The Courier

Dear Parents and Friends of the School

We are finishing the term with two busy and exciting weeks, with lots of lovely events to enjoy and look forward to in the schedule. During the last three weeks of term, there have been many nice opportunities for you as parents to come into school and enjoy sharing in the active school life of your children.

Parents consultations will culminate next week, and we are also looking forward to our Spring Concert on Monday as well as our Easter Service on Friday. Sandwiched between those two events will be the Year 2 Pirates and Mermaids performance on Wednesday morning, which I am particularly looking forward to. Whenever I meet a Year 2 child at the moment, they will quite casually tell me whether they are a pirate or mermaid. I’m not entirely sure what this entails but all will be revealed on Wednesday morning, I am sure.

Looking at the schedule for next week, we also have two drop-in sessions for upcoming residential trips, and this, combined with all of the sports and fundraising planned, goes to show just what a busy and productive place of learning our school is.

In my newsletter this week I would like to pay special tribute to two long serving members of staff who will be leaving us at the end of this term. The first is Lesley Shallcross, who has worked at the school in different capacities over the last 30 years and most recently in the kitchen. Lesley is a wise soul who will be very much missed by all of her friends and colleagues here. The second is Helen Morley, who is our current school registrar and, before that, the school bursar. Helen’s association with Cresent goes back well before the merger with the Princethorpe Foundation and even predates my predecessor, Huw Marshall. Helen's good humour and very well organised approach to her role has helped me enormously during my time in charge. Whilst both of these much-loved colleagues will be sorely missed, we wish them every happiness and good fortune in retirement and hope they will stay in touch.

I started by saying it had been a busy week or two and I didn't include in that section the open morning that is running tomorrow. These are really important events for us as a school as we look to the next generation of children who will join us. I really appreciate the support of current children and families who are helping out; many thanks.

Apart from that, my weekend is reasonably quiet although I am taking the car in for its service and hoping that it won't be too much of an ‘Ouch’ when it comes to the bill. Whatever you have planned, I hope it goes well.

Summer uniform is to be worn in the Trinity Term.  

Co-curricular clubs end today, Friday 15 March, with the exception of All Stars Art and Craft, Gymnastics and Chess Club. Please ensure you have booked your child into Afterschool next week if you require care.

Please remember to make your Co-Curricular choices for next term on SOCS.

We are holding our next exciting House Competition to design an Easter Decoration.  Choose your own Easter theme and work on your own or with sibling(s):

Prizes

• 1st prize - 150 house points and an Easter egg
• 2nd prize - 100 house points and an Easter egg
• 3rd prize - 50 house points and an Easter egg

All entries will be awarded 5 house points.

Please do not bring your decorations into school but send in a photo of your completed design by 9am on Wednesday 17 April to:

Yellow House - Mrs McCollin: rachelmccollin@crescentschool.co.uk

Red House - Mrs Emery: lisaemery@crescentschool.co.uk

Blue House - Ms Clark: emmaclark@crescentschool.co.uk

We look forward to receiving photos of your amazing decorations!

We know we have very keen readers at Crescent School and it would be lovely to gather some pictures of your child(ren) enjoying their books over the Easter break, whether on holiday, travelling, in a cosy corner, cuddled up with family or wherever you find them.  Please email your pictures to me at sarahweb@crescentschool.co.uk and hopefully we can make a great display of them all.

Happy Reading!

Year 5 have received a class reader to enjoy over the Easter holidays, Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo.  If they have already read this book then please encourage them to read another book by the same author.

I am happy for pupils to share the book with you, listen to it or read it themselves. They will all need to have completed reading their book by the start of the Trinity Term so that we can work from it together.

School uniform is an important way that we build a shared identity and provides pupils with the opportunity to establish a sense of community and to feel pride in their school. Any changes to uniform need to be carefully thought through, not least when new expenditure is required.  
 
With this in mind, I wanted to share with you some proposals regarding the school uniform policy for September 2024. You might well be pleased to hear that this will not involve any changes to the uniform you need to buy or require any additional kit to be purchased.   
 
In the current Joining Pack and Parent Handbook guidelines, girls and boys have uniform listed separately. From September, we are proposing that this will be replaced by two uniform options, but they will simply be named ‘Uniform Option 1’ and ‘Uniform Option 2’. The two lists will contain the same uniform items as they currently do. Children and families will then choose which of the two options is right for them. 
 
These changes will bring us in line with the other schools in the Foundation, as well as many other schools around the country who have adopted a similar approach. 
 
One possible outcome of this change is that girls will opt to wear trousers, rather than the skirt or pinafore. If they choose to do this only on some occasions, such as when there is a cold weather snap, that would be fine. 
 
If you have any questions or comments regarding this update to our uniform policy, please do not hesitate to contact me.  

MySchoolPortal

Crescent School

On Tuesday, we welcomed four Princethorpe Sixth Formers to help us celebrate British Science Week. The College’s STEAM Ambassadors joined us to introduce this year’s BSW theme of  ‘Time’, and conducted exciting, explosive experiments in assembly that amazed and impressed us all.

The Princethorpe Sixth Formers then ran practical Physics and Biology lessons for the pupils in the Upper School. The children explored the concept of time through one of two workshops, either making and timing pendulums or exploring how easily it is to spread an infectious disease. It was wonderful to see everyone's enthusiasm for science and to see them all getting involved.

Huge thanks to the College's Head of Physics, Dan Lee, and to Niamh, Ruby, Jemima and Ben for providing such a boost to our BSW learning – they really put on a thrilling show!

Crescent School welcomed pupils from fellow Foundation Prep school Crackley Hall on Tuesday 12 March, to take part in an orchestral workshop. Designed to develop and stretch music and performance skills, pupils worked under the guidance of Crescent’s Director of Music, Julie Barnes, to prepare and rehearse a mixture of pieces ready for an afternoon performance.

The children relished making music, especially in such a big group. They worked hard to prepare three challenging pieces, including Yesterday by The Beatles, Chariots Of Fire by Vangelis and In The Mood by Glenn Miller, all three pieces testing the players’ technical and music-reading ability.

The day finished with a short concert for parents where four soloists also showcased their musical skills. For Crescent, Hattie, Year 6, played Hedwig's Theme from the film Harry Potter on trombone while Patrick, from Year 5, played He's A Pirate from Pirates of the Carribean on flute.

The workshop was a great opportunity for them all to play together, thank you Crackley Hall School for an excellent day.

You can watch a short clip of the orchestra performing here.

We held our mid-year review meetings for our 'Learning Mentors' scheme today. The children met with staff to review the academic targets they had set for themselves at the beginning of the year. They have been regularly reviewing their progress in their classes, but this was a more formal opportunity to reflect on their journey, self-assess where they are now and, for some, reset their targets for the end of the year.

Crescent’s 'Learning Mentors' initiative gives responsibility for their learning to the children. Staff do not tell pupils if they feel they have achieved their targets, instead they guide pupils through their books, feedback, comments and last reports.

Empowering the children to own their learning and encouraging them to take responsibility for striving to achieve their own set goals, is just one of a number of strategies we pursue here at Crescent to facilitate children’s academic progress.

All the sessions were very positive and we look forward to the final reviews at the end of the school year.

As Princethorpe looks forward to welcoming its new pupils to the College in September, the Admissions Team has now turned its attention to entry for 2025.

Entrance Examinations, for entry to the school in September 2024, will take place on Saturday 9 November 2024 and we are already busy accepting registrations.

For 2025 entry there are a range of scholarships available for particularly able or talented candidates, from Academic, Art and Performing Arts (Choral, Drama, Music, Musical Theatre including Dance) to Sport.

In addition, exceptional candidates who are both academically able and gifted and talented across a number of areas may be considered for an All-Rounder Scholarship, which would be awarded at the discretion of the Headmaster. Means-tested Bursaries are also available, along with The Thomas More Scholarship a means-tested scholarship for Catholic children, who attend a Catholic state primary school.

There are plenty of opportunities for prospective pupils and their parents to visit the College before the Entrance Exams take place; including the Year 5 Taster Day for Crescent pupils on Tuesday 23 April, our Open Morning in April, Summer Open Evening in June and Open Afternoon in September.

Comments Melanie Butler, Assistant Head, Marketing, Admissions and Communications, "Parents and pupils will have plenty of time to prepare and opportunities to visit the College in the run up to the registration deadline on Friday 27 September."

Following the Entrance Exams, offer letters will be sent out on Thursday 28 November 2024 and the acceptance deadlines will be Monday 9 December 2024 for Years 8, 9 and 10 and Tuesday 4 March 2025 for Year 7. The acceptance deadline for Year 7 places is, by a nationally agreed code of practice, the same for all independent schools, allowing parents and children time to review all their options, including those from the maintained sector, before making a final decision.

To download a copy of our new 2025 Admissions and Entrance Examinations Booklet click here.

If you have any questions about the admissions process please contact the Registrar, Catherine Rogers and Assistant Registrar, Marie Holt, on 01926 634201/297 or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

To read the latest edition of the Princethorpe Admissions Update newsletter click here.

Monday 18 March 2024 - 2.45pm to 3.30pm

We will be presenting our annual Spring Concert on Monday 18 March. Children involved are those in Choir, Orchestra, Flute Group, Brass Group, Wacky Music, and a few soloists.  

Please enter via the front entrance from 2.30 where refreshments will be served prior to the service.  

We will start promptly at 2.45pm and finish by 3.30pm so children can be collected at normal dismissal time. The concert will be filmed for those who are unable to attend.

We look forward to you hearing the results of this term’s music hard work and effort! 

You are able to book one ticket per family, or parents of children performing are able to book two tickets per familybelow.  Booking closes on Sunday 17 March.

Spring Concert

Monday 18 March - 4.00pm to 6.30pm

We all value the importance of these meetings to share and discuss your child's academic progress.  We look forward to meeting with you.

Ms Forth
Deputy Head - Academic

There is a great demand for a netball club for young people to get involved here in Rugby.  I am looking to set one up using Crescent School Courts.  This will start after Trinity Term, please see photo for more details or via facebook:

Multimania

It would be great to have some children from school attend and Crescent have very kindly allowed me to hold free taster session for Crescent pupils on Wednesday 20 March for Years 1 - 6 from 4.30pm - 5.30pm.  Please email me to confirm if your child will attend mailto:enquiries@multimanialimited.co.uk. 

If they are staying in school they will need to be booked into Afterschool (a charge will apply).

Thursday 21 March

This year, the pupils of 4C have chosen an ambitious project to support in Malawi. They would like to raise all or part of £1,250 to renovate the Nachiphu Early Learning Centre in the Bwengu region.

They will do a sponsored silence in class and we have already had a non-uniform day to get us on the way.

Our big fundraising day will be Thursday 21 March when 4C will have stalls and games in the playground at break, not before school. Also that day there will be a treasure hunt where the whole school can buy a game card for £1 and solve the clues. Finally, there will be Bwengu Bingo to play for 50p a game back in class.

Please support this excellent cause by sending your child in with some coins (maximum £5) on that day. 

Many thanks for your suppport.

Thursday 21 March - 6.00pm to 8.30pm

We all value the importance of these meetings to share and discuss your child's academic progress.  We look forward to meeting with you.

Ms Forth
Deputy Head - Academic

Monday 18 March 2024 - 4.00pm

All Year 6 parents are invited to a final drop-in session between 4.00pm and 4.30pm on Monday 18 March 2024, regarding the residential trip to Slapton Ley Field Centre. 

No new information will be given out, but it is a great opportunity to ask any quesions.

This will be held in the Class 6W form room.

Tuesday 19 March - 4.00pm

All Year 4 parents are invited to a final drop-in session between 4.00pm and 4.30pm on Monday 25 April, regarding the residential trip to Ilam Hall. 

No new information will be given out, but it is a great opportunity to ask any quesions.

This will be held in the Class 4C form room.

Wednesday 20 March 2024 - 9.15am

We are pleased to invite you to the Spring Year 2 production of Pirates versus Mermaids on Wednesday 20 March 2024 at 9.15am.

You are welcome to join us for refreshments from 8.45am in the Library.

Three tickets per child are available to book via the link below by Sunday 17 March:

Pirates v Mermaids 

Wednesday 20 March 2024 - 4.00pm

All Year 3 parents are invited to a final drop-in session between 4.00pm and 4.30pm on Wednesday 20 March 2024, regarding the residential trip to Whitemoor Lakes. 

No new information will be given out, but it is a great opportunity to ask any quesions.

This will be held in the Class 3SS form room (enter by doors at bottom of sports field).

Friday 22 March 2024 – 9.15am  -10.15am

The Easter Service will be a celebration of spring and include the telling of 'The Mayans and the History of Chocolate' by Class 5F and Choir Group. We do hope you will join us for this important festival in the Christian year.

Two tickets per family will be available for parents of children in Choir and Class 5F.

Refreshement will be served in the library from 8.45am.

A super amount of Junior da Vinci full student awards this week:

• Gwen and Jahnavi in 3LS and Alfie and Thomas in 4C all become students in English, Thomas for the second time
• Elin, Alice, Beau, Penelope and Felicity in 3SS become students in RE
• Edward M and MingYi in 5F, Evelyn in 4C, and Iris in 2W become students in MFL
• Feranmi in 3LS and Jack in 3SS become students in Art

Congratulations to you all.

Mrs Symons
JdV Lead

This week's reading superstars are:

• 1,000,000 - Edward M
• 500,000 - Felicity 

Well done both - super reading.

This week's Word Wizards and Top Quizzers are:

Word Wizards, achieving the highest word count from successfully quizzing this week, are:

• 3LS  Elliott
• 3SS  Alice
• 4C    Esme
• 5F    Nora
• 6W   Harry

Top Quizzers who have quizzed on the most books successfully or made a noticeable improvement in quizzing scores this week are:

• 3LS  Nellie
• 3SS  Jonny
• 4C   Theo Mc
• 5F    Lewis
• 6W   Sam B

Mrs Nelson
Teaching Assistant

This week's Artist of the Week are:

• Lara 2E - Excellent sculptural structure

• Daniel 2E - Strong shapes and lovely choice of colours

• Aria 4C - Excellent understanding of perspective

• Harry 4C - Fun use of unusual viewpoints

• Iris 2W - Beautifully observed life studies

• Evelyn 4C - Excellent ant’s eye view

• Feranmi 3LS - Carefully constructed collage portrait

• Jack 3SS - Excellent colour mixes

• Oliver 3SS - Excellent painting of Van Gogh’s self-portrait

• Locan 2E has completed 72% of the course
• Hannah 2E has completed 48% of the course
• Anika 2E has completed 24% of the course
• Elliott 3LS has completed 24% of the course
• Penelope 3SS has completed 48% of the course
• Charlie 3SS has completed 24% of the course
• Everly 4C has completed 24% of the course

Results For Battle 7 - 14 March between Y3-6 are below showing average score per class member:

• 1st 4C 238
• 2nd 3SS 41
• 3rd 3LS 13

Most valuable players in the whole competition:

• 1st Kian 4C
• 2nd Alfie 4C
• 3rd Penelope 3SS

Well done, 4C! 🏆

Most improved speedsters in the studio are:

4C

• Taran - Headliner!
• Everly - Unsigned Act!

• Charlie - Support Act!

Battle between all Year 1-3 from Thursday 14 - Thursday 21 March 2024. 

TT Rock stars will block 2x, 5x, 10x and 11x on jamming if you are efficient at them, so you cannot pick easy ones just to score more points in the competition! 

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

In Maths, have been exploring ways to make 10 and practised recalling number bonds. We have worked to secure recognition of 2d shapes and investigated how shapes fit together to create shape monsters.

In PSHE we have talked about the importance of brushing our teeth as part of our personal hygiene routines.

In phonics we have been introduced to blends;

pr     sc     sn    nch     scr      shr     thr    str

How to help your child at home...

• Practise recall of number bonds to 10
• Reinforce doubles to 20. Encourage the children to share small amounts and halve numbers
• Continue to practise cursive letters
• Share traditional stories such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Three Little Pigs, and Jack and the Beanstalk. Talk about the sort of language used. Look at different versions of the same story

Reception have been learning the vocabulary for ice-cream flavours in French. Here they are practising their speaking skills and then using the whiteboards to copy the words from the screen. Congratulations to Isaac, who was particularly good at the speaking activities.

Reception worked in groups to create music with percussion instruments. They had to decide how to play their instruments to make sounds about either the sea or a train.

In Forest School this week, we have been using our senses to notice the signs of Spring. We heard lots more birds singing, we saw flowers starting to grow, we could smell freshly cut grass and we felt the rain on our faces - again!  We’ve also planted our wild flower seed bombs and some exciting vegetable seeds which are now in a propagator in the classroom window. Hopefully our green fingers will allow the seeds to grow into yellow cucumbers, purple beans and banana shaped tomatoes!

In Year 1 Maths this week, we have been focusing on measurement. We have looked at time, recognising o’clock and half past the hour as well as measuring using uniform units. We had great fun measuring items in our class and comparing different units of measure.

This week children in 2W and 2E have taken part in The Big Legal Lesson: a nationwide initiative to ensure we are teaching about the legal and justice system and also teaching some really important British Values. 

We have discussed how the English legal system works, children have talked about what they know and understand and completed an exercise differentiating between home rules, school rules and the law.

Mrs Emery and Mr Webb

Children in 2W made and used play-doh spheres to enhance their understanding of halves and quarters before applying this to adding halves and quarters and putting them in order on a number line.

Class 2E and 2W enjoyed creating their own paper sculptures. They explored ways of changing the shape of the paper and learnt ways of joining the strips to make attractive structures.

Today is World Water Day 2024. Here is a link to find out more information.

World Water Day | UN-Water (unwater.org)

One key focus of the Green Team is to raise awareness of the importance of saving water in our school and it's community.  Here are a few ways that you can save water at home (see here).

The U11s travelled to the England national teams' amazing training facility St George's Park to take part in the ISA Football Nationals. They gave a super account of themselves against some seriously tough opposition.

The side had the incredible experience of playing against the top independent schools and young footballers in the country, thoroughly holding their own against the best and brightest of the future. Although winning their opening game 2-0 with some truly fantastic passing football, Crescent soon found out just how tough and fierce the competition was, losing the rest of their games all by narrow margins.

Enormous congratulations to the entire squad, not only for qualifying for this amazing opportunity in the first place, but also for leaving with their heads held high after playing with real skill and pride at the home of English football.

Mr Adkins and Mrs Calder

Somehow we are almost nearing the end of the Lent term. Hopefully you will have seen the announcement that tickets are now available for the disco on Friday 26 April. Further information on these follows below.

I also need to offer a huge thanks to everyone who supported FOC's events over the past 18 months. Because of this we were able to fund the Traversing Wall which was recently officially opened. We look forward to seeing the children enjoying their climbing over the summer term. 

Coming Up:

• Bag2School: Bag2School is back on Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 April collecting your unwanted clothes. The playground will be open for parking and dropoff from 3.30pm on 22 April (if you are making a bag donation you are able to leave your car while doing school pickup). We will also accept donations on the front lawn from 7.45am to 8.45am on 23 April.

• Disco: On Friday 26 April Bouncing Bob is returning to host our two discos. Reception to Year 2 will take place from 3.45pm to 4.45pm and Years 3 to 6 from 5pm to 6pm. Further information is available on the Classlist ticket page which can be accessed here: Classlist

Please see below for useful school contact information:

Click here to view the term dates for 2023/24 and 2024/25.

Crescent School

The Foundation has the following vacancies:

Princethorpe College

• Head Of Outdoor Pursuits
• Cleaner
• Minibus Driver

Crackley Hall

• PA to the Headmaster and Office Manager

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.