In the Newsletter this week .....
Head Master,
Pre-Prep,
Music,
House Competitions,
Home Clothes Day
Sport,
Cake Sale,
SHSPA,
Pupil Achievements,
Online Safety
FROM THE HEAD MASTER
Festive Season
With December now upon us, the traditional seasonal events come thick and fast. Yesterday, Years 6, 7 and 8 were ‘off to see the Wizard’ in Leicester, thoroughly enjoying the production of The Wizard of Oz. Then, next week, I am very much looking forward to the Pre-Prep Christmas plays; Year 4 are going to see ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ in Wellingborough; Year 5 will be performing their own production of ‘Reflections of War’ on Thursday; and then on Friday we have our ‘Home Clothes Day’, the now traditional Christmas Jumper Day, which will also see the annual Christmas lunch, with all the trimmings.
Christmas is definitely in the air with decorations starting to spring up around the school, along with the rather pleasant waft of the baking of mince pies emanating from the kitchen!
House Drama Competitions
On Tuesday we enjoyed the second of our two house drama mornings, with competitors in Years 3-5 from each house taking part in a duologue. I am very grateful to Mr Tom Eyre-Maunsell, from Rugby School’s English Department, for adjudicating both competitions. He gave such positive feedback to the children, congratulating them on their projection, expression and poise. Well done to all performers.
Poppy Appeal
I am delighted to report that this year’s Poppy Appeal for the Royal British Legion raised a total of £627.81, which is the highest amount ever raised here at school. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to this very important charity.
Sustainability
Following on from Mr Roberts’ sustainability update letter to parents, a number of you expressed an interest in potential lift-sharing opportunities. Mrs Sarah Church, our Registrar, is happy to make contact with other Spratton parents who live close to you, to see if they may also be interested. Please email her at registrar@sprattonhall.comif you would like to explore this further.
Christmas Pantomime
Oh, yes they are! Mr Bradnam and Ms Bianco will be performing in the intriguingly entitled ‘Snow White and the 7 Ninjas’ at the Rugby Theatre between Friday 20th January and Sunday 29th January next year. Mr Bradnam is playing Dame Wendy Wibble Wobble and Ms Bianco is one of the narrators. Many pupils, parents and teachers are planning to go and watch the performance and I am sure it will be a most fun evening. Tickets are expected to sell out, so early booking is recommended. Good luck to them both!
Thank you
Simon Clarke
PRE-PREP
1S are in a Jam!
A rather sticky situation led to squeals of laughter in 1S this week! A jam sandwich making role-play also led to the children recognising the need for instructions to be simple, to the point and carefully sequenced. Having asked the ‘visiting chef’ to put the butter on the bread, bemused faces watched as the tub of butter was perched on top of the loaf, which was still in its wrapper! A fabulous way to bring imperative verbs and instructional writing to life – the children are already reflecting on this experience as they set about writing their own sets of instructions.
Nativity Fever Builds!
With only a handful of days to go until tea towels are clamped to the heads of shepherds and tinsel halos glisten on angels, the excitement surrounding next week’s performances is really growing. With so many stage directions and lines to remember, our nativity mishaps are often hugely entertaining in themselves. Spotting that Mary and Joseph had not popped up quite where expected, we did smile when Mrs Hanford steered the characters back to the stable, gently reassuring, “there definitely wasn’t room at any of the inns!”
The e-tickets were all sent out by email yesterday and, as you will see when you attend, we have two bumper audiences filling the Hunter Hall. Please do keep a lookout for my separate letter, which contains the live streaming links for both days.
After a huge trying on session yesterday, Mrs Cohen, a professional photographer, set up her studio to take the children’s costume photographs and there was much excitement in the middle area. It was quite amusing to see a huge cockerel posing for the camera, as the ox chatted happily to an angel, and the kings whirled around with a mouse! Mrs Cohen is going to create a gallery of photographs for each class, the links and passwords for which I will send to you on Tuesday, so that you can view or purchase some prints, if you wish.
Winter Robins
You will have noticed classrooms becoming increasingly twinkly and colourful over the last few days, as the children busy themselves with making and hanging decorations. In Pre-Prep, we always delight in creating a collective display, with art work included from every child – this year, an array of feathery, glittery robins, complete with pipe cleaner legs and red felt tummies are adorning branches in our Pre-Prep entrance. Do have a look in, if you are passing!
Pre-Prep Pupil Achievements
Many congratulations to Alex Schwartz-Jones (2L) and Bodhi Higgott (2L) who have both achieved their green belt grading in Karate. Further congratulations go to Cole Purcell (1S) who was awarded 2nd place in Kata and 3rd in sparring in a Karate tournament.
Cole Purcell has also achieved his Level 2 and 5m swimming awards.
Very well done to Ethan Lane (1N) who has gained swimming awards for his 15m front crawl and his 30m backstroke.
Finally, very well done to Bertie Brady-White (1S) who was named ‘Player of the Week’ at his football club.
Fiona Sanchez
Head of Pre-Prep
MUSIC
Christmas Concert – Monday 12th December
Letters were sent out via email this week to all those involved in the Christmas concert. Tea will be provided for all performers, please let the school office know if you require a sibling tea. A reminder to all pupils performing to bring something Christmassy to wear. This could be a Santa hat, headband or some tinsel. No Christmas jumpers though please.
Carol Services
Our Carol Services at the end of term are always a really lovely occasion. Please be aware that Junior Song and the Year 5 Choir members will be singing as part of the Junior Service on Thursday 15th December. The Years 6, 7 & 8 Choir members will sing in the Senior Service on Friday 16th December. Parents are welcome to attend.
HOUSE COMPETITIONS
Junior Drama
Well done to those who took part in this Tuesday morning’s Junior House Drama. The competition was judged by Mr Eyre-Maunsell, Head of English at Rugby School.
Year 3 Winner – Grenville – Astrid and Cecil
Year 4 Winner – Frobisher – Grace and Elodie
Year 5 Winner – Drake – Reuben and Shanaya
Tickets for the Christmas hamper raffle will be on sale this coming Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 8.00-8.30am, either in the main hall or by the black gates (weather dependant). £1 per ticket.
The raffle will be drawn at the Christmas Fayre.
CAKE SALE
Thank you to everyone who made, donated and bought cakes for the Year 8 Cake Sale on Tuesday. We managed to raise £253 for Down’s Syndrome Association.
PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS
Voted for by players and staff, the Year 6 ‘Man of Steel’ Trophy is a new weekly award given to the B or C Team Player who makes the most difference in a match, win lose or draw.
Congratulations to our inaugural winners, Rufus and Charlie!
WATER BOTTLES
Can parents please only provide children with plastic or metal water bottles, never glass, for safety reasons.
Thank you.
‘OH YES WE ARE!’
Mr Bradnam and Ms Bianco are appearing in Rugby Theatre’s pantomime ‘Snow White and the Seven Ninjas’, from Friday 20th January until Sunday 29th January.
The show is a traditional family panto, with Mr Bradnam appearing as Dame Wibble Wobble and Ms Bianco as a Narrator. It is a great cast with plenty of songs, slapstick and humour to come and enjoy in the New Year. If you are interested in tickets, they are £14 for adults, cheaper for children, with family tickets available. If you want to come and join in the fun, tickets are available from the box office: 01788 541234 or box.office@rugbytheatre.co.uk
Hope to see you there.
Mr Bradnam and Ms Bianco
ONLINE SAFETY GUIDES
This week’s topic is about getting ready for a ‘digital festive season’, looking at how parents can ensure that they set children up on new devices safely. It contains a personalised online safety plan for peace of mind, based on simple questions about a child’s specific interests and digital habits.