11 OCTOBER 2021 Message from the Headmaster As the school celebrates Black History Month, 7RC presented an inspiring and motivational assembly on Monday morning. They focused on powerful role models such as writer Malorie Blackman, composer and violinist Dr Shirley Thompson and Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton. Pupils are looking forward to learning more about historical events involving Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Mary Seacole and Jesse Owens in their history lessons this term. A huge congratulations to our U12 and U14 Cranmore Ski Teams who both won sliver medals at the National ESSKIA Finals on Saturday in Norwich. There were some outstanding performances and our pupils gained valuable experience for upcoming events. At the same time, on the Henderson fields, the Year 5 pupils were displaying skilful and committed performances in a football triangular tournament, achieving many comprehensive victories against two local schools. In the Lower Prep school, Year 2 pupils were busy with a much anticipated visit to Windsor Castle and workshops on being a knight. Year 3 enjoyed lessons in the Forest School exploring and taking part in outdoor activities. It was enjoyable to see the pupils in Year 6 on Monday and Year 4 on Tuesday, participate in outdoor activities as part of their year group team building exercises. They immersed themselves in challenges designed to promote communication, organisation skills and enhance self-esteem. On Thursday, Year 8 pupils took part in online Study Skills presented by Elevate Education teaching them the important skills of planning, timetabling and time management. It has been an extremely busy first half term back at school with many opportunities and activities that have helped engage and inspire the pupils. I would like to wish all the parents, pupils and staff a well-deserved restful half term break.
Mr Everitt
Black History Month Pupils across the school have been taking part in activities linked to Black History Month across the curriculum: - Lower Prep pupils had an assembly about notable black British people, and 7RC presented an assembly to the Upper Prep and Senior pupils. - In Music lessons, pupils been looking at Scott Joplin and Ragtime piano music. Mr Harris also played some of his pieces during assembly. - Pupils in Year 4 have been learning about French speaking countries around the world, including those in Africa, South America, the West Indies and Polynesia all whilst listening to Creole music. - Year 5 have been researching famous black French sportsmen and women. - Year 8 have been researching influential black mathematicians in their maths lessons and presenting their findings to the rest of their class. Such examples are Euphemia Lofton Haynes, the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D in mathematics, Mark Dean, who invented the first gigahertz computer chip, and Lonnie Johnson who developed the Super Soaker water gun. In History, the Year 6 students developed an understanding of how Martin Luther King played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement. Towards the end of the lesson they had to make a judgement on Martin Luther’s actions. The statements were as follows: 1. Martin Luther King did what he did because he was a man who believed that he had to stand up for the rights of all people. He died for what he believed in. 2. Martin Luther King was a brave man who did not choose to die, but if he had stopped when people were threatening him then he would have been saying to all the other people who were being brave that the bullies had won. 3. Martin Luther King was stupid to die and leave his kids and wife alone. It just wasn’t worth it and he should have left it to someone else to take the risk. The overwhelming majority of students gravitated towards statement 1 and 2 and a lively debate ensued between them. In other groups, the Year 5 analysed the life of Jesse Owens to learn about racial segregation in the United States in the 1930s. Finally, the Year 8s discussed whether anyone should use violence to achieve a peaceful goal, as Nelson Mandela did, or is this a contradiction? In other words, should we heed Mandela or King? Mr Cross Head of History
School Council News Congratulations to the newly elected Upper Prep and Senior School Council representatives. Our first meeting will be on Tuesday 9 November.
The Lower Prep School Council are delighted to have already had an impact since starting as a council only two weeks ago. We now have basketballs for every class to use during playtimes. The School Council reps proudly took the balls to their classes and explained the rules for their use which they agreed in their meeting.
Blue Peter Music Badge for Edward Congratulations to Year 5 pupil, Edward W, who has been awarded a Blue Peter Music badge to recognise his love for music. During lockdown, Edward taught himself to play ‘Bridge over Troubled Water’ on the piano and the guitar, and he learnt to sing it too. Edward also passed his Grade 3 piano exam with merit at the beginning of the summer holidays. Well done, Edward!
Lower Prep Music Year 1 enjoyed their Music lesson making sound effects to accompany an exciting story about a little bear’s journey.
Year 3 had a fun Music lesson this week where they were composing music on the Boomwackers using high, low, and middle pitches.
Specialist subjects for Reception
In Reception we enjoy a range of specialist lessons. Here we are enjoying our French lesson with Madam Buckle where we are learning to say our names in French and our Ballet lesson where we told a story through movement!
Teambuilding Challenges for Years 4 and 6
Year 4 and Year 6 enjoyed their respective teambuilding days in the autumnal sunshine. The pupils worked together to solve a series of challenges, showing support to each other and developing their teamwork skills in the process.
Forest School Adventures for Year 3 Our first trip to Forest School was full of fun and laughter and for the Year 3 pupils who are new to Cranmore this was their first experience of Forest School. Ellie, our Forest school leader, reiterated the rules of Forest school and the children were allowed to explore the site and make use of the activities provided such as the mud kitchen, the slack line and the colour spraying sheet Ms Sinclair and Miss Freeman, Year 3
Year 2 visit Windsor Castle
The Year 2 children enjoyed their visit to Windsor Castle last week. They visited St. George’s Chapel, watched the changing of the guards and took part in an interactive workshop about being a knight. Mrs Carpenter and Mrs Stefano, Year 2
Nursery News It was our last Forest School session of this half term. Ellie made a fire and roasted popcorn for the children to enjoy with their hot chocolate. They made pumpkin pictures and explored mixing colours with pipettes. In cooking this week the children prepared vegetables to create their vegetable soup. They have enjoyed tracing their names. Ms Luke Head of Nursery
Sports Roundup Our skiing squad had a very successful weekend at the ESSKIA Championship Finals in Norwich. We were placed 2nd in both the U12s and U14s categories which is a fantastic achievement considering the competition was a national event. Year 8 pupils had an excellent racquets fixture against Shrewsbury House on Friday, participating in both squash and badminton. On Saturday morning, over 60 Year 5 and 6 pupils represented Cranmore in football triangulars against Danes Hill and Feltonfleet. This half-term has seen over 200 football matches played across the U8 to U13 age groups. Thank you to all staff involved and a big well done to all pupils for a great football season so far. Mr Hodgson Director of Sport
Success at the ESSKIA National Dry Slope Ski Championships After an exciting day’s racing at Aldershot, Cranmore got three teams through to the National Finals at Norwich. After an eventful trip up to Norwich last Friday, the ski squad got a chance to practise on a very fast slope. For some of the younger skiers this was the first time that they had skied on a slope with water sprinklers. The teams returned on Saturday morning to what turned out to be a beautiful day and the prospect of some great ski racing. Course inspection under the guidance of ex Cranmore Ski Captain, Joe Davey, indicated that the course would be very fast but with a couple of very tight poles that could cause problems. This indeed proved to be the case and cost us a potential U12 gold medal. However, all the boys proved that they were up for the challenge and walked away with both U12 and U14 silver medals with the added bonus of Rocco H taking the prize for the fastest unregistered male skier of the morning. This was a very successful day on the slopes and a big indication that the ski simulator is helping our skiers with their race preparation. Thank you to all the parents for their help and support. Without you we wouldn’t be able to run such a successful club and squad. And finally a big thank you to both Miss Moore and Mr Davey who helped make the day and also get me home! Mr Mellstrom Head of Skiing
Microscopy in Year 7 This half term, Biology students in Year 7 have been learning how to use microscopes to view objects that cannot be seen with the naked eye. An optical microscope uses magnifications of up to 400 times in order to generate an image that can be seen in the eyepiece lens. Students have prepared slides containing the skin from an onion and cells from inside their own cheeks. The images were photographed using the microscope eyepiece lens and clearly show the differences between the structures of plant and animal cells. Mr Minikin Head of Science
Notices
A message from our Chaplaincy Team
Menu
Soup
Main
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday Celebrating Black History Month
Friday
Soup of the day
Soup of the day
Soup of the day
Soup of the day
Soup of the day
Locally sourced pork sausages & onion gravy
Beef ragout pasta melt
Roasted pork leg with Yorkshire pudding & apple sauce
Caribbean’s got soul, Jerk style chicken with rice & peas
Traditional battered cod fillet or jumbo fish fingers
Jacket potato & beans
Jacket potato & beans
Jacket potato & beans
Jacket potato & beans
Jacket potato & beans
Fresh vegetable & noodle stir fry
Vegans got soul, Black bean butternut squash stew
Italian vegetable cottage pie
Roast potatoes/mixed vegetables
Rice ‘n’ peas Broccoli
Curly fries/ peas/baked beans
Jacket potato & beans
Vegetarian
Sides
Jacket potato & beans
Lincolnshire style meat free sausages
Fresh vegetable & quorn fajita’s
Mashed potato Mashed potato Green vegeta- Green vegetables bles
Additional
Salad bar
Salad bar
Salad bar
Salad bar
Salad bar
Dessert
Chocolate cake slice
Banoffee pie
Shortbread biscuit
Jehan can cook, Mango & turmeric smoothie
Fruit Friday
Items in Italic - Sourced from F Conisbee’s, our local butcher