FROM THE HEAD MASTER
It has been so good to see the children return to school this week in very good spirits. As always, there was lots of excited chatter among them on Monday when they were discussing the many family get-togethers, trips away or Christmas presents they had received.
Senior Schools
It was a pleasure to welcome Mrs Kerr-Dineen, Head of Oundle, who spoke in Assembly this morning and then met parents afterwards. As you will know, a very important part of my role is keeping in close contact with senior schools. Recently, I have enjoyed visits to a number of schools including those not in our usual catchment area. Last term, among others, I enjoyed visits to Bradfield College, Radley and Charterhouse. This term, I have visits planned for Rugby, Tudor Hall, Northampton High, Oakham and Oundle and, as part of my usual rolling programme of visits, no doubt later in the year I will be visiting plenty more senior schools too.
Former Pupil Successes
When I speak to the Heads and Registrars of these schools, it is always a pleasure to hear how well our former pupils are doing. Mrs Kerr-Dineen told me this morning with great delight that Thomas Kimbell who left Spratton five years ago has received an offer to study Classics at Oxford, and I was delighted to hear that Katherine Savage who went onto Rugby has received an offer to study French, also at Oxford. Congratulations to both! I look forward to hearing of more successes of our former pupils in the coming months.
Calendar Dates
I just need to point out that we have made a change from the provisional date published in last term’s calendar regarding the half-term dates in February 2025. As and when other schools publish their dates, or indeed the local authority, we very occasionally have to change our published provisional dates. The new dates as shown in this term’s calendar are 17-21 February 2025.
Next Week
We see the new term getting into full swing next week with the first football, netball and hockey fixtures, as well as the Year 4 play ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Camelot’ taking place next Thursday. I am sure it will be a most splendid performance.
I do hope you all have a very good weekend.
Thank you.
Simon Clarke
PRE-PREP
Happy New Year!
On our crisp, icy cold return to school, it has been lovely to see the children’s faces glow with excitement, as they eagerly described new toys and gadgets, waggled their tongues through fresh gaps in teeth and shared their tales of the mucky mess caused by Father Christmas leaving mince pie and cookie crumbs EVERYWHERE!
New Term ~ New Topics
The teachers have been busy over the holidays and the classrooms are looking bright and engaging as a result. With fresh themes in mind, many new displays and imaginative role-play areas have emerged, all designed to spark curiosity and ignite the children’s interest in their new topics. Reception will be focusing on ‘Helping Hands’, an exciting theme that focuses on the many people in our world who help us. In Year 1 they are exploring ‘Dinosaurs’, and in Year 2 they are investigating the very cold, and rather apt theme, of ‘Pole to Pole’.
To help keep you informed about your child’s learning, the teachers will be sending home topic overviews for you to read. These provide a flavour of the many planned for learning opportunities, designed to develop the children’s knowledge, understanding and skills in each area across the curriculum.
Teddy Bear Tap!
It is a glorious sound when the Pre-Prep bursts back into life after a holiday. RY certainly had us singing and tapping our toes mid-week with their wonderful ‘Teddy Bear Tap’ activity in Music. Having taught the children a spoken chant, Mrs King then added to the challenge by encouraging the children to experiment with the dynamics of loud and quiet sounds – all whilst keeping pace with the rhythm of the chant and maintaining a steady beat.
Rarrrr! Here Come the Dinosaurs!!
Year 1’s (brand new!) topic of ‘Dinosaurs’ has certainly captured the children’s interest. As a fabulous opening to some Science activities, Miss Siddons set the scene of travelling back in time to over 65 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the world – the climate is warm, the ground rocky and heavy rain lashes down at night. The children need to build shelters, but are limited to the materials that they can find in their rucksacks – can they predict which material will be the most water resistant and how can they test their theories? Rest assured, after many experiments which involved pouring water onto materials, such as cardboard and cling film, the children now know how to keep dry if they ever venture back to prehistoric times!
Year Group Assemblies
It is definitely worth highlighting the dates of our year group assemblies in your Spratton Calendars. These are such special occasions, with the children delivering their own lines and performing a selection of songs, all of which showcase their learning within this term’s topic. Furthermore, we plenty of seats in our Hunter Hall, there is always enough room for you to invite wider friends and family members too.
Year 2 will lead the way first and have already set about creating some beautiful Chinese New Year themed artwork to share with everyone.
Cake Sale – Tuesday 16th January
Next week sees the first Cake Sale of the New Year. Please can your child bring 50p to school if you are happy for them to take part. All cakes are nut-free!
Pupil Achievements
Congratulations to the following children who have all achieved swimming awards over the holidays: Barty Leyland (1N) 10m, Elodie Bolt (2M) 5m, Gabby Ayensah (2W) Level 4, Noah Carlin (2W) Level 2, Arthur Ablett (2M) 400m, Lockie Millar (2M) Level 3 Life Saving Skills, Phoebe Tilston (1S) Level 2 and Amber Millar (RG) Level 3.
Very well done to Oscar Waite (2M) for being awarded, ‘Player of the Week’ at his football club.
Congratulations go to Archie Kirkaldy (2L) for not only gaining his red belt in Karate, but also for being one of only three children in his Martial Arts club to be awarded a ‘Best Student’ trophy.
Very well done to Lavanya Uppal (1N) who has successfully passed her Pre-Primary Class Ballet Exam in Dance.
A final well done goes to Edith Bromwich (RG) who gained a medal for her effort and skills on the ski slopes.
Fiona Sanchez
Head of Pre-Prep
MUSIC
Exam Success
Congratulations to the following pupils for their excellent music exam results last term.
Violin
Grade 1
Lexi Vinamata – Pass
Kyle Qi – Merit
Carrie Qi – Distinction
Grade 2
George Guppy – Pass
Grade 3
Charlotte Berry – Distinction
Viola
Grade 3
Rafi Osborn – Pass
Tuesday 30th January – Year 8 Informal Concert
The Year 8 Informal Concert is always a lovely evening when the musicians in the year group get to show us their musical talent. All members of Year 8 who play an instrument/sing are invited to perform. A letter containing further details will be sent out over the next couple of weeks.
Uppingham Orchestral Day – Thursday 8th February
The Concert Band and all members of the String Orchestra who are Grade 2 standard and above, have been invited to take part in this excellent day of music-making. A letter was sent out this week by Clarion Call to all those invited containing further information. Please submit your e-reply as soon as possible.
ART
Artist of the Week
Artist of the Week goes to Hannah Marchant (8B) for her amazing A1 size pencil portrait done during the holidays. It displays wonderful detail and tone.
STEM WEEK 2024
TOWNSEND LIBRARY
What is going on in the Library? …
Many pupils were given exciting books as Christmas presents and have been reading and talking about them with great enthusiasm. They have either visited the library, or sent an email (saa@saprattonhall.com), to provide the title and author of the book they have finished reading. Some of these books are already available in the library and the display enables other pupils to find a recommended book to borrow and read. Titles which are not stocked provide a useful list of books to purchase in due course. It is hoped that pupil recommendations will continue to flow in.
Mrs Alexander
PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS
Well done to Thomas Bellamy who has completed two fundraising challenges, cycling 200 miles in 14 days and a 24 mile reindeer run for the RNLI, raising more than £500 so far.
Well done also to Amelia Suter who baked dog biscuits and made dog gift bags to sell in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind, raising £150.
