The Courier

Dear Parents 

It has been rather wet week in school and we haven’t had many of those recently. I’m sure the field and plants on site will benefit from the soaking over the next few weeks but it has sadly meant the cancellation of our sports fixtures this week.

The rain however did not put a dampener on the Year 3 residential visit to Whitemoor Lakes. I was able to get along on both days and I was really impressed with the quiet, well organised atmosphere at the centre in general and by the excellent behaviour of the Crescent children in particular. They got wholeheartedly involved in all of the activities and never grumbled about the rain. They were polite and respectful to their teachers and to the staff from the centre. Most importantly of all, they clearly had great fun and found it all very exciting and are already looking forward to their trip to Rock UK next year. Many thanks indeed to Mrs Stapleton and Miss Hanson who did such a great job leading the party and doing so much to create a spirit of friendly collaboration in the class.

Open evening on Tuesday avoided the showers and we had a healthy turn out of new families. Many thanks as always to you and all of the children for your support at these events.

Very well done indeed to our JLR Challenge team last week who represented the school with such pride and enthusiasm. It was our first go at entering this competition and we came away with a highly creditable performance and top prize for the best verbal presentation to the judges. Congratulations to all of the Cobras and to Mrs Byrne.  

After all the excitement of the Champion’s League football semi-finals this week I am off to Villa Park with my son to watch the first leg of the play-offs on Saturday. As hardened Villa fans, we will be hoping for the best but as always preparing for disaster. On Sunday we will be joining the FoC for the Draycote Charity walk.  I hope to see many of you there.

Joe Thackway

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.

We continue with the category of Good Friends and focus on the theme of good manners. Simple acts of courtesy and kindness can make such a difference to our quality of life and it is something we value very highly at Crescent, as I know you do at home.

'We use our manners all the time'

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

Please click on the link below to view the weekly calendar.  The calendar details all the co-curricular clubs for Trinity term. 

Weekly Calendar - 130519 

Crescent School

The Year 3 and 4 Drama Performance has been moved to Friday 14 June 2019 from 16.00 - 17.30 in the School Hall.

Further details will be sent out nearer the time.

Dear Year 5 Parents

As from Tuesday 7 May, you will be able to register online for your child to sit the 11+ exam for the local authority selective grammar schools. The deadline for applications is 4pm on 28 June 2019 so you have plenty of time, although the best advice is always to get it done as soon as you are sure that you will be applying. You can find full details using the link below; you will need to set up a user account in order to apply to sit the test.

https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/admissions

I have been made aware that Crescent School does not appear in the list of schools on the 11+ website selection.  Warwickshire Admissions have advised that parents need to phone them after applying online and provide them with your Child's details and they will then manually add the information. 

Also please be aware of another issue, the email confirmation you receive back will say 2018 not 2019 - ignore this. However, until you have received a confirmation email your application has not yet been registered so do keep checking the account to ensure you have completed everything you need to.

Please also note that the next significant dates in the school calendar regarding this process are Monday 17 June for the transition meetings for Class VF and Tuesday 18 June for Class VY. This will be meeting with Ms Forth, Mrs Yates and Ms Lowe to discuss the different options for secondary transfer and the schools that would be a good match for your son or daughter. The appointment booking system for these meetings will be opened in due course.

Dear Parents

As mentioned in my newsletter back in March, we are about to say goodbye to our much valued teacher of Modern Foreign Languages, Madame Tourigny.

Mme Tourigny has taught here at Crescent for the last 10 years in a subject that we hold in very high regard. She has delivered a fun and energetic programme of language learning from Reception to Year 6 and I join with all the children and staff in thanking her for all of her hard work and endeavour. She has also been a much loved colleague and we wish her well in her move to Manchester to begin a new phase of her life.

The original plan was always that Mme Tourigny stayed on to the end of this term. However, her house move has gone through much quicker than expected and, quite rightly, she grasped the opportunity to move when it was there. For the last month she has been commuting down from Manchester but I am glad to say we have now secured two teachers to provide French and Spanish until the end of term, meaning I can now release Mme Tourigny for the remaining weeks of the term. Both of these teachers come with a strong background in MFL teaching and have of course gone through all of the rigorous screening processes that apply to any staff coming into our school. This means that Mme Tourigny’s last working day here will be Tuesday 14 May.

We have also now made a long term appointment for the foreign language post, Mme Claire Tatton. Mme Tatton is a French national who was educated in France before undertaking her teacher training at the University of Leicester. She is currently the Head of the MFL Department at Grace Dieu Prep School in Leicestershire, where she has taught 2007 since. She is a native French speaker with an excellent knowledge of Spanish and a real love of primary age education. We look forward to welcoming Claire on board in September and you will all have a chance to meet her at the Welcome Evening on 27 June.

Crescent School’s Class IV enjoyed a half-day music technology workshop hosted by Princethorpe College on Thursday 9 May.  The workshop was run by Director of Music, Gil Cowlishaw, ably assisted by Music Teacher, Alison Wakeley, and took place in the College’s dedicated Music Technology suite. The children were introduced to computer music production concepts such as sequencing and arrangement and then encouraged to experiment.  Using the technology software Band Lab, the children enjoyed creating music in a completely new way. Starting with drum machine patterns and loops and adding texture through the addition of bass, keyboard and even vocal lines the children each created their own unique piece.

After a short break and a Princethorpe cookie, the children moved on to explore the concept of harmony.  This time using online song writing software Hookpad, the children built a pattern of major and minor chords and overlaid their own melodies.  Finally, the children listened to their music in a variety of music styles including rock, pop, jazz and even reggae.

The Year 4s clearly enjoyed the workshop and exploring music in a new way and everyone was able to save their Band Lab creations on a memory stick to take home to share with their families.

Mr Cowlishaw, commented, “We had lots of fun in our music technology taster, the children were all fantastic to work with and created some amazing pieces.  The online software we used can be found at www.hooktheory.com if anyone wants to carry on creating.”

On Tuesday 7 May local Rugby residents Sue and Samantha Melia, from Bwengu Projects Malawi, visited the Crescent School to receive a cheque for £1442.20.  The cheque was presented by Year 4 pupils Michael Mercer and Isaac Nelson, in assembly in front of the whole school.

The Crescent School has been supporting the work of Bwengu Projects for twelve years.  In fact, the school was one of the charity’s first supporters back in 2007 when they donated books for use in school libraries, one of the charity’s earliest projects.  Each year the Year 4 children at the Crescent School study Africa and in particular Malawi and the work the charity, Bwengu Projects, does.  Studying the challenges the people in Malawi face helps the children to appreciate the similarities and differences in our societies.

At the end of their topic the children choose specific Bwengu Projects to support and go on to organise fundraising activities that the whole school participates in.  This year the Year 4s have raised money in a number of enterprising ways including building a penny path, maintaining a sponsored silence, organising collections at the school’s Easter Service and Spring Concert and running guess games, a treasure hunt and a mystery pick-a-book event. 

For 2019 the children chose two projects to support with a target of £1010 in order to fund six months of orphans’ food and solar panels for a girls’ school. 

Bryony Forth, Deputy Head, commented, “Supporting the Bwengu Project is always a highlight of my teaching year, something which I personally am very proud to be part of.  The children enjoy studying Bwengu and comparing 'A Village Less Economically Developed than Rugby'.  Over the years, we must have raised nearly £10,000 and helped pay for renovating schools, building a Women's Development Centre, sewing machines, a teacher's salary and nearly 60,000 meals for orphans.

“The children worked incredibly hard this year organising lots of events. They have smashed their fundraising target, having raised a grand total of £1442.20. We have asked for any left over funds to be spent on bunk beds for the girls so they do not have to sleep on the floor anymore". 

Sue and Samantha Melia were overwhelmed, and commented, “This is really wonderful, our aims are very simple, our projects in Malawi support education.  It is difficult to ask a question of those that lead you, if you cannot read, write or even count.  Our philosophy is simply helping the many to help themselves.  The Crescent children help unlock that opportunity for children in Malawi.”

Sam and Vignesh were outstanding in the Bebras Computer Challenge earlier in the year and so were invited to take part in The Oxford Challenge. These challenges test logical thinking that is required for programming and problem solving on the computers. For The Oxford Challenge, the boys had to revise beforehand and did this entirely independently. They performed really well in the challenge with Vignesh achieving a merit and Sam a distinction.

Last Thursday it was my pleasure to accompany Izzy and her family to an award ceremony at Bilton Grange for the Rupert Brook literary prize run by Rugby School.

The standard of writing in the different age categories was amazing and it was motivational to hear the quality of work that school children had produced. Izzy was awarded 3rd prize - a fantastic achievement. 

Mrs Byrne would like newspapers for her art lessons over the next few weeks.  Please could you send any clean, dry newspapers into school.

Many thanks

On Friday 24 May we will have a non-uniform day in aid of our term’s charity, Place2Be. The children can come in their own clothes and are invited to wear a hat to acknowledge and celebrate the great work that this charity does for children’s mental health.

So get looking for your baseball caps, flat caps, bobble hats and straw boaters! Please bring in £1 on that day and all proceeds will go to Place2Be.  

Many thanks

Mrs Stapleton & Mrs Monteith

Wednesday 5 June 2019 - 6.30pm to 8.30pm 

The College's Summer Open Evening will take place on Wednesday 5 June from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. This is an informal opportunity for prospective families to look around the school and to meet members of staff and pupils.

There will be activities in each department for children to participate in, and the Headmaster will also address visitors in the Chapel during the evening. Light refreshments are available.

There is no need to book.

For further information please contact the Registrar, Mrs Vanessa Rooney, on 01926 634201 or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

This week congratulations goes to Timi Ladele who has been awarded a Junior da Vinci badge for his work in English, a super achievement.

Ms Lowe
Senior Teacher

We have another triple millionaire, well done to Alyssa Barnett for reading 3,000,000 words!  That is a lot of books.

Congratulations!

• Aryaan
• Maximillion
• Patrick

Well done to Zac and Aryaan who received certificates of Excellence from the Playground Supervisors in Assembly this morning for excellent tidying up and embracing life on the playground.

The Playground Supervisors

Well done to Nora and Akaal who received Certificates of Excellence from the Play Leaders in Assembly this morning for playing nicely and listening to instructions.

In our new topic of 'Weather' in Geography, we made rain catchers (gauges) to see how much rain falls in Rugby.
 
This was a great cross curricular activity where the children used not only their emerging understanding of weather but also their maths skills in the accurate measuring and drawing of a scale to put on their rain catcher.  Before they go outside, we will do some work on estimation and monitor daily how much rain has fallen, practising reading the levels on our scales.

Mrs Emery

Class I children explored every inch of our school grounds (and a little beyond!) for signs of wild flowers.  We can define them, name some and even recognise how their seeds spread.

As part of our learning about Christianity in RE, Class I thoroughly enjoyed a visit from Pastor Alan from BEC church on Wednesday afternoon. We had an open question session where the children could ask any questions about Christianity, God or Jesus that they were curious about.

The range of questions was fantastic from, 'are there special foods that Christians need to eat?; to a discussion about different types of Christian church, to an understanding that living as a Christian is very similar to our School Promise in living your life as a good person.   

Thank you to Pastor Alan for opening himself up to a session where 5 and 6-year-olds were given free rein to ask whatever they like. 

Yesterday, Class II tasted a range of foods for their “Prepare to Party” topic in DT.  They could choose to try from breads sticks, sausage rolls, red peppers, cucumber and four dips.  They rated their experience by completing a sheet saying if they liked the food or not. 

We had most of the class trying something new for the first time enjoying their choices.  Maybe some new items might enter your shopping trolley in the future!

As part of our key learning about Buddhism in Year 2, we learnt about the festival of Wesak which celebrates the birth of Buddha still after over 2,500 years ago. Buddhists decorate their home with lanterns and garlands, bathe Buddha statues and donate money and food to those in need.

Class II children have been thinking, talking, explaining and justifying their problem solving skills together as Maths Mastery partners.

What an amazing couple of days! Class III stepped up to every challenge, demonstrated incredible resilience and perseverance during our time there. The instructors applauded their behaviour and manners and I was so proud to see them uphold the School Promise outside of the classroom.

A big thank you to Ms Hanson and Mr Thackway who both got ’stuck in’ and gave the children lasting memories with plenty of care and attention.

Mrs Stapleton
Class III Form Tutor

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 this term's Charity.  It 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.

Sponsorship forms were sent out before the Easter holidays.  

Additional forms can be dowloaded here.

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 sign your child up using the folder on the FoC table. It costs £5 per child which includes a drink and snack. All children in Reception need to be accompanied by an adult.  

• Reception, Class I and Class II disco will be held from 3.45pm - 4.45pm 
• Classes III - VI will be held from 5.00pm - 6.00pm

You can either pay on the night or put an envelope into the FoC green post box marked 'School Disco' with your child's name on it.

More information will be available after the next FoC meeting.

Friday 24 May 2018 3.45pm - 4.45pm

Please come along and purchase cakes and sweets in aid of Reception.

Don't forget you can also purchse pre-loved uniform too.

Friday 21 June 3.20pm - 5.00pm

At this year’s Summer Fete, weather permitting, we will have donkey rides, inflatables, games for the children to play, refreshments, tombola, raffle, candy floss and the teddy stall.

Reception and Class I children will be able to attend slightly earlier from 3.20pm.  More details to follow.

Please put the date in your diary now. 

Friday 28 June 2019

This will be held from 8pm at the Distillery Bar in Rugby. Tickets will go on sale soon. 

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

Crescent Menu - 13 May.pdf 

Crescent School Office

Please see below for useful school contact information:

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

2018/19

Trinity Term
May Bank Holiday Monday 6 May 2019
Half Term Saturday 25 May to Sunday 2 June 2019
Term ends Wednesday 3 July 2019

2019/20

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

• Summer Estate Assistants
• School Nurse

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

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

Reception Round Up - 100519