October 24th 2025
First half term done!
We're eight weeks through the school year 2025/26 - that's 20% of the year gone already! I've spent a lot of time in classrooms, and showing round prospective parents, and everywhere I go I see children who are really throwing themselves into their work and wanting to improve. Of course, sometimes they have bad days, but that's just part of life, and they learn that tomorrow is another day.
Year 6 have been out on a really important trip to "Crucial Crew". This is all about them navigating safety issues now and as they get older, whether that's safety near railways, giving CPR or a host of other scenarios. I know they all had a great time and learnt a lot.
If you were out and about on the local streets a couple of weeks ago, you'd have seen some of our Upper School children doing their "Bikeability" training: another very important skill. They all have to wear helmests for this, and it's a little disappointing to see how few children then wear helmets when cycling to school. A fall from a bike can cause life-threatening or life-changing injuries. Please put safety above hair styles!
We recently had a review meeting with two Directors of Education from Danes Educational Trust (DET). They were so happy with the standards being achieved by our children. In fact, they repeatedly said that there are many aspects of Cranbourne life and practice that we should be sharing with other schools. That's always nice to hear!
Ask your children (year 2 up) about "comfort - stretch - panic". This is how we talk to the children about their learning. "Comfort" is exactly what it sounds like - it's very comfortable, you know what you're doing so there's not a lot of learning going on. "Stretch" is where we want the children to be - the learning is stretching them. "Panic" is not a fun place to be, but actually it's ok to experience every now and then so you learn to get out of it.
It's been lovely to see so much focus on our DET 5Cs this term - communication, curiosity, creativity, courage and compassion. The children live up to these daily, and they are constantly referred to throughout school. Maybe over half term you'll be able to use them with your children.
It was lovely to see so many parents and children at our recent Meet the Teacher evenings, whether you had an in-person or face to face meeting. If you couldn't make it, it's never too late to book in a meeting with your child's teacher. Just drop us a line or give us a call to set something up.
If you email into school please don't expect an immediate response. No members of staff are glued to their emails all day. Often it can be the end of the day before we see them, and then we may need time to look into whatever it is you are asking about. We aim to get back to you within 48 hours if we can; we can often be quicker than this and sometimes a little slower. Teh same is true if you need a letter from us or forms filled in - we cannot do these immediately.
The first Cranbourne Welly Swap was a great success! We still have a few sizes left over, so please come and see us if you need a pair. Hang onto your old wellies when we get through the winter, as we'll be repeating this next year.
Have a great half term everybody, and we'll see you on November 3rd.
Rachel Semark
Headteacher, on behalf of the Cranbourne team
