FROM THE HEADMASTER
Cross-Country
It has been another busy week at school which began with the Cross-Country Relays with 15 schools visiting on Monday afternoon. Very well done to all of our runners, but particularly our U13A girls team who came 2nd and the U11As girls who came 3rd. As always, my thanks to the many members of staff involved in putting on this very successful event.
Year 4 Play
I thoroughly enjoyed the Year 4 production of ‘Wind in the Willows’ on Tuesday with some excellent singing and acting. Very well done to the cast and members of staff involved.
Scottish History Week
The children have also really enjoyed ‘Scottish History Week’ with a myriad of activities going on. Very many thanks to Mr Kennedy and his History team for putting on all these additional activities. The week culminated in a splendid Burns Night Lunch today, which I thoroughly enjoyed – though admittedly, the haggis received a bit of a mixed response from the children!
Next Week
The varied events we offer at Spratton continue next week with Years 3 to 6 involved in Dance workshops for Chinese New Year on Monday; the House ‘Question of Sport’ Quiz on Tuesday morning, and that same day a group of our Years 5 and 6 taking part in the Cheltenham College Maths Competition, then the Year 8 Informal Music Concert taking place on Thursday.
Important Notice concerning Driving and the Car Park
I need to make a couple of important points involving driving into school and the car park.
Please do be aware that if you are turning into the school gates from the direction of Manor Road and the primary school, do not veer right too early as some cars coming down Smith Street will be continuing on the road and not turning into school. There have been a couple of near misses recently. Please do keep left for as long as you can before you turn right.
There have also been one or two instances of car doors being bumped or scratched in the car park when people are getting in or out of cars. This is easily done in tight spaces at busy times but I would urge you and the children to be as careful as possible when opening the doors and, if there is an accidental bump or scratch, that you could let the driver of the vehicle know or perhaps even pop into the School Office to let them know.
Thank you for your support in these matters and do have a very good weekend.
Simon Clarke
Headmaster
PRE-PREP
Year 1’s Egyptian Topic
Year 1 are certainly immersing themselves in all things Egyptian at present. Beautiful, multi-collared drawings of ornate sarcophagi are now adorning the walls and windows of the children’s classrooms and, within their Music lessons, they are learning some enchanting songs.
This week, the children have been finding out about scarab beetles. After discovering why the ancient Egyptians valued them so much, 1S headed off to the forest school, armed with brushes and paints to turn their own pebbles into scarab beetle mementos. The children particularly enjoyed admiring their handiwork at the end of the lesson over a tasty hot chocolate and biscuit – what a fabulous way to enjoy history!
Reception Head Off on a Surprise Mission!
Last week, our Reception children stifled squeals of delight as they set off on a surprise mission… to the village post box in Spratton! Returning from the Christmas break, the children put huge amounts of effort and careful thought into writing special thank you letters to their grown-ups at home, to say a big thank you for a particular present, outing or experience that they had enjoyed over the festive period. Once back at school, it was heart-warming to hear how proud and excited the children sounded as they tried to predict what their grown-ups might say when they opened their letter and… realised it was from them!
Year 2 – A Shimmering Discovery in the Forest School
Would you know a rainbow dragon if you saw one? It is believed that some are a beautiful golden colour but most are a radiant dazzle of iridescent rainbow colours.
The children in Year 2 are learning the art non-chronological report writing, with the magnificent rainbow dragon as their focus. How extraordinary, then, that whilst foraging and exploring the leafy undergrowth of the forest school, they have discovered clusters of stunningly beautiful rainbow patterned eggs! This remarkable discovery is sure to ignite the children’s imaginations and impact on their writing skills!
Fiona Sanchez
Head of Pre-Prep
PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS
Pre-Prep
Congratulations to Aya Wilson who has achieved her Level 3 and 25m swimming awards and to Jacob Ayensah who has gained his Level 2 award.
Well done to Violet Wolstenholme who was awarded ‘Player of the Week’ in Tennis and to Callum Boyson who gained the ‘Player of the Week’ trophy in Football.
Finally, a magnificent well done to Reuben Lofts who has gained his Diamond award by completing Numbots.
Prep
Congratulations to Shanaya Phatak (7W) who achieved a Distinction in both her Grade 2 Ballet and LAMDA exams that took place in December.
MUSIC NEWS
Thursday 30th January – Year 8 Informal Concert
The Year 8 Informal Concert is always a lovely evening when the musicians in the year group get to show us their musical talent. All are welcome to come and support.
Exam Success
Congratulations to William Barber for achieving a merit in his Grade 1 cornet exam.
Termination of Music Lessons
Please be aware that, if you wish to cancel music lessons from the start of the Summer term, notice must be received by February half term.
Mrs King
Director of Music
ART NEWS
Artist of the Week
This week’s Artist of the Week is Bessie Sanders for being the first Year 8 to finish her self portrait painting with lots of wonderful skin tones and detail.
Mrs Moreton
Head of Art
THE WEEK AHEAD
Textile Club
Please note that Textile Club is cancelled next week (Tuesday 28th January).
Please click the link below to view the most up-to-date schedule for next week, including sports fixtures and clubs news.
CLUBS
OPEN DAYS
