FROM THE HEAD MASTER                                                                                                                                                 

Start of Term

Term has got off to a flying start with much happening already, including Year 5 enjoying their first residential trip at Conkers, the activity centre in the National Forest.  I have heard very good reports from the members of staff involved and I am sure the children will have many exciting tales to tell on their return.

Similarly, Year 8 had their ski trip to Pila in Italy in the first week of the holidays and, no doubt, much fun was had by all.  They were fortunate with the weather in that there was plenty of snow all week.  As ever, my huge thanks to the members of staff for accompanying the trip and giving up a week of their holiday.

Mrs Appleby – Matron

Sadly, Mrs Su Appleby, our Matron, will be leaving Spratton at the end of this term after many years of excellent service in our medical room.  We are on the hunt for somebody to replace Mrs Appleby and are looking for someone who has suitable medical qualifications and who would ideally take on her hours, that being Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and medical cover for all weekend home matches.  There may be some flexibility on the Tuesday and Thursday hours in that it could be one whole day rather than two afternoons.  If you know of somebody who might be interested, please do direct them to me or to Mrs Hadfield, our Senior Matron.

Sports Fixture Changes

As a result of the weather and the fact that our lower fields are just not ready for cricket or athletics, there have been a number of changes to forthcoming sports fixtures, all of which will be on our website and on SOCS.

We have had to postpone the Spratton Hall Athletics Meeting from 30 April, now moved to Tuesday 7 May with a 4.30pm start.  We have also moved our Cycle-Cross event to Sunday 16 June, though this is dependent on the other schools being able to attend.

We very much hope for a dry spell of weather so our fields have the chance to dry out and then the groundsmen can get to work!

 LAMDA results

I was hugely impressed by the recent LAMDA results with some coming through last term and some results just in last week. There were a huge number of distinctions throughout – very well done to all of the pupils involved.

Car Park

Just as a reminder, but also to inform the new families who have joined this week, that during peak hours, all cars should turn left out of the school gates and make their way out of the village down Manor Road.  The route into school down Smith Street does, therefore, become an unofficial one-way system just for our parents.  (Please note this one-way system does not apply to our neighbours in the village.)

When reversing into spaces at the other side of the top car park, ie the spaces that align Arthur’s Square field, please do reverse with extreme care as the children are using this path now to walk to and from the Underwood and the playing fields.  We are widening the path by putting in additional batons.  Please do take care not to drive over these batons.

Simon Clarke

Head Master