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

The sunny weather of the last two days has been welcomed by the children who have enjoyed being outside running around.

We had Maths for Parents Workshops this week where parents have experienced learning alongside their child in class. On Wednesday children from Years 4, 5 and 6 travelled to Bedstone College in Shropshire to take part in the Midlands ISA cross country event. It was an amazing day and Archie and Evie both qualified for the Nationals, they are the cover photo this week.  Read on to find out all about what has been happeing in school this week.

Click here to email the Courier.

 

Preview

Headmaster's Message

Headmaster's Message

Dear Parents

It has been back to normal here at school this week without the film crew for company. We have enjoyed a good hardworking week and also quite a bit of sunshine, which has been in short supply for much of the winter.

The maths for parents sessions that have been running through the week have been a great success. I have heard a good deal very positive feedback from the parents who attended and I hope this has given many of you an insight into the way we teach maths here at school. I would also give a lot of credit to our teaching staff for this as well. You can imagine it is quite a daunting prospect for them delivering to adults many of whom are high-performing experts in their own fields and professions. Many thanks to the teachers for their skill and professionalism in putting these sessions together.

I have to tell you about one difficult moment I had this week when an angry local resident came to see me at around 5 o’clock one day. He had been in a near-miss situation with a Crescent child as he drove around the corner from Magnet Lane on to Dalkeith Avenue. There was a car parked directly on the bend making it very difficult to see around the corner. Luckily, no one was hurt but the fear is that something very unpleasant could easily have happened. I would ask parents again not to park on or close to junctions and this one in particular. I realise this can mean an extra walk when you may already be late. I also know that you, like me, would hate to feel in anyway responsible if an accident did occur.

It looks as though the sunny weather won’t last into the weekend, and we might have some storms to contend with. I am meeting my eldest son tomorrow for a day out walking in the Peak District to celebrate his 21st birthday followed by a meal in a pub. I hope we miss the worst of it.

Have a great weekend. 

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 - 10 February 2020 

Please note the following clubs are not running after school next week:

  • Tuesday - Netball Club 
  • Thursday  - Senior Drama Club 
  • Friday - Orchestra and Street Dance 

All the co-curricular clubs can be viewed on SOCS, where you can find details of all the dates the clubs are running.  

SOCS Co-Curricular

Crescent School

News

New Head Chef For Crescent School

Olive Catering have appointed a new Chef Manager, Stephen Moore, to lead their catering team at the Crescent School.

Stephen is an experienced chef and comes to us from Rugby School where he was Head Chef Manager in charge of ordering, prepping and cooking.  He started out as a pot washer and worked his way up gaining experience in hotels and gastropubs, but for the last five years he has worked in schools.

Originally from Manchester, Stephen now lives in Lutterworth and has three children who range in age from 14 months to 16 years.

Stephen will manage the day to day feeding of the five thousand here at Crescent, supported and assisted by our familiar and friendly catering team. 

Stephen shared with us that he is looking forward to developing new menus for the children, and his new meals are already finding favour, or should we say flavour, with the children.  Both Toad in the Hole and Mediterranean Chicken have gone down a storm in the last few weeks. Stephen also plans to champion foods grown in the UK, but ultimately he wants to cook food that parents want their children to eat and that the children want to eat too; healthy nutritious food with the odd treat thrown in.

We’re delighted to welcome Stephen to the Crescent School. We are very much enjoying his tasty meals and wish him the very best of luck in his new role.

Crescent’s Parents Go Back To the Classroom

It was back to the classroom for Crescent School parents this week as they took part in a series of Maths for Parents workshops with their children.

The school opened its doors to the mums and dads so they could find out more about how Maths is taught in the school and the different ways in which they could support their child’s learning.

Crescent School hosts parent workshops once a year, alternating between Maths and English.  The workshops run across all school year groups and parents work with their child in a lesson. 

Deputy Head, Bryony Forth, explains, “It is wonderful to see so many parents engage with the workshops. Approaches in education evolve and the methodologies we learned in our own schooldays have moved on. Understanding how we teach today allows a parent to support their child. Education is very much a partnership between parents and teachers.”

In all the Year 1 to Year 6 Maths lessons, including Mrs Ellie Monteith’s Year 4 Maths lesson parents got to grips with Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract methods of learning and with how these techniques support open learning investigation and higher order thinking skills.  Parents enjoyed working with tangrams, using pictorial bar modelling and then translating these techniques to mathematical word problems and open ended number work.

Ms Bryony Forth, continued “It’s great to be able to share what we are doing with parents. We want everyone to know how we teach and particularly how different children might learn so that we can work together to improve the overall outcomes.”

 

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Poetry Competition Reminder

If your child likes to write poetry or needs an excuse to express themselves then please look at this poetry competition. It is open to all children over five-years-old.

The closing date is Monday 24 February, so it would be good to do over half term. Please let me know if you do enter it.

Mrs Webb
Head of English

Scholastic Book Club Reminder

Our new Scholastic Book Club is up and running! Go to Scholastic Book Club to browse the latest books and order online. For every £1 you spend on this month’s Book Club, our school will earn 25p in Scholastic Rewards.

Please place your order online by 10 February 2020. 

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

500 Words 2020 - The Biggest Short-Story Competition - Reminder

This fantastic competition is open again for 2020, it is a super opportunity for children to showcase their writing talents. 

Any child over age 5 can enter a story of up to 500 words before the deadline of Thursday 27 February 2020.  Your child can write a story at home or even use a story written in school.

Please let me know if your child enters the competition, it is an additional opportunity for me to praise them for extra effort.

For further information on how to enter please follow the link:

500 Words Competition 2020

Good luck everybody.

Mrs Webb
Head of English

Events

Maths For Parents Workshops

Monday 10 February 2020 - 9.05am to 10.05am

We are looking forward to seeing you at our Maths for Parents workshops next week for Years 1 and 2.  This is a chance for you to experience learning with your child in class. The focus this time will include Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract (CPA) methods, open learning investigation and higher order thinking skills.

You will learn about these teaching styles and learning methods to support your child in mathematics. Due to space, we can only allow one adult per pupil. If you have siblings you are welcome to attend more than one, avoiding any clashes.

Ms Forth 
Deputy Head Teacher

Parent Consultation Evening For Year 6

Tuesday 11 February 2020 - 6.00pm to 8.00pm

or

Thursday 13 February 2020 - 4.00pm - 6.00pm

Parent consultation meetings for Year 6 will be held on Tuesday 11 February and Thursday 13 February 2020 in the School Hall. This is an important evening and provides you with an opportunity to discuss your child's academic progress and next steps.

Please log on to My School Portal and select the Parents Evening Tab to book your appointment. 

Appointments can be made from today and will close on Sunday 9 February 2020. Should you wish to make any changes after this date please contact the school office.  

Crescent School

 

Non-Uniform Day In Aid Of Bwengu

Friday 14 February 2020

We will be holding a non-uniform day on Friday 14 February with all proceeds going to this term's chosen charity, Bwengu Projects. 

Please send a £1 donation with your child to be given to the House Captains who will be collecting at the Pupil Entrance at drop off.

Thank you.

Mrs Monteith and Mrs Stapleton
Class 3S and 4M Form Teachers

Awards

Junior da Vinci Students

 There has been a bumper crop of Junior da Vinci students this week:

  • Izzy in Science and maths;
  • Chloe in Science and computing;
  • Josh and Stephanie in PE;
  • Daniel in computing
  • Patrick and Matthew in English

Fantastic work and congratulations.

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

Accelerated Reading Achievements

This weeks reading accolades got to:

  • Ellie for reading 500,000 words 
  • George and Rohan for reading 1,000,000 words
  • Chloe is a double millionaire

Great achievements by both of them.

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head
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Pre-Prep Reading Certificates

Reading certificates have, this week, been awarded to:

  • Albert
  • Alex B
  • Charlotte
  • Dylan
  • Lewis
  • Nimeeta

Well done to you all.

Mr Webb
Head of Pre-Prep

 

Times Table Challenge Award

Congratulations to the following pupils who received certificates for Times Tables in Assembly this afternoon:

  • Izzy - Platinium Challenge
  • Michael - Golden Challenge
  • Zahra - Diamond Challenge

The times table challenge is a drop in session in the Library with me on a Wednesday morning for Years 2 - 6.

Ms Forth
Head of Maths

 

Playground Conduct Awards

Well done to Akaal, Alex B, Isabella and Freya S who received Playground Conduct Awards, chosen by the Lunchtime Supervisors, in assembly this morning. 

Lunchtime Supervisors

 

Around The Classes

Fire Brigade Visit For Classes 1E and 2W

On Monday morning, four firefighters came to meet Class 1 and 2 to talk about fire safety. It was a really interactive session where the children first considered the different parts of the firefighters uniform and discussed how it keeps them safe in a fire. They then learned the difference between a safe and unsafe fire and some good fire prevention tips focussing on the dangers of matches and the importance of checking your smoke alarm weekly.

The class finished with by learning about the Stop, Drop and Roll technique that you should use if your clothes catch fire and how to safely get yourself out of a house fire should one start.

Looking at the fire truck was a special highlight for the children. So much discussion and learning took place that will hopefully keep the children fire safe for life.

Mrs Emery
Class 1E Teacher
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Class 1E  Explore The Qu’ran

Class 1E have spent some time enjoying a carousel of activities to boost their understanding of the Qu’ran as part of their learning about the religion of Islam. The children followed the custom of washing their hands before touching the Qu’ran then looking inside to see the Arabic and English writing. In groups they worked on the beliefs within the Qu’ran and created their own set of rules to make the world a better place. The children practised writing their name in Arabic and worked as a team on the interactive whiteboard to complete an online jigsaw of the Qu’ran. A great exercise in respecting different cultures.

Mrs Emery
Class 1E Form Teacher
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Class 1E - Scientists

Class 1E scientists explored their sense of smell this week: recognising and rating a whole range of smells (some of which they liked, some they really didn't!)  We gathered our thoughts and recorded our results as a simple pictogram.

Mr Webb
Class 1E Science Teacher

Class 3S Up Up and Away

Class 3S have been understanding the importance of following instructions as they continue to develop their coding skills this term.  By following them to create a fantastic paper airplane, we related it back to the algorithms we write which produces the desired output on the screen.

Great fun!

Mrs Stapleton
Class 3S Form Teacher
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Co-Curricular Pre-Prep Story Club

Pre-Prep story club on Tuesday lunchtime enables children from Reception to Year 2 to simply enjoy books in a relaxed and informal way. 

Sometimes we listen to or watch stories, sometimes we read alone, sometimes we share with a friend.

What we do hope is that all children are developing a lifelong passion for reading.

Mr Webb
Head of Pre-Prep

All Welcome At The Library Club

Library club runs on Monday and Friday lunchtimes. All children are welcome to come and help themselves to a book and read or join in with our group reading sessions.

As the term goes on we are hoping that our older children will be able to lead group reading for Pre-Prep children.

If you are looking for reading inspiration our Year 6 librarians will be more than happy to give you some advice.

Don't forget children are welcome to come and quiz at these times as well.

As you can see from the photos, the Library has been very much enjoyed over the last few weeks.

Mrs Calder
Teaching Assistant

 

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Sport

Proud Day At ISA Cross Country

On Wednesday 5 February, 20 students from Years 4, 5 and 6 travelled to Bedstone College in Shropshire to take part in the Midlands ISA cross country event. 

The course was exciting and challenging involving undulating fields, hills, streams, woodland, gravel and plenty of mole hills and of course poo! On arrival we were able to walk the course to check out the different terrain and get our bearings.  The U9 Girls and Boys had a 1500m course while the U11s took on a 1800m course that crossed two streams.  

The event was very popular and well attended with over 20 Midland schools in attendance and over 120 pupils involved in each race.  The event was being used as a selection for the National Finals with the first 10 from each race being selected to represent the Midlands at the National Finals to be held at Worksop College in March. 

All runners raced exceptionally well, managing the tricky conditions fantastically showing real grit and determination, however a special congratulations go to Archie Dowling who came 6th in his race and Evie Bierton who came 9th, both of whom will have the opportunity to represent the Midlands team at the National Final   

Well done to all the students who represented the school fabulously showing off the Crescent School Promise well, cheering each other on and supporting their team mates, they were a pleasure to be with, a credit to the school and made us extremely proud.

U9 Girls U9 Boys U11 Girls U11 Boys

Evie 9th

Sophie 16th

Kathryn 23rd

Eva 45th

Stephanie 46th

 

 

 

 

Kai 25th

Rohan 59th

Sachin 81st 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eve 13th

Harriett 30th

Amy 34th

Hattie 51st

Isla 104th

 

 

 

 

Archie 6th

Tom 20th

Noah 21st

Matthew 49th

Keshav 50th

Joseph 51st

Isaac 114th

 

 

Mrs McCollin, Mrs Robinson and Mrs Dowling 

View Gallery

FoC Events

FoC - Movie Night

Friday 14 February 2020 - 4.00pm - 5.30pm

Unfortunately we have had to move the disco back until May so on Friday 14 February we will be holding a movie night. The movie will be Farmegeddon - A Shaun the Sheep Movie which is released on DVD on the Monday before. 

Please note we have changed the timings of this event so the movie will start at approximately 4.00pm and all the children attending will come straight to us after school, except for Reception who will need to be collected by their parents. 

The cost is £3 for Reception Children, (as a parent will be in attendance) and £5 for all other years.  A snack and drink will be provided. 

The movie will end at 5.30pm and children will be dismised form the Pupil Entrance.

If you would like your child to attend please click on the link below:

FoC Movie Night

Zara Corbin
FoC Chair

FoC - Parents Quiz Night

Friday 13 March 2020 - 7.30pm

We will be holding another Quiz Night on Friday 13 March from 7.30pm in the school hall hosted by Ms Forth.  Prizes and a trophy to be won!! These are always a fabulous event and a great way for parents to come together!  

Teams of no more than eight are required and the cost is £5 per adult. Your Year Group representative will be pulling the teams together and sorting food requirements. Some teams organised fish and chips, pizza or everyone just brings a snack. So look out for a communicate from your rep.

Please pay on the night, we can accept cash or card payments. 

Book your babysitters now!

Zara Corbin
FoC Chair

 

FoC

FoC - Mothers Day Crafts

This year for Mothers Day your child can decorate a fabric tote/shopping bag. This will be presented in a hand decorated paper bag with some love hearts for only £5. All the decorating will be done at lunchtime and the children will then bring the decorated bags home on the Thursday or Friday before Mothers Day.

The children love these activities and we are very happy to decorate for Grandmas, Grannys, Aunties and other significant females in your child's life. The sign up sheet will be sent out electonically next week so please look out for it.

Zara Corbin
FoC Chair

 

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 chair@friendsofcrescent.co.uk
Treasurer Nick Brosnan treasurer@friendsofcrescent.co.uk
Secretary Amy Sarkies secretary@friendsofcrescent.co.uk
Pre-Loved Uniform Louise Symons  
Staff Reps Ms Forth and Mrs Webb  
FoC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/friendsofcrescent/  
 
Zara Corbin
FoC Chair



FoC - Payment Information

The FoC is no longer be accepting cheques as a form of payment. 

We have purchased a card payment system and will now be accepting bank transfers or cash only.

Many thanks

Nick Brosnan
FoC Treasurer

Housekeeping

Advice Regarding the Coronavirus

We are mindful that there will be a number of parents and pupils who will be concerned about the situation regarding the Coronavirus.

The health and wellbeing of our community is of paramount importance to the Foundation and we are closely monitoring the situation and are following advice from Public Health England (PHE) and the Department for Education.

We have received the following advice from the Department for Education which we have been asked to share with staff, parents and pupils.

The government is closely monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus and is taking action at home and abroad.

The overall risk of Coronavirus to the UK remains moderate. Latest information and advice can also be found at:

•          https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

However, we understand that people may be concerned where there are children, students or staff returning from or visiting China.

Public Health England and the Foreign Office have issued advice for anyone travelling to the area.

This can be found at:

•          https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china

•          https://www.gov.uk/government/news/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-and-avian-flu-advice-for-travel-to-china

Advice for parents/guardians

You should not be unduly worried about the possibility of your children catching the Coronavirus. There is no reason why your children should not continue to attend their early years, school or further education setting as normal.

We recognise that some families or children may be planning to travel to China during the forthcoming half term period. If so, please refer to the FCO’s latest travel advice via the link above.

What action you can take

A UK wide campaign has been launched to provide clear advice on how to slow the spread of Coronavirus.

Please help to support the campaign which promotes basic hygiene practices, such as regularly washing hands and always sneezing into a tissue, to stem the spread of viruses.

We will continue to keep you informed if the situation and official advice changes. Should you wish to discuss any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact school.

 

Lunch Menu Week Commencing 10 February 2020

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

Crescent Menu - 10 February 2020 

Crescent School Office

 

 

The Princethorpe Foundation Employment Opportunities

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

  • Head of Digital Learning and Teacher of Boys' Games – Crescent School

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

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

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