| 18 October 2024
A Note from Our Head
Dear Parents,
Autumn is such a lovely time of the year with the leaves changing colour, the early sunsets and misty mornings. It really is a beautiful season. I was reminded recently, that in autumn the leaves actually reveal their true colours. In the autumn, trees produce less chlorophyll, which means that the usual green fades, revealing the beautiful colours underneath - stunning reds, yellows and golds. The leaves were always those brilliant colours – we just couldn’t see them. I felt this was an apt metaphor for what we aim to achieve here at Castle Court; that our pupils are given the space, opportunity and encouragement to reveal their true character and potential and just like the autumn leaves it is a wonder to see.
On Thursday, it was fantastic to see the children in Pre-Prep celebrating the beauty and wonder of Autumn on their ‘Autumn Day’. They had fun roasting marshmallows around the campfire, creating pictures using autumn leaves and exploring in the woods. It was also lovely to see so many PrePrep parents and grandparents for our Year 1 and 2 Sponsored Walk in aid of the three charities chosen by our Year 8 leaders: Waggy Tails, Listening Ear and Will Does. It was wonderful to be able to enjoy walking around our glorious woodlands in the autumn sunshine and raising money for these worthwhile charities in the process. Thank you so much for your support.
On Monday, the Year 8s joined with scholars from the Bourne Academy to take part in a Model United Nations run by Sixth Form students from Canford. Pupils represented different countries and worked collaboratively to find solutions to the child refugee crisis. It was great to see our senior pupils thinking so deeply about this issue and displaying some of our key 7Cs values –compassion, curiosity and collaboration.
A reminder that next week is a shorter week as we break up for half-term on Wednesday. After an action-packed half-term, I think we are all now ready for some time to relax and recharge before the exciting, but busy, run up to Christmas.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Best wishes,
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 Charles
RECS Spencer
P1D Maisie
P1Z Adaline
P2A Arabella
P2G Jujhar
Artist of the Week
This week’s Artist of the Week is Luan, with this intricate portrait of a lion.
This piece is particularly personal as Luan means lion, and if you look closely, you can see other cat heads hidden in the design.
We’re sure you will agree that this is absolutely beautiful - well done, Luan!
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
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
Mrs Johnson had a lovely letter from one of the volunteers at Corfe Mullen Food Bank (right).
Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for the wonderful donations that were brought in as part of our Harvest Festival celebrations at the beginning of the month. It really did make a huge difference to those in need.
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 Earthshot website and bring your entry to Mrs Hoey when you are happy with it!
Year 5 had a treat this week when they caught up with an Old Castellan via Teams to learn about his new life in Dubai. PSB Geography in action!
Den Building in Castle Club was a great way to end the week!
The Week in Sport
Tuesday – vs Sherborne – Mixed Football
The Years 3 and 4 pupils had a great afternoon against Sherborne, playing football and celebrating some excellent performances. There were a lot of Castle Court goals for everyone to enjoy but the most pleasing thing to see was the unselfish play and the importance Castle Court players were putting on assists rather than goals scored. With the Year 4s especially we spoke about how good ‘tap in’ goals were, as this showed not only great team play but also great decision making! Needless to say, we watched A LOT of tap ins on Tuesday afternoon!
Wednesday
The very poor weather meant that home games were cancelled, allowing some pre-season rugby training and indoor netball to knock the rust off ready for after half-term. The games that did go ahead were away at Sherborne, where the girls’ 2nd and 3rd hockey teams had two good games and the boys U11s had resounding wins against Sherborne.
The girls’ 1st hockey team were at Kings Taunton for their IAPS tournament and in a very close group stage they missed out on qualification to the cup tournament on goal difference. They had two very close 0-0 draws with Port Regis and Dumpton which, if we had our shooting boots on we could easily have won. In the Plate quarter final, the girls learned a harsh lesson as they dominated the first half and again, should have scored. However, we paid the price for not taking our chances as Taunton scored twice in the second half to send us home.
Team of the week:
U11b Boys’ Football – winning 7-2 against Sherborne with 4 Year 5 children playing up a year!
Sportsperson of the week:
Lauren H, who has been selected for Aim Netball Academy and Dorset Netball Squad
Individual Honors:
Lauren H selected for Dorset Netball
Hattie P selected for Dorset Hockey
Josh G at Bournemouth FC Academy
Arthur L at Southampton FC Academy
Eloise L-T at Bournemouth FC Academy
Sport highlights this term:
1st team Football
Bryanston Tournament Winners
Moyles Court Quarter Finalists
IAPS Cup Quarter Finalists
U11a Football
Sherborne Tournament Winners
Moyles Court Tournament Winners
ISFA Semi Finalists
IAPS Quarter Finalists
1st Team Hockey
Bryanston Tournament 4th Place
IAPS Plate Quarter Finalists
U11a Hockey Bowl Runners up
Year 3 Adventures in the Stone Age
Year 3 were transported back to the Stone Age this week when they spent time creating their own stone age paintings. They even foraged in our woodlands to find the materials needed to make their own paint!
Character & Values Education (CAVE)
Our CAVE programme has three key strands: Self-Care, People Care and Earth Care. We continue to look at Health and Fitness as part of the self-care strand of CAVE.
For a sneaky peek into how the lesson worked and to see the children in action, please click the ‘play’ buttons!
We celebrated Black History Month using a variety of different artefacts with different histories and stories to tell. Thank you to Mrs Rule for all her hard work in organising this and bringing it all together.
What a great day of debate and conjecture as the Model United Nations came to Castle Court on Monday of this week! Joining with members of Canford School Sixth Form and Year 8 from the Bourne Academy, our Year 8 pupils represented different countries and worked to debate and find solutions to the Child Refugee Crisis.
Life in the Pre-Prep world…
It has been all about Autumn in the Pre-Prep this week! From collecting leaves to our Sponsored Walk and Awesome Autumn Day, we really have had an amazing time.
Sport is an integral part of school life,including the daily activities of our very youngest children in Badger Cubs and Badgers. This week, they practised their coordination skills with our lovely Sports team who, along with their teachers, will help them transfer these skills to everyday life.
Meanwhile, in our Reception classes this week, the children have been learning about the human body. They can identify and name some of our bones, and they even created their own skeletons!
October Half-Term Inspiration
Football Clinic
Paul Manning will be running a 2-day Football camp during October half-term, on Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30. Contact Paul using 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.
Broadstone
Tennis Club Camps
Broadstone Tennis Club are running Tennis Camps over the October half-term.
For more information, please use this link.
Purbeck Film Festival Stunt Saturday
This promises to be a fun day for all the family, with the chance to meet and chat with stuntmen and women from Hollywood films, as well as watch the films themselves. For more information and to book, click the image or use this link.
Purbeck Film Festival: Kids on Film
On several days throughout the half-term, the Purbeck Film Festival have arranged screenings of childrens’ films as well as the chance to meet the stunt men and women behind the action. For more information and to book, please click the image or use this link
East Dorset Tennis Academy
The East Dorset Tennis Academy are running tennis camps over October half-term, on 28, and 30 October from 9am-12pm. To book, please use link, and for more information please do email Tom by clicking here.
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.
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!
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.
Years 3 and 4 Toy Sale: Thursday 14 November
Years 3 and 4 will be running a Toy Sale on Thursday 14 November, the proceeds of which will go to support our School Charities. We will be inviting Years 1 and 2 to the sale. We would be grateful if the children could start looking out toys, books and games that they no longer use and are in good condition to be sold on. Any items for the sale can be brought into school from Monday 11 November.
Crèche facilities for Badger Cubs to Year 2
We will be very happy to provide a crèche for Badger Cubs to Year 2 on the evenings of Monday 21 October and Tuesday 22 October whilst parents are meeting with staff. Drop off and collection will be from the Nursery and Reception rooms. Please note that all children must be collected from the crèche by 5.45 pm at the latest.
Changing Rooms
Parent Notices Save the Dates
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
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.
Wreath-Making Workshop
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
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.
The changing rooms will be open every morning from 8:15-8:30am. They will then be locked as staff will need to go and teach.
Years 1 and 2 Christmas Craft Activity
Parents of children in Years 1 and 2 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 2: Tuesday 3rd December, 09.00-09.45am
Year 1: Tuesday 10th December, 2.15-3.00pm
(Year 1 Parents: If you wish to take your child home afterwards, this is acceptable. If you would also like to collect siblings, please check this is OK with their form tutor well in advance and inform your Year 1 teacher).
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 coming weeks, including trips and Sports fixtures.
Next week, beginning Monday 21 October:
Day Date Time Details
Mon 21 Oct
Tues 22 Oct
Weds 23 Oct
9am Reception Sewing Workshop with Parents
4:30pm Nursery and Years 3&4 Parents' Evenings
Reception to Year 8 Vaccinations
2pm Mixed Football vs Yarrells - Years 3&4
4:30pm Pre-Prep (Reception, Years 1 and 2) Parents' Evening
2pm Mixed Football vs Yarrells - Years 5&6
4:15pm Half Term Begins - tea, prep and activities available
Half-Term runs from Thursday 24 October to Sunday 3 November inclusive.
When we return from half-term, from Monday 4 November:
Day Date Time Details
Mon 4 Nov 12pm Themed Lunch: Indian Banquet
Tues 5 Nov 2pm Mixed Football vs Bryanston Prep - Years 3&4
Weds 6 Nov 2pm Girls’ Hockey & Boys’ Rugby vs Bryanston Prep Boys’ Rugby vs BCS - U12 & U13
Thurs 7 Nov 10:45am Year 2 Visit to Forest Hill Nursing Home 2:30pm Year 8 Drama/English trip to Frankenstein at the Lighthouse
Fri 8 Nov 8:15am Parent Prayer Meeting in the Boardroom 6pm Castle Court Bonfire Party
Parents’ Evenings
In addition to the Parents’ Evenings diarised above, please see below the dates of further Parents’ Evenings which will be held after the October half-term break.
Year 5 Thursday 21st November 4:45– 7:30pm
Year 6 Tuesday 12th November 4:45– 7:30pm
Year 7 Monday 25th November 4:45– 7:30pm
Year 8 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
Year 3 Mrs Baugniet | Mr Bambrey
Your first point of contact for day to day questions and enquiries related to your child(ren) is their tutor or class teacher.
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
To report an absence, please call the School Office on 01202 694438, or send us an email.
If you wish to make an appointment to see Mrs Johnson, please email hmsec@castlec ourt.com
Science Mrs Gallop
History Mrs Rule
CAVE Mrs Hoey
Music Mr Smith
Geography Mrs Hoey
Sport Mr Fermor-Dunman
DT Mr Phillips
Art Miss Sinclair-Smith
SENDCo Mrs Emma Harmer
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
We are looking forward to us all coming together as a school community on Friday 8th November to enjoy the Bonfire Evening.
The evening, we feel, offers something for us all, but to show respect to our neighbours, many of whom own horses, the fireworks will be shorter than in the past and low noise.
Here is the plan for the party!
5.45pm Gates open
Food trucks begin to serve: Flaming Peaches for Burgers, and the Dorset Pizzeria for wood-fired pizza
Stalls selling sweets and bonfire related toys, plus face painting, glitter tattoos and bungee trampolining
The Bonfire Bar will be ready to serve hot chocolate, mulled wine, beer, Prosecco, and a range of soft drinks
6pm Bonfire will be lit
6.55pm Steamship Circus Fire entertainers perform until 7.15pm
7.20pm Low noise fireworks
7.25pm Evening comes to a close
We look forward to seeing many of you there.
If you have not yet done so, you can book your tickets here.
What better way to end the final Newsletter of this half-term than with these beautiful photographs of our Thursday sailors.
We wish you all a wonderful week with your families.
