28 April 2023

28 April 2023

Dear Parents

It has been a busy and enjoyable week in school as the Summer term quickly gathers pace. This is always one of the most enjoyable times of year and there is so much to look forward to in the weeks ahead of us. We started today in Senior School with an inspiring assembly from 9B who tackled the environmental challenges facing society; both thoughtfully and positively. 9B spoke with eloquence about the continuing damage to our environment, articulately expressing the challenges facing this generation of school pupils as they move forward into the world beyond school. The underlying message from 9B was particularly inspiring as they challenged the Senior school to ‘be the change’ that we all wish to see. Earlier in the week the form had purchased and planted an Apple Tree within the school grounds and this morning's assembly provided a rallying cry for the school to the more on this issue and the power of a small group of people to make a big change. We will be continuing the discussion 9B have started about the environmental impact of the school and how as a school we can ‘be the change’ we wish to see. I’ll look forward to updating you further over the weeks ahead.

Open Week
This week we have been delighted to showcase Cranford to a host of new families during our Whole School Open Week - our busiest yet! Prospective parents have seen an action-packed schedule in Nursery and Junior School, experiments in the Science labs and careers planning in our Sixth Form Centre, plus all the summer sports now in full swing.

Exams
As we approach the end of April, the exam season starts to come more sharply into view and our Year 11 and Year 13 students are already beginning their period of practical examinations in subjects such as Art, PE and Modern Foreign Languages. We continue to be impressed by maturity, dedication and sense of purpose displayed by these students and I am sure you will all join me in wishing them every success with their academic endeavours this summer. I am sure they will each go on to achieve all the success they so richly deserve.

Year 6 Tea Concert and Music this term
Elsewhere in the school this week we enjoyed the first of our Junior School Tea Concerts as Year 6 shared with friends and family a series of exceptional solo and ensemble performances. Please do browse the photos from this week’s concert by clicking here.

I was incredibly proud of the pupils and the rich array of musicality on display, I never cease to be amazed by the breadth and depth of our pupils' musical talents! It was wonderful to see so many families able to join us for this event, thank you to everyone who was able to come. This was the first in a series of Music concerts that will take place this term including:

Year 3 Tea Concert – Tuesday 16 May, 2-3pm in Willow Theatre – please click here to confirm attendance

Year 4 Tea Concert- Wednesday 10 May, 2-3pm in Willow Theatre – please click here to confirm attendance

Year 5 Tea Concert – Thursday 4 May, 2-3pm in Willow Theatre – please click here to confirm attendance

Please also join us for:

Years 1 and 2 Coffee Morning – Wednesday 3 May, 8:30-9:30am
Whole School Music Concert – Monday 3rd May Hexagon Theatre- Reading

We very much hope you will be able to join us for these events!

Sport
Despite the inclement weather the Cricket season has made an impressive start across the school with a very exciting week of fixtures.

U15 girls' cricketers started the week with a massive 9 wicket win over Headington.

U13 Boys and Girls cricketers outperformed Lords Wandsworth again by 9 wickets.

U10 and U11 mixed cricketers had a dominant performance against St Joseph’s. A strong performance by our 11A team winning by 42 runs.

U13 Girls tennis players competed in some highly competitive matches against Queen Anne’s with Cranford coming out with a strong win.

U14 and U17 Girls played a great tennis fixture against St Edwards winning 3 out 5 games.

Fingers crossed for more sport friendly weather over the weeks ahead!

We haven’t let the gloomy weather dampen our spirits with both our Rowing and Sailing clubs managing to get out on the water for their first summer term sessions.

Friday 5th May – King’s Coronation Celebration and Year 13 Leavers Celebration
Excitement is building around school as we look forward to next Friday when we will celebrate the departure of our graduating Year 13 class as well as marking the occasion of King’s Coronation. Following our annual Leaver’s Service, where the senior school will take the opportunity bid farewell and good luck to our Year 13s, the whole school will gather for a celebration street party! Chef Paul and his team are busy with final preparations for what promises to be a wonderful event and we are looking forward to the arrival in school of fairground rides, a helter skelter and much more besides, for what promises to be a lunch time to remember!

Whole School Photograph - We will also be marking the occasion with a whole school photograph at the start of the day. Please can I gently remind families that Summer Uniform should be worn for this occasion.

I hope you are looking forward to the Bank Holiday weekend and hopefully some sunshine!

Best wishes

Dr James Raymond
Headmaster