FROM THE HEAD MASTER
Sad News
I was so very sorry to hear the dreadful news that Katie Gibbard has passed away after a short illness. Katie ran our Equestrian team for many years, doing so with huge commitment, total enthusiasm and wonderful efficiency. Our riders thoroughly benefited from Katie’s expertise, passion and organisational skills. I have written to the family to pass on our deepest condolences and particularly to daughter, Emily, who was a Gap Student here a few years ago, and son, Daniel, who attended Spratton until leaving two years ago. I know you will all join me with thoughts and prayers for the family.
Year 8 & CE Results
I am currently sitting on a coach heading down to London with a very excited Year 8 for my day out with them. The trip is thoroughly deserved as Year 8 have been a tremendous year group who have now all passed most successfully into their next schools following receipt of their Common Entrance results this week. There were very many extremely impressive results – huge congratulations to each and every one of them.
Our first stop this morning is the Tower of London (where I will be giving them their CE results), then Tower Bridge, a short boat trip up the Thames into the West End for time in Covent Garden before a meal and then the evening performance of Mrs Doubtfire, the Musical. On Monday they will be heading to the Lake District for a week at Outward Bound where I know they will have a really fantastic time.
Informal Concert
I thoroughly enjoyed this concert on Monday night. It is always a pleasure to see children performing as soloists or small groups, many for the very first time, just starting out on their musical journey. Very well done, indeed, to all the performers.
Best of British Concert
On Wednesday in assembly we enjoyed a first whole school airing of some of the songs for the Outdoor Concert. It really was starting to sound very impressive. Parents will be receiving a letter from Mrs King on Monday with all the information you need. If any Pre-Prep parents whose children are not performing would like to attend the concert (a celebration of British music over the last 6 decades), you are more than welcome. It takes place on Friday 30 June at 5.30pm. You will need to bring a picnic and suitable seating, ie chairs or picnic rug.
Regional Prep School Athletics at Bedford
Our athletes had a tremendous day at the East of England prep school regional finals. In the heats our pupils made it through to 12 finals out of a possible 24. Furthermore, 4 pupils have qualified for the National Finals in 6 events: Ezekiel-David Peat in the 100m, Ludo Lindsay in the High Jump (and he broke the school record), Harry Rogers in the 100m and the Hurdles, Ellie Allsopp in the 300m and the Triple Jump. Well done, all and good luck to the fab four in the National Prep School Finals in July.
Senior Sports Day
What a splendid afternoon of athletics held in gorgeous weather! I thought the children were superb throughout but I particularly enjoyed watching the culmination of three exciting high jump competitions that went down to the wire – Year 7 girls and both Year 8 boys and girls. The overall winners for the afternoon were Drake who have had a most successful year so far – it was a bit of a job squeezing yet another trophy onto their shelf. Well done to them!
Erratum
I am very pleased to correct an error made in last week’s newsletter. Jacob Brown, omitted from the list, earned a gold certificate for UKMT Junior Maths Challenge. It is also most pleasing that he had the joint highest score in his year. Well done and apologies to Jacob!
New Minibus
I am pleased to inform you that we are in the final stages of purchasing another school minibus. It is our intention that we will, once again, have a full morning route into Spratton from Rugby, but we are hoping to encourage more customers onto this particular journey. The route starts at the Waterside Pub on the A428 in Rugby and then goes through Crick, West Haddon and Guilsborough. This third minibus means that we will now be able to have two minibuses coming in from the Market Harborough direction. If you are interested in your child joining any of our morning runs, or if you live very nearby the route and we could then look at the viability of a slightly different pick-up, please get in contact with Mrs Julie Gallo on JGA@sprattonhall.com.
We are also now on the hunt for another minibus driver. If you know of anyone who might be willing and suitable for an hour or so of driving work every morning, again, please get in touch with Mrs Gallo.
Thank you
Simon Clarke
PRE-PREP
Mrs Fordy and Martha Lead Assembly
Our week began with a fascinating insight into the way into the world of communication. Mrs Fordy helped us to think about all of the different ways in which we express our thoughts and feelings. We learnt that facial expressions, gestures and body language convey so much meaning, before we even begin to use words. Martha, from Year 5, then shared with us some of the sign language that she uses to communicate. She showed us some signs for different letters of the alphabet, before carefully teaching us how to sign, ‘Good morning, my name is …’ The children are all keen for Martha to come back again, so that we can learn a little more!
Cool as Cucumbers!
As cool as cucumbers, or should that be strawberries, raspberries, oat milk and ice? Year 2 have been conjuring up gloriously refreshing ways of keeping cool in this stifling heat –Mrs McKenna treated her children to delicious fruit smoothies, full of crushed ice, to help rejuvenate energy levels after working hard. The children had just as much fun making them as they did drinking them!
Meanwhile, a trip up the stairs and across the landing into Mrs Littlewood’s classroom, revealed another refreshingly cool surprise … children listening carefully and enjoying their learning whilst wiggling their toes in the cold water of a paddling pool ~ perfect for focusing attention and cooling off!
Year 2 Animal Blessing at Church
Staying with Year 2, Rev. Twigg swung open the door of St Andrew’s Church this week to be met by a long line of children clutching everything from a tyrannosaurus rex, to a giant panda, a knitted rabbit and even a real life tortoise. Having learnt about St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, the children trotted through the village holding their own toy animals, ready to be blessed in a special naming ceremony. Even Miss Brown’s tortoise, Bullet, was treated to a blessing – although he also rather enjoyed being back in the classroom, nonchalantly weaving between the legs of the children’s chairs, whilst they worked!
Pupil Achievements
Congratulations to Rudy Boswell (1S) for achieving his half marathon Park Run award band.
Very well done to Oliver Sharrock (2A) who played in his first Junior Golf Competition – not only did Oliver’s team take first place, but Oliver and his partner were the best scoring juniors, achieving 3rd place overall across all the age groups.
Congratulations to Lexi Mercer (2M) for achieving her Level 2 Gymnastics certificate and her 50m swimming badge.
A final well done to Bethany Lofts (2A) who has gained her red belt in Karate and here Level 2 swimming certificate.
Fiona Sanchez
Head of Pre-Prep
DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
For all the very latest videos, photos and school activities, please follow us on our social media platforms by clicking the icons below and, if you love it, share it!
YEAR 8 POST-CE PROGRAMME BEGINS!
Year 8 kicked off their action-packed and challenging Post-CE programme with the massive task of putting on a Shakesepare play – no less than Romeo & Juliet – inside just two days!! Led by Mr Ian Murchie, Director of Whirlwind Drama, they auditioned, were cast, learnt lines, blocked, sang, and rehearsed feverishly for two days straight before putting on a magnificent show for parents. The production featured every member of Year 8 with a speaking part, a host of pop songs from the Chorus to join scenes together, and a huge variety of humour, tragedy and romance, as you would expect from Warwickshire’s finest export. All of Year 8 conducted themselves brilliantly, and really rose to the challenge.
ART
Artist of the Week
This goes to Joseph Griffiths (7S) this week for his bold and colourful painting which is a work in progress.
Well done.
MUSIC
Informal Concert
This was a fantastic concert featuring musicians from Years 3 to 7. Some were performing for the first time and were very nervous, but everybody did brilliantly. Well done to all those who performed.
Outdoor Concert – Friday 30th June
Preparations are well under way for the Outdoor Concert. A letter will be sent out next week with further details about the event.
Music Lessons
Music lessons are available on a wide range of different instruments, for all children in Years 3-8. Please contact Mrs King (nck@sprattonhall.com) for more information.
HOUSE COMPETITIONS
Senior Sports Day
Girls: 1st Frobisher, 2nd Drake, 3rd Raleigh, 4th Grenville
Boys: 1st Drake, 2nd, Frobisher, 3rd Raleigh, 4th Grenville
Overall: 1st Drake, 2nd Frobisher, 3rd Raleigh, 4th Grenville
SPORT
Bears A at IAPS Cricket at Oundle
Spratton U11A team – the Bears – took part in the IAPS Cricket Competition at Oundle on Monday, taking on schools from far and wide on a boiling hot day.
They had a fantastic win over St John’s Cambridge, somehow managed to tie against Bedford Modern, and lost against a superb Solihull team. This left us second in the group and playing off for 5th – 8th places.
A tough match versus The Perse was followed by a very good performance against Laxton, in a match which was leaning heavily Spratton’s way….when a severe lightning warning brought a premature halt to the whole tournament!
So, a final placing of 7th out of 16 schools was a very encouraging result indeed, and just reward for key contributions from the entire squad.
Well done to all of Thomas, Harry, Johan, Sam, Amber, Ethan, Bessie, Bertie, Freddie, Elliott and Arthur.
IAPS Regional Prep Schools Athletics at Bedford
We had a great day at Bedford last Friday, with superb weather, and our athletes putting on a fantastic show!
We made 12 finals out of a possible 24, with the following 4 pupils qualifying for the National Finals in 6 events!
Ezekiel-David Peat in the 100m
Ludo Lindsay in the High Jump – breaking the School Record
Harry Rogers in the 100m – winning the Hurdles
Ellie Allsopp in the 300m – winning the Triple Jump
EQUESTRIAN
Congratulations to Charlotte, Chloe, Emily and Tiggy who competed in the NSEA Championships at Hickstead over the weekend.
Their results were fantastic:
In the 75cm Arena Eventing Champs the team came 8th out of 34 with Charlotte coming 7th out of 172 in the individual competition!
In the 85cm Arena Eventer Champs they came 20th out of 48 with Chloe 11th out of 232!
Great going girls!
Well done everyone.
LAMDA
Congratulations to all the children who took their Lamda exams in May and, importantly, a huge ‘Thank You’ to all the parents who helped them prepare.
The results were super and everyone can be justly proud of their marks as everyone gained a Distinction….which has saved me a lot of typing!
Acting Grade 1 – Combined
Clara Benn & Bertie Glason
Sofia Hopwell & Lexi Vinamata
Acting Grade 2 Combined
Elliot Briggs & Leilana Patel
Yusuf Sadiq & Toby Blake
Shyla Pal & Emily Moger
Acting Grade 2 Solo
Elliot Glason
Lilly Brook
Amelie Wilson
Acting Grade 3 Solo
Archie Gowling
Nathaniel Benn
Teddy Blake
Florence Morgan
Acting Grade 4 Combined
Ben Beaumont & Jehan Jasinarachchi
Jaypaul Sehmi & Zayn Shah
Clemmie Harrison & Evelyn Labrum
Acting Grade 5 Combined
Maisie Gowling & Cecilie Jackson
Shakespeare: Level 1
Romy Earle
Speaking Verse & Prose Grade 1
Lexi Vinamata
Kate Calnan
LOST PROPERTY
There are two lost pairs of glasses in the school office.
ONLINE SAFETY
Influencers
The influencer economy is huge business and, if you are really lucky you can make serious money. One influencer, who has 2 million followers on Snapchat, is now using an AI chatbot so that her fans can engage with her, the chatbot mimics her personality and mannerisms, and she charges $1 per minute for the privilege of talking to a bot. She is on track to make $5 million per month from the chatbot alone.
Many children and young people will be following their favourite influencers and, as with anything in life, there are risks. Childnet have put together a great article about influencers with a number of questions and answers. These can be used in the classroom to strike up conversations and debate which will allow you to cover many educational aspects such as advertising, misinformation/disinformation, parasocial relationships, mental health and more.
https://www.childnet.com/help-and-advice/influencers/
Here is the link to the school website where you will find more details and further helpful information about online safety.
NON-SCHOOL EVENTS
Holdenby Estate – South Lodge Property for Rent
Please follow this link for further details.
