FROM THE HEADMASTER
Countdown to the New Building
It has been so exciting to see the finishing touches being put to the new building. The countdown has well and truly begun with just five breakfasts and lunches left in the ‘old’ dining room. Next week I will furnish you with a little more information about both how the new building will work and a little more about the opening ceremony to which I hope you received your invitation this week.
House Singing
Always one of the great highlights of the year is the House Singing Competition where every child in the prep school is involved with each House singing two unison songs along with junior and senior vocalists. I look forward to welcoming Mr John Mountford, Director of Music at Oakham, who has the unenviable task of adjudicating. Unfortunately, as the pupils themselves fill the Hunter Hall, we are unable to welcome parents except of those whose children are taking part in the junior or senior soloist competition. Parents can, however, watch the live stream and the link will be sent to you next week.
Athletics
I was delighted to hear how well our Athletics team did at the Stowe event on Monday. There was something of a hiccup when the results were announced with the wrong schools being pronounced winners. I am delighted to report that we came 1st in all of the following: Years 4&5 girls, Years 6&7 boys, Years 6&7 girls and Year 8 girls and boys. Many school records were broken (some completely smashed!) and many children achieved PBs, which is all we can ask for. Please see full details below.
EDI Working Party
I was so pleased to hear of the positive discussions and ideas coming from the working party comprised of parents and staff. I am so very grateful to all those involved for giving their precious time and for the very good work they are doing. Please do see Mr Dow’s further write-up from the latest meeting elsewhere in the newsletter.
Oundle Triathlon
I gather that nearly 90 of our pupils are taking part in the triathlon event at Oundle this weekend – good luck to each and every one of them. I was particularly pleased to hear of the huge fundraising efforts our pupils have put in in advance of the event. Well done to them all.
Finally, good luck to pupils taking their LAMDA exams this weekend and in the cricket matches v Witham Hall.
Thank you.
Simon Clarke
Headmaster
PRE-PREP
Year 2 Explore the Wonders of Australia, with Kylie!
Year 2 were thrilled to welcome a special visitor into their classroom, Mrs Matts, who gave a fascinating talk about her home country—Australia! She wowed the children with real Aussie treasures, including gum nut seeds, moth cases, real currency and even a giant turtle shell.
One of the many highlights of her visit, however, was most definitely Kylie – a live stick insect, who clung to Mrs Matts’ shoulder like a curled-up orange leaf for the entire duration of the talk! From venomous creatures to wild landscapes and some Aboriginal history, Mrs Matts certainly brought the magic of ‘Down Under’ to life.
Off to the Farm to Meet ‘Pig’, the Sheep!
Mrs Matts has certainly had a busy week! No sooner had she finished chatting with our Year 2 children than she was heading back to her farm next door, ready to welcome some Pre-Prep classes for a visit with her lambs. There was plenty of noisy bleating as the lambs lapped up tickles and fuss behind their ears. Laughter soon filled the air as the children watched ‘Pig’—Mrs Matts’ full-grown sheep—trail after her around the field, gently nudging her legs for some fuss of her own!
Year 2 Expedition to Stanwick Lakes
Our Year 2 children couldn’t have asked for better weather for their trip to Stanwick Lakes earlier this week. Armed with huge nets, they swept through ponds and grasses, uncovering all sorts of minibeasts basking in the sunshine.
Once their science adventures were complete, it was off to the enormous adventure playground, where they encountered tunnels, stepping stones, a climbing tower, a giant slide and even a sunken ship! Judging by the amount of sand they tipped out of their shoes back at school, I think it’s safe to say they had an amazing time.
Pre-Prep Grandparents’ Day
Finally, today brings one of the highlights of our Pre-Prep Calendar to round off the children’s week ~ Grandparents’ Day! It’s set to be a truly special afternoon with numerous beloved family members and friends in attendance, and many more watching the assembly online via our live streaming link. The children have been practising their songs in readiness and the catering team have been busy whisking, icing and decorating a delicious spread of homemade cakes – our guests are in for such a treat this afternoon!
Pupil Achievements
Congratulations to Freddie Warner who was awarded ‘Man of the Match’ at his football club and to Reuben Lofts who achieved ‘Coaches Player of the Season’ at Long Buckby Rugby Club.
The following children must be congratulated for their swimming achievements: Francesca Williams – Level 3, Arthur Woodhouse – Level 2 and 5m, and Rafael Sandhu, who gained a rosette for his effort and skill in the water.
Finally, very well done to Finn and Aoife Ryan who have both achieved their Level 7 and 8 Awards in Gymnastics.
Fiona Sanchez
Head of Pre-Prep
MUSIC NEWS
Summer Concert – Tuesday 1st July
Our Summer Concert will take place on Tuesday 1st July. All of our music ensembles will be performing in this concert. Please make sure that the date is in your diary.
NMPAT Auditions
It has been wonderful to see so many of our pupils involved in the external music groups organised by Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust this year. The auditions are now open for 2025-2026. As a guide, instrumentalists should be around Grade 3 standard and above. Singers can be any grade. Following on from a successful audition, children are placed in a group relative to their ability and their age. Rehearsals are one evening a week or on a Saturday, with a number of concerts throughout the year. Rehearsal times do vary, but some run as late as 9pm. Should you have any questions about whether your child should audition for an NMPAT ensemble, how they are organised or the timings of rehearsals, please speak to your child’s instrumental teacher or to Mrs King.
Further information about auditioning and how to apply can be found at the link below.
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.
Mrs King
Director of Music
WINTON HUMANITIES CUP
With the stunning setting of Stowe School as their backdrop, ten Year 6 pupils competed in the annual Winton Cup, a humanities challenge that sets over a dozen prep school against each other for the coveted trophy prize.
The Spratton Year 6 team was tasked with discussing issues that focused upon the topic of climate resilience and how we, as a nation, can futureproof our society against the inevitable changes we face as a consequence of climate change.
Pupils were initially treated to a lecture from Tanya Brittain, General Manager at the National Trust for the Stowe School site, before being directed by several different Stowe teachers throughout the day on ‘How do we build climate resilience?’.
The pupils attended a series of workshops that focused on different academic themes with Geography, History, Philosophy, Politics and Art all represented. The Spratton team had a wonderful time and relished the opportunity to compete against their peers from other schools. The overall winners of the competition were Lamsbrook Prep who were felt to have provided the most valuable contribution during the event. Spratton Hall ranked third for their efforts alongside a host of other school.
STOWE ATHLETICS
Following our own hugely successful athletics event a couple of weeks ago, the team travelled to Stowe in good form and excited to run on a tartan track! The weather was perfect and all pupils certainly rose to the occasion, delivering our best ever performance. Out of 38 track events, we won half and were placed 28th!
The age group results were as follows:
Year 4 & 5 boys came 8th
Year 4 & 5 girls, Year 6 & 7 boys and girls and Year 8 girls & boys all came 1st
Overall, the boys came 4th and the girls won!
Individually, we had 21 first places, 10 second places, 9 third places — and broke nine school records!
Well done to everyone and special congratulations to the athletes who set new school records:
Alicia Szechenyi – 1500m
Ralph Drage – 600m
Sofia Slowey – 150m
Isabella Szechenyi – 300m
Harry Rogers – 80m hurdles
Mara Hamilton and Elliot Glason – 800m (both of these records had stood for a long time — 10 and 16 years respectively!)
Year 4 & 5 Girls’ Relay Team – Sofia Slowey, Alicia Szechenyi, Jessica Dorrian and Amelia Legg broke the existing Year 8 girls’ relay time — set when they were in Year 5!
Year 7 & 8 Boys’ Relay Team – Harry Rogers, Ludo Lindsay, Joe Barber and Archie Wright smashed the old record by over a second — an incredible achievement and very exciting for the season ahead!
HOME CLOTHES DAY
EDI WORKING PARTY UPDATE
The joint parent/staff EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Working Party had its second meeting on the first Tuesday of this term, and once again some excellent ground was covered, with contributions from a very broad range of teachers and parents.
Initially, we reviewed some of the developments since the first meeting in November, which include individual and whole staff training, carrying out staff and pupil surveys, and the appointment of Mr McKenna as EDI Lead. We also heard in detail from Mrs Littlewood, Mrs Pearce and Mrs Kennedy about the introduction of ‘Voice Boxes’ in Pre-Prep and Yrs 3 and 4, and the sorts of issues, and learning opportunities, that had arisen from them among the pupils.
Mr McKenna then led the group through the results of the Pupil EDI survey, and various areas for discussion and further action came out of this. The summary of these results can be found by clicking on this link:- EDI PUPIL SURVEY RESULTS
Mr Dow then introduced the thinking behind the upcoming Cultural Festival – primarily having the children “host” a fete, but using it to highlight and celebrate as many of the different cultures that exist at Spratton, both obvious and not so. The process and discussion that Tutors and their Forms are going through to discover what cultures are present in each Form is as important as the actual event.
In connection with this, if any parent has an idea for a “bigger” display that could feature at the Cultural Festival – music, dance, food, drink – please do get in touch with Mr Dow on rpd@sprattonhall.com
As ever, the meeting aimed to be pragmatic, so there were a number of ‘actions’ arising that are being worked on going forward.
The next meeting is scheduled for a few weeks into the Autumn Term, and if any parent is interested in joining, please do contact Mr Dow – all welcome!
SCHOOL SHOP
Please note that the school shop will be closed on Thursday 22nd May. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
