inspiring read.

They are a testament to the dedication of pupils and staff to continue with their studies in the face of the ongoing pandemic restrictions. The Minnacle focuses on work at the Crescent School while the Pinnacle focuses on the work of pupils at Princethorpe College.

Why not sit down and have a read of our latest celebration of their superb work. Click here to read The Minnacle and The Pinnacle.

We still have a significant shortfall of school reading books not returned since the last lockdown.  Please could you all have a check at home for any school reading books which haven't been returned. 

Children can either bring them into school on Monday 8 March and deposit them in a quarantine box in their classroom or they can be left in the box outside the main school entrance.  

With many thanks as always.

As part of our World Book Day celebrations, I would love to see what fictional scenes you can create or find. It would be great to see your scenes, my children would have liked to have created the Matilda scene of Bruce eating the Chocolate cake.... so what scenes can you find or recreate?

Please send them to courier@crescentschool.co.uk, we would love to see them and share them.

As we are not in school, we are able to share your £1 voucher with you electronically, which you can then spend on a book of your choice.

Hunts Bookshop, our independent book shop in town is offering £1 off books they have on their reading lists for each year group, to support World Book day:

• Reception
• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3
• Year 4
• Year 5
• Year 6

Please do contact them, they will even deliver your books to you. We are happy to have the books delivered here but not until we return to school on the Monday 8 March.

It is always good to support local shops.

Click on the link below to see what books are available:

World Book Day

The television production company Love Productions, who make programmes such as The Great British Bake Off and The Great British Sewing Bee have recently announced that applications for the 7th series of Junior Bake Off are now open!  This is a Channel 4 programme that celebrates the culinary talent and ambition of the younger generation in Britain.

They are looking for talented young bakers between 9 -15 years old.  Filming would take place from July 2021, but applications close on Sunday 28 March 2021.

If ther are any budding young bakers in school that would like to apply then please visit the application website www.applyforjuniorbakeoff.co.uk.

Do let us know if you decide to take part.

Crescent School

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.

Monday 1 March 2021

St David's Day 2021 falls on Monday 1 March.  To celebrate this occasion all members of Yellow House are invited to wear an item of yellow on this day.  Make sure it shows on your Teams meetings and on your Seesaw uploads! 

Please do send us any photos of this and if any of you who love baking want to turn your skills to making Welsh cakes we'd love to see these too.  We'll aim to have a selection in next week's Courier. 

Please send to courier@crescentschool.co.uk.

Tuesday 2 March 4.00pm - 6.30pm and Wednesday 3 March 6.00pm - 8.00pm

We all value the importance of these meetings to share and discuss your child's academic progress.  

In order to keep everyone safe we will be running these via Teams meetings.  An email with the booking instructions was sent out by Mrs Tucker before half term.

Thank you for your support on this matter.

Thursday 4 March 2021

Due to school returning on Monday 8 March, our planned day to celebrate World Book Day has been brought forward a day to Thursday 4 March; this is to allow staff to use the Friday to thoroughly fully prepare the school and ensure it is ready to welcome the children back into the classrooms. 

We still want the children to have the opportunity to dress up as a character from a book on the Thursday, if they wish, whether at home or in Key School.

As we cannot see all the children in school wearing their outfits, please send us pictures as we love to see them, we can put some in the Courier and even make a display of them if we have enough.  Please send them to courier@crescentschool.co.uk.

Monday 8 March 4.00pm - 6.30pm and Wednesday 17 March 6.00pm - 8.00pm

We all value the importance of these meetings to discuss your child's academic progress.

In order to keep everyone safe we will be running these via Teams meetings.  An email with the booking instructions was sent out by Mrs Tucker on Thursday 25 February.

Thank you for your support on this matter.

Wednesday 10 March

We were excited to have organised an online talk with author Michelle Robinson for Year 1 and 2 children. This event was originally planned for earlier in the term. 

Mindful of access and inclusion for all children and getting the most out of this opportunity, we are delighted to confirm that the online talk has been rescheduled for Wednesday 10 March 2021.

Wednesday 10 March 6.00pm - 8.00pm and Monday 15 March 4.00pm - 6.30pm

We all value the importance of these meetings to discuss your child's academic progress.

In order to keep everyone safe we will be running these via Teams meetings.  An email with the booking instructions was sent out by Mrs Tucker on Thursday 25 February. 

Thank you for your support on this matter.

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

Year 2 will experience a virtual zoo trip on Thursday 11 March where they will have animals introduced to them via Teams and will look at their characteristics, habitats and have the opportunity to ask questions of the zoo keepers. 

I'm really looking forward to this.

On Friday 12 March Year 6 pupils in Red House will receive their play leader training, and will need to come to school in their Games Kit. 

Saturday 13 March 2021 - 10.30am to 11.30am

On Saturday 13 March Crescent School will be holding a Virtual Open Morning.

Hosted by Joe Thackway, Headmaster, the event will comprise a live presentation as well as some short pre-recorded videos, including a tour of the school. There will be the opportunity to listen to presentations by senior members of staff that will give an insight into different aspects of the education the school provides, how Crescent supports its pupils to achieve great things and the admissions process. There will also be the opportunity for parents to ask questions during the live event.

The school has availability in Reception and Year 1 for September 2021 entry, there is quite limited availability in other years, for details please speak to our Registrar, Helen Morley. The final deadline for applications for 2021 entry is Friday 21 May 2021.

For more information and to register for the event please contact the Registrar, Mrs Helen Morley, on 01788 523851 or email admissions@crescentschool.co.uk.

Please do share this information with family and freinds.

We have decided to postpone Wonders of the World day this term, we know it is worthwhile but have moved it into the Trinity Term calendar allowing time for the children to feel settled into school routines for the time that we are in.

I look forward to sharing the plans with you about this exciting day next term.

Another week where lots of reading achievements have been reached.  This week congratulations go to:

500,000 words:

• Harry (3Y)

1,000,000 words:

• Caspar (5F)

2,000,000 words:

• Alex G (3Y)
• Chloe  (4M)
• Alyssa (6W)

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

Top Quizzers this week are:

• 3Y  Alex T
• 4M Esme
• 5F  Eva
• 6W Orla

Word Wizards this week are:

• 3Y  Edward F
• 4M Ava and Sam
• 5F  Harriet
• 6W Alyssa

Landmark Levels 

Pupils who have reached Landmark Level on automatic training mode in the Garage and Gigs are awarded JDVs for Maths Practice.  No pupils made the level this week but some are only 10 levels away.

Weekly Class battle 12 - 24 February 2021

All classes against each other the winners were:

• 1st place - Class 4M with 15,268 points
• 2nd place - Class 3Y with 13,608 points
• 3rd place - Class 2W with  5,972 points

Well done Class 4M, you were close 3Y!

Most valuable players contributing the most points to their class were:

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:

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!

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, but alongside training opportunities for school staff, they also provide resources for 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 new resources being created each week.

This week is the March ‘Together Again’ Calendar which can be found and printed off here:  March Together Calendar

Why not print one off and pin it up to help your children prepare for returning to school and what to think about as they return to see their friends and find routine again within the classroom.

We are all looking forward to coming back to school, but we are also aware that there may be a few anxieties. Please get in touch with me or Mr Webb if you would like any support with these.

Stay safe and be kind to yourselves and others.

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, 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.

Digital Citizenship - Allowing pupils to express themselves safely in the online world

One of the key points of Digital Citizenship and the thing that really marks it apart from bog standard e-safety of the past is the fact that we don't just want our pupils/children to be safe and secure, but also for them to be able to get involved in the online world, to be producers!

This week I have attached a really good guide on how we can help children to safely express themselves online, to be able to share their passions and interests, to celebrate their individual identities in a secure, responsible manner.

Please take a look, and if you have any questions about this or any other aspects of E-Safety or Digital Citizenship, please email me at markadkins@crescentschool.co.uk

Hi, I’m Laura O’Connell - Mummy to Grace in Year 3. I am delighted to support the committee by taking on the role of Secretary for Friends of Crescent.

We joined Crescent in September 2020, and I am really impressed with how many people are involved with FoC. We had a great meeting recently, and the enthusiasm for FoC is fabulous to see! 

I have been made to feel very welcome, and would encourage anyone interested in being involved to get in touch with Nick our Chair.

Does anyone have a spare laptop or tablet that they would be happy to donate to Project Homeschool Rugby - a local initiative looking to provide home learning equipment for disadvantaged children in Rugby.  More information on the scheme can be found here: 

Project Homeschool Rugby

If you are able to offer any equipment the school is happy to accept tablet or laptop donations and will pass them on. The Laptops need a minimum operating system of Windows 8. It is also important that they are restored to factory settings and any important data cleaned off (Crescent School cannot accept responsibility for equipment that has not been cleaned properly). Alternatively there are online products that you can use to help you clear any data. 

Please email communications@friendsofcrescent.co.uk if you have any questions. 

We'd love to introduce you to the new Friends of Crescent team. Supporting the Committee members we have:

We’d love you to follow the FoC Facebook page where we publish all news and information about our events.

Friends of Crescent Facebook Group

We're hoping to announce some exciting initiatives shortly so please join to avoid missing out! 

Nick Brosnan
Friends Of Crescent - Chair  

Cyber-crime – please be extra vigilant

Parents are asked to be vigilant when reading emails relating to the payment of school fees and any other items to the Foundation. You can protect yourselves by only making payments to us in line with our normal, published methods. Any email offering a large discount on fees for the coming academic year if paid immediately is fraudulent.

There has been no change to the bank details of Princethorpe College, Crackley Hall or Crescent and there is no intention to make any changes in the foreseeable future. Any electronic notification that appears to be from any of the Foundation schools changing these details may be fraudulent.  Our bank details are available on the Parent Bills, the Online Payment Portal and in the Information Booklet for each school, and only those details should be used.

Please do not hesitate to contact me or my colleagues in the Bursary if you are have any doubts about the correct details or indeed if anything appears suspicious.

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar

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

The Foundation has the following vacancies:

• Princethorpe College - Teacher of Chemistry 
• Crescent School - Teacher of Science and DT

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.

Reception have continued reading La Chasse à L'Ours and as luck would have it, we reached the page where the family meets snow when we had actual snow outside! 

Legend has it that Inuit have more than 100 words for snow, we only practise one in French "la neige" but each child in Reception had their own interpretation of the white stuff.

I attach a selection from both classes. Some children used the seesaw tools, others drew or used other material for their creations - they are so clever!

As part of their Anglo-Saxon topic, Class 3Y have been learning about the famous excavation at the Sutton Hoo burial site in 1939. They have decorated and designed their own versions of the Sutton Hoo helmet and some of their designs are here.

Well done, 3Y!

For the first half of the Lent Term, Class 3Y have learnt to recognise, name and describe parts of the face and parts of the body. They pooled all their knowledge togeher to draw and describe some fantasy creatures. The results are exciting.

Class 4M have started their new non-fiction topic, Persuasive Writing, this week. Our text focus is a fabulous book, Jeannie Baker's Where the Forest Meets the Sea, a powerful story highlighting issues surrounding the rainforests.

4M are building up to producing some posters next week to show how they should be protected, and this week it's been all about the research. They have used resources such as posters, articles and websites to gather information and form an argument to persuade people of the importance of looking after our rainforests. Here is some of their research and I will share some of their finished posters next Friday.

After receiving penpal letters from France two weeks ago, Class 5F children wasted no time in drafting their replies. The results are amazing and reflect our wonderful children’s personalities, with some slick digital master pieces and other hand written letters.

I am so proud of them!

Last half term, Class 6W have learnt to describe where they live, using adjectives and sentences such as “il y a" (there is, there are). They also expressed their opinions about where they live.

The resulting posters are wonderful, both hand-drawn and digital versions. I really enjoyed discovering Rugby and its surrounding villages without leaving the comfort of my study!

In line with other local schools and Warwickshire County Council’s message below, please wear face coverings on school grounds (if you are able) when dropping off and collecting children. 

Please remember there is plenty of space around school to socially distance.

Many thanks for you for your co-operation.