FROM THE HEADMASTER
Scholarship Success
I am delighted to announce further scholarships achieved by members of Year 8.
Finlay Bourne has been awarded an Academic Scholarship to Rugby. This is a tremendous achievement following many months of hard work – Finlay’s results were extremely impressive indeed. I am also pleased to announce that Finlay, Poppy Johnson, Jessica King and Yilin Zhang have each been awarded a Foundation Award and India Woollcott-Price a Headmaster’s Award, all to Rugby.
I am delighted, too, to announce that both Amelie Inman and Henry Sandall have been awarded a Thring Scholarship to Uppingham. These are awarded for all-round achievement and recognition by Uppingham of potential in future years.
This excellent news brings to a close this year’s scholarship season. It has been something of a record-breaking year with no other year group in the school’s history having achieved so many – congratulations to each and every one of them.
At this time, it is important to pay tribute to those pupils who have entered for a scholarship but not been awarded one. Those children should be proud even to have entered and I know they will have gained enormously from the experience.
Sporting & Debating Successes
It has been a week of great success in sport. As reported, our girls had won through to the National Netball finals last week, where out of the top 20 teams in the UK they came a very creditable 12th, playing against some very big schools. The 1st girls also had a very successful day in cricket yesterday when they played in the Indoor County finals. They won all their qualifying rounds comfortably, then beat Wellingborough in the semi-final and Oundle in the final. They are through to the regional round to be held in Cambridge in April.
Similarly, the 1st boys took part in the Northampton Saints Rugby 7s Series where they, too, won through to the final where they just lost out to Oundle, but as runners-up they do progress through to the finals to be held at Franklin’s Gardens in April.
Finally, I was delighted to hear how well Charlotte Berry and Finlay Bourne did at the IAPS Debating Qualifying Competition held at St Faith’s, Cambridge. They won through some very competitive rounds to finish in 2nd place. Mr Wilson who accompanied them on the day said how brilliantly they did, both in delivering their speeches and responding to some very difficult questions. Very well done to them both.
Diamond Ball
It was very exciting to see the SHSPA Diamond Ball invitations drop this week. As expected, there has been a real flurry of bookings. If you haven’t yet booked yours, please do so as per the details on the invitation or if for any reason your invitation did not arrive, you can book tickets here: SHSPA Diamond Ball.
Oliver!
Excitement is definitely building throughout the school as we approach the production of Oliver! to take place next week. Yesterday the cast were rehearsing with radio mics for the first time, so I enjoyed hearing the music drifting across the terrace over towards my study. If what I heard is anything to go by, it should be a splendid performance and I wish the cast and crew all the very best.
Please do note if you are attending and no longer need any of your tickets, do let us know so they can be reallocated to those on the waiting list. Please also be aware that we will not be serving drinks before the performance as there will be an interval during which refreshments will be served.
Final Day
As we approach the end of term, just a reminder that next Friday is our Easter Service held at St Andrew’s Church. As always, the Years 6, 7 and 8 service is first at 8.50am, followed by the Years 3, 4 and 5 service at 9.10am. As ever, all parents are very welcome.
Thank you.
Simon Clarke
Headmaster
PRE-PREP
What a glorious tonic the beautiful sunshine has been these last few days! Feeling the warm sun on their skin, the children have wriggled out of their coats whilst they played – many even took to lying stretched out on the playground, faces tilted upwards, to really relish in the sunbeams!
The Year 2 Choir Sing and Shine!
I simply must begin this week by mentioning the Year 2 Choir’s performance last weekend at the Regional Festival of Music for Youth – Mrs King and I are still glowing with pride! Pulling magnificently on their inner braveness, the children stepped out onto an unfamiliar stage, in a huge auditorium and sang their hearts out. The mentors were full of praise, describing their performance as a wonderful ‘world tour of songs’. They were especially impressed by the children’s ability to sing in Congolese and Spanish, alongside their beautiful use of sign language. It was a truly special moment, and every single child should feel immensely proud of what they achieved.
Year 1 Enjoy a Sensory Adventure
Year 1 delighted in a wonderfully immersive sensory tour of the school this week, exploring familiar spaces in entirely new ways. From the dimly lit, dusty cellar, to the sweetly scented daffodil-laden flowerbeds, every stop was an invitation for the children to pause and notice. Even the gleaming polished hallway led them onward, guiding their senses to the mouth-watering aroma of freshly baked cakes from the kitchen—a joyful journey of discovery at every turn.
Down by the Pond…
The Pre-Prep staff and children can never resist taking their indoor learning experiences outside, into the fresh air, as thinking, creating and problem solving outdoors is both invigorating and empowering.
The children in 2L ventured across the fields to our school pond this week, the perfect area in which to test out the carefully made little baskets that they had created. This activity certainly helped to dramatise their understanding of the Bible story, The Baby in the Bulrushes.
‘Rocking our Socks’ for World Down Syndrome Day
From sporty to sparkly, jazzy to neon, a rainbow of colourful legs are on parade today as staff and children Rock Their Socks for World Down Syndrome Day. All funds raised will support the Northamptonshire Down Syndrome Group, which relies entirely on donations. This afternoon, some group members are visiting Pre-Prep to talk to the children about the sorts of equipment and experiences that their fundraising helps to bring about.
Thank you for your support—it’s wonderful to know we’re making a difference!
Pupil Achievements
Congratulations to Poppy Wiseman who gained a 4th place rosette and an individual qualification for Hickstead at a recent equestrian event.
Very well done to Otto Jones who was awarded ‘Swimmer of the Month’, along with his Level 2 swimming award, and to Lara Morris who gained a medal for her effort and skill in swimming.
Well done to Harriet Deane and Pixie Morris for achieving their Grade 1 badges in gymnastics
Congratulations to Micah Leung who received recognition for his drum playing in a recent performance.
Fiona Sanchez
Head of Pre-Prep
MUSIC
Year 2 Choir – Regional Festival of Music for Youth
The Year 2 Choir were absolutely amazing on Saturday when they took the stage at the Regional Festival of Music for Youth. They sang brilliantly and with such confidence. They received very high praise from the Music Mentors, their hard work throughout the term was definitely worth it. A huge well done to all those pupils that took part.
Exam Success
Congratulations to Ethan Lane who gained a distinction in his recent Grade 2 violin exam, to Wilf Canty for passing his Grade 2 drum exam and to Elodie Bolt who gained a merit in her Grade 2 Guitar exam.
Senior Choir – Tuesday 24th March
There will not be a Senior Choir rehearsal on Tuesday 24th March.
Easter Church Services – Friday 27th March
Please be aware that Spratton Singers will be singing as part of the Junior service. All members of Senior Choir, including those in Year 5, will be singing as part of the Senior service. Parents are very welcome to attend.
ART
Artist of the Week
Gabby Ayensah and Jack Cross (4C) are Artists of the Week for their wonderful detailed designs in the style of William Morris for their ceramic coil pots.
Years 5&6 Drawing Club
Well done on some fantastic wooden painted Easter eggs done over the weekend for the Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday!
HOUSE COMPETITIONS
Years 3&4 Football & Netball
Girls – 1st Frobisher, 2nd Grenville, 3rd Drake, 4th Raleigh
Boys – 1st Grenville, 2nd Frobisher, 3rd Raleigh, 4th Drake
Years 5&6 Football & Netball
Girls – 1st Frobisher, 2nd Grenville, 3rd Drake, 4th Raleigh
Boys – 1st Drake, 2nd Raleigh, 3rd Frobisher, 4th Grenville
SPORT
Northampton Saints 7s Series (Northamptonshire leg)
The 1st VII Rugby enjoyed a competitive and positive day at the Northampton Saints 7s Series Leg. The boys played some incredible 7s rugby throughout the day, winning their pool, against some tough opposition. Resilience, Commitment and Teamwork was outstanding!
v Wootton Park School Won 35 – 10
v Northampton School Won 35 – 5
v Winchester House Won 35 – 5
v Malcom Arnold Academy Won 30 – 0
Play the Final v Oundle Lost 10 – 30
Spratton 1st VII finished Runners-up and progressed through to the Finals Day in April. We look forward to the challenge!
Mr Barnard
Indoor County Cricket Finals
The 1st VIII Girls played in the Indoor County Finals on Thursday at the Northants Cricket County Indoor Center.
The girls won the qualifying Rounds before half time, winning all three matches to progress. They played Wellingborough in the semi-final, winning comfortably, before meeting a skillful Oundle in the final.
The girls should be commended for their contributions to the team with both bat, ball and in the field. We scored 63 in the final with Oundle falling 9 runs short, to be bowled out. An amazing and deserved win for the girls.
We now progress through to Regionals in late April in Cambridge.
Mr Barnard & Mrs Clarke
PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS
Well done to Martha who passed her Pony Club D+ test that assesses riding skills and horse care knowledge.
Well done also to Alber who won his class in the first round of the Whilton Mill Karting Championships.
Congratulations to Thomas Hodgkins who passed his karate grading at the weekend and is now a purple belt with white tag.
This week Year 5 pupil, Jeevan, had a unique opportunity to meet and advise The Shadow Health Secretary, Stuart Andrew MP. As part of a meeting between Jeevan’s father (a Senior Specialist Optometrist and Ophthalmic Partner) and Mr Andrew on the importance of improving awareness around children’s eye health, Jeevan was invited to give his personal experiences in this area. Jeevan spoke confidently about the importance of regular, and early, eye examinations for children, particularly before they begin school in order to identify potential issues. He also explained the impact that eyesight can have on learning in the classroom, as well as on play and participation in sports and activities, and how the increasing use of interactive devices makes good eye health even more important for young people. Mr Andrew welcomed Jeevan’s insights and said that he would look into ways to further improve public awareness and support initiatives that encourage regular eye examinations for children. He was very impressed with Jeevan’s confident and knowledgeable delivery, and overall Jeevan made a superb representative for Spratton Hall.
ONLINE SAFETY TALK
Thank you to the parents who came to Gareth Cort’s Online Safety Talk recently and please see below the link to the parent handout.
