We have a jam-packed PPB for you this week - with everything from safety updates, to history hunters; shaggy inkcaps to science in action. So without further ado… let’s dive in!

Mr Morris

Year 3 History Hunt with a Sweet Twist

Year 3 were all bursting with excitement this week, as they embarked on a thrilling historians' treasure hunt in the picturesque village of Great Budworth. Armed with maps and a sense of adventure, they set off to explore the hidden secrets of the past. Following clues scattered throughout the village, they navigated the cobbled streets, examined ancient buildings, and even uncovered fascinating facts about the local stocks!  As they explored, they also practised their geography skills by locating various landmarks and facilities on their maps, such as the old post office, telephone box (‘why would you ever need one of those?!’), tennis courts, and the historic church. With each clue they found, their curiosity grew, and their understanding of Great Budworth's rich history deepened. But the fun wasn't over yet. On the way home, the children still had enough energy to squeeze in an ice cream at the nearby ice cream farm. With their bellies full, they returned to school, just in time for lunch!  If you want to know more about Great Budworth, ask any Year 3 about the Peelers house, the old smithy or even what building was actually recorded in the domesday book - wow! 

Mrs Lane

Magic Mycology

This week, Year 2 began their mycology (mushroom) survey of Cransley school. We ventured out onto the school grounds and found a variety of species. From Shaggy Inkcaps to Jelly Ears we recorded their cap colour, size, gill colour and habitat. We couldn’t believe the size of some of them! We considered where they come from and how they reproduce. We discovered that they are living things and, like all other living things, they need a very specific habitat to grow in. Stay tuned for Year 2’s mushroom field guide, coming soon to a corridor display near you. 

Miss Coulthard

Reception in Role

After enjoying the book, ‘ Super Duper You’ by Sophy Henn, Reception created their very own booklet - they plan to fill it with things all about them. The role play is looking great, they have created a sign with a message explaining you can be whoever you want to be. Over the next few weeks, we will be talking about the topic ‘When I grow up, I want to be…’ If you have any costumes linked to professions that you no longer use, Reception would be very grateful for your donation.

Mrs Gallanders

Striking Vikings

To kickstart their History topic earlier this term, Year 4 pupils asked questions which they wanted to find out about the Vikings. Our curious historians truly ventured beyond in order to discover what Viking people wore! From Google Slides to fur-filled costumes, the Year 4 classroom was buzzing with excitement as each project was confidently presented to the class. Did you know that Viking helmets didn’t have horns? Or that clothes were dyed with natural materials to change their colour? Ask anyone from Year 4 if you’d like to find out even more.

We love learning outside the classroom here at Cransley, but this week technology brought the experience to us. Rather than travelling all the way to London for a tour of the largest synagogue in the UK, Year 4 accessed their guided tour via VR headset! Pupils gained a 360° look around in order to further their understanding of this place of worship, and can now identify the key features of a synagogue including the Torah, Siddur, eternal light and memorial boards. Fancy a tour yourself? Check it the Bevis Marks Synagogue here.  

Mrs Pauline

Wartime Grub

Continuing our journey into the experiences of World War 2, Year 6 investigated rationing and how it affected food and diet during the war. After our research we then tried out a range of food stuff that we discovered would have been staples of a family living with rations-ham, cheese, wheat bread, preserved jam. We also learned about the food parcels sent with evacuees, so decided to sample a few of the treats they may have had too such as dried fruit or evaporated milk. Some children seemed to very much enjoy the flavours of wartime meals, however with others they felt they may have found the restricted menu a little tricky!

Mr Armstrong

Water, water everywhere…

Whilst exploring seasonal changes in their science lessons, Year 1 decided they wanted to find out which season had the most rainfall. After much discussion and debate we came to a consensus on an agreed method for our investigation.

A few plastic bottles, elastic bands later we were ready to conduct our investigation. You have probably seen our bottles and posters spread across the junior courtyard. We have run into a few difficulties along the way but are ready to refine and adapt our investigation as the seasons change.

Miss Walsh

Junior Safety Officers

This week, the Junior Safety Officers had their first official meeting with Mr Pollock. They talked some serious safety business! Mr Pollock suggested that our Top Tip this week focused on the 10mph speed limit on our school grounds.

We thank you for your support in driving safely around our school community.

Miss Lloyd

Fussiness & Farewells

Phew! What a week. I did warn you this edition was jam-packed.

I’ve a few final words prior to you enjoying the rundown of this week’s Special Mentions - necessary and important. Our number one priority in School is safety - nothing is more important. So whilst some of our routines, practices and requests of you at home might seem fussy, please let me assure you that they are important and non-negotiable.

Firstly, coats… we want our children to make the most of all the outdoor learning and activities on our School estate as possible. They can’t if it’s drizzling and they are coatless. Imagine how miserable you’d be at break or lunch if all your pals are hotfooting it around the playground and fields in their wellies/appropriate outdoor footwear and coat (plain navy/black/Cransley edition) and you are stuck under the shelter of the Pavilion unable to join in because you’re coatless. How miserable? Super miserable. And miserable children don’t learn as effectively as happy children.

We have more lost clothing items at Cransley than any other School - in fact if there were a prize for the most lost property per child, we’d win the small-school award hands-down, thrice over. The simple answer here is to label your child’s clothing. Not fun, perhaps not an immediate priority for you, but it will pay dividends in the long run. Trust me. Our pre-loved uniform angels have signed up to MyNameTags so School receive a BrucieBonus every time you use the School ID 2366 at the checkout. Failing that, get the Sharpies out and go wild.

Handover: It is School Policy that children in the Junior School are handed to and from School staff by a responsible adult. I know the car park can be tricky and sometimes even getting up the drive is a mission. But I simply can’t allow children to walk to their parents car - even with an older sibling. If something terrible happened between us sending them and you receiving them, the fault would lie with us and I will not allow that. Safety first, no matter how annoying. Those milliseconds of contact when you handover or collect are incredibly important for us to be able to connect with you about your child… Even if it’s to ask you if they have their coat with them 😉.

Harvest Festival information will be heading your way very soon. If you’d like to come and celebrate with us, then book the afternoon of the 18th October off work now. You’ll possibly need your wellies and gardening gloves as I may well be inviting you to come and explore our developing Community Farm project. More on that to come soon too.

Finally, this week was bittersweet as we waved farewell to our lovely Ryker and Lorcan and mum and dad Lynika, Rayner and little Zorin. We hold them very fondly in our hearts and wish them all the best in their new adventures back in SA. It’s not goodbye, just see you later.

Mr Morris

Dates for the Diary:

• 30.09.2024 & 01.10.2024 - Junior School Parents’ Evenings

• 2.10.2024 - Year 6 Money Matters Workshop

• 18.10.24 - Harvest Festival - Details coming soon!

• 16.10.24 - Whole School Photograph @ 2.15pm

Special Mentions

This week, all our ambassadors from Open Day received a special mention in our Celebration Assembly. Massive thanks and congratulations to: Oscar, Joshua, Luca N, Betty, Emily T, Hannahel, Clark, Tabitha, Ottilie, Emmie, Jasper, Roselia, Harper, Ethan, Ryker, Etta, Georgia, Martha, Emelie, Erica, Olivia, Beth, Lorcan, Joseph, Abigail, Nelly, Daniel, Elsie and Freya!

Reception:

This week’s special mention goes to a Reception child for venturing beyond. This person has gained house points this week from myself, Mrs Hanna, Miss Lloyd, Mrs P and midday assistants. This shows us that whether he is in the classroom, out at forest school, on the playground or in the corridors he is making great choices. Well done Houston!

Year 1:

This week’s special mention goes to someone who has been seeking excellence in their learning inside and outside school. They have been reading non stop at home and as a result have really improved on their fluency and tricky word recognition. In class they have been exceeding expectations by choosing to write even more than is expected of them. Their sentences even include adjectives and the joining words to make their writing even longer! A huge well done to Lena!

Year 2:

My special mention this week goes to someone who always has an excellent attitude to learning. This person is always one of the first people ready for learning. She responds to all green pen feedback in her book and contributes their great ideas in lessons. She has impressed me this week with her narrative writing. I cannot wait to hear her story about finding a strange creature that has ears like a rabbit but is as small as a frog. It is simile central in her writing. Well done and keep it up Elena! 

Year 3:

The Y3 special mention this week goes to someone who constantly seeks to venture beyond, looking for challenges to stretch their learning at every turn.  This person always responds to feedback to improve on their knowledge and skills and asks questions to clarify and build on their understanding.  During our Great Budworth trip this week this person showed that they were able to think about different ways to research answers to their questions, not only by using Google, but also through looking at maps, photographs and carrying out interviews to find answers to their wonderings. This person is unfalteringly reliable, helpful and generous - please continue to be a fabulous role model, Niamh!

Year 4:

My Special Mention this week goes to an inquisitive learner who is really enjoying our weekly Computing lessons about the Internet. They were amazed to learn about the different processes involved in sending and receiving emails across networks, and were so eager to seek out the router of our school network that they confidently asked Mr Pollock to take them to see it! Mr Pollock diligently obliged, leading to the discovery that the Senior School in fact has TWO routers, and another one is also in the Junior School! Keep venturing beyond and asking more intriguing questions, your passion for learning is contagious, Zeke!

Year 5:

This week’s special mention goes to someone who can always be relied upon to be Seeking Excellence in everything she does. I have lost count of the roles that she so effortlessly dedicates herself to. If being a Junior Safety Officer and Cransley Chronicle reporter wasn’t enough, she has just been elected as the Year 5 School Councillor. What an achievement! This not only reflects your ability as a leader but also the trust that your classmates have in you to represent them.  A huge congratulations to an exceptional role model at Cransley, Emelie!

Year 6:

This week I have decided to be greedy and to give out two special mentions! My first is to a young man who displayed all our school values at the weekend. He helped out superbly on Open Day, and I subsequently had two different members of staff come to me this week to tell me how excellent he had been with our visitors, both young and old. He should be very proud of himself, Joseph!

My second goes to another young man who was also a star on Open Day. Despite it being his last day today, he still continues to seek excellence to the end, having made an effort to already complete his home learning despite the fact he won’t even be here on Monday when it’s actually due! It’s been a pleasure to have him as a member of the class, even though it has only been for a few weeks. We wish him every success going forward and he deserves to leave on a high. Top man, Lorcan!