4 DECEMBER 2023 3 JULY 2023 Message from the Headmaster
On Monday, the Year 9 GCSE options evening took place, with parents and pupils joining us in the auditorium before moving to the new building to learn more about all of the subject options. Pupils had the opportunity to speak with staff about the curriculum content and exam structure in order to determine their probable subject choices for this important next stage in their educational career.
I marvelled at the exceptional work produced by our Year 8 pupils who have participated in the Renaissance Challenge over the last year. I am sure our Year 9 pupils will have their intellectual curiosity equally stirred with the introduction of the Aristotelian Award for research in Year 9.
Around the school, there is a hive of activity with pupils preparing for the final weeks of term—Christmas carols and orchestral rehearsals are in full swing! We are also looking forward to our Christmas Jumper Day and Christmas lunch next week.
Mr Everitt
Royal Society of Chemistry Competition On Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th December, Year 9 and Year 10 students took part in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Top of the Bench competition. The challenge involved carrying out a practical experiment and completing a test. The boys had a lot of fun solving problems and using a wide range of scientific apparatus. The results will now be submitted to the Royal Society of Chemistry and we eagerly wait to hear feedback.
Mrs Davies, Head of Chemistry
Visit by poet Karl Nova for Years 7 to 10 Last Friday, all Senior School students participated in workshops or presentations with the poet Karl Nova. Karl is a hip hop artist, performance poet and award-winning author and enthralled the pupils with his interactive and engaging presentation style.
Highlights of note included a fabulous freestyle improvised rap performance base on words provided by the students. The students were also able to perform their own poems. Karl encouraged them to write about what matters most to them and gave all students a sense of confidence in their poetry writing.
His visit has provided a fitting end to the term in which we have celebrated both National Poetry Day and Black History Month. Mrs Watkinson, School Librarian
Wind Band Trip to Limegrove Care Home The Wind Band travelled to Limegrove care home to entertain the staff and residents. The band played a number of popular Christmas songs and then sung some traditional carols. I was very impressed by the maturity of our boys and their polite and touching interactions with the residents of the home. The residents and staff of Limegrove greatly enjoyed the entertainment provided by the boys. We left to the strains of ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ and will certainly aim to visit again next year. Mr Harris, Director of Music
Eco-Council Christmas Tips TOP TIPS TO REDUCE PLASTIC AT CHRISTMAS
1. Re-use gift bags from last year and recycle your Christmas cards to make gift tags for next year. 2. Wrap your presents in brown paper. You can decorate them with dry materials and reusable ribbon and use paper tape to secure it.
3. Make your decorations from natural objects like holly or recyclable materials such as paper make great origami decorations. On Monday lunchtime we will be making some plastic-free decorations if you would like to join us (1.35pm in the Art room).
The Renaissance Challenge 2023
The Renaissance Challenge 2023 participants met for the final time to share and discuss their work from the year. Mr Pulford and I were incredibly impressed by the standard of projects produced. Amongst the submissions were some outstanding pieces of self-driven research. Topics explored ranged from the development of the Supermarine Spitfire through to England’s 2019 Cricket World Cup winning exploits. It was significant to note that in a number of their self-reflections, the pupils felt they had discovered and developed a passion for subjects that they would like to pursue beyond the classroom. Mr Heaver
Senior Book Club I am pleased to announce that a Senior Book Club will be running from January. It is open to all pupils from Year 7 and above and will take place on Tuesday lunch times in the Senior Library with Mrs Watkinson and Mr Chapman.
The first book we will read is Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures, which has won the Waterstones Book of the Year and is being compared to Tolkien and Pullman’s classics. There will be a number of copies in the library, but it would also make a good Christmas present!
If your son is interested in joining the Senior Book Club, please ask him to speak to me in the Senior Library to sign up.
Mrs Watkinson, School Librarian
Sport Update Swimming Five of our senior swimmers were selected to represent London South in the ISA National Swimming finals last Friday (1st December) swimming at the iconic venue, The London Aquatic Centre. The swimmers competed in individual and relay events, narrowly missing out on medal finishes with some swimming personal best times. Well done to all the boys that took part—Jensen W, Jake B, Daniel B, Freddie R, Henry C. It was a great achievement.
Rugby The U15s, having had a great National Cup run, unfortunately bowed out of the tournament last week in the Regional Semi-Finals against Malmesbury. Cranmore were winning 0 - 14 at the break against the Swindon school but a comeback from the opposition resulted in the final score being 21 - 14. The U15s have been outstanding this year and should be very proud of their season. The U14 As & Bs had two great games against Ewell Castle on Tuesday resulting in two Cranmore wins.
Sport Update Racquets Our U13s & U15s were successful in a squash fixture against City London of Freemen’s last Friday. Also, the Year 9 pupils that have chosen multi-sports this term had an enjoyable afternoon playing badminton and squash against RGS Guildford.
Activate Camps at Cranmore Activate Camps will be taking place next year at Cranmore - please see link below. Cranmore parents are able to take advantage of a 20% discount when booking Activate Camps. The code is LAUNCH20 https://www.activatecamps.co.uk/venues/cranmore-school/
Mouthguards
Please see link for more information regarding OPRO Cranmore mouthguards.
Mr Hodgson, Director of Sport
A Message from our Chaplaincy Team
Advent "At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern." Mother Teresa Chaplaincy News Adoration continues to take place every Wednesday from 8am-8.25am in the School Chapel.
The Upper Prep Carol Service will take place on Wednesday 13th December at 6.30pm. The Senior Carol Service will take place on Thursday 14th December at 7pm. Reflection Advent is a four week time of preparation that the Church gives us before Christmas. It is easy to miss the mystery of Jesus' birth and the mystery of the Incarnation. Prayer God of hope, we cling to you, for you renew the face of the earth. Through the gift of your Son, our Lord Jesus, we follow you on the path of dawn. Enlightened by your love and wisdom, help us to lead each other and all creatures back to your open arms. Amen
Notices
Notices
Adoration Every Wednesday 8am to 8.25am This is an invitation to come to the chapel to be in Jesus’ presence every Wednesday morning from 8am to 8.25am
Parents are asked to meet us in Reception at 7.55am
Stay for as long or as little as you need for a time of silent prayer
Notices
http://go.eventgroovefundraising.com/cranmorechristmasraffle2023
Menu
Soup
Main
Vegetarian
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Soup of the day
Soup of the day
Soup of the day
Soup of the day
Soup of the day
Locally sourced pork sausages & onion gravy
Freshly baked pepperoni pizza with Italian style salad
Chicken & tomato pasta bake
Mild beef chilli con carne served with tacos & dips
Xmas lunches
Jacket potato & beans
Plain pasta & tomato sauce
Jacket potato & beans
Plain pasta & tomato sauce
Vegetarian style sausages & onion gravy
Freshly baked cheese & tomato pizza
No meat meatballs in a tomato sauce
Quorn & bean chilli
Mashed potato
Jacket wedges/ sweetcorn
Sides
Broccoli / sweetcorn
Additional
Salad bar
Dessert
Shortbread biscuit
Vegetable rice Pasta/mixed vegetables
Roasted carrots / Mediterranean
Salad bar
Salad bar
Salad bar
Chocolate chip sponge & custard
Rocky road
Apple crumble & custard
Items in Italic - Sourced from F Conisbee’s, our local butcher
Festive Jewell cake