FROM THE HEADMASTER
Scholarship Success
I am delighted to hear that Shiro Upton and Alba Tilley have each been awarded an Art Scholarship to Princethorpe. Many congratulations indeed to them both on this excellent news.
Staff News
I am pleased to report that Mrs Ellie Senders will be joining us next week as Assistant Matron. Mrs Senders will be working in the Medical Room on Thursday and Friday afternoons and from next term will be providing medical cover at our weekend home matches. I am sure she will enjoy her time with us and I know she is very much looking forward to getting to know the children.
Cross-Country Successes
Our Cross-Country teams have got the new season off to a cracking start at the Beachborough meeting on Tuesday. Our reputation for cross-country excellence continues as all four teams achieved a top 3 finish, which is most notable. The Senior Girls team won the U13 event, with Isla Allsopp very impressively winning the whole race. Very well done to all our runners! Please see the full results below.
It’s Christmas
The wonderful Christmas activities have been coming thick and fast this week.
– The Pre-Prep Christmas plays were an absolutely joy. It was so lovely to see the children thoroughly enjoying being on the stage and the smiles on proud parents’ faces in the audience.
– Well done also to Year 5 for their drama and music production ‘Reflections of War’ last night. As I said after the show, there is a huge amount for them to learn and they performed so well.
– A group of our Year 7 children went to Wardington Court Retirement Home in Kingsthorpe yesterday to sing carols and to chat to the residents. It was such a lovely thing to do and an important part of their XLCR community programme. Very well done to them.
– Finally, always a symbol of the start of Christmas at Spratton, it was so good to see the usual Christmas Art display appear on Monday – a Christmas dinner replete with turkey, sprouts, pigs in blankets and Christmas pudding! Very well done to Mrs Moreton and Miss Savage and the children for creating these works of art – especially considering they are in a much smaller, temporary art space at the moment.
More Festivities Next Week
Next week there is still much festive fun to look forward to.
On Monday, we have the big end of term Christmas Concert. This is always a special event where the music ensembles and choirs showcase their work for the term. Then on Tuesday, Pre-Prep and Years 3, 4 and 5 are off to the theatre. On Wednesday we look forward to the SHSPA Christmas Children’s Fayre in the Hunter Hall from 2.00pm – again a huge thank you to the SHSPA team for putting on what will be a lovely afternoon.
Finally, we finish the term with the two Carol Services: Years 3, 4 and 5 on Thursday at 3.00pm, and the Years 6, 7 and 8 service on Friday at 2.45pm. These services are always extremely full as they are such a special Christmas event. Please do arrive in good time to take your seats and please can I ask that you do not park in the roads around the church; please park at school and walk to St Andrew’s. Please also note that afterwards the children should be collected from school and not taken directly from the church.
We look forward to what will be a very special final week after this long and busy term.
Thank you
Simon Clarke
Headmaster
PRE-PREP
Pre-Prep Christmas Nativity Magic!
The countdown of sleeps was finally over, bringing with it two of the most magical and joy-filled days in our Pre-Prep calendar: our Christmas Nativity Plays! Words cannot fully capture how immensely proud the staff and I are of all the children. After weeks of rehearsing stage movements, perfecting lines, and practising songs and actions, their hard work culminated in two truly delightful performances of ‘Star Struck’ and ‘It’s a Census, Get Me Out of Here’. From grumpy shepherds, groovy camels and disco-bopping stars, watching our little ones in their nativities is an unforgettable reminder of the wonder of this season—they were simply amazing!
Pre-Prep Nativity Photographs
On Tuesday, I emailed parents with the secure online links for each class’s gallery of Christmas photographs. Scrolling through the pictures of the children in their costumes really does help to relive those magical nativity moments. A friendly reminder: If you’d like to make a purchase, be sure to place your order by midnight on Monday. This way, your prints will be delivered directly to the school, saving you the cost of postage and packaging.
Christmas Jumper Day and ‘Christmas Cracker Lunch’
This week has been filled with festive cheer as Christmas activities have rippled merrily throughout, finishing with a bumper day of festive fun today. Clad in our Christmas jumpers and festive colours, our Christmas lunch provided a wonderful end to a busy week. The dining room looked splendid with all its festive tablecloths and decorations. Following the snap and pop of crackers, we tucked into an array of festive foods, including ‘pigs in blankets’, honey glazed carrots, juicy satsumas and little mince pies. With music playing and colourful paper crowns perched on our heads, it was a very special occasion indeed.
Year 2 Choir – Jingle all the Way!
Joining Mrs King, our Director of Music, and the Year 2 Choir on a Friday is always a highlight of my week, thanks to the energy, enthusiasm, and joy that they bring. Today will be rather special as the Choir are inviting their parents in to gather around our twinkling tree and enjoy some homemade mince pies, whilst we entertain with a selection of our favourite songs from this term. A festive treat to end the week!
Fiona Sanchez
Head of Pre-Prep
PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS
Pre-Prep
Congratulations to Hector Jack who achieved 1st place in a recent show jumping competition and to Willa Jack who scooped 1st and 4th place awards, also for her show jumping.
Very well done to Reuben Lofts who has gained his blue belt in Karate.
Many congratulations to the following children, who have successfully achieved swimming awards: Phoebe Tilston – Level 2, Charlotte Inchley – 300m and Edith Bromwich – Level 3 and 10m.
A final well done goes to Emma Hassell who gained a medal for completing a 2.5km Santa Fun Run.
SPORTS NEWS
Boys’ Games
Well done to the U9 As, Bs and Cs who all won their final matches against Warwick meaning all three teams are undefeated this term.
The 1st XIII had a great day in Cambridge for the IAPs festival where we finished 4th overall.
Mr Woodhouse
Head of Boys’ Games
Beachborough Run 2024
Tuesday was a lovely day for our first run of the season, and the team truly rose to the occasion!
U13 Boys:
The team placed 3rd, with Elliot Glason leading the boys home, closely followed by Jake Constable. Special mention to Joe Barber, who made up 10 places in the last 300m, helping our top 4 finishers secure spots in the top 19.
U11 Girls:
The team placed 2nd overall, with Mara Hamilton delivering a fantastic performance to run in as the 2nd girl. Our top 4 runners finished in the top 18, a commendable achievement!
U11 Boys:
The team achieved 2nd place, led by George Docker. Our top 4 runners all finished within the top 13—a fantastic result!
U13 Girls:
A huge congratulations to the team for finishing 1st! A special mention goes to Isla Allsopp for her outstanding run, winning the race and overtaking several boys who had a 3-minute head start. The rest of the team also performed superbly, with our top 4 runners finishing in the top 7!
To view more images from the event, please click here
MUSIC NEWS
Year 7 Choir and String Quartet – Wardington Court Retirement Home
The Year 7 members of the Senior Choir along with our String Quartet, went over to Wardington Court Retirement Home on Thursday to entertain the residents. We treated them to a range of Christmas carols and songs which made everybody feel very Christmassy. It was a lovely occasion enjoyed by all.
Christmas Concert – Monday 9th December
We are really looking forward to the Christmas Concert on Monday. Tea will be provided for all performers and any siblings that have requested it. A reminder to all pupils performing to bring something Christmassy to wear. This could be a Santa hat, headband or some tinsel. No Christmas jumpers though please.
Senior Choir – Tuesday 10th December
There will not be a Senior Choir rehearsal after school next Tuesday.
Carol Services
Our Carol Services, which take place on the last two days of the term, are something that we always look forward to. Junior Song and the Year 5 Choir members will be singing as part of the Junior Carol Service on Thursday 12th December and the Years 6, 7 & 8 Choir members will be singing as part of the Senior Carol Service on Friday 13th December. Parents are most welcome to attend.
Pupil Achievements
I was delighted to hear that Zac Smith was again invited to sing ‘We’re Walking in the Air’ as part of a performance with GUS Brass Band at The Royal Theatre, Derngate. He performed to a full auditorium and did a fantastic job. Well done Zac!
Congratulations to the following pupils for their excellent exam results:
Piano
Initial
Clara Kecker – Pass
Grade 1
Lily Brook – Merit
Flute
Grade 2
Peggy Wang – Distinction
Violin
Grade 2
Astrid Kecker – Merit
Grade 3
George Guppy – Pass
Olivia Moger – Merit
Viola
Grade 4
Rafi Osborn – Merit
Instruments
Please can pupils ensure that all instruments and music folders are collected before we finish for the Christmas holiday.
Mrs King
Director of Music
ART NEWS
Following on from Mr Clarke’s Scholarship news above regarding Shiro Upton and Alba Tilley, I’m pleased to share some of Shiro’s fabulous artwork below.
Also, many thanks to all pupils from Years 3-8 who helped make the Christmas lights this year.
Mrs Moreton
Head of Art
SCHOOL NEWS
Year 6 Bake Off House Competition
Year 6 House Bake Off this week was a great afternoon. The children rose to the challenge of cooking a batch of identical cupcakes, with their own choice of decoration and ALL did really well. The winners are yet to be announced as the cakes had to be judged by the staff room and the votes need to be counted! They were also marked on team work, baking skills and how well they washed up and tidied up afterwards!
OUT OF SCHOOL
Comic Con
Pupils from Years 7 & 8 had a great time at Comic Con in Birmingham on Sunday, with some brilliant costumes on show.
“Oh yes he is…”
Mr Bradnam will be treading the boards again as Widow Twankey in Rugby Theatres production of Aladdin in the New Year. The show runs from Friday 24 Jan until Sunday 2 February. Tickets are already on sale here
It is a great traditional family pantomime, to brighten up the dreary January evenings. Mr Bradnam will be available in the bar afterwards for photos with the Dame! It would be great to see you there.
NEXT WEEK
NO LAMDA, BALLET or TENNIS NEXT WEEK
Monday 9th December
NO TEAM PRACTICE
CLUBS: Mindfulness, Art, Football ON / Drama & Gym OFF
Tuesday 10th December
CLUBS: Spanish ON / Senior Choir, Construction, Textiles, Portfolio Club OFF
Additional Rehearsal for Beauty and the Beast (full cast)
Wednesday 11th December
NO AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS
Thursday 12th December
LAST DAY OF AFTER-SCHOOL PREP / NO AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS / NO TEAM PRACTICE
Additional Rehearsal for Beauty and the Beast (full cast)
Friday 13th December
NO AFTER-SCHOOL PREP / NO CLUBS / NO TEAM PRACTICE
15:00 – End of Term for Pre-Prep
15:30 – End of Term for Years 3, 4 & 5
16:00 – End of Term for Years 6, 7 & 8
HOLIDAY CLUBS
