2nd November 2007
Dear Friends of Crescent,
I hope all our parents and children have enjoyed the recent half-term break; the additional two days have been appreciated by all those who have spoken to me about it. I am always interested to receive reaction to changes such as this so, please, don’t be shy about giving me your opinion.
I was interested to read in a recent educational publication two paragraphs, one about Modern Foreign Language teaching and the other about Physical Education:
‘70% of primary schools are now offering some form of MFL teaching in curriculum time, although only a third are teaching all Key Stage 2 pupils. The teaching is typically a single lesson a week of 30 to 60 minutes.’
‘The Government is pushing for yet more PE for all pupils. The aim is for children to have the equivalent of an bour of sport a day, five days a week. Of this, only 2 hours a week will be part of the statutory curriculum. The balance is to come from after school clubs, and weekend activities within the local community.’
We, of course, already offer all children from Reception to the end of Key Stage 2 MFL teaching as part of the curriculum beginning with 1 hour per week and rising to 2. The older children additionally get 30 minutes of Latin each week.
Our pupils already get 2 hours of PE teaching of one kind or another a week in Reception, rising to 3 in Year 3, as part of the timetabled curriculum with additional opportunities available as extra curricular activities.
This is just part of the ‘value added’ that we offer that makes the educational experience that our children enjoy so much richer than that which is on offer elsewhere. It makes it all the more perplexing that successive governments have made life more difficult for independent schools rather than encouraging us in our pursuit of excellence. Perhaps there is a clue contained in the directive to some Ofsted inspectors that they should not use the word ‘excellent’ in their reports but rather restrict themselves to the phrase ‘very good’.
With best wishes.
Yours sincerely,
R.H. Marshall
Netball Match Report
Last night (Wednesday) our netball team travelled to Wolston to play
St Margaret’s School.
Surprisingly it was a first for me as I’ve never been to this school before!
It was a very nice match, with our team playing confidently and steadily making best use of a very small court.
The final score was a win to Crescent 8-5. Well played everyone.
C. Gove
Weekly Times
Monday, 5th November
09.00 – 12.20 Class IV to Ashby St Ledgers Church ref. Mrs Boys
12.20 - 12.50 Recorders—Class IV
12.20 – 12.50 Junior Girls’ Games—Classes III &
IV
12.45 – 13.15 Brass Group
13.05 - 13.45 Ballet – Class I
13.05 - 13.45 Senior Games – Classes V & VI
13.05 – 13.45 Ballet – Reception
15.45 - 16.30 Choir
15.45 - 16.30 Pre-Prep Games – Classes I & II
15.45 “FOC” Committee Meeting
18.00 – 20.00 Nursery Consultation Evening
Tuesday, 6th
12.20 Spanish Club – Class IV
12.50 - 13.20 Times-Tables Challenge
15.45 - 16.45 Girls’ Games – Classes V & VI
15.45 - 16.30 Senior Boys’ Games—Classes V & VI
16.00 – 18.00 Nursery Consultation Evening
Wednesday, 7th
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 Camera Club
15.45 – 16.45 Netball v Henry Hinde (H)
Thursday, 8th
10.30 Class VI to Rugby School Musical
12.20 - 13.00 Ballet—Class III
12.20 - 13.00 Library
12.45 – 13.15 Brass Group
13.05 - 13.45 Ballet—Class IV
15.45 - 17.00 No Art Club
15.50 - 16.50 Tap & Modern Dance
Friday,
09.35 – 12.20 Class III to Rugby Library
ref. Mrs Byrne
12.20 - 13.00 Ballet—Class II
12.20 - 13.00 Junior Boys’ Games – Classes III & IV
12.20 - 12.50 String Group
13.15 - 13.45 Wind Group
15.45 - 16.45 Orchestra
18.00 School Hall in use by Bilton Pantomummers
Football match v Binley Woods
The football team played Binley Woods in a cup match on Tuesday - a match that would decide who went through to round two as group winners. Crescent had the better of possession in the first half but failed to create many clear chances. The second half was a more even contest, with Oliver Howes being called upon to make a couple of smart saves and the defence having to make some last gasp tackles. The game looked destined for a draw until Joe Miller hit a thunderous strike which proved to be the winner.
Football match v Cawston Grange
The day after the Binley Woods’ match, Crescent A and B teams took on Cawston Grange A and B. The A team looked slightly sluggish after the previous day’s escapades and, despite neither team creating a lot of chances, Cawston Grange scored a goal in the first half. Crescent never recovered and lost out 1-0.
The B team did themselves proud in their first match of the year. Cawston Grange included some A team players in their team and so always looked stronger. Crescent battled hard but lost out 3-0.
M. Phillips
“Read with me” week.
I hope you have all enjoyed 'read with me week' and it has given you the excuse to sit down and share a book with your child. It would be nice to think that a few more children have discovered a love of books this week and will keep this habit going - it does make a huge difference to their achievement in school.
S. Lowe
Book Link
Remember all book link orders to be in by Monday, 5th November.
our school link number is: 0003603445
If you want to order on line the password is: briggs8past
S .Lowe
“Friends of Crescent” News
Christmas Bazaar Raffle
It’s unbelievable that it’s almost that time of year again. “YIPPEE” we hear you all shout.
Raffle tickets will be sent out with the newsletter soon, but in the meantime it would be greatly appreciated if you could donate a prize for the raffle, to be drawn at this year’s Christmas Bazaar on Friday, 7th December.
The prize list is in the usual place (left hand side notice board, side entrance corridor).
Please sign (parents to sign) alongside the prize you are wishing to donate. Prizes to be placed in the box directly below the notice board.
We would be grateful if donations are received in school as soon as possible or at the very latest by Friday, 30th November.
A big “thank you” once again for your continued support.
Denise Cook and Catherine Drew – Class IV reps