Prep Chronicle 19 September 2025

815JANUARY 20242025 3SEPTEMBER JULY 2023 Message from the Head of Prep There was a real buzz around Cranmore on Saturday, helped by the bright sunshine and blue skies. We began the day by welcoming visitors to our autumn open morning and then hosted an alumni event in the afternoon.

Our open morning was a great opportunity for our guests to enjoy a tour of our glorious grounds and facilities, guided by our Year 10 cohort. The boys were complimented on their fine manners and the warmth with which they treated our visiting families.

It was a privilege to welcome back many familiar faces in the afternoon as our Cranmore alumni came together to reminisce and play in a charity game of football in memory of Jack Rickerd.

Well done to our Year 3 for the way they supported one another during their mid-week trip, tackling the high ropes course through the trees at Alice Holt Forest. I hope they are not too tired from their adventures as a number of them will be representing Cranmore alongside the U10 team at tomorrow's football tournament. Our U13 footballers have set the bar high, claiming victory in the Parkside 7-a-side Tournament on Saturday, so we will wait and see if our Prep teams can emulate that success.

Mr Heaver

Open Morning On Saturday, we held another successful open morning for prospective pupils and their parents. The heavy rain at the start of the day cleared just in time for a morning of sunshine which enabled everyone to see Cranmore’s fantastic facilities at their best. We are very thankful to our wonderful Year 10 pupils who conducted the tours and provided a valuable insight into life at Cranmore and the wide range of academic and extra-curricular opportunities on offer.

Alumni Event We were delighted to welcome back some of our Cranmore alumni on Saturday afternoon. Our alumni thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting and a particular highlight of the day was a charity football match played in memory of Jack Rickerd.

We look forward to hosting more events of this kind in the future.

Year 3 Trip to Go Ape and Alice Holt Woodland Park Despite the less than favourable weather forecast, Year 3 set off undaunted for their trip on Wednesday. Fortunately, it did not rain and our Year 3 pupils showed amazing courage and teamwork as they tackled the Go Ape treetop course! Harnessed up and full of excitement, the children tested their balance, bravery, and determination high above the ground.

They climbed ladders, crossed wobbly bridges, and completed rope challenges, all while encouraging each other to keep going. Some children were a little nervous at first, but with smiles, cheers, and lots of resilience, they conquered their fears and discovered just how capable they are.

The highlight for many was the thrilling zip line to the ground, where squeals of delight echoed through the trees. It was wonderful to see every child pushing themselves, trying something new, and celebrating their achievements together.

After lunch the children then enjoyed exploring the other exciting playgrounds nestled in the woods.

Year 3’s trip to Go Ape was not only an adventure, but also a brilliant chance to build confidence, teamwork, and lasting memories.

Mrs Sinclair

Year 3 Trip to Go Ape and Alice Holt Woodland Park

Reception News Reception have enjoyed lots of fun learning this week! In Forest School, they made birds out of different craft materials and enjoyed flying these around the playground. In Art they completed their paper plate faces as part of our topic, 'There's only one me,' and in Maths, some children really impressed Mrs Prothero with their amazing independent patterns in our tuff tray challenge! Great work, Reception!

Mrs Prothero

Religious Education Monitors This term, our Lower Prep RE Monitors have taken on their new responsibilities with great enthusiasm. Their duties include helping to keep the RE table neat and tidy, changing the cloth colour to reflect the liturgical calendar, choosing and reading end-of-day or lunchtime prayers, and suggesting meaningful items for the RE table or display.

I am delighted with my new team, and the children are rightly proud of their important roles in supporting the spiritual life of the classroom.

Mrs Parker

Upper Prep Music Maestros

It was my pleasure to appoint three Year 6 boys as Music Maestros. These accomplished young musicians, Fabian H, Thomas C and Basty H, will announce the pieces which are played in each assembly. Bravo!

Mr Harris, Director of Music

Sports News Congratulations to our U10s Football team, who were runners-up at our Primary Schools Tournament on Friday. They played superbly and only lost to the winners in a penalty shootout. Thank you to Mr Cox for organising another fantastic event.

Football matches have been taking place since last Friday, from U8s to U11s. Our opponents have included Milbourne Lodge, Kings House, Hoe Bridge, RGS Prep and Rokeby. Good luck to our U8s and U10s playing in the Cranmore tournaments this weekend.

Senior School News It was a fantastic start to the term for our U13 football team winning the Parkside 7-a-side Tournament on Saturday. The team went unbeaten in the pool and beat strong opponents in the knockout stages. The final, against Downsend, was intense, but Cranmore came out on top 4-0! Huge congratulations to the team with securing Cranmore’s first silverware of the term.

On Monday 15th September the U16A Golf team played in the ISGA Southern Schools Cup at Harpenden Common Golf Club in Hertfordshire. Ollie M, Sam S and Harry N put in a fantastic team performance in the toughest of golf conditions with high winds and driving rain. The team finished tied 1st (second on count back) producing the best golf result in the school's history. An extra achievement on the day was Ollie M winning the individual net competition shooting an impressive 76.

Mouthguards Home Fit Cranmore Mouthguard - please use this link to order Cranmore’s bespoke mouth guard (discount code cranmore10 to receive 10% off).

Professional Fit Mouthguard (at local dentists) - Topguards. To book: https:// form.jotform.com/241132543497355 For more information: enquiries@topguards.co.uk Mr Hodgson, Director of Sport

Sports News Skiing has started again for the term and it was great to see so many children taking part. If your child would like to start skiing then please email max.barson@cranmore.org. It is open for children from Reception to Year 11 and no prior skiing experience is required. All kit can be hired free of charge.

Good luck to our ski squad who are participating in the ESSKIA Regional Qualifiers tomorrow. 22 skiers from Years 4 to 11 will be representing Cranmore at this prestigious event.

Mr Barson, Head of Skiing

Professional Fit Mouthguard (at local dentists) - Topguards. To book: https:// form.jotform.com/241132543497355 For more information: enquiries@topguards.co.uk Mr Hodgson, Director of Sport

A Message from our Chaplaincy Team

This Week A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.

A little farther up the shore, Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets.

He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.

Reflection

This week we reflect on the understanding that all of us are called by God. Each of us is important, special, unique, and each of us has something to offer the world. We may not find ourselves walking along the sea of Galilee this week. Yet each of us will be called by God; God is always calling us into greater love. We must learn to listen to his voice, hear his voice and, like Simon and Andrew, leave what is unimportant.

Prayer

Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things are passing away: God never changes.

Patience obtains all things Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.

St Teresa of Avila

“Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”

Mother Teresa

Notice WEBINAR LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89810756008?pwd=4xsajUjjw9JA6BHej4Xbl6BOgk0wa7.1

Menu

Week 1

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Soup

Soup of the day

Soup of the day

Soup of the day

Soup of the day

Soup of the day

Main

Locally Sourced Pork Sausages with Onion Gravy

Grilled Piri Piri Chicken with Homemade piri piri sauces

Slow Roasted Beef Lasagne with a Mozzarella Top

Pulled Pork Mexican Tacos with a selection of Dips and Cheese

Freshly Battered Fish or Breaded Fish Fillet with Ketchup and Tartare Sauce

Vegetarian

Vegan Sausages with Onion Gravy

Sticky BBQ Cauliflower Wings

Spinach Butternut and Feta Gnocchi Bake

Smokey Bean Chimichangas

Homemade Falafels with Cous Cous

Cajun Potato Wedges Rainbow Slaw

Garlic Bread Broccoli

Steamed Vegetable Rice Sweetcorn

Chunky Chips Garden Peas

Additional

Jacket Potato & Baked Beans Freshly Baked Bread Salad bar

Pasta with Tomato & Basil Sauce Freshly Baked Bread Salad bar

Jacket Potato & Baked Beans Freshly Baked Bread Salad bar

Pasta with Tomato & Basil Sauce Freshly Baked Bread Salad bar

Jacket Potato & Baked Beans Freshly Baked Bread Salad bar

Dessert

Bramley Apple Crumble with Custard

Old School Cake

Millionaire Shortbread

White Chocolate Cookie Tray Bake

Oreo Cheesecake

Sides

Mashed Potatoes Panache of Mixed Vegetables

Items in Italic - Sourced from F Conisbee’s, our local butcher