Cranmore Prep Chronicle 10 October 2022

Message from the Headmaster

The assembly on Monday for Black History Month gave us an insightful look not only at role modelling in the celebrity sphere but focused on other individuals who are unsung heroes in their communities. It was an inspiring presentation by 6WL that was created entirely by the pupils and excellently delivered to the rest of the Upper Prep school. Equally impressive was the 3CS Harvest assembly on Wednesday which highlighted how grateful we should be to individuals who work to nurture and produce the crops we receive and for the abundance and variety of food available to us.

Our Harvest Mass later that morning, celebrated by Father Stephen, echoed the presentation and we were overwhelmed with the generosity of families in donating gifts for the Leatherhead Start homeless charity. I was delighted that so many parents and Governors could join us for the celebration at school and my thanks to all the readers, musicians and servers who assisted with the Mass.

We are very proud of all those who represented the school at sport last week. I would like to mention the U8 football team who won the Kings College tournament, the U11 team that qualified for the Surrey semi finals and the U11 National Champions skiers who won the ESSKIA competition last week. We also heard the news that three pupils have been selected for the regional football Lions team next term; what a wonderful achievement.

Last week, we had a visit from author David Farr, a leading UK screenwriter and director for film, TV and theatre. The inspiring author talks continued this week with Tom Palmer and Sarah Govett visiting our school. Tom delighted pupils with a quiz and interactive question and answer session explaining how he became an author and the inspiration behind his books. Sarah spoke to our older pupils about her books which include the dystopian trilogy, The Territory. She generated some interesting discussions about the threats posed by artificial intelligence, genetic engineering and global warming. The final part of Book Week included the pupils taking part in the book quiz and attending the Usborne book fair.

Action Day was again a resounding success with every pupil displaying their hidden talents in front of their year group and we were wonderfully entertained while raising vital funds for our chosen charity, Action in Africa.

The first weekend back after half term will bring what promises to be another spectacular event run by the CPA in the form of the Cranmore Fire Works display. I have just purchased my tickets and am certainly looking forward to being there. I hope everyone has a restful half term break.

Mr Everitt

10 OCTOBER 2022

Book Week

been

week

Pupils throughout the school have been involved in a variety of book themed activities this week, including: • An author visit by Tom Palmer for pupils in Years 3, 4 and 5 • Competitions to win book prizes in the Upper Prep and Seniors • Making hedgehogs out of old library books in the Upper Prep and Seniors • Attending the Usborne book fair • Treasure hunts in the Lower Prep • Story reading by the Senior Leadership Team to Lower Prep pupils • Writing a joint story in Reception We have

thrilled by the enthusiasm shown by our pupils throughout the

for the various activities and we very much hope that the week will prompt an increased interest in the fabulous books we have on offer in our libraries as well as those at home!

Mrs Watkinson, School Librarian

Read more about this and other school events on our social media pages: Twitter Cranmore (@CranmoreSchool) / Twitter Instagram Cranmore (@cranmoreschool) • Instagram photos and videos Facebook Cranmore | Facebook

To kick off Book Week, Tom Palmer came to speak to Years 3, 4 and 5 on Monday. They heard about the different books he writes, where he gets his inspiration from and his writing process. Our pupils also took part in a quiz with some football, rugby and general knowledge questions. Those who answered correctly were able to take part in a throwing competition to try to win a trophy, which was great fun. Our pupils also posed some challenging questions for this popular author of historical and sport related books.

Mrs Watkinson, School Librarian Tom Palmer visits Years 3, 4 and 5

Year 2 Trip to Windsor Castle

On Thursday last week, Year Two went to Windsor Castle as part of the history unit, Castles. Children were lucky enough to go into St. George's Chapel. They saw the incredible stained glass windows, the organ loft and the burial sites of many past kings and queens, including the burial site of Queen Elizabeth II. Year 2 also explored the state rooms and were incredibly impressed by the swords, rifles, jewels and golden cups and plates. The changing of the guard was amazing to see and inspired many students to march like soldiers for the rest of the day. Finally, students took part in a workshop on knights. Students were able to dress up and act out the different stages of becoming a knight. Everyone had a wonderful time and learnt so much.

Mrs James, Mrs Carpenter and Mrs Stefano

Harvest Collection

Thank you to our Cranmore families for their really amazing response to our Harvest collection. Myfanwy from LeatherHEAD START was delighted to receive the generous donations in fact, we almost couldn

t fit it all in the car!

Year 4 focus on Black History Month in Drama

As part of Black History Month in Drama, Year 4 pupils were exploring the work of performance poet and playwright, Benjamin Zephaniah. They discussed the problem with stereotyping and labelling through the poem “I am a Person”, asking others to “find out who I really am.

Zephaniah writes

more people did that Took the time, got it right

d be a better world A lot less fuss and fight.

Mrs Hanson, Head of Drama

’

”

“If

It’

”

Music

This half term Year 4 has been learning about Graphic Scores in Music and have been composing some Egyptian style music. They have varied timbre, dynamics and pitch on different instruments to match their symbols.

Well done to our head chorister Kamran H who sung ‘On The Street Where You Live’ in Friday’s Prep Assembly last week.

Congratulations to Daniel C (5MP) who has achieved Grade 1 Distinction in his Theory of Music exam.

Well done to Otis P in Year 2 who played the cello in Monday’s Lower Prep Assembly.

Mrs Thornton and Mr Harris, Music Department

News

Team Building in Upper Prep

The whole of the Upper Prep were involved in team building activities last week. Pupils were put through their paces to successfully complete a number of tasks in small teams. They were involved in a number of activities including a blindfolded activity, stepping stones, passing objects through gutters and a rather challenging water activity to earn a key. As they progressed with each activity, it became clearer that communication and patience would be essential. The teams that listened to each other’s ideas and worked methodically as a team achieved great results. The cheers could be heard across the school as each group successfully completed their task at hand.

Last Saturday in Norwich, our U11 Ski Squad were crowned National Champions at the English Schools National Dry Slope Finals (see photo on the front cover). Huge congratulations to all our competitors!

Pupils from Year 3 attended the Danes Hill annual cross country event. With 8 teams competing, Cranmore's three teams finished 4th, 3rd, and 1st.

Our very successful football season continues with some great results taking place. Last Friday, our U8s won the prestigious Kings College Wimbledon tournament which included no fewer than 24 teams. The team managed to win their pool and the various knock out stages without conceding a goal. The side beat Rokeby 2 0 in the final. Our U11 team are through to semi final of the Surrey Cup after beating Downsend 3 2 in a thrilling quarter final.

Year group fixtures from U8s to U11s have been played against Danes Hill, Northcote Lodge, Rokeby and Parkside. On Saturday our U10s and U11s played in 6 matches (A to C) against Feltonfleet in which Cranmore were undefeated.

Games

Sports Roundup Year 6

U10s versus Feltonfleet U9s versus Danes Hill

Cricket Coaching at Cranmore

Please see flyer regarding information of individual and small group cricket coaching held at Cranmore.

Half term Sport Camps at Cranmore

Please see flyer regarding information of holiday football camps held at Cranmore

Mr Hodgson, Director of Sport

This Week’s House Cup Winners

Congratulations to Bowen House in the Lower Prep and Morton House in the Upper Prep for winning the House Cup this week for the highest number of merits!

Sports Roundup

U11s versus Rokeby

Outreach

Thought for the week: How will you encounter Jesus through the poor and needy?

Compassion

Lord, make our hearts compassionate towards others. Let us look upon the world and take pity on those who are in need. Help us rise to the challenge that you set before all of us, that we might share your wondrous gifts of faith, hope, and eternal life with the world. Lord, have mercy and hear us. Amen.

REFLECTION

Pope Francis has spoken of his belief that real charity is about encountering Christ in the poor and needy, not merely handing out aid to soothe one's conscience. This term, as part of our ongoing efforts to see Christ in others, we are asking our Cranmore community to support a number of good causes. Our recent Harvest donations have gone to support the homeless and we also appeal to you to donate to Action in Africa, as part of our Action Day fundraising as well as to our Christmas Shoebox collection, details of which can be found in the Cranmore School weekly correspondence email.

Let us Pray:

Our Father

Hail Mary

1 minute silence

“Christian charity is not simple philanthropy but, on the one hand, it is looking at others through the eyes of Jesus Himself and, on the other hand, seeing Jesus in the face of the poor.”

Pope Francis

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

A Message from our Chaplaincy Team

Notices