29 November 2024

Dear Parents

We have had a very busy Open Week this week, showing lots of families considering our school for their children around Cranford. What has been remarked upon constantly is how lovely it is to hear music and singing emanating from various rooms. Key Stage One had a full dress rehearsal of their Christmas show in our splendid Willow Theatre this morning. Their costumes look fabulous and their enthusiasm was boundless! Yesterday, we were very impressed with our Reception pupils for showing their nativity play to all Junior School. They did brilliantly and we know they will do equally well in Moulsford Church next week. Meanwhile, the Junior pupils and Senior Choir and Chamber Choir are busy practising songs for the Carol Service, whilst it has also been a week that has seen many of our pupils sitting ABRSM music exams.

We continue to be very proud of the standard of music that threads its way through the whole school; Music really does sit at the heart of Cranford. Showcasing just this, on Tuesday, the A Level and GCSE music classes put on an exciting and diverse concert for their parents, which highlighted the huge amount of practice they have invested in their instrumental studies in preparation for the 'Performing' aspect of their respective exams. It was an enjoyable occasion for all and a great opportunity to practice public performance in a supportive, friendly environment. Please see the pictures from the Tea Concert here.

Sixth Form and Senior Trips
Bringing the curriculum to life, on Thursday Sixth Form Philosophy & Religious Studies pupils attended the Academy Learning A Level Conference in London. This event provided pupils with the opportunity to immerse themselves in university-style lectures, designed to deepen their understanding and knowledge of both Philosophy and Theology. Pupils heard from a range of academics, including Professor Daphne Hampson, Professor Tom Greggs and Professor James Orr, who are all experts in their field. The lectures were focused on a diverse range of topics such as The Politics of the Embryo, Feminism and Eschatology. The pupils had a fantastic, academically challenging, day and also enjoyed the opportunity to have lunch together in London.

Today, our A level Psychologist students were put through their paces at ‘Psychology in Action’ in London, where they have had interactive session providing insight into Psychology beyond the classroom. The students have been fully immersed in a series of seminars, including a clinical psychologist speaking about assessing and treating those with mental health disorders, a forensic psychologist sharing their work with assessing risk in criminal populations, a neuroscientist talking about research into brain development, a ‘thrill engineer’ who blends psychology with engineering and physics and a memory specialist sharing what has been learnt from patients with memory loss. It was a fascinating and insightful day of learning and the Year 12 students are buzzing with new ideas of university courses and future career options! A day well spent.

Last weekend, delegates from Years 10, 11 and 12 debated topics in their Model UN committees on topics such as Decolonisation, Indigenous Populations, Climate Change and Global Management of Biological Weapons at the Oxford Global Model United Nations at Oxford University. They prepared speeches, discussed in working parties and wrote and presented agreements. The students enjoyed making connections from across the globe and seeing familiar faces from last year. They debated confidently, building strong arguments from the ideas of other delegates.

Year 6 Masterpieces
Year 6 have transformed their classroom into a most wonderful Art gallery! Exploring different art movements through time, they have each selected a specific artist to research, then copy a piece of their work. They have all worked really hard to understand the inspiration behind each masterpiece, the artistic techniques and style and then used a variety of mediums to transform their own work into a fabulous Cranford masterpiece. The results have been very impressive. Well done!

Please do take a moment to see this week in pictures. Finally, the PTA are busy setting up for the amazing Christmas Fair, taking place tomorrow from 12pm to 3pm. We look forward to seeing many of you there!

With best wishes
Dr James Raymond
Head