FROM THE HEADMASTER

We have safely and happily navigated a first full week back at school, as always with a great deal packed in.  It has been so good to really get into the swing of the term.

Year 8 Positions of Responsibility

I am delighted to announce the following positions of responsibility for Year 8.

House Captains

Drake – Carrie Qi and Reuben Lindsay-Smith

Frobisher – Martha Miles and Harry Bradnam

Grenville – Leilana Patel and Devraj Sehmi

Raleigh – Kyla Lindsay and Tom Suggitt

Heads of Music

Jessica King and Shanaya Phatak

Chairs of School Council

Charlotte Berry and Finlay Bourne

Captains of Sports

Captain of Hockey – Chloe Spencer, Vice-Captain – Isla Wallace

Captain of Rugby – Elliot Briggs, Vice-Captain – Archie Wright

As always, there will be more sport positions announced later in the year.  Many congratulations to them all and I wish them all the very best in their roles.

Minibus Runs

As you will know, we have made significant changes this term to our minibus routes.  There is some availability on the minibus for taking children home at the end of the day.  The minibus leaves at 5.30pm for a drop-off in Market Harborough.  If anybody is interested, please do contact Mrs Gallo on jga@sprattonhall.com.

Next Week

Both Year 6 and I will be away for a few days, though they can breathe a sigh of relief as I won’t be with them! Year 6 are away on the first residential of the year in Edale in the Peak District. I am sure they will have a wonderful time, taking part in outdoor pursuits, some geographical activities and spending some quality time together as a year group.

I will be fulfilling my responsibility as an IAPS Head by attending the annual conference in Brighton from Wednesday to Friday.  This will be the first conference since VAT was imposed on school fees in January and it will be of interest to ‘read the mood in the room’. I hope to gain more of an insight into the government’s direction of travel and to try to understand more of the national projection of future parental interest in independent schools. As has been often repeated, these are very interesting and challenging times for many schools.

Do have an enjoyable weekend.

Simon Clarke
Headmaster

PRE-PREP

All the Pre-Prep children are settling beautifully into their new classes and, with their first full week now completed, they are quickly forming new friendships and enjoying a wealth of experiences together. From Computing, Dance, PE, Games, Drama, Music, Forest School and French, the children have embraced each of their specialist lessons with enthusiasm.

After School Clubs and Activities Kick-Start

Our after-school clubs have also burst into action this week, filling the children with excitement and energy. Many parents have told us that, no sooner are they home, than the enthusiastic demonstrations of Karate moves, dance spins, and gymnastic rolls begin. It’s a joy to hear how keen the children are to showcase their new skills.

It’s Harvest Time!

With the earthy scent of autumn leaves in the air, our thoughts are turning to Harvest Festival. In our Pre-Prep Assemblies over the coming weeks, we will be reflecting not only on the foods being gathered at this time of year, but also on how we can share what we have with those less fortunate. With this in mind, Pre-Prep, together with the Prep School, is collecting donations for the Hope Centre in Northampton, a charity providing nutritious, affordable meals for the homeless. If your child would like to contribute, donations can be left in the Hunter Hall Foyer. Thank you, as always, for your kindness and support in helping us make a difference.

Pre-Prep Celebration Assembly

Our weekly Celebration Assembly is always a very special event.  Not only are we enveloped in a wonderful feeling of togetherness as staff and children fill the middle area, but we also take huge pride and delight in celebrating each other’s efforts and skill in a multitude of different areas.  From cricket, pony riding, swimming, martial arts, gymnastics and dance, to name but a few, if your child has achieved an award from a club outside of school, then we would love to celebrate their effort with them.  The children positively beam when they stand up for their huge clap and I know they enjoy seeing their names included on this page of the newsletter too.  Simply email myself or your child’s class teacher with a photograph of your child and their award, and we will provide them with a very special moment to remember.

Spratton Hall Cake Sale – Monday 15^th September

Finally, Monday plays host to the first of our Spratton Hall Cake Sales.  Organised entirely by our Year 8 pupils, as part of their charity projects, there will be a tempting array of cupcakes, tray bakes and cookies (all nut free) available for the Pre-Prep and Prep children to buy and enjoy at playtime.  The Cake Sale is entirely optional and, if you are happy for your child to participate, please could they bring a donation of 50p to school on the morning of the sale.

Pupil Achievements

We have a bumper batch of swimmers to congratulate this week – Henry Compton Level 4, Louis Compton Level 3, Lyra Weaver Level 2, Callum Maybury Level 2 and 5m, Harriet Deane Level 3, Liliane Scott Level 4, Emma Hassell Level 5 and 25m, and Emilia Docker level 4.

Very well done to Toby Podesta for achieving his Level 2 Award in Gymnastics.

Final congratulations go to Willa Jack and Isabella Wiseman who both scooped 6^th place in their equestrian events at Hickstead.

Fiona Sanchez
Head of Pre-Prep

MUSIC

Music Lessons

Individual music lessons are available on a wide range of instruments. If you are interested in your child having music lessons in school, please email Mrs King on nck@sprattonhall.com.

HARVEST

Our Harvest at Spratton is fast approaching and as usual we are asking each year group to focus on a specific area and bring produce to school. In school we will be writing messages of encouragement to attach to our produce. This is a suggestion for our children to work together to make a difference. All the proceeds go to Hope in Northampton, a day centre that feeds and provides food bags, support and workshops to the most vulnerable in our wider community, and they have provided a poster of additional items you may feel you can donate. Hope is always incredibly appreciative of the generosity of Spratton parents and pupils and it really does support the centre and enables it to reach out to those needing that extra help in very difficult times. We do hope you will be able to support our collection again. Please leave any items in the box which will be labelled by the entrance to the Hunter Hall.

Y3 – Variety of cereals and breakfast products

Y4 – Tinned food (savoury and sweet but please check the best before date)

Y5 – Toiletries such as toothbrushes and paste, soap, shower gels, deodorant etc

Y6 – Dried carbs such as rice, pasta, noodles, beans, lentils, mash and cuppa soups

Y7 and 8 – Please bring in a stand-alone meal. 4-5 items that could make up a meal as well as a hot drink OR if possible ask for a £5-10 donation and go shopping, keeping within a budget and selecting items that would make a meal (long life produce)

Thank you all for your continued support and help in making a difference.

PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS

Well done to Mara Hamilton who achieved a new personal best in the 1200m, coming in 4th place for Rugby & Northampton Athletics Club, at the Youth Development League National Finals.

Congratulations to Thomas Hodgkins who took part in a 6 week Fencing Course and went on to come joint 1st in a tournament.