The Courier

Please click on the link below to view the weekly calendar.  This details all the co-curricular clubs running, fixtures and additional information.

There is no Drama Club after school on Thursday for the resmainder of this term.

Weekly Calendar Week Commencing 18 June

Crescent School

The fiendish story of the Demon Headmaster was brought marvellously to life by Class VI in their final end of school production.  Gillian Cross’ classic bewitched and intrigued the audience as the title character used his power of hypnosis to try and take over the world.

The children had worked incredibly hard with Drama teacher, Miss Kim Thompson to prepare this special one off monster performance and the talented cast rose admirably to the challenge.  Performed for the first time 'in the round', with the audience on all sides, the children worked seamlessly together to manage the many scene and costume changes.

Head Boy Christopher Gibson was both stern and sinister in the role of the eponymous Headmaster, his piercing eyes hidden behind his dark glasses – removing them only to hypnotise his victims!  Robyn Shaw played super sleuth Dinah, who senses something is wrong at school and together with Alex and Harvey (Alex Reynolds and Gabriel White) and their secret society SPLAT (the Society for the Protection of our Lives Against Them) set about solving the mystery.  The prefects, the voice of the Headmaster, delivered their lines in a disciplined and forbidding tone and the ensemble of school children controlled and co-ordinated every movement to give a very real effect of being hypnotised.

Isobelle Clements deserves a very special sporting mention for getting splatted twice after Miss Thomspon cast her in two roles that both fell foul of Barry and Larry’s custard pies.

It was clear the audience really enjoyed the show, their thunderous applause a testament to yet another super example of the school’s broad provision for the arts.

Headmaster, Joe Thackway said, "Huge congratulations to all the cast for learning their lines so well and delivering them with meaning, expression and great timing, what a multi-talented group of young people they all are."

Thanks go to all the staff and parents who helped assist with the production.

On Thursday 7 June 2018, Class V visited the Rugby Art Gallery to provide enrichment to their art and design curriculum. The first hour was spent looking at studying and comparing pieces of artwork in the 'About Face' exhibition. They sketched and answered questions about their favourite piece and shared their views with one another.

The second hour was spent in the gallery's classroom, learning more about the artist LS Lowry before they created a class piece in his style. We were delighted when one of the gallery's helpers commented that the Crescent School had been the most well behaved children they have ever had visit the Gallery.

Well done Class V; you were a credit to our school.

This term, some of our students have been going above and beyond in RE.

Chloe and Freya, both in Year 4, have produced extended learning to enable them to become Junior da Vinci students in RE this term. Chloe borrowed the Message Bible and compared her favourite verses in a different translation and reflected on her understanding. Freya complied an informative PowerPoint on her own religion of Hinduism which can be used as a fantastic resource with our younger pupils.

In Class III, we have been looking at the Bible and its structure and Percy was so inspired by the graphic translation of the Action Bible that he went home, purchased one and has read it from cover to cover! I have really enjoyed following his progress and listening to the stories he has read and was delighted to award him a much deserved Junior da Vinci in Practice for his achievement!

Dear Parents

As from September 2018 we will be introducing Crescent School school bags for all age groups. As you can see from the pictures, there are two versions, a shoulder bag for Reception to Class II and a backpack for Classes III to Class VI. I hope you will agree that these will be a really smart addition to the uniform and also help to generate a sense of belonging to the school community.

We have tested the bag for size and are convinced that they represent both excellent quality and value for money. Similar bags are also in use over at Crackley Hall who have given us very positive feedback regarding their strength and durability.

I am aware that many parents may have recently invested in new bags for their children, and for this reason the new bags will be an optional part of the uniform for the Michaelmas and Lent Terms. We would hope that all children will have the new bag by the beginning of the Trinity Term 2019. The bags will be compulsory for children starting the school.

Of course, we would be delighted if many of you choose to go over to the new bag with effect from September or even this term. They are available for purchase in the school on Monday 18 June from 3.00pm until 5.00pm, when Nicola Browne, Foundation Shop Manager, will be running a stall in the library.

Payments can be added to your bill for ease, or made in cash or by cheque during these sessions. Outside of these sessions, payments can be made by via your school fees account, or by cash, cheque or card.

Prices as follows:
Shoulder Bag: Reception - Class II - £8.00
Backpack: Class III - Class VI - £15.00

Sports Day takes place on Monday 25 June at The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Centre in Rugby.  Children from Class I through to Class VI will compete in track and field events representing their House.  The event starts at 2.00pm and parents are invited to come and watch. 

Saturday 29 September 2018

This year the Crescent School celebrates 70 years since it was formally founded back in 1948. 70th anniversary celebrations are planned for the Michaelmas Term when the school will also officially mark 30 years at its current site. On Saturday 29 September the school will open its doors and welcome pupils past and present back into school to celebrate its double anniversary. It will be a fantastic opportunity for people to come and see their old school and to catch up with old friends. There will be tours, displays, activities, the school choir will sing, the Bilton Silver Band will play and there will be refreshments available.

Do put the date in your diary and do encourage any Old Crescentians you know to get back in touch with the school and to come and join in the celebrations.

The school has created a Facebook Group the Old Crescentians which can be found here: www.facebook.com/groups/oldcrescentians to help connect past pupils. If there are any past pupils who do not have Facebook, they can email pastpupils@crescentschool.co.uk or contact the main office on 01788 521595.

It has been a wonderful 70 years for the Crescent School. 

Wow! It is lovely to see the Junior da Vinci badges being awarded to:

• Alex Reynolds for English
• Alice Diamond for English
• Freya Smith for English
• Maya Patel for History
• Shiv Patel for English

The following pupils are now Junior da Vinci students in two or more subjects:

• Chloe Wensley 
• Freya Somerset 
• Vignesh Sadasivan 

• Alex Thomas
• Timi Ladele

Crescent School have won the Warwickshire Lord’s Taverners U11 Hardball County Cup and will now go on to represent the County in the Midlands regional finals.

The County competition is played as an 8-a-side pairs format and was hosted by Bablake School on Wednesday 6 June.  Participating were teams from Bablake School, Solihull School, The Blue Coat School and the Crescent School.

Crescent dispatched the hosts Bablake in the semi-final taking 6 wickets easily for 36, they then went into bat and notched up 83 for 3 for a good win.  In the final they faced Solihull School, both teams played well and the match swung first one way and then the other but Crescent’s accurate bowling and fielding in the end won the day.  Chris Gibson was excellent with the bat and scored many runs, Matthew Browne was precise with the ball and Daniel Pinks captained and kept wicket expertly. Daniel also claimed a breath-taking diving catch.  

Head of PE, Matt Phillips, said, “The children have worked extremely hard at their cricket - a sport that has been growing in the school over the last few years - and they deserve the success they are achieving now.  They always support each other and have made great progress with their cricketing skills.”

The Regional Final takes place on Monday 18 June at Shrewsbury School.

On Monday, Crescent travelled to the ISA Midlands Athletics Championships at the famous Alexander Stadium. It was another successful competition for the children, competing against 24 schools. 5 of the 6 sprinters made it to the final of their events.

Olivia Monk defended her Midlands crown and made it through to the National Finals next week. Long jump was a success for the school with George Bell getting 3.60 metres and finishing second by only one centimetre! His brother, Oliver, went one better and won his event with 3.88 metres. He also makes it through to the Nationals. Kyle Kerfoot-Bale was second, Olivia Sarkies fourth and Arabella Dughmosh got a personal best to take her into sixth.

In the high jump, Fin Calder was the victor in his event in a tense head-to-head finish and became the third qualifier for the National Finals. Amelie Edge smashed her personal best to come fourth.

In the 600 metres, Archie Dowling and Eddie Arkesden ran superbly to finish third in their respective heats.

Kyle Kerfoot-Bale and James Wright gained points for the school in the 150 metres.

The relay teams had not had much practice together but both year 4 teams made the final as well as the year 5 and year 6 boys. The year 6 girls came second in their heat with a great run. When all of the results and points were collated, the year 5 boys won their category and were presented with a shield.

Well done all.

Crescent played in a six-a-side tournament at Rugby School on Sunday. With short boundaries and pink balls, the games were exciting and fast paced. Bowling first in the first match against Witham Hall School, Crescent found out that it was not a game for bowlers as they saw their good balls flying to the boundary. However, Mehul Patel amazingly managed to bowl a maiden (no runs in the over) despite Witham Hall scoring 87 in 8 overs. Crescent went at the target with purpose and Chris Gibson played his trademark drives early on. Georgia Dowling supported well by scoring singles. Fin Calder picked up where Gibson had left off when he was caught out and scored a quick fire 18. At the end, Crescent had scored a credible 66.

Crescent won their next match with Gibson and Oliver Bell both retiring on 25. Bell was to continue striking a host of sixes throughout the tournament. Brinklow tried to be aggressive with his running and unselfishly took a risky single to help accelerate the score. Over the tournament, Samuel Lau and Gabriel White were the pick of the bowlers for Crescent. Lau with his extra pace troubled batsmen and White was unerringly accurate. Crescent lost against the eventual finalists - it was useful for them to play against such a strong side for the experience.

All in all, it was really pleasing to see the Crescent children competing with much bigger schools from all over the country, fielding so confidently and batting with aggression. It was a lovely sunny day to cap it all off!

Friday 22 June - 3.20pm - 5.00pm

Our final event of the year is the Summer Fête. This year we will be having inflatables, donkeys, games (including some new ones and some old classics!), a tombola stall, adopt a teddy, candyfloss, face painting, nail painting and tattoos, cakes and refreshments, and the school raffle. The raffle tickets have already been sent home with your children, please return these to the FoC box by Wednesday 20 June.

We also require donations for our raffle and tombola stall so please do bring in any gifts you can spare like wine, pimms, champagne, luxury chocolates, children toys such as lego, sweets, craft items, board games, colouring sets etc. Please leave these items on the FoC table. We also have a list of suggested items on the FoC board if you need any inspiration. We also require any old teddies/cuddly toys for our adopt a teddy stall. Again, please leave these on our FoC table.

Kate will also be holding a preloved clothing stall at the Fête so please have a look and see if you have any spare uniform. Again, please leave this on the FoC table. Sports kit like hockey sticks would be fantastic too, however no sports shoes please.

With regards to the inflatables this year (weather dependent) we will be having a dragon run (long inflatable obstacle course), a super slide and a bouncy castle. Each of these items will be £2 per child, per session. You can purchase tickets for these inflatables and the donkeys from the change table beside the raffle stall. We will also be offering a £10 per child stamp which will allow them to go on all the inflatables and the donkeys as many times as they want, again this can be bought from the change stall. 

We look forward to seeing you!

The Summer Fête this year is on Friday 22 June. This is always a very popular whole school event and you are of course all warmly invited to come along and join in the fun.

In line with the Christmas Bazaar, we would like to give the younger children the opportunity to come and have a go on the games and stalls before the rest of the school arrive. If you would like to take advantage of this, please arrive at the normal dismissing door to collect your child from 3.20pm on that day and you will be able to go to the sports field for half an hour or so before the rest of the older children come in.

Of course, if you are unable to get here for that time please do not worry, your children will be looked after by their usual teachers and staff. Any children who have not been collected early will be brought to the door at the normal time for collection.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

Please click on the link below to view the upcoming lunch menu: 

Lunch Menu Week Commencing 18 June 2018

Crescent School Office

We require a well-qualified, enthusiastic and energetic graduate to teach Spanish from November 2018. The ability to teach Spanish to GCSE is essential with Spanish to A-level and French to KS3 desirable. Full and part-time applications will be considered.

The person(s) appointed will be expected to motivate and inspire pupils of all ranges of ability across Key Stages 3 and 4 as well as stimulating further interest in the subject through extra-curricular clubs and events. Candidates should be able to demonstrate success in the classroom and be effective team players.

This is an excellent opportunity to join the fast growing Foundation that values its staff and offers a rewarding benefits package.

Application: To apply for this vacancy applicants must submit a Princethorpe College application form, together with a CV and covering letter detailing your personal qualities, experience and how you meet the person specification for the role. Applicants must ensure the application form is fully completed, including a detailed career history with specific dates.

Closing date: Monday 18 June 2018, at 9.00am. Interviews are likely to be held on Wednesday 20 June 2018 at Princethorpe.
Further details and an application form are available from the College website www.princethorpe.co.uk/employment-opportunities

We are looking to recruit an IT Apprentice, at Level 3, to join the busy Foundation IT department, to start by August 2018, although later starts will be considered for the right candidate. They will report to the Assistant Head (Director of Digital Strategy) and will be based in Princethorpe College with some duties at the Foundation feeder schools, Crackley Hall School in Kenilworth and Crescent School in Rugby.

The candidate will be a member of the IT Service Desk team providing a front-line service to staff across all three schools and for pupils in the College.

The role would provide the successful candidate with an inside view of the workings and the organisation of a multisite network, implementation procedures of new hardware/software, including expansion and development of existing and new IT services. They will have responsibility for the first point of contact on the ICT helpdesk with all users.

Interested candidates will have good communication and organisational skills, as well as the ability to work on their own and as part of a team. They will be studying an IT related Apprenticeship at level three or four. Likely courses are IT, Software and Telecoms Professionals, IT Application Specialist or Infrastructure Technician, although this list is not exhaustive. Training for the Apprenticeship will be on day release at Warwickshire College, who are the training service provider for the Apprenticeship.

An IT Apprenticeship will enable the successful candidate to gain hands on experience; they will be trained to provide support to users on various levels, from toner replacements, stock checks and Audio Visual setups, to supporting end users with any technical and software queries.

Candidates are welcome to discuss the Apprenticeship courses in more detail with Emma Rogers, Worked-based Learning Manager, Warwickshire College Group on 01788 863230.

Single person accommodation on site may be available.

This is an excellent opportunity to join the fast growing Foundation that values its staff and offers a rewarding benefits package including discounted places for staff, a pension scheme, child care vouchers and a cycle to work scheme.

Application: To apply for this vacancy applicants must submit a Princethorpe College application form, together with a CV and covering letter detailing your personal qualities, experience and how you meet the person specification for the role. Applicants must ensure the application form is fully completed, including a detailed career history with specific dates.

Closing date: Wednesday 27 June at 9.00am, with interviews likely to be held on Tuesday 3 July at Princethorpe College.

Further details and an application form are available from the College website www.princethorpe.co.uk/employment-opportunities

Required for November 2018, after the Michaelmas half term break, a well-qualified graduate to teach Mathematics to KS3 and KS4 in a flourishing and successful department. Familiarity with Pearson’s IGCSE would be an additional recommendation, but is not essential.

Enthusiasm to become involved with the extra-curricular life of the school is essential. Candidates should be able to demonstrate success in the classroom and be effective team players. Full and part-time applications will be considered.

This is an excellent opportunity to join the fast growing Foundation that values its staff and offers a rewarding benefits package.

Application: To apply for this vacancy applicants must submit a Princethorpe College application form, together with a CV and covering letter detailing your personal qualities, experience and how you meet the person specification for the role. Applicants must ensure the application form is fully completed, including a detailed career history with specific dates.

Closing date: Monday 18 June 2018, at 9.00am. Interviews are likely to be held on Thursday 21 June 2018 at Princethorpe.

Further details and an application form are available from the College website www.princethorpe.co.uk/employment-opportunities

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

Reception Round Up