FROM THE HEADMASTER
Open Morning
We held a very successful Open Morning today with a good number of families visiting. Our Year 8 children acted as guides, as ever, doing an excellent job as ambassadors for the school. It is such a valuable experience for them, and of great benefit to our prospective parents too, to hear all about Spratton ‘from the horse’s mouth’.
Oundle Headmaster Visit
I am delighted to inform you that Mr Dominic Oliver, the new Head of Oundle, will be visiting Spratton next Friday to speak in assembly at 8.45am and then meet parents afterwards. We are the first prep school Mr Oliver is visiting in his capacity as Oundle Head (I applaud his priorities!) and so I do hope a good number of you will be able to attend.
SHSPA
I hope you have received the letter from our SHSPA co-chairs sent out yesterday. There are some great events to look forward to, the first of which is the Fireworks Party to be held on 7th November, with tickets currently available at an ‘early bird’ rate. I am so grateful to the Parents’ Association committee for all the good work they do.
Memorial Celebration
Thank you for your kind words and memories of Peter Mellor, former Senior Master who passed away last week. It is touching how the community has come together at this sad time. We have shared all the emails and messages received with Peter’s family, who have extended an open invitation to attend a celebration of his life, at Spratton Hall at 2pm on Sunday 12th October.
Should you wish to attend, please email jib@sprattonhall.com so that we can pass on numbers to the family.
Thank you
Simon Clarke
Headmaster
PRE-PREP
Year 2 Blast Off to the Space Centre!
The week began with an adventure that was truly out of this world for our Year 2 children, as they blasted off ‘to infinity and beyond’—or, more precisely, to the National Space Centre in Leicester! From gazing up at the 42 metre rocket tower, to mining for moon rocks and reclining in launch positions on comfy chairs, as they watched an incredible 3D space mission in the planetarium, the trip was a galaxy of discovery and excitement. Now, back on Earth, the children are eagerly preparing to share some of their cosmic findings with you in their assembly next week.
Pop, Fizz and Stomp – Year 1 Artwork
Inspired by the bright, vivid colours of Andy Warhol, our Year 1 children have been busy creating bold, fluorescent dinosaur pictures in true pop art style. Using printing, colouring and collage techniques, they had great fun experimenting with bold, clashing colours to make their dinosaur shapes burst with energy and visually leap off the page. Their creative journey also erupted into science, as the children delighted in mixing vinegar, paint and bicarbonate of soda to concoct fizzy, frothy paint—perfect for bringing their exploding volcano pictures spectacularly to life!
Reception – Rib-Tickling Fun in the Forest!
Using twigs, leaves, pine cones and other natural treasures, our Reception children have enjoyed creating wiggly, stick-y skeletons this week, down in the Forest School. As they carefully pieced together and arranged their natural objects, the children were learning all about bones and body parts, whilst also connecting with nature and letting their imaginations run wild.
NSPCC Assemblies – Buddy says, “We all have the right to speak out and stay safe!”
You may have noticed some chatter at home recently—or perhaps even spotted a ‘Buddy’ sticker on your child’s jumper or blazer. Buddy, the NSPCC’s big green speech bubble mascot (who happens to love sprouts and peas!), has been helping us share the important message that every child has the right to speak out if they ever feel worried, scared, sad, or confused. All of our Pre-Prep children have now taken part in a special ‘Speak Out, Stay Safe’ assembly, designed to encourage them to find their voice and seek help when they need it. Next week, this vital message will be deepened further when NSPCC volunteers (including our very own Spratton Hall Safeguarding Governor) visit to deliver a fun, interactive and meaningful workshop with our Year 2 children.
Pupil Achievements
Congratulations to Pepa Lilley-Crews and Penelope Cross who have achieved their Pre-Primary Dance Class Award in Ballet.
Very well done to Mia Kilmister who has gained her Level 3 and 10m swimming awards.
Congratulations to Nina Tilley for gaining 1st prize for her dog-handling skills in a dog show.
A final well done to Mila Patel for gaining a medal for her effort and skill in Cricket.
Fiona Sanchez
Head of Pre-Prep
ART
Artist of the Week – Goes to Isabel Cheng (6W) for the wonderful detail on her Pre-Raphaelite Angel design for her Christmas card.
Plant Request – If anyone has any real of fake plants (small or large) they can donate to the Art Department for drawing purposes, please bring to school for the attention of Mrs Moreton.
Thank you
MUSIC
Rugby School Strings Day
Our senior string players had a wonderful day at Rugby School yesterday. Working under the direction of their Acting Director of Music, Rebecca Taylor, they prepared three pieces for a performance later in the day. The children received expert coaching from the individual music teachers in their sectional rehearsals, before coming back to perform what they had learnt to parents. A fun day of music making was had by all that took part.
Termination of Individual Music Lessons
Should you wish to cancel your child’s music lessons from the start of the spring term, please be aware that notice must be received in writing by October half term.
HARVEST
A big thank you to the wonderful collection of goods to take to the Hope Centre in Northampton. Our help plays a vital role in supporting so many vulnerable adults who are experiencing incredibly difficult times in their lives.
In school we will be writing messages of encouragement to attach to our produce. This is a suggestion for our children to work together to make a difference. All the proceeds go to Hope in Northampton, a day centre that feeds and provides food bags, support and workshops to the most vulnerable in our wider community, and they have provided a poster of additional items you may feel you can donate. Hope is always incredibly appreciative of the generosity of Spratton parents and pupils and it really does support the centre and enables it to reach out to those needing that extra help in very difficult times. We do hope you will be able to support our collection again. Please leave any items in the box which will be labelled by the entrance to the Hunter Hall.
Y3 – Variety of cereals and breakfast products
Y4 – Tinned food (savoury and sweet but please check the best before date)
Y5 – Toiletries such as toothbrushes and paste, soap, shower gels, deodorant etc
Y6 – Dried carbs such as rice, pasta, noodles, beans, lentils, mash and cuppa soups
Y7 and 8 – Please bring in a stand-alone meal. 4-5 items that could make up a meal as well as a hot drink OR if possible ask for a £5-10 donation and go shopping, keeping within a budget and selecting items that would make a meal (long life produce)
Thank you all for your continued support and help in making a difference.
SEA TURTLE ADOPTION!
8W are delighted to share the news that they have adopted a sea turtle through the WWF as part of their growing awareness of global responsibility and kindness.
We are in the process of naming the turtle – no sensible name as yet!
BOOK FAIR
A huge thank you!
Thank you to our parents for supporting our Book Fair! Your enthusiasm and encouragement helped make it a fun and successful event. Together, we are inspiring a love of reading!
S Willoughby
SHSPA – To book visit the SHSPA Events Shop
PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS
Well done to Thomas Hodgkins who successfully completed his next karate belt grading and is now a green belt with purple tags.
SCHOOL SHOP MANAGER
We are looking for a friendly, organised parent to run our school shop – just a few hours each week.
You will be the warm, welcoming face for new families, helping parents navigate blazers, ties and the ever growing collection of sports kits (yes, even the rugby socks!). It is a wonderful way to be right at the heart of school life, supporting children and parents alike.
You will be the go-to guide for parents as they journey through our uniform requirements.
To see the job specification and how to apply, please visit the Vacancies page of our website.
LOST PROPERTY
Found: Small child’s blue sleeveless jacket, small child’s white/pink patchwork design jacket, white glove – please collect from the school office.
NON-SCHOOL EVENTS
