FROM THE HEAD MASTER
Political Situation
As you will know from my mention in last week’s newsletter, I have spent much of this week in Liverpool at the annual IAPS Heads’ Conference. As you can imagine, there was considerable debate and discussion about what the next few years might look like for independent schools with the looming General Election and the Labour Party’s pledge to remove tax benefits enjoyed by schools that are charitable and the imposition of VAT at 20%. The newsletter is not the right forum for me to write to you about these matters in any great detail, so I intend to write to you separately on this subject next week.
Study Visits
It has been most pleasing in the last week or so to see our study visits really getting up and running. Year 4 travelled to the Living Rainforest in Newbury on Monday, then yesterday Year 8 went to Bletchley Park. Next week, Year 5 are off to visit Coventry Cathedral and Year 7 have a visit to an Art Exhibition in Brixworth Country Park, closely followed by a Year 6 Study Visit to Bosworth Battlefield. Certainly a busy few days with the children having the opportunity to learn outside the classroom, such an important part of their education.
Covid Guidelines
Unfortunately, Covid has been rearing its ugly head again. I just wanted to make parents aware of the current government advice:
1. There is no requirement for testing.
2. However, if a child does test positive for Covid, the advice is that they stay off school for 3 days (which can include weekends).
We are doing our bit at school and frequently reminding the children of good hygiene and regular washing of hands.
Open Morning
Next Friday is our Open Morning beginning at 10am. I am pleased to say we do have a good number of visitors booked in to see the school in action. If you know of any friends or relatives who would be interested in attending, please do put them in touch with Sarah Church, Registrar on Registrar@sprattonhall.com. As always, our Year 8 children will be acting as guides, touring our visitors around the school – always such a valuable experience for them.
Thank you and I do hope you have a good weekend.
Simon Clarke
PRE-PREP
Pre-Prep have been channelling their creativity in abundance this week, both in and outside the classrooms. Our Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) theme at present is ‘Being Me in My World’ and this had led to some wonderful opportunities to learn more about each other, our hopes and fears and how we can help ourselves and each other to enjoy the wonderful sense of belonging that being part of a class, and a school, provides.
Friendly Faces in Forest School
The children in Reception have been learning more and more about each other … who likes to climb trees, who loves to sing, who has brown eyes, who has a favourite story? Down in ‘Five Acres Wood’, our forest school, the children delighted in scooping up handfuls of seedpods, leaves, pine needles, feathers and cones that could be used to make a collaborative piece of natural art – a huge smiley face to celebrate their sense of togetherness and belonging. I am told that even a few very carefully placed (and gently handled!) ladybirds made it into their picture too!
Autumn in Year 1
There is a beautiful phrase, that ‘the Autumn paints in colours, that the Summer never sees.’ After their adventures outdoors, this is exactly what the children in Year 1 have been doing. Starting with the elegant structure of a painted tree, the children then mixed all the glorious golds, browns, reds, and orange colours that they had observed outside, to finger-paint the autumn leaves. The results are quite captivating.
‘Egg-cellent’ Science Experiments in Year 2
Amongst the rustle and scrunch of autumn leaves, the children in Year 2 have been celebrating the close, loving relationships that they have with their families, by making Rakhi bracelets from natural objects. The Hindu festival of Rakshan Bandhan has enriched the children’s PHSE work about togetherness and belonging.
Then, in a creative twist, their explorations in Science have seen the children testing the properties of materials in a potentially egg-plosive way. Having painstakingly drawn Humpty Dumpty faces on numerous eggs, Miss Morrow then set 2W the task of finding protective materials to wrap them in, which would protect their delicate eggshells in a fall. All sorts of materials from tissue, foil, paper, felt and bubble wrap were explored. “You can drop your eggs off the end of your tables,” declared Miss Morrow … “Oh no,” exclaimed Mrs Dixon and the children, “we want to drop them off the balcony outside!” Good thinking Miss Morrow for boiling the eggs first!
Pre-Prep Parent/Teacher Meetings
Finally, our Pre-Prep Parent/Teacher Meetings are due to take place next week. These events provide parents with the opportunity to meet with their child’s class teacher to share those all-important first steps of progress and areas of development. An email with instructions on how to book an appointment was sent to parents earlier this week. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher, who will be more than happy to help, should you experience any difficulties. Furthermore, if attending after 5.20pm next Thursday, which is our later evening, please do come and join me in the Pre-Prep middle area, where I will be serving a range of cold drinks and light refreshments for parents to enjoy.
Pupil Achievements
Congratulations to Veryan Moss (2W) who has achieved her Level 3 award in RSL Entry, Musical Theatre
Very well done to Eadie Sanders (1S) for completing Level 1 of the Reading Eggs Challenge.
Further congratulations go to Rudy Boswell (2M) for gaining his Blue Belt in Karate.
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.
HOUSE COMPETITIONS
Senior House Maths
After Grenville scooped the first cup of the year (House Volunteer Cup), and Raleigh were the first House to hoist the flag on the new Pluses Flagpole, we kicked off the House Competitions with the Senior House Maths on Tuesday. Answering questions on equations, sequencing and angles, all twelve competitors chipped in, but Frobisher kept their noses in front for the win.
ART
Artist of the Week
Year 4 have been painting images of Mary on a donkey with Joseph for their Christmas cards.
Artists of the week are Emily Wall (4S), Sophia Roseveare (4W) and Kyle Qi (4C) for their neat and beautiful designs.
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.
PLUSES REWARDS
The first five Spratton recipients of the new Vending Machine golden tokens were announced in Assembly this morning. Arlo, Florence, Alex, Olivia and Samuel had all reached 25 Pluses and so were able to spend their token after Assembly, choosing prizes such as a Tom Gates book, a moon ball and some headphones. Well done them!
MUSIC
Informal Concert – Monday 9th October
The programme has now been finalised for the Informal Concert on Monday 9th October. Letters have been sent out to the parents of all the children that have been invited to perform.
Oakham Prep School Music Day – Tuesday 3rd October
Sadly Oakham have had to cancel their Prep School Music Day next week.
Oundle Massed Musicians Day – Friday 13th October
The Concert Band, Junior Wind Band and String Orchestra (string players need to be Grade 1 standard and above) have all been invited to the Oundle Massed Musicians Day on Friday 13th October. A letter has been sent out to the members of those groups. Please can all e-replies be returned as soon as possible.
RAINBOWS HOSPICE
A group of Year 8 pupils visited Rainbows Hospice last Sunday in Loughborough and presented them with a cheque for £1,480. The Year 8 Cake Sale contributed £300 to this total. Thank you for your support.
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
Well done to William Gard who has completed his White Belt Grade 1 for Jeet Kune Do Kali.
Congratulations to Joe, Josh, Ludo, Zac, Imogen, Imogen, Kitty, Cee-Cee, Bella, Elsa, Amber, Isla, Bessie, Ginny and Juno who were all selected for the County Hockey U13 team!
SCHOOL SHOP
Please note that the School Shop will be closed on Thursday 5th October. It will, however, be open as usual on Monday 3.30 – 5.30pm and Friday 8.00-9.00am. Please do email on schoolshop@sprattonhall.com and Alex will be happy to make up orders which will be ready for collection on Friday after 9.00am.
LOST PROPERY
Joseph Tan (4S) – games bag (named)
