Mayor Plants Oak Tree To Mark Crackley Hall School’s 80th Anniversary
07 Jul
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Crackley Hall School marked its 80th anniversary by planting an oak tree. The event was part of a series of commemorations taking place this year, celebrating the school’s 80 years at its Crackley Hall site on Kenilworth’s Coventry Road.
The school was delighted to welcome the Mayor of Kenilworth, James Kennedy, to help plant the oak tree on the school’s sports field. Accompanied by Headmaster, Rob Duigan, pupils from Crackley Hall’s Eco Committee, and representatives from fellow Foundation senior school Princethorpe College, the invited guests gathered out on the field on Monday 30 June. Mr Duigan began the ceremony by speaking about the school’s long history and pupils then recited poems celebrating trees and the legacy they provide. Mr Duigan then invited Mr Kennedy to officially plant the tree.
Speaking after the event, the Mayor of Kenilworth, James Kennedy, said: "I very much want to encourage tree planting in Kenilworth, so I was honoured to be asked to help plant a native oak on the sports fields at Crackley Hall. Every tree we plant brings benefits for our community, both now and in the future, and I am sure the school’s pupils will enjoy this tree for generations to come.”
Headmaster, Rob Duigan, added, “Crackley Hall School’s predecessor, St Joseph’s Convent School lost its original home in Coventry in the Second World War. Its pupils took refuge at Stoneleigh Abbey but at the end of the war they moved to Crackley Hall here in Kenilworth, where the school has been based ever since. Oak trees symbolise strength and longevity and traditionally mark 80-year anniversaries, so we thought it only fitting that, to commemorate the school’s 80 years here at Crackley Hall, we should plant an oak tree.”
As part of the celebrations, every child in the school was treated to a special anniversary oak-leaf biscuit baked by the catering team to commemorate the tree planting.
Crackley Hall’s 80th anniversary celebrations continue later this year when, on Saturday 4 October, the school is hosting an Open House and Celebratory Brunch where it will be welcoming back former pupils to the school. Everyone with a connection to Crackley Hall School or its predecessor St Joseph’s Convent School is invited and if you are interested in attending please visit: https://connect.princethorpe.co.uk.