FROM THE HEADMASTER

I do hope you all enjoyed the half term break.  It was lovely to see the children return refreshed and ready for action on Monday.

Scholarship News

I am delighted to announce the first scholarship success of this academic year. Isabelle Corbett has been awarded an Equestrian Scholarship to Stowe.  This is, we believe, the first Equestrian Scholarship achieved by a Spratton pupil and follows all her many equestrian commitments over the years, particularly with the school team.  Congratulations and well done to Isabelle.

Lord Davies Assembly Visit

We were treated to a thoroughly informative talk by Lord Davies of Gower this morning in assembly. Lord Davies explained to the school how the House of Lords works, the different routes members take into membership of the House and he gave a really interesting insight into the inner workings of government. I am so grateful to Lord Davies for taking the time to join us. (I am particularly grateful to him for bringing in a set of ‘Coronation Robes’ – I did not need much persuasion to try them on for size…)

SHSPA Fireworks Party

We are so looking forward to the event this evening, especially as we have a huge number of people attending.  Last year, the car parking worked extremely well because the children didn’t need to return to school afterwards, thus it cleared extremely quickly.  Please do heed the details in the letters you received earlier this week and particularly not to park in the village and only in school.  I am sure it will be a fantastic event and I am so grateful to the SHSPA team for all their hard work towards it.

Naming of Kit and Uniform

I am reliably informed that there is quite a lot of children’s kit and uniform items that are not named, which makes it very difficult for them to be returned to their rightful owner.  Please could you also check that any bench coats are clearly labelled as from next week these are going to be kept in a dedicated room so that they are not left on floors in classrooms. Thank you so much for your support in this matter.

Thank you and do have a good weekend.

Simon Clarke
Headmaster

PRE-PREP

Nativity Season is Underway!

It never fails to tickle me, at this time of year, when I overhear the conversations drifting from our Nativity costume cupboard, as the staff rummage through it. Tinsel crowns and rickety shepherd crooks spill out the doors as puzzled voices from inside can be heard asking, “How many camels do we need exactly?” or “We might need more tea towels!”

Rehearsals are now woven into each day, with lines being polished and songs practised in every spare moment!

If you haven’t yet submitted your ticket requests for our Pre-Prep Christmas performances, please do check back on your emails for my letter, as the deadline is this coming Tuesday.  Mrs Meikle and I will then begin the process of juggling numbers and allocating names to seat places, before your e-tickets are emailed out to you.

Year 2 Visit the Nagarjuna Buddhist Centre

Once the excitement of travelling in convoy on our Spratton minibuses had subsided, the children in Year 2 were immersed in a day of soothing calm and tranquillity, when they visited the peaceful surroundings of the Buddhist Centre in Thornby.  As part of their explorations of the Buddhist faith, the children enjoyed a range of activities, including making their own mandala, which they accompanied with ideas for what would make a perfect world. There were some very thoughtful suggestions, from everyone enjoying peace and safety, to wishing the whole world could be a playground and everyone having their very own dog butler! The children even had a go at meditation and you could have heard a pin drop!

Reception’s First Assembly!

You could sense the excitement fizzing in the air on Thursday, when our Reception children presented their first ever assembly to their parents. It is, by no means, an easy task to stand up and speak in front of a large audience, particularly when, like many of our little ones, you are only 4 years old.  We watched with overwhelming pride as the children jiggled along to and sang a selection of songs (we loved the healthy heart song!) and each one of them delivered a line.  The children were amazing and, after only eight weeks in school, we could not have been prouder!

Autumn is Awesome!

Admiring the wonderful array of autumn artwork that has come tumbling into school has been an utter joy!  We have been overwhelmed by the creativity and enthusiasm reflected in the children’s optional ‘Get Arty This Autumn’ half term challenge.  From gorgeous autumn crowns, carefully threaded conker mobiles and stunningly beautiful leaf collages, masks and even fairy wings, our Pre-Prep entrance is now a treasure trove of autumnal glory.  Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and support of this project.

Pupil Achievements

Congratulations to the following children who have all achieved swimming awards: Angus Meikle -Stage 2, Level 3 and 5m, Molly Brady-White – Level 2, Isaac Cochrane – Level 3 and 10m, and Emma Hassell – Level 6 and 100m.

Very well done to the following children for their awards in Martial Arts: Harley Horton-Walker – green, Level 4 belt in Kick Boxing and Max Al-Azzawe – blue belt in Tae Kwon Do.

A further well done to Harper Thomas who has gained the conditioning Level 1 award in Gymnastics and to both Romilly and Callum Boyson who have received medals of recognition for the effort and skill when skiing.

Finally, a huge well done to Beau Thomson-Forbes, who set himself an inspiring half-term challenge — walking between 3 and 5 miles every day for five days to raise money for the homeless. Beau completed an incredible 18 miles in total and raised a staggering £705 for the charity Shelter.  A wonderful example of kindness and determination!

Fiona Sanchez
Head of Pre-Prep

ART

Artist of the Week

Artist of the week goes to Amelie Wilson for her outstanding illustration ‘Under the Sea’ which is at the bottom of the Art Department stairs.  She has done such a lot of work to create this amazing underwater environment.

Christmas Cards

All Christmas card designs should have now gone home with children and we hope you have all enjoyed seeing your child’s card sample.  Please see the link below which gives details of how to place your orders directly with Dandy Arthouse.

Dandy Arthouse Christmas Cards

MUSIC

Exam Success

Congratulations to Leilana Patel for achieving a merit in her Grade 4 flute exam.

Christmas Concert – Monday 8th December

All of our music ensembles will be performing in the concert, please keep the date free!

CROSS-COUNTRY

Well done to Eoin and Harry Fitzpatrick who recently took part in the South Northants Cross-Country Championships.  Harry finished 17th in the Year 5 Boys’ race and Eoin finished 5th in the U13 Boys’ race, securing a place in the County Championships representing South Northants

Well done also to Mara Hamilton whose team finished 7th at the weekend in the National Cross-Country Relays in Mansfield.

PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS

Well done to Chloe and Emily who, together with their friend Ava, organised and ran a charity Halloween show jumping event. They raised £327 through entry fees and sales for the Year 8 charity this year, Parkinson’s UK.

Well done also to Ishani and Shanaya who performed a punjabi dance mix together during the Northamptonshire Diwali Lights Festival in the market square in October.  Ishani also performed a Bharat natiyam classical Indian dance.

Congratulations to Noah Carlin who was named Player of the Match whilst playing for the U9 Long Buckby rugby team at the weekend.  His team won both matches through great teamwork.

Well done to also to Bertie Glason who has been selected for one of the best Padel academies in the country where he will be training with some of the GB youth team.  He will also be representing the county at a Padel competition on 22nd November so good luck!

REQUEST FROM THE DRAMA DEPARTMENT

Props are needed for Year 5 play, ‘A Christmas Carol’ and the school play, ‘Oliver!’

It is that time of year again, when the Drama Department puts out a plea for an array of weird and wonderful items. If you have any of the following it will be greatly appreciated.

Any plastic ‘fake’ meat, such as chicken
Small milk churns
Very large pot (like a cauldron – for ‘gruel’) + large wooden ladles
Small wooden bowls + small wooden spoons
Old-fashioned looking wallets
Fancy, colourful handkerchiefs
Old fashioned looking blankets/throws/counterpanes (for a Victorian bed and sofa)
Old large coins
Small cloth bag (for coins)
Pocket watch with chain
Tiara
Fake jewels/pearls
Metal coffee cup and coffee pot (old looking)
Old fashioned looking baskets
Large old bowl (to be a washbasin)
Metal tankards
Old fashioned looking photo frame (with a stand)
Locket on a chain
Small wooden club/cudgel
Red blue or black ribbon
Old fashioned envelopes or Christmas card
Old fashioned looking charity collectors tins
Old fashioned looking cups or plates or cutlery
Old fashioned candle sticks
Old fashioned Night shirts, night caps to fit a 10 year old
Top hats
Waistcoats to fit 10-13 year olds
Old fashioned looking long skirts or jackets, to fit 10-13 year olds
Any old looking scarves (thin and scraggy looking ones – perfect!)
Any large pieces of white, thin (gauzy) material (to make ‘ghost’ costumes)

Many thanks – Mr Williams

SHSPA

Cheese & Wine Tasting

To book visit the SHSPA Events Shop

AFTER-SCHOOL MINIBUS

We still have spaces available for our 5.30pm minibus home for pupils for the Market Harborough area which drops off at Welland Valley Feeds.  This is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (not Wednesdays).

If you are interested in booking a place for your child please contact Julie Gallo on jga@sprattonhall.com.

POPPY APPEAL

Pupils have the opportunity to purchase poppies in aid of the Royal British Legion. Year 8s will be on the terrace before school, during lunchtimes and at 4.00pm home time if anyone would like to donate or purchase their poppy. There is a suggested donation of 50p for a paper poppy, £1 for clip-on poppies and £2 for metal badges and slap bands.

Thank you for supporting us to help make a difference.

LOST PROPERTY

If anyone has picked up a black golf umbrella from the front porch that was left there on Tuesday by a grandparent, could it please be returned to the school office as soon as possible for collection – Thank you.

NON-SCHOOL EVENTS

Schools Triathlon at Oundle School 10th May 2026 – Please do be aware that if you are going to enter your child into the Triathlon, there are very likely to be school fixtures on the day before.

Schools Triathlon – Spratton Hall Parent Invite 2026

Flower & Farm – Wreath making and Christmas courses near Guilsborough