Senior Chronicle 29 April 24

29 APRIL 2024

Message from the Headmaster

Over the course of the last week we have had a number of academic achievements to celebrate arising from the superb performances of our pupils in competitions. In this year’s Rotary Writing Challenge, one of our pupils won the Intermediate District Competition for the whole of the South East and has progressed to the National Final. We had a second place at Junior level and several pupils were highly commended for their work. We have also received the results of the Junior Maths Challenge in which four of our pupils have progressed to the next round in June. I was delighted to see another of our Year 10 pupils receive a Merit grading at the Maths Olympiad Hamiltonian Challenge and one of our Year 9 pupils accepting their Aristotelian Award for their entry in the Perse School Essay Competition.

Year 8 visited the Natural History Museum where they participated in a workshop to design, create and code a Martian rover. Pupils were called upon to combine their study of Geography and Science by working scientifically and considering forces, earth and space.

CCF Pupils, alongside their peers at St Teresa’s, had the opportunity to present themselves at their very best for the CCF Biennial Inspection with inspecting officer Air Vice-Marshal Ranald Munro, CBE TD, VR, DL.

I know parents enjoyed the Effingham Schools Trust Sixth Form evening on Tuesday. It was exciting to meet the new Director of Sixth Form, Toby Clouston. He and others shared the future development plans for the campus and the engaging activities that students will be able to enjoy during their final two years in the Effingham Schools Trust.

Mr Everitt

Year 10 Parents Sixth Form Information Evening

It was wonderful welcoming so many of our Year 10 parents from across the Trust to our Sixth Form information evening! We look forward to seeing you and your children at the Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 11

CCF Inspection Parade

Cadets from Cranmore, St Teresa's, and Manor House came together for the Effingham Schools Trust’s first Biennial CCF Inspection on Thursday 2nd May. The Inspecting officer was Air Vice-Marshal Ranald Munro CB, CBE, TD, VR, DL who is Commandant General Royal Auxiliary Air Force (CG RAuxAF) and in addition Chief of Staff Reserves (COS Reserves).

The cadets were very well turned out and were very impressive on parade. Congratulations to Sophie, Abigail and Belle who were promoted to Sergeant and Sqn Ldr Pearson was presented her long service bar for 22 years in the CCF. The cadets then changed and competed in first aid, command tasks and archery. Congratulations to Charlie F who won. It was a very successful occasion.

Please watch out for details in September about taster sessions in the CCF!

Rotary Writing Challenge Success

Cranmore celebrated significant success in this year’s Rotary Writing Challenge, a nationwide competition for writers from ages 7-17. The theme this year was ‘Rebuilding’. 43 Upper Prep and Senior pupils entered this year. The entries were varied and highly creative, and the judges and organisers praised Cranmore pupils for their imaginative and original ideas, and for taking the time and effort to enter this competition.

I am delighted to report that whilst all entrants received recognition for their efforts, four boys had particular success. Jasper H (Year 6) and James B (Year 8) were awarded Highly Commended certificates – meaning that their entries had stood out for their inventiveness and quality. Meanwhile, Elliot W (Year 5) came in Second Place in the whole of the South East district for his ‘Winter Soldier’ piece – a heart-warming piece about a battle -hardened soldier dealing with love and loss. The judges commented, “This should be the opening to a book.”

The ultimate accolade, however, goes to Elliott O in Year 8, who came in First Place in the Intermediate category for the district, and will be entered into the Final round. He will attend a special lunch to perform his piece about a damaged Spitfire being rebuilt. The judges praised the writing in terms of its maturity, drama and the imaginative quality of this ‘talented writer’. This is a stunning achievement and we wish Elliott all the best for the Final.

We are very proud of all entrants, but particularly those four who received special mention. Very well done to

Maths Success in Junior Maths Challenge and Hamilton Olympiad

Last week our Year 7 and 8 pupils took part in the Junior Maths Challenge, a national competition that assesses problem solving skills. In total 52 certificates were awarded, which is a superb achievement. Additionally, 4 pupils, Colin C, Colin W, Cameron S and James B (pictured) have all been invited to the follow on round which takes place in June, an accolade reserved only for the highest-achieving mathematicians in the country.

Congratulations to Aryan who participated in the Hamilton Olympiad prior to the Easter break and achieved a merit certificate. The Olympiad is designed for the country's very top mathematicians and requires the completion of extended solutions to very difficult problems. This is a tremendous achievement and Aryan should quite rightly be very proud of his achievements.

Mr

Savvides,

Head of Maths

Year 8 Drama

Year 8 have been exploring three socio-political Drama plays in their lessons. They have used exaggerated styles of acting to portray characters. They used a modern adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Emperor’s New Clothes to show greed and selfishness. They experimented with a satire that reflected Imperial Russia in the early 1800s, satirising stupidity and political corruption, from an adapted version of The Government Inspector by Nikolai Gogol. A play closer to home was about buying expensive trainers and conveying the injustice of the underpaid workers who originally made them in the factories, called The Trainer Story.

Mrs Hanson

Bletchley Park Trip

On Tuesday 23rd April, Year 9 visited Bletchley Park. On arrival, we were divided into two groups. Firstly, my group went to the shop where there were many books and little collectables that could be bought. We were then given an opportunity to explore the site. Bletchley Park was like entering a pivotal historical period, in which silently the course of World War II was shaped. As I wandered through the mind-boggling estate, I noticed a number of fascinating articles from the past, particularly in the huts where Alan Turing and his team of cryptanalysts worked tirelessly to crack the enigma code.

Following a brief lunch break, one of the highlights of the day was when we watched the cinematic experience on D-Day and the history of the cracking of the code. We proceeded to take part in a workshop where we learnt about the enigma machine. We were fortunate to witness the reconstructed enigma machine's recovery process, which had previously saved countless lives by clattering away.

We also learnt how to decipher Morse code through a tailored application on an iPad. It was a real challenge to change the settings on the app to match the date and there were more than 159 sextillion different ways to change the machine. To conclude the session, we were given the opportunity to type on one of only 300 enigma machines left in the world, with each one being valued today at roughly a quarter to half a million pounds. Overall, I learnt a lot about World War II and Bletchley Park itself, and it generally expanded my knowledge about History. I would visit there again.

Harrison L-C, Winston S and Caius W (Year 9 Prefects)

Open House – Music Department

Parents of children who take individual instrumental music or singing lessons with the Visiting Music Staff are warmly invited to attend their child’s lesson during w/c 13th May. This will give parents the opportunity to talk to their child’s teacher and discuss progress and any concerns. Interested parents are asked to sign in in the foyer to the Auditorium before making their way to the lesson.

UP Piano Pupils Concert

Pupils who take piano lessons are warmly invited to take part in the above concert on Wednesday 15th May at 4pm in the Auditorium. Pupils should talk to their piano teacher about the choice of a suitable piece and then sign up on the sheet found in the folder outside Mr Harris’ room. Performance practice is key if you want to become a top musician, so why not start now? I expect this concert will last approximately thirty minutes.

The Art Club learnt how to make pinhole cameras from a Pringles tube on Monday. It was a helpful lesson in recycling materials but pupils were also pleasantly surprised by the effectiveness of the construction in creating an image on the screen inside. They quickly learnt how important the tiny ‘pinhole’ is in successfully letting in just the right amount of light.

Mr Harris, Director of Music

Art Club News

Mrs Sanders, Head of Art

U15 through to next round of the National Cup

Congratulations to our U15 cricket team who are through to the next round of the National Cup. The match last Saturday started with Downsend scoring 127-3 from 20 overs. In return, and with the help of Jayden F scoring 73* from 48 balls, Cranmore won the match by tallying 128-3 (17 overs). Our U15s also won last Thursday against Glyn school. The U13s are through to the next round of the Surrey Cup after a win against Halstead St Andrew's. Across the Senior school, matches have also taken place against Feltonfleet, RGS Guildford and King Edward's Witley. Congratulations to our U14 teams who won against KEW, especially the B team winning on the last ball.

Pupils in Year 9 who choose multi sports had some great tennis matches on Tuesday afternoon. With teachers matching up abilities, there was some great play on show and it proved to be a very enjoyable afternoon. On Wednesday, our U13s played against St Teresa's and on Thursday, the U12s played against Downsend. Also on Thursday, pupils attended St George's for the Surrey Tennis Festival.

Following our host event for the IAPS swimming qualification round in March we have received the national results: 13 swimmers from Year 4 through to Year 8 have qualified to take part in the IAPS Swimming Finals in both relay and individual events. They will have the opportunity to swim at the iconic venue, The London Aquatic Centre, in June. An amazing achievement for all involved, well done swimmers.

Huge congratulations to Year 9 pupils Ollie M who won a National title at the weekend with his local hockey team, Guildford HC. The championship tier 1 match was played at Nottingham Hockey Centre. After 1-1 at full time, the team went on to win 3-1 on shuffles. Congratulations also to Zac D-B whose team won the Tier 2 final. Well done to both boys.

May half-term and summer camps taking place at Cranmore

Surrey Football Coaching

https://www.participant.co.uk/surreyfootballcoaching/event/465006/?x=1#init

Activate Camps

https://www.activatecamps.co.uk/venues/cranmore-school/ Use SUMMER15 for 15% discount

Mr Hodgson, Director of Sport

Congratulations to for gaining the highest number of merits this week!

A Message from our Chaplaincy Team

The True Vine

Bible Reading

"In a world of noise, confusion and conflict it is necessary that there be places of silence, inner discipline and peace. In such places love can blossom." ~ Thomas Merton

Every branch in me that bears no fruit he cuts away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes to make it bear even more. You are pruned already, by means of the word that I have spoken to you. Make your home in me, as I make mine in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself, but must remain part of the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.

Reflection

In the Gospel today we find ourselves with Jesus as the True Vine. What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this piece of Scripture? How do these words resonate with you personally? Allow yourself some time to contemplate the image of Jesus the True Vine. Imagine that you are the branches and Jesus is the vine, can you hear His gentle voice and the beat of His heart. Stay in that warm and safe space for a time. Ask yourself in prayer what it means for your own personal life to remain in Jesus and for Jesus to remain in you. Do you find it easy to hear His voice? What distractions might you need to remove? What other voices are claiming your attention? Pray for the grace to hear and respond to Him more this week.

Prayer

Angel of God, my guardian dear,

To whom God's love commits me here, Ever this day, be at my side, To light and guard, rule and guide.

Amen

Monday

Soup Bank Holiday

Soup of the day – Country vegetable & lentil

Main Spaghetti bolognese

Soup of the day – Leek & potato

Soup of the day – Mushroom

Chef’s carvery –Honey roast gammon with Yorkshire pudding Chicken & sweetcorn pie / Paella

Jacket potato & beans Jacket potato & beans

Plain pasta & tomato sauce

Soup of the day – Spiced butternut squash

Traditional battered fish or fish fingers

Jacket potato & beans

Vegetarian

Sides

Quorn mince bolognese

South Western stuffed sweet potato

Pasta Roasted Mediterranean vegetables

Vegetable & bean burritos

Fresh vegetable lasagne

Roast potatoes Cauliflower & broccoli cheese Mixed vegetables Broccoli Roasted carrots Chips Peas Baked beans

Additional Salad bar Salad bar

Dessert Chocolate brownie

Jacket potato & beans Salad bar

Sticky toffee pudding and butterscotch sauce Iced topped vanilla sponge Fruity Friday