FROM THE HEAD MASTER
Year 8 Positions of Responsibility
I am delighted to announce the following positions of responsibility for the year ahead:
House Captains
Drake – Georgina Smith and Eddie Greany
Frobisher – Imogen Parker-Jones and Wilf Pasley-Tyler
Grenville – Cee-Cee Guest and Archie Bateson
Raleigh – Claudia Penman and Benedict Briggs
Heads of Music
Ben Beaumont, Jehan Jasinarachchi and Jaypaul Sehmi
Chairs of School Council
Zara Bushell and Kitty Fowler
Captains of Sports
Captain of Hockey – Imogen Turney, Vice-Captain – Hannah Marchant
Captain of Rugby – Milo Green, Vice-Captain – Max Yuill
Captains of Cross-Country – Teddy Blake and Elsa Miles, Vice-Captains – Cee-Cee Guest and Hugh Smith
Many congratulations to them all and I wish them all the very best in their new roles.
SHSPA News
I am sad to report that Marina Hopwell, who has been our SHSPA Committee Chair for a number of years, is stepping down as Chair. I am enormously grateful for everything Marina has done for the Parents’ Association – her many hours of dedication in leading the team and organising so many wonderful events.
I am so pleased to report that Mrs Raine Wallens Foyer and Mrs Angela Smith have been elected as the new joint Chairs. I do wish them all the very best and thank them in anticipation of their, no doubt, excellent work ahead for the association. If any parents are willing to join the Committee, please do email SHSPA@sprattonhall.com – they would be delighted to welcome you!
While on this subject, I am very grateful to SHSPA for providing the excellent new giant chess set that the children have been enjoying and the new football goals down by the Dome.
Forthcoming Events
I am very much looking forward to hosting Part 2 of my Year 8 dinners this evening, following a super first round a week ago.
Next week, we have the first residential of the year as Year 6 head up to Edale in the Peak District. I am sure they will have a splendid time combining Geography activities with outdoor pursuits as well as a great opportunity for bonding among the year group.
Staff News
And finally ….. I am so pleased to inform you of the most lovely news that Miss Savage got engaged over the summer holidays. Many congratulations to her and Richard, her fiancé.
Have a lovely weekend.
Simon Clarke
PRE-PREP
It has been a delight to watch as all the Pre-Prep children continue to settle into their new classes and year groups. With a full week now under their belts, all specialist subject lessons have been enjoyed and new topics are well underway.
Launching letters, sounds and words
The development of children’s phonetic knowledge forms part of daily life across every Pre-Prep classroom. In Reception, Mrs George and Miss Yeo skilfully immerse their children in an ongoing range of multi-sensory phonic activities. Already, a variety of coloured letter shapes are popping up on mini whiteboards, the Smartboard, on chalkboards, in coloured sand …in fact, on any surface where the children know that they can practise and take pride in their emerging writing skills. If you listen in carefully, the children can often be heard repeating little ditties, such as “slither down the snake” or “round the apple, down the leaf,” as they learn to link letter sounds to letter shapes and delight in their new found skills.
Reception Parents’ Tea – Thursday 21st September, 3pm in the Drawing Room
Staying with Reception, next week we are hosting a social gathering for the parents of Reception children. This will provide a wonderful opportunity to speak with Early Years staff and to connect with other parents, all helped along with a cup of tea and a spread of homemade cakes. Miss Yeo, Mrs George and I look forward to welcoming you.
Let the Music Begin!
There are two particular ‘first’ lessons of the year that I always look forward to… picture if you can, the children nestled in front of the keyboard in the middle area, readying themselves for a Music lesson. What will it be today? Fun, upbeat, sing-a-long tunes or a delve into the box of percussion instruments? Then, gasps of utter delight as Miss Morrell or Miss Govier enter the room clutching boxes of brightly coloured recorders and ocarinas – joy knows no bounds, you can literally feel the buzz of excitement in the air! Since starting the new school year, our Year 1 and Year 2 children have become the proud owners of a new instrument and, with such eagerness to play, I am sure they are treating you to plenty of impromptu practices at home too!
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, to 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 with them. The children positively beam when they stand 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.
Pupil Achievements
Congratulations to the following children for gaining swimming awards – Max Ley (2W) Level 4, Arthur Ablett (2M) 100m, Leonardo Dep-Shepherd (1S) 5m, Hugh Berry (1N) 25m, Aya Wilson (1N) Level 2 and Jai Chavda 10m and 15m.
Hugh Berry must also be congratulated for coming 1st in the 30cm individual event at the Woodland Pytchley Hunter Trial.
The following children have enjoyed success on the cricket pitch – Archie Brown (2L), Alice Maule (2L), Charlie Wall (2W), Harry Wall (2L), and Oscar Waite (2M) who was awarded Player of the Week.
Alice Maule must also be congratulated for achieving a distinction in her Grade 1 Ballet exam
Very well done to Gabby Ayensah (2W) and Reuben Lofts (RY) who have both achieved awards in gymnastics.
Congratulations to Bertie Brady-White (2L) who was awarded Player of the Week at hockey club.
Very well done to William Dorrian (1N) whose effort and skill were celebrated in tennis, and to Emilia Docker (RG) for winning several rosettes at a dog show.
Final congratulations go to Harriet Turculet (2L) for gaining her Height and Water badges at Rainbows.
Fiona Sanchez
Head of Pre-Prep
TOWNSEND LIBRARY
Librarians
Please welcome this term’s new Librarians:- Nathaniel, Henry, Juno, Imogen, Lara, Imogen, Cee-Cee, Isaac and Evelyn.
The Book Fair
The book Fair will be visiting us on Monday 25th September until Thursday 28th September. It will be open for parents (with or without their children) to visit on the Monday afternoon from 4.00—5.00 pm.
A letter will be sent home shortly for you to indicate if your child can choose a book which will be added to your school account.
Sally Alexander – Librarian
ART
Artist of the Week
This week, Artist of the Week goes to Isabel Cheng for her amazing drawing of her dog called Lucky. She has drawn such a lot of detail on the dog.
She is the first entry for the ‘Paint your Pet’ competition – see details below.
Art Competition, ‘Paint a Pet’
How to enter
- Paint or draw a pet, yours or someone else’s pet you know. You do not have to have a pet to enter.
- No bigger than A3 size.
- Paste a photograph of your pet painting/drawing on the common drive – in Art – in the pet competition entries slide. Giving your name and form, pet’s name and tell us a bit about them.
- Deadline is 2nd November (the day before we get back after half term).
- Bring your picture into school on Monday 3rd November.
- Winners will be announced by the end of November.
FOOD & DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
Year 7 have been baking breads from all over the world as part of their Food Design and Technology lesson.
MUSIC
Exam Success
Congratulations to Olivia Moger for passing her Grade 2 ABRSM performance exam on the violin.
NMPAT Music Ensembles
Congratulations to Amelia Suter who has successfully auditioned and been offered a place in the NMPAT Singers and also to Zara Bushell who has been offered a place in the NMPAT Senior Chamber Choir. Congratulations also go to Ben Beaumont, who has been offered a place in the NMPAT County Junior Orchestra on the trumpet.
Oakham Prep School Music Day – Tuesday 3rd October
Sadly, Oakham have had to cancel their Prep School Music Day in October.
Music Clubs
If your child has individual instrumental lessons or singing lessons, please be reminded that we do expect them to participate in the relevant music ensembles where possible. The only exception to this is for those pupils having drum lessons.
CAKE SALE
Thank you to everyone who donated cakes to the Year 8 Cake Sale on Tuesday. We managed to raise a total of £290 for Rainbows Hospice.
HARVEST
Harvest is fast approaching and, once again, we will be collecting for the Hope Centre in Northampton. A group of Y8s went down to Hope this week to learn about and experience the amazing work they do in our community. Hope provides a vital service, supporting vulnerable adults who may be homeless or find themselves in desperately difficult times in their lives. Each year group is focusing on a particular item. There will be a box outside the Hunter Hall from next week onwards for donations.
Pre-Prep – Any non-perishable items
Y3 – Cereals, including long life milk, tea and coffee (breakfast bits)
Y4 – Tinned foods (savoury and sweet)
Y5 – Toiletries (toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, toilet rolls….. second hand towels in good condition)
Y6 – Dried ingredients (carbs based. Rice, pasta, smash, noodles etc)
Y7/8 – A standalone meal e.g. tin of tomatoes, tuna, pasta main meal, tinned or rice pudding dessert and tea or coffee
Thank you
Mrs C Williams
PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS
Congratulations to Ralph Drage who won his first 18 hole golf competition, beating his big brother!
LOST PROPERTY
This was found in a pocket of a second hand blazer handed into the shop. If you know who it belongs to, please contact Julie Gallo jga@sprattonhall.com
Thank you
