A victory for fun and food! We dressed in red and blue, marched through history, and celebrated with the ultimate British combo — fish & chips followed by scones, jam & cream.

Big shout out to our amazing Art Club for creating a stunning display for the Earth Trust Spring Festival! Your creativity and hard work helped showcase our school to the and community!

We have had a really busy term with a big focus on sports. Recently all schools across the UK were given the opportunity to take part in the schools’ football week – organised by the FA. To raise money for the school’s tournament kit students have been bringing in old equipment e.g. football kits, dance shoes, etc and will hold a second-hand sale after Easter.  

In our school around 130 students have taken part in the tournament and have been making their own teams of 5 across all year groups. The tournament helps to encourage new hobbies relating to football and getting into fitness. We’ve had assigned coaches for the younger teams and those who might not know lots about football or need support with learning how to play the game. We also had year 6 students being the referees for the games to make sure it all goes fairly. Here are what our referees think, “I have refereed a few games and think it is a great idea to have the tournament” Elizabeth exclaimed. “Being a referee was so fun seeing how the children can play and learn,” said Freya.  

This term we also attended a local schools’ netball tournament which was for year 3 and 4. Our netball teams came second and third. What an amazing achievement! We also attended a year 5 and 6 rugby tournament, where our team came first! Here’s what one of our players had to say, “Our teams played very well, and it was such great fun!”  

On Red Nose Day all of the students at Crowmarsh dressed up in red along with hundreds of other schools across the UK. This year we raised a whopping £524 for Comic Relief. 

To end the Spring term, Crowmarsh school went to Crowmarsh church for their Easter service. We sang 3 songs including Spring Chicken, Hosanna and Risen. We would like to thank rev Kev for all he’s done for the school and wish him all the best for his retirement.

By Nancy and Keira

There were sone amazing Easter hats on show!

We raised £511 by dressing up in red!

Mr Smith organised a great Science week for us.

The theme of Science Week 2025 was 'Change and Adapt'.  Across the week, children across the school explored a variety of activities to develop their understanding of changes and adaptation in the natural world.  Some of these activities included exploring wing shapes of migratory birds and how these shapes could be incorporated to develop more fuel-efficient aeroplanes; making seed bombs and planting seeds; exploring animal adaptations; creating habitats for axolotls on Minecraft and many more exciting things. 

We also had a Science Sale to raise more money for science resources for lesson and extra-curricular clubs.  

Photos of Science week

YEAR 6 VISIT JOHN RADCLIFF HOSPITAL AND THE OXFORD FIRE STATION 

Junior Citizens provides a school trip for local year 6 children to learn how to be safe around the things they are around the most. It gives you a realistic life experience of what could happen, which we might come across more as we become more independent. 

Year 6 recently went to the Rewley Road Fire Station in Oxford. When we got there, we were led to different numbered rooms. Each room had a different scenario set up to help us to learn how to be safe in different ways. For example, one room had been set up with a road traffic accident, another was how to help if someone is drowning in the river. JJ said, “It made us think about our safety.” Everyone had the chance to practise making a 999 call and talk through the emergency with the call handler – they were all pretending! Imogen said, “I liked making the 999 calls.” 

As we are developing our independence, we also visited John Radcliffe Hospital to take part in their Injury Minimisation Programme. They showed us what A&E looks like (in case we ever need to go), examples of different injuries that can occur and how to prevent them (wearing a bike helmet is so important!), how to deal with finding needles and sharp objects out and about, and how to provide CPR.  

Overall, everyone loved the trips and now feel more confident about how to keep themselves and others safe.  

By Elden and Amelie

Another incredible experience in Birmingham for our Young Voices Choir. We sang with Tommy Blaize the Strictly Come Dancing Singer!

Year 3 Explores Ancient Egypt 

Year 3 students have been diving into the wonders of Ancient Egypt, discovering the fascinating history of pharaohs, pyramids, and mummies. In class, they have been learning about the ancient civilization’s daily life, gods, and the process of mummification. 

Year 6 Reporters for Crowmarsh News

Year 4 Cadburys world experience 

Year 4 students had an exciting day out at Cadbury World this week, where they explored the delicious world of chocolate! The children took part in fun, interactive activities, learning about the history of Cadbury and how their favourite treats are made. They even got to see how chocolate is produced and enjoy a variety of chocolate-themed attractions. It was an educational and sweet experience that everyone will remember for a long time! 

Year 6 Reporters for Crowmarsh News

This year the whole school enjoyed a performance of Cinderella. Oh yes we did! It was very entertaining and fun to watch. They gave us lots of high fives and did an amazing job as there were only 4 of them preforming 7 roles! Here is a quote from Mrs Hurley who danced in the panto with Jasper “Being nominated to dance was exciting but nerve wracking. Luckily Jasper wanted to come with me. He made me less nervous. The loud encouragement from the crowd also made me less nervous. The panto team were outstanding and fantastic.” There you have it - thank you so much Mrs Hurley. 

Year 6 Reporters for Crowmarsh News

This month here at Crowmarsh, we have been busy with Christmas nativities, church services, and our Christmas fete.  

 On the 30th of November, the PTA held a Christmas fete here at the school. Some of the stalls included: biscuit decorating, jumble sales, Christmas jumper sales and pick a present for a relative. Everyone did an amazing job and in total we raised a whopping £1516.09. So, a big well done to everyone who helped raise that amazing sum of money. 

As always at Christmas time, classes put on a nativity or carol concert, all telling the same story from the very first Christmas night, when Jesus was born. This week, we asked some pupils about how they are finding their performance. "I like the songs because they are really funny," said a year 3. "I like the story. We are telling-the grinch." But as a teacher is it more hectic than it is for the children? We interviewed two teachers. "It is nice to be able to tell the Christmas story with lots of cheerful songs," Mrs Cooper said. "So sweet, love it but a bit hectic," Mrs Hurley added. But one of the most important things is that it is the last nativity of the Year 6s! "It was really fun -one of the best times EVER" Anja said.  

Year 6 Reporters for Crowmarsh News

Children in Need

We raised £318 for Children in Need by dressing i our own clothes for the day

Year 6 Reporters for Crowmarsh News

Remembrance Day  

This remembrance day,  year six have put Poppy’s on their outside door, read Flanders field in the assembly and sold poppy’s snap bands wrist bands key rings and finally paper poppies.

Year 6 Reporters for Crowmarsh News

IN THE FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT YR 5 AND 6 DID VERY WELL COMING IN 4TH PLACE! 

Grace an Alex attended this tournament and said, “It was really fun and we did really well to come fourth out of 10 teams.” Grace added, “I really enjoyed the tournament and hope there is another. We lost 2, drew 1 and won1!” With a score of two goals Juno and Penelope celebrated cheerfully. 

Year 6 Reporters for Crowmarsh News

SCHOOL HARVEST FESTIVAL ASSEMBLY 

All of KS1 and KS2 went to Crowmarsh Gifford Church to take part in the Harvest Service. All of the harvest donations from the school were taken there and the community had a chance to reflect on how lucky we are to have the things that we have. It was great fun to sing along to Harvest Samba and some of the Year 6 children shared some wise words and led some prayers. We are looking forward to the Christmas service and hope that Reception class are able to join us too!

By Nancy  and Freya 

On Friday 6th September, Year 6 visited West Wittering Beach for the day. Although the weather was against us, everyone had a brilliant day.

There was plenty to do. “Some people were drawing in the sand, including me” said Amelie. Austin added, “Everyone was swimming and having fun.” The class were in good spirits as they had the freedom to play on the beach and in the sea. Even the staff enjoyed the day. “Although it was a wet and windy day, it was a privilege to take the Year 6s to the beach and we had a very good time.” Rumour has it, a lovely stranger even sent a nice hot coffee out to Mrs Eaglen who supervised in the rain for the entire day!

On reflection, everyone had such a great time and they would highly recommend a trip to the beach in the rain.

By Keira  and Elizabeth

Thanks to the dedication of the Walker family, parents, children and staff, we came 2nd in the schools' category at the Wallingford Carnival. We had a great time thinking about who our heroes are.

When Roman day came we did a series of activities including writing our names how the Romans did. This day included not just learning about the Romans but also having lots of fun. We had a little bit of Roman food and even did our own battle. It gave us a great opportunity to experience the Roman way of life. We learnt much more and now know what it might have been like to be a Roman soldier. We played Roman games and made mosaics and some other challenges.

SC - Year 3

Our KS1 Football team were the overall winners of the local schools football tournament. The competition took place at Benson Park and both teams the school entered played with sportsmanship and enthusiasm.

Years 5 & 6 have enjoyed French cafés this term! Organised by our staff and supported by French-speaking visitors, it was a great opportunity for the children to practise their French and enjoy French cuisine.

We took part in National Science Week!

Our Year 4 girls representing us at the Wallingford Netball Tournament.

The largest children’s choir in the world! Crowmarsh children have the opportunity to perform live with 5,000 other children and professionals at the Resorts World Arena Birmingham

“I was so impressed with the Young Voices concert, what a fantastic mix of music & dancing. It was a brilliant uplifting eve. We had great seats in the audience too. Thanks for organising, really hope the school does it again!”

“I just wanted to email to say thank you for organising and taking the children to Young Voices. All the time and effort is really appreciated and what a wonderful experience for them all. Anja looked so happy the whole time it was so lovely and when I asked her if she enjoyed it she said 'Mummy it was brilliant'”

“I was completely blown away by how good it was! The kids were phenomenal and it really was a proper big venue music concert. It was lovely to see all the Crowmarsh Gifford kids and teachers doing the actions to the songs. I also particularly enjoyed the 90s dance section where we got to boogie!”

Every year, classes across the country head away on residentials, our class being one of them. And this year we were lucky enough to stay at Kilvrough Manor in South Wales. It was a wonderful experience, showcasing many challenges and lots of moments I continue to reflect on with a smile. One of these was caving.

As you walked to the mouth of the cave, it was easy to get nervous as you stared at the looming rock, thinking, “What’s beyond here?” but what was actually there was a great opportunity to build confidence. As well as awesome rock formations, the cave held little challenges for the more confident in the groups. The little challenges ranged in confidence levels, with some a crawl and a bend and others a commando crawl through a tight gap. All of these would often make me feel I wanted to abandon ship, but as I pushed through (figuratively and literally!) I realised that I could do them and doing them made me feel successful. The cave itself was a wonderful place, with amazing rock pillars, stone water slides and an underground river where you could catch fish! It was incredible to think that we were under our minibus and in the earth’s crust. Being next to an underground river was extraordinary, but on a body of water in a canoe was just brilliant.

But of course, the fear of falling in a canal is obvious, and I felt this nervousness when I stepped into my canoe, but as you get the feel of the boat, that fear decreases until you are rocketing along the canal. Canoeing was the gentlest of the three major activities, and was set in a calm and quiet canal that wasn’t too deep – only 5 feet deep, apparently- and had no boats on it, so was perfect for less confident people. The one downside is that the start is below an A road so you can hear the vehicles roaring by. Despite this, the canal is very picturesque and is a wonderful sight when the sun is setting, reflecting on the water as normal, there were a few challenges but all were low key such as ducking under low hanging branches and opening and closing lock gates faster, all of which could be done with minimal effort and (fingers crossed) a smile. We did have to load and unload the canoes but for the experience, it was worth it.

This trip was really wonderful and built up confidence in areas that weren’t well developed, such as caving. But most of all, the trip focused on teamwork, supporting and helping each other-be that a leg up or emotional support, there was always an alternative way if you didn’t want to do it, and even if you didn’t, the instructors never forced you to do anything, but encouraged you when you did. In every challenge you would do, it was easy to feel nervous – me no different - but when you came out, it felt like you had conquered the world. On one occasion, I entered the wormhole leading my group and, due to the rocky interior, I found it wonderful to see the head torch of my teacher / tutor. As an overall experience, Kilvrough was great. Its food edible, activities great and memories made even more so.

The week spent at Kilvrough was one I won’t forget, and I think would be loved by many other year groups after us. It catered for all needs and had a daily rotor, not unlike my very own, and I think it will serve as a suitable residential platform for many other lucky Year 6’s after us.

• Year 6 joined forces with EYFS to narrate the Christmas story. Their public speaking was exceptional.
• Years 3, 4 & 5 warmed us with their moonlight Christmas songs and the recital of a Christmas Carol.
• Year 1 & 2 delighted us with their version of the Christmas Story and made us laugh so much.
• Jo and her kitchen team cooked us all a Christmas lunch.
• Santa’s Sleigh visited the community and raised £500 for Crowmarsh School. Thank you to everyone who donated and volunteered.
• The children made Christmas cards and raised £305.
• The PTA set up a committee to organise a Christmas Fete and raised £3,003.96

On Wednesday 3rd May the whole school took part in the RAF Coronation fly past. We all stood outside and waved as Benson our local RAF base flew over.