9 March 2018

Over the course of a busy few days it has been wonderful to welcome so many parents into school.

Monday evening brought our Year 8 Parents' Evening and it was a delight to share the excellent progress made by these pupils with their parents. One of the many factors that make Cranford House such a special school is the strong support and engagement we enjoy from families right across the Junior School and Senior School. At assorted sports fixtures and events this week parent support for the school has been phenomenal, despite the often damp and cold weather!

Other highlights have included a fabulous array of assemblies, starting on Tuesday with an impressive display from our Judo Club members. Their athleticism, discipline, skill and team spirit was marvellous to see. On Wednesday, we enjoyed some very impressive speeches from our prospective Senior School House Captains. I am always struck by the maturity, confidence and poise of our pupils in public speaking and I am sure we are going to have another brilliant team to lead our Houses when the application process completes next week. Elsewhere, Year 5 used their Rudyard Kipling-inspired assembly to remind us of the power of reading to inspire and transport us; they also reminded us of the importance of treating each with kindness and generosity of spirit. Enthusiasm for reading was further in evidence this afternoon as our Year 8 and Year 3 reading buddies had fun exploring books together.

Another highlight of the week was our spectacular Dance and Gymnastics Production at the Cornerstone Theatre. It was wonderful to see such an array of talented performers demonstrating their artistic and athletic prowess. My thanks to all the pupils who shared their talent with us and to all those families who were able to join us in cheering them on. To see all the photos from the show, please click here.

Finally, I’d like to provide you with a couple of staffing updates. Firstly, Year 5 parents will be delighted to learn that Mrs Bone will be staying with Year 5 until the end of the academic year and I am very pleased that she will be staying on at school next year. As I am sure parents are aware, Miss Oliver will be leaving for her maternity leave at Easter and we are delighted that Miss Stanley will be returning to take over Miss Oliver’s Year 6 class. Similarly, in the Senior School Mrs Day leaves for maternity leave at the end of term and we are delighted to be welcoming Mrs Mitcham back from maternity leave to take over these classes. Lastly, I’m very pleased to be able to confirm the appointment of Mr J Aldridge, who will join the school as a teacher of Mathematics in September. Mr Aldridge is currently a Mathematics teacher and Housemaster at The Oratory School and brings with him a wealth of experience teaching the subject up to A Level.

With best wishes

Dr James Raymond