Cranmore Prep Chronicle

Message from the Head of Prep

Thank you to everyone who was involved in the CPA’s inaugural running of Cranfest on Saturday evening. It was a fantastic event which was blessed with fine weather, some amazing live music and great company.

Our EYFS and Lower Prep children have been busy this week, putting on a number of heart-warming performances. Towards the start of the week, they celebrated Father’s Day; midweek was marked by our annual Proms in the Paddock afternoon of music; and the end of the week saw Reception put on a very touching assembly about growing up.

While Reception were looking ahead to all of the bright possibilities that the future holds when they grow up, Year 6 were exploring the idea of staying young forever during rehearsals for their Peter Pan themed drama production of Pantastic.

Years 4, 5 and 6 took time off from lessons to participate in various teambuilding activities this week. These events included Mission Possible, Laser Tag and Ninja Warrior. Year 6 developed their subject understanding with a visit to Arundel Castle and all of Upper Prep considered the experiences of those involved with the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy with talks and workshops.

Mr Heaver

D-Day Presentation to Years 4 to 6

After registration, Years 4,5 and 6 listened to a talk about D-Day. The person presenting called Mike gave a brief talk about D-day and talked about where the English, Americans and Canadians attacked and what tactics they used. He proceeded to talk about tanks and how many different things they were used for. After the presentation, we were divided into two groups. Group 1 stayed and handled some cool weapons such as an LGM (Light Machine Gun), a rifle and a MG 42 German machine gun. We were also given the opportunity to survey uniforms which were actually worn on D-Day as well as a British belt with real bullets. I learned that the helmets that the British wore were not to protect against bullets, but to protect against rubble and falling bricks. Group 2 went to test themselves by completing World War Two codebreaking sheets in their classrooms before switching with Group 1.

After break time we headed across the bridge to the Henderson fields where we met Mike and three CCF students. Mr Cross then split us into our six houses. We were then instructed to get into four straight lines and we pretended we were in an LCI (Landing Craft Infantry) which was the type of boat that the soldiers sailed to Normandy in. Mike then called out instructions and when he called “hit the floor” we had to get down onto the floor quickly. Once we had done this a few times he arranged us in our houses in front of some ‘barbed wire’, which in reality was made of plastic. Mike then turned on some smoke grenades and put them behind the ‘barbed wire’. We then had to run, dive under the wire and run past the smoke to the other side as quickly as possible!

Overall, my favourite part was handling the weapons and other paraphernalia because it was interesting feeling how heavy the ‘light’ machine guns were. They were so heavy you couldn’t hold it on your own, but the MG 42 is so heavy that it must be carried on a tripod. It was also fascinating to learn that every British soldier carried a pack of cigarettes because, even if they didn’t smoke, they were a very good item to trade. There was also a saying which all the soldiers were told which is “there are two types of men on this battlefield: those who are dead and those who are about to die.” This teaches the soldiers to always be alert. D-Day was a mission to recapture France and other parts of Europe from the Nazis and historians often refer to it as the beginning of the end of World War II.

Oscar H, Year 6

Year 6 Activities Week—Laser Tag

On Monday afternoon, to celebrate the start of Activities Week, Year 6 went to Campaign Laser Tag and enjoyed an action-packed afternoon of fun in the woods. Battling some ever-changing weather conditions and each other, the boys thoroughly enjoyed putting their teamwork and tactical discipline to the test.

With dogged determination (not to mention expert sharp-shooting support from myself and Mr Roberts), the Blue team emerged victorious, but everyone took part with huge enthusiasm and relish, developing valuable teamwork skills along the way.

Mr Lamport, Head of Year 6

French Theatre Performance for Year 6

Last Friday, Year 6 pupils from across the Trust gathered to watch “Le Château”, a captivating bilingual play performed in both French and English. By speaking in both languages, the pupils were able to follow the story as well as grasp some of the French vocabulary. Excitingly, some pupils even had the chance to participate in the play!

Mrs Spooner

Year 4 Team Building Day

Year 4 took part in a Team Building Activity day: ‘Wise Up - Mission Possible’. We enjoyed a great day developing our teamwork skills outdoors whilst trying to solve challenges. Every time a challenge was solved we earned clues in order to solve the mystery of ‘The Missing Pie’. A fun day was had by all. I am pleased to say that the mystery was solved!

Mrs Conlan

Music News—Young Musician Competition

Here are the results of this year’s Young Musician Competition:

Year 4 Winner Fabian H (piano)

Year 5 Winner Hugo P (cello)

Year 6 Winner Nino L (piano)

Year 7 Winner Colin C (piano)

Year 8 Winner Otis W (cello)

Year 9 Winner Artom E (voice)

The winners of the Upper Prep competition will perform during assembly on Monday 1st July and the Seniors will perform on Wednesday 3rd July.

My congratulations to all the pupils who participated in this year’s competition and performed with such confidence and style.

Mr Harris, Director of Music

Year 4 Science

Do Woodlice really like damp, dark places?

Year 4 tested their hypothesis that woodlice prefer damp, dark places this week by carrying out investigations using choice chambers. They thoroughly enjoyed setting up the conditions, watching what happened and where the woodlice preferred to move to when left in the sunlight. We also learnt that woodlice can take in water through their uropods (bottoms)!

Dr Verny-White

Proms in the Paddock

On Wednesday, the Lower Prep pupils took part in a special Proms in the Paddock to celebrate The Olympic Games. The choir performed an Olympic anthem to commence the concert about how the Olympics represent every continent, country and nation. The performance continued with two walking-themed songs sung by the Nursery and Pre Nursery children. Reception pupils followed with two songs about cycling and looked fantastic in their safety helmets!

Year 1 showcased an upbeat tune on the ‘Boomwhackers’ before an impressive recorder rendition by Year 2 of ‘Eye of the Tiger’. Year 3 performed ‘Try Everything’ by Shakira on the ukulele and all of the Lower Prep pupils then sung ‘Hooray For The Olympians’ together for the finale. It was a superb concert celebrating the upcoming Olympics in Paris, and we are very proud of all the pupils involved. Thank you to the parents and teachers for your support on this wonderful occasion.

Miss Gallop

EYFS were delighted to invite their fathers to Cranmore on Tuesday morning for our Father’s Day Assembly. The children enjoyed singing songs, saying some special words and showcasing artistic headbands and paintings. We are all so proud of the children for their super performance and I know that our audience left with a warm heart and a big smile!

EYFS Father’s Day Assembly

Mrs Prothero, Head of EYFS

Year 1 Forest School

Year 1 had an excellent day at Forest School this week. They created paintings that change colour in the light, played with lavender-scented play dough, and demonstrated teamwork by constructing a wall using bricks and soil!

Mrs Bowen

Swimming Success

13 swimmers attended the iconic venue, The London Aquatic Centre, on Saturday to represent Cranmore at the IAPS National Swimming Finals. Qualifying for this event was an incredible achievement, with a great opportunity to swim in the Olympic pool. The swimmers swum in the Medley Relay events and managed to improve on their qualifying times by at least 4 seconds. Well done!

Sport Update

Individual performances on the day were from Freddie R (Year 8) in the 50m breaststroke, finishing 18th overall. Henry C (Year 7), swimming the 50m fly, made the final on the day finishing 9th overall with a personal best time. Daniel B (Year 8), swimming the 50m front crawl, qualified for the final with a personal best time finishing 7th overall. Charlie S (Year 6), swimming a 50m front crawl, qualified 5th into the final and finished on the podium with a bronze medal. There were outstanding performances from all involved on the day and we are incredibly proud of their efforts in the pool. Well done to all swimmers (Fabian H, Jack T, Arlo W, Theo B-Y, Charlie S, Edward W, Dylan V, Henry C, Ned H, Rocco H, Adrian S, Freddie R, Daniel B).

West Surrey Athletics

Over 20 athletes represented Cranmore at the West Surrey Athletics meet on Wednesday. Well done to all pupils, especially those who finished on the podium. Results and representation for the Nationals is to be confirmed.

Cricket and tennis matches have taken place against opposing schools, including Danes Hill, Cranleigh, Donhead, Rokeby and Shrewsbury House. Congratulations to our three U10 teams for going unbeaten on Saturday morning against Cranleigh.

Mrs Calpin, Head of Swimming

Sport Update

On Wednesday 12th June the U11A 6-a-side cricket team went to the annual Tonbridge tournament. This is a very prestigious tournament with 32 teams in the competition. The boys played 4 matches winning 3 and losing 1 (by 2 runs!) which saw Cranmore finish in 2nd place. It was a fantastic day and the boys represented the school with distinction.

Mr Cox, Head of Year 6 Cricket

Summer camps taking place at Cranmore

Activate Camps

https://www.activatecamps.co.uk/venues/cranmore-school/

Football Camp

https://www.surreyfootballcoaching.com/

A Message from our Chaplaincy Team

Pilgrimage

A Reading from the Book of Psalms

Reflection Amen

"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."

St Francis of Assisi

It is good to give thanks to the Lord to make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your truth in the watches of the night. The just will flourish like the palm-tree and grow like a Lebanon cedar. Planted in the house of the Lord they will flourish in the courts of our God, still bearing fruit when they are old, still full of sap, still green, to proclaim that the Lord is just. In Him, my rock, there is no wrong.

The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Reflection

This week we focus on the religious practice of making a Pilgrimage. Pilgrimages can bring us closer to God and give us the time and space we need to discover His presence. A pilgrimage is about the journey not just the destination.

Quotation

"In all trouble you should seek God. You should not set Him over against your troubles, but within them. God can only relieve your troubles if you in your anxiety cling to Him. Trouble should not really be thought of as this thing or that in particular, for our whole life on earth involves trouble; and through the troubles of our earthly pilgrimage we find God." Saint Augustine

Vegetarian

Jacket