12 May 2023
12 May 2023
Dear Parents
The Summer Term is continuing apace, with a week full of trips, tea concerts, residentials and Year 11 celebrations!
Year 6 Trip
I was incredibly fortunate to start the week accompanying Year 6 on a trip to The Imperial War Museum in Duxford, combining two of my favourite things, history and planes! Bringing their WW2 learning to life, the pupils enjoyed an exhibition of an amazing array of planes from WW2, the highlight of which was undoubtedly watching a Hawker Hurricane land in the middle of the day. The pupils were then set the challenge of becoming reporters and videoing their own WW2 news reports, some taking on the role of director, some as newscaster and others as the camera people.
Year 3 Residential
Year 3 had the most fantastic time on their residential at PGL Liddington and we couldn’t be prouder of them! This was their first ever overnight trip, which represents a huge milestone for the children, and they all truly embraced staying away from home and the activities on offer. The pupils enjoyed an action-packed schedule of outdoor learning, full of amazing adventure activities designed to help build friendships, challenge themselves and build their confidence. Some of the highlights included the zipline, obstacle challenge course, archery, climbing and aero-ball. The children were beautifully behaved, kind and caring towards each other and a real credit to Cranford and to parents.
Year 8 Residential
This week Year 8 also had an outdoor experience to remember, visiting Longridge Adventure Park in Marlow. In two and a half action-packed days, students channelled their inner adventurers as they scaled the climbing wall, built a raft, competed at laser tag, collaborated to ascend the notorious Jacob's ladder, and constructed a trebuchet in addition to a variety of other team building activities. Well done to our students for all the generosity of spirit, confidence, and happiness on show as they rose to the challenges of the trip. Thank you to all at Longridge for making this highly memorable, special few days.
Year 4 Tea Concert
On Wednesday, in the third of our series of Tea Concerts, Year 4 treated us to a dazzling display of musical Talent. Kicking off with an exciting whole year performance of ‘Calypso’, we saw a range of solos from pupils who have individual music lessons, with performances on the electric Guitar, Violin and French Horn to name only a few. I never cease to be amazed by the musical talents of our pupils who shared some impressive individual and ensemble performances! Congratulations to all our performers on their hard work and dedication to learning an instrument.
Year 11 Celebrations
On Thursday morning, pupils arrived in school to a slightly unusual sight, thanks to the efforts of Year 11 who had excelled in their transformation of school for the traditional Year 11 Muck Up Day! Armed with water pistols, I know that a few members of staff came off slightly worse for wear through the Year 11 assault, as they celebrated the end of this significant part of their school career and the start of study leave ahead of their GCSEs. Please rest assured my allegiance remains firmly with Liverpool and all posters featuring me as an avid Manchester United
supporter have been destroyed! The afternoon ended in a spectacular assembly, where we recognised the achievements of this impressive cohort and were treated to some breathtaking recitals by Rose, Rebecca and Martha, followed by a Celebration tea in the Orangery, where Year 11 were joined with their parents. I am sure all our families will join me in wishing our Year 11 and Year 13 the best of luck in the GCSE and A level examinations, beginning on Monday!
Finally, we wanted to thank RAF Benson for sending us these wonderful photos from their Coronation flyover last Friday, featuring an aerial picture of the whole school!
Have a lovely weekend!
Best wishes
Dr James Raymond
Headmaster