20 JANUARY 2025
Message from the Head of Prep
Reception through to Year 6 began the week with a visit from one of the Wintershall actors. The children were introduced to the story of Nicodemus and our visitor was very impressed not just by the children’s behaviour as an audience, watching and listening intently, but also by the responses they gave to his questions after the performance.
Lower Prep School Council met with Mrs Carpenter to share their class ideas for what we can do to support others and improve our school. There were some lovely suggestions for fundraising initiatives and I know there was a lot of excitement at the prospect of more tennis balls being used at breaktime.
There have been some great rugby matches played this week and some wonderful performances in the swimming pool. Good luck to everyone involved with the forthcoming Dunckley Shield matches. This morning our Cross Country squad had the opportunity to meet with one of our past pupils who is currently the reigning European Under 23 Cross Country champion. They were able to ask some questions and gain some advice for the future.
Year 11 completed their mock exams this afternoon. Thank you once again for your support in avoiding movement around the Sports Hall during this time. From Monday, the usual drop-off and pick-up arrangements resume.
This evening, our Upper Prep Choir will be performing at London’s O2 as part of the Young Voices. It is the world’s largest children’s choir concert and promises to be a very special occasion. My thanks to all of the staff and parents involved for helping to arrange this event and for going along to support the children.
Visit from Ex-pupil William Barnicoat
We welcomed back former pupil, Will Barnicoat, to speak in Assembly and to then take a Q&A session with the Prep and Senior Cross Country squad. Will shared his journey from his early days at Cranmore, running around the Henderson Field for training, through to his recent successes including his victory at the U23 European Cross Country Championships.
All of our Prep School pupils had the pleasure of watching a drama performance from Wintershall during which we heard the story of Nicodemus going to meet with Jesus. This powerful drama helped us learn from, and understand that, just like Nicodemus, we are invited to take the questions and worries from our own life to Jesus in prayer.
Wintershall is a Christian charity based in Bramley which shares the Gospel through powerful drama and educational programmes. You can see their next production of the Passion of Jesus for free in Trafalgar Square on Good Friday (18th April).
Year 2 loved creating sunset pictures of Kenya, using silhouettes and appropriate colours to practise blending techniques.
They also added detail to the native people's clothing using a variety of textured and patterned fabrics.
The children enjoyed adding their own details using oil pastels.
Year 1 News
Year 1 pupils have been making tractors during Art for our Food and Farming topic. They are now ready to be put up for our farming display.
Lower Prep School Council
We had a wonderful first meeting of this term with our new school councillors. We enjoyed a juice and pastry whilst sharing all our excellent ideas including suggestions for clubs, new playground equipment, special events, raising money for charity and food ideas for our school chef.
In Nursery the children have experienced lots of fun number theme. They had to count out the correct number of squares needed to make their own number block. enjoyed listening to the story of ‘The Lost Sheep we have been busy developing our gross motor skills through the challenges of balancing.
In their small maths groups, the children used the interactive screen to write a number; they could choose between numbers 1-10.
Ms Luke, Director of Nursery
Every age group from the U8s to U11s has been in action this week with rugby matches taking place against Downsend, Milbourne Lodge, Surbiton Prep and Donhead. Our U11s had community matches against Guildfordians RFC on Tuesday and our U10s play again tomorrow against Danes Hill.
Trust Swimming Gala
It was great to welcome St Teresa's to Cranmore for an inter-Trust swimming gala yesterday. Lots of races and relays took place making it a great event.
Dunckley Shield
Also this week was the start of the Dunckley Shield. This annual rugby competition between Cranmore and Donhead school has been taking place for over 25 years with both schools winning the prestigious shield roughly the same number of times. In the next few weeks, matches will take place between the two schools across years 4 to 6 with a points system to determine the overall winners.
Mr Hodgson, Director of Sport
Charity Hot Chocolate Sale
Part of Children’s Mental Health Week
£2 per cup
*Dairy Free Option Available*
During morning break
Lower Prep - Tuesday 4th February 2025
Upper Prep - Wednesday 5th February 2025
Money raised will be donated to the children’s mental health charity Place2Be
A Message from our Chaplaincy Team
This Week
A Reading from the Gospel of John
On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it.
Reflection
The turning of water into wine is the first miracle mentioned in St John’s Gospel. It is a moment that foretells of the Eucharist. It is the changing of the ordinary into the extraordinary. When the Divine enters into our world everything is changed. As we go through this week, let us be open to God’s Spirit that is all around us. And let us not be afraid to bring all our problems, whatever they are, to the one who can transform.
Week 1
Soup
Main
Vegetarian
the day
Mild Beef Chilli Con Carne served in a taco & dips
Sides
Mixed Bean & Quorn Chilli
Piri Piri
Chicken with Pitta Bread, Baby Gem and Homemade Sauces Spicy Prawn Noodles With Prawn Crackers
Honey Roasted
Gammon with Stuffing & Gravy
Cheesy Vegetable Enchilada
Miso Glazed Celeriac Steak
Feta & Spinach Filo Pie
Freshly Battered Fish or Breaded
Fish Fillet with Ketchup and Tartare Sauce
Macaroni
Cheese with a Crispy Onion Topping
Additional
Spicy rice Steamed Sweetcorn
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Potato Wedges Macho Peas
Rainbow Slaw
Pasta with Tomato & Basil Sauce Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Garlic & Chilli Pak Choi, Vegetable Rolls & Egg Fried
Garlic & Thyme Roasted Potatoes Green Beans Chunky Chips
Garden Peas
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Pasta with Tomato & Basil Sauce
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Dessert
Citrus Drizzle Cake
White Chocolate & Cherry Shortbread Banana Fritters Or Fortune Cookie Chocolate Brownie Fresh Fruit Friday
Items in Italic - Sourced from F Conisbee’s, our local butcher