What has been happening in school? Have a read 😊

• Farewell, Mr Rushton

  Sun 21 Dec 2025 N Evans

  On Friday, with heavy hearts, we said goodbye to our very own Mr Rushton. 

  We came together for a special farewell service, with moving songs sung by the whole school and magnificent performances from each class. Alongside the children, we were joined by staff past and present, parents and members of the wider community.

  Mr Rushton has worked at Criftins for 13 years. During this time, he has taught across both KS1 and KS2, worked as Assistant Headteacher alongside Mrs Mandy Jones and, over the last two and a half years, taken on the role of Head of School. He has brought so much joy, kindness and passion to school life, along with many a joke! 

  He has inspired many adults and children during his time, and leaves behind a legacy that will stay with our school for years to come. 

  We wish you every happiness in your retirement, Mr Rushton, and thank you for everything you have given to Criftins. 

  You will be missed by us all. ❤️

  

• Online Workshop with The National Archives, London

  Sun 21 Dec 2025 N Evans

  Class 3 had an incredible online workshop yesterday with Sarah from The National Archives, streamed live from their London site, as part of their history learning on Ancient Egypt.

  This was a wonderful opportunity, giving our children the chance to work directly with a National Archives expert and explore genuine historical sources from thousands of years ago. 

  The children were completely engaged throughout, asking brilliant questions and showing great enthusiasm. This was a live session just for Class 3, which made the experience even more special.

  What an amazing experience! 

  

• Christmas Nativitiy

  Sun 21 Dec 2025 N Evans

  Our nativity performance is always such a special event. With both an afternoon and an evening show, the children were absolutely incredible and made us so proud.

  Every child had the chance to perform lines if they wished and the growth in confidence from the first practices to the final performances was amazing to see.

  It all came together beautifully- a traditional nativity story (with an added bit of disco groove!), fantastic acting and some joyous singing and dancing! Thank you for all of the lovely feedback. 

  For more photos from our nativity, head over to the collective worship page on our website:
  https://www.criftins.shropshire.sch.uk/collective-worship-1/

   

  

• Journey Day. 🌟

  Mon 08 Dec 2025 C.Suckley

   

  💫 The whole school came together today for Journey Day, something we have done and valued for many years. It is a time when we step away from the traditional timetable and focus on spiritual development. The children spent the day in their house teams rather than their usual classes and it was so lovely to see them working with different children.

   

  This term our theme was Christmas, with the scripture, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

   

   

  During the day, children moved through a range of stations including:

  ✨Creating stable scenes in Forest School
  ✨Exploring nativity interpretations from around the world
  ✨Making nativity themed decorations and clay stars 
  ✨Creating Christingles and learning about their meaning 
  ✨A music session with Mr Jones and Mr Kitcher learning songs about light and understanding the lyrics 
  ✨A calm reflection room for prayer and quiet thought

   

  To finish the day, the children came together to reflect on the day and perform a song they had learnt in their music session. We were also joined by our Reverend Gareth who closed the day with a thoughtful prayer. 

  

• Daily Mile Santa Dash

  Fri 05 Dec 2025 E.Ellis

  Criftins children, from Nursery to Year 6, took part in this fun, feel-good event which is all about getting children, teachers, and whole school communities moving together to celebrate the joy of being active. The Santa Dash is the perfect way to spread festive cheer while keeping everyone healthy and happy in the run-up to the holidays.

  

• THANK YOU

  Fri 05 Dec 2025 C Suckley

  We want to say a big thank you to Jane Webber and The Welsh Frankton Mothers Union for donating such a lovely selection of Children's Bibles and Christian stories for our library. The children have had a great time looking through them and selecting the ones that they would like to read! 

  

• NFU Festive Farming Quest

  Thu 04 Dec 2025 N Evans

  Today, Class 4 took part in the NFU’s Festive Farming Quest live lesson- a virtual ‘work experience’. 

  We met different farmers who have different roles in the lead up to Christmas. The children also had the chance to explore different career paths, including what it’s like to be a farm vet.

  The highlight was the ‘live’ birth of a camel calf! The children were absolutely fascinated. There were plenty of interesting facts learnt and lots of brilliant questions asked throughout.

  

• Footballing Success!

  Mon 01 Dec 2025 N Evans

  Last week, a group of our boys headed to Oswestry School for more footballing action.

   

  They represented Criftins brilliantly. They won all three of their group matches against Oswestry School and two teams from Packwood without conceding a goal. This secured their place in the semi finals, where they were narrowly beaten. 

   

  They showed skill, passion and determination, but just as importantly, they demonstrated superb sportsmanship and respect throughout. 
   

  We love the photo of the team receiving some motivating words from their captain. 

   

  Well done boys!

  

• Christmas Carols at the Parish Hall

  Mon 01 Dec 2025 Nia Evans

  On Thursday, Class 4 set off down the lanes for the Community Coffee Morning at the Criftins Parish Hall. With the speaker in hand, Christmas songs blasting and the children singing all the way there, it was such a festive way to start the day. 
   

  When we arrived, the children were welcomed onto the stage and sang a range of Christmas songs. They were absolutely brilliant; full of confidence, smiles and festive cheer. They loved it when the audience joined in too! 
   

  It’s become a lovely tradition for us to visit at Christmas and sing for our local community, and it’s something we all look forward to each year. A huge thank you to the Community Coffee Club for welcoming us so warmly and for their generous fundraising for our PTA.