A Note from Our Head
I always love welcoming visitors to Castle Court School as it is wonderful to be able to share with others all that I believe is special about the school. Having visitors also provides an invaluable opportunity to see the school from another person’s perspective. It is all too easy to take what we have for granted. Hearing the feedback from visitors who look around our school reminds me just how blessed I am. I hope I never forget what an immense privilege it is to be Head of this wonderful school.
On Thursday we had a busy Open Morning with numerous prospective families visiting the school. I wish you could have seen the way that all your children rose to that occasion; they were simply magnificent. I had such lovely comments from prospective parents about how happy, courteous, engaging, confident and articulate the children were. As one parent commented, “The children clearly love the school. I was so impressed with how happy and engaged they were in their learning. It was wonderful to see”.
Whilst I was incredibly proud of all the children, the Year 8 pupils deserve a special mention. They were outstanding ambassadors for the school in the way they led the parent tours. The feedback I received from one of the parents at the end of their tour moved me to tears. It was certainly a morning to treasure.
This week, we also welcomed teachers from other PSB schools as we hosted the English and History PSB Subject meetings. One of the benefits of being a PSB school is the opportunity to collaborate and share good practice with other like-minded schools. As a flagship PSB school, it is great to be able to share how we are embedding PSB skills throughout the curriculum. I know that Miss T, Mrs Munns and Mrs Rule all came away enthused by their meetings and with new ideas to take back to their teams.
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:
This week was also Dyslexia Awareness Week. To celebrate this, some of our staff and pupils decided to make a video sharing their experiences of being dyslexic. The video is incredibly powerful, and I feel it encapsulates all that this school stands for: celebrating each child’s unique strengths, focusing on the whole child and empowering our children to make a positive difference to the lives of others. I wanted to thank all the children who took part for being so courageous and inspiring others.
As we head into the weekend, I will be thinking of those children who will have received the results of the 11+ tests today. Please do let us know how they got on.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Mrs Katie Johnson Head
RECB Abigail
RECS Sebby
P1D Krishn
P1Z Reece
P2A Isabella
P2G Austin
3D Jonah
3M Lake
4D Monty
4M Evie
5D Reuben
5M Eliza
6D William
6M Josh
7D Henry
7M Chang Chang
8D Fred
8M Sophie
Academic and Pastoral News
Please find below details of upcoming scholarship deadlines and the corresponding assessment dates.
Deadline Assessment
Sport – 27th January 2025
Music – 28/29th January 2025
Bryanston 22 November
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
For children in Years 5 and 6, Canford are running a Junior Earthshot Competition, with a deadline of 8 November. For more details, please see the Earthshot website and bring your entry to Mrs Hoey when you are happy with it!
Canford 1 December
Drama – 5th February 2025
Music – 27/28th January 2025
Sport (boys) – 31st January 2025
Sport (girls) – 3rd February 2025
Clayesmore 22 November Week beginning 27th January 2025
On Monday, Mrs Hoey took a group of our Year 7 and 8 Geography Scholars to Canford School for an afternoon of quizzing! With rounds including geographical landmarks, map work, countries and flags, our team really were put through their paces and did incredibly well.
Bikeability for Years 3-5 (initially!) returns after half termplease look out for an email containing further details.
On Monday from 11am to 3pm, we will be hosting the annual Model UN Summit for children in Year 8. There will be around 50 adults and children on site from Canford and Bourne, set for a day of PSB-inspired democracy, tolerance and diplomacy. This is a great chance to celebrate cultures from around the globe and promote mutual understanding and respect. Last year’s event was a huge success, and we look forward to a great experience this year too.
On Thursday 17th October, Cubs & Badgers (who attend on a Thursday), Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will experience an ‘awesome’ day enjoying autumnal related activities. Children are encouraged to wear autumn colours (red, orange, yellow, brown) into school for the entire day.
Later on in the day on Thursday 17 October, Years 1 and 2 are doing a Sponsored Walk to raise money for Waggy Tails, Listening Ear and Will Does. These charities have been chosen and debated by Year 8 children in their Leadership roles. Parents are invited to the Old Library for 2pm for teas and coffees, before the walk starts at 2:30pm.
Character & Values Education (CAVE)
This week in CAVE, Year 5 focused on the self-care aspect of the programme, concentrating on Health and Fitness.
Please click on this box for a video of the class in action!
Meanwhile, over in Year 6, the children celebrated Ada Lovelace Day. She was inspired by learning to solve STEM problems. We took the opportunity also to build our PSB collaboration skills.
Life in the Pre-Prep world…
Would you believe these pictures are from a Badgers Maths lesson? Matching, sequencing, counting, colours, shapes and so much more were explored this week in our lovely grounds. We then extended this in the classroom by making our own patterns to show our friends.
On Monday, our Reception classes visited Moors Valley for a day of steam trains, woodland adventures and friendship.
Meanwhile in Year 2, we went beyond Literacy and Maths and into DT. We loved learning to saw this week; an essential life skill ticked off!
Finally, just look at the fun that Year 2 had in Science this week!
We were learning all about magnets, and we investigated which objects in our classroom are magnetic and which are not.
Further Charity Update
We have received a lovely thank you note from everyone at Matumaini. The playground is complete and being enjoyed by the children. Thank you to everyone who donated to this cause.
Old Castellans
Mrs Johnson and all the staff were delighted to hear that Old Castellan Will J has been selected as Head of Pupil Mentoring at Bryanston School.
To be successful in obtaining this position, Will went through a rigorous selection and interview process, demonstrating positive leadership skills, the ability to work as part of a team and a determination to make a difference. We are all so proud that he continues to live our the 7 Cs and shows servant leadership qualities.
A huge well done, Will, from all of us.
Outdoor Classroom
The outdoor classroom has come a long way since the start of term and this week played host to Year 5, who enjoyed a Geography lesson in the great outdoors! It really is a wonderful addition to our school and has allowed us to develop our PSBinspired curriculum into the outdoors.
We were also delighted to hear about Reza, another old Castellan, who recently came third in the British Formula 4 Championships.
Needless to say, we all love following Reza’s races and are so proud of everything that he has achieved.
Keep following your dreams, Reza, and we will continue to cheer you on!
Use of Phones in Pre-Prep
When dropping off children to Pre-Prep, please note that the use of phones is not permitted. This includes when walking from the gate to the playground, and in the classrooms. Thank you.
Mobile Phones and Smart Watches
Please can we kindly remind parents that mobile phones and smart watches (those with camera and video recording capabilities) are not to be brought into school nor used at any time on the school minibuses to and from the site. ProBooks are also not to be used on the buses due to the potential for damage to occur to these devices. If there is a need for your child to bring a mobile phone into school, please email the school office outlining the reasons for this. Permission will then be sought from the school's safeguarding lead. Thank you for your support.
Mr Mills is running Karate & Self-Defence classes for children and adults aged 7 and up (Y3+) on Saturday mornings 9am–10:20am in the Sports Hall. For more information or to book a free try-out session, please contact him on bdemills@yahoo.co.uk or bmills@castlecourt.com.
Bushido Wado-Ryu Karate Club | https://bushidokarate. martialartsuk.org | Find him on Facebook/Instagram/YouTube using: @dorsetkarate
Recycling of Tracksuits, Puddle Suits and Wellies
If you have any unwanted old-style tracksuits, puddle suits or wellies at home, please do drop them into the school office. We are hoping to build a collection of spares in the outdoor classroom to enable all children to take part, even if they have forgotten kit, or to facilitate a quick change!
Uniform Appointments at Bartlett’s
Please note that Bartlett’s are operating by appointment only over October Half Term, from Saturday 26 October to Saturday 2 November. To book an appointment please do so via Facebook or email them.
6 Week Post Summer Shape Up Challenge!
Emma, one of Scholar sports coaches, is running classes specifically for mums who would like to focus on their fitness goals now that summer is over. If you are interested in learning more, please click on the image, or this link.
Wimborne Minster Choristers Taster Day
The Minster would love to invite boys and girls aged 8+ to join them for a morning of singing and a pizza lunch on 26 October, from 10:30am to 1pm. Choristers enjoy expert music tuition alongside the opportunity to learn an instrument and enjoy a varied social programme too. For more information please email Claire Lehmann.
Parent Notices Save the Dates
Football Clinic
Paul Manning will be running a 2-day Football camp during October half-term, on Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30.
Bonfire Party
Please save the date for our Bonfire Party, to be held on Friday 8 November from 6pm on the MW Field. Please book tickets using this link.
Biathlon Events
The local upcoming qualifiers for the regionals are 10November at Leweston and 24November at Millfield. If your child wishes to attend, please sign up and pay a membership using this link.
Christmas Pottery Painting
Broadstone Tennis Club Camps
Broadstone Tennis Club are running Tennis Camps over the October half-term. For more information, please use this link.
This will take place on Thursday 28 November from 8.45am – come along, do some painting and nibble on mince pies with coffee! Book here.
Performing Arts Presentation
This term's Performing Arts Presentation will be on Monday 2December at 4.30 pm in the school hall. The presentation will involve pupils from Years 5 to 8 and will include performances by both senior dance groups as well as performances by pupils who take private dance and drama lessons. You will be contacted by email nearer the time to confirm that your child will be performing. In the meantime, please save the date!
Wreath-Making Workshop
A wreath-making workshop for parents will be held on Thursday 5th December at 8.45am. Foliage will be provided from the grounds, alongside mince pies and coffee! To book, please use this link HERE.
School Calendar
We have some exciting events lined up over the course of the next two weeks, including trips and Sports fixtures.
Next week, beginning Monday, 14 October:
Day Date Time Details
Mon 14 Oct 11:00 Year 8 MUN with Canford/Bourne
Tues 15 Oct
Weds 16 Oct
Thurs 17 Oct
14:00 Girls’ Hockey & Boys’ Football vs Sherborne - Years 3&4
8:30 U13a Girls’ Hockey IAPS - Taunton
14:00 Girls’ Hockey & Boys’ Football vs Sherborne - Years 5-8
8:35 Class Rep Meeting with Mrs Johnson in Family Lounge
14:00 Year 1 & 2 Sponsored Walk with Parents
Fri 18 Oct 16:30 Year 6 to 8 Music Festival (Hall)
The following week, beginning Monday, 21 October:
Day Date Time Details
Mon 21 Oct
9:00 Reception Sewing Workshop with parents
16:30 Nursery and Years 3&4 Parents' Evenings
Tues 22 Oct Reception to Year 8 Vaccinations
14:00 Mixed Football vs Yarrells - Years 3&4
16:30 Pre-Prep (Reception, Years 1 and 2) Parents' Evening
14:00 Mixed Football vs Yarrells - Years 5&6
Weds 23 Oct
16:15 Half Term Begins - tea, prep and activities available
Parents’ Evenings
We are delighted to confirm the dates and times of Parents’ Evenings. Further details will follow in due course, but all the evenings detailed will take place in the Hall.
Nursery
Monday 21st October 4:30– 6pm
Reception Tuesday 22nd October 4:40– 6:30pm
Year 1
Tuesday 22nd October 4:40– 7pm
Year 2 Tuesday 22nd October 4:40– 7:30pm
Years 3 and 4
Year 5
Year 6
Year 7
Year 8
Monday 21st October 4:45– 7:30pm
Thursday 21st November 4:45– 7:30pm
Tuesday 12th November 4:45– 7:30pm
Monday 25th November 4:45– 7:30pm
Monday 9th December 4:45– 7:30pm
Points of Contact
Class Teachers / Form Tutors:
Reception Mrs Brewer | Mrs Speer
Year 1 Mrs Dobson | Mrs Zachariades
Year 2 Mr Antell | Mrs Glenn
Your first point of contact for day to day questions and enquiries related to your child(ren) is their tutor or class teacher.
Year 3 Mrs Baugniet | Mr Bambrey
Year 4 Dr Lippiatt/Mrs Deards | Mr Laidler
Year 5 Mr Mills/Mrs Vivian | Mrs Miller/Miss Sinclair-Smith
Year 6 Mrs Rule/Mrs Major | Mr Fermor-Dunman/Mrs Hoey
Year 7 Mr Jordan/Mrs Harmer | Mrs Lea/Mr Cheadle
Year 8 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
Heads of Department:
English Ms Thompson
Maths Mrs Miller
Science Mrs Gallop
History Mrs Rule
CAVE Mrs Hoey
Music Mr Smith
Geography Mrs Hoey
To report an absence, please call the School Office on 01202 694438, or send us an email.
Sport Mr Fermor-Dunman
DT Mr Phillips
Art Miss Sinclair-Smith
Nursery:
Badger Cubs Mrs Genge | Mrs Tomblin
Badgers Mrs Bartlett | Mrs Wilson
The Nursery Manager is Miss Hixson
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
If you wish to make an appointment to see Mrs Johnson, please email hmsec@castlecourt.com
