The Courier

Dear Parents

It was great to have the chance to see so many of you at our parents’ consultations earlier in the week. There was a real buzz to both evenings and I was delighted to hear from staff of the positive feedback that they had received from you regarding the children’s progress. It is particularly good to hear they are enjoying the lessons and talk to you about them when they get home. This enthusiasm for learning is a sure sign that they are settled in their school environment and this is ultimately the key to success in school, and quite possibly in life.  With the rapid changes in the workplace that are predicted for the next decades of the digital revolution, this love of learning and re-learning will of course be a key skill in the jobs market for our young people as well.

I suspect a highlight for the week from the children’s perspective was the Image Theatre performance of Robin Hood on Tuesday morning. It is lovely to see the children’s energy and sense of fun coming out on these occasion, not to mention the similar qualities shown by the young cast of the production company. I know that our very own drama guru Miss Thompson was watching with a keen eye as she plans ahead for our drama productions later in the year.

We finished the week off with our Good News assembly this morning and we awarded our first School Promise Certificates to two children from each class. These new awards replace the old Honours Certificates and are designed to reflect the ethos of our new School Promise. The children can be awarded the certificates for being good friends, good learners or good citizens during the half term gone by and we look forward to recognising plenty more children in the terms ahead. Of course, we all spent the day as good citizens supporting the excellent cause of the local air ambulance service. This charity was chosen by the School Council after consulting the rest of the children and our fundraising non uniform day was combined with a name the teddy bear competition in each classroom. We are hoping to get a representative in from the charity later in the term to talk to the children about how the money will be spent.

With a two week break ahead of us I hope you are all able to spend some good quality time out and about with your children. As I mentioned last week, reading is such a key skill in education and I hope you can plan this into your children’s routines over the break. I have two books on the go at the moment as well as pouring over a map of the Yorkshire Dales where I hope to spend a couple of days cycling with my son next week. We are also off as a family to the Shropshire Hills in the second week of the holiday for an overnight stay so it will be interesting to see what the weather has in stall for us. I suspect it will be invigorating, if nothing else.

I hope you all get a relaxing break of some sort. I look forward to seeing all the children back in school for Monday 5 November.

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 continue with 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 5 November

Crescent School

Today we have had a non uniform day to raise money for the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and the Children's Air Ambulance. Everybody wore an item of yellow clothing, (and some of us wore head to toe yellow!) as this is the charity's special colour.

There was also a 'Guess the Name of the Teddy' competition, and the winners will be announced after half term. Up for grabs is an Air Ambulance teddy for one lucky person in each form.

We will let you all know our grand total in the next edition of the Courier and thank you, as always, for all your support. Anything that we can raise for this amazing charity will be greatly received. 

In our Good News assembly this morning we awarded the first ever School Promise certificates to recognise the children’s excellent behaviour as good friends, good learners or good citizens. 

Congratulations go to:

• Reception Class - Aryaan for looking after a class mate when they were worried
• Class I - Alex G for always thinking of others and being kind and inclusive
• Class II - Ellie for showing gentle and caring thought and kindness towards others
• Class IV - Jack for being calm and sensible around school and in lessons
• Class VF - Henry for being kind and respectful to all adults and pupils alike
• Class VY - Keshav for embracing new friendships since starting Crescent School

  For being a Good Learner and keeping the School Promise:

• Reception Class - Ottie for facing challenge with enthusiasm
• Class I - Leela for always working hard and trying her best
• Class II - Harry for always working hard and trying his best
• Class II - Ro Somerset for always trying hard with a positive attitude and a smile
• Class III - Ella for being gentle and caring to other children in school
• Class VF - Isabel for never giving up in her independent work
• Class VY - Rania for showing dedication to her learning inside and outside of school and putting lots of effort into all of her work
• Class VI - Mehul for listening and working hard in lessons

For being a Good Citizen and keeping the School Promise:

• Class III - Grace for being happy, respectful and polite to her friends and to the staff
• Class VI - Anton for showing empathy and kindness to younger children

Thank you to Maximillion, Darius, Zahra, Grace, Ollie, Mily, Sam and Mehul for their good conduct, good manners and respect for others during lunchtimes. The supervisors decided that you are this half term's recipients of Top Table invitations. 

The following children also received Certificates of Excellence from the Playground Supervisors:

• George for always following Playground rules
• Euan for always being full of playgroud joy
• Caitlin for always being helpful on the playground
• Maisie for being kind and caring to others

Well done to all of you.

Image Musical Theatre visited the Crescent School on Tuesday 16 October to stage a production of the exciting tale of Robin Hood.  The children got to join in with the super story-telling session and clearly all enjoyed the show.

Image Musical Theatre is a company that performs participatory theatre to primary school audiences.  They believe that bringing a story to life engages children and helps encourage them to read.

The actors, Will, Matt and Clarissa, began by selecting ten children who would take part in the show.  They then worked with the audience teaching them a series of songs, hand actions and responses to accompany the tale.

After a short break to allow the players to get into their costumes the production started.  It was an excellent performance full of comedy and wit and the children sat focussed and fully engaged.  The theatre company cleverly brought the classic tale to life and the children really enjoyed ‘booing’ the villain, cheering for the ‘hero’ and singing all the songs.  Well done to Crescent’s budding actors who delivered their lines with aplomb.

It was another great morning of lovely learning and fantastic fun.

We are constantly trying to improve in all areas of the education we offer the pupils at Crescent School and are now at a stage in the academic year where we need you to tell us how well you think we are doing and how we can improve the things that are important to you.

Please complete the Parent Questionnaire by Friday 26 October 2018.  An email was sent to parents last week with all the details regrding how to access the link.

With thanks in anticipation of your help.

Mr Joe Thackway
Headmaster

Bella Davies in Class II put her considerable creative and entrepreneurial skills to maximum use this weekend as she joined her mum at a local craft show where she made some clay items of her own before selling them to visitors.

We look forward to you becoming Alan Sugar's "Apprentice" in around 2032 Bella!

Monday 5 to Friday 9 November 2018

We are looking forward to welcoming parents in during the week after half-term to quiz with their child on Accelerated Reading books. Hopefully the children will all read over the two weeks of half term and will come in and quiz when we get back to school. 

It will be lovely to see you between 8.15am - 8.40am in the ICT Suite.

Ms Lowe
Senior Teacher

Wednesday 7 November

Once again I am bowing to popular demand and offering a Lego Card swap club in the Library at morning break on Wednesday 7 November. Anyone with swaps is welcome to come along to trade them.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

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.

Tuesday 27 November 2018 - 7.00pm - 8.30pm

Dear Parents

Our children live in the Internet Age. They love to use technology and play the latest games. However, it is not always easy for parents and carers to understand what they are doing and how we can help to do the right things to keep them out of danger.

On Tuesday 27 November, the school will be having a Special Internet Safety Day where the children will learn about going online and how to keep safe. It is important that parents are also involved so they are able to help their children when they are at home.

We would like to invite you to a special talk by Paul Hay who is a specialist in Internet Safety. He will tell you:

• How young people use the Internet
• Show how children use programs such as Moshi Monsters, Minecraft, Roblox, Instagram and
  SnapChat
• Describe how information young people post can be misused by people who are not their friends
• Explain what you, as parents, can do to help keep them safe

Above all it will give you as parents and carers the confidence to help your child get the most benefit and enjoyment from the internet while keeping safe.

Topics will be discussed in language we as parents understand, no technical or computer knowledge is required or expected.

If you would like to book a space on this session please click on the consent button in the Evolve message which was sent out last Friday 12 October.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

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 by the pupil entrance.

• Alice Diamond
• Grace Mercer

Over the last few years we have been lucky enough to welcome representatives from Rugby Youth for Christ into school to deliver engaging and inspiring lessons, each half term, to Classes V & VI. 

Today we welcomed Chris who gave Class VI food for thought on the choices we make. His lesson linked back to the advice given in the bible and in particular, the book of Proverbs, which gives us wisdom when making choices in our everyday lives.

Thanks Chris, we are looking forward to you visiting again!

Classes I and II had a lovely time in their shared PE lesson this week.  They completed a circuit course in mixed groups.  They also had a ball throwing activity, demonstrated ball control between each other and enjoyed participating in a relay.  It was a really super lesson and all the children enjoyed sharing activities and fresh air together.

This half term we have explored how to make a PowerPoint of our summer adventures and the children have all learnt to add slides with text and insert pictures, choose animations and transitions between slides and grown in confidence by presenting their finished project to the rest of the class. Well done to Faris who exceeded expectations for this and was awarded a Junior da Vinci in Mastery for his PowerPoint on his visit to Rome and Pompei.

The children have also been learning to use Publisher, from creating fantastic backgrounds and fonts for their 'Wind' poems to making a four page booklet as a non-chronological report on a sport or interest. I have been really impressed with their ability to listen, follow and explore and with the high standard of work they have created.

The History homework topic concluded this week with Class IV enjoying a feast of retro treats. Amy baked delicious scones for us all to try (with or without jam), Asha created a scrumptious trifle and Michael made a beautiful bread pudding laced with cinnamon. 

The children relished in trying these sweet treats and along with the Spam, Smash, Millionaire Shortbread, Jamaican Ginger Cake, fairy cakes and Black Forest Gateau which had been shared throughout the half term, I think it's safe to say the children have had a great snap shot of foods from the past seven decades.

Class VF were investigating viscosity in their Science lesson this week.  They used:

• Golden syrup
• Two types of vinegar
• Washing uo liquid
• Glue
• Water

Pupils made up their own experiments using spoons and pouring to deterime how they should be ranked from high to low viscosity.

One of our school aims is to deliver a broad and engaging, inspiring curriculum and as part of this I  planned an independent learning opportunity for Year 5. We have been studying various texts types about UFOs and aliens in English and exploring expanding noun phrases and fronted adverbials in the weeks working up to this. The children were then given the exciting challenge of writing about aliens and UFOS within any genre they so wished, they had 3.5 hours to show their learning and use of good punctuation, grammar, wow words and clear structure.

The children were clearly motivated by the task, knowing there was always support at hand if they wanted it whether through accessible material in class or the use of the class TA and myself.

A big thank you to Ms Forth for pulling all the questions together for the FOC Quiz Night and to the Year Group reps for organising all the teams and food requirements. It was a great evening with both parents and staff involved and congratulations to our smashing bunch of new Reception parents who ended the night victorious.  A massive £320 was raised.

Thank you to everyone who came along and supported last week's Class V market day. In total they raised £162 which is absolutely fantastic.

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.

After the half term break all children are expected to be in full winter uniform.  Parents can use their discretion as to whether blazers or school coats are more appropriate for the weather at the time.

When it is cold we do need the children to have their coats in school so we can make a decision on outdoor break times that applies to all children.

Thank you for your cooperation with these guidelines.

After half term there will be new lunch menus.  The children will have lots of new dishes to tempt their taste buds such as chicken and chorizo paella, root vegetable beef/lentil pie, chicken and leek pie and a 'wrap' day.   

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

Lunch Menu - 051118

Lunch Menu - 121118

Lunch Menu - 191118

Lunch Menu - 261118

Crescent School Office

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

Reception Round Up