FROM THE HEADMASTER
It was a pleasure to welcome the children back to school yesterday and they returned in good spirits. Owing to the weather, however, it has been an interesting start to the term. I must admit that looking at the heavy snow falling at 8pm last night, I really thought we would be closed today. I am grateful to the Estates team for their early sterling work this morning to have the car parks and key pathways cleared of snow and ready for the school to open safely.
It is a shame that the weather has put paid to team practice this evening and, indeed, the senior sports sessions tomorrow, but it is par for the course for this time of year.
Scholarship Success
I am delighted to announce the following successes: Reuben Lindsay-Smith has been awarded a highly impressive three scholarships to Gresham’s School in Music, Drama and Sport. Flynn Russell has been awarded a Sports Exhibition to Oundle. Many congratulations to both Flynn and Reuben on these fine achievements.
Bench Coats
We are aware and sorry that the benchcoat store room is causing a few issues at present. We are actively looking at improved alternative solutions and thank you for bearing with us on this matter.
I do hope you all have a very good weekend.
Simon Clarke
Headmaster
PRE-PREP
Happy New Year!
On our crisp, icy cold return to school, it has been lovely to see the children’s faces glow with excitement, as they eagerly described new toys and holiday adventures – I’ve heard how everyone wore their festive pyjamas (except for daddy!), about huge family sleepovers in the playroom, along with some fascinating and intriguing sounding Christmas gifts from new, sparkly cherry-patterned shoes, to a lizard that can climb up walls and jigsaws galore! It is truly wonderful to welcome the children back!
New Term – New Topics
The teachers have been busy over the holidays and the Pre-Prep classrooms are looking bright and cheery as a result. With fresh themes in mind, many new displays and imaginative role-play areas have emerged, all designed to spark curiosity and ignite the children’s interest in their new topics. In Reception, they will be focusing on ‘Toys and Traditional Tales’, Year 1 will be exploring ‘The Ancient Egyptians’ and, in Year 2, they are investigating the very cold, icy and rather apt theme, of ‘Pole to Pole’.
To help keep you informed about your child’s learning, the teachers will be sending home topic overviews, next week, for you to read. These provide a flavour of the many planned for learning opportunities designed to develop the children’s knowledge, understanding and skills across the curriculum.
New Smiley Faces – Pupils and Staff!
The new term also brings some new faces to the department and I know you will join me in extending a very warm welcome to our new children and families — we are so pleased to have you with us.
As mentioned in Mr Clarke’s letter on Wednesday, there have also been a few changes within the Pre-Prep team. We are delighted to welcome Miss Chloe McGuire, who joins us as our Pre-Prep GAP. Miss McGuire is very much looking forward to working across all of our classrooms, supporting and engaging the children in their learning. Following a heartfelt farewell to Mrs Zoe Meikle at the end of last term, we are also pleased to welcome Mrs Katelyn Maybury as our new Pre-Prep Admin Assistant. Mrs Maybury is also our new Spratton Hall Shop Manager, so will quickly become a font of knowledge for all things Pre-Prep!
Finally, after dipping our toes into the new term for just two days, next week sees the first Charity Cake Sale of the New Year. If you are happy for your child to take part, please can they bring a voluntary donation of 50p into school on Tuesday. All cakes are nut-free!
Pupil Achievements
Congratulations to Leni Weaver who has achieved her Level 2 Swimming Award and to Constance Warner who gained an award for her effort and skill in Gymnastics.
Fiona Sanchez
Head of Pre-Prep
MUSIC
Exam Success
Congratulations to George Guppy for achieving a pass in his Grade 5 piano exam and to Amara Fox for achieving a merit in her Grade 1 flute exam.
NMPAT Music Lessons – Direct Billing
The Direct Billing team at NMPAT have emailed all parents who submitted their details to them, with instructions about how to set up an iPresto account. This email was sent on Monday. Please do make sure that you act upon the information contained within the email. Please note fees this term are due to be paid by 31st January. This billing system does not apply to any pupils who have vocal, guitar, piano and drum lessons. Those teachers will continue to invoice parents directly.
Mrs King
ART
Artist of the Week
This week’s Artist of the Week is Yilin Zhang for all her beautiful paintings done over the Christmas holiday inspired by artist Georgia O’Keeffe with excellent use of colour blending.
TOWNSEND LIBRARY
Weird and wonderful places that we read!
A new year and a new term are the perfect opportunity to focus on our reading once again!
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, we would love your photos! 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 saw@sprattonhall.com
Obviously, we encourage you to keep safe and would not recommend reading inside a lion’s den! 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 anywhere and everywhere!
S Willoughby – Librarian
PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS
Congratulations to Lewis Toms who has been selected as Goal Keeper for Warwickshire U13 Boys Hockey which will be his third season playing at county level.
Well done to Rudy Boswell who passed his black belt exam in karate just before Christmas and was awarded his belt at the weekend.
NON-SCHOOL EVENTS
Oh No He Isn’t …
Mr Bradnam will be appearing as the Dame in Rugby Theatre’s pantomime ‘Treasure Island’ at the end of January. It would be great to see as many of the pupils and parents there during the run of shows. There are 13 shows available between 23rd January and 1st February. Bookings can be made from the link below. It is a great traditional, family orientated panto so come along and enjoy the show.
Rugby Theatre Panto – Book Tickets
