PRE-PREP

Animal Adventures at the Zoo!

Do you know what those knobbly, bobbly bits are called on the top of a giraffe’s head?  Or even, what the name is that is given to the meekcat that perches up high on its hind legs, keeping a lookout for predators, whilst its meerkat friends are foraging for food?  The children in Year 1 do! Having ventured off to Twycross Zoo for the day on Tuesday, the children were not only blessed with gorgeous sunshine, but also with up close encounters with all sorts of animals.  From mischievous monkeys, to huddles of penguins and the most beautiful and majestic snow leopard, there were animals galore. For a glimpse of the children’s amazing day out, do hop onto the website gallery to view the photographs.

The Animal Adventures Continue …

Next week, it will not be the children visiting a zoo, but rather the animals visiting us!  Alas, the risk assessment proved far too hazardous to invite lions, tigers and elephants into Pre-Prep, but we will be welcoming in a crested gecko, Mr Tickle the giant millipede, tortoises, a bearded dragon and a whole crew of guinea pigs!  ‘Animals in Mind’ specialise in promoting well-being and positivity through gentle, calm interactions with animals.  We hope our 4, 6, 8 …100 legged friends feel at home with us next Tuesday.

Tiny Chicks

On the theme of calming cuteness, Year 1 enjoyed a coo over the newborn, fluffy variety earlier in the week – in the form of tiny chicks that were just days old.  A very proud Ahana treated her friends to a visit from some chicks that she had been nurturing at home.  They were so beautiful that everyone who peeked inside their box was instantly smitten!

Story Time ~ Welcoming in our New Reception Children!

Unbelievably, it is that exciting time of the year again when we welcome our new Reception children-to-be into their classrooms to enjoy a story with their new teachers and teaching assistants.  Just watching our new little ones, as they tentatively took their first steps through our slidy doors on Thursday, reminded us just how much our current Reception children have blossomed and grown in less than a year.  The learning journey that the children take within the Early Years Foundation Stage will never cease to delight and amaze us!

Pre-Prep Grandparents’ Day

Finally, today brings one of the highlights of our Pre-Prep Calendar to round off the children’s week ~ Grandparents’ Day!  With so many much-loved family members and friends attending, and watching the assembly online via our live streaming link, it promises to be a very special afternoon indeed.  The children have been practising their songs in readiness and the catering team have been whisking, icing and decorating a delicious spread of homemade cakes – our guests are in for such a treat this afternoon!

Pupil Achievements

Congratulations to the following children for achieving end of season recognition for their skill and effort in rugby – Archie Kirkaldy (1S), Charlie Wall (1N), William Dorrian (RG), Archie Brown (1N) and Edward Pett (1S).  Further congratulations to Frederick Labrum-Morren (1N) who was awarded Plus U6’s Club Person of 2022-23, and to Theia Hawkyard (1S) who achieved the U6’s Players’ Player Award.

Very well done to Arthur Ablett (1N) for gaining his 15m swimming award.

Fiona Sanchez
Head of Pre-Prep

OAKHAM OLYMPICS

Last Thursday, 14 intrepid Year 6 pupils attended the Oakham Olympics at Oakham School.

The Greek themed event was designed to pit five school teams against each other in academic and sporting categories. The teams had to successfully navigate five challenges: Science, Sport, Maths, RPE and Music. Each category generated a score with all schools unaware of how they were doing against their opponents. The Spratton pupils had a terrific day all round but were particularly successful at the Maths and Sport challenges. During the final assembly of the event, Spratton Hall were not sure whether they had done enough to secure victory and as trophies and awards were handed out we were worried that are attempts for success had been thwarted. It was only when the overall winner was announced that Spratton Hall were crowned Oakham Olympic Champions!  An incredible achievement for all involved. Well done to the whole team!

ARCHAEOLOGY VISIT

Year 6 on Friday last week, and Archaeology Club on Tuesday this week, had incredible exclusive access to an Archaeological Roman Dig on the Althorp Estate. A large squad of Professors (should that be “a brain of Professors”??) led by world-renowned Cat Jarman, helped the children dig up, wash, clean and assess actual 2000 year old artefacts straight from the ground. The children unearthed oyster shells, roof tiles, cow bones, pottery, flagstones and much more besides, before learning how to clean their finds properly in order to unearth the clues. Finally, they had hands-on access to all kinds of items that had been found on the site (nails from hobnail boots, glass window-panes, Roman coins), again with expert guidance throughout. This was a truly unique opportunity for our Spratton children.

CONSTRUCTION CLUB

Construction Club is run by Mrs Kennedy. She either sets a theme or she decides we can build anything we want. We all enjoy building with our friends. We never know what the theme is going to be!  My favourite theme so far has been building movie scenes and there was a challenge for Mrs Kennedy at the end to guess the scene and, with a few clues, she was successful.  We have to break up what we have made but if you wish, Mrs Kennedy can take a picture of your creation first.  I think Construction Club is brilliant!
By Jemima Paul