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

It was non-uniform day at school today and the children all looked lovely in their 'home clothes'.  It has been a very busy week. 

Ms Forth held the first ever Maths Dash this week, which you can read about in this edition and the cover photo is Blue House who won.   Year 6 had a visit from Mr Hester who set them a special STEAM Challenge, do read on to find out what it was about and what else has been happening in School.

We hope you enjoy this week's edition and have a wonderful half term break.  School returns on Monday 24 February 2020.

Click here to email The Courier.

Preview

Headmaster's Message

Headmaster's Message

Dear Parents

Welcome to the final Courier of the half term. We have worked hard to make this weekly bulletin as informative and entertaining as possible. I do hope you have enjoyed receiving this as a sure sign that the weekend has arrived. Please let us have any feedback that you have as we continue to look for ways to improve and build on the communications that we provide for you.

I know that some parents have experienced issues receiving messages through our management system, particularly those with a Hotmail account. Some messages have been going to junk folders, so please do check if this might be happening for you. Unfortunately, it is not something we can address from our end as it relies on the filtering for multiple recipient emails applied by Hotmail.

Another good way of checking on all school communications is by using My School Portal. Please do familiarise yourself with this if you haven’t done so yet. We are planning to ‘go paperless’ with our progress reports to parents by the autumn term and this will become the place to see them. For Year 5 parents the reports that have gone out today will come home as a hard copy but can also be viewed on the portal.

Our big academic focus this half term has been on promoting higher order thinking skills, in lessons right across the curriculum. To this end, earlier in the week Mr and Mrs Webb spoke to the classes from Year 2 to 6 about this idea. We are asking the children to focus on higher end thinking, such as an analysing, evaluating and creating in their learning. A good example of this would be in my own subject geography, where instead of simply learning the names of key features in a river system we have been asking why they occur where they do and designing experiments to test these ideas out. (You can make very realistic meanders using a plastic sheet and a jug of water!)

These principles can be used with children at any age and you’ll find a version of Bloom’s taxonomy of higher order thinking elsewhere in the Courier this week. Please have a go at exploring these ideas with your children over the half term break. You can apply them to any activity and it makes an excellent brain training exercise.

Whatever you have planned for the break I hope you are able to enjoy some quality time with your children and I look forward to seeing everyone on our return for the second half of term on Monday 24 February 2020.

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 - 24 February 2020 

Please do check the calendar as some of the clubs have now finished and swapped over at half term.

There is no boys cricket on Tuesday 25 February after school due to a fixture and Senior Drama Club will be held on Thursday 27 February only.

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

Blue House Runs Away With Inaugural Maths Dash

On Tuesday 11 February Crescent School held its first ever Maths Dash.  The competition was devised by Ms Forth and inspired by and built on the school’s success in last year’s Warwick University Primary Maths Challenge. 

The competition took place in the school hall and 24 children from Year 2 through to Year 5 completed a series of challenges, which tested their teamwork and communication skills in addition to their mathematical knowledge.

Overseen by the Year 6 House Captains and working in groups of four, they took it in turns, as pairs, to problem solve and answer before dashing to their Captain to check their answers and for the next question.

The children all worked exceptionally well, sharing ideas, demonstrating their impressive mathematical abilities and supporting each other.

Pupils really enjoyed the Maths Dash commenting, they were "up for a challenge", "loved it" and that "we should do it every year"! 

Well done to everyone who took part and a special congratulations to Blue House who finished in first place and were awarded a Diamond trophy in Assembly.

At the end of the competition the final scores were:

Blue Team - 63 points

Red Team - 53 points

Yellow Team - 52 points

A special commendation to the Alex and Shiv, the Year 2 Blue team, who contributed the most points to their team overall.

View Gallery

Higher Order Thinking at Crescent School

This week Mr Webb and I ran an assembly for Years 2-6 on the theme of how to help the children to get their thinking to grow. Bloom's Taxonomy has been embraced across the school to expand and deepen the children's learning as many of you will have experienced during the recent Maths for Parents sessions.

Bloom’s breaks the progression of concept development into six levels of objectives:

  • Remember
  • Understand
  • Apply
  • Analyse
  • Evaluate
  • Create

The lower levels are needed before students can reach the higher-level concepts, but it should be noted that things in learning or in life are rarely that clearly divided! Please see attached diagram.

We are aiming to develop children who have the confidence to think independently and creatively in different contexts throughout their lives and wherever their next steps. 

Mrs Webb, Mr Webb
Assistant Heads

 

 

 

New School Council Appointed

Congratulations go to the following children, who have been chosen this week by their classmates to be on the School Council.  They received their badges in assembly today: 

  • Class 1E - Samuel and Zac
  • Class 2W - Emily and Timi
  • Class 3S - Bella and Charlie
  • Class 4M - Aryaan and Charlotte
  • Class 5F - Caitlyn and Isla

A certificate was given to each member of the outgoing council to thank them for their hard work.

Well done to all.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

Crescent School Offers Additional Reception Class In Response To Demand

In response to high demand for Reception school places in the local area, the Crescent School on Bawnmore Road, Bilton is adding a second Reception class for September 2020.

Applications for places in Reception in 2020 started early and the school was quickly oversubscribed. The school normally limits places in the Reception class to just 20 children each year but with applications already well over that number, and with two Year 6 classes leaving this July, the school has the capacity to offer a second Reception class. Parents who are considering the school are encouraged to register their interest as soon as possible to ensure they secure a place in next year’s cohort.

Comments, Headmaster, Joe Thackway, “We are seeing an enormous amount of new house building in Bilton and the surrounding area and hope that this extra provision will be well received.

“Having two classes of up to 20 pupils each will enable more pupils to benefit from our experienced Early Years team and specialist child-centred tailored approach."

Prospective parents who would be interested in a Reception place for their child in September 2020 are urged to contact Mrs Helen Morley, the Registrar, on 01788 523851 or email admissions@crescentschool.co.uk to register their interest and are invited to attend the school’s Open Morning on Saturday 21 March from 9.30am to 12.00 noon.

Part of the Princethorpe Foundation, the Crescent is a co-educational independent day school for around 160 children aged 4 to 11 years. Traditionally one form entry, class sizes range from up to 20 pupils for Reception to Year 2 to up to 24 for Years 3 to 6.

Open Morning Pupil Attendance

Open Morning is fast approaching and will take place on Saturday 21 March between 9.30am and 12.00pm. All children are required to attend school that morning.  Please put this date in your diaries.
 
This is a great time for you to look at the work, see your child participate in activities and look around our school.  There will also be a performance from the children in Pre-Prep. 
 
Further details and information will be sent out nearer the time.
 
Mrs Webb
Assistant Head 

Events

Quiz With Your Child Week 

Monday 24 February to Friday 28 February - 8.15am to 8.40am

During the week commencing Monday 24 February parents are invited to come in to school from 8.15am to 8.40am to watch and support their child in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 while they quiz on their reading books.

The quiz platform is not available at home so it is a super opportunity for parents to share the experience.

Half-term is a great time for your child to finish reading a book and that will give you an extra excuse to see your child at work.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

Whitemoor Lakes Drop In Session

Wednesday 26 February 2020 - 4.00pm

All Year 3 parents are invited to an information session about the residential trip to Whitemoor Lakes. This will be an opportunity for you to find out what happens there, note the key dates and ask any questions. 

This will be held in the Class 3S form room at 4.00pm on Wednesday 26 February 2020. Your child is also welcome to attend and it should last no more than 30 minutes. 

Mrs Stapleton
Class 3S Form Teacher

Wellbeing Day

On Friday 28 February 2020 we will be participating in a whole school Wellbeing Day. From Reception to Year 6, the children will be able to complete a carousel of activities run by the teachers, to heighten our awareness of our emotional and mental health.  The timetable for the day will remain the same - it will just be the activities which will be a bit different and fun! 

Mrs Stapleton
Head of Wellbeing

Year 6 Parents Drop In For Grammar School Offers

Wednesday 4 March 2020 - 8.00am - 10.00am and 3.00pm - 5.00pm

As you are aware Grammar School offers are made at the beginning of March and Independent Schools also require acceptance of their places within days of this.

Mr Thackway and I will be available on the morning of 4 March from 8.00am - 10.00am  and the afternoon 3.00pm - 5.00pm to listen to any parents with decisions to make, who need to talk through which school to accept for their child.

We do not have all the answers but we can listen and ask the questions that may clarify your choice.

There is no need to book, please just come to the front of the school. I will also be available via email if parents cannot make it in to school.

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

Rock UK Parent Information Session

Wednesday 4 March 2020 - 4.00pm

All Year 4 and 5 parents are invited to an information session about the residential trip to Rock UK. This will be an opportunity for you to find out what happens there, note the key dates and ask any questions. 

This will be held in the Class 5F form room (Music Room) at 4.00pm on Wednesday 4 March 2020. Your child is also welcome to attend and it should last no more than 30 minutes.

 
Ms Forth
Class 5F Form Teacher

Year 4 And 5 Destination Meeting

Thursday 5 March 2020 - 7.00pm to 8.00pm

The focus of the evening is to go through with parents the potentially daunting process of finding the right school for your son or daughter when they leave us at the end of Year 6.  You will be told about how and when to apply for maintained and independent secondary schools, the type of standardised scoring that the maintained schools use and there will be advice from members of staff on preparing your child for the exams they will be sitting. The evening will clarify the timeline involved in this and explain a bit more about how we can help you navigate the process without too much anxiety. 

This meeting will be held in the School Hall.  Parking will be available on the Playground from 6.45pm.

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

World Book Day

Friday 6 March 2020

World Book Day is fast approaching and to celebrate this we are asking the children to come to school dressed as a character from a book on Friday 6 March, perhaps this is something you could create over half term.

We love our reading at Crescent School and hopefully this will encourage the children to be further inspired.

All we ask is that the children are dressed appropriately and safely for a day of learning.

 
Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

Old Crescentians Welcome At Old Princethorpians Local Meet

There's only a month to go now until the Old Princethorpians annual local Pub Meet on Friday 6 March. This year we will be venturing to Rugby and the new venue of Inside the 22, on Lawrence Sheriff Street.

All past pupils of the Foundation are most welcome, we hope to see OPs, Old Crescentians and past pupils of Crackley Hall and St Joseph's attending.

We'll be based upstairs in the private room and the OPs Commitee will be laying on a delicious, complimentary hot and cold buffet and a welcome drink for everyone, so do let us know if you can join us by visiting http://bit.ly/OPMarchMeet or email us at oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk.

Partners and friends are most welcome too. We look forward to seeing you there!

When signing up for this event you can do so as a guest, but we'd love you to create a profile on Princethorpe Connect and become a member of our online alumni community, it doesn't take long and it will help you connect with old friends and classmates. We're nearly at the 400 online members mark, so would appreciate you helping us towards the next milestone!

Parent Consultation Evening For Pre-Prep

Monday 9 March 2020 - 4.00pm to 6.30pm

And

Wednesday 18 March 6.00pm - 8.00pm

Consultation meetings for Reception to Year 2 will take place on Monday 9 March 2020 and Wednesday 18 March 2020 in the School Hall.

Parent consultations are an important part of our communication with you regarding your child’s progress. My School Portal allows you to choose your own appointment time with your child's form teacher and you will receive an email confirmation once you have successfully reserved your place online. 

We do need to keep to 10 minute appointments to make the evenings run smoothly for everybody. If you find there are outstanding issues that can’t be covered during that allotted time, please do feel free to request a follow up appointment. 

Other subject specialist teachers will be available to speak to on the night, please arrive earlier than your appointment to meet with them and look at work books, especially those with later appointment times.

Parking will be available on the playground and please enter via the main school entrance.

Appointments can be made from today and will close on Sunday 1 March 2020. Should you wish to make any changes after this date please contact the school office.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

 

 

Parent Consultation Evening For Years 3 And 4

Wednesday 11 March 2020 - 6.00pm to 8.00pm

And

Monday 16 March 2020 - 4.00pm - 6.30pm

Consultation meetings for Years 3 and 4 will take place on Wednesday 11 March 2020 and Monday 16 March 2020 in the School Hall.

Parent consultations are an important part of our communication with you regarding your child’s progress. My School Portal allows you to choose your own appointment time with your child's form teacher and you will receive an email confirmation once you have successfully reserved your place online. 

We do need to keep to 10 minute appointments to make the evenings run smoothly for everybody. If you find there are outstanding issues that can’t be covered during that allotted time, please do feel free to request a follow up appointment. 

Other subject specialist teachers will be available to speak to on the night, please arrive earlier than your appointment to meet with them and look at work books, especially those with later appointment times.

Parking will be available on the playground and please enter via the main school entrance.

Appointments can be made from today and will close on Sunday 1 March 2020. Should you wish to make any changes after this date please contact the school office.

 
Joe Thackway
Headmaster 

 

Awards

School Promise Certificates Lent Term

In our Good News Assembly this afternoon we awarded School Promise certificates to recognise the children’s excellent behaviour as Good Friends, Good Learners or Good Citizens. 

Congratulations go to:

  • Alfie
  • Charlotte
  • Fred
  • Patrick
  • Shayla
  • Dylan
  • Zara
  • Bryson
  • Sachin
  • Rohan
  • Alyssa
  • Amelia
  • Joshua
  • Henry
  • Keshav
  • Daniel
  • Jess
 
Joe Thackway
Headmaster
View Gallery

Junior da Vinci Students

A great week for Junior da Vinci children. We have awarded badges to:

  • Charlie for Maths
  • Evie, Faris, Isla, Kai, Liana and Stephanie for English
  • Alyssa and Isla for RE

 A fantastic achievement by all.

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head

Accelerated Reading Achievement

Congratulations to Zahra who has read 1,000,000 words!

An amazing achievement.

Mrs Webb
Assistant Head
View Gallery

Lunchtime Supervisors Top Table

Thank you to Albert, Grace, Hattie, George, Stephanie, Roisin, Samo and James for their good conduct, good manners and respect for others during lunchtimes.

The lunchtime supervisors decided that you are this half term's recipients of Top Table invitations.

Well done to all of you.

Joe Thackway
Headmaster

 

Pre-Prep Reading Certificates

Reading certificates have, this week, been awarded to:

  • Alfie
  • Alex G
  • Maisie
  • Seren
  • Sophia
  • Zac

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:

  • Zahra - Platimum Challenge (36 tables in 1 minute 20 seconds)

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

 

Around The Classes

Class 3S Food Technology

Class 3S have started their Food Technology learning by investigating different breads from around the world. This comprised of sharing a story and then tasting different breads and rating them. We then used our geography skills to label a world map with our findings. After half term, we shall be designing and making our own bread, so we are all very much looking forward to future Food Tech lessons!

Mrs Stapleton
Class 3S Form Tutor
View Gallery

Year 6 Rise To Mr Hester’s STEAM Challenge

Year 6 welcomed a special visitor on Thursday 13 February when Foundation Head, Ed Hester, visited the Crescent School to set them all a special STEAM Challenge.

Mr Hester began by stressing the importance of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) subjects to the modern world. He shared with the children how they run through all our lives and how, as pupils of the Foundation, they could embrace STEAM to forge their own futures.

Mr Hester invited the children to test their STEAM knowledge. Working in groups he asked the pupils a series of questions on a wide range of topics, from binary to bones, scientists to stars to the speed of light and even mind-boggling optical illusions, the children all enjoyed puzzling out the answers. After the quiz Mr Hester set them one further design challenge. Using just tape, scissors and index cards, pupils worked together to build a free-standing tower. The children all took different approaches, testing out structures and the towers began to grow. In just ten minutes many were reaching lofty heights, with the tallest finally measuring in at over 70cm. They all had fantastic fun.

Mr Hester commented, “STEAM subjects are essential for all our futures, we can’t even begin to imagine the changes that are going to happen to our world in these children’s lifetimes. Hopefully my session today will inspire them to engage in every STEAM related opportunity presented to them during the rest of their time at Crescent and when they move on to senior school.”

Well done to all the children, the final results were:

Best Quiz Score:

Thomas Edison:  Archie, Sam, Noah, Euan

Highest Tower:

Einstein: Josh, Henry, Ewan, George

Combined Scores Overall Winners:

Einstein: Josh, Henry, Ewan, George

 

 

View Gallery

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. 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 in the category of Good Learners.

The school council chose this one in the category of Good Learners as all children know that they learn best when they are focused in class and there is a determined, hardworking atmosphere.

'We are calm and sensible'

Mr Webb
Assistant Head

FoC Events

FoC Meeting - Monday 2 March 2020

Monday 2 March 2020 - 3.45pm to 4.45pm

Please come along and join us if you're available. We will be discussing the events for the rest of the academic year.

Do sign your child into after school for free if you wish to attend.

Zara Corbin
FoC Chair

FoC - Class 2W Market Day Sale

Friday 13 March 2020 - 3.30pm to 5.00pm

This bake sale will be held outside (weather permitting) and then in the library for the Orchestra and Dance pupils when they finish at 4.45pm.  Please come along and support Class 2W by purchasing cakes and goodies after school from 3.30pm to 5.00pm.

All money raised will go towards crafts, games and toys for their class.

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 communication 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 - Class 3S Market Day Total

Thank you to everyone who helped at the bake sale last Friday and to everyone who came and purchased sweets and cakes. We raised £150 for privilege time equipment for Class 3S.

Our next bake sale for Class 2W will be held on Friday 13 March straight after school until 5pm. 

Zara Corbin
FoC Chair

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. 

Please click on the link below to put your child's name down:

Mother's Day Craft

Zara Corbin
FoC Chair

 

Housekeeping

Lunch Menu Week Commencing 24 February 2020

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

Crescent Menu - 24 February 2020 

Crescent School Office

 

 

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.

 

The Princethorpe Foundation Employment Opportunities

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

  • Invigilators
  • Teacher of Computer Science

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

School Shop Opening Hours

Please note that the School Shop will close from 4.30pm on Friday 14 February 2020 and reopen at 10.30am on Monday 24 Februrary 2020.

Remember you can email orders for uniform to nicolabrowne@princethorpe.co.uk  or call direct on 01926 634272.  Items can be paid for in cash, by cheque, card or added to the school bill.

Nicola Browne
Uniform and School Shop Manager

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

Outside School

Courier Kids Update

Our Crescent Courier Kids reporters Bella, Evie, Harriett, Rohan and Freya are currently working on the final article from this half term's work which they want you to see so the Courier Kids update will be first edition after half term.

Have a lovely break. 

Mrs Yates
Year 6 Teacher