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

The School Christmas Card winner was announced in Assembly today and the winning design is this week's cover photo - many congratulations to Evelyn!

Do read on for fantastic new about Amy being selected for County Cricket, a successful Reception Open Evening and the fantastic amount raised for Place 2B.

Please do have a look at our events section as there is lots going on in the run up to Christmas.

Click here to email The Courier.

Preview

Headmaster's Message

Headmaster's Message

Dear Parents

This week has marked the beginning of rehearsals for our Christmas nativity plays. As I have passed through the hall I have been delighted with the quality of what the children are already producing, particularly in terms of singing. There is already talk in the staffroom of how best to make a Roman soldier outfit and how on earth we are going to find all of the tunics and camels that we need. What exactly does a biblical shop keeper wear? I don’t know the answer to that one but we do now know for certain we are counting down towards another Crescent Christmas.

On the festive theme I was delighted to announce in assembly this morning the winners of this year’s Crescent Christmas card competition. You will be able to see the winning entries elsewhere in this week’s Courier. Well done to the winners and thank you to all of the children for their colourful and imaginative entries that brightened up my office for a day or so as I tried to pick a winner.

This year’s Christmas art day will be built around the theme of recycling and reusing, which is such an important message for the next generation to take on board. We are hoping it will be a day to really get the creative juices flowing and will no doubt result in some wonderful displays around the school for us all to enjoy. Parents are invited in to see the results of the day on our open corridor session Tuesday 3 December.

We have moved on this week in the School Promise to our next important saying which is to forgive each other and work things out together. This is such an important message for the children and one that we have reflected on strongly in our assemblies during the week.

Enjoy your weekend everybody.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

Important Safety Notices

Dear Parents

I would like to make a couple of polite reminders to all parents to help us with the safe running of the school.

Early Arrivals
Please ensure that children who arrive early to school remain accompanied by their parents or guardians until the door opens at 8.15am.  If you need to drop your child off before this time, please take advantage of the Early Birds service.

Winter Coats
With the weather turning colder and wetter, can I please encourage you all to send your child to school wearing the Crescent School coat.  It is helpful when making decisions on wet (or cold) play for the staff here to know the children all have the warm winter layer to protect them.

Dogs on Site
In line with many, if not all, primary aged schools, dogs are not allowed on the main school site.  If you come to school with a dog please keep it on a lead and avoid coming onto the main site beyond the drop off gate (the one next to the parents’ noticeboard).

With thanks for your understanding and support on these important health and safety matters.

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 - 25 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

County Cricket Call Up For Amy

Amy Robinson has just been selected for the Warwickshire’s Development of Excellence Cricket Squad for their U11 Girls.  Amy, who is in Year 5 at Crescent School, is only nine-years-old and has been playing cricket since she was six. She currently plays for Oakfield and Rowlands Cricket Club, in their U11 team.

Amy took part in a six-week trial with the Warwickshire coaches at Edgbaston during October and November where she showed her hardball batting, bowling and fielding skills. She will now train weekly at Edgbaston through the winter until March honing her cricket skills, with a view to being selected for the summer squad to play matches against other counties.

Amy is a key member of the school’s U11 cricket team and was nominated for the county trials by Head of Sport, Matt Phillips. She is one of only 20 girls selected for the squad.  Amy impressed the coaches with her all-round excellent play.

Head of Sport, Matt Phillips comments, “We are very proud of Amy, she is a talented and exciting cricketer and this is a great opportunity for her. We look forward to following her progress over the winter in the Development Squad.”

Amy is thrilled, commenting, “I love playing cricket.” And so she should be, as being selected for the Development Squad is a real achievement and a pathway onto the Regional and National Academy programmes.

Successful Open Evening And Plenty Of Interest For Reception 2020

On Tuesday 19 November Crescent School held a dedicated Reception Open Evening. It was an opportunity for prospective families to visit the school, listen to a presentation, view children’s work and talk to members of the Reception and Early Years Team.

The evening was very successful and the school was delighted to showcase what makes Crescent so special.

Parents are reminded that the deadline for Early Bird applications for places in the Reception class next year is Monday 25 November 2019. Offers to Early Bird applicants will be posted first class on Monday 16 December, with an acceptance deadline of Monday 6 January.

For those who missed this week’s Open Evening there is one further opportunity to visit the school, before the final deadline for Reception applications closes, as the school will be holding an Open Day on Friday 24 January from 10.00am to 3.00pm.

The Book People Big Book Boost

Crescent School are now registered for the Book People's Big Book Boost.  The Big Book Boost is a brand new fundraising scheme that provides schools with books. Every time you place an order with them over £10, they will donate £1 to Crescent School to spend on books! 

Please search on their website either under The Crescent School or enter the postcode CV22 7QH to select Crescent School.

Thank you

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

Place2Be Thanks Crescent School For Fantastic Donation

Crescent School has received a lovely letter from Place2Be thanking pupils, families, staff and the Friends of Crescent for our recent donation of £1,050.24.

Place2Be was the school’s charity for the 2019 Trinity Term and just before the May half-term pupils took part in a non-uniform Hat Day to raise funds for their work.  The Friends of Crescent supported pupil’s fundraising efforts with their own event, a sponsored walk, run, scoot or cycle around Draycote Water.

The charity Place2Be provides school-based support and in-depth programmes to improve the well-being of pupils, families, teachers and school staff. You can find out more information about their work on their website here

A copy of the thank you letter is attached here.

Events

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 you buy the school gets books in return, it is a super way to support your child's reading and supplement our class libraries.

Thank you for the support of FOC for running this and to yourselves as parents in anticipation for all the books you will buy.

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

Sunday 1 December - 2.00pm to 4.00pm

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.

Christmas 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.

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 the 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, Shine a Light. 

Kind regards

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

 

Awards

Accelerated Reading Achievements

This week we can congratulate:

  • Faris for reading 500,000 words
  • Alyssa Barnett for becoming a millionaire 
  • Daniel Ovens Gibbs for becoming a double millionaire

Well done all!

Mrs Webb
Senior Techer
View Gallery

Reading Certificates

Reading certificates have, this week, been awarded to:

  • Aryaan
  • Edward F
  • Evelyn
  • Isabella J
  • Maisie
  • Sophia

Well done to you all.

Mr Webb
Head of Pre-Prep

 

Playleader Award

Well done to Theo 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

Class 3S Think Outside the Box Thursday

During form time on a Thursday, Class 3S often enjoy developing our creative thinking skills in deciding what a shape could be rather than using it as the obvious interpretation.

We have had some very inventive ideas over the last couple weeks and we hope you like what we have come up with!

Mrs Stapleton
Class 3S Form Teacher
View Gallery

Classes 4-6 Enjoy Dance in PE

The children copied some dance routines on the theme of 'sports.' They then made up their own dances in groups of four with one sport being the main theme. We all then had to guess what the sports were. The children came up with some really creative dances. 

Mr Phillips
Head of PE and Games
View Gallery

Class 4M Design Kites

Class 4M has been designing and making kites this week. They have chosen their shapes and colours as well as whether to use heavier stronger wooden dowel compared to lighter and softer paper straws. Here are photos of them using their newspaper templates to create them and then test them in the corridor.

Mrs Byrne
Head of Science, Art ad DT
View Gallery

Sport

U11 Girls Finish Fifth In ISA National Hockey Tournament

On Thursday 14 November the U11A Girls hockey team travelled down to London to play in the Independent School’s National Hockey Tournament at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.  It was the only place in England that was dry that day!  

Crescent School started in Pool B and faced four games in the first round.  The girls started brilliantly and didn’t concede a goal in the group stage.  They finished at the top of the pool.  Head of Girls Games, Rachel McCollin, said, “The girls played tremendously, I was very pleased with their performance and that their game-play was commented on by one of the umpires who said how well they kept their shape, looked up before passing and worked together as a team.”

The results in the pool were:   

0-0 draw against Queen Ethelburga’s College from York

1-0 win against Russell House Prep School from Kent

4-0 win against Abercorn School from Sussex

2-0 win against Quinton House School from Northamptonshire

Topping the pool qualified the girls for the Cup competition and in the quarter-finals they faced Lewes Old Grammar School.  After the break for lunch, the team took a while to settle to the game allowing Lewes to score an early goal, despite getting stuck straight in and fighting back hard the team could not quite convert their attacking play in to an equaliser and they lost 1-0.  Lewes Old Grammar went on to win the tournament.

Crescent were pleased to finish joint fifth overall out of the 23 schools from across the country taking part - it was a great achievement.

Mrs McCollin continued, “The girls conducted themselves fantastically upholding the school values at all times, they really were a pleasure to be with and made both myself and Mrs Robinson extremely proud.”

Well done to Captain Phoebe Causer and her team Arabella Drinkwater, Eve Ferguson, Harriett Gray, Sienna Morgan, Amy Robinson, Issy Slaytor, Hattie Sarkies and Chloe Wensley. All the girls are awarded Junior da Vincini's for their hard work and achievement.

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
View Gallery

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

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
View Gallery

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

FoC - Movie Night Update

Thank you to all the wonderfully well behaved children who attended movie night last week. In total we raised £320 for this event which is fantastic.

Thanks as always to my FoC helpers too. 
 
Zara Corbin
FoC Chair

Housekeeping

Lunch Menu Week Commencing 25 November 2019

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

Crescent Menu - 25 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 Reminder

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