23 February 2024

23 February 2024

Dear Parents

We have had an incredibly busy action-packed week back after the half-term break with lots of trips and events going on across all sections of the school.

Geography trip to Iceland

During February half term, a group of Year 11 – 13 geographers travelled to Iceland to experience a 5-day tour of the land of ice and fire! Their chilly yet magical adventure enabled them to explore the extreme contrasts and dramatic landscapes of the country, including some of the largest glaciers in Europe and some of the world’s most active volcanoes, as well as stunning coastal scenery shaped by powerful waves. Our Geography students enjoyed taking in all these natural phenomenons. In addition, they were able to see close up distinctive features like craters, fissures, geysirs and fumaroles as well as enjoying bathing in the Secret Lagoon - Iceland’s oldest geothermally heated pool. A pleasant afternoon was spent in Reykjavik, seeing the main sights and enjoying some shopping time. The trip culminated in the Fly Over Iceland Experience which uses the state-of-the-art-technology to give you the feeling of flight. This is an exhilarating journey across Iceland. Special effects, including wind, mist and scents, combine with the ride’s motion created an unforgettable experience. A truly magnificent trip, creating memories which will last for a lifetime and we can’t wait to do it again with Year 10 in April! We hope you enjoy looking at these photos of the trip.

e-Safety Coffee Morning
Thank you to everyone who attended our E-Safety Coffee Morning this week. Following a presentation led by Mrs Clarance alongside key academic and pastoral staff from both Junior and Senior Schools, there was a riveting discussion of the challenges we face as parents in today's digital age. As mentioned, the slides from Wednesday's event can be found here, including a host of Cranford Approved Online Activities and even more suggested tools to help keep your family safe. As a school, we are more committed than ever to helping your children develop meaningful friendships and keep them grounded 'in real life.' Nationwide there has been a shift; children, on average, are spending more time online than socialising with friends (2023 Ofcom Report) for the first time in 2023. I look forward to welcoming you again in the Summer Term for our next E-Safety Coffee Morning - watch this space for a date. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with Mrs Clarance at aclarance@cranfordschool.co.uk.

Y12 Mental Health First Aid
Also on Wednesday, our Year 12 students started the first of their Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) sessions. These sessions are run by Mrs Lindholm who is our A Level Psychology Teacher and Director of Wellbeing, but also an Associate Member of Mental Health First Aid England. The course will teach students how to recognise signs and symptoms of poor mental health in themselves and others, how to step in and have supportive conversations and where to signpost people for help. Crucially it focuses on the importance of self-care and how to look after your own mental health. Year 12 students were thoroughly engaged throughout and are excited about the course, which will earn them accreditation as Mental Health First Aiders.

Year 6 Victorian Day
Yesterday, Year 6 travelled back in time to experience life as a Victorian child with a trip to Reading Museum. The children all looked brilliant, dressed in Victorian clothes, as they took part in a true-to-life schoolroom activity getting a real sense of history as they learnt about the way school was run during the Victorian period. The children wrote on slate, used a dip pen and ink, enjoyed singing, an exercise drill and much more as they immersed themselves in the classroom experience. After a 'Wow Talk' about jobs undertaken by Victorian children they enjoyed a trail around the Museum exploring the story of Reading and became engrossed looking at a replica of the Bayeaux Tapestry.

KS3 Music Concert

We had a wonderful musical treat yesterday evening, as we enjoyed a simply brilliant Key Stage 3 Music Concert. What an incredible range of vocalists and musicians! Our pupils performed with impressive musicality, accuracy and flair. We have some very gifted students and we are so grateful to them and proud of them for sharing their talents with us in a wonderful musical extravaganza! Congratulations to all involved and please do take a minute to view photos from the night.

Reception Trip

To round the week off, today our Reception pupils have embarked on an exciting trip to The Story Museum in Oxford. With great excitement, the pupils relished the storytelling and brought to life their own versions of some favourite tales, including ‘The Tiger who came to Tea’ and ‘We’re going on a Bear Hunt’! They unleashed their imaginations as they created planets and discussed what it would be like to live there! We hope parents enjoy hearing all about it!

Have a great weekend.

With best wishes
Dr James Raymond
Head