It has been an action-packed end to the term, with many exciting trips, activities and events. Last weekend, our pupils were in preparation mode for the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award and made excellent progress which was evident during training sessions, camping on the Henderson Fields and long navigated walks across the Surrey countryside.
Our musicians and singers delivered a fantastic Spring Soiree concert on Monday evening. It was a real joy to watch the pupils perform at such a high standard. It is a long tradition at Cranmore for pupils to have this opportunity to display their versatility and talent so that they can derive confidence in their ability.
During the week, a team of Year 8 pupils undertook the Faraday Challenge, an opportunity to research, design and make prototype solutions to real-world engineering problems. I am delighted that they won the competition with a record score for the Southeast England region.
There are further opportunities for enriching trips and experiences abroad during the Easter break when the ever-popular Cranmore ski trip takes place in Italy as well as a Year 9-11 language trip to Madrid. These trips provide invaluable opportunities to extend learning outside school, and it is encouraging to see pupils embracing them so enthusiastically.
This has certainly been a term filled with hard work, success, and wonderful memories. I hope everyone enjoys a well-deserved break.
Mr Everitt
STEM trip to Gatwick Airport for ‘The IET Faraday Challenge’
On Wednesday 26th March, we went on a STEM trip to Gatwick Airport for the IET Faraday Challenge. We competed against six teams from different schools across the country. The challenge was to create a prototype to solve a problem. This year’s theme was batteries. Our team included Colin C, Ben T, Ben S, Jamie T, James DT, and Daniel DP. We designed lights and a horn for a bike or wheelchair. We built our idea and scored very highly in every section. Eventually, Cranmore won the competition with a record score within South East England. The challenge was fun and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. It improved our problem-solving and engineering skills.
We highly recommend it for future Year 8 students.
Daniel Di Paola, Project Manager
Last weekend, nine groups of Year 9 pupils successfully completed their training for the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. They spent Saturday with their assessors learning how to cook safely, navigate with a traditional OS map and compass, basic first aid, and much more. On Saturday evening, the boys successfully set up their own tents and cooked their dinner on camping stoves. On the second day, the boys walked approximately 10-12 km in their teams. Morale was high as they ventured through the beautiful countryside. The boys felt a sense of relief and achievement as they returned to school.
Miss Ebdy
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Practice Expedition
Year 8 Visit to Bristol
Over the weekend, Year 8 students took a cultural journey around the streets of Bristol, experiencing a range of creative activities to broaden their artistic minds.
“We went to visit one of Banksy’s very first and famous artworks named ‘The Mild Mild West’. Then we went to an art studio where they showed us how to do spray painting; we then made our own spray paintings which we got to take home. The art studio also even took us on a little tour of all the other street art by different artists in the area, where we got to learn a lot about the facts and histories behind them.” - Chip
“On the art trip we first arrived at the Bristol museum where we were able to see a wide range of art from dinosaur bones to the art of the Chinese empire in 1578. There was so much to see including crystals, animals and sea creatures. On the second day we were able to walk around Bristol and used an app to create our own graffiti art which showed us how it would look in public. It was an amazing trip and could not have been any better.” – Edward T
“My favourite part of the trip was the spray paint session. I really enjoyed the trip and it opened up a whole new world of art to me.” – Alex B
Spring Soiree
My congratulations to all those musicians who performed so brilliantly at the Spring Soiree. The quality of musicianship never fails to impress me.
Mr Harris, Director of Music
Mental Health Talk for Years 10 and 11
On Thursday afternoon, Year 10 and Year 11 students attended an engaging session with Mr Dick Moore, a qualified Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor and advocate for adolescent mental health and wellbeing. Mr Moore shared practical strategies to help students recognise changes in their own mental health and that of others, emphasising the importance of learning how we can all “cope with life's storms.” The students listened attentively to Mr Moore's personal reflections and experiences, gaining valuable insights to support their own wellbeing and that of their loved ones.
Mrs Tindale
Year 8 pupil Henry C represented the Surrey cross-country team on Saturday afternoon against five other counties. The event, which took place in Southend, was a competitive race with some exceptional runners. Henry finished a very respectable 33rd out of 72 runners. Well done Henry.
Last Friday, Year 11 pupils Noah B and Harry W represented their football club, Bracknell Town Football Club, in the final of the County Cup. In a tense and hard-fought final against Aylesbury FC, the match was ultimately decided by penalties. Noah confidently slotted home his penalty to level the score at 55, and after the opposition missed their next kick, Harry stepped up to secure the victory with a decisive final penalty. This meant the two boys were crowned the U16 Berkshire & Buckinghamshire County Champions.
Two Cranmore pupils represented Harlequins U16s against Bristol at the weekend. James O (Year 11) and Kobey M (Year 10) played superbly well and were integral to the teams' four tries. Kobey scored two and James, playing at ten, assisted with all four. Well done to both boys!
Cranmore has been competing all week at the Rosslyn Park 7s.
Easter Sports Camps at Cranmore
Please see flyers and use the links below for more information:
https://www.talentedathleteacademy.com
https://www.lionssports.academy/bookingpage
Mr Hodgson, Director of Sport
A Message from our Chaplaincy Team
This Week
A Reading from the Gospel of John
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’ Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’
Reflection
As we draw to the end of another busy term it is important that we pause and give thanks for all we have received. There will have been high points and low points in our term. Things we have enjoyed and things we have found difficult. Place all things into the hands of the Father who loves us and knows us. As we journey home and into the holidays don’t forget that we are also journeying towards Easter. This is a holy and important time of the year. Make an effort to pray each day. If there is anything troubling you place it into Jesus’ hands. Do not be afraid; he walks alongside you.
Concluding Prayer
Father in heaven, when I cannot find you, and am not sure that you are there, give me eyes of faith. Help me understand that you are always faithful, always present, holding me and sustaining me.
Amen
Mon 14th - Thurs 17th April
The course is suitable for players from Grade 1 up to Grade 6 and is open to children from Year 4 to Year 9.
The programme will include:
String Orchestra
Swing/Jazz Band
Full Orchestra Rehearsals
Sectional Rehearsals
General Musicianship
Recreational Time
Further details can be obtained from: Mrs Caroline Yalden, Director of Music (c.yalden@st-teresas.com)
Adult Cardio Tennis - Thursdays @ 10-11am
Please join coach Ivor’s cardio tennis sessions for adults on Thursdays 10-11am at ESTA, St Teresa’s.
Cardio tennis is a fun, sociable group fitness class with a tennis twist and is open to all abilities - come and give it a try!
Advanced Ladies’ Tennis Group - Mondays @ 8:45-10:15am
ESTA runs a ladies’ group for its more advanced players on Monday mornings after drop off.
Please contact Kirsti at ESTA to sign up or for more information on our summer term programme esta@effinghamschools.org
Save The Date! Play Your Way To Wimbledon event - Friday 23rd May
ESTA is excited to running the Play Your Way to Wimbledon event on Friday 23rd May from 4:30pm at St Teresa’s. This event is open to boys and girls aged 11-14 (born 2011-2014) and is a fantastic opportunity to literally play your way to Wimbledon! The winner of this event goes through to the county finals with the potential to make it to the national finals held on the grass courts of Wimbledon.
There are certificates, prizes and medals for players. Parents are very welcome to come along to watch the matches and enjoy a BBQ at the clubhouse.
We will also host some fun drills and skills for our players outside of this age bracket.
Soup
Main Vietnamese Stir
Fried Pork with Pak Choi & Sweet Chilli Dressing
Crispy Panko
Vegetarian
Sweet Potato with Curry Sauce
Sticky BBQ chicken Drumsticks
Honey Roasted Gammon with Stuffing & Gravy
Macaroni
Cheese Bar
BBQ Pulled Pork
Freshly Battered
Fish or Breaded
Fish Fillet with Ketchup and Tartare Sauce
Sides
Additional
Egg Noodles
Broccoli
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Jerk Quorn and Vegetable Ragout
Feta & Spinach Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Steamed
Vegetable Rice
Corn on the Cob Garlic & Thyme Roasted Potatoes
Pasta with Tomato & Basil Sauce
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Chewy
Dessert
Chocolate Chip Flapjack
Banana Upsidedown Sponge with Custard
Green Beans
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Passionfruit & Mango Cheesecake
Items in Italic - Sourced from F Conisbee’s, our local butcher
