22 March 2019

This morning heralded the start of a new journey for some of our youngest pupils, as we welcomed them to a packed Reception Taster event.

It was lovely to meet so new parents and pupils, as well as greeting parents many familiar faces. Thanks to everyone who joined us for such an enjoyable morning.

Parents have also been in school to join us for our Junior Parents’ Evening and Monday’s Junior Poetry Festival. Congratulations also to everyone who took part. It was wonderful to see the children so excited about their performances and to see them really bringing poetry to life on stage.

Plenty of exciting opportunities awaited pupils outside school as well, starting with the U11 GSA Netball tournament on Wednesday. Both our Year 6 teams competed brilliantly, with one of them winning every game in what was a highly demanding competition. This outstanding achievement saw them crowned GSA Champions – very many congratulations to all our players.

Year 3 stepped back in time to experience life in Ancient Rome as they visited Ufton Court this week, where they learnt how to build their own trebuchet, before splitting into Roman and Celt armies to prepare for battle with axes and shields. I’m happy to report there were no fatalities on the battle field!

Meanwhile, a team of Year 8 and 9 chemists headed off to Oxford to represent Cranford House at the Salter's Chemistry Challenge at the Oxford University Chemistry Teaching Laboratory. Keenly contested practical challenges that saw our Year 9s creating nylon and making paracetamol and dramatic displays of chemical explosions were on the menu, as was a guided tour of Keble College for an inspiring taste of what life at the University of Oxford is like.

For your awareness, the next Governors’ Finance Meeting will take place on 22 May. It is likely that a fee increase will be agreed, to take effect from September 2019. However, as ever, the governors will endeavour to keep this as low as possible. The exact increase will be confirmed early next term.

Finally, many thanks to our PTA for all their work in the run up to what promises to be a fabulous event on Saturday night. We are incredibly grateful for all they do to support the school and I look forward to seeing many of you at tomorrow night’s Thunderball!

With best wishes

Dr J Raymond