Issue No 400
27th April 2007
Dear Friends of Crescent
I hope you have all enjoyed a refreshing Easter break – we certainly had plenty of warm sunny days to enjoy. Some of you may have heard on the 'grapevine' that Mr Long will be leaving us at the end of term. It seems hard to believe that he has been with us for nearly three years but he has certainly made a huge impact in that time. He came to us having spent his student years in Cumbria and it is a desire to move back up there that prompted him to apply for a post in a school on the outskirts of Preston. He has given us three excellent years and we wish him and his fiancée, Katie, every success and happiness for the future. I will be interviewing possible successors later this term.
Over the holiday we received the results of the Music Instrumental exams that children had taken in March. The children did really well and are all to be congratulated on their success. The results are as follows:
| Alana Eckland | Grade 1 | Singing | Pass |
| Harriet Hedderwick | Grade 1 | Singing | Pass |
| Francesca Brown | Grade 1 | Singing | Merit |
| Flora Courtney | Grade 1 | Flute | Merit |
| Leenah Abu el Gasim | Grade 1 | Flute | Merit |
| Nicholas Colbourne | Grade 1 | Cornet | Merit |
| Hiba Abu el Gasim | Grade 1 | Flute | Merit |
| Florence Chapman | Grade 1 | Singing | Merit |
| Jack Fisher | Grade 1 | Piano | Dist. |
| Florence Chapman | Grade 1 | Flute | Dist. |
| Isobel Pagendam | Grade 2 | Singing | Pass |
| Barth Hayden | Grade 2 | Singing | Pass |
| Laura Brazier | Grade 5 | Singing | Merit |
With this newsletter is the calendar for this term. Please note that there are several events happening at weekends this term and if children opt to take part in Alice the Musical they are expected to attend rehearsals on the two or three Sunday afternoons set aside. These rehearsals are necessary to avoid too much disruption to lessons.
Some parents – and even parents of former pupils – have already offered to help with Alice but we still need some help with sewing costumes. If you can wield a needle to some effect Mrs Ovens would be delighted to hear from you.
You will see in the calendar that there are school exams in May. These are for children in Years 3 to 6 with children in Class III sitting tests in English and maths only while children in Class IV and above sit tests in a wide range of subjects. The children will be given guidance by their teachers as to how and what they should revise; the tests are nothing to worry about and can be seen as part of the learning process. Children have to learn how to prepare for and take tests that can open doors for them in later life. Our education system is very test based and the ability to do well in tests is highly desirable. In the same way as it is possible to be a good driver without being able to pass a driving test one can be good academically without being good at passing exams – hence the need to practise.
There are also outings arranged for the children which they will look forward to and enjoy enormously so, as always, the term isn't all about work! Please note that the children will be back from some of these trips after the end of the normal school day.
With best wishes.
Yours sincerely
R.H. Marshall
Weekly Times
Monday, 30th April
12.20 – 12.50 Recorders—Class IV
13.05 – 13.45 Ballet - Reception
13.05 - 13.45 Senior Games – Classes V & VI
15.45 - 16.30 Choir
15.45 – 16.30 Pre-Prep Games – Classes I & II
15.45 "FOC" Committee Meeting
Tuesday, 1st May
09.00 depart Classes V & VI to Black Country
16.00 return Museum – ref. Mrs Lowe
12.50 – 13.20 Times-Tables Challenge
13.05 – 13.45 School Council – alternate weeks
13.15 - 13.45 Brass Group
15.45 - 16.30 No Girls' Games – Classes V & VI
15.45 – 16.45 Writers' Guild
Wednesday, 2nd
12.20 – 13.00 Ballet – Class VI
13.05 - 13.45 Reception Art Club
13.05 – 13.45 Ballet – Class V
15.45 – 16.45 Junior Girls' Games—Classes III & IV
15.45 - 16.30 Senior Boys' Games—Classes V & VI 15.45 – 16.45 Camera Club
19.30 Meeting of Parents of Class VI pupilsre. Slapton Trip
Thursday, 3rd
12.20 – 13.00 Ballet—Class IV
12.20 – 13.00 Library
13.05 - 13.45 Ballet—Class III
15.45 – 16.45 Art Club
15.50 - 16.50 Tap & Modern Dance
Friday, 4th
12.20 - 13.00 Ballet—Class II
12.20 – 13.00 Junior Boys' Games – Classes III & IV
12.20 – 12.50 String Group
13.05 - 13.45 Ballet– Class I
13.15 – 13.45 Wind Group
15.45 - 16.45 Orchestra
Gold Stars
The following children have been awarded five or more gold stars for their ten instrumental lessons last term:
5 stars
Kate Hoare, Georgina Colbourne,
Jessica Butterworth, Oliver Howes,
Laura Brazier, Catherine Fox,
Nicholas Colbourne, Maddie Pomfrett
6 stars
Adam Smith, Claudia Sherratt, Emily Fowkes,
Hiba Abu el Gasim, Alex Fowkes,
Jack Cornes
7 stars
Laura Brazier, Georgina Colbourne,
Stephanie Drew, Max Thomson,
Emily Cheadle
8 stars
Barth Hayden, Harriet Hedderwick,
Leenah Abu el Gasim, Florence Chapman,
Millie Byrne, Florence Chapman,
Hannah Allroggen
9 stars
Millie Byrne, Isobel Pagendam, Bethany Rees,
Jessica Armbrister, Alana Eckland,
Jack Fisher, Amy Cook, Tom Kalinowski,
Adam Smith, Julia Hope
10 stars
Josie Brazier, Daniel Marshall,
Francesca Brown, Jessica Butterworth,
Jack Fisher, Hattie Byrne x 2
Wanted urgently!
Class II are in urgent need of material and wool for their art lessons next term.
If anyone has any spare material or wool we would be most grateful if you could send it in.
Thank you.
A. Boys
To Parents, Children and Staff
Just a note to say "thank you" for all the warm wishes, gifts and cards we received for our wedding at Easter. We were most touched. We had a perfect day and the sun shone on us.
Love,
Mrs Forth!
Speech and Drama
I must apologise as I have mislaid my list of students wishing to start Speech and Drama lessons.
Please ring me on 01788 815970 if you would like Speech and Drama lessons for your child.
P. A. Ovens
Nursery News
This half term we are talking about "growth". This topic provides valuable opportunities for children to develop awareness of their own needs and the needs of others. Time spent discussing caring for plants and other living things will encourage children to speak in a group, to share their feelings and to consider consequences.
By playing circle games the children will learn to take turns and to listen to each other.
This week we are talking about "seeds" and the children are planting sunflower seeds with Miss Mistry and will follow their progress. We are also setting up a garden centre in the role-play area.
Our colour for the next two weeks is yellow.
As the weather is getting hotter I would be grateful if you could send in a named sun hat and sun cream please.
Thank you.
C. McGrellis
Friends of the Crescent News.
Gosh, how the time is speeding by, we are already into the summer term and I for one don't know where this year has gone. It does not seem like 8 weeks have past let alone 8 months since I was nervously waiting in the wings to take over the Chairman's seat of the FOC, and now my first year is almost over.
The FOC are hoping to run one more children's event before the Summer BBQ on Sunday 1st July. The date and type will be arranged at the next FOC meeting, please if you have any different ideas mention them to your class rep or better still come along to the meetings in the Library at 3.45pm (dates published in the weekly newsletter) The meetings are very informal and anyone is welcome to join us.
The next market day, Friday 18th May, will be run by Classes 1 & 2. So again if you have any new ideas the children may enjoy please see your class rep.
Thank you for your bedding plant orders, the plants will be delivered to school on or around 4th May, if you are able to help with the sorting and delivery of the order please see Jo Crompton.
Many thanks for your continued support.
Jackie Daniel
Chairman