FROM THE HEADMASTER
Scholarship Success
I am delighted to announce that Ria Sharma has been awarded a Performing Arts Scholarship to Rugby School. This award recognizes her hard work and talents in Drama. Many congratulations, indeed, to Ria.
Staff News
As previously reported, sadly, Mrs Bradnam will be leaving us at the end of the school year. I am pleased to inform you that I have appointed Miss Natalie Leadbetter who will be joining us full-time to teach French and Games. Natalie is at Maidwell where she teaches French throughout the school from Reception to Year 8. I know she will be an excellent addition to our staff.
Visiting MP
The children very much enjoyed a visit from the Rt Hon. Stuart Andrew this morning. MP for Daventry, our local constituency, Stuart talked to the children about his role both as an MP and as a member of the Shadow Cabinet. The children were armed with some very good questions and certainly put Stuart on the spot. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the subject of VAT popped up a few times during the assembly – there were quite a few mentions of potholes too! I am very grateful to him for taking the time to visit us.
Communications
I am frustrated to report that our new communications provider, SchoolPost, is still not up and running due to technical problems in the background that they are trying to resolve along with Engage, our Management Information System. We will continue to send emails via ClarionCall, though we are aware that that may fold at any time. We very much hope that SchoolPost will be operational very soon.
Beauty and The Beast
You should have received your invitation to book tickets for the School production Beauty and The Beast sent via ClarionCall yesterday. If you have booked tickets but need to return any, please do so as soon as you are able to as we do always sell out and need every spare seat returned.
Forthcoming Events
Good luck to all those in Years 7 and 8 for the House Hockey and Netball matches this afternoon. I do hope the children in Years 5 and 6 enjoy the internal Football Festival for Girls and Hockey Festival for Boys tomorrow morning. This event was a great success last year and I am so pleased it is being repeated. Good luck also to our Year 2 Choir who are taking part in the Regional Music for Youth Festival in Northampton tomorrow.
Next week, we have the Year 5 Parent/Teacher meetings on Monday and Year 3 on Wednesday. These will take place in the Dome starting at 6pm with last entry for parents at 7pm.
Thank you
Simon Clarke
Headmaster
PRE-PREP
Year 1 Venture on a Spratton Village Expedition!
With a brisk chill back in the air, it has certainly been a week for pulling on coats and woolly hats to venture outdoors. Year 1 are currently focusing on the human and physical geographical features of our local environment and what better way to identify them than to follow a simple route on a map around the village of Spratton. The children really enjoyed pointing out the many different types of buildings and street furniture that are scattered around the local area, and waving to passing tractors, of course!
Run, Run, as Fast as You Can – You Can’t Catch Reception!
With the Gingerbread Man’s confident charm and the fox’s sly tricks, our Reception children have been swept up in this traditional tale. After mastering its structure, their imaginations ran wild, sparking a host of wonderfully creative ‘Talk for Writing’ activities.
The excitement even spilled beyond the classroom with a daring dash down to our forest school to track down a runaway gingerbread man! Furthermore, what better way to bring the story to life than by rolling up their sleeves for some hands-on baking? Mixing, sifting, and rolling their own spicy gingerbread was a delight—though, unsurprisingly, the best part for the children may have been the munching!
Toys Galore in the Reception Children’s Assembly!
Staying with Reception, on Thursday afternoon, the children entertained a delighted audience with a wonderful toy themed assembly. Mustering their biggest voices and brightest smiles, the children delighted everyone with demonstrations of spinning tops, marble runs and remote control cars, all very skilfully operated. With some lively songs included (how can we forget their energetic air guitar playing in the Teddy Bear Rock!) it was a joy to admire the blossoming confidence of our youngest children.
Pre-Prep Heads’ Conference
If not in my usual morning ‘meet and greet’ spot on the playground, I am usually to be found supporting in a classroom – but not this time! For the last two days I have enjoyed the fortune of attending the annual IAPS Pre-Prep Heads Conference – a collection of over 100 Pre-Prep Heads coming together to ignite ideas, share wisdom, and celebrate the magic of Early Years education. With two of the keynote speakers being absolute heroes of mine in the world of child development and psychology, I have been totally in my element, absorbing every word and preparing to return with a wealth of inspiration!
Good Luck to the Year 2 Choir!
Finally, this Saturday, the Year 2 Choir will take to the stage at the Regional Festival of Music for Youth. As some of the youngest performers in the event by far, I have no doubt that the children’s enthusiasm and voices will shine brightly, filling us all with great pride!
Fiona Sanchez
Head of Pre-Prep
PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS
Pre-Prep
Many congratulations to Phoebe Tilston who has achieved her 50m swimming award and to Jasper Dalby, who also gained a certificate for his effort and skill.
MUSIC NEWS
Informal Concert Years 3-7
It was wonderful to hear so many of our Year 3-7 pupils performing in the Informal Concert on Monday. We had many pupils performing for the very first time, alongside those with more experience. It was lovely to hear such a variety of pieces being played. Congratulations go to all of those that performed.
Saturday 15th March – Year 2 Choir – Regional Festival of Music for Youth
The Year 2 Choir are adding the finishing touches to their pieces ready for their performance as part of the Regional Festival of Music for Youth on Saturday. We are really looking forward to performing on the big stage at Northampton School for Girls, Spinney Hill. Please be reminded that the children need to meet Mrs Sanchez and I in the foyer at 12.30pm for a quick rehearsal before the performance. All are welcome to attend.
Mrs King
Director of Music
SPORTS NEWS
Leicester Grammar Cross-Country Event
Our cross-country team delivered an outstanding performance at LGS on Friday 7th March, securing multiple individual and team victories across the age groups.
U9 Girls
The U9 girls dominated their race, securing a fantastic team victory. Special congratulations to Alicia Szechenyi, who claimed 1st place, followed closely by Lexi Mercer (2nd) and Florence Van Herrewege (3rd). Strong performances from Sophia Hodgkins (5th), Octavia Podesta (7th), and Alice Maule (9th) helped seal the win.
U9 Boys
Our U9 boys put in a determined effort, finishing 2nd overall as a team. Arthur Strike Doyle (2nd place) and Rory Waite (5th place) led the way with impressive runs.
U11 Girls
The U11 girls were superb, with Mara Hamilton taking an early lead and storming to 1st place. Strong runs from Sophia Slowy (7th) and Amelia Legg (8th) ensured another team victory.
U11 Boys
The U11 boys also shone, securing 1st place overall. Standout performances included George Docker (3rd place), Oscar Phipps (4th), Eddie Szechenyi (7th), and Zak Kooner (8th).
With outstanding performances across all age groups, our team was crowned overall winners of the entire competition! A huge well done to everyone who took part – your hard work, determination, and team spirit truly paid off.
Mrs Chudley and Mr White
SCHOOL NEWS
Motte and Bailey Castles
Hannah Morgan added to the Year 5 History Challenge Motte and Bailey castles with a delicious sponge and icing version of a castle. It was enjoyed by Year 5.
Second Hand Uniform Donations
The School Shop would be grateful for any second hand uniform donations. If you have any please could you either drop them into the shop or leave outside.
Note we cannot accept shirts and grey shorts/trousers and please check the condition before you donate.
Thank you for your support.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Please click the link below to view the most up-to-date schedule for next week, including sports fixtures and clubs news.
Please note that there is no Mindfulness Club on Monday 17th March. There will also be no Roller Skating Club for the remainder of this term due to Beauty & the Beast staging in the Hunter Hall.
CLUBS
NOTICES
11th-13 April – Althorp Literary Festival 2025
Staff, parents, and friends of Spratton Hall are offered a 25% discount on tickets for select authors – please use the code SCHOOLS25 at checkout.
