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

This week's edition includes a report on the Choral Day held at Crackley Hall as well as lots of news from around the classes. 

Our cover photo is of the beautiful wreath made by Class 2W for the Remembrance Service in school.

Please read on to find out what else has been going on in school this week.

Click here to email The Courier.

 

Preview

Headmaster's Message

Headmaster's Message

Dear Parents

We started this week with an assembly and service to mark this year‘s Remembrance Day. Although our children are young I always think this act of shared national reflection is an important one for them to take part in.

We talked in the assembly about how painful it would be to lose a close friend and how important it would become to remember them each year, just as it is to all those servicemen and women who have survived wars and conflicts. That promise is then passed on to us and from one generation to the next.

Thanks in particular to our excellent readers, Alex T and Shiv from Year 2, and Harry and Izzy from Year 6. Thanks also to Henry who played the Last Post so beautifully to bring our service to a close.

Last weekend, many of our Year 6 children took the Princethorpe College entrance exam. I have spent a good deal of time this week working on the admissions panel at the College looking closely at all of the applications and exam results. Princethorpe is an enormously attractive option to parents in the local area, including many Crescent parents, and I know there will be an anxious wait for many between now and the results being announced at the end of November. Without saying too much at this stage, I know our children gave a good account of themselves and deserve all of the support we can give them as they travel along their Year 6 journey. It was particularly good to hear about the excellent behaviour and manners of our children on the exam day, all of which was commented on by the admissions panel.

With so much rain around again this week I am feeling more than a little thankful that neither the school nor much of the local area is to situated near to any major rivers. I hope you’re able to keep dry and warm this weekend and enjoy some time with your family.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster
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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 - 18 November 2019 

After School Hockey on Tuesday is at Rugby College Astro, you can either collect from there at 5.15pm or children will return to school around 5.30pm (traffic allowing).

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

SOCS Co-Curricular

Crescent School

News

Crescent Children Take Part in Remembrance Services

We are very proud that so many of Crescent School's pupils took part in Remembrance Parades last Sunday 10 November:

  • Henry played the Last Post at the service in the village of Newton
  • Alyssa played the Last Post at the service held at Our Lady of the Angels' Chapel at Princethorpe College
  • Eden played the Clarinet with the Warwick Town Band for the County Remembrance Parade in Warwick. She played traditional military marches including Warwickshire Lads and Standard of St George for the hundreds of veterans, cadets and scouts taking part in the parade, as well as the thousands of spectators who came to pay their respects.
  • Rosina took part in the Remembrance Parade to St Mark's in Bilton. She carried the flag for her Brownie Pack (1st Overslade)
  • Keshav and Sachin attended the Remembrance Day church parade on Sunday with the 12th Rugby Scouts/Cubs
  • Ellie Gane was in the Remembrance service in Dunchurch, with 1st Cawston Brownies
  • Matt and Ed (former Crescent Pupil) played the Last Post at Yelvertoft
  • Sophia took part in the Hillmorton Remembrance Parade with the 2nd Hillmorton Brownies pack
  • Poppy took part in the Remembrance service in Dunchurch with the Brownies

It is wonderful to see the children showing such respect for the nation's Fallen.

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Grace Got To Meet The Comedian And Author David Walliams

On the 9 November I went to the Swan Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon to see David Walliams. He talked about his book The Boy In The Dress, and other books too. He talked about The Boy In The Dress because it was being made into a musical. He had seen it the night before and he said it was amazing. He read some of the World’s Worst Children to us. It was very funny.

At the end he chose me to ask him a question and I asked him “If you were in Harry Potter which house would you be in?” He said Slytherin!  He gave me a signed set of his books for asking such a good question. Then we went upstairs to get a book signed by him.

I really enjoyed meeting him, it was a dream come true.

By Grace 
Class 4M

Joint Choral Workshop A Musical Highlight Of The Term

On Tuesday 12 November children from Crackley Hall School and Crescent School had a fantastic, full day of uplifting and inspiring singing when they took part in a joint Foundation Junior School choral workshop.  The pupils from both schools worked together under the guidance of Directors of Music, Susan Olden and Julie Barnes, to prepare and rehearse a mix of joint and individual choral and solo pieces ready for an afternoon concert for parents.

Mrs Olden and Mrs Barnes both agreed that the joint musical initiative had been another very successful day, remarking that, “It is so good working together, everyone really enjoys themselves, it’s one of the highlights of the term.”

The concert opened with a lively performance of A La Carte, the voices of the 60 plus children blending together.  The choirs performed a wide variety of pieces; they included From A Railway Carriage, Riversong, London Fire, What A Wonderful World, Ode To Joy and as a finale the super scary and spooky medley Frightfest.

Both schools individually showcased their choral skills, with Crescent School singing One Of Us May Sow and Crackley Hall, Can You Hear Me. The audience were also treated to incredible, individual solos from Tumi Oredope who sang I Could Have Danced All Night, Sienna Moran who played Sundowner on the clarinet, Jorja Parris who performed Honeybun and Kiki Dhillon who sang The Ugly Duckling.

Julie Barnes, Director of Music at the Crescent School, continued, “Both schools have such a strong musical tradition and the children really rise to the occasion, it is great to come over and work together.”

Susan Olden, Director of Music at Crackley Hall, added, “There is real talent within our schools and the choral workshop inspires our pupils with their singing.”

The Michaelmas choral workshop is followed by a return visit in the Lent term when Crackley Hall will travel to Bilton, Rugby for an orchestral workshop with the Crescent School.

The shared workshops are just one of the many performance opportunities that pupils at the schools take part in.

To listen to the choirs singing What A Wonderful World please click here.

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Goodbye Mrs McGrellis

Mrs McGrellis was presented with flowers in Assembly this morning by Issy and Arabella on her last day at Pathfinders Nursery.

Many of you will remember her from the Crescent Pre-School, she is a much loved member of our Crescent Community, having been part of the school for many years.  

We will miss her very much but wish her all the very best for the future.

Crescent School

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 new School Promise. We will talk about this in assembly and in form period.

This week we are back to the category of Good Friends and the idea of forgiveness and working things out. We all know that children don’t always get things right in their friendships and this can end up in upset and worry. Being able to say ‘sorry’ and ‘that’s okay’ can make all the difference.

Please support this message at home with your children

‘We forgive each other and work things out together’

Mr Webb
Assistant Head

Events

Crescent School Reception Open Evening For Prospective Parents

Tuesday 19 November 2019 - 7.00pm to 8.00pm

The Crescent School is holding a dedicated Reception Open Evening on Tuesday 19 November from 7.00pm to 8.00pm.

The evening is aimed at giving prospective 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

Scholastic Bookfair

Monday 25 November to Wednesday 27 November - 3.30pm to 5.00pm

Please put the dates of the bookfair into your diary, we look forward to welcoming you between 3.30pm and 5.00pm on these days to peruse and buy the books.

For every book that you buy, we receive books for our class librarys. We really appreciate your support of this.

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

Christmas Art Day

Friday 29 November 2019

Children will be decorating the school for Christmas on Friday 29 November 2019.  They are able to wear a festive accessory with their school uniform such as a Christmas hat, hair accessory or tinsel.

It is a day the children look forward to every year and you will be able to see see their work during 'open corridors' in December.

Crescent School

 

 

Princethorpe College Christmas Fair

The countdown to Christmas will begin in earnest on Sunday 1 December when Princethorpe College's wonderful Parent Teacher Association will be holding their annual Christmas Fair from 2.00pm to 4.30pm.

A festive feast of stalls, games, activities, music, refreshments and a special visit from Santa. We can't promise snow but there will be lots of Christmas cheer!

This is a lovely opportunity to visit the College, please do spread the word amongst family and friends, all are welcome.

Entrance is just £2 per car. We hope to see you there.

Open Corridors

Tuesday 3 December 2019 - 3.45pm to 4.15pm

All parents are welcome to join us in school on Tuesday 3 December for Open Corridors, running from 3.45pm to 4.15pm. This is a lovely opportunity for your child to show you the work they have produced that is being displayed in their classrooms and along the corridor.  You will also be able to see the Christmas Day Artwork.

Please note this is not an opportunity for Parent Consultations as these took place back in October.  If you do wish to talk to a member of staff then please make an appointment to see them separately.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

Nursery And Reception Nativity Performance

Monday 9 December 2019 - 9.30am to 10.05am

Parents, grandparents and friends are invited to our Nursery and Reception Nativity performance of Everyone Loves a Baby.

A lot of hard work has gone into the rehearsals so far, learning the songs, memorising lines, sorting out costumes, scenery and planning the production, and what a spectacle it is all going to be.

We do hope you can join us.

Crescent School 

Classes 1E & 2W Nativity Performance

Thursday 12 December 2019 -  9.35am to 10.05am

Parents, grandparents and friends are invited to watch Classes 1E and 2W's Nativity performance of The Bethlehem Star.

The children have been rehearsing hard, learning the songs, memorising lines, sorting out costumes and the production is going to be fantastic.

We do hope you can join us.

Crescent School

 

 

 

Christmas Carol Service

Tuesday 17 December 2019 - 6.30pm to 7.30pm

Please join us for a wonderful evening of carols, readings and re-telling of the Christmas story.

This year we will be holding our Christmas Carol Service at Princethorpe College in the Our Lady of the Angels' Chapel.

All children in Years 3-6 are involved and required to attend. It would be lovely for all friends and family from the Crescent community to join us.  Parents and children from Reception, Years 1 and 2  are very welcome to attend, however, please be mindful that the service may be a little late for some of our younger children.

Children who need to change into a costume should arrive no earlier than 6.00pm. Everyone else, including congregation, should be seated at 6.15pm for a prompt start. There will be instrumental and vocal solos taking place as people arrive.

All children to wear winter uniform including blazers and grey tights for girls. 

There will be a retiring collection in aid of our termly charity. 

Kind regards

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

 

Awards

Junior da Vinci Students

We are pleased to announce our first Junior da Vincis of the year. Congratulations to Alyssa in Science and George B in sport.

Remember,  to achieve JdV status you need to achieve a mastery, creative and practice in one subject over the year. When this happens, you will receive a postcard to congratulate you and be presented with the coveted Junior da Vinci badge.

Ms Lowe
Senior Teacher

Reading Certificates

Reading certificates have, this week, been awarded to:

  • Albert I
  • Everly
  • James
  • Nimeeta
  • Patrick
  • Roisin C

Well done to you all.

Mr Webb
Head of Pre-Prep

 

Playground Conduct Awards

Well done to Charlie and Mya who received Playground Conduct Awards, chosen by the Lunchtime Supervisors, in assembly this morning. 

Lunchtime Supervisors

 

Playleader Award

Well done to Amber who received a Play Leader of the Week certificate in Assembly this morning. 

These awards are chosen by the Year 6 Play Leaders.

Year 6 Play Leaders
Crescent School

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 - 151119 

Mrs Pullen
Reception Class Teacher
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4M Do Data!

This week, Class 4M have been learning more about data handling. They have been completing frequency charts, totting up tallies and drawing bar graphs.

Today their challenge was to count the number of each vowel in an extract from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. As you can see from our photos, great concentration was needed, but they totted up their totals and will draw a graph of their results.

Well done, 4M.

Mrs Monteith       
Class 4M Form Teacher
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A Big Thank You From Class 5F

A big thank you to the FoC and all those who made or bought cakes and treats in the rainy weather before half term.

Class 5F have spent their proceeds on activities for Privilege Time such as Speak Out, Aquabeads, Hot Potato, Yes/No game, Hot Wires, Rubik's Race, PS2 Cars, DOS and Gubs. It was like Christmas had come early to our classroom!

Ms Forth
Deputy Headteacher
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Class 5F English

Class 5F have completed a unit of work on Goth Girl And The Ghost Of A Mouse by Chris Riddell. The children pretended to be tour guides of the hall, describing the rooms of this stately home, they also developed people who might visit the hall.

From this, last week we pretended that Crescent School was Ghastly Gorm Hall and we toured the people we created and gave talks on the rooms that we focused on. This helped the children recognise the importance of depth of language.

Mrs Webb
Class 5F English Teacher
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Year 6 Maths

This week, Year 6 have been investigating 3D shapes and nets. The open learning task allowed the children to choose their own path and activity; ranging from constructing nets out of ‘Klikko’ to using their geometry skills to draw and make their own nets.

Mrs Yates and Ms Forth
Year 6 Maths Teachers

 

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Maryn Reports On The Choral Day At Crackley Hall

On the 12 November our Choir visited Crackley Hall School and sang songs that we had previously learned in Choir. It was quite a bumpy journey but we finally got there. When we arrived we had a very warm welcome and got singing straight away. We learned seven songs including Frightfest and River Song.

Jessica said “We made a lovely sound together”.

Holly said “Great food!”

Freya said “A great opportunity to make friends and the cookies were delicious!”

It was such a good experience thanks to Mrs Barnes and Mrs Olden and we all loved it.

Thank you so much Crackley Hall!

Maryn Yates
Choir Monitor
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Co-Currcular Breakfast Yoga

Children in Breakfast Yoga were having fun this morning practising their Yoga moves to Surfing USA.  They could either stand up or sit down whilst 'surfing'.  Much fun was had.

Crescent School

FoC Events

FoC - Christmas Bazaar

Friday 6 December 2019 - 3.45pm to 6.00pm

Our annual Christmas Bazaar will include games, crafts and a special visit from Father Christmas.

Reception and Year 1 will be able to attend from 3.20pm as it does get busy in the hall and surrounding classrooms, to give the younger children the opportunity to come and have a go on the games and stalls before the rest of the school arrive. 

More details on this will follow later in the term.

Zara Corbin
FoC Chair
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FoC - Year 4 Market Day

Friday 13 December 2019 - 3.45pm to 4.45pm

Please come along and support the FoC by buying cakes and sweets, all priced at 50p each. All the money raised at these market day events goes towards buying toys, crafts and stationery for privilege time for Year 4.

You can also purchase pre-loved uniform.

Zara Corbin
FoC Chair

FoC

FoC - Christmas Bazaar Update

This year our annual Christmas Bazaar on Friday 6 December will include:

  • a raffle
  • tombola
  • teddy stall
  • numerous games (all for 50p to allow your child to fill up their card with 10 stamps from which they can then choose 3 prizes from the prizes stall)
  • craft activities of crazy sand
  • Christmas decorations and decorate your own Christmas decorations
  • refreshment stall
  • face painting
  • nail painting
  • a visit from Father Christmas

If you would like your child to visit Father Christmas please fill in the online form below. We will then allocate a time (this will be on a first come first served basis) and will publish the time slots to you in advance of the Christmas Bazaar. 

Santa Visit Reception and Class 1E 

Santa Visit Classes 2W - 6Y

We also require the following donations:

Teddy's for the Teddy stall - please could these be washed and cleaned and left on the FoC table. 

  • Raffle stall
  • wine
  • chocolates
  • board games
  • new DVD's
  • craft kits
  • gift sets

For the Tombola Stall, small children's items:

  • pens
  • games
  • mini lego sets
  • toys
  • crafts items
  • sweets etc

Please leave your items on the FoC table.

Closer to the bazaar we will be publishing a layout of where all the games, stalls and crafts for the Bazaar will be positioned. We are looking forward to seeing Reception and Class 1E pupils from 3.20pm and the rest of the Classes from 3.45pm. 

Thank you so much for your support we really appreciate it. 

Zara Corbin
FoC Chair

FoC - Filming Of The School Nativity Productions

The FoC will again be filming both the Nursery and Reception Nativity and Classes 1E and 2W Nativity dress rehearsals.

You will be able to purchase a DVD for £13 per DVD. An order link will be sent out towrds the end of November.

Zara Corbin
FoC Chair
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FoC - Contact Information

Below are the details of the FoC Year Group Representatives. These reps will communicate with you on all our events via email, whatsapp or facebook. 

Year Group 1st Rep 2nd Rep
Reception Vicky Morley Lisa Millward
Year 1 Sanda Mocanu Fatima Masood
Year 2 Inez de Koning Karen Williams
Year 3 Emilie Crowfoot Claire Brosnan
Year 4 Semma King Anita Somerset
Year 5 Kal Mistry Amy Sarkies
Year 6 Emma Wells Victoria Akbik

 

Chairperson Zara Corbin
Treasurer Nick Brosnan
Secretary Amy Sarkies
Pre-Loved Uniform Louise Symons
Staff Reps Ms Forth and Mrs Webb
FoC email address: zaracorbin9@gmail.com
FoC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/friendsofcrescent/
 
Zara Corbin
FoC Chair

 

 

   

 

 

FoC - Payment Information

Cheques for the FoC should be made payable to Friends of Crescent

However, from January 2020 we will no longer be accepting cheques as a form of payment. 

We have purchased a card payment system and will from the start of January 2020 be accepting bank transfers or cash. only 

Many thanks

Nick Brosnan
FoC Treasurer

Housekeeping

Christmas Art Day Resources Wanted

In preparation for this year’s Christmas Art Day and out theme is Recycling we would love any donations of the following: 

Class 5F need:

  • small plastic drinks bottles,
  • kitchen roll tubes and
  • strong Christmas wrapping paper
Year 6 need:
  • Clean plastic bottles
  • Old Christmas cards
  • Plastic milk bottle tops
  • Buttons
  • Cardboard tubes: toilet roll, kitchen roll, insides of wrapping paper etc
  • Clean yogurt pots
  • Actimel pots
  • scraps of material or an old shirt we can cut up
  • wire coat hangers
  • Old tinsel
  • Newspapers
  • Cheap thin plastic bags
If you have any of these items, please donate them before Friday 29 November.

Thank you in anticipation

Ms Forth, Mrs Webb and Mrs Yates
 

Lunch Menu Week Commencing 18 November 2019

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

Crescent Menu - 18 November 2019 

Crescent School Office

 

 

The Princethorpe Foundation Employment Opportunities

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

  • Director of Sport (Foundation)
  • Estates Assistant - Casual\Zero hours
  • Electrician - part-time
  • Decorator - part time

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

Lego Wanted

Our board games club are really enjoying lego construction. If you have any lego which you would like to gift us, we would be most grateful.

Many thanks

Mrs Yates and the Board Gamers

School Uniform Items Stocked At School

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

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 Tuesday 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