| 17 January 2025
A Note from Our Head
Dear Parents,
As Head, I have the privilege of witnessing countless magical moments within the school. Sometimes these moments are at key parent events which others get to enjoy too. However, often it is the ordinary, everyday moments which give me the greatest joy and best represent the true strengths of our school.
For example, this week I had a lovely chat with some of our nursery pupils after breakfast club, and their joy and enthusiasm for the day ahead was a delight to behold. I also had the pleasure of seeing two older siblings walking into school. They walked in hand in hand, with huge smiles on their faces, talking happily with one another. For me, this beautiful moment captured all that I believe is at the heart of this school – the importance of childhood, a sense of family and happy children. I only wish I had had my camera to hand! Last night, I also spent the evening reading through and approving the numerous Year 8 scholarship references to senior schools. Whilst it may just be my age, I don’t mind admitting that I was moved to tears. Reading the wonderful, personalised comments about each child reminded me how talented our pupils are, what wonderful leaders they have become, but also how much I will miss them when they leave us in Year 8. Thankfully, I have another two terms to enjoy yet!
This week has been busy with a number of prospective parent tours and visitors, including Old Castellans. One OC commented on the significant changes that had taken place; the investments and developments around the school, the relevance and creativity of the curriculum and the nurturing approach of staff. However, all that they loved about CCS, the heart of the school, remained as strong as ever. It was wonderful feedback to hear.
It was lovely to see so many Pre-Prep parents at the topic exploration sessions this week. I hope you enjoyed making rockets, houses and learning about endangered animals. I know that the children loved sharing their learning with you. Our Performing Arts department have been busy this week too with rehearsal for the Year 3 performance well underway, and our senior pupils receiving their scripts for The Wizard of Oz. I’m very excited about the prospect of being able to wear my ‘ruby slippers’ to that performance!
The children have had a really positive start to the term, but I know that the first full week back can be quite tiring too. I therefore hope you and your family enjoy a relaxed and restful weekend.
Best wishes, Katie
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.
A huge congratulations for their efforts either this week or last goes to…
Save the Dates: Spring Term 2025
CCSCommunity Choir
EveryTuesdayfrom14 Januaryat8:35amin theFamilyLounge!
World Book Day: This will be on Thursday 6 March
Red Nose Day: This will be on Friday 21 March
Keep an eye out for more information!
Year 8 Scholarship Assessment Days
Please see dates of these below and check your emails/post carefully for exact timings, which will be confirmed to you by the schools.
Sport – 27th January
Music – 28/29th January
Bryanston
Art/IT/DT – 29th January
Performing Arts – 30th January
All Rounder – 30th January
Academic – 31st January
Academic – 10/11th February
Art – 12th February
Design – 6th February
Canford
Drama – 5th February
Music – 27/28th January
Sport (boys) – 31st January
Sport (girls) – 3rd February
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.
Performances
The Year 3 Play (‘Animal Antics!’)will be performed on Thursday 13 February at 9am.
Year 4 will perform ‘Wind in the Willows’ to parents on Wednesday 26 March at 2.30pm.
The Senior Play will be held on Thursday 3 July at 6pm.
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
Clayesmore Week beginning 27th January
February Half-Term: Please note that this will run from Monday 17 February. All children should return to school on Monday 24 February.
Easter break: This will run from Monday 31 March. All children should return to school on Tuesday 22 April.
Trips
Year 7 - Hampton Court - Thursday 30 January
Year 8 - Canford Resource CentreThursday 13 February
Year 4 - Tutankhamun Museum - Thursday 27 February
Reception - Compton Acres - Thursday 13 March
Parent Information
The school diary for the next two weeks is as follows:
08:35 CCS Community Choir, Family Lounge
Tuesday 21 Jan
14:00 Mixed Hockey vs Salisbury Cathedral - Yr 3&4
14:00 Boys' Hockey & Girls' Netball vs Salisbury Cathedral Yr 5-8
Wednesday 22 Jan
14:00 Boys' U13 In2Hockey County finals - Timings TBC
14:00 U11 & U13 Girls' Netball tournament, Bryanston - Timings TBC
08:35 Parent Social Committee Meeting, Family Lounge
Thursday 23 Jan
14:00 Ken Bailey Cross Country races, Bryanston - Yr7&8
Friday 24 Jan 08:15 Parent Prayer Group, Board Room
Canford Music Scholarship Assessment Days (Mon/Tues)
Monday 27 Jan
Tuesday 28 Jan
Wednesday 29 Jan
Bryanston Sports Scholarship Assessment Day
08:35 CCS Community Choir, Family Lounge
14:00 CAVE: Bikeability Level 2 (Yr6)
14:00 Mixed Hockey vs Bryanston Prep - Yr 3&4
TBC U13 PEDSSA Netball Tournament
Bryanston Art, CompSci, D&T Scholarship Assessment Days
12:00 U11 Boys' In2Hockey County finals - Timings TBC
14:00 Girls' Netball & Boys' Hockey vs Clayesmore - Yr 5-8
Thursday 30 Jan Year 7 History Trip to Hampton Court Bryanston All-Rounder and Performing Arts Scholarship Days
Friday 31 Jan
Bryanston Academic Scholarship Assessment Day
Canford Boys' Sport Scholarship Assessment Day
By clicking on this image, you will be able to access a free copy of the UK’s largest parenting magazine, which has the backing of the NHS in improving the physical and mental well-being of families in England.
Triple P Parenting Programmes will be running in the evenings at Longfleet Primary School in Poole. If you are interested in exploring new parenting strategies or considering a paediatric referral, please do click on the image for more information.
The Clayesmore Open Morning will run from 10.30am-12.30pm on Saturday 1st February. Please book a place using this link.
Paul Manning will be running a Football Clinic on the school site over half-term. Please email manning_paul_@hotmail. com to find out more!
Karate: Mr Mills continues to run Karate & Self-Defence classes for children and adults aged 7 and up (Y3+) on Saturday mornings 9.50am–11:20am in the Sports Hall. He also runs Little Ninjas for children in reception, Year 1 and Year 2 from 9am-9.45am. For more information or to book a free try-out session, please contact him on bdemills@yahoo.co.uk bmills@castlecourt.com or on 07801730097.
Bushido Wado-Ryu Karate Club | https://bushidokarate. martialartsuk.org | Find him on Facebook/Instagram/YouTube using: @dorsetkarate
Reception go to Space…
Our Reception children are absolutely loving our new topic'Space'. They have already learnt so much in the last week and are brimming with facts and questions!
it was wonderful to be joined in this week by our Reception parents for our Topic Exploration Session.
We all made junk model rockets and as always, we were amazed by the creativity and enthusiasm of our children and their parents too!
Well done everyone!
Year 1 also dived into their new topic ‘Houses & Homes’ this week with their parents!
They have been learning all about the different places we live and what makes each one special.
Thank you to all the parents who joined us and braved the Lego!
While Year 1 stay at home!
Cooking Club
Activities have started for the Spring Term, and one of the most popular is the Cooking Club.
This term, it’s the turn of Years 7 and 8 to go into the kitchen and experience life ‘behind the scenes’!
As you can see, they were absolute naturals…and they even got to eat their results!
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
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
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
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
A beautiful sunrise over the Walled Garden this week. We are so blessed to have such a beautiful estate in which to learn, play and work.