Newsletter | 29 November 2024
A Note from Our Head
Dear Parents,
It is certainly ‘beginning to look a lot like Christmas’ at Castle Court. On Wednesday, whilst the rest of Dorset was in gridlock due to the floods, a little bit of Christmas magic took place in my study with my School Leaders helping pupils from Reception to decorate my Christmas tree. To see our oldest and youngest pupils sharing in the joy of Christmas was wonderful to see and certainly lifted my spirits. One of the key strengths of Castle Court is its family feel, and it is therefore really important to me that children from different year groups have the opportunity to enjoy spending time together.
I have also enjoyed seeing a number of children for their Head’s Show Ups. This gives me the opportunity to see and discuss some of the wonderful work the pupils have been creating in lessons whilst enjoying a hot chocolate together. Recently, I have seen fantastic sentence writing from Reception, a wonderful Kindness Project as well as fantastic lyric writing skills in Year 4 and excellent collaboration skills in Year 7 when designing Canva videos about how to take apart a computer. The pride that children take in their work and their enthusiasm for their learning is a joy to see. It is also wonderful to see the range of activities within our curriculum which enable the children to show their knowledge and understanding in such creative and inspiring ways.
At Castle Court, we believe that childhood should be cherished. It should be a magical time filled with awe and wonder, a time to develop each child’s unique strengths and ignite their passions and interests. However, in our rapidly changing world with the increasing influence of social media, as parents, we face the challenge of preserving the wonder of childhood whilst also preparing our children for the future. I therefore felt it was the right time to reaffirm the school’s stance on mobile phones and provide some further information on the impact of smartphones and social media on children’s mental health, well-being and social development (the link is here). Whilst you as parents are always best placed to decide what is right for your child, I hope the information contained in this booklet is useful and enables you to make informed decisions so that your children continue to flourish, are happy and experience the best childhood possible.
Having spoken to a number of pupils, I know that many of you will be putting up your Christmas decorations this weekend. I therefore hope your homes are filled with the joy of Advent and I look forward to the magic of Christmas continuing next week.
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:
Quentin
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
Our extra-curricular photography club has been experimenting with composition and lighting, yielding some fun results.
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
Thank you to everyone who brought in a donation and bought either a poppy or some merchandise. Your generosity meant that we were able to raise a wonderful £362.90 for the Royal British Legion.
We are delighted to announce that we’ve added a Christmas Jumper Day to the calendar!
Children (and staff!) are invited to wear a Christmas Jumper on Thursday 12 December, alongside their normal uniform.
This is in return for a donation of your choosing to Save the Children. If you’d prefer to do this online rather than send in cash, please use this link, or scan the QR code.
Using Lego miniature figures, they were tasked with taking pictures of the mini figs in real life settings. These Harry Potter inspired scenes were fantastically captured! We also have been learning to paint with light which was such fun! While the principles of photography will take time to grasp, our budding photographers are enjoying experimenting and learning how their cameras work. We cannot wait to see what they will produce next week.
Our CAVE Programme
Bikeability continues to go really well, with both the children and the staff/ instructors enjoying the sessions!
Years 7 and 8 learnt vital CPR skills this week with the British Heart Foundation.
In CAVE this week, Year 5 had the opportunity to make a Christingle in the Outdoor classroom. A Christingle is a symbolic object and celebration that represents the birth of Christ and the light of the world. We started by reflecting on why Jesus is the light of the world and discussed what a Christingle represents and why Christians make it at Christmas.
A Christingle is a candle in an orange that's decorated with a red ribbon and dried fruit or sweets. The orange represents the world, the red ribbon symbolises Jesus' love, and the four sticks represent the seasons. The fruit or sweets on the sticks represent gifts from God.
The children then had fun creating their own Christingles to take home with them!
Year 3 History: The Stone Age
Our task was to collaborate as a group and build a 3D model to show the many features of 'Stone Age' living. We got the chance to present and talk about our models with our Head of History, Mrs Rule.
As Head of Department I was asked to judge the wonderful 3D models created by our Year 3 pupils. They worked collaboratively to design and create models from the Stone Age (Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic). This project allowed the children to shine; it was an absolute pleasure seeing their work and listening to them tell me what they had learned.
The models reflected an understanding of the different periods of the Stone Age and included key elements like tools, shelters, fire, animals, or daily life. The pupils were able to demonstrate research and knowledge about the period and the materials and design choices appropriate for the Stone Age theme. Some models included drawings, campfires, basic boats, clothing, crops, weapons, fish, trees and animals they bred for food, shelter and clothing. One group was able to explain why circles of stones such as Stonehenge were built. The models showed clear historical context; they were unique, creative and thoughtful. The pupil’s effort and engagement in this project was evident in the time and care invested in crafting the model. The children worked collaboratively to solve problems and there was evidence of independent thinking skills.
I would like to thank Mrs Baugniet and Mr Bambrey for all their hard work, support and encouragement. They have inspired the children with their teaching, and I am certain this is a project that the children will always remember.
Biathlon Update
Well done to all the pupils who took part in the Biathlon competition at Millfield School last weekend. There were some outstanding individual results (Pippa: 1st place Year 3 girls, Cordelia: 1st place Year 4 girls, Oliver, Hugo and Arlo: 1st place as a team, and Arthur: 3rd place).
Most importantly, all pupils represented the school brilliantly, supported one another and gave their best. We are so proud of you all.
Parent Notices & Dates
Use of Phones in Pre-Prep
When dropping off children to Pre-Prep, please note that the use of phones is not permitted, including when walking from the gate to the playground, and in the classrooms. Thank you.
Cars Idling in the Car Park
When dropping off and picking up, please ensure that your car engine is switched off and not left running in the car park.
Data Collection Forms
If you have not completed your Data Collection Form, please log on to EduLink to do so. As we enter a season of poor weather, it is essential that we have up to date contact details in particular.
Christmas Sports & Crafts Camps
Did you miss the School Photos?
Poole Grammar Christmas Fayre
Poole Grammar are holding a Christmas Fayre from 11am-4pm on Saturday 30 November, with lots of stalls, food and live music!
Our School Photographers are offering a catch-up session in Corfe Mullen - please give them a call on 01202 692433 to book.
Paul Manning will be running these from 16-20 December at school, from 9am to 3:30pm every day. For more details and to book, please contact Paul on manning_paul_@hotmail.com
Mr Mills continues to run 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.
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 3 December, 08.45-09.45am
Year 1: Tuesday 10 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).
Christmas Sugarcraft Workshop
Mrs Glenn will be running a Christmas Sugarcraft Workshop for Parents on Wednesday 4 December from 8.30 to 10.30am in the DT room. The price is £30 per head, to include a hot drink, seasonal nibbles and all resources. Please contact Mrs Glenn on lglenn@castlecourt.com for more details and to secure a place. For details of other workshops run by Mrs Glenn, please see her website: lyndyloulearning.wixsite.com/ lyndyloulearning
Bushido Wado-Ryu Karate Club | https:// bushidokarate.martialartsuk.org | Find him on Facebook/Instagram/YouTube using: @dorsetkarate
Following our introductory taster session last weekend, there are a few spaces still available in the Little Ninjas class, with a free try-out still on offer. Pre-registration is essential-please contact Mr. Mills on 07801 730097 for more information and to reserve your child's place.
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.
Mon 2 December
ABRSM Exams
4:30pm: Performing Arts Presentation in the Hall
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 3 December
8:45am: Year 2 Christmas Craft Session with Parents
1:30pm: Year 5 to Bryanston to see ‘Guys and Dolls’
2pm: Years 3&4 Tag Rugby Festival at Bryanston
Weds 4 December
8:30am: Sugarcraft Workshop with Mrs Glenn
9:15am: Year 4 to Russell Cotes, returning 1pm
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 5 December
8:45am: Parents’ Christmas Wreath-Making Class in Family Lounge
9:15am EYFS Dress Rehearsal for Christmas Play
10am: Years 1 and 2 Rehearsal for Christmas Play
Weds 11 December Thurs 12 December
Fri 6 December
8:15am: Parent Prayer Meeting in the Boardroom
Fri 13 December
CHRISTMAS JUMPER DAY!
Wear a Christmas jumper (with your normal uniform) and bring in a donation to Save the Children.
9am: Carol Singing (Senior & Community Choirs)
12pm: Pre-Prep Party Lunch
1:30pm: Pre-Prep Christmas Parties
11am: Final Assembly and Prizegiving
12pm: Christmas Lunch
3pm: Carol Service at Wimborne Minster
4:15pm: End of Term
As always, please continue to keep a close eye on your emails for further details. Please do not hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions at all.
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 Mrs Miller
Science
Gallop
History Mrs Rule
CAVE
Hoey
Music Mr Smith
Geography Mrs Hoey
Sport Mr Fermor-Dunman
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
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
Year 8: Fun in the Snow
Our Year 8 pupils are a wonderful bunch: happy to help the younger pupils, eager to take on new challenges, always excited to step up and lead assembly or take on responsibility….
They are our oldest and wisest pupils.
That said, one extra thing that we learned about them last week is that they LOVE snow!
Just before they started three days of exams and practice Scholarship papers, and after some negotiation, Ms T took them outside in the snow to enjoy what will be their last winter season with us here at Castle Court.
Much like the Pre-Prep children featured in last week’s Newsletter, it’s safe to say that they were delighted to be given the opportunity to enjoy the snow and sunshine under Ms T’s watchful eye.
When Ms T suggested that they’d like to throw snowballs in her direction as that would make a great photograph, the fun was complete!
Visits from our friends this week!
