27 September 2019

Although we are only a few weeks into the start of the academic year, preparations are already being made for 2020-21 and it was our great pleasure to welcome many prospective pupils to school this week.

Our Reception Open Morning saw Nursery School pupils joining visitors to explore our fantastic Reception classrooms and start to experience everything that life at ‘big school’ can offer. Meanwhile, some of our own Year 6 pupils joined boys and girls from other schools for a Senior Experience Day designed to provide a taste of life in Year 7 upwards. It was wonderful to see pupils at both of these events having a great time making the most of our facilities and our staff's expert tuition. If you would like to explore the next stage of your child’s education here at Cranford House, please do join us for our Whole School Open Morning on Saturday 5 October, 9.30am-12.00pm.

Many thanks to everyone who was able to join us on Tuesday for our Senior School Welcome Evening. This event always provides an important opportunity to reflect on the enthusiastic start that pupils have made to the start of term and to consider how we can work together as a community to make the year ahead successful and enjoyable for all.

Elsewhere in school, we have continued to make excellent sporting progress. At the start of the week I enjoyed joining Year 4 for their away fixtures taking on the Manor Prep at Tilsley Park - the competitive spirit, enthusiasm and skill on display was truly fantastic. Congratulations to everyone who represented the school and thanks to those of you who supported them, even in the inclement weather! Congratulations also to Year 5 who headed off to the famous Iffley Road race-track to attempt to recreate Roger Bannister’s sub-four-minute mile. They may not quite have equalled his record, but I hear they gave it a very good try!

Finally, we also enjoyed two chances to join in celebration at our Junior and Senior Harvest Festivals. Miss Stanley and Mrs Carter reminded us of the importance of kindness, generosity of spirit and gratitude for the world around us and all that we enjoy and share in our community here in South Oxfordshire. My sincere thanks go to all of you who sent in tins, packets and boxes – the amount of donations we collected was quite staggering! They were most gratefully received by volunteers at the Wallingford Emergency Food Bank and will now go to help feed those in our local area who are in great need.

Best wishes,

Dr James Raymond