The Courier

Dear Year 4 and 5 Parents

Please click on the link below to read additional information regarding the Transition Meeting on Thursday 1 March 2018.

Transition Meeting

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

On Friday 16 February Crescent children had the chance to climb into a wheelchair and having learnt a few basics, test their skills and speed on a relay course using specialist sports wheelchairs.  It proved to be so much fun that even the Headmaster, Mr Thackway, couldn’t resist joining in!

The charity WheelPower had brought along all the equipment and instructors needed and in the glorious sunshine, out on the playground, Crescent’s classes took it in turns to experience the fast, energetic and very competitive sport of wheelchair racing. 

WheelPower’s Relay Challenge is based on the former Paralympic sport of Wheelchair Slalom.  For the children, participating in the challenge was an opportunity to raise their awareness of disabilities whilst also helping them to understand the type of training needed to become a Paralympian.

The children took it in turns to race down the course of cones, slaloming in and out, and then spinning around to race back.  Taking part in teams, they competed against each other to see who could complete the course in the fastest time.

WheelPower is a charity that helps disabled people to transform their lives through sport.  They provide specialist wheelchairs that enable disabled athletes to compete in wheelchair sport.  Every year they host the National Junior Games at Stoke Mandeville Stadium allowing young athletes with physical or mild sensory impairments to compete in a range of different sports and activities.

To support the charity, the school had organised a non-uniform day and the children had also collected sponsors for participating in the relay challenge.

All the children agreed that the WheelPower Relay Challenge was wheely good fun!

At the Crescent School we love to have fun learning maths and the children really enjoyed the opportunity this week to share their maths lessons with their parents.   

Our Mathematics Curriculum Workshops ran from Monday 12 to Thursday 15 February and we welcomed parents from different classes on different days.

In their day to day lessons the children experience maths learning through problem solving, a key skill that enables them to apply their maths knowledge and understanding to real life situations.  Our whole school target this year is to provide opportunities for children to demonstrate ‘Mastery’.  In mathematics, this manifests itself through investigation work, puzzles, problems, application and pattern identification.  It also includes the ability to explain strategies, solutions and answers.

The workshops were a valuable opportunity for parents to see the techniques and approaches teachers use in class, an opportunity to appreciate the challenges the children face, to see how mistakes are an essential part of learning and a great chance to tune into the modern day language of maths.

We hope parents enjoyed their return to the classroom.  It was a pleasure to welcome you in to work alongside your child. 

Crescent School

It has been lovely to welcome parents and grandparents into quiz with their child, share spellzone and explore abacus.  It was a super opportunity for us to explain the benefits of the schemes and offer advice.

Parents are often a little unsure which books to buy for their children, especially if they want them to be able to quiz. Please take a look at:

www.arbookfind.co.uk

This website allows you to search books within a certain age range and ZPD.

We were lucky enough to be selected by Rugby Town Football club to go on a coaching pro tour to train with the Real Madrid football coaches.

Jamie and I were really happy and excited about this.  When we arrived we got our training kits, we had to have an early night, as it was a 4.00am start.

The next morning we had our breakfast and went to the national Spanish training pitch where we trained for an hour. We all then went to see Real Madrid v Sociedad and they won 5-2.

The next day we got a tour of the Real Madrid stadium and museum and even got to hold the Champions League cup.

We learnt lots from our training sessions, it was a super opportunity.

Ethan and Jamie Capelett

You have a one off opportunity, as Class I gets a bit of a freshen up over half term, to obtain a double desk in need of new home. Measurements 100cm long, 60cm high, 43cm front to back. 

Please email PeterWilkes@princethorpe.co.uk if you would like a desk, these are on a first come first served basis.  They will need to be collected next Thursday 22 February between 9.00am and 1.00pm,  parking in the playground at the far end to collect.

A donation to the FoC is always gratefully received in the green locked box by the entrance door.

Ms Forth
Deputy Head

Thursday 1 March 2018

Children in Yellow House can wear one item of yellow clothing on St Davids Day.

Crescent School Office

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.

Saturday 29 September 2018

This year is the 70th anniversary of Crescent School first opening its doors. It is only right that we mark this occasion, so I am just asking you to save the date for Saturday 29 September 2018, as a day of celebrations for past and present pupils, parents and staff.

We are planning a variety of ways to celebrate in the afternoon and in the evening. The details will follow in the next couple of months as the committee confirm the plans.

Parents are often finding the terminology challenging that we use in class and with the children.  To help to support you and your child with this I have sent home a booklet that explains expectations for the age groups and the meanings of them.

Please use them with your child and to support your child with their English learning and homework.  This terminology must be understood by the children and they will benefit from a little practise at home with you.

Handwriting is something we attach high priority to and are proud of at Crescent School.  We start our cursive handwriting in Reception, which is innovative and very different to most schools.  The handwriting programme we use is completed by Year 3, allowing the children to feel automatic, comfortable, confident, competent and have pride in their handwriting.  From Year 3, handwriting is taught and reinforced implicitly within all subjects and should also be supported by you as parents at home when doing their homework.

From Year 3, children can earn a pen licence, allowing them to use a handwriting pen, if they continue with a consistent cursive style in all lessons.  They will then automatically be able to earn themselves a sticker for their pen licence that will give them the privilege to use a fountain pen.  This will continue through into Year 4 from next September. 

Children gain in confidence with their writing and can sometimes slip into complacent habits.  If we feel a child is not using a consistent cursive style while using a pen though Years 3 and 4 we will recommend that they go back to pencil for a short time to revisit the basic skills again.

Year 5 and 6 are all to be writing in a fountain pen and have a plastic tipped handwriting pen as a spare. This combination is excellent preparation for senior schools.

Our handwriting focus sets us apart; it is something we are very proud of and thank you for your support with this.

The following children have achieved a mastery, practice and creativity Junio da Vinci in a subject, making them a Junior da Vinci student. Congratulations to:

• Kai Panchal for English
• Stephanie Bolton for English

Class IVY

• Sienna Moran for Maths

Class V

• Rebecca Monteith for English

Class VI

• Gabriel White for History
• Matthew Browne for English
• Oliver Bell for English
• Rory Sarkies for Art and Design

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
• Damilola Oredope
• Dorrit Davies
• Eric Hutchinson
• Faris Akbik
• Freddie Spicer
• Grace Mercer
• Harry McBean
• Kai Panchal
• Ro Somerset

Congratulations!

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

• Alex Thomas
• Edward Fouracre
• Chloe Sarkies

All of our Year 3 and Year 4 girls took on Crackley Hall at Hockey on Thursday 8 February at Rugby College Astro, competing bravely against fantastic opposition as well as bracing winds and icy temperatures.

The U9 'A' team made a great start to the game going 1-0 up early on with some fantastic attacking play. They then held their lead within the middle part of the game and then found their attacking form again for the final 10 minutes scoring a further three goals from some lovely team work in midfield feeding the ball through to Lucy B to capitalise within the D.

The U9 'B' team started out well, again scoring the first goal with a fantastic quick break from Arabella. Crackley then found their formation and shape and came back with fighting spirit, pressing hard earning lots of free hits and passing the ball through the gaps and finding space to run on to. With the final 10 minutes to go Crescent organised their defence beginning to pick up players and circle the ball, putting up a wonderful shield against the Crackley attack winning back possession and managing to break through their defence to score a second goal.

Our U8 team put up a brave fight, learning and developing all of the time as the game progressed. Girls listened well to advice given, taking on board all of the feedback given they began to use the space better feeding the balls out wide to make an attack and scored within the final minutes of the game.

Final Scores:

A great performance by all of the girls, for some of whom this was their first game of hockey.

We have been overwhelmed by the entries to Naming Our Puppy. The top three entries chosen were:

• Charlie
• Crescent
• Poppy

We have submitted these three names along with our donation of £1685.  We will now await and hear what our puppy will be named and when he or she can come and visit the school!  The area fundraiser for the Guide Dogs Felicity Stratton has thanked Crescent School for 'this amazing contribution to Guide Dogs'.

Please remember to submit your forms by Monday 26 February:

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 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.  

Monday 5 March 2018 - 3.45pm

The next meeting will be held on Monday 5 March at 3.45pm in the Art Room.  

Children in Reception, Classes I and II will be performing The Bee Musical at the Open Morning on Saturday 24 March 2018.

Following the great success of the Nativity DVDs we will be recording the dress rehearsal of the performance for you to purchase.  A form will be sent out after half term.

After half term there will be new lunch menus.  The children will have new dishes to tempt their taste buds such as jerk chicken, cajun chicken wraps with guacamole and lentil and cauliflower korma but there will still be the traditional old favourites on offer such as cottage pie and roast dinners.

A ‘What’s in season’ fruit or vegetable will be incorporated into each monthly menu. February sees the use of Bramley apples and in March we will be sampling kale in a number of different dishes.

The menus which will be rotated on a four weekly basis are available to view in the link below:

Lunch Menu - 260218

Lunch Menu - 050318

Lunch Menu - 120318

Lunch Menu - 190318

Crescent School Office

Please click on the link below to read all about what the Reception Class have been learning over the last fortnight.

Reception Round Up