FROM THE HEAD MASTER
Scholarship Success
I am delighted to announce that Ezekiel-David Peat has been awarded both a Music and Sport Scholarship to Kingham Hill School. This is a tremendous achievement and follows Ezekiel-David’s dominance on the 1st rugby field this term and his excellence in Music. Very well done, Ezekiel-David.
Christmas Events
With just one week to go before the end of term, we are in the midst of such a lovely time of the year with so many seasonal events taking place.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Year 5 drama and music evening last night. With so much content to learn, I thought the children were fantastic, including really impressive singing. Well done to them and all the staff involved.
The Pre-Prep Christmas plays were, as always, an absolute magical treat. It is always so heart-warming to see the younger children performing on the stage to a packed house. Very well done to them and, again, to all the members of staff involved.
Today, the children are enjoying a full Christmas lunch with all the trimmings. My enormous thanks to the Catering staff who will be producing over 450 Christmas dinners today.
On Sunday many of our Year 8 pupils are taking part in the Market Harborough Santa Fun Run, running for their chosen form’s charity – good luck to them all!
Next week, we look forward to the big end of term Music Concert taking place on Monday evening with the first part beginning at 5.30pm in the Hunter Hall. Then on Tuesday I am sure Years 3 and 5 are looking forward to going to watch ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ at Wellingborough Theatre.
Carol Services
On Thursday, we have the first of our Carol Services with the Years 3, 4 and 5 services in St Andrew’s Church at 3.00pm. Then, finally, term ends after the Senior Carol Service for Years 6, 7 and 8 beginning at 2.45pm on Friday.
Please note, due to the lack of parking around the church, all parents attending should park at school and then walk to the church. If the Advent Services are anything to go by, it will be a packed congregation, therefore I would urge parents to get there in good time – thank you.
Autumn Sports
Earlier this week we had the last sports fixtures of the term, wrapping up another very successful few months of hockey, rugby, and cross-country. In hockey the 2nd VII, Jets A and B have had most pleasing seasons. In rugby the 1st XIII, U11A, U10B and U9A all had successful seasons. Our cross-country teams have also done so well, with the Senior Girls absolutely smashing the Beachborough Chase earlier this week and many of our runners getting through the County Qualification.
SHSPA Christmas Fair
This event takes place next Wednesday at 2.00pm in the Hunter Hall. The prep school children do have set times when they can visit the fair but it is also open to parents all afternoon from 2.00pm. I do hope many of you are able to attend. A big thank you, in anticipation of it being a splendid event, to the Parents’ Association team for organising and running it.
Lost Property
All unnamed items will be displayed outside the Underwood next Thursday and Friday from 8.00am. Each term there is usually a large amount of unnamed items, much of which is often left unclaimed. Please do take the time to have a look through the items. Additionally, we would be very grateful if parents could spend a little time in the holidays ensuring that every item is clearly named so that lost items can be returned to the children.
Thank you
Simon Clarke
PRE-PREP
Pre-Prep Christmas Nativities
What a tremendously proud week it has been! All the rehearsing of stage movements, practising lines and learning of songs paid off brilliantly, with two wonderful performances of our Christmas nativity plays earlier this week. From singing, sleepy shepherds to bossy stable animals, and not forgetting the heart-warming twinkling star and beautiful angel dances performed by Reception, the confidence of all the children shone through – watching our little ones in their nativities is most definitely what puts the magic and sparkle into Christmas. They were absolutely amazing!
Christmas Performance Photographs and Recording
On Tuesday I emailed parents with the secure online links for each class’s gallery of Christmas photographs. Scrolling through the pictures really does help to relive those magical nativity moments. The photographer has certainly captured some beautiful pictures.
It is also worth remembering that the live streaming links, which were sent in the same email, now act as recordings that can be watched at any time – your children can enjoy singing and dancing along in the comfort of their own homes!
Christmas Jumper Day and ‘Christmas Cracker Lunch’
Christmas activities have rippled merrily on throughout the week, 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 gentle pop of crackers, we tucked into traditional roast turkey, with all the trimmings, or a vegetarian lentil and cranberry bake, followed by juicy satsumas and little mince pies. With music playing and plenty of amusing cracker jokes to enjoy, it was a very special occasion indeed.
Theatre Trips – ‘The Night Before Christmas’
Venturing off on their theatre trips next week, the excitement continues with the opportunity for our children to sit back, relax and watch professional actors at work. Year 2 and 1S head off on Tuesday, with Reception and 1N following in their footsteps on Thursday.
The Underground Theatre at the Derngate is set up so that the children can engage closely and enjoy a more immersive experience of the performance on stage, so I am sure they will have an amazing time!
Finally, the children will need to recharge their energy levels over the weekend as, on Monday afternoon, we will be hosting our Christmas year group parties – fingers crossed, a very special visitor will be making an appearance too!
Pre-Prep Pupil Achievements
Many congratulations to Arlo Crifo Garton (2A) who has been awarded his black belt in Karate and to Giles Bushell (1S) who has achieved his orange belt.
Very well done to Clemence Chambers-Hall (1S) for gaining her Level 3 swimming award and to Charlie Scott (1S) who successfully gained his Level 2 award.
Clemence must also be congratulated for achieving ‘Star of the Week’ at her Drama Club.
Fiona Sanchez
Head of Pre-Prep
MUSIC
Christmas Concert – Monday 12th 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.
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 15th December and the Years 6, 7 & 8 Choir members will be singing as part of the Senior Carol Service on Friday 16th December. Parents are most welcome to attend.
Instruments
Please can pupils ensure that all instruments and music folders are collected before we finish for the Christmas holiday.
SPORT
Beachborough Cross-Country
Spratton competed with 9 other schools in the annual Beachborough Run on Tuesday with some fantastic results, particularly from the Senior Girls.
Senior Girls 1st Team: Cecilie Jackson 1st, Emily Coe 2nd, Bea Thorpe 3rd, Maisie Gowling 10th and Elsa Miles 12th
Junior Girls 2nd Team: Isla Allsopp 1st, Amber Bowyer 5th, Bella Smith 14th, Bessie Sanders 16th, Shiro Upton and Isabella Szchenyi, Bea Harrison and Alice Foster
Junior Boys 3rd Team: Henry Sandall 11th, Oliver Cole 13th, Byron Dayman 16th, Ludo Lindsay 24th, Archie Gowling 25th, Elliot Glason, Blake Purcell and William Foster
Senior Boys 4th Team: Theo Ryan 7th, Hugh Smith 16th, Benedict Briggs 20th and Wilf Pasley-Tyler 29th
ART
Christmas Art Installation
After weeks of hard work, Mrs Moreton’s Christmas Art Installation of a Stag Snow Globe is on full display on the Terrace. Well done to everyone who contributed with making the many wool snowballs! Do come and see it during pick-up when all the twinkle lights make it extra special.
HOUSE COMPETITIONS
Years 3&4
Hockey
1st Drake, 2nd Raleigh, 3rd Frobisher, 4th Grenville
Rugby
1st Drake, 2nd Grenville, 3rd Frobisher, 4th Raleigh
CHRISTMAS JUMPER DAY
We are all very festive today and wearing our Christmas jumpers to support our three chosen charities this year being Down’s Syndrome Association, Cancer Research and Rainbows Hospice. Thank you for your support.
LOST PROPERTY
Bella Smith – NPAT Flute
‘SOIL TO TABLE’ BY LULU COX
Congratulations to Old Sprattonian, Lulu Cox, who has had her recipes published in The Land Gardeners’ debut book, ‘Soil to Table’. Soil To Table is a celebration of soil and its connection to the food we eat. It reflects the link between the health of our soils and the health of our food. The book is filled with ideas and wisdom about how to care for your soil and includes wholesome and nutritious recipes from Lulu. Her seasonal style of cooking is all about choosing ingredients carefully from farmers and producers who share the same love for the slow food movement. Lulu’s father, Chris, has kindly left some copies of the book in the school office (priced at £35) should anyone be looking for a Christmas gift for a foodie.
LOST PROPERTY
Frederick Labrum-Morren (1N) – blue school coat (named)
‘OH YES WE ARE!’
Mr Bradnam and Ms Bianco are appearing in Rugby Theatre’s pantomime ‘Snow White and the Seven Ninjas’, from Friday 20th January until Sunday 29th January.
The show is a traditional family panto, with Mr Bradnam appearing as Dame Wibble Wobble and Ms Bianco as a Narrator. It is a great cast with plenty of songs, slapstick and humour to come and enjoy in the New Year. If you are interested in tickets, they are £14 for adults, cheaper for children, with family tickets available. If you want to come and join in the fun, tickets are available from the box office: 01788 541234 or box.office@rugbytheatre.co.uk
Hope to see you there.
Mr Bradnam and Ms Bianco
ONLINE SAFETY
With Christmas holidays fast approaching, children may well be spending more time with their grandparents over the next few weeks. To help grandparents feel more secure with the ‘online life’ of their grandchildren, the link below is a really useful ‘Grandparents Guide’ to online safety.
https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/grandparents-guide-to-online-safety/
