The diggers have arrived on the school site for our new science block extension. Our head teacher Iain Massey welcomed the crew to the school today. If you missed our announcement on the build, click here for more info.

National shutdowns were no match for our budding Sponne Scientists ! 

With over 400 year 7 and 8 students taking part in this year's British Science Week activities, Sponne students showed that no amount of shutdown can stop their progress in Science.

Students were fully engaged in a two-week long project in which they constructed their own scientific apparatus, recorded and analysed data, and all complemented with research and development tasks - and all completed during our most recent lockdown.

Students were required to construct a fully functioning and accurate rain gauge, then use it to record rainfall data during the start of March. They then used this data to predict monthly rainfall and compare to previous years, looking for patterns and trends as they did so. 

Having evaluated the design of their equipment, students then took their designs further through the application of modern and innovative technology and ideas to enable the equipment to be used in remote and hostile environments. 

No doubt buoyed by the promise of prizes of Easter eggs and oodles of Sponne Sparks, a good range of designs and ideas, presented using a range of styles from newspaper reports to formal presentations, prizes were given per tutor group for Science content, artistic merit, and an overall best in class. Two deserving pupils each received a £10 Amazon voucher for best in year7 and best in year 8, and everyone who returned a worthy effort was rewarded with praise, appreciation, and of course, plenty of sparks !

Mr Fleming.

Feedback from April 2021

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SNVB - Working alongside Public Health Northamptonshire and Northamptonshire County Council Communications Team, we are pulling together some thematic community design workshops. With the county experiencing a second wave of COVID-19 cases and the country as a whole now in a second lockdown, we are keen to work in partnership with residents to develop ways to tackle the spread within our communities.

We understand some of the things that may block people from following the self-isolation, social distancing and now the new lockdown guidelines and we want to work together with communities to find solutions. This might include looking at the way we communicate about the government or local guidance, how we engage with residents, how we keep people informed of changes, right through to looking at the practical support we may be able to offer.

Public Health recently undertook a survey in Northamptonshire with over 2600 people and these design workshops will look at the outcomes of that and think about possible ways to help tackle the issues it identifies, for example, some people stated that they are confused about the guidance for isolation, we could think of new ways to communicate this information. We want to explore the issues from the varying cross cutting perspectives in order to see if there is a specific way that we need to target our messages and interventions.

The sessions are primarily aimed at the public, but they are also open to practitioners if they wish to attend and share any insight from their service users.

Workshop One 16 Nov 10:00 – 11:30 - Families and Lone Parents - Eventbrite event
Workshop Two 17 Nov 13:00 – 14:30 - Rural Communities - Eventbrite event
Workshop Three 19 Nov 13:00 – 14:30 - Older People, Carers and Care Homes - Eventbrite event

Norman Barker 1942-2020

It is with great sadness that Sponne acknowledge the passing of Norman Barker.

Norman was born in Northampton, went to Northampton Grammar School (now NSB) and Loughborough University. He lived in Towcester.

He came to Sponne as Head of Boys PE in September 1975 whilst still playing hooker for Bedford RFC who were the National Cup Winners that season and following their tour to British Columbia.

He immediately made a big impact on the school in activities such as athletics, gymnastics and outdoor pursuits but particularly rugby, which went from strength to strength under his astute coaching and infectious attitude, enthusiasm and motivation. His indomitable spirit and passion for the game can be seen at the Towcestrians RFC with the club having much success during his era as a teacher at Sponne and many of his former students coaching Mini, Junior and Senior rugby to the present day and their children starting out on their own rugby adventures.

This term we were really pleased to get back to school football training, on a Tuesday afternoon. So far a total of 40 different students have been involved. Numbers at each session have been amazing, with an average of thirty players, participating in each session

During training we have worked on a number of short passing drills to improve our awareness on the pitch. We have also worked on shooting drills, using a target net we bought this season. Also as part of this we have worked on our fitness and stamina in possession of the ball.

We have also formed a Y8 student football committee, and meet regularly to plan and organise training sessions and team tactics. We are a group of six at present, but will look to add to this next term. We will be looking for students who show good organisational, communication & leadership skills, as well as a passion and commitment for school football.

The term ended with a training match. The final score was 3-3 in a high quality contest. The green team scored early with a brace from Sam W. The shirts pulled one back with a free kick by Will T, who then got the equaliser with a classy rabona finish, after cutting inside. With the score at 2-2 it was a scuffed penalty by Ewan C, sending Nathan S the wrong way, which gave the shirts, a narrow lead. With the shirts looking like they had secured victory, a green throw in, led to a poor clearance, which let John D in, who made a side foot finish into the top corner. A brilliant game to end the term on!

Training resumes on Tuesday 3rd November. We would welcome any interested Year 8 students getting involved. Please speak to Mr. Cornelius, Mr. Trusler or Mr. Hollamby for more information. Alternatively, you can email football@sponne.org.uk

And for more information about all things Sponne Football, please follow us on Twitter; @SponneFootball.

By the Year 8 Football Committee (Ewan B, Alex B, Ewan C, Will T, Devan V, Sam W)

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— NHS COVID-19 app (@NHSCOVID19app) September 24, 2020

On the 11th of March this year we, the year 8 netball team, went to the County Cup at Oundle School. We were able to go after an amazing victory, earlier in March at the County Plate. SW, CA, LB, PB, GG, ET, AT and GP went and represented our school outstandingly.

We won our first match, thanks to all teammates motivating each other to play our best. Despite the wind being especially strong that day, we all put in to practice what we had been working on and the improvements we aimed to make from the County Plate. Working together, utilising the shooting triangle in attack, and quickly getting the ball down the court in defence, we won our next few matches.

A few matches into the tournament, we played against Winchester House. It was a really tough but close game. We played incredibly, working together and using the channels to quickly bring the ball up the court. Sadly we ended up losing that match. This however did not discourage us in the matches ahead. We continued to strive to play our best knowing goals were key, winning all our other games!

After our last game, we had a nervous wait for the results. We came first! Winning on goal average. An amazing day with amazing play from everyone. Big thank yous to the coaches Miss Stone and Miss Wade for taking us and coaching us throughout the day and the last year!