School News

This Week at CGPS

• Red Nose Day!  Donate vis this link
• Chicks: The chicks have been visiting classes, and the children have been practising “Spring Chicken” for our Easter Service next week.
• Special Visitors: Reverend Simon and his hedgehog, Christian, joined us for assembly, as well as Linda, our Church Warden and Governor.
• Bikeability: Pupils have been taking part in Bikeability sessions, both on school grounds and out on the road.
• Year 1 Visit: Year 1 had an exciting trip to Marwell Zoo this week.
• The Field: We’re delighted that the field has been back in use this week during break and lunch.

Places Available!

We have Pre-School places available for September. There is also some availability in our current Reception class and Year 3. If you are interested, please contact the school office to find out more or to arrange a visit.

Useful Educational Psychologist Advice on Fidget 'tools' 

• Being able to listen and do is a key step in the development of attention, and until age 5-6 it is difficult for children to both at once.   Some older children can't do this.  However, if objects that children are fiddling with are require concentration in order to operate them, they may well not be listening/looking at the task at hand.   If you need to stop thinking about the listening/looking to operate your fidget, then it's very likely not the right one to have picked. 
• I always suggest teaching kids the difference between tools and toys. Tools have a purpose and a job to do, we don't play with them, we work with them.  Toys are for fun.  Thus we need them to be using fidget tools, not fidget toys. 
•  We discussed this with two groups, and in one group all ended up with rubber fidget rings.

Cronka Bar Own Clothes Days

Some children have earned Own Clothes Days for their class through the Cronka Bars. These will take place on:

• Wednesday 25 March – Year 4
• Thursday 26 March – Year 1
• Friday 27^th March – Year 2

Check Out Our Spring Photos on Instagram

Spring is in the air, and our school community has already started capturing it! Head over to our Instagram page to see the wonderful spring moments shared so far, and then join in by entering our Spring Photo Competition.

How to enter:
• Snap a photo that shows the magic of spring – flowers, wildlife, skies, outdoor fun, or a special moment
• Email your photo to the school office
• Include your child’s name and class

Deadline: Monday 23rd March

Selected photos will be featured on Instagram and displayed in our local church. Get outside, explore, and start snapping – we can’t wait to see spring through your eyes!

Easter Bonnet/Hat/Cap Celebration

Children are warmly invited to make an Easter bonnet/hat/cap at home and bring it to school to wear during our Easter Service on Friday 27th March. We always love seeing the children’s creative designs filled with the colours and joy of spring.

Bonnet ideas might include flowers, chicks, eggs, ribbons or other signs of new life and springtime.

Unfortunately, there is not enough space for parents to attend the service at church, but we will make sure to share photographs. We look forward to celebrating together and seeing the children’s fantastic creations!

 

KS2 SATs 2026: What parents need to know -The Government page

 

 PTA update 

Tickets now on sale for Crowmarsh Quiz Night! 

Friday 17th April, 7pm for 7.30 start. 

£12.50 (plus a small transaction charge) per person includes entry, jacket spuds and yummy chilli. 

Bar available selling wine, prosecco, beer, lager and soft drinks. Please preorder wine so we have an idea of quantities.

Fun, games and brain aching questions.

Teams of up to 6 or join a team when you arrive. Open to all so do bring friends and family too.

Raising funds for the outdoor areas at school.

Please support and please book early! Cut off date Tuesday 14th April.

See you there!

 https://www.pta-events.co.uk/crowmarshprimaryschool/index.cfm?event=event&eventId=113268

Thames Run

Entries Open for the Wallingford Thames Run; Volunteers Urgently Required

Calling all runners! Registration is now open for the Wallingford Thames Run – a much-loved fixture of the summer sporting calendar.

This year’s race takes place at 9am on Sunday June 7, starting and ending at Crowmarsh Gifford Primary School. Runners can opt to enter the 5k or the 10k event, with a delightfully messy Colour Dash race for budding young athletes of school age following the main races.

There’s good news for junior racers, too: As of this year, anyone aged 11 or above on race day can enter the 5k, with those aged 15 and above eligible for the 10k.

Boasting an almost entirely flat course and (fingers crossed) optimal running conditions, this is an unmissable event for beginners – or veterans chasing a personal best time!

All proceeds go to the Crowmarsh Gifford Primary School’s PTA, which helps the school with much-needed funding, and the Crowmarsh-based charity Style Acre – which helps local people with learning disabilities and autism.

Please visit https://wallingfordthamesrun.co.uk/ to enter today!

If running isn’t your thing, the committee urgently needs volunteers who can help marshal the race, help set everything up, hand out water and medals… and much, much more!

No previous experience is required – and the committee has promised to provide plenty of snacks and refreshments to everyone who kindly gives up their Sunday morning to help raise money for the school and Style Acre. Please register your interest by sending an email to thamesruncommittee@gmail.com.

Can you help support the Thames Run?

We’re looking for local parents and residents to help spread the word about this fantastic community event on 7th June!

Thanks to the generous support of In-House Estate Agents, we have advertising boards ready to be placed outside homes across Wallingford and the surrounding villages.

 Displaying a board is a simple but powerful way to raise awareness and boost participation.

 If you’re happy to have a board outside your home, we’d love to hear from you!

 Email: thamesruncommittee@gmail.com

  WhatsApp Josie: 07812 586988

 Thank you for making the Thames Run such a success.

 

Dates for Your Diary

Term Dates up until 2028 are available here

Monday 23^rd March: Rock Steady Concert for Rock Steady Parents 2:30pm

Wednesday 25th March: Parent Open Classrooms, after school

Friday 27^th March: Easter Service – wear an Easter bonnet.

School closes for Easter a full day, no after school club

Monday 13^th April: School Reopens for all children

Friday 17^th April: PTA Parent Quiz Night

Wednesday 6^th May: Wallingford Book Fair in school (1 day only)

Half term: Monday 25^th – Friday 29^th May

Monday 1^st June: INSET Day, school closed for children

Friday 5^th June: Make the Rules Day

Sunday 7^th June: Thames Run

Saturday 20^th June: Wallingford Carnival

Thursday 25^th June : Year 6 Production – 2pm, Year 6 parents welcome

Friday 26^th June: Sports Day (Reception -Year 6 morning races, All - picnic lunch, Pres School races after lunch)

Week beginning 29^th June: Penny Wars

Thursday 2^nd July: Transition Day. Year 6 visit new secondary schools.

Monday 13^th July: Rock Steady Concert for Rock Steady Parents 2:30pm

Friday 17^th July: Year 6 Leavers Event – 2pm, Year 6 parents’ welcome

Monday 20^th July:  School closes for summer a full day, no after school club

Thursday 3^rd September: School reopens for all children

 

🎾 FREE Tennis Open Day – This Sunday! 🎾

These guys are coming to school next week! …..Looking for something fun, active and completely free this weekend? Why not give tennis a go! Children are invited to join a FREE 60-minute tennis taster session at a local club this Sunday. These sessions are perfect for beginners and a great way to build confidence, learn new skills and have lots of fun.

What to expect:
✔ Fun games and mini challenges
✔ Friendly, experienced coaches
✔ All equipment provided
✔ A welcoming environment for all abilities

📅 Sunday 22 March

Choose from two local venues:

🎾 Portcullis Tennis Club – 10:00–11:00
📍 Wallingford Sports Park, Hithercroft, Wallingford, OX10 9RB
🔗 Book here: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/NTASouthOxon/Coaching/Session/5becf869-477d-4ed4-aaed-2e3beac5d4ab

🎾 Blewbury Tennis Club – 14:00–15:00
📍 The Recreation Ground, Bohams Road, Didcot, OX11 9HB
🔗 Book here: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/NTASouthOxon/Coaching/Session/69de0fea-9a45-4e0e-a607-2ba7ea8dff09

What to bring:

• Trainers
• Water bottle
• Big smiles and lots of energy!

⭐ Plus, all attendees will receive an exclusive on-the-day offer!

Spaces are limited – booking is essential, so please use the links above to secure your place.

If you have any questions, please contact:
📧 hello@nationaltennis.org.uk
📞 0330 551 9496