The Courier

Dear Parents

Following on from my IAPS conference last week I started the week back here with a professional development twilight session for staff where I fed back on the themes of building sustainability in education and also promoting well-being. Well-being is one of our targets for the year and we are looking to develop this idea in various ways. We also looked at the 17 goals for sustainable development agreed on by the United Nations Development Programme and how we can introduce these ideas to the children in a fair and balanced way.

On a closely related topic, on Tuesday I ran an assembly on the theme of endangered animals. This was linked to the life and works of Saint Francis of Assisi, who spent so much of his time working for the poor in central Italy where he lived. St Francis was also one of the very first people at the time to advocate the care and conservation of all the animals in the world around him. This theme always resonates with children who have a natural affinity and love of the natural world. When I asked the question who would like to save those animals that are in danger by habitat destruction, every single hand in the hall went up immediately. This might be something you would like to explore further with your children over the weekend.

Many thanks to everyone involved in the Crescent 70th celebrations on Saturday. It was great to see so many of you coming along to support the event and helping to create the wonderful atmosphere that we all enjoyed. You will find a more detailed report on the day’s events elsewhere in this week’s Courier. The amazing weather played a great part in the success on the day although the forecast for the next two days looks considerably more unsettled.

Whatever the weather, have a great weekend everyone.

Joe Thackway

I would just like to remind parents about expectations regarding mid-morning snacks.

Children are expected to bring with them to school a healthy snack that will see them through the morning. Please avoid chocolatey or over sweet snacks or anything with a high salt content.

Also, in line with our nut free zone policy, please do not send in snacks that contain nuts. Please check on the labeling of all products to ensure this is the case. This also includes macaroon or marzipan based products that contain almonds. Chewy energy bars also need to be checked carefully for their contents.

Thank you.

For a two or three week period this year we will be focusing on one of the sayings in the new School Promise. We will talk about this in assembly and in form period. It would be great if you could discuss this with your children at home and support the messages we are emphasising in school.

This week we feature Good Learners and a good motto for our Class VI children as they approach their entrance exams:

‘We work hard and try our best'

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

Weekly Calendar 8 October

Crescent School

On Saturday 29 September 2018 Crescent School celebrated its 70th anniversary with a special community celebration.  Past and present pupils, parents, staff and governors came together to mark the important milestone at the school in Bilton, Rugby.

It was a very special occasion, enjoyed by everyone, that gave many the chance to reconnect and share fond memories.

The afternoon opened with a performance from the Bilton Silver Training Band, many of whom are Old Crescentians.  They played to an appreciative audience and provided a magnificent start to the sunny afternoon.  In the carnival atmosphere children played with the family games set out on the field, while their parents enjoyed catching up and reminiscing outside and over refreshments in the decorated school hall.

Throughout the school the classrooms and corridors were filled with displays and memorabilia and visitors were encouraged to explore.  Many were delighted to find old photos of themselves and examples of work that had been retrieved from the archives.   Foundation Archivist, Janette Ratcliffe, was kept busy as many provided new information and memories for her collection.  Some of their memories included anecdotal insights such as ‘watching the moon landing sitting in the hall’, ‘wearing my school beret para-trooper style and being much berated’, ‘being punished for scrumping apples’ and ‘the smell of polish whilst sitting cross legged in assembly’.

The school choir had been hard at work practising a series of specially prepared pieces and they also put on a wonderful outdoor performance.  Past pupils found the words to the school song spring to their lips and eagerly joined in.

The school was honoured to welcome back two former headteachers, Mrs Christine Barrett, who led the school from 1971 to 1992, and Mr Huw Marshall, who retired only last year.   Both enjoyed seeing the latest improvements to the school, catching up with old colleagues and sharing their own memories of their time at the Crescent.

In the evening the school hosted a Platinum Anniversary Dinner Dance at the Foundation’s senior school Princethorpe College.  It was a very convivial affair with some ninety guests associated with the Crescent treated to a delicious three-course meal, followed by speeches from past pupils from across the decades, live music and dancing till midnight.  The revellers wended their happy way home after a long but successful day.

There are further events planned for this anniversary year.  They include an inaugural pub meet at the Merchant’s Inn in Rugby on Friday 23 November and a Carol Service on Monday 17 December in the Temple Speech Rooms at Rugby School, close to the Crescent’s first home at Horton Crescent.

Anyone who has a connection to the school who would like to share their memories and be kept up to date with news from the school can complete and return the form here or contact oldcrescentians@crescentschool.co.uk.

Huge thanks go to the Anniversary Committee of staff and past pupils who worked so hard to organise the celebrations.

Dear Parents

We all enjoyed a wonderful day of celebrations last Saturday. The school was resplendent with displays marking the 70th anniversary of Crescent School and it was wonderful to see so many old boys and girls, as well as former members of staff, returning to the school to revive some very fond memories. The Bilton brass band and the school choir provided some delightful musical entertainment and there was a very friendly and convivial atmosphere around the place.

The evening events at Princethorpe College were equally well planned and enjoyed by all. The dinner dance was a great way to finish off the day and it was especially nice to see parents, staff and trustees mixing at a social event.

It is worth pausing for a moment to thank all of the members of the committee who worked so hard to bring everything together on the day.  Our special thanks go to:

• Victoria Akbik - who worked with all of the children on painting commemorative stones
• Zara Corbin - Chair of the FoC who organised the Silver Training Band and the afternoon events
• Debbie Olner - who helped organise the day event, found the band for the dinner and organised transport
• Sally Dowling – Mrs Dowling deserves a special mention for all her hard work with Old Crescentians, delving into the past and creating the decade displays around the school
• Sam Stapleton – who did a wonderful job creating all the decorations for, as well as organising the food for the evening
• Amanda Yates - who helped organise the catering for the evening event

We should also thank the other foundation teams who have worked so hard to bring it all together on the day; the marketing team, the estates and grounds, as well as the catering.

Lastly of course we thank Sarah Lowe who coordinated the committee, ran meetings, kept minutes, marketed and problem solved the whole thing.  Sarah is a highly respected member of staff here with a long association with the school. She was the perfect person for the job and we presented her with some well earnt flowers in a staff meeting earlier in the week.

Best wishes

We are delighted to have been able to further benefit Reception children’s learning experiences in school by combining with our onsite Nursery partner Pathfinders to offer all children a Forest School experience during this half of Michaelmas term. 

Groups will be equally balanced with Reception and pre-school children and will be led by experienced Nursery and school staff and will take place at the back of the school sport’s field for approximately 80 minutes per session. 

In order to facilitate this please ensure that your child has wellington boots and (preferably) an old waterproof jacket in school from Monday 8 October through to Thursday 18 October 2018.

Please contact Mrs Pullen or myself should you have any further questions.

Every half term Olive run a 'Themed Food Day' alongside their 'What's in Season' initiative. Crescent children get a taste of different foods from around the world, the counter is dressed up specially so that the children can enjoy a fully immersive experience!

This week, on Thursday 4 October, the children were treated to a Hawaiian Lunchtime.  They  sampled:

• Huli Huli chicken
• Hawaiian vegetable kebabs
• Fried rice
• Slaw
• Corn on the cob
• Pineapple Pie with coconut cream for pudding

A lovely lunchtime treat.

Crescent School 

We were pleased to welcome Corrine Mason from Rugby Foodbank to our assembly on Tuesday 17 September.  Corrine shared with us the important work the Foodbank do and the difference it can make to many families in our town.  She also shared the bible story of when Jesus fed 5000 people, where one small boy was willing to share what he had with those around him.

Our Harvest collection will be for Rugby Foodbank and over the next few weeks the children have been asked to bring in goods to donate. Please click here to see the list of suitable donations; they do not need to be put in decorated boxes, there will be crates to add supplies to under the FOC table at the student entrance.

Thank you in advance, for your continued support for such a worthy cause. We look forward to handing over our gifts at our Harvest Service on Friday 12 October at 9.15am where you are all welcome to join us.

I would like to remind parents that Crescent School, along with the other schools of the Princethorpe Foundation, aims to be a nut-free zone. Whilst we cannot guarantee that children won’t come into contact with nuts or products with nut traces whilst at school we endeavour to reduce this risk as far as we can.

The aim of this strategy is to reduce the risk to those children and adults who may suffer an anaphylactic reaction if exposed to nuts to which they are sensitive. The school aims to protect children who have allergies to nuts yet also help them, as they grow up, to take responsibility as to what foods they can eat and to be aware of where they may be put at risk.

Our 'Nut-Free Zone' means that the following items should not be brought into school:

• Packs of nuts
• Peanut butter sandwiches
• Fruit and cereal bars that contain nuts
• Chocolate bars or sweets that contain nuts
• Sesame seed rolls (children allergic to nuts may also have a severe reaction to sesame)
• Cakes made with nuts

No nuts are used in any of the food prepared on site at our school.  Our suppliers provide us with nut-free products. However, we cannot guarantee freedom from nut traces.

It is worth noting that there are currently children in school with a known nut allergy.  Exposure to nuts for these children could result in serious consequences. I know that you, like me, would do anything reasonably possible to prevent this from happening.

We ask all parents to support us in this policy by providing nut-free mid-morning snacks and not using nuts in cakes provided for bake sales or fund raising events.

On Monday 8 October our regular photographer, Marcus Perkins, will be in school to take updated photographs that will be used in Marketing material.  He will be visiting different classes throughout the day and will no doubnt produce some wonderful images.

The attached photos is one of his photographs from last year.

Crescent School Office

The following items are stocked in the School Office and can be added to your account:

• Winter hats
• Scarfs
• Gloves
• Ties
• Swimming hats
• Sports socks
• Hair bands
• Hair scrunchies
• Hair clips
• Sun hats

Music group badges can also be purchased but not added to your account.

• Choir
• Orchestra
• Strings
• Brass

Please do pop in if you need any of the above items.

Crescent School Office

Monday 8 October - 4.00pm

The three day residential to Rock UK Frontier Centre has been booked for the last three days of Lent Term, 8-10 April 2019. There will be a brief drop in session on Monday 8 October for an overview of what can be expected from the trip and how it is organised. This will be held in VY classroom at 4.00pm and you may bring your child with you.

Many of the pupils have been before and some of the activities we have chosen are the same (don't worry King Swing is booked!).

If you are undecided please come and see us and ask any questions you may still have. Please note that there will be a kit list and details meeting much nearer the time. If you are already decided please respond to the Evolve email that should have reached you last week.

Friday 12 October 2018 9.15am

Thank you so much for all the food and other donations you have kindly given so far to support the work of Rugby Foodbank.  Please continue to leave produce at the student entrance in preparation for our Harvest Celebration next week.

On Friday 12 October we will be holding our Harvest Celebration Service in the school hall, starting at 9.15am. This is our first shared service of the year and it would be lovely to see lots of parents there, although of course we know this is not possible for everyone with your busy work schedules.

Before the service the staff and children will be busy getting things ready in the hall and I would ask parents to please wait in the Library until we have everything ready for you in the Hall. Following the service there will be tea, coffee and some light refreshments served. This will be a good opportunity to come in and have a chat with us and some other parents in an informal setting.

We look forward to seeing you there.

We love to celebrate reading at Crescent School and one of the ways we do this is through the awarding of badges for how many words the children in Classes III - VI  have read in the year.

• For 500,000 words they receive a 'Super Reader 'badge
• If they read a million words they receive a bronze star badge
• Two million words is a silver star badge 
• And a gold star badge if they manage to read 3 million words over the year

Our first badge is awarded to Idan Dar for reading 500,000 words. Well-done Idan.

Who is going to be next?

• Emily Barnwell
• Freddie Spicer
• Maisie Tucker

Class I had a colourful art lesson this week when they were given sheets of paper to design a picture and create works of art and what marvellous masterpieces they produced. 

In the picture you can see:

• Darius's geometric piece that is made from primary and black and white coloured blocks.
• Alex and Shayla whose work is in the style of Matisse, using cutting, tearing, arranging and sticking to create a picture.

A lot of fun was had by all.

Class II children have been reading Edward Lear's The Owl and the Pussycat as part of their English unit on traditional poems.

'They sailed away for a year and a day to the land where the bong tree grows'

Children were challenged to imagine what a bong tree may look like, to design one and to label some of its...more unusual features!

Class III embarked on a team competition to see how well they could design, create and test cars made out of carrots! They are a very talented bunch and collaborated well to produce some very fine specimens.

The ‘Go Lightning’ team won the competition for originality and performance. During our task evaluation, someone wondered if other fruit or vegetables would make better vehicles… so, they decided that for homework, they would find out! 

The Headmaster enjoyed hearing the children read this week.  There is nothing more rewarding than sitting down together with a story, helping the children sound out the words and watching as their understanding and confidence grows.

He listened to stories about aliens, talking animals and was treated to some lovely reading and expressions.

Crescent School

The U10 Girls hockey team shared an amazing opportunity on Sunday 30 September when they were invited to Rugby School to take part in a hockey festival.  The day started with an awesome Hockey Masterclass led by two Great British Hockey players, James Steadman and Ellie Watton, as well as Rugby School first team players and a specialist goal keeping coach.  The girls were quickly put through their paces with exercises requiring fast feet, accurate shooting and strong ball skills.

After the coaching class the festival began with our girls taking on strong opposition from Witham Hall, Spratton and Bilton Grange.  The girls dug deep and battled hard showing real enthusiasm and flare for the game.  The girls were able to put in to practice the skills learnt earlier on in the day with Sienna practicing her diving save to stop a Bilton Grange attack.   A wonderful experience for all of the girls involved highlighting many strengths and also a couple of areas for further development as the season continues.

A great day, well worked girls. 

Friday 12 October 2018 3.45pm - 4.45pm

Please come along and support us by buying cakes and sweets, all priced at 50p each. All the money raised at these market day events goes towards buying toys, crafts and stationary for privilege time for the Class.

Friday 12 October 2018 - 7.30pm

Our annual Quiz Night hosted by Ms Forth will take place in the school hall from 7.30pm. It costs £5 per person to enter. Please bring your own food and drink. Tables will be up to 8 people with prizes to be won.

Class reps will be responsible for getting teams together so look out for an email from them. Please pay by either cash or cheque (payable to 'The Friends of Crescent') and place your money in the green FoC box, which is situated inside the pupil entrance, in an envelope, clearly marked 'Quiz Night' by Tuesday 9 October.

Monday 12 November 2018 - 3.45pm

Please come and join us to discuss the last remaining events of the term including the Christmas Bazaar.

Friday 16 November 5.00pm - 6.30pm

The movie for this event will be Hotel Transylvania 3 which will be released on the Monday of that week.

The movie will cost £5 per child (£3 for all Reception children as they have to be accompanied by a parent or caregiver) and this will include the movie plus a drink and snack.

If you would like your child to attend this please put their name down in the book on the FoC table and include your phone number, child's name and year.

The movie will start at 5.00pm so please drop your child off at the front entrance then. The movie will finish at approx. 6.30pm and we will dismiss all the children from the side pupil entrance.

Please either pay (cash or cheque) on the evening or place the money inside an envelope clearly marked with your child's name and 'movie night'.  Cheques to be made payable to 'Friends of Crescent'.

If you would like your child to go into after school before the movie please place their name down on the usual after school sheet. if you would like them to eat before the movie, please tick the tea option and we will ensure that they eat prior to the film starting.

Friday 14 December - 7.30pm

We have booked the private loft function room at the Distillery from 7.30pm. More details on this will follow later in the term.

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

Crescent Menu Week Commencing 8 October 2018

Crescent School Office

Please see attachements below for information regarding out of school holiday clubs that are running over the October Half Term holidays. 

The clubs are provided by external providers and not the Crescent School.

Muddy Footprints Wildcraft Adventure

Kits Academy

Please see below for useful school contact information:

Michaelmas Term
Term starts Monday 03 September 2018
Half Term Saturday 20 October to Sunday 04 November 2018
Term ends Tuesday 18 December 2018

Lent Term
Term starts Monday 7 January 2019
Half Term Saturday 16 February to Sunday 24 February 2019
Term ends Wednesday 10 April 2019

Trinity Term
Term starts Monday 29 April 2019
Half Term Saturday 25 May to Sunday 2 June 2019
Term ends Wednesday 3 July 2019

Do you have any board games you no longer play with? If so, our board gaming club would love to have them. We meet every Friday to share the fun and enjoyment of playing games together.

The benefits of playing board games are far-reaching; they teach important social skills, such as communicating verbally, sharing, waiting, taking turns, and enjoying interaction with others. Board games can foster the ability to focus, and lengthen your child's attention span by encouraging the completion of an exciting, enjoyable game.

We’re looking to build up a wide variety of games for our club so if you have anything you’d like to donate, please send them into school.

Many Thanks

Mrs Yates and the board gamers

We seek to appoint an Assistant Head (Academic) as a member of the Senior Management Team to take a major role in determining, implementing and evaluating the agreed aims of the school and all school policies.

The post requires you to promote the smooth running of the School, maintaining the ethos of a caring Christian school family with a Catholic school base.

The successful candidate will work closely with, report to and advise the Headmaster in all areas of school life, with specific responsibility for Academic matters. The Headmaster is assisted by a Deputy Head and three Assistant Heads who, collectively, take full responsibility for the welfare and development of the school and, in his absence, deputise accordingly.

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 Crackley Hall 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 10 October 2018, at 12 noon and interviews are likely to be held on Monday 15 October (with the possibility of including Tuesday 16 October as an additional day if necessary).

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

The Foundation is known for its innovative and strategic approach to Marketing and Communications and we seek to appoint, ideally from November 2018, a full-time, year round Foundation Marketing and Communications Co-ordinator to help take this forward.

Key responsibilities will include managing the Foundation’s annual marketing cycle, particularly in support of admissions and pupil recruitment, including a wide range of events, promotional and digital marketing activity.  Part of a busy, friendly and ambitious Marketing, Admissions and Communications Team, this varied role will suit a dynamic individual with relevant experience, excellent written and verbal communications skills, strong organisational and interpersonal skills, creativity and initiative.

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.

Salary:  £25,000 - £32,000 FTE, depending on qualifications and relevant experience.

Members of staff working in the Foundation enjoy a considerable discount on school fees for their own children at Princethorpe College and Crackley Hall School, five weeks’ holiday plus bank holidays, pension contributions, 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.

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

Closing date: Monday 8 October 2018 at 9.00am with interviews likely to be held on Thursday 11 October, at Princethorpe College.

Please click on the link below to read all about what the Reception Class have been learning this week.

Reception Round Up