Well done to our Ski Squad for their success at the Surrey Schools Ski Championships over the weekend. There were some amazing individual performances and our teams earned silver in both the Junior and Senior competitions.
Our week got off to a busy start, welcoming our external 11+ candidates for their Pre-Test Assessment and Interview Day. Internal pupils are guaranteed the offer of a place within the Senior School, but they were also busy with applications for scholarships in Art, Drama, Music and Sport. My thanks to all those involved.
On Tuesday, we were joined by acclaimed writer and comedian Steve Williams. Years 3 and 4 had a lot of fun exploring how to use synonyms and homophones with a view to developing their creative writing skills.
Thank you to those who were able to attend the Voicebox Healthy Masculinity parent webinar. Staff had already benefitted from a visit by Fredi, who led the talk, and it was a very insightful presentation with a powerful message.
In addition to the Reading Challenge, which is now and up and running in the Library, we are inviting children from Year 4 upwards to take part in the Bebras Challenge 2025. This has been launched by Mr Afana and introduces students to the idea of computational thinking. Good luck to all those taking part in these exciting challenges.
Mr Heaver
Pupils in Years 3 and 4 were thrilled to meet visiting author Steve Williams on Tuesday. He is a critically-acclaimed Welsh comedian and writer. He has performed all over the world, on TV and radio, and has (written and) starred in BBC's Russell Howard's Good News, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and ITV's Tonight at the Palladium. He has recently put his hand to writing children’s books and has had two books published so far with a third on the way.
Steve delighted pupils with interactive games and competitions. He taught them about homophones and synonyms in a very entertaining way and left them feeling inspired about writing their own stories. Pupils posed a series of interesting questions to Steve and learnt a great deal about the creative writing process.
Many pupils received signed copies of his first book, Teachers vs Aliens vs The Kids which were preordered for them. If you did not order a copy for your child but would still like them to have a signed copy, you can buy your own copy of the book and Steve will send us signed book plates. Please email sian.watkinson@cranmore.org.
Mrs Watkinson, School Librarian
Steve Williams Author Visit
Before half term, Year 4 and Science Club explored electricity in a creative way.
Using playdough, they built circuits and investigated how adding salt affects conductivity. They discovered that:
• LEDs only light up in one direction (they have polarity).
• LED bulbs need a higher voltage to make them illuminate than the filament bulbs we use in circuits experiments.
• Non-conducting dough, made to a different recipe, offered the opportunity to get creative and make some fantastic animal-themed models including butterflies.
The Year 4 pupils have now started learning about Forces and Friction and are looking forward to more investigations into Streamlining and Air Resistance in the next two weeks.
Dr Verny White, Head of Upper Prep Science
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.
Year 2 News
Year 2 pupils have started learning about coding in computing. We learnt what an algorithm is and how they are used to make computer systems work. The children then tried out creating their own algorithm on Scratch Junior, making a digital character move and talk. It was one of the highlights of their week!
Year 1 pupils have been thoroughly enjoying their new topic, The Gunpowder Plot. Mrs Parker and Mrs Leclezio have been so impressed with the children’s enthusiasm and curiosity as they learn about this exciting part of history. In art, the children explored the work of Claude Monet and created beautiful pieces inspired by his style, depicting the Houses of Parliament reflected on the River Thames.
Their creativity and effort have truly shone through!
Mrs Parker
Bebras Challenge
We are excited to announce our school's annual participation in the Bebras Challenge, which is open to all pupils from Years 4 to 11. The Bebras Challenge 2025 is an engaging international competition that introduces pupils to computational thinking through thought-provoking puzzles and a problem-solving set of challenges. Organised by the Raspberry Pi Foundation in the UK, this challenge offers young people anexcellent opportunity to explore the world of computing in an accessible and inspiring way.
Mr Afana, Head of ICT
Upper Prep School Council
On Wednesday, our Upper Prep School Council representatives gathered over a selection of delicious pastries to share and discuss ideas for enhancing school life. Suggestions ranged from introducing new lunch options to creating additional clubs and planning fundraising activities.
We truly appreciate our representatives for taking the time to listen to their peers and bring forward their thoughtful contributions.
On Sunday 16th November, three girls from Manor House and twenty-six boys from Cranmore competed in the Surrey Schools Ski Championships at Aldershot. Pupils from Years 1 to 11 took part.
Luke L, Charlie H, Otis P, and Harry L finished second in the Junior competition, with Aidan H, Sam S, Nyan P, and Toby H also securing second place in the Senior competition. Luke L finished as the 3rd fastest individual! Well done to all involved, especially those who raced for the first time!
Ski club continues to run under lights on Monday's 4pm-7pm, with the race squad also going to Aldershot on Friday evenings. On Monday 17th November the boys took part in some free style skiing at Sandown, combining jumps and race gates.
Pupils who wish to join the school ski programme should contact max.barson@cranmore.org
A Message from our Chaplaincy Team
This Week
A reading from the Gospel of Luke
At that time: Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.’
Reflection
There are many names and titles given to Jesus: Son of David, Son of Man, Bread of Life. This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. Jesus is King of Kings, yet His kingdom is not of this world, and He is unlike any other king. Christ comes to bring salvation. He seeks out those on the margins, restores the lost, and renews all things.
This week, we are invited to see things differently to climb whatever tree we must climb to gain a clearer view of Christ.
Prayer
Through Christ, we become children of God; in Him, we glimpse what we shall be when we come to the Father.
With confidence we pray: – Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Guide leaders and governments: give them wisdom and integrity. – Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. You are the Lord and source of our freedom: bring those in captivity of mind or body to the freedom of the children of God. – Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Amen
"Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society." ~ St Francis of Assisi
Soup Soup of the day
Soup of the day Soup of the day
Main Beef Massman Curry
Vegetarian Creamy Quorn and Vegetable
Panang Curry
Sides Garlic Naan Bread
Steamed Rice Green Beans
Hunters Chicken Roast Gammon with Stuffing & Gravy
Texan Stuffed
Sweet Potatoes
Autumn Vegetable Bake with a Cheddar and Herb Crumb
Neeps & Tatties Soup served with freshly made bread
