Pupils throughout Crosfields School in Shinfield have been celebrating all things European in a special ‘Euro Week’ from 24^th-28^th May.

Each morning in assembly, or ‘Collect’, classes have performed music and readings from the main countries of Spain, France, Italy and Germany.    Lunchtimes have been themed with foods typical of these countries and during the week there have been quizzes on the school website, musical recitals in the quad and language class work.

Thursday was officially ‘European Day’ with all the children coming to school dressed in costumes.   Year 2 held a café for Nursery and Reception, there were pains au chocolat at breaktime, short plays in French, Spanish and Latin  and even games of boules in the school grounds.

Parents were also able to join in the fun, with a celebratory meal at The French Horn restaurant in Sonning where they enjoyed exquisite food and wines from France.

Jonathan Wansey, Headmaster, said:

“Last year we held a very successful French Week and this year we decided to extend this to include other important European countries to give a greater variety of activities and help our pupils learn about our neighbours!      It has been a wonderful way to inspire them in so many areas of learning – not just linguistics, but geography, art, drama, music, food technology and sport as well.    Many thanks to all the staff for their hard work during this very enjoyable and special week.”

Pupils at Crosfields have enjoyed studying in the sunshine this week.  The school has over 40 acres of grounds and has recently introduced a new ‘outdoor classroom’ area where pupils can study.   Good use has been made of the ‘classroom’ since it opened, with children throughout Crosfields using it as a quiet shaded area for their lessons as well as making use of the surroundings for their learning.

Crosfields’ golfers are celebrating a fantastic win at a Prep Schools tournament held at Bradfield College on Sunday 16^th May.  Young golfers from eight local Prep schools competed on the nine hole full length course and the standard of play was extremely high.

Despite the dismal weather, spirits were high and Crosfields’ golfers played superbly.  It was both a great team effort with strong individual performances throughout.  Crosfields won the Under 13 section and took 2^nd place in the Under 11 section and this combined total resulted in an overall joint win with Hallgrove School to take the title of Bradfield College Prep Schools Golf Tournament Winners for 2010.

In addition, Jack Banton won the prize for the longest drive and was 3^rd individually in the U13s competition and Matthew Roberts was placed 2^nd individually in the U11s match.

Many congratulations to U13 pair  -  Jack Banton and Edward Warren and the U11 pair – Matthew Roberts and Alex Sutton.

Year 1 pupils from Crosfields enjoyed a visit to Windsor recently as part of their study of homes.

During their private tour of the castle, they saw the State apartments, Queen Mary’s Dolls House, which is the most famous dolls house in the world, and St George’s Chapel and learnt more about the Queen’s life at Windsor in a special educational workshop.   They were also lucky enough to visit on a day when the Changing of the Guard was taking place and loved watching the marching by the guards in their bearskins.

Mrs Janey McDowell, Head of the Pre-Prep department at Crosfields, said:

 “This was a wonderful way for our children to learn more about English heritage and the life of a Queen today.    To see the Changing of the Guard as well was a real highlight and I am sure the trip will really help to illustrate our classroom studies.”

Crosfields School is celebrating excellent success in recent senior school entry awards.  Nine pupils have gained Scholarships to their senior schools at 13+ entry and one has achieved a coveted 13+ place at Reading School.

Congratulations to Joseph Bartlett on his Drama Award to Shiplake College; Joel Allen for his All-round Award to Shiplake College; Rohin Dale for his Music Award to Lord Wandsworth College and Matthew Shakespeare for an All-round Award, also to Lord Wandsworth College.   Todd Harris wins a Music Award to Wellington College while Max Hemmings achieved the prestigious Dr Gray’s All-round Award to Bradfield College.  Three pupils were offered awards to Pangbourne College – Oliver Costin-Pratt a Design Technology Award, Benjamin Davis a Drama Award and Willoughby Wilding-Taylor an All-round Award.    Sam Dalton wins a much sought-after place at Reading School.

Jonathan Wansey, Headmaster, commented:

“What wonderful achievements by our Year 8 pupils.   All our Year 8s have gained places at their senior schools of first choice once again.   There is increasing competition both for scholarships at independent senior schools and also for 13+ entry to Reading School and I am delighted that the hard work by both staff and children has been so well rewarded.  I wish all our Year 8 leavers every success with their future studies.”

The Crosfields Pre-Prep girls are loving their new summer dresses.   As you can see, the dresses are hard wearing enough to withstand the playground while also looking very smart!

Backwater of the Thames at Sonning, by Andrew Smith

On Tuesday 25^th May, at part Crosfields’ Euro Week, you are invited to The French Horn at Sonning for a classic French Dinner in a private Dining Room, complemented with exquisite fine French wines.  The cost is just £70 per person so please come as a singleton, couple, or with a group of friends and family to enjoy a memorable evening.  This will be the perfect way to celebrate something!

Canapés & Kir Royal
(served on the terrace, weather permitting)

Amuse - Bouche

Tian de Crab

Sorbet Champagne

Agneau Provencale

Assiette de Desserts

Café & Petit Fours.

Les vins -  Macon Lugny, Les Genievres, Magnums Chateau Lescalle.

Please email michael@thefrenchhorn.co.uk to discuss and confirm your booking.

The tension is mounting at Crosfields with just two days to go until the election.  Candidates from Year 6 from each of the three main parties will be presenting their manifestos in Collect on Wednesday morning and there will be voting during Thursday morning’s registration.

Conservatives:   Leader – Matthew Denham; Deputy Leaders – Christian Miller and William Cross

Labour:  Leader – George Hale; Deputy Leader – Matthew Atkins; Campaign Manager – Jimmy Martin

Liberal Democrats:  Leader – Edward Corbett;  Deputy Leader – Luke Wilson

Good luck to all the candidates.  It will be interesting to see if the Crosfields voters concur with the National result!

Reception pupils at Crosfields were thrilled to collect eggs laid by the school’s very own chickens this week.   The chickens are kept in Headmaster Jonathan Wansey’s garden.  He invited them to come and see the chickens and told them about how they are kept, feeding habits and how many eggs they lay.    A lovely Easter treat to mark the end of another busy and successful term at Crosfields!