We proudly welcomed prospective families to Cranmore on Saturday morning and this was followed by the return of former pupils for a charity football match and the opportunity to tour the school. I was very proud of the pupils and staff who showcased our school to families and I enjoyed hearing about what our alumni are doing now and their positive comments on how the school has grown since they left.
We enjoyed sporting successes this week with the first trophy of the academic year being won by our U13 football team at the Parkside 7-a-side tournament on Saturday. The winning continued on Monday when the U16A golf team battled the autumnal weather conditions to place joint first in the ISGA Southern Schools Cup. Our first ever Effingham Sixth Form fixture took place, with a strong performance by our pupils. Good luck to our skiers who race in the ESSKIA regional qualifiers this weekend.
A key element of equipping our pupils with the skills to enable productive study is the programme of study skills sessions that we provide for them. This week, Year 7 learnt how to effectively analyse information and make notes. Years 8 to 11 will participate in their sessions before the end of this half term. Along with academic development, pupils were able to develop their spiritual and moral understanding during the New School Year Mass on Thursday. The week ended with abundant smiles as pupils had individual and sibling photos taken. Details of how to view and order the photographs will be shared soon, a tangible way to mark this point in their school journey.
Year 7 Study Skills with Elevate Education
‘It isn’t enough that pupils simply understand what they need to do in their study; the challenge is to enable them to use and apply the skills they learn efficiently, be self-reflective and develop good habits.’
To support this aim we instruct an external company to conduct this important session, one of a series they will receive each year, all the way to Year 11. On Tuesday, the first session of the year took place for our Year 7 pupils.
The focus was on how to read an article efficiently and take notes, without compromising on detail. Pupils were also introduced to the concept of selective reading, where they focus on identifying key words or phrases rather than the whole text.
Dharaa, our presenter, conducted the session with enthusiasm and clarity, and pupils were very receptive to the input. We will build upon this session with Time Management in Year 8, Memory Mnemonics in Year 9 and Study Sensei for Year 10 and Exam Preparation in Year 11.
Mr Pulford, Deputy Head, Academic
Drama Production Rehearsals: Little Shop of Horrors
The Drama department is delighted to announce this year's senior production asLittle Shop of Horrors which will be running in March 2026. Auditions will take place next week on Tuesday 23rd, Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th (lunch time and after school). All information regarding auditions has been sent out as a task on the VLE. If your son is interested in getting involved, please ask them to check the task or speak to Mr Penfold. This year will also see the start of our Student Led Tech, Director & Backstage teams for those students who want to get involved in a non-performance based capacity - more on this in the coming weeks!
We hope to see you there in March!
Mr Penfold, Head of Drama
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. They 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.
Effingham Sixth Form’s First Fixture
The boys at Effingham Sixth Form played their first fixture this week and performed brilliantly. Ollie W’s spectacular free kick created history as the first ever Effingham Sixth Form goal! A well orchestrated team goal led to Ronan M finishing neatly from inside the box. The strong opposition fought back to eventually win 5-2 but the work rate and determination of the Effingham players were evident to all. We are very proud of our boys’ first performance and look forward to seeing them in action again over the coming months.
Skiing
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.
Football Champions
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 on securing Cranmore’s first silverware of the term.
Golf Success
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.
Golf is on the up at Cranmore!
We had seven U13 football teams play against Downsend on Wednesday and on the same day, our U14 rugby team played against City of London Freemans in the National Cup. On Thursday, our U15 football team played against St Dustan's College.
Skiing
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.
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
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.”
