FROM THE HEAD MASTER
Wonders of Nature
We have been treated to some very special natural phenomena this week with rainbows appearing over the cross-country course and the quite incredible murmurations of starlings flying and swooping over the school at the end of the day, causing pupils and staff to stand staring at the skies in wonder. I did make my way to the top field earlier in the week in the hope of catching a glimpse of the northern lights that other parts of the country have enjoyed, but sadly the clouds scuppered the prospect.
World Book Day
Yesterday was, as always, a fun-filled day. The children excelled themselves with some really splendid and creative costumes. The staff, too, thoroughly enjoyed dressing up. My thanks to them for doing so and to you, as parents, for the amount of work that goes into these costumes. I do hope you enjoy the many pictures posted on our socials and in the gallery on our website. Of course, the reason behind this celebration of books is to encourage and inspire the children to read. In assembly yesterday I listed some famous names (Bill Gates, Jane Austen, Jeff Bezos, Reece Witherspoon and Barack Obama) who have attributed some of their success to the experience and knowledge they have gained through wide reading.
Coronation Competition
Our local MP, Chris Heaton-Harris, has written to all schools in the constituency, inviting any budding young artists to enter a competition to design a card to send to the King on behalf of the Daventry constituency to celebrate the Coronation. If any children would like to enter, they can find the details later in the newsletter. They can work on their card at home or Mrs Moreton would welcome them to go to the art room in the lunch break if they so wish.
Cross-Country
The season is drawing to a close with the final house races having taken place earlier this week. It is always a pleasure to see the children out running cross-country for their house, but I particularly enjoy seeing them cheering one another on and applauding one another as they cross the finishing line.
This Sunday sees the big event of the cross-country season with the National Prep Schools Championships held at Malvern College. This is always a very special event to take part in and I wish all of our runners the very best of luck.
County Champions
I was delighted to hear that our U13 Girls were victorious yesterday in the Lady Taverners indoor cricket county finals held yesterday at the county ground. They had a super day, culminating in beating Oundle in the final to be crowned County Champions. Very well done, girls!
Visiting Headmaster
Next Friday, we welcome Dr Anthony Wallersteiner, Headmaster of Stowe, to speak in assembly at 8.45am. Parents are most welcome to attend and then meet Dr Wallersteiner afterwards over coffee.
SHSPA ‘Murder Mystery Evening’
This hugely anticipated Parents’ Association event takes place tonight. Our last Murder Mystery event held three years ago was a really terrific evening thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. I have no doubt that this event will be just as enjoyable. Yet again, I fear for my life as I have been lined up as the victim. I hope all the attendees enjoy trying to solve the mystery.
Thank you
Simon Clarke
PRE-PREP
The Wonders of World Book Day!
Having been so swept away in the excitement and giddiness of World Book Day this week, the Pre-Prep children and staff have been thinking about nothing else!
From Paddington Bear, the Very Hungry Caterpillar, the Gruffalo and even Supertato (complete with Evil Pea!) our morning assembly was a spectacularly colourful and lively event, with so many wonderful story characters gathered together! “Pick up a book, take a look at the cover and blurb. If you like it delve inside it,” we all sang, as Cruella de Vil played the piano!
Pre-Prep Costume Parade
What a tremendously uplifting experience this was! The Prep school pupils gathered around our playground and were rapturous with their cheering and applause, as the Pre-Prep children paraded around. Willy Wonkas waved their golden tickets, Elmer the Elephant swung his trunk, witches waggled their broomsticks and a fleet of Harry Potters cast spells with their wands, all to the delight and cheers of our wonderful audience.
Story Time ….with a Difference!
This event was all about indulging the children in a fabulous story time experience – the difference being that the stories were read by wider members of the Spratton Hall staff, in rather exciting and unusual settings. Mr Clarke plumped up the cushions on his sofa in the Head Master’s study to welcome his group of Pre-Prep children, whilst Mrs Garner climbed aboard the minibus to read a story in French! Mr Wilson nestled down in the woodland lodge in Five Acres Wood and Mr White led his group down, underground, into the deep dark cellar – and these were just a few of story reading venues!
Share a Story
After bookmark making and book cover paintings, what better way to end the day than for each Pre-Prep child to share their favourite story with a friend from the Prep school. It was a very special moment to watch as the older pupils read to the little ones from their much-loved books. Of course, the younger children kept them on their toes – there was no missing out words or forgetting to do the voices, and every picture needed to be thoroughly discussed.
What an incredible and memorable day it was! A huge thank you to parents for your time and help with organising costumes and to everyone involved for their support. After all dressing up as characters from stories by Julia Donaldson, the Pre-Prep staff are already planning their outfits for next year!
Fiona Sanchez
Head of Pre-Prep
HOUSE COMPETITIONS
Years 7&8 Cross Country
| Boys | 1st | Raleigh | Theo Ryan |
| 2nd | Frobisher | Finn Coker | |
| 3rd | Grenville | Teddy Blake | |
| 4th | Drake |
| Girls | 1st | Drake | Ellie Allsopp |
| 2nd | Grenville | Cecilie Jackson | |
| 3rd | Frobisher | Emily Coe | |
| 4th | Raleigh |
Years 5&6 Cross Country
| Boys | 1st | Grenville | Henry Sandall |
| 2nd | Raleigh | Oliver Cole | |
| 3rd | Drake | Byron Dayman | |
| 4th | Frobisher |
| Girls | 1st | Drake | Isla Allsopp |
| 2nd | Frobisher | Isabelle Szechenyi | |
| 3rd | Raleigh | Bella Smith | |
| 4th | Grenville |
Years 3&4 Football & Netball
| Girls | 1st | Drake |
| 2nd | Raleigh | |
| = | Grenville | |
| 4th | Frobisher |
| Boys | 1st | Grenville |
| 2nd | Drake | |
| 3rd | Raleigh | |
| 4th | Frobisher |
WORLD BOOK DAY
It was wonderful to see everyone make such an effort with their costumes for World Book Day on Thursday. As well as dressing up as their favourite characters, the children have been on poetry hunts, had book-themed assemblies and a pre-prep costume parade, have shared stories and listened to them in secret places!
SPORT
The U13 Girls are ECB Indoor Cricket County Finals Champions
The U13 team played Wellingborough in the semi-final at the County Ground Indoor School. Spratton batted confidently and made a total of 79 runs. They then bowled and fielded superbly to limit Wellingborough to just 43 runs in their innings.
In the final, the girls played Oundle who elected to bat first, scoring 65. Another outstanding batting display meant Spratton reached the total with an over to spare.
The girls now progress through to the regional round of this national competition which will be played in April at Cambridge University.
Well done to all the girls on this fantastic achievement.
‘CARD FOR THE KING’ ART COMPETITION
Please see the link below with full details of how to enter the ‘Card for the King’ competition which is open to all primary-aged children from the Daventry constituency. The winning design will be sent to Buckingham Palace.
WEIRD & WONDERFUL PLACES WE READ IN!
This week has been the perfect excuse to read a book! We would still love to receive your photos!
Where is the most extreme place your child has ever read a book? Whether it is up a tree, on top of a mountain or stood on their head, would would love to see! Your challenge is to take a picture of your child reading somewhere extreme and send it into school, either via their tutor or email them to saa@sprattonhall.com
Obviously, we encourage you to keep safe and wouldn’t recommend reading in the jaws of an aligator! A display will be made of the pictures and we really look forward to seeing who in school has such a passion for reading that they have to do it everywhere!
MUSIC
Year 2 Choir – Regional Festival of Music for Youth – Saturday 11th March
The Year 2 Choir are adding the finishing touches to their pieces ready for their performance as part of the Regional Festival of Music for Youth on Saturday 11th March. A letter was sent out early this week to all those involved containing the final details.
Informal Concert Years 3-7 – Thursday 16th March
We are looking forward to the Informal Concert on Thursday 16th March. A letter has been sent out via Clarion Call to the parents of all the pupils that have been invited to perform. Please can you return the reply slip as soon as possible.
ART
Here is another lovely egg painting from the Years 5&6 Art Club in readiness for the Easter Egg Hunt.
Wanted Items
If you are having a spring clean, the Art Department would love the following items for observational drawing:
Teapots – ceramic and stainless steel
Any reflective objects
Tea cups
American diner style sugar pots/teacups/teapots
Animal skulls
Plastic fruit
Plastic flowers
Thank you – Mrs Moreton
CAKE SALE
We will be holding a Cake Sale on Thursday 9th March in aid of the Red Cross Disasters Emergency Committee which supports those needing our help following the Turkey/Syrian earthquake.
Cake donations would be most welcome, though please do remember that we are a nut-free school.
Thank you
PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS
Congratulations to Anna Sanders who came first in the vault competition in the inter-county gymnastics championships.
SPRATTON HALL PRINTS
If you wish to purchase a Spratton Hall framed print priced at £175, originally painted by Martin Taylor, please email Julie Gallo at jga@sprattonhall.com.
NSPCC DISCO
NATIONAL ONLINE SAFETY GUIDES
For some parents, online gaming can be a mystery. There are lots of myths, contradictory studies and research surrounding children spending time online, where statistics have been cherry-picked, leading to questionable and confusing information about screen time, gaming disorders and much more.
This is a really useful article (including a few videos) on these topics and more. It’s a big article but I’m sure many parents will find this to be valuable and of interest. It looks at the subject of online gaming in a very balanced way, and gives some handy advice and guidance too.
Here is the link to the school website where you will find more details and further helpful information.
