The Courier

Please click on the link below to view the weekly calendar.  This details all the co-curricular clubs running and any changes.  It also contains fixtures and additional information.

Whacky Music now starts at 08.15am on a Wednesday, please take your child to the pupil entrance in the morning.

Weekly Calendar

Crescent School

Seven lucky Crescent pupils, along with their specially selected Foundation colleagues, swapped this Wednesday’s lessons for a mission-critical ‘Rendezvous with a Comet’, courtesy of the National Space Centre, Leicester.

Relishing the opportunity to demonstrate their problem solving skills, pupils were briefed by Space Centre Commanders Rob and Matt on the impending threat of an unidentified flying object. The Foundation team, resplendent in their UK space suits and set with special ID cards, had to co-ordinate their efforts to build and launch a probe that might save our precious planet.

Various roles challenged the intrepid space scientists in the Navigation, Communication and Data, Isolation, Medical and Remote Teams. During the two and a half hour mission, the pupils from Year 6, 7 and 8 were challenged with real life dilemmas to test their ability to work under pressure. A range of skills including communication, plotting, data analysis, chemical and gas testing were scrutinised by the ever-present Space Centre Commanders.

A particularly memorable moment was when the Shuttle's Communication Officer reminded those back on Earth that they still needed the location of the CO2 sponges to avert a capsule failure. This was most definitely a day to remember. 

After a safe return to Mission Control the triumphant teams joined together for a film within the centre's 3D planetarium, followed by a quick orbit of the gift shop prior to boarding the coach.

Well done one and all!

Happily, our Earth was saved - you all should be very proud.   

On Monday 5 February Crescent pupils took part in a dedicated Junior da Vinci 'Mastery Day', a special day off timetable working in mixed age groups on a series of challenging tasks designed to develop and test their Mastery skills in subjects across the curriculum.

The Junior da Vinci initiative launched at the beginning of this academic year provides structured recognition for pupils' progress.  As the children develop in their subjects they receive individual awards that separately recognise their ‘Mastery’, ‘Creativity’ and ‘Practice’ of a topic; on achievement of all three strands of the scheme they become a da Vinci student.  The initiative has been enthusiastically embraced and children’s progress is celebrated and recorded weekly on the noticeboard in school and in our weekly e-newsletter.

Crescent School's dedicated 'Mastery Day’ provided opportunities for the children to demonstrate 'Mastery' and ‘Creativity’.  It was a chance to put their skills into action to display their knowledge and show initiative.  Teachers set tasks and had resources available but the children working in their groups had to decide what to do and how to do it.  All the pupils participated in the themed day and took part in tasks, puzzles, projects and conundrums linked to the idea of ‘Party’!  Along the length of the main corridor children showed perseverance and tenacity applying the skills previously learnt in their classroom lessons to solve challenges and puzzles.

Pre-prep children answered questions such as 'How much will our party food cost?', 'What new party games shall we play?' and worked together to develop designs for party hats and themed party rooms.  Whilst in Prep the children considered 'How many balloons do we need to cover this floor?', 'How will we invite people to our party?' and 'How much will our party cost?'. They also developed models of multi-tier cakes, put together party music play lists, designed party themed rooms and created new party games and dances. Throughout the school the children were focused and engaged as they worked together to reach conclusions, answers and solutions.

It was a challenging and enjoyable day for all the children and staff.  Deputy Head, Ms Bryony Forth explained, "The format of the day worked well. The children had plenty of opportunities to demonstrate their different skills. It was fascinating to watch the dynamics of the groups and their approaches to the different tasks.  Some of the children were initially cautious, waiting for a teacher to set expectations whilst others dived in, perhaps sometimes too quickly.  I know they will all have learnt lots from the experience; their ideas and solutions were impressive so we are sure to be distributing plenty of da Vinci awards as a result of the day."

We hope you are enjoying reading our weekly e-newsletter, The Courier. We are including more and more information to ensure you hear all about everything happening at Crescent school.

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The Courier

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Crescent School

Friday 16 February 2018

We will be holding a non-uniform day on Friday 16 February with all proceeds going to this term's charity 'WheelPower'.  Please send a £1 donation with your child to be given to their teacher in registration.

Thank you

Crescent School

Friday 2 March 2018 - 3.50pm - 5.00pm 

The admissions deadlines for a decision on which senior school to choose for your child are fast approaching.  

We recognise you may still be undecided or just need the decision reconfirming in your mind, because of this Ms Lowe and Mr Thackway will be available to talk to in a drop in session from 3:50- 5:00 pm on Friday 2 March in the Class VI form room.  No appointment will be necessary. 

Parents wishing to accept a place at Princethorpe College need to send their signed confirmation and deposit back to Mrs Vanessa Rooney, the Registrar, by Monday 5 March 2018.

Friday 2 March 2018

World Book Day is fast approaching and to celebrate this we are asking the children to come to school dressed as a character from a book on Friday 2 March, perhaps this is something you could create over half term.

We love our reading at Crescent school and hopefully this will encourage the children to be further inspired.

All we ask is that the children are dressed appropriately and safely for a day of learning.

Saturday 24 March - 9.30am to 12.00pm

The Crescent School, Princethorpe's junior school in Rugby, is opening its doors to prospective and current parents and children for a Spring Open Morning on Saturday 24 March 2018 from 9.30am to 12.00pm. 

As part of the Open Morning there will be a very special performance by Reception to Year 2 pupils, along with children from Nature Trails Nursery, of The Bee Musical.  With a fabulous script and nine terrific songs to get you buzzing and bee-bopping, you just won’t bee-lieve how good this delightful and educational musical is!

This promises to be fantastic entertainment for visitors of all ages, and will really showcase the talents, confidence and stage presence of the school's youngest pupils. The show commences at 10.00am and we would urge visitors to arrive early to get a good seat!

After the half-hour performance there will be a short presentation about the Crescent and our ambitions for the school as part of the Princethorpe Foundation, and the chance to meet new Headmaster, Joe Thackway. There will also be short Q&A sessions with Alan Webb, Assistant Head - Head of Pre-Prep and Headmaster Joe Thackway about entry to Reception and Year 3. 

Elsewhere on site there will be plenty to see and do, including guided tours by the older pupils, sporting displays, instrumental performances, plus the opportunity to visit classrooms and chat informally to current parents and staff from Nature Trails, the Crescent and Princethorpe College.

Light refreshments will be available. There is no need to book.

For more information about the Open Morning please call Registrar, Mrs Helen Morley on 01788 523851 or email admissions@crescentschool.co.uk.

Alternatively please visit our website www.crescentschool.co.uk for more information.

We have a growing list of children who have achieved mastery, practice and creativity through the Junior da Vinci programme.

Congratulations to:

Class III

• Alyssa Barnett - Science
• Isla Barrack - Science

Class 4Y

• Izzy Slaytor - English
• Sienna Moran - Maths

Class VI

• Alex Reynolds - English

Keep up the good work.

Please click on the link below to see the Junior da Vinci Awards this week:

Please click on the link below to see the Accelerated Reader Certificates awarded this week:

Accelerated Reader
 
Congratulations to all.
 
Ms Lowe
Senior Teacher

A number bonds challenge certificate has, this week, been awarded to:

• Archie Monteith
• Charlotte Corbin
• Chloe Sarkies
• Damilola Oredope
• Dorrit Davies
• Eric Hutchinson
• Freddie Spicer
• Harry McBean
• Olivia McLoughlin
• Ro Somerset
• Rosina Watson

Congratulations!

Mr Webb
Class II Teacher and Assistant Head
Head of Pre-Prep

• Alex Thomas
• Edward Fouracre
• Evie Bierton
• Sam Bierton
• Shiv Patel
• Tegan McLeod

The details for this competition are on the competition board near the pupil entrance.

This is an opportunity to write a story in less than 250 words on a theme of food and celebration - let your imagination do the rest. The closing date is 30 April 2018.

Please click here for further details.

Ms Lowe
Senior Teacher

Please click the image to scroll through a few photos from this week's events.

Crescent took the short and convenient trip to Rugby School for the IAPS Hockey Competition, this year with a young side.  Preparations had been mixed so it was interesting to see how they would fare.  Having reached the national finals last year other schools were likely to identify them as a team to beat.  They would have to rely on character, skill and tactical acuity.

First up was Altricham Prep who often do well in the tournament.  A 0-0 draw was a fair result as both goalkeepers pulled off good saves and Matthew Browne cleared one off the line. Against St. Olaves, they played in a much more flowing way. Fin Calder found space up front and scored two goals on the breakaway to give Crescent their first win. Then, against Fairfield, they dominated the game. Browne’s trademark power strike opened the scoring, a clever, quick free hit from Oliver Bell allowed Calder to score another and some lovely skills from Calder again saw him take his tally to four for the campaign. Crescent topped the group which sent them through to the quarter-finals against St. Andrew’s.

St. Andrew’s proved to be a tough test and Crescent had to defend stoutly. Dylan Hopkins and Marco Rodriguez Hernandez, who had defended really well over the competition, had to be on their guard. Oliver Bell was key in helping them out. It finished 0-0 so it went to dreaded penalty shuffles. Successful shuffles were a key part of Crescent’s progression last year and they retained Chris Gibson as the heroic goalkeeper of the previous campaign. However, both keepers seemed unbeatable as shuffle after shuffle was shut out. Then…St Andrew’s scored. Matthew Browne, who had failed with his previous three, had to score…and he did. Back to all level again. Oliver Bell almost won it with an audacious chip. Fin Calder, the most experienced shuffle taker, then scored to send the boys into raptures.

The semi-final was against Foremarke Hall who had been in excellent form. They outplayed Crescent, who seemed mentally exhausted after the penalty shuffle excursions, and won 3-0. It was Altricham Prep in the 3rd/4th playoff and Altricham took an early lead. Crescent hit back strongly and looked as though they might level it up. Matthew Thomas and George Bell, who had grown over the tournament, looked dangerous with their skills. However, Altricham held on to take third place.

Having come fourth, Crescent qualify for the national finals for the second year in a row. An amazing achievement for such a small school. There were lots of highlights but it was great to hear Matthew Thomas having the confidence to shout instructions from the sideline when he was substitute, reminding the team of the tactics.

Well done boys.

This year we will be getting your child to decorate a heart shaped porcelain dish which will come gift wrapped with a hand made tag and include some love hearts for £5.

If you would like your child(ren) to participate in this activity please complete the form that has been sent home today or download it through the link below:

FOC Mothers Day flyer.pdf

Additional copies of the order form can be found on the FoC table.  All forms need to returned by Friday 16 February.

We have been overwhelmed by the entries for naming our Guide dog puppy.  I will update next week with the three names that have been chosen.

One of our lovely parents, Kate Mercer, has produced this video (link below) to promote the preloved uniform that is available to purchase.

16 February 2018 - 3.45pm - 4.15pm

Come along and purchase cakes and sweets all in aid of Year 3.

Please click below to view the lunch menu for week commencing Monday 12 February. 

This is in a new format to provide more information regarding the choice of food on offer each day.

Crescent Menu 120218

Crescent School Office