20 JANUARY 2025
Message from the Headmaster
Our Year 11 pupils have been exemplary in diligence and focus during the last two weeks of GCSE mock exams. They have supported each other throughout the assessments, worked incredibly hard and certainly deserve a well -earned rest this weekend. Other year groups have also been busy. I was delighted to join the Senior School Council meeting on Tuesday and hear about what our pupils think and their suggestions. The inaugural meeting of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion pupil committee meeting took place at the beginning of the week. These are great forums to hear pupil voice and collectively work together to improve the provision for everyone at our school. I would like to thank Fr Charles for celebrating Mass with us on Thursday, it was a reflective opportunity for the Senior School to focus on the theme of peace.
On the sports fields, there were some impressive victories against Wellington College in hockey, Reed’s School in rugby and accomplished performances from Cranmore pupils representing Guildford District at the Surrey Schools Cross Country Championships.
It was delightful to welcome back a Cranmore former pupil, William Barnicoat, a gifted musician, strong academic and talented athlete, to present in assembly on Friday. It was inspiring for William to share his educational journey and how he has progressed physically to compete nationally and internationally in Cross Country. Pupils were impressed with his stunning victory at the European U23 Cross Country championships and his representation of GB in the London Diamond League Athletics competition during the summer.
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.
Following on from a superb win against Thomas's Clapham last week, our U13s A & B rugby teams backed this up with excellent performances against Reeds on Saturday. Also on the same morning against Reeds school, the U12s were in action on The Henderson Fields. On Wednesday, both age groups played against Sevenoaks.
District Cross-Country
We had eight boys selected to represent Guildford District at the Surrey Schools Cross Country Championships in Reigate Priory Park on Saturday. The boys ran a tough course around the park covering distances from 3.2km up to 5.8km in the intermediate category. Year 8 pupil Henry C ran superbly and has qualified to represent Surrey at the Inter County event by coming 12th in his age group. All the boys ran excellent races against some very tough competition. Well done! Monty L and Josh F (Year 7); Henry C and Ben S (Year 8); Daniel B and Ollie W (Year 9); Theo L (Year 10); Oliver W (Year 11).
Both our U14s (A & B) and U15s (A & B) football teams played against Glyn school this week. The U14 hockey team, having beaten Wellington College in the last round, faced Kingston Grammar school in the next round of the National Cup. The team also have a fixture against Kings College Wimbledon tomorrow.
Rowing
After a prolonged period of land-based training, it was great to see our rowers back on the water this week. This will be important preparation for the regatta season this summer.
February Half-Term Athlete Development Camp
Talented Athlete Academy are running a camp this February half-term at Cranmore. Please see the flyers and use the link below for more information:
https://www.talentedathleteacademy.com/
Mr Hodgson, Director of Sport
