| 6 December 2024
A Note from Our Head
Dear Parents,
The festive season is often such a busy time of year with presents to buy, food to order and prepare and decorations to put up. It is all too easy to get caught up in the never-ending to do list and forget to focus on what truly matters at Christmas. In my assemblies, I have been reminding pupils about the true meaning of Christmas and how it can be explained in one simple word - love. I want all the pupils in the school to understand the transformational power of love and how it is the greatest power that each one of us has.
Whilst all of us may be looking forward to Christmas and all that it brings, there are many families in the local area who are really struggling at this time of year. It was therefore a real privilege on Monday to present the Corfe Mullen Food Bank with a cheque for £1000 raised from key events throughout the term including our Bonfire Evening. Tracy from the Food Bank was overwhelmed by the generosity of this donation and explained how it would make a huge difference, enabling her to not only support more families but also provide them with a few little Christmas extras such as Christmas crackers and some additional treats for the children. Thank you for all your support.
It has been another busy week at Castle Court. We had an outstanding Performing Arts Presentation Evening on Monday where 48 pupils from Years 5-8 showcased their drama and dancing skills in front of a packed audience of parents and grandparents. The talent on display was simply outstanding and it was a real privilege to see the children’s enthusiasm and passion for the Performing Arts. On Tuesday, Year 5 pupils went to Bryanston to watch a preview of the school’s Guys and Dolls musical. It was a great way to inspire our pupils further, especially as they were able to see an Old Castellan performing in the show. On Wednesday, our Year 4s went back in time as Victorians and discovered more about what Christmas was like in this era in their trip to the Russell Cotes Museum. It was great to see them all dressed up in their outfits (thank you parents) and they came back eager to tell me all about their visit. It was also lovely to see a number of you at our Christmas wreath making session on Thursday and I hope the Year 2 parents also enjoyed their Christmas art session with their children.
I can’t quite believe that next week is the final week of term. I know it will go by so quickly, but I am determined to savour each magical Christmas moment with your children as it is these moments which matter the most. I’ve been told to bring the tissues with me for the EYFS and Pre-Prep nativities (parents you have been warned!) and I hope to see as many of you as possible for our Christmas Service in the Minster on Friday. It really is a highlight of the school calendar.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
Mrs Katie Johnson Head
Head’s Awards are given out every Friday morning in assembly to children nominated by their class teacher or form tutor; the reasons for these are many and varied, including outstanding effort, overcoming difficulty, or helping a friend in need.
Huge congratulations this week go to:
RECB Abigail
RECS Sebby
P1D Hugo
P1Z Hugo
P2A Claudia
P2G Teddy
3D Barnaby
3M Freddie 4D Freddie 4M Sylvie 5D Ottilie 5M Alba 6D Kobe & Rupert
Max
Neva
Arthur
Nadine
Liam
Charitable Giving Updates
We were delighted to welcome the Mayor of Corfe Mullen, Duncan Sowry-House, and his partner, alongside Tracy and Ann from Corfe Mullen Food Bank this week.
Mr Sowry-House, accompanied by Mrs Johnson and two of our School Leaders, was delighted to present the Food Bank with a cheque for £1000, which will make an enormous difference to families in difficulty at this time of year.
In a little ‘Castle Court twist’, we had not told the Food Bank volunteers how much we had managed to raise for them. They had told us that even £500 would make a difference, as they would then be able to add crackers to their Christmas parcels to make Christmas Day a little more special for the families they help. To be able to give them double this amount was just wonderful.
The £1000 was raised at the Bonfire Party on Friday 8 November. A huge thank you to everyone who was able to attend for your generosity, and for making the special moment captured below a possibility.
Our Mufti day on Friday 15 November raised a huge sum for Children in Need; many thanks to everyone who donated for your generosity.
Academic and Pastoral News
Please find below details of the upcoming Scholarship assessment dates.
Assessment Dates
Sport – 27th January 2025
Music – 28/29th January 2025
Bryanston
Canford
Art/IT/DT – 29th January 2025
Performing Arts – 30th January 2025
All Rounder – 30th January 2025
Academic – 31st January 2025
Academic – 10/11th February 2025
Art – 12th February 2025
Design – 6th February 2025
Drama – 5th February 2025
Music – 27/28th January 2025
Sport (boys) – 31st January 2025
Sport (girls) – 3rd February 2025
Clayesmore Week beginning 27th January 2025
Year 5 had an amazing afternoon watching the musical “Guys and Dolls” at Bryanston, which was superb. Thank you to Bryanston for having us!
The children of Castle Club braved the darkness this week and went for a Night Walk around the site!
Artists of the Week
This week’s Artists of the Week are Pippa, Quinn and Lake in Year 3.
They have created some delightful drawings of chameleons during their recent art lessons.
The children have particularly been fascinated by the camouflage element of these creatures!
Year 4’s Victorian Christmas
Year 4 went to the Russell Cotes Museum on Wednesday to experience a Victorian Christmas. As you can see, they really did embrace the day and had a wonderful time.
We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to the staff at the Museum for making the day so interactive, informative and educational. This really did enhance the learning we’ve been doing in class.
Performing Arts
Monday saw an outstanding Performing Arts presentation evening, where pupils from Years 5-8 showcased their drama and dancing skills.
Huge congratulations to everyone involved; your passion and enthusiasm was second to none.
Mon 9 December
9:15am: EYFS Christmas Play
10:15am: Years 1 and 2 Christmas Play
4:45pm: Year 8 Parents’ Evening
Countdown to Christmas!
Tues 10 December
Morning: Carol Service Rehearsal at the Minster
2pm: State Primary Mixed Football Festival (Years 3&4)
2:15pm: Year 1 Christmas Craft Session with Parents
Thurs 12 December
CHRISTMAS JUMPER DAY!
Wear a Christmas jumper (with normal uniform) and bring in or make a donation online to Save the Children.
9am: Carol Singing (Senior & Community Choirs)
12pm: Pre-Prep Party Lunch
1:30pm: Pre-Prep Christmas Parties
Fri 13 December
11am: Final Assembly and Prizegiving 12pm: Christmas Lunch
3pm: Carol Service at Wimborne Minster
4:15pm: End of Term
And here’s a sneaky peek at the first week back in January!
Monday 6 January is an INSET Day - no children need attend
Tuesday 7 January - School re-starts for all children; breakfast clubs run as normal; early and late buses run as normal; tea and prep is available after school to those who need this service (there are no activities on this evening). Please note there is no Community Choir on this day.
Wednesday 8 January - Activities begin
Thursday 9 January - Canford Entrance Test takes place for those pursuing the late entry route; Years 1 and 2 start swimming at Canford
Friday 10 January - Early morning cricket and running begin
Parent Notices: The Last Week of Term
Years
1 Christmas Craft Activity
Parents of children in Years 1 are warmly invited to join their child in an exciting Christmas Craft activity. This will take place at the Art and Design Centre, down from the Walled Garden. Year 1: Tuesday 10 December, 2.15-3.00pm
Christmas Jumper Day
We have added a Christmas Jumper Day to the school calendar! In return for a donation of your choosing to Save the Children, children may wear a Christmas Jumper to school with their normal uniform on Thursday 12 December. If you would rather donate online than send cash, please do so using this link, or via the QR code given.
Carol Service: Friday 13 December at 3pm
All children in Reception and upwards will be taking part in the Carol Service at Wimborne Minster on Friday 13 December. Parents are warmly invited to join us at this festive service, which will start promptly at 3pm. This year’s Sermon will be given by Mr Chris Wheeler, the Head Designate of Canford from September 2025. Even if you are not attending the service, we ask that all children are collected from 4:15pm onwards please, directly from the Minster. Please note that Nursery children will remain at school - please see below for their arrangements.
Nursery
Pick Up on Friday
On Friday 13th December pupils in the upper school will be attending the Carol Service in Wimborne Minster. The Badgers & Badger Cubs children will not be attending this service but will be enjoying a fun and educational day as usual. If you have another child attending the Carol Service in the school, and you therefore need to collect your Badgers/Badger Cubs after the service, please could you collect them before 1645. Please email lhixson@castlecourt.com to confirm you will be collecting your child after the service prior to this time.
If this is not your child’s usual day unfortunately, we are not able to look after your children as an extra session due to government ratios in the EYFS. If this is your child’s usual day and they have no siblings attending the service, please collect them at their usual pick-up time. Please note that there is NO tea club that day and therefore the latest pickup is 1615.
Parent Information
Stuck for Christmas Presents this year?
As Christmas is just round the corner we would like you to know that there is still time to order your school photographs in time to give as gifts to loved ones. If you no longer have your proof card please call our office on 01202 692433, or email sales@fraserportraits.com and we will be happy to help. Please place your print orders by Monday 16 December for delivery to home addresses. Digital downloads are instant.
Bryanston are running a series of holiday camps over the Christmas break, as well as a series of cinema screenings, Please click on the pictures for further details and to book.
We are currently looking into the possibility of running a limited bus service to and from Blandford. If you feel you would be interested in this, please email minibus@castlecourt. com.
Last year, a number of children were successful in the School’s Triathlon series at Bryanston, so we are delighted to be invited again this year. This event is entirely driven by parents and is open to all children in Years 3-8. The children form teams of 4, with all team mates doing all 3 disciplines of swimming, cycling and running, as a relay. It’s a great sporting challenge as well as a chance to give back to the community with a spot of fundraising. Do have a look at this video with your child to see if they’d be keen to give it a go! To learn more or sign up, please click on the picture below or use this link.
Save the Dates: Spring Term 2025
CCSCommunity Choir
EveryTuesdayfrom 14Januaryat 8:35aminthe FamilyLounge
Here are some key things to look forward to in the Spring Term. Please keep an eye on the Newsletter in the New Year for more information!.
Parent Social Committee Meeting
This will be held on Thursday 23 January at 8:35am in the Family Lounge and is for any parent who wishes to be involved in any way with our social events. Please confirm your attendance using this link.
Sports Fixtures
Tues 14 January - Boys’ Hockey and Girls’
Netball vs Sherborne for Years 3&4
Weds 15 January - Boys’ Hockey and Girls’ Netball vs Sherborne for Years 5-8
Thursday 16 January - Years 5-8 Cross Country at Kings Park
Tuesday 21 January - Mixed Hockey vs Salisbury Cathedral for Years 3&4
Wednesday 22 January - Mixed Hockey vs Salisbury Cathedral for Years 5-8 and Boys’ U13 In2Hockey County Finals
Keep an eye on the Newsletter for more!
Topic Exploration Sessions (Reception, Year 1 & Year 2)
Parents are invited into school to explore this term's exciting new topic with their child.
Year 1 - Tuesday 14th January, 08.359.30am
Reception - Wednesday 15th January, 08.35-9.30am
Year 2 - Thursday 16th January, 08.359.30am
Please walk your child to class and then enjoy a tea or coffee with other parents prior to the session starting.
Parents’ Evenings
Nursery: Weds 12 February
Reception, Years 1 and 2: Thurs 13 February
Years 3 &4: Thurs 27 Feb
Year 5: Tues 4 March
Year 6: Thurs 13 March
Year 7: Mon 17 March
Year 8: TBC
February Half-Term: Please note that this will run from Monday 17 February. All children should return to school on Monday 24 February.
CCPaF Meeting
This will be held on Thursday 6 February at 8:35am in the Family Lounge and is for all those who are Class Reps.
Points of Contact
Class Teachers / Form Tutors:
Reception Mrs Brewer | Mrs Speer
Year 1 Mrs Dobson | Mrs Zachariades
Year 2 Mr Antell | Mrs Glenn
Year 3 Mrs Baugniet | Mr Bambrey
Year 4 Dr Lippiatt/Mrs Deards | Mr Laidler
Your first point of contact for day to day questions and enquiries related to your child(ren) is their tutor or class teacher.
Heads of Department:
English Ms Thompson
Maths
Science
Year 5 Mr Mills/Mrs Vivian | Mrs Miller/Miss Sinclair-Smith
Year 6
Year 7
Year 8
Mrs Rule/Mrs Major | Mr Fermor-Dunman/Mrs Hoey
Mr Jordan/Mrs Harmer | Mrs Lea/Mr Cheadle
Mr Phillips/Ms Thompson | Mrs Gallop/Mr Smith
Section Leaders:
Pre-Prep Mr Antell
Years 3& 4 Mr Laidler
Years 5&6 Mrs Munns
Years 7&8 Ms Thompson
Nursery:
Badger Cubs Mrs Genge | Mrs Tomblin
Badgers Mrs Bartlett | Mrs Wilson
The Nursery Manager is Miss Hixson
To report an absence, please call the Office on 01202 694438, or send us an email.
If you wish to make an appointment to see Mrs Johnson, please email hmsec@castlecourt.com
Miller
Gallop
History Mrs Rule
CAVE
Hoey
Music Mr Smith
Geography Mrs Hoey
Sport Mr Fermor-Dunman
DT Mr Phillips
Art Miss Sinclair-Smith
SENDCo Mrs Harmer
Leadership Team:
Mr Dunsford Assistant Head (Pastoral)
Mr Edmond Assistant Head (Operations)
Mrs Hoey Head of CAVE
Mrs Munns Director of Teaching and Learning
Mr Norris Bursar
Mrs Robson Admissions and Marketing
To end on a festive note this week, here are Years 3 and 4 during this week’s “Open the Book” CAVE Drama session, which was led by one of our Old Castellans.
The children used slapstick and other dramatic techniques to re-tell the traditional Nativity story in a modern way.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
