I am sure that I was not the only one waiting eagerly, but with a sense of trepidation, for Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Budget. Most of us are scrutinising our household spending on a regular basis concerned about the cost of putting the central heating on and getting the weekly shop in. A significant part of your hard-earned money goes, of course, on Crosfields. We are very conscious in school that very few families do not have to give the fees a second thought and that almost all would think twice, hard and long about having to take pupils out. Just as parents have had household budgets escalated, so too have the running cost of the school. I was explaining to older pupils in this morning’s school council meeting that their families have a boiler – we have 23 – they are conscious of the food cost for a family and we feed about 850. The one thing I do want to say about these obvious realities is that, as a school, we do not take for granted the sacrifices made by parents and we will do our utmost to do what we can to keep costs in check. This was the reason behind our recent financial survey and will be the reasoning behind all our future decisions.
2022 Carol Service
Rehearsals are well underway for one of the most special events of the Crosfields’ year, our school Carol Service, which will take place on Tuesday 6th December at 19:00 in the beautiful and atmospheric chapel of Wellington College in Crowthorne (RG45 7PU). This will be our first Carol Service since 2019.
The following choirs will be singing at the Service: Years 3 & 4 Boys’ and Girls’ choirs; Years 5 & 6 choirs; Lower Senior School and Upper Senior School choirs.
A number of children from Years 3 to 10 have been selected to give readings which, together with special music and familiar Carols sung by everyone, tell the Christmas story.
The chapel seats approximately 700 people. Parents and pupils (we suggest of Year 2 age and above) are warmly invited to the Service, which will last about an hour. Crosfields’ pupils and students should wear their school uniform.
There will be a retiring cash collection which will be donated to Daisy’s Dream, a local charity providing invaluable support for children and their families who have been affected by the life-threatening illness or bereavement of someone close to them.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Please remember that there is no after school care facility beyond 16:30 on Tuesday 6th December.
This half term we will be holding four separate online parents’ evenings across the school. These appointments need to be booked online and will take place virtually on SchoolCloud, an online platform.
Junior School
Year 4: November 21st and 24th (Appointments go live to parents from midday on 14th November)
Year 6: November 28th and December 1st (Appointments go live to parents from midday on 21st November)
Senior School
Year 10: December 5th and 7th (Appointments go live to parents from midday on 28th November)
Parents are invited to choose a five-minute time slot with their child’s individual subject teachers and a confirmation email of your appointments will be sent to you once you have booked them.
The booking system opens at midday on the dates indicated above. Should you have any problems, or wish to make any changes to your bookings, please contact parentsevening@crosfields.com
Associated Board Music Exams for both Juniors and Seniors
There will be two dates for our Associated Board Exams towards the end of the Autumn Term owing to the vast numbers of students involved.
Friday 25th November will be for Prep Test Violins and Mrs Raggett’s singing pupils.
Thursday 1st December will be for the remaining candidates.
Times will be circulated after half term.
Mr Richard Adams, Director of Music
Laptop Requirements for the Senior School
No doubt as Father Christmas is on his way, we have had a couple of requests from families in Years 5 and 6 as to what the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) requirements are for the Senior School.
Please click herefor the most recent letter detailing the different routes on offer to sourcing a device. One route is the offer available through our partnered provider offering Microsoft Surface devices and this would open in the Summer Term for Year 6. The other is to source your own device and the recommended minimum requirements are detailed. Those confirmed as joining Year 7 will be sent the updated 2022-23 letter at the start of the Summer Term.
