2 July 2021

As we near the end of term, we have this week reflected a great deal on the individual and collective achievements of all our pupils. We have celebrated many of our pupils reaching academic milestones, such as the end of Junior School and the end of Senior School. However, we have also enjoyed celebrating the smaller, but no-less significant achievements of all our pupils, as we near the end of the academic year.

The week started with a very successful move up day, where pupils enjoyed meeting their tutors for the next academic year. There was great excitement and anticipation as pupils embraced lessons with their new Form Tutors and enjoyed sessions in music, PE and French with our new Junior School French Teacher, Monsieur Delvenne! Our Year 6 pupils moved seamlessly into Year 7 for the day, making themselves very much at home in the Senior School and adapting with ease. Meanwhile, our youngest Nursery pupils thrived during their trip to Reception. They had a wonderful time exploring the Reception classroom and making the most of the fantastic outdoor space. The positivity and energy from all our pupils was clearly apparent and promises great things for the next year ahead.

On Thursday evening, marking the end of their first year of exceptional work towards their A levels, our Year 12 students enjoyed letting their hair down and catching up with each other during a trip on the Thames. Year 12 have been marvellous role models for all our younger pupils this year. They have excelled as they have made the leap to A levels, displaying a rigorous approach to independent study and the responsibility of Sixth Form life. We are all excited to watch them continue to flourish next year and also to welcoming in our second year of Sixth Form students in September!

The end of the week was marked with two significant events, our Year 6 and our Year 11 Celebration Assembly and lunch. On Thursday, we enjoyed looking back on the primary school years of our wonderful Year 6 cohort. In a very special assembly, our Year 6 pupils were applauded and congratulated. Reflecting one of Cranford's most important values, it was their generosity of spirit, respect and celebration of each other that really shone. At the end of the assembly, they were greeted by the rest of the Junior School as they made their way out into Willow Court before a delicious, three course lunch!

Similarly, today we have had the privilege of looking back on the success and achievements of our Year 11 pupils. It was an absolute pleasure to be with a group of such accomplished young people, each of them realising just how far they have come during their time at Cranford and how maturely they have dealt with the challenges Covid-19 has presented over the last 12 months. I know I speak on behalf of all the senior teachers in saying that we all feel a huge sense of pride and honour to have helped and supported each member of Year 11 on their fantastic Cranford adventure. They rightly deserved their moment of glory as they were played out of the Willow Theatre by the Year 10 Jazz Ensemble, whilst being honoured by the rest of the Senior School.

Have a lovely weekend!

James Raymond
Headmaster