FROM THE HEAD MASTER
Creating a Buzz
During the summer holidays we became the proud owner of two new beehives, situated down by the ponds well away from the sports pitches. As I am sure the children could tell you from their Science lessons, bees play an important role in the food chain and are vital to farmers as their services as pollinators are apparently worth around £691 million a year in terms of the value of the crops they pollinate. Apparently, it would cost the UK at least £1.8 billion a year to employ people to do the work of these pollinators. We’re happy to do our bit as the bees are excellent for our green credentials, plus we have already enjoyed our first pot of Spratton Hall honey!
Sports Success
It has been so good to see the sporting year well and truly up and running with our children taking part in many matches, festivals and tournaments. I was particularly pleased to hear how well our girls did with four teams over at the Stowe Hockey tournament on Monday. Many congratulations to the 1st VII who won the tournament beating The Dragon in the final.
Year 6 in Edale
I have heard very positive reports from the Peak District where Year 6 have had an excellent few days. Once they had dried out after Wednesday, they have enjoyed much improved weather. They have been orienteering, abseiling, ‘weaseling’ and hiking up Kinder Scout. No doubt the children will be ready for a well-earned rest this weekend. I am so grateful to the staff for accompanying them.
Harvest Festival
Next Friday, we have the first Church Services of the new academic year. We will be celebrating Harvest Festival in St Andrew’s Church in the village with the service for Years 6, 7 and 8 at 8.45am, followed by the Years 3, 4 and 5 service at 9.10am. Parents are, as always, invited to attend. You may be aware that there is limited parking at the church so it is vastly preferable for parents to park at school and walk to the church.
Staff News
While Mr Dixon is recovering from an ankle injury preventing him from taking Games, we welcome back to the school Mr Monk who left only last term. He will be helping out on Year 3 Games on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
Finally, I will be away from school for a few days. Today, I am attending meetings in Norfolk in my capacity as a Governor at Gresham’s School and next week from Monday to Wednesday I will be attending the Annual IAPS Heads Conference in Liverpool. I look forward to being back at school next Thursday. In the meantime, if there are any urgent matters that require my attention, please do get in touch with Mr Dow, Deputy Headmaster, who will be pleased to help.
Simon Clarke
PRE-PREP
‘Talk for Writing’
Developed by the inspirational author, poet and educational trainer, Pie Corbett, (and led within the Pre-Prep by our own very talented Mrs Littlewood) ‘Talk for Writing’ is a compelling and innovative approach to enriching children’s Literacy skills. Through the powerful medium of talking, children learn to internalise the language structure of stories, before unleashing their imaginations and weaving in their own ideas, all whilst learning the importance of language features such as conjunctions, powerful verbs, personification and similes. Year 2 are currently basing their Talk for Writing work on the Slavic folk tale of Baba Yaga, a mystical witch like character with black honking geese. With so many enriching activities unfolding within their classrooms, we cannot wait to see the children’s finished stories.
Developing Creativity in Music
Imagine, if you will, the clashing of tambourines, the hollow clonk of agogo and tulip bells, the thump of tambours and the tingle of triangles all being played at the same time – I mean, exactly the same time! Walking into one of Mrs King’s Creative Music lessons this week was magical – the children were utterly absorbed in their music making, all whilst beaming the biggest smiles! Children need time and opportunities to explore, to experiment, and to make discoveries for themselves. Allowing them the freedom to express their individuality and ideas by saying, “Show me what you are thinking” or “How would you do that? Show me your way,” are such powerful tools for enriching any learning experience. Soaking up (and joining in, I couldn’t resist!) with the overflowing creativity in RY’s Music lesson this week, it was only too clear the wondrous impact this was also having on the children’s well-being and self-confidence too!
RG Have a Splashingly Good Time!
There is a well-known phrase within the world of Early Years education – ‘There is no such thing as unsuitable weather, just unsuitable clothing!’ This week’s blustery showers were certainly not going to stand in the way of RG’s fun. Equipped with wellies, waterproof trousers, and coats with hoods nestling warmly over ears, the children squealed with delight as they ran, jumped and splashed in all the playground puddles. Of course, the first person to launch themselves into a puddle, with a happy splosh and an almighty giggle ………. was Mrs Waller!
Pre-Prep Phonics Presentation – Thursday 28th September
There may be 26 letters in the English alphabet, yet they combine to make approximately 44 unique sounds. Learning to recognise letter shapes and link them to sounds forms an essential part of every child’s reading and writing journey. However, when you hear children using words like digraph and see units of sound such as ‘a-e, igh, ure and ng’ then the world of Phonics can feel rather mystifying. Do come along to our Phonics Presentation in the Hunter Hall, next Thursday, where we hope to unravel some of mysteries and demonstrate how important (and enjoyable!) developing children’s phonetic knowledge can be.
Pupil Achievements
Very well done to Giles Bushell (2L) for completing the Summer Library Reading Challenge.
Congratulations to Arthur Strike-Doyle (2M) for gaining his 10m and Level 3 Award in Swimming.
Fiona Sanchez
Head of Pre-Prep
OPEN MORNING
Please join us for our next Open Morning in October which is also open to current parents. You are able to book your visit via the school website or email registrar@sprattonhall.com.
BOOK FAIR
The book Fair will be visiting us on Monday 25th September until Thursday 28th September. It will be open for parents (with or without their children) to visit on the Monday afternoon from 4.00—5.00 pm.
A letter will be sent home shortly for you to indicate if your child can choose a book which will be added to your school account.
Sally Alexander – Librarian
ART
ARTArtist of the Week
This week, Artist of the Week goes to two pupils – Mimi Hamilton and Archie Bateson.
Thank you to all the Year 8s who have finished their Christmas cards, they all look fantastic. The theme for Year 8 Christmas cards this year is, ‘Madonna and Child’ looking mainly at Byzantine images.
All pupils in Years 3-8 can come up to the Art Department at lunch times on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
The cards will be packed and sent on Friday 7th October 2023.
Art Competition, ‘Paint a Pet’
How to enter
- Paint or draw a pet, yours or someone else’s pet you know. You do not have to have a pet to enter.
- No bigger than A3 size.
- Paste a photograph of your pet painting/drawing on the common drive – in Art – in the pet competition entries slide. Giving your name and form, pet’s name and tell us a bit about them.
- Deadline is 2nd November (the day before we get back after half term).
- Bring your picture into school on Monday 3rd November.
- Winners will be announced by the end of November.
SPORT
Congratulations to the 1st VII Hockey team who won the Stowe School Hockey Tournment on Monday.
MUSIC
NMPAT Music Ensembles
Congratulations to Jehan Jasinarachchi who has successfully auditioned and been offered a place in the NMPAT Singers.
Harvest Church Service – Friday 29th September
Junior Song and the Year 5 Choir members will be singing as part of the Junior Service and the Year 6, 7 and 8 members of the Senior Choir will be singing as part of the Senior Service. Parents are welcome to attend.
SCIENCE
In Our Element club took advantage of the sun to learn about Cyanotype photography. It is a camera-less technique that involves laying an object on paper coated with a solution of iron salts before exposing it to UV light and washing with water to create stunning white and Prussian blue images.
HOUSE FLAG
House Captains of Raleigh – Claudia and Benedict – raise the red flag on the brand new flag pole by the Bickley Centre, to signify that Raleigh topped the House Pluses score this week.
HARVEST
Harvest is fast approaching and, once again, we will be collecting for the Hope Centre in Northampton. Hope provides a vital service, supporting vulnerable adults who may be homeless or find themselves in desperately difficult times in their lives. Each year group is focusing on a particular item. There will be a box outside the Hunter Hall from next week onwards for donations.
Pre-Prep – Any non-perishable items
Y3 – Cereals, including long life milk, tea and coffee (breakfast bits)
Y4 – Tinned foods (savoury and sweet)
Y5 – Toiletries (toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, toilet rolls….. second hand towels in good condition)
Y6 – Dried ingredients (carbs based. Rice, pasta, smash, noodles etc)
Y7/8 – A standalone meal e.g. tin of tomatoes, tuna, pasta main meal, tinned or rice pudding dessert and tea or coffee
Thank you
Mrs C Williams
PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS
Congratulations to Elsa Miles who has been selected to play for the U13 Northants County Netball team. Over the summer, she also trialled and has been selected to train at the Loughborough Lightening netball training hub.
LOST PROPERTY
Theia Hawkyard (2W) – tracksuit top
NON-SCHOOL EVENTS & INFORMATION
Northants Cricket Barn – Brixworth
RDA Charity Autumn Fair – 3rd October 2023
Please follow this link for further details.
