Senior Chronicle

17 JUNE 2024

Message from the Headmaster

Last week was a hive of exciting activities with D-Day workshops, a Mission Possible challenge, a visit to Warner Brothers Studios, an excursion to Ninja Warriors and rambles across the countryside. At the weekend I was so proud to see the pupils in Year 9 finishing their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. On Saturday, after a tiring excursion the previous day and a short sleep, the pupils were up early with their tents packed away to begin their final navigation before the inclement weather set in. They were exhausted by the afternoon, but their faces displayed a tremendous sense of achievement, and the perseverance they showed will stand them in good stead for the future. Well done to all the boys and thank you to the staff for guiding and supporting them throughout.

I narrowly avoided being sprayed and splattered with paint last Friday as the CPA and FOST hosted the annual Colour Run at Cranmore. It was wonderful to witness the boys and girls from across the Trust taking time out to enjoy themselves in what is always a highly anticipated event. Thank you to all the parents who assisted on the day and I hope the pupils didn’t create too much of a mess on the journey home!

During this week, we had further activities including a retreat to Wintershall as part of Faith week, another ramble on the Downs, and trips for Year 10 to Lime Grove as part of the Serving Others initiative. Finally, the very best of luck to the Year 10 pupils who are completing their Duke of Edinburgh Silver qualifying expedition this weekend.

Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expedition

We are extremely proud of the Year 9 boys who successfully completed their qualifying Bronze Duke of Edinburgh expedition. The boys were faced with adverse weather conditions throughout the weekend and they all rose to this new challenge. Day One gave the boys time to refine their navigation skills and, despite some minor detours, all groups navigated their way safely to camp. In the evening, the boys demonstrated excellent camp craft, putting up well constructed tents and cooking some nutritious food. One group even made a version of pizza! The boys were up early in the morning, packing up their kit and getting moving before the next wave of rain. By checkpoint one, they were wet through, having been hit with a torrential rain storm. The difficult conditions, however, did not dampen their spirits nor impact their confident navigation, and they walked at an excellent pace, many groups staying ahead of schedule throughout the day. By the afternoon the sun was beginning to shine and the boys completed their final leg. This is a significant achievement and shows the determination and resilience of these pupils. We look forward to the next challenge of Silver for those who have not been deterred by the British weather!

Mrs Varney

Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expedition

During the Duke of Edinburgh Expedition, we encountered some adverse weather conditions - sunny at the worst possible times and rainy when you least expected it. On the first day we had a challenging start with rain in the morning on Friday when walking from Ranmore Common to the campsite. On the second day it was awful weather for the entire morning, which was when we were walking. Despite this, we all persevered. We finished at Dorking station with a few rays of sunshine to begin to dry us out. Throughout the weekend we cooked our food and set up camp. Many of us opted for boil in the bag meals to keep the weight in our bags low and minimize washing up. Overall, I learnt some useful lessons in navigating and in setting up a camp and we all showed excellent resilience.

Year 8 Pilgrimage Walk for Values Week

‘We are invited to make a pilgrimage – into the heart and life of God’ ~ Dallas Willard

‘Faith is not the clinging to a shrine but an endless pilgrimage of the heart.’ ~ Abraham Joshua Haschel

On Wednesday Year 8 embarked on an 8 mile (13km) pilgrimage walk which focused on prayer, reflection, facing challenges and overcoming adversity. As a year group, we were able to pause four times during the walk to think about and reflect upon the year, whilst also looking at all the positives to be enjoyed ahead.

The boys did well across the varied terrain and managed to complete the walk in four hours. A big thank you to the staff who came to walk alongside the year group.

Mr McGhee, Head of Year 8

Year 9 Trip to Wintershall

Year 9 students went to Wintershall on Tuesday to see The Life of Christ. The weather was on our side. We arrived at around 9.30am and were kept enthralled by the brilliant re-enactment of Jesus' life. Just being in the wonderful Surrey Hills brought peace to our hearts and the students enjoyed being together and having some time away from school. This week we have focused on our school value of Faith. This is a very important value, particularly in today's world. It is a value that really is a gift from God.

Upon arrival we entered into the first act of The Life of Christ, the audience were filled with enthusiasm and made for a great experience to start. The first act focussed on the birth of Christ and delivered some key messages on loving and respecting each other.

After Act One there was a short interval where we walked through the amazing scenery at Wintershall and made our way to the location of the second act. During this act we engaged in a recreation of Christ’s teachings and miracles. This was very insightful and displayed some of God’s key principles. This act demonstrated how we should trust one another just like the disciples trusted Jesus.

We then had a short lunch break followed by Act Three. This represented Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. These scenes were very detailed and captivated the audience well. Some of the acting on display was superb and overall, I found the trip to be an excellent day out.

William F, 9RV

Mr Jakubowski

The sun shone on Friday when Cranmore and St Teresa’s joined together for the highly anticipated "Colour Run” organised by CPA and FOST.

The event was a huge success, with everyone enjoying the chance to get messy and have fun. The atmosphere was electric. Laughter filled the air as the children raced around the course. They scrambled under nets, dodged being doused by water and gleefully splattered each other with paint, leaving a trail of colour in their wake. Precious memories were banked and friendships formed.

The Colour Run was a fantastic way to end the school week and kick off the weekend on a high. A huge thank you to all the parents who helped out. The CPA and FOST are already planning for next year's event, promising even more fun and excitement for 2025!

The Colour Run

My congratulations to the boys who played so brilliantly at the Senior Piano Concert. I am always impressed by their confidence at the keys and I know they all enjoyed performing on the school Steinway. Music News

Members of the Cranmore Music Department gathered on Tuesday to say a fond farewell to our flute teacher, Elaine Millar.

Mrs Millar has taught countless pupils here over the course of 26 years and has worked under five different Headmasters. She started teaching here in 1998 when Mrs Robbins was the Director of Music. Two of her pupils have gone on to achieve their flute diplomas, many have achieved Grade 8 and she ran a hugely successful flute choir.

She will be greatly missed by colleagues and pupils alike, and we wish her all the very best for her retirement.

Music News

My congratulations to all the pupils who participated in this year’s Young Musician competition and performed with such confidence and style:

Year 7 Winner – Colin C (piano)

Year 8 Winner – Otis W (cello)

Year 9 Winner – Artom E (voice)

The winners of the Senior competition will perform on Wednesday 3rd July.

Mr Harris, Director of Music

Year 7 Ramble

Year 7 - accompanied by Mr Afana, Ms Bayley, Mrs Mauvis, Mrs Watkinson and Mr Chapman - walked an impressive 10 miles under grey skies last Thursday 13th June on their ramble from Coldharbour to Cranmore. It was a happy day out, full of conversation and laughter, not to mention a few groans as we climbed the hills on route. All the boys who began the ramble can proud of completing this long walk in around 6 hours, including two longer stops along the way. Lunch was a highlight with beautiful, pastoral views across Ranmore Common to Dorking. Well done, Year 7!

Mr Chapman, Head of Year 7

Two Year 9 pupils, Theo L and Kobey M, represented Surrey at the South-East Athletics Championships on Saturday. The event, including some of the best young athletes in the country, was held at the StoneX Stadium in North London. Weather conditions for the athletes was very challenging, but both boys performed superbly. In the 800m, Theo finished in second place and Kobey came 3rd in the triple jump. Following a successful athletics season, Theo has had been invited to compete in Birmingham at the English Schools Championships for Surrey.

On Monday 17th June our U13 Golf team played Parkside School at the Cranmore Golf Course (Crangusta). It was a fantastic performance from the boys, some of whom were playing in their first Golf match for the school. Cranmore won by 10 shots over the 6 holes with some fantastic induvial performances. On Tuesday 18thJune, our U12's played in the Charterhouse Invitational Golf Competition against Barrow Hills at Charterhouse School. Two boys, Jacob S and Zachary L from year 7 represented the school and both played some great golf round the 9-hole Charterhouse Golf Course. The boys played in a scramble format with a representative from Charterhouse and won the match by 2 shots.

Our senior water polo team took part in a fixture with St Teresa's this week. In a tough competition, Cranmore managed to take the win. There were some great skills on show, amazing goalkeeping, and fantastic effort from all involved.

Cricket matches have taken place against Feltonfleet, Caterham, and Downsend. Congratulations to our U13s for winning 6 from 6 against Downsend. Tomorrow, our U15s play against St John's on the Henderson Field and our U13A and U13B teams play against Thomas's Clapham. Also this week, we have had a senior water polo fixture against St Teresa's and a Year 7 & 8 athletics meet at Claremont Fan Court.

Summer camps taking place at Cranmore

Activate Camps

https://www.activatecamps.co.uk/venues/cranmore-school/

Football Camp

https://www.surreyfootballcoaching.com/

Mr Hodgson, Director of Sport

A Message from our Chaplaincy Team

Faith Week

A Reading from St Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians

"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."

St Francis of Assisi

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Reflection

This week as a school we have been celebrating and focusing on our Value of Faith.

Within assemblies we have looked at the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis and his life as a great person of Faith. Pupils have been involved in a range of faith-based activities. We have taken a year group to Wintershall to see the Life of Christ, had a morning dedicated to the service of others and made a number of year group pilgrimages. We discovered anew that faith is one of the greatest gifts we can receive at Cranmore: faith in God and faith in ourselves.

Quotation

"Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe."

Saint Augustine

Soup

Monday

Soup of the day – Country vegetable & lentil

Main Spaghetti bolognese

Soup of the day - Tomato

Soup of the day – Leek & potato

Soup of the day – Mushroom

Southern fried chicken breast with rustic slaw & chef’s salad

Chef’s carvery –Honey roast gammon with Yorkshire pudding

Chicken & sweetcorn pie

Soup of the day – Spiced butternut squash

Traditional battered fish or fish fingers

Vegetarian

Jacket potato & beans

Plain pasta & tomato sauce

Jacket potato & beans

Plain pasta & tomato sauce

Jacket potato & beans

Quorn mince bolognese

No chicken & spicy vegetable jambalaya

South Western stuffed sweet potato

Vegetable & bean burritos

Fresh vegetable lasagne

Sides

Pasta Roasted Mediterranean vegetables

Sliced parsley new potatoes Sweetcorn

Roast potatoes Cauliflower & broccoli cheese Mixed vegetables Broccoli Roasted carrots

Additional Salad bar Salad bar Salad bar

Dessert Rice pudding with a selection of toppings

Chocolate brownie

Sticky toffee pudding and butterscotch sauce

Items in Italic - Sourced from F Conisbee’s, our local butcher

Chips Peas Baked beans

Jacket potato & beans Salad bar

Iced topped vanilla sponge

Fruity Friday