The Courier

Dear Parents

It has been a busy week here in school!

Here is a quick list of what has been going on to give you a flavour: residential trip drop in meeting, school council meeting, ISA swimming gala and football tournament, five sports fixtures, former pupil sports event, harvest collection and service, all finished off with a bake sale and a parent and staff quiz night in the hall this evening. Apologies if I have missed anything out, I most probably have.

Don’t worry, we have also found time for lessons and learning and there continues to be a great working atmosphere in the school. This is regularly commented on by visitors who come to look around and was particularly prominent in last week’s open session. I got some great feedback on the children’s behaviour throughout the school, with visitors being particularly impressed with the good manners and maturity shown by our Class VI tour guides.

I have particularly enjoyed the chance to hear some readers in Pre-Prep over the last couple of weeks. This is something I did regularly in my last school so it is great to get it started again here. It gives me a chance to get to know the younger children a bit better and to get an idea of their progress in this crucial area of their learning.  Spending time reading was something I loved  doing with my own children when they were younger, partly for the benefits it brings in terms of their academic development but mostly because it was great fun. I know that our Crescent children are very fortunate to have parents who give up their time to support their learning and reading in particular, it does genuinely make a difference to their progress in school and their feeling of worth and well-being.

I have been in contact with Paul Hay this week who is coming to the school on Tuesday 27 November to present a series of workshops and talks to children, staff and parents on the theme of online safety. Digital health in its broader sense is of course a vital part of managing well-being in the modern age and I do hope you will be able to come along to Paul’s talk in the evening directed at parents, offering advice on all aspects of your children’s digital experience as they grow up. It starts at 7.00pm and will last 90 minutes, so please do put it in your diaries if you haven’t already done so.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Joe Thackway

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 move on to the category of Good Citizens and we will be looking at all aspects of this idea in the weeks before and after the half term break. It will be particularly pertinent in the week of bonfire night of course, which is now not too far away.

‘We try to keep safe and be responsible’

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 15 October

Crescent School

This morning saw our hall full with food and produce as we celebrated Harvest Festival. Corinne Mason returned from the Rugby Foodbank with, what she called, 'a grateful heart' to receive all of the donations we have collected over the last few weeks.

Our celebration was a variety of song, drama and prayer to highlight all that we have to be thankful for and to think of ways we can share what we are lucky to have.

A BIG thank you to all our Crescent families that have contributed to such a worthy cause.

The School Council met this week and talked about out charity choices for the year. They were tasked with going back to their classes and encouraging their classmates to vote for a charity of their choice. Lots of fantastic charities were mentioned, and it was very difficult to choose.

We can announce that this term’s charity will be the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance. They fly two regional air ambulances across several counties, covering an area of 3850 square miles. They do a fantastic job at responding to trauma and medical emergencies and we hope you will agree that this is a very worthy charity for us to support.

Next Friday 19 October there is a non-uniform day, and we ask that the children bring in £1 and also wear something yellow to acknowledge the colour associated with this charity.

Photo proof packs were sent home this week. In order to attain a speedy delivery of the photographs Mr Lloyd (the Photographer) has asked if you can do the following:

• Complete the information on the envelope with the proof cards.
• If paying by cheque, please write your child's proof card photo security number and photograph type on the back of the cheque.
• Place the correct amount of money in the envelopes along with the proof card(s) if you are paying by cash.

The deadline for return of proof cards to school is Wednesday 17 October, in order to receive free delivery.

Orders can be placed online, however, a postal cost will be incurred and it is at the sole discretion of the printers, not the photographer.

Please do contact Mr Lloyd if you have any queries, his email address is on the proof.

Crescent School

Your child will be bringing home with them a folder of work that you may wish them to do over half term to keep their brains working before other exams. We do not require these back to mark, the mark schemes are included.

There is one compulsory piece to do, please read Clockwork by Phillip Pullman, which will be sent home.

Winter uniform is to be worn after the half term break.

The School shop, based at Princethorpe College, will be closed during the half term break and will reopen on Monday 5 November.

An email was sent to parents on Wednesday 10 October containing information for ordering winter uniform.  Any orders submitted before 1.00pm on Monday 15 October will be delivered to Crescent School before the end of term next Friday.

Cressie is the Guide Dog sponsored by the school.

Sadly Cressie's original puppy walker was unable to continue caring for her but she has now found a new puppy walker to continue with her training towards becoming a Guide Dog.

As you can see from the photos Cressie has plenty of friends to play with in her new home.

Here are the details for a fantastic poetry competition. You can write your own poem or continue the one provided (click here).

The competition is open from Tuesday 9 October 2018 until Friday 21 December 2018.

There are two age categories:

• One for pupils in Key Stage 1 and one for those in Key Stage 2
• Two language categories in English and Welsh

Individual or group entries are allowed for Key Stage 1, only individual entries for Key Stage 2.

Poems should be no more than 20 lines or 150 words and be on the theme of diversity. Pupils can continue the Beautifully different, Wonderfully the same by Joseph Coelho or start a new poem. Poems can be of any structure and don’t have to rhyme.

Judging criteria

The judges will be looking for the following:

• Vocabulary that is relevant to the theme of diversity
• An appropriate tone
• Poetry – figurative speech and devices to build a picture in the reader’s mind in a creative and effective way. For example, alliteration, simile, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, symbolism.
• Elements of poetry – words chosen for effect, a sense of structure, clever use of rhythm, purposeful use of rhyme, (although not all poems have to rhyme).
• Effect – does the poem celebrate diversity? Do you understand what is important about diversity having read this?
• Originality – does this entry stand out from the rest? Is it original and unique?
• Appeal – will it appeal to other primary-age pupils?

Prizes

There will be a top national prize and 10 regional prizes for each category (Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2). There will also be prizes for the best entries in Welsh at Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

Prizes for national winners:

• A Premier League Trophy visit to your school
• A visit to your school by a children’s author or poet to lead a poetry workshop
• Winning poems read aloud by one of our star judges

Prizes for regional winners and national winners:

• Poems published in an official Premier League Writing Stars book with bespoke illustrations
• An invitation to a national celebration event and the chance to meet other poets and special guests
• A framed version of the winning poems
• Poetry book bags for all winners’ schools

There will also be some brilliant bags full to the brim with poetry books up for grabs for the first 1000 schools who submit entries!

Please can all entries be emailed or given to Ms Lowe by 15 December 2018. All details can be found buy the pupil entrance.

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.

Friday 19 October 2018 4.00 - 4.45pm

We have nearly made it to half-term but it is not such a restful holiday for those taking entrance exams during or after the holidays. Good luck to those taking the Kingsley exam and King Henry VIII exam.

The 11+ scores and placings will arrive with you early next week. Mr Thackway and myself will be in school on Friday 19 October  4.00pm - 4.45pm to discuss the placings and results - please just drop in. 

Even if you do not feel that you wish to have a discussion, please inform us of the position and scores of your child. The local authority does not inform us and we need them for our records.

The end of exam focus is in sight for most of the children, the effort will hopefully be worth it.

Friday 19 October 2018

We will be holding a non-uniform day on Friday 19 October with all proceeds going to this term's chosen charity Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance. 

Please send a £1 donation with your child to be given to their teacher in registration and and also wear something yellow to acknowledge the colour associated with this charity.

Thank you

Mrs Monteith & Mrs Stapleton
Class VI and III Form Teachers

Tuesday 20 November 2018 - 7.00pm to 8.00pm

The Crescent School is holding a dedicated Reception Open Evening on Tuesday 20 November from 7.00pm to 8.00pm.

The evening is aimed at giving parents an insight into the Early Years at Crescent and the firm foundation the school gives children for their future learning. The Crescent's partner on site day nursery, Pathfinders, which has been rated ‘outstanding’ by OFSTED, will also be open on the evening should you wish to visit. 

There is no need to book and light refreshments will be available. All are welcome, so please do help spread the word.

If you can't make the Open Evening but would like to visit the school, please call our Registrar, Mrs Helen Morley, on 01788 523851 and come to see the school on a day to suit you, we welcome visitors on most days.

For more information visit www.crescentschool.co.uk.

• Alex Thomas
• Darius Ionescu
• Harry Slaytor
• Roisin Banks
• Sam Bierton
• Shiv Patel

History homework for Classes IV, V and VI this half term has been an independent learning project about the last seven decades, tied into Crescent's Platinum anniversary. 

It has been wonderful to see how varied the approach has been to this. There have been fantastic Lego creations, model constructions, videos, Powerpoint presentations, baking delights and sweet treats. 

We have enjoyed sharing these in our history lessons each week and many are on display in Class VY.

Thanks go to all parents who have supported their children in this project. 

Our class moto is to be the best that we can be. As a group, we discussed what that meant and how we could achieve it. The children suggested ideas that would make us good learners and good friends. We collected their suggestions, decided which were the most important ones and then all signed the charter.

On Tuesday the U11 girls football team headed to LVS Ascot for the ISA Football Festival, their first football fixture of the season.  Team selection had been difficult following fantastic commitment and effort in training sessions and the girls were extremely excited for the day. We had a wonderful time playing against schools from across the country and were treated to a short masterclass from the Arsenal Ladies Coaching staff. 

The girls started a little tentatively against Ipswich High School but they soon settled and strength of passing developed as the festival went on however we could never quite connect when having a shot on goal.  Phoebe held defence extremely well throughout every game, showing a calm and collected approach, taking her time to look up and make a solid pass out wide to Bexie, Arabella or Cara on the wing who could then get the ball through for Amelie or Jessica up front whose speed allowed them to quickly get in to threatening positions.   In our final game against the host school Tilly saved a solid penalty and Freya followed up on the rebound to clear the circle and start the counter attack. 

A great performance by all of the girls, representing the school well and upholding the Crescent values making us extremely proud.

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 15 October 2018

Crescent School Office

Kyle from Class VI is going to undertake another sponsored bike ride at the end of October. This year he has decided to cycle 30 miles in memory of his father.  All money raised to be donated to Myton Hospice.  If you would like to sponsor him, please click on the link below:

Sponsored Bike Ride

Please see attachments 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

Onside - Rugby

Wasps Netball

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