30 JANUARY 2023
Message from the Headmaster
One of the highlights of this week was the inspirational music workshop with the London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC). From humble beginnings, in 1982 LCGC came together to spread an important message of peace and unity in diversity through music and faith. Pioneering the sound of British Gospel Music, they soon rose to fame, and went on to become Europe’s leading Gospel brand and one of the most in-demand choirs across the continents of the globe. Pupils from across the Trust had the privilege of being taught by outstanding vocalists throughout the afternoon followed by a collaborative evening performance from the pupils and LCGC in the Auditorium. It was an uplifting and memorable evening of entertainment for pupils, staff and parents.
The girls and boys in 2NS gave a truly remarkable assembly on the power of believing in yourself. The pupils sang beautifully, used sign language and highlighted the importance of recognising that we are all different, with individual talents, and that we should celebrate our success. Their final message was one of the power of positive thinking and how we should acknowledge the success we have every day.
I was delighted to see some of our Year 9 pupils taking on the role of Reading Buddy for younger children. It is a wonderful opportunity to draw attention to the importance of reading and for pupils from across the school to interact with each other, act as positive role models and be reading mentors.
Mr EverittGospel Choir
This year’s Cranmore Live featured the fabulous London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC), led by Bazil Meade (MBE). Bazil and three members of LCGC worked with 86 children from both Cranmore and St Teresa’s in an afternoon workshop. Bazil explained the history of gospel music and worked on several songs with the pupils, including ‘Freedom’ and ‘This Little Light of Mine’. They then performed those songs as part of the evening concert. We were also treated to a fantastic set from LCGC and their band. The sheer power and intensity from their singing really was something to behold. It was wonderful to see a packed Auditorium and so many smiles on so many faces. LCGC received a well-deserved standing ovation at the end of their final number, ‘Oh Happy Day’. My thanks to the staff from both schools for their support in making Cranmore Live a great success.
My congratulations to Nino L (5FS), who at the age of just 9 years old, has passed his Grade 6 piano exam with Merit. This is a simply superb result and just goes to prove what can be achieved with a combination of talent and hard work. A big thank to his teacher, Mrs Affonso, who guided him through this. Bravo!
Mr Harris, Director of Music
Year 4 French
Year 4 have enjoyed the challenge of using a bilingual dictionary to find adjectives to use to describe school subjects in their French lessons this week.
Ms Schembri
Year 2 Assembly: Believe in Yourself and Give Thanks
2NS thoroughly enjoyed performing their assembly, “Believe in Yourself and Give Thanks”. As a class they set a challenge and succeeded in achieving their goal by following simple steps. They learnt so much through the process from learning lines, building confidence and producing a memorable end product.
Mrs StefanoYear 2 had yet another wonderful afternoon at Forest School starting off with some silent watching whilst doing some yoga breathing and ending off with a wonderful s’mores treat.
Year 2 Visit to Forest School
Year 3 at Forest School
Year 3 had a great afternoon at Forest School. We chopped wood to make kindling, practised lighting a fire using flint stones and had toasted bagels on the fire. The boys enjoyed using binoculars and exploring.
Marvellous Masaai Masks in Year 2
This week Year 2 enjoyed making Masaai tribe necklaces in their art lessons. The children chose bright colours and patterns to decorate their necklaces. Each colour has a special meaning for the Masaai tribe. Students also selected different beads, buttons and sequences to add to their necklaces.
Mrs James, Mrs Stefano and Mrs Carpenter
Miss Freeman and Mrs Sinclair
Year 3 using laptops to research Indian animals
Year 3 have thoroughly enjoyed researching facts on their chosen Indian animal as part of our India topic work. They used key words for searches and noted down lots of facts. They then wrote a fabulous report all about their animals.
Reception News
Over the last couple of weeks, Reception have been getting crafty in Expressive Arts and Design. Their creations began as a shoe box, and in just a couple of weeks, have transformed into beautiful polar scenes. Well done, Reception. They look fantastic!
Mrs Prothero and Miss Hurl
Mrs Sinclair
Nursery News
At Forest School on Monday, the children discovered the climbing ‘tree bush’, which really engaged their interest, as they had fun climbing inside as well as balancing on the slack line. Some of the children enjoyed making a wool bird with Ellie and helped to fill up the bird feeders and bird baths. The topic for Nursery this week has been ‘Numbers.’ The children have been very busy immersed in exciting activities having fun with numbers!
Ms Luke, Head of Nursery
Sports Update
We have had some great rugby matches against Shrewsbury House, Donhead, Rokeby, Kings House and KCS this week. Our seniors have also had some great rowing sessions at Walton RC.
U8s vs Shrewsbury House
Senior rowing
U9s vs Donhead
U10s vs Rokeby
U11s vs KCS and Kings House
