This week, we were treated to two outstanding Nativity performances by Lower Prep. The children were delighted to see their families as we celebrated this season of good cheer with a heartwarming message of peace, joy and love. My thanks go to all those involved in preparing the children for these occasions. As I am sure you can imagine, a tremendous amount of work goes on behind the scenes so our gratitude goes to the facilities, catering, sound, film, and lighting teams, as well as the staff and families for their support in rehearsing with the children.
Having been the performers at the start of the week, Lower Prep became the audience at the pantomime this morning as they headed off to watch a very entertaining presentation of ‘Beauty and the Beast’.
Congratulations to our U11 footballers on their incredible achievements this year. After a decisive semi-final in the Surrey Cup, they went on to dominate the final with an incredible 9-0 win, securing the title of county champions. Well done to the boys involved, and a big thank you to the staff and families for their support. It marked a very successful week of sporting fixtures, with our rugby teams also recording a clean sweep of wins against St George’s and Shrewsbury House.
We extend our best wishes to all our musicians. Many have undertaken their ABRSM examinations this week, and our Lower Prep Chamber Choir will be performing at a local church service as part of their Advent preparations. Looking ahead, we are looking forward to next week’s Carol Service and Friday’s Christmas Jumper Day, which will raise funds in aid of Save the Children.
Mr Heaver
Lower Prep Nativity
This week, the children thrilled us with their wonderful performance of the I’m Gonna Shine! Nativity. We are so proud of each and every one of them for their incredible efforts. Every child truly sparkled in their own unique way, demonstrating the dedication they put into rehearsals to refine their speaking and singing skills. Watching them give their all during the final performances was an absolute joy a memorable celebration of their talent and hard work.
Mrs Green
Inter House STEM Challenge
Pupils across the Upper Prep took part in a Science and Technology design challenge this week, with the brief to build the tallest tower using only spaghetti and marshmallows. Working with a limited budget of 250g of spaghetti and 5 marshmallows, students had just 12 minutes to assemble the tallest stable structure they could.
Innovation and teamwork were evident across all six houses, and it was a close competition, with Borelli, Tyler, and Radford building towers of 52 cm, 51 cm, and 53 cm respectively. Ultimately, Stokes House triumphed with an impressive tower measuring 70 cm.
Congratulations to all the groups in each house who built the winning towers, and thank you to the brilliant House staff who led this activity.
Dr
Verny White, Head of 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 6 pupils took on the creative challenge of crafting origami shapes, each containing a heartfelt message of appreciation for the important women in their lives. As part of the activity, they learned about the many influential women in the Bible and worked together to produce this beautiful display in celebration of the women in their own lives.
Women are vital to the Bible's narrative, playing key roles in creation, redemption, and the establishment of the early church, and are depicted as having equal inherent value to men in God's eyes.
Mr Phillips
Year 6 Religious Studies
Maths Mentors
Each week during the lunchtime Mathslink club, the Year 6 mentors bring energy, patience, and enthusiasm to help the Upper Prep Year 4 and 5 students grow in confidence with their Maths. Working in small groups or oneto-one, the mentors explain tricky concepts, share useful strategies, and encourage younger pupils to tackle problems with a positive mindset. The sessions are friendly and collaborative, with mentors guiding rather than giving answers. Their support not only strengthens Maths skills across the school but also builds leadership, teamwork, and a strong sense of community among the mentors and students.
Ms Fagan
Year 2 News
In Art, Year 2 created some beautiful Cherry Blossom trees using sketching, painting and tissue paper as part of their China topic. They listened to relaxing Chinese music as they painted and they all thoroughly enjoyed the process. The finished pictures are stunning. Well done, Year 2!
Mrs Green
Reception News
This week in RE, Reception learnt about Advent. We now understand that it is a special time when people prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. We also reflected on how Mary and Joseph had to wait and get ready for Jesus’ birth. As a class, we carefully created our own Advent wreath by cutting out and sticking the leaves and candles onto it. We learnt that each candle represents something important: hope, peace, love, joy, and the birth of Jesus.
Mrs Prothero
U11 FOOTBALL SURREY CUP CHAMPIONS!
What an amazing afternoon for our U11 football team! After progressing through several rounds and securing victories in both the quarter-final and semi-final over the past two weeks, the team delivered a phenomenal performance in the Surrey Cup Final. From the first whistle, they played with skill and confidence, combining superb attacking play with solid defending. Within just 10 minutes, they were 5-0 ahead and it only got better! Maintaining their determination and resilience throughout the second half, they finished with an outstanding 9-0 win.
A huge congratulations to our talented U11 team we are incredibly proud of you all! Thank you to the parents, families, and supporters who cheered them on. This remarkable achievement comes just two weeks after our U13 team narrowly missed out on the National Championship title, finishing as runners-up. These fantastic results highlight the strength of Cranmore’s football programme, and we are thrilled to see our students excelling both on and off the pitch.
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
Ski Club News
The final Ski Club session of the term featured thrilling individual and team dual slalom races, with competitors navigating gates and tackling jumps a fantastic way to wrap up the season!
Ski Club will resume on Monday, 12th January. If you would like your child to take part, please email max.barson@cranmore.org and keep an eye out for the Ski Club letters.
Mr Barson, Head of Skiing
A Message from our Chaplaincy Team
This Week
A reading from the Book of Isaiah
A shoot springs from the stock of Jesse, a scion thrusts from his roots: on him the spirit of the Lord rests, a spirit of wisdom and insight, a spirit of counsel and power, a spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
Reflection
As we journey through this Advent season, we enter a time of waiting, pausing, expecting. In our fastpaced world, impatience comes easily. Traffic jams, long queues at the post office so many things test our patience. We want everything done now, quickly, without delay. Yet Advent reminds us that good things take time. We are called to be patient with ourselves, with others, and with the way God answers our prayers. Look at nature: growth is slow and steady. Good things take time. God is at work within us and in our lives, carefully and deliberately bringing things together. This Advent, let us wait on Him and trust His timing.
Prayer
My loving Jesus, May we choose You, this Advent, as our King and God.
May we abandon ourselves to You and seek to put all our trust in Your tender care.
Draw us close to You and free us from all things that separate us from you.
Amen
“It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the most exquisitely beautiful pictures.”
– St. André Bessette
Designed by Sebastian C (4CC)
Week 1 Monday Tuesday Wednesday
Soup Soup of the day
Soup of the day
Soup of the day
Main
Vegetarian
Locally Sourced Pork Sausages with Onion Gravy
Grilled Piri Piri
Chicken with Homemade piri piri sauces
Sides
Additional
Vegan Sausages with Onion Gravy
Sticky BBQ Cauliflower Wings
Slow Roasted Beef
Dessert
Mashed Potatoes Panache of Mixed Vegetables
Cajun Potato Wedges Rainbow Slaw
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread Salad bar
Prep School
Harrison Bear 1st
Stop Cyprus –
Shamali
Senior SchoolApple & Winter
Berry Crumble with Custard
Pasta with Tomato & Basil Sauce
Freshly Baked Bread Salad bar
Prep School
Harrison Bear 2nd
Stop Latvia –
Aleksandra Kuka
Senior School - Old
School Cake
Lasagne with a Mozzarella Top Fish or Breaded Fish
Fillet with Ketchup and Tartare Sauce
Turkey With Cranberry Stuffing
Spinach Butternut and Feta Gnocchi Bake Stuffed Mushrooms
Brie, Cranberries, Butternut Squash Filo Parcels
Roasted Potatoes
Honey Glazed
Garlic Bread Broccoli
Chunky Chips Garden Peas
Roasted Parsnips & Carrots Sprouts
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread Salad bar
Prep school
Harrison Bear 3rd
Stop Estonia –Kringle
Senior SchoolMillionaire
Shortbread
Items in Italic - Sourced from F Conisbee’s, our local butcher
