FROM THE HEAD MASTER
These four-day weeks do seem to flash by in an instant! It has been another very enjoyable few days, though with some rain shower dodging and trying to enjoy the sun when it does make an appearance.
Speech Day Guest of Honour
Although it is some weeks away, I am very pleased to inform you that our Guest Speaker on Speech Day will be Reverend Richard Coles. As I am sure many of you will know, Richard is a former Church of England priest, with his parish of Finedon not being too far from here. He is a broadcaster, frequently appearing on television and radio, and was, until recently, co-presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live. He is a bestselling author, Strictly contestant and former 80s pop musician. Do look out for your invitation to Speech Day which will be with you just after half term.
Oakham Olympics
I was delighted to hear that the Year 6 team who attended the Oakham Olympics event yesterday, taking part in a mixture of sporting, arts and academic challenges, had a super day and were crowned the overall winners, bringing back a rather impressive trophy. Well done to all the children involved.
SHSPA Spring Party
The party tomorrow should be a most splendid evening and I look forward to seeing everyone in a ‘touch of green’. Just to say, ahead of the event, a huge thank you to the Parents’ Association committee for all of their hard work in the planning and organising of the event. Pleasingly, the forecast looks very positive… fingers crossed.
Church Services
Next Wednesday, we have our Ascension Day Services with the Years 6, 7 and 8 service at 8.45am, followed by Years 3, 4 and 5 service at 9.15am. As always, these are held in St Andrew’s Church in the village and parents are welcome to attend. Please do remember to park in the school and not on the roads around the church.
Exams
Finally, we are in the midst of exam and assessment season. I am pleased to say that the children appear to be largely calm and collected about the whole matter. Year 8 have had their first ‘official’ Common Entrance exams this week with the French Listening and the French Oral, and Years 6 and 7 have their internal school exams next week. I wish them all the very best.
I do hope you have a lovely weekend and we look forward to the most unusual proposition of a 5-day week!
Thank you
Simon Clarke
PRE-PREP
Multi-sensory experiences heighten children’s learning by engaging them on a deeper level – concentration levels are enhanced, imaginations sparked, confidence grows and their thinking becomes more critical and creative. It has been a particularly ‘hands on’ week this week, from planting seeds, to pounding bread dough and stroking fleecy lambs!
Challah Bread
Year 2 have been continuing their exploration of Judaism. Mesmerised by the gooey, gloopy feel of the ingredients, the children delighted in mixing and kneading a wonderful stretchy dough to make Challah bread. Much concentration was needed when the children plaited their dough into its traditional and symbolic shape. A sprinkling of poppy seeds on the top made their bread the perfect addition to a Shabbat meal.
A Visit to Fuss Milly’s Lambs
Following an invitation to trek next door to visit Milly’s lambs, a few classes took up the kind offer mid-week. From the sound of noisy bleating, I’m not sure who was more excited, the children or the animals! The lambs certainly enjoyed their visit (and all the tickles behind their ears!) and the children enjoyed learning some interesting facts about the animals from Mrs Matts.
NSPCC ‘Speak Out, Stay Safe’ Programme
We are hoping that you have heard some chatter at home this week about ‘Buddy’. Buddy is the big green speech bubble mascot of the NSPCC, who believes that all children have the right to speak out to a trusted adult, if they feel worried, scared, sad or uncomfortable. Following a ‘Speak Out, Stay Safe’ assembly on Tuesday, the safeguarding message was reinforced further when the children each created their own wonderful little Buddy character out of craft materials. You will soon see these hanging in our Pre-Prep entrance – a colourful and important reminder that we all have a right to speak out and stay safe.
Grandparents’ Day – 2.00pm on Friday 19th May
Finally, I cannot resist a little mention of our Grandparents’ Day, which is fast approaching next week. Whilst entitled ‘Grandparents’ Day’, we should actually think of this event as being for any much-loved grown-ups in a child’s life, as we do understand that not all families are blessed with grandparents who are able to attend. With room in the Hunter Hall for each family to invite two guests, it does promise to be a very special afternoon indeed. Please can I remind parents to complete the e-reply link on my email sent out last week, so that we can have a plentiful supply of tea and cake ready for our visitors.
Pupil Achievements
Congratulations to the following children, who have all achieved swimming awards – George Al-Azzawe (RG) Level 2, George Harris (RY) Level 2, Daya Soomal (RG) 10 metres, Harriet Guppy (RY) Level 2, Jeevan Soomal (2A) 25 metres and Amira Zahiri-Mehrabadi (1S) who is the proud recipient of a Red Level swimming cap.
Very well done to Francesca Williams (RG) for gaining her Level 2 Award in trampolining.
Final congratulations go to Rudy Boswell (1S) who has achieved his orange belt in karate.
Fiona Sanchez
Head of Pre-Prep
A PIRATE VISITS YEAR 3!
Year 3 had a fantastic time on Wednesday with Captain Dantastic, learning about all aspects of pirate life. They particularly enjoyed handling a range of pirate artefacts.
MUSIC
Informal Concert – Monday 12th June
We are looking forward to our next Informal Concert on Monday 12th June. A letter will be sent out at the end of next week to all those who have been invited to perform.
Summer Concert – Tuesday 4th July
Our Summer Concert will take place on Tuesday 4th July. All of our music ensembles will be performing in this concert. Please make sure that the date is in your diary. This is a separate event to our ‘outdoor’ concert.
Termination of Music Lessons
If you wish to terminate your child’s music lesson from the start of the autumn term, please be aware that notice must be received by May half term.
KITE CLUB
Singing ‘let’s go fly a kite’, spurred on by the Mary Poppins production, children from Years 3 & 4 enjoyed flying some kites. Whilst benefitting from the wind and seeing the kites soaring high, the children were asked to think about how and why they fly as their next task is to make and fly their own kites!
CLUBS & ACTIVITIES
A reminder of the following Club changeover dates:-
Archery Club – Tuesday 16th May
Cycling Club – Thursday 18th May
SPORT
Please check the website calendar (link below) for updated fixtures for BEARS & FOXES on Saturday 20th May.
SCHOOL SHOP
The school shop will be closed on Thursday 18th May as we are having an appointment only day for new parents.
Should you need to purchase something urgently, please email schoolshop@sprattonhall.com with your request and orders will be made up for collection.
Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
DISCOVERY DAY
Bookings are open for our Discovery in the Forest event. Please do share with family or friends who are considering their schooling options and would like an informal visit.
ONLINE SAFETY
Launched in 2014, Apple’s first-generation smartwatch, the Series 0, performed disappointingly and software updates were eventually discontinued in 2018. Undaunted, the Californian tech giant beefed up the fitness-oriented features on its future models and smartwatches swiftly began to gain both traction and credibility with impressed consumers.
They’re convenient for staying in touch on the go (almost two billion messages are sent from smartwatches every year), but this simultaneously can put younger wearers at risk of being contracted by strangers via their smartwatch – if the device isn’t configured properly. There’s more advice on how to avoid potential smartwatch pitfalls in this week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide.
Here is the link to the school website where you will find more details and further helpful information about online safety.
