Year 6 battle it out over 80 metres
It was wonderful to see so many of you at Sports Day. What a lovely morning of celebration, athleticism and competition! The latter appears to be a bit of dirty word in some settings - I’m a a strong advocate for celebrating every child’s success at their level, but to not instil a competitive spirit and an urge to win feels somewhat negligent. Survival is winning; to want to be the best is a healthy and productive driver - so to see all of our children (and parents!) desperately doing their best to win their selection of races with huge grins on their faces was very satisfying indeed. Congratulations to everyone involved - as I wandered around the back lawn marvelling at the array of picnic delights I swiftly remembered that sharing moments such as these make each and every one of us a winner.
Year One displaying eggcellent technique
Mrs Storey and Mr Low deserve a heaped dollop of praise for their organisation and coordination of the event - so too do the Senior School Sports Ambassadors for the excellent support they offered our Junior pupils. It certainly was one to remember!
Mr Morris
A timeless classic for Sports Day
This week, Happy Birthday wishes go to Hannahel and Alfie!
Bushcraft Business
Year 5 put their survival skills to the test this week with a day of bushcraft with our very own Mr Colclough - Cransley’s answer to Ray Mears! We learned new knots, shelter skills, fire safety and rounded off the experience with some outdoor cooking… Toasted marshmallow anyone?
Miss Coulthard
Year 5 applying their safety knowledge in the tastiest fashion
Big Art Week
Friendly reminder - it’s Big Art Week from Monday to Wednesday next week! Please wear something spotty within your normal uniform/PE kit on these days, such as spotty socks, a jumper or even a hair accessory! Parents are warmly invited to view our art work in the Junior School courtyard, or corridor if it’s raining, at home time (3:30pm) on Wednesday 26th June.
Mrs Pauline
Junior Safety Officers
Junior Safety Officers have the job of helping to keep everyone safe at school and beyond. We consider the safety of our pupils to be paramount at all times here at Cransley School, and invited Year 4 pupils to write their own manifestoes for why they should be given this important role when they move up to Year 5. The speeches which the children made were detailed, informative and persuasive. Some children even created presentations and videos! A democratic vote was held earlier this week and, based on the pupils’ own choices, our Junior Road Safety Officers for next year are: Olivia, Emelie and Seth! We look forward to soon hearing their ideas in whole-school assemblies and seeing which competitions they choose to run in order to remind us all about the importance of road safety.
Mrs Pauline
Our Junior Safety Officers for 2024/25
What Lurks in the Shadows (and under leaves)
With help from Mr Harris, Year 6 last week planted pitfall traps in our Forest school area. Our aim? To see what creature and organisms lived in our local habitat. This Friday we returned to the scene to examine our findings. We were blown away by the range of species we found. From newts, to beetles, centipedes to bumble bees with bulging pollen sacks. We reviewed features such as limbs and exo-skeletons, to figure out what made each creature unique, as well as discovering quite what an amazing menagerie exists on our doorstep.
Mr Armstrong and Miss Lloyd
Year 6 pupils and Mr Harris exploring the environment
Dates for the Diary:
24-26.6.24 - Junior School Big Art Project
26.6.24 - Foundation Afternoon Tea
27-28.6.24 - Year 6 School Camp Out
28.6.24 - Year 4 Violin Performance 3:30pm-4:00pm
29.6.24 - Foundation Summer Ball
1.7.24 & 2.7.24 - Reception-Year 5 Transition Days
3.7.24 - Prize Giving Ceremony - Juniors: 2pm start - full school uniform essential, all parents invited. Seniors: 6.30pm start
4.7.24 - Year 6 Moving Up Assembly & Celebration - 10.30am - Year 6 Parents invited
4.7.24 - End of Summer Term - 12pm - (After School Care runs until 2pm today)
Prize Giving Celebration
Our annual celebration is nearly upon us. An afternoon in which the efforts and achievements of all pupils in the Junior School are celebrated by us, you and them. This moment of unification brings us together and strengthens the bonds of our Cransley Family - sharing success through ceremony and relishing each other’s company with refreshments on the back lawn. I know that some families have requested to find out if their child has won a specific award in advance due to prior commitments or changes of plans.
I am politely declining these requests.
Sharing the success of the Junior School and all of our pupils is of equal importance to the actual winning of the awards themselves; if prior commitments have been made, that’s ok! We will celebrate for you and share pictures As a community, we all succeed together and should celebrate accordingly - it’s been a big year, full of developments. I can’t think of a better way to salute it.
Celebrations
Congratulations to one VERY happy Barney, being awarded Coaches Player of the Year, which he won last week at Appleton Football Club’s end of season awards ceremony.
He remained smiling and played even more football through the torrential rain!
Further congratulations to Tilly-Grace in achieving her 3rd KYU tap on her brown belt. Well done T-G!
Well done T-G!
Special Mentions
Reception: This week's special mention goes to someone who has been a super star helper. She’s not only asked her peers if they need help but also myself and Mrs Hanna. She has the most wonderful manners and this person always sets a great example and is a role model to others in her class. Well done Emmie!
Year 1: This week’s special mention goes to someone who has been a fantastic learner. They have mastered the art of missing number problems. They have been enthusiastic about reading AND writing, and even managed to spell the word ‘percussion’ correctly in his phonics lesson. A super well done to Max!
Year 2 & 3: This week Year 2 and 3 ventured into the wonderful grounds of Belmont Hall and did some pond dipping. Everyone did an amazing job but this week’s special mention really stood out because of her enthusiasm during the session where she sensibly pond dipped - listening to advice given and supported others to identify their findings. Well Done Roselia!
Year 4: This week, Year 4 have voted democratically for next year’s Junior Safety Officers and selected three pupils who they believe will inform us all of how to stay safe on the roads around school and beyond. The manifestoes were read aloud on Monday, what a fantastic start to the week! One pupil was poorly on this day though, and emailed Mrs P to say how upset they were that they’d missed this wonderful speaking and listening opportunity. Even though the votes had already taken place and the JSOs appointed, this individual asked to still share their manifesto with the class! This is a fantastic example of seeking excellence; Year 4 loves celebrating such brilliant work! Well done, Clara.
Year 5: This week's special mention goes to someone who consistently nurtures relationships and ventures beyond. They approach every challenge with curiosity and determination. Lately, I have seen this person smash it at sports day, as did many others in the class. However, this person stood out. When he did not win, he immediately congratulated his competitors. When a friend did not win, he reassured that friend that we are all talented in different ways and that it would be really boring if we were all the same. When a friend was upset, he sat with them, empathised and suggested ways to cheer them up. Please carry this fantastic attitude with you into Year 6. Harry!
Year 6C: As we approach the end of the year, this continues to be a difficult decision. I have however managed to select someone who I feel has ventured beyond this week. This person was a great ambassador for the school during our visit to Crucial Crew, with brilliant answers and questions for the range of presenters. In our Science work, he took over as teacher, helped 6S to know how to set up their pitfall traps. It’s been his perseverance in his English work though that has been most pleasing, where he’s maintained a constant quality and stamina working on his endurance narrative. Top marks for a strong week… Joe!
Year 6S: This week’s Special Mention goes to someone who is a source of infectious positivity in 6S. He was a fantastic support to all of his classmates at Sports Day, cheering on everyone and offering encouragement in every race. He came in dressed smartly and full of excitement ready for his first transition day to Year 7 and as the day ended, his giant smile was still firmly on his face. Mr Armstrong and I cannot wait to see him rise to the challenge of performing in our Leavers Assembly - we know he’s going to be a star! Well done, Jacob.