The Courier

Dear Parents

I was delighted to see so many of you here earlier in the week for our two talks on nurturing wellbeing in the children. Mark Groome was very well received and his message was one that resonated with us all, both as parents and as educators. 

I mentioned to those of you in the audience on Tuesday that the school has recently signed up for the Mental Health Award for Schools which is a well accredited and recognised programme run by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health based at Leeds Beckett University. We go through a process of self-evaluation of our current provision and draw up an action plan for further improvements and initiatives we can put in place. We have a team of five teachers and teaching assistants working on this as we speak.

For clarity, I should make it clear I don’t believe we have a significant problem in this area and the pastoral care the school provides is second to none. However, this strength itself comes from a willingness to improve and innovate that characterises the mind-set of the Crescent staff. With so much being said and written about mental health in the media, we want to be sure we are fully up to date with these new developments but in a way that is appropriate to our needs. At heart, the motivation for all of the staff in this process remains providing excellence for the children in our care and building in them a love of life and learning that will last a lifetime.

Tomorrow sees our annual Open Morning with lots of fun and engaging activities planned. Many thanks to you for all of your support with this, either by coming along yourselves or allowing your children to take part. My experience tends to be that any initial reluctance on the part of the children to come along is soon outweighed by the pleasure of showing people round a school they are rightly proud of.

Best Wishes

Joe Thackway

It was great to have such an excellent turn out for the two presentations on Tuesday this week.

Many parents who attended expressed an interest in having copies of the powerpoints that were used. It may also be that you were unable to attend and would like to get a clear idea of the content that was covered.

If you would like a copy of any of these presentations please let us know and we will provided hard copies. Either send a quick email to admin@crescentschool.co.uk or drop into the office and we can let you have them.

The three presentations were as follows:

• Transition from Crescent to Year 7 (for Year 4 and 5 parents)
• Presentation on Wellbeing – by Mark Groome to all parents
• Presentation on Managing Exam Stress - by Mark Groome to Year 4 and 5 parents

For a two or three week period this year we will be focusing on one of the sayings in the 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.

From now until the end of term we will be looking at a very important idea from the Good Citizens section of the Promise:

‘We are honest and tell the truth’

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

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

Please note:

• Both Junior and Senior Drama Club and Philosophy Club have finished for Lent Term

Weekly Calendar - 010419

Crescent School

Tomorrow is our Open Morning, and we are looking forward to welcoming you and your children, families and prospective parents through our doors to enjoy our school.

You will have all received the schedule but here here are a few of the main timings:

• 9:30 Pre-Prep and selected Class VI to arrive via side pupil entrance 
• 10:30 Classes III and IV to arrive in sports kit via the side entrance to show their parents around the school 
• 10:30 Classes VF & VY and remaining Class VI child to arrive in uniform and blazer via the side to show their parents around the school
• 10:45 All upper school children to go to their activity
• 11:50 Children to be collected from their activity

All parents of children in Reception to Class IV do have to remain on site, however this is a super time to watch your child, explore the classrooms and enjoy refreshments.

We really appreciate you sharing this day with us.

Ms Lowe
Senior Teacher

“These are the best LAMDA results we have ever achieved, such scores are unheard of, I am amazed and delighted”, said Kim Thompson, Drama teacher at the Crescent School in Rugby. 

It was an outstanding set of results - all 71 Crescent pupils who took the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA) examinations in March passed.  68 pupils achieved a distinction and six pupils were judged as perfect receiving a phenomenal 100 score.

Children from Classes III – VI study for the examinations in their Drama lessons as part of the curriculum.  Classes III and IV take the Introductory level, Stages 1 and 2 respectively while Classes V and VI take the Communications - Speaking Verse and Prose, Entry and Grade 1 examinations. 

The children have to prepare poems to perform. They are judged on interpretation, technique and knowledge. They have to consider their diction, expression and movement and have to be able to discuss their choices of poems with their examiner.

Continued Mrs Thompson, “What’s brilliant about the LAMDA exams is that they equip the children with communication skills which will serve them throughout life.  They not only promote an appreciation of literature and poetry, but also help unlock their imagination and creative-thinking.”

Congratulations to all of the children involved, the Crescent School is very proud of you.  These results are a reflection of your hard work both in and out of school – clearly all that rehearsing paid off.

Parents are asked to continue to be vigilant in respect of any communications purporting to be from the Foundation requesting money that do not match our normal procedures.

Please note:

• invoices are only available through the on-line parent fee portal;
• our bank account details will NOT change during the academic year 2018-19.
• if you receive an email purporting to amend our bank details, do not make any payment and please contact us by telephone immediately to clarify;
• we do not email details of unsolicited discounts for payment of funds.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Bursary if you have concerns about any communication you receive and in particular if you receive any request for payment of funds outside our normal routines.

The television production company Love Productions, who make programmes such as The Great British Bake Off and The Great British Sewing Bee are delighted to announce that Junior Bake Off is coming back for a 5th Series on Channel 4 and applications are now open!

We are looking for talented young bakers between 9 -15 years old. Filming would take place from July 2019.

If you have any budding young bakers in your School that you think should apply then please do encourage them to visit our application website www.applyforjuniorbakeoff.co.uk.

Thank you so much for all of your help in advance!

Junior Bake Off

The JLR team continue to work very hard both at school and in their spare time to be ready for the Jaguar Primary School Challenge in May.

They have been looking at and testing car designs, aerodynamics, wind tunnels and much more along with creating a portfolio and verbal presentation to present to the judges.

In order to raise some funds for car parts and testing equipment the team will be selling a strip of raffle tickets for £1 each morning, week beginning Monday 1 April at the pupil entrance from 8.15am onwards.

The FoC have kindly allowed them to also sell tickets on Friday 5 April alongside Class I's Cake Sale at home time. Prizes on offer include £50 voucher for Whilton Go Karting, Nuffield Health guest passes and a months free parking at the RCP station car park.

Mrs Byrne
DT Teacher

Saturday 30 March - 9.30am to 12.00pm

Join us for our Spring Open Morning, a wonderful opportunity to look around the school and meet staff and pupils.

As part of the Open Morning there will be a very special performance by Reception to Year 2 pupils, along with children from Pathfinders Nursery, of Hats Off - An All-Weather Musical. A fun and educational musical that takes the audience on a tour through the changing seasons of the year as Apple the pony tries to find a hat suitable for the weather.

It promises to be fantastic entertainment for visitors of all ages, and will really showcase the talents, confidence and stage presence of the school's youngest pupils. The show commences at 10.00am and we would urge visitors to arrive early to get a good seat!

After the half-hour performance there will be a short presentation about the Crescent and our ambitions for the school as part of the Princethorpe Foundation, and the chance to meet  Headmaster, Joe Thackway. There will also be short Q&A sessions with Alan Webb, Assistant Head - Head of Pre-Prep and Headmaster Joe Thackway about the Crescent's offering for Reception to Year 2 and Year 3 to Year 6. 

Elsewhere on site there will be plenty to see and do, including guided tours by the older pupils, sporting displays, instrumental performances, plus the opportunity to visit classrooms and chat informally to current parents and staff from Pathfinders, the Crescent and Princethorpe College. Light refreshments will be available. There is no need to book.

For more information about the Open Morning please call Registrar, Mrs Helen Morley on 01788 523851 or email admissions@crescentschool.co.uk.

Please wrap up an individual book that you have finished with, put a label on it stating who it is suitable for (girl/boy/adult/age range) and give them to Ms Forth as soon as possible. 

On Wednesday 3 April outside the pupil side entrance, you will be able to pick a book for 50p each and keep what you get!

Thank you

Thursday 4 April 2019 - 2.15pm to 3.15pm

We will be presenting our annual Spring Concert on Thursday 4 April. It will feature all the extra-curricular music groups as well as some soloists and will start at 2.15pm.

All are welcome to come and hear the results of this term’s music hard work and effort!

Friday 5 April 2019 - 2.45pm to 3.45pm

All friends and family are invited to our Easter Service in the School Hall on Friday 5 April. The service will include a telling of the Easter story by the Choir and Classes VY and VF, also prayers led by members of F.R.O.G.

We do hope you will join us for the most important festival in the Christian year, please enter via the front entrance from 2.30pm.  There will be a retiring collection in aid of Bwengu Projects Malawi. Refreshments will be served and Class I Market Day follows immediately afterwards outside the front entrance.

Please note that the school calendar states that the service starts promptly at 2.45pm and is due to finish by 3.45pm, Reception Class will need to be collected later than usual.

Class VI Play Leaders organise and lead lunchtime play sessions for the children in Reception and Pre-Prep classes.  Each week the Playleaders will award certificates to pupils for positive participation and these will be presented in assembly on a Friday.

This week the Ottilie and Tegan have been awarded certificates for amazing helping and being calm and sensible.

Well done all.

Well done to Jack, Jay and Sam O who received Certificates of Excellence from the Playground Supervisors in Assembly this morning for keeping the playground tidy and showing kindness to others.

The Playground Supervisors

• Ava
• Lewis
• Maximillion
• Maya
• Sam B
• Shaylan

In RE, we have been looking at the importance of Holy Week and understanding what happened on the key days of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The children made crosses to highlight the importance of this sign in the Christian Faith and decorated stones to demonstrate their thoughts and learning. 

Class I children took advantage of some glorious Monday afternoon weather in their Science lesson this week.  Armed with clipboards and checklists, they searched the school grounds looking for signs of Spring.  We were delighted to spot bees, new buds, green shoots, blossom, spring flowers, catkins, berries and birds singing.

In Class I during our Art lesson we looked at what Easter meant us and decorated Easter Stones.  We all had different interpretations and decorated our stones beautifully.

Class II have really embraced their learning of the rainforest this term! Come and see their projects down in their classroom so they can tell you all about it!

Class III have loved investigating bread and have had the chance of designing, making and tasting their own bread rolls. Some very unusual flavour combinations but all in all, a great way to bring their learning to life!

In PE this week Class IV and VY made the most of the sunshine by practising their cricket skills.

There are two new displays which will be regularly updated as new information is taught and guidelines are released. In the hall we have our 'Keeping Safe' board which consolidates our Protective Behaviours themes and vocabulary as well as questions for the children to consider.

By the pupil entrance, there is useful information available for parents with regards to safeguarding and advice on how to keep our children safe. There is also a section about emotional well-being at school with some practical ideas to reduce anxiety and to identify triggers at school. 

Over the last few weeks all of our children have been learning about the meanings behind the words used in the traditional version of the Lord's prayer within their RE lessons.

Mr Thackway has led the move back to reciting the traditional version of this prayer in our assemblies, services and celebrations, so that adults and children alike can join in with this well known version.

Eight Crescent students represented the Rugby and Eastern Warwickshire Area for Cross Country at Morton Morrell College last Saturday 22 March.   The course was undulating and passed through sheep fields with a long slow incline at the start, enough to make anyone's legs burn.  Great team spirit was shown and all students dug really deep to give it their best.  Well done to all involved.

• George 11th
• Tom 57th
• Kyle 68
• Fin 71st

• Mia 52nd
• Harriett 54th
• Sienna 68th
• Olivia 74th

U11(A) played some wonderful netball, working really hard but Kingsley's mighty defence made it extremely difficult to get the ball into the circle, Bexie and Mia worked really hard to keep moving and get in front of their very tall opponents to have a shot on goal.  The match ended in a 17-7 loss.

• U11(A) a 11-9 loss - player of the game was Bexie
• U10(A) a 5-4 loss - player of the game was Chloe
• U10(B) a 5-1 loss - player of the game was Rania 

U9(A) 11-2 win V Ratcliffe – player of the match was Eve

          7-0 win V Crackley – player of the match was Eve

U9(B) 12-0 win v Ratcliffe - player of the match was Sahana

           6-1 loss V Crackley 

Mrs McCollin
Head of Girls' Games

What a busy couple of weeks we've had with the children for Mother's Day.

We have completed 170 tea lights over the three lunchtime sessions in school and have raised over £350 for the FoC in the process.

Thank you to all the wonderful FoC helpers who came along to support the children without you this wouldn't have been possible. Let's hope they are all enjoyed on Sunday and that the Loveheart sweets make it - some of the children definitely had their eyes on them!

Thank you to everyone who came and purchased cakes and sweets from the market day last week. The Class II parents raised £200 and Mr Webb with the class are currently looking at what games, toys and crafts they can purchase for privilege time. 

Friday 5 April 2019 - 3.45pm to 4.45pm

Please come along and purchase cakes and sweets from Class I. All money raised will go towards crafts, games and toys for their class.

As this date is also the Spring Concert, there will be a small selection to purchase in the hall after the concert, however, the main bake sale will be held on the front Lawn.

Sunday 12 May 2019 - 3.00pm

We are holding a Draycote Water sponsored run, scoot, walk or cycle in aid of the mental health charity Place2Be.

The school council have decided Place2Be is next term's Charity.  This is a charity that provides school based support and in-depth programmes to improve the well-being of pupils, families, teachers and school staff. For more information please go to www.place2be.org.uk.

Please put the date in your diary now. Sponsorship forms will be sent out just before the Easter holidays.

Just to make everyone aware that we have second hand uniform that can be purchased from the FoC. Blazers and Black coats are only £5 and all other branded uniform is only £1 per item. We are looking to do an inventory of all the uniform we currently have at school which your Year Group representative will have access to and will send around to you all via your facebook and whatsapp groups. You will then be able to check this before you order new uniform to see if we have the size you require. If you wish to purchase something please speak to Mr Thackway on the door in the morning when you drop off and he, or his Year 6 helper, will be able to get this item for you.

If you also have any good quality uniform that no longer fits your child please donate this to the FoC by leaving it on the FoC table. Please ensure it is washed and ready to sell.

Monday 13 May 2019 - 3.45pm to 4.45pm

Please come along and join us at our next meeting if you're available. We will be discussing Father's Day craft, Disco, Reception Market Day as well as the Summer Fete which this year will be held on Friday 21 June. 

Please sign your child(ren) into after school for free if you wish to attend.

Please click on the link below to view next week's lunch menu: 

Crescent Menu - 010419

Crescent School Office

Please find a link below to the current vacancies available across the Foundation:

• Teacher of French
• Art Technician
• Facilities Assistant Manager

Full details of the roles and how to apply are available via the following link https://www.princethorpe.co.uk/employment-opportunities

Please note that the School Shop (based at Princethorpe College) will be closed during the Easter break from 4.30pm on Wednesday 11 April 2019 until 10.30am on Monday 29 April 2019. 

Please contact Nicola Browne on 01926 634272 or at uniform@princethorpe.co.uk with any uniform requirements prior to 4.30pm on Wednesday 11 April 2019.

Please find below term dates for this academic year and next:

2018/19

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

2019/20

Please see below for useful school contact information:

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 - Choir, Orchestra, String, Brass and Wind

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

Crescent School Office