14 December

The Christmas Term was wrapped up in style as the whole school joined today to share some of the wonderful songs and performances from the past fortnight of festive shows, services and assemblies.

It has been a joyful time in school and I have greatly enjoyed sharing so many of these Christmas events with families from Nursery right up to Year 11. Our Junior and Senior Carol Services at Dorchester Abbey provided real highlights and I was incredibly proud of the modest self-assurance of our readers and the incredible musical talents of our Choirs and musicians. The vocal talent across our school really is staggering and reflects a great deal of hard work and dedication from both the pupils and Music Department alike.

There have been so many highlights this week that it is hard to condense them into a newsletter. The Junior School trip to watch Nativity the Musical in Oxford was fantastic fun and I really enjoyed joining the staff team for the Staff vs Year 11 Netball match, although Year 11 made short work of securing victory! The host of Christmas parties, lunches and even Reception class’ visit from a naughty elf have also provided lots of fun.

Amidst the festive celebrations, it’s also time to say a very fond farewell to Mrs Watkins-Cooke who leaves Cranford House for an amazing around-the-world adventure! She will be hugely missed by pupils, colleagues and parents alike and we wish her the very best. We also send our best wishes to Mrs Horn who leaves us today to start her maternity leave.

Finally, this week has brought the exciting announcement of the addition of new sports fields from September 2019 (subject to planning permission) and the start of building work on our Sixth Form Centre over the Christmas break. I hope that many of you will be able to join us for our Parents’ Coffee Morning on 15 January to learn more about both of these positive developments.