Welcome to The Courier, Crescent School's electronic newsletter.

It has been lovely to see the Children back in school this week looking smart in their Summer Uniform. You can see what some of the classes have been doing in the Around the Classes section.

The Supporting Your Child section provides information, for each Class, on areas of the curriculum where you may be able to help your child at home.

Click here to email the Courier.

Preview

Headmaster's Message

Headmaster's Message

Dear Parents

I am delighted to report that we have had a calm and purposeful start to the new term here at school. It is always wonderful to see the children returning from the summer breaks looking smart in their new or updated school uniforms, refreshed and raring to go for the new school term. Of course, as the first week goes on the reality of the early morning get-ups start to kick in and we had some tired young children in school by the end of the week. We will all get used to our new routines soon enough and hopefully this weekend will be a chance to recharge the batteries. I have been particularly impressed with the Reception class, as well as all of the new starters in other classes around the school, who have come in and embraced life in school right from the word go.

For our children in Year Six of course this is a particularly significant Saturday and Sunday as many of them will be sitting the local authority 11+ exam. The best advice I can give is to go in there and work your socks off for the two hours of the exam, don’t waste a single minute but use any extra time you have to check and double-check. As soon as you leave the exam room there is nothing more you can do and that’s the time to put it to one side and carry on with more interesting matters like learning fascinating things at school, spending time with friends and enjoying your sport and music etc. As I have said before, the children have been well coached in all the skills and techniques they will need on the day and we are confident that they will go into the exams as well prepared as any children in the county. Everyone here wishes them all the very best in their endeavours.

I hope you all enjoy a restful weekend.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

Communications Between School And Parents

Dear Parents

As a parent with school age children myself I know how important it is that you have access to clear and consistent information to enable you to plan your busy schedules around the needs of your children.

This letter is an attempt to set out clearly how we will use the various different platforms available to us, so that you know how and where to find the information you need.

The School Calendar
You now receive a pocket-sized hardcopy version of this at the end of the preceding term. We attempt to get as much detail in here as possible regarding parental events, sports fixtures and educational visits. This is also available in an electronic format via My School Portal, so you can click and create personal diary items on your own online diary.
 
The Courier
This is a crucial part of the system. The Courier is delivered electronically to your inbox every Friday. It includes reports and articles on ongoing events in school and will inform you of any changes or additions to the calendar.  There is a link at the end of the Courier to the Weekly Calendar that lists all events planned for the upcoming week, including sports and clubs and highlights any late changes to details.  
 
My School Portal
Through My School Portal you will have secure, 24-hour access to personalised data about your child/children across the Foundation schools via one user name and password.
From one intuitive, simple to use dashboard, you can access official communications, reports, sports fixtures and team sheets, attendance records, the school calendar, teacher contact information, and a wide range of school information and documentation. You will also be able to book events and parents evening appointments, receive instant web notifications and contact the school using the relevant contact forms within the portal, all from your smartphone, tablet or desktop device. Additionally, we will be adding new features and functionality over time to further improve your experience as parents. Importantly, moving all personal data to a restricted user-only portal ensures that only the right people see the right information.
 
Email by ISAMS
Occasionally it is necessary to inform you of late changes to arrangements. For example, fixtures might need to be cancelled due to poor weather. In this instance you will receive a message via ISAMS, the school management system. This will appear in your email inbox.
We will also use this means of communication if it is a personal message for you, often from a form teacher, or possibly one that is specific to a form or year group.
 
Texts
We also have the option to send you urgent or time sensitive communications by text.
These are only used when urgent communication is required, such as a late return from a fixture or outing. We would normally use email when there is sufficient time and back this up with a text.
 
SOCS (School Online Communication System)
SOCS is a communication package that we will be introducing this term to communicate with you regarding co-curricular activities and sports fixtures.
Co-curricular clubs - you will be able to select and sign up for your chosen clubs each term and you will also be notified of your child’s acceptance. 
Sports fixtures - you will now receive all information regarding team selection, fixture time, date and location (including a link to Google Maps directions) though SOCS. In due course, on the SOCS website, you will also be able to view scores, match reports and upcoming fixture details. 
 
Evolve
Evolve is another package we will use that relates directly to school trips, fixtures, educational workshops and residential visits. You will be able to access information relating to the event as well as giving parental consent and agreement to payment arrangements where appropriate.
 
Social Media
The school also runs a Facebook and Twitter account. These accounts are used primarily to publicise upcoming events and to give quick fire reports and updates on special events in school or on trips. We might put in some general pictures of the events to give a taste of what is happening as well as short informative reports to keep you up to date.
These types of platform do not lend themselves well to viewing large numbers of pictures of the children. For some events, such as residential visits, we like to make available pictures of the children taking part to parents and for these we would use our Flickr account. If we are planning to upload pictures of events that involve your children onto Flickr you will receive an email from the school that contains the link to the relevant pictures. It is not possible to access our Flickr account without this personalised link.
 
Website
The school website is the place to look for general information relating to the school such as mission statements, school ethos, inspection reports, policy statements, term dates and links to the other schools of the Foundation. 
 
When you put it all in one letter, you realise just how varied our communications options are. Hopefully, this letter will clarify how and when each of them will be used this year but we are always looking to improve and refine this aspect of the running of the school as time goes by. If you have any queries in the meantime or would like more guidance on using the new systems I, or one of the front office staff, will be more than happy to help.

With all best wishes

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

Weekly Information

Weekly Calendar

Please click on the link below to view the weekly calendar of clubs, events, fixtures and additional information for the week. 

Weekly Calendar - 9 September 2019

Hotshots - taster sessions for Hoshots will be held during the day on Monday 16 September and the club will re-commence on Monday 23 September 2019 from 1545 - 1640.  Information will be sent home after the taster session. 

All the co-curricular clubs can be viewed on SOCS Co-curricular and detail which week the clubs are running.  

SOCS Co-Curricular

Crescent School

News

Good Luck Year 6

This weekend, many of the Year 6 are taking the 11+. Mrs Yates and Mrs Webb wish good luck to our classes. They have been prepared through their lessons, taught strategies and timings as well as how to deal with stress and knowing how to relax.  All they can do is try their best, once the exam is over it is best not to analyse and just settle back into their learning and preparing for Year 7.

We are sending you positive thoughts.

Mrs Webb and Mrs Yates
Year 6 Form Teachers

School Promise Rule Of The Week

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.

This week’s promise is an excellent one to start the year with and is in the category of Good Friends:

‘We are kind to each other’ 

Mr Webb
Head of Pastoral Care

Pupils Arriving At School - Safeguarding Issue

We have had safeguarding concerns this week that children of all ages have been left unsupervised at the pupil entrance door for some time in advance of the school's opening at 8.15am.

It is only at this time that school becomes responsible for all children's safe care. Before this time it is a parental duty.

Please note, however, that all children can be brought to the front door at any time from 7.45am - 8.15am where they will be welcomed and looked after by our Early Bird staff as appropriate for their age. This does not need to be booked in advance.

Mr Webb
Designated Safeguarding Lead 

Foundation News: Countdown To Princethorpe College Entrance Exams Begins

With a little over nine weeks to go, the countdown to Princethorpe's Entrance Exams for admission in September 2020 has begun. This year the exams for Year 7 to 10 entry will take place on Saturday 9 November from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

The College's friendly Admissions Team has been kept busy over the summer accepting registrations from prospective parents.  The deadline for registrations is ideally Friday 4 October, to enable the seeking of references from junior schools. Year 6 parents wishing their children to sit the Princethorpe entrance exam must complete a registration form and submit it with the accompanying registration fee by this date.

There are still opportunities for prospective pupils and their parents to visit the College before the Entrance Exams, including the College's Open Morning on Thursday 26 September from 10.30am to 12.30pm, when pupil tour guides will be available to show visitors around the school.

Comments Melanie Butler, Assistant Head, Marketing, Admissions and Communications, "Parents and pupils still have time to register and one final opportunity to visit the College before the entrance exams.  We post the results out at the end of November, making for an exam-free Christmas holiday, which has got to be good news."

More information on the admissions process can be found in Princethorpe's Admissions Update newsletter here or on the Foundation website here.

If you have any queries relating to admissions please feel free to email the Registrars at admissions@princethorpe.co.uk or call them on 01926 634201.

Nut-Free School

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.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

Current Expectations For Uniform

In the first half of the Autumn Term children should come to school in summer uniform together with their school blazers whilst the temperatures are still reasonably mild.  Parents can use their discretion to send children in winter uniform if the weather turns cooler or if it is raining.

After the half term break all children are expected to be in full winter uniform.  Parents can again then use their discretion as to whether blazers or the school coat 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.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster 

Sports Captains Announced

In Assembly this morning the following children were awarded their badges in recognition of being made Sports Captains this term:

  • George - Hockey Captain
  • Keshav - Football Captain
  • Izzy - Netball Captain
  • Phoebe -  Hockey Captain
  • Sienna - Swimming Captain

Congratulations!

Joe Thackway
Headmaster 

Considerate Parking

Dear Parents

Please be considerate when parking around school. 

There has been a number of problems with parking preventing residents accessing their properties, including parking across driveways, and with cars parking on pavements and near the junction in Dalkeith Avenue. 

The safety of the children is of paramount concern and I would urge everyone to drive and park with this in mind on all occasions around the school site.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster 

Sport Fixtures

Following on from an incredible summer of international sport, we are excited about our year of sport here at Crescent. Leadership, communication, team work and resilience are sought after skills in the world of work and sport gives the children a great grounding to build these skills. Therefore, we want the children to have plenty of experience of playing in fixtures and we look to provide opportunities for all children from Year 3 to 6 to do so over the course of the three terms.

We know that logistics can sometimes be difficult which is why we have most of our fixtures printed on the calendar (some local fixtures or events get arranged after the calendar is printed) and we have an up to date list of fixtures on SOCS (you can get to this through MySchoolPortal). We would encourage you to save the app to your phone and sync it with your phone’s calendar. If you are unsure of how to do this then do ask. By making this information accessible, we are hoping that parents are able to make arrangements so that their child is available for all of the fixtures and so won’t miss out on building those valuable skills.

We select teams based on ability and the ability of the opposition. We also take into consideration the child’s commitment to co-curricular practice, commitment to fixtures and attitude/behaviour when playing sport. We look to reward those that are showing the qualities that we value. We put team sheets and fixture details on SOCS and will send an Evolve message as a reminder and to gain parental consent. We encourage the children to look on SOCS as well and, particularly in Years 5 and 6, take responsibility for knowing the fixture details. The children should tell the teacher in charge if they cannot play in a fixture as soon as possible.

Parental support at fixtures has been fantastic and, certainly last year, was always positive. Nevertheless, just a reminder to not question the official’s decisions and to not to give your child tactical advice during a match. They may have received different information from their teacher and will then be confused as to what to do. We had some great results last year and some not so great. It was pleasing that the parents acted as positive role models for their children regardless of the result. This is so important.

Mr Phillips
Head of PE and Games

 

Kindles Or Other E-ReadersĀ In School

Kindles or other e-reader are allowed in school from Year 3 for the children to read from. It is important that reading is accessible as possible for children and often books are cheaper online. The children really only need to be reading one book rather than having a school book and a home book, one book can do both jobs and will save on confusion for the child.

If you decide that your child can bring their Kindle or other e-reader in then it is for reading ONLY. There will be no internet access. If a child is found using it inappropriately then parents will be informed. The Kindle will be the child's responsibility and any breakages are not our responsibility.

Please be reassured there are more than enough books in school for your child to enjoy and there is no necessity for your child to have a Kindle or e-reader, it is just a different way to access books if you wish to.

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head 

Foundation News: Anti Fraud

Cyber-crime – please be vigilant

Parents are asked to be vigilant when reading emails relating to the payment of school fees and any other items to the Foundation.

We continue to receive reports regarding spam emails being sent to parents of independent schools asking them to pay future fees to a ‘new’ school bank account.

Please be advised there has been no change to the bank details of either Princethorpe College, Crackley Hall or Crescent and there is no intention to make any changes in the foreseeable future. Any electronic notification that appears to be from any of the Foundation schools changing these details may be fraudulent.

Our bank details are available on the Parent Bills, the Online Payment Portal and for Princethorpe in the Princethorpe College Information Booklet 2019 – 2020, and only those details should be used.

Parents are asked 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 2019-20;
  • 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 me or my colleagues in the Bursary if you are have any doubts about the correct details or indeed if anything appears suspicious.

Please 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.

Please note we do not accept payment in cash for the fee bill.

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar

Events

Slapton Sands Information Session

Monday 30 September 2019 - 4.00pm

All Year 6 parents are invited to an information session about the residential trip to Slapton Ley Centre. This will be an opportunity for you to find out what happens there, note the key dates and ask any questions. We will soon be asking for you to sign up for this trip, securing your child's place with a small deposit.

This will be held in the Class 6W form room at 4.00pm on Monday 30 September 2019. Your child(ren) is/are also welcome and there will be light refreshments served. It should last no more than 30 minutes.

An email with a link to sign up has been emailed to you.

Mrs Webb
Class VI Teacher

 

View Gallery

Individual And Siblings Photographic Photos

Monday 23 September 2019

Individual and siblings photographs will be taken in school on Monday 23 September.  Children are required to wear their Winter uniform with Blazers.

Crescent School

Princethorpe College Open Morning

Thursday 26 September 2019 - 10.30am - 12.30pm

The College is holding an Open Morning on Thursday 26 September from 10.30am to 12.30pm.  This is a chance to look around the school on a normal working day, prior to Entrance Examinations Day on Saturday 9 November 2019. Year 8 and Year 9 pupils will act as tour guides and show visitors around the school. 

Please do spread the word amongst friends and family, all are very welcome.

For further information please visit www.princethorpe.co.uk

Crescent School Open Day For Prospective Parents

Friday 4 October 2019 - 10.00am to 3.00pm

The Crescent School is opening its doors to prospective parents for an Open Day on Friday 4 October from 10.00am to 3.00pm.

This is an opportunity to look around the school and to meet staff and pupils on a normal working day. All are welcome, no need to book, so please do help us spread the word.

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

For more information visit www.crescentschool.co.uk

Awards

Music Exams Results

In assembly today we recognised the achievements of our pupils in the ABRSM music exams taken last term. Of the 24 who sat the exams, all achieved a pass, with seven awarded Merits and three Distinctions. Particular mention should go to Alyssa, who gained Distinctions in both her exams, and Henry who has reached Grade 5 standard at the tender age of 10. In addition four pupils took the PrePrep Test, and we look forward to seeing them progress on to their first exams very soon.
  
Alyssa Violin Distinction
Alyssa Trumpet Distinction
Amy  Violin Merit
Chloe S Singing Pass
Eve Bb Cornet Pass
Evie Bb Cornet Merit
Faris Piano Pass
Freya Siningn Pass
Henry Percussion Merit
Henry Bb Cornet Merit
Holly Singing Pass
Isaac Piano Pass
Jessica Singing Pass
Joshua Bb Cornet Pass
Katherine Violin Distinction
Keshav Trumpet Distinction
Rania Piano Pass
Tumi Singing Pass

 

Congratulations to you all.
  
Mrs Barnes
Director of Music

Reading Eggs Certificates

Reading Eggs certificates have, this week, been awarded to:
 
  • Barnaby
  • Darius
  • Edward W
  • Lewis
  • Maximillion
  • Nora
  • Sophia
Congratulations!
 
Mr Webb
Class II Teacher and Assistant Head
Head of Pre-Prep

Around The Classes

Reception Roundup

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

Reception Round Up - 060919 

Mrs Pullen
Reception Class Teacher
View Gallery

Class 1E - PSHE

In PSHE we read a lovely book called, ‘Only One You’, by Linda Kranz. It is a story about a Mummy and Daddy fish and the advice they pass on to their baby fish about how it can make the world a better place because there is ‘only one you’.

The children designed their own individual fish and noticed that no one fish they had made was exactly the same.  They then thought and wrote about one thing they could do to make the world a better place. The children had lovely ideas including smiling at people, holding the door open for them, using less plastic, asking children to join in their play, helping do jobs at home and helping others up when they fall over.

Mrs Emery
Class 1E Teacher

Crescent Class 2 Are Kind Kids

Class 2W children have thrived this week, on the challenges and expectations of a new school year: instantly demonstrating kindness and thought to others, an eagerness to please and a determination to be the best they can be.

Mr Webb
Year 2 Form Teacher

Class 3S Use Newly Refurbished Computer Suite

Class 3S have been spending time in our newly refurbished Computing Suite this week. Alongside their STAR reading assessment they have been exploring the online learning platform, Spellzone to help them learn their weekly spellings in a fun and engaging way!

Mrs Stapleton
Class 3S Form Teacher
View Gallery

FoC

Welcome From The Friends Of Crescent (FOC)

Welcome everyone to a new school year of Friends of Crescent (FoC) events.For everyone who is new to the Crescent the FoC committee comprises of parent and grandparent volunteers from each school year and representatives from the teaching staff. We meet every half term to discuss our planned events and initiatives for the school. Anyone is welcome to join us with your child being able to attend 'after school' free during this time.

We organise social and fundraising events for both children and parents. Funds raised go towards items used by the whole school.

We also run ‘Market Day’ cake/sweet sales for each school year, with funds raised spent on items the children choose.

Finally, we offer an opportunity to purchase second hand uniform at very reduced prices.

Our first FoC meeting of the year will be next Monday 10 September, from 3.45pm - 4.45pm, where we will be discussing our events planned for this term including the Christmas Bazaar.  Please come along and join us if you are available. Just add your child's name onto the 'after school' list where they will be looked after free of charge for the duration of the meeting.

 Events already planned this term are:

  • Year 6 market day/cake sale - Friday 20 September
  • Macmillian Coffee morning - Friday 27 September 
  • Year 5 market day/cake sale - Friday 11 October
  • Parents quiz night - Friday 11 October
  • FoC meeting - Monday 11 November
  • Movie Night - Friday 15 November
  • Christmas Bazaar - Friday 6 December
  • Year 4 market day - Friday 13 December

More details will follow on each of these events next Friday after our meeting on Monday.

In the meantime all these dates can be found on our facebook page: 

Friend of Crescent Facebook Page

Zara Corbin
FoC Chair

 

Housekeeping

Lunch Menu Week Commencing 9 September 2019

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

Crescent Menu - 9 September 2019 

Crescent School Office

 

 

Useful School Contact Information

Please see below for useful school contact information:

Crescent School Office
01788 521595
admin@crescentschool.co.uk
Postal address: Crescent School, Bawnmore Road, Bilton, Rugby CV22 7QH
 
After School Club
01788 523850
 
Bills, Fees and Online Payment
01926 634273
georginamalin@princethorpe.co.uk
 
Registrar
01788 523851
admissions@crescentschool.co.uk
 
School Shop and Uniform
01926 634272
uniform@princethorpe.co.uk
 
Princethorpe College General Office
01926 634200
post@princethorpe.co.uk
 
Pathfinders Nursery
01788 813666
info@pathfindersnursery.co.uk
 
twitter:    @CrescentSchRug
facebook: @cres.school

Term Dates For 2019-20 And 2020-21

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

2019/20

Michaelmas Term 
Term starts Monday 2 September 2019
Half Term Saturday 19 October to Sunday 3 November 2019
End of Term Wednesday 18 December 2019
 
Lent Term 
Term starts Monday 6 January 2020
Half Term Saturday 15 February to Sunday 23 February 2020
End of Term Friday 27 March 2020
 
Trinity Term 
Term starts Monday 20 April 2020
May Bank Holiday Friday 8 May 2020 (no school)
Half Term Saturday 23 May to Sunday 31 May 2020
End of Term Wednesday 1 July 2020
 
2020/21
Michaelmas Term
Term starts Tuesday 1 September 2020
Half Term Saturday 17 October to Sunday 1 November 2020
Term ends Wednesday 15 December 2020

Lent Term
Term starts Tuesday 5 January 2021
Half Term Saturday 13 February to Sunday 21 February 2021
Term ends Friday 26 March 2021

Trinity Term
Term starts Monday 19 April 2021
May Bank holiday - Monday 3 May 2021 (no school)
Half Term Saturday 29 May to Sunday 6 June 2021
Term ends Tuesday 6 July 2021

Supporting Your Child

Class 1E - How To Support Your Child At Home

Please click on the link below which provides information regarding areas of the curriculum where you may be able to help your child at home.

Class 1E- How to Support Your child 

Mrs Emery
Class 1E Teacher

Class 2W - How To Support Your Child At Home

Please click on the link below which provides information regarding areas of the curriculum where you may be able to help your child at home.

Class 2W - How to Support Your child 

Mr Webb
Class 2W Teacher

Class 3S - How To Support Your Child At Home

Please click on the link below which provides information regarding areas of the curriculum where you may be able to help your child at home.

Class 3S - How to Support Your child 

Mrs Stapleton
Class 3S Teacher

Classes 4M - How To Support Your Child At Home

Please click on the link below which provides information regarding areas of the curriculum where you may be able to help your child at home.

 Class 4M - How to Support Your child

Mrs Monteith 
Class 4M Teacher

Class 5F - How To Support Your Child At Home

Please click on the link below which provides information regarding areas of the curriculum where you may be able to help your child at home.

Class 5F - How to Support Your child

Ms Forth 
Class V Teacher

Class 6W and 6Y - How To Support Your Child At Home

Please click on the link below which provides information regarding areas of the curriculum where you may be able to help your child at home.

Class 6W and 6Y - How to Support Your child 

Mrs Webb and Mrs Yates
Class 6W and 6Y Class Teacher