Castle Court School: Newsletter: 31/01/2025

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A Note from Our Head

Dear Parents,

The life of a Head is certainly a varied one and this week has been no exception. One minute I can be involved in detailed meetings involving key strategic decisions, the next I can be playing with trains and Lego with Nursery pupils, and I must admit I wouldn’t want it any other way. It therefore should have come as no surprise to me that during Celebration Assembly today I was challenged by a pupil to demonstrate my Irish dancing skills! I am very relieved that there is no video or photo evidence of my attempt at recreating River Dance in my heels! At least it gave my colleagues a laugh on a Friday morning. However, I dread to think what next Friday might bring!

Equally unexpected this week was the announcement that Castle Court has decided to expand into the airline industry. I am delighted to report that Castle Court Airways had its maiden flight to China with all of Reception on board. Captain Brewer and Chief Stewardess Spears expertly led the journey to help the children learn more about the Lunar New Year. Not only was it wonderful to see the delight on the children’s faces as they had their boarding passes checked before the flight, it also demonstrates the immense creativity and dedication of my colleagues to ensure that the children’s learning is brought to life in such engaging and imaginative ways.

This week I have had the pleasure of meeting with three prospective families and showing them all that Castle Court has to offer. Despite the challenges facing our sector, it is wonderful that so many parents want to visit our school and see first-hand the excellent educational provision we offer. I am aware that many prospective parents visit us because of personal recommendations they receive from existing parents. I therefore wanted to thank you for your continued support of the school, it really does mean so much.

Next week, we will be raising awareness of Children’s Well-being through the theme of ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself.’ There will be a range of activities on offer throughout the week including hot chocolate at break times, mindfulness, campfires and walks in nature. On Thursday at 2:15pm, there is also the opportunity for parents to listen to the inspirational Leah Chowdhry who was the first British Asian woman to swim the English Channel and was awarded The British Citizenship Medal and Women of the Year by the London Asian Business Awards. I hope that as many of you as possible will be able to join us for what I’m sure will be a fascinating talk. Our Well-being Week will start on Monday with pupils being able to come to school in comfy clothes and our now famous whole school Wake and Shake led expertly by our Year 8s. I better go and practise my Irish Dancing moves!

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 goes to…

RECB Sophia

RECS Freya-Lillie

Harper

CCSCommunity Choir 8:35amEveryTuesdayatintheFamily Lounge!Everyoneis welcome!

Save the Dates: Spring Term 2025

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

Most assessment days have now been completed. It is just Canford that continue over the coming weeks:

Academic – 10/11th February

Art – 12th February

Design – 6th February

Drama – 5th February

Music – 27/28th January

Sport (boys) – 31st January

Sport (girls) – 3rd February

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

Trips

Year 8 - Canford Resource CentreThursday 13 February

Year 4 - Tutankhamun MuseumThursday 27 February

Reception - Compton Acres - Thursday 13 March

Year 1 - East Dorset Museum - Tuesday 18 March

Performances

Spring Term Performing Arts Presentation will be held on Monday 10 March at 4.30pm.

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.

Easter Craft Days

Parents are invited into school for an Easter Craft session in the Art studio with their child.

Year 2 - Tuesday 18th March, 2.20-3.pm Year 1 - Tuesday 25th March, 2.20-3pm Please park in the car park outside Pre-Prep and walk down to the Art Studio.

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.

Parent Information

The school diary for the next two weeks is as follows:

MUFTI DAY FOR ALL CHILDREN - COMFY CLOTHES!

Monday 03 Feb

Tuesday 04 Feb

Wednesday 05 Feb

Thursday 06 Feb

Canford Girls' Sport Scholarship Assessment Day

08:35 CCS Community Choir, Family Lounge

09:00 U13 IAPS Netball at Cranleigh: timings TBC

14:00 Mixed Hockey vs Durlston - Years 3&4

Canford Drama Scholarship Assessment Day

14:00 Boys' Hockey & Girls' Netball vs Durlston - Years 5-8

08:35 Canford DT Scholarship Assessment Day

08:35 CCPaF Class Reps' Meeting, Family Lounge

09:00 IAPS Regional Swimming Finals at Millfield, Timings TBC

14:15 Talk by Leah Chowdhry to parents, Years 7 and 8

08:15 Parent and Staff Prayer Group, Board Room

Friday 07 Feb

Governors' Marketing & Education Committee Meetings

16:30 Yr 6-8 Music Festival (Hall)

Monday 10 Feb Canford Academic Scholarship Examinations (2 days)

UK Safer Internet Day

Tuesday 11 Feb

08:35 CCS Community Choir, Family Lounge

10:00 Bryanston Orchestral Day (depart 9am; concert 4pm)

14:00 Boys' Hockey & Girls' Netball vs Dumpton - Years 3&4

Canford Art Scholarship Assessment Day

Wednesday 12 Feb

11:00 Year 3 play performance of 'Animal Antics' to Year 4 and below

14:00 Boys' Hockey & Girls' Netball vs Dumpton - Years 5-8

16:30 Nursery Parents' Evening

Bryanston School Imagine Day (Year 6 & 7)

Mr Mills continues to run Karate & SelfDefence 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 9am9.45am. 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

Thursday 13 Feb

Friday 14 Feb

If you have not yet booked your Parents’ Evenings appointments, please do so as soon as possible.

09:00 Year 3 Play Performance of 'Animal Antics' to Parents

14:00 Yr 8 to Canford Resource Centre (PSPQ)

16:30 Reception / Yr 1 / Yr 2 Parents' Evening

08:30 Valentine's Coffee Morning Year 8 HPV Immunisations

09:30 Governors' Finance Committee and Full Governors' Meeting

16:15 Tea, Prep and Activities, Minibuses as normal Half Term begins

Year 8 Parents: Please check your emails for information on the HPV immunisations next Friday - the deadline is 11 Feb.

The MC Performance Centre in Canford Magna are offering an Aspiring Athlete Programme for children in Year 7 and up. This is a 12-week programme on Thursday evenings, starting in February.

If you are interested, please call Mark on 07720377541 or go to https://www. mcperformance.co.uk/

Paul Manning will run a Football Clinic at school over halfterm. Please email manning_ paul_@hotmail. com to find out more!

Wimborne Wayfarers are looking for players in the Under 10 and Under 12 categories. Training is on Tuesdays from 6-7pm (Under 10s) and from 78pm (Under 12s) at QE School. Please do have a look at their website for more information: https:// wimbornewayfarershc.co.uk/

If you are interested in booking a space on the Multi-Activity Club at Lytchett Minster School for February half-term, please contact Kirsty: kirsty@starscorporateltd.co.uk.

To tie in with their migration festival, Carey’s will be screening the film Migration during half term.

To book tickets, click on the poster or HERE.

Next Week: Well-being Week

Monday is a MUFTI DAY for all children! Please wear comfy clothes, but make sure you remember your sports kit as normal.

numberDuringtheweek,therewillbeaofoutdoorandmindfulnessbasedactivities,includingcampfires, sessionstotalkaboutfeelingsand emotions,games,paintingto music…tonameafew.

Wewillstarttheweekwith‘Wake andShake’ledbyourwonderful Year8pupils!

There will be a reduction in homework during the week to allow children the chance to spend time with friends, family, or simply doing something that they enjoy.

Would you like to join us for Leah Chowdhry’s talk?

- The talk will be in the Family Lounge from 2.15pm

- Refreshments and a Q&A session will follow the talk

- If you would like to join us, please book your place using this link HERE.

To find out more about Leah, have a look at this website.

Year 7 Trip to Hampton Court

Year 7 had a fantastic day at Hampton Court on Thursday.

Thank you to Mrs Rule and her team for the amazing opportunity to bring their learning in History to life.

Photography Club

These stunning images were captured by the children who attend Photography Club, where the the focus this week (as you can see!) was flowers. A huge thank you to Ms Thompson for her work on this club.

Artist of the Week

This week’s Artist of the Week is Grace, with this wonderful drawing of a cyclist. Grace was inspired by the work of Umberto Boccioni; her class have been looking at Futurism and the way in which you can use mark-making to create a sense of movement in your work.

Well done, Grace!

Music Exams

Does your son/daughter learn a musical instrument outside of school and visit the local centre in Poole or Bournemouth to take their exams?

Did you know that Castle Court host an examiner visit each term which is open to all pupils in the school, regardless of where they learn, and their teacher can enter them to take their exams at school?

Please do get in touch with Mr Smith –jsmith@castlecourt.com - for more information if you would like your son/daughter to be entered for their exam at school.

They would therefore not need to be taken to their exam by a parent or grandparent and miss long periods of time away from school: our exams take place within the school day and work around the pupils’ commitments.

The closing date for our exams this term is Wednesday 12th February and we are hosting an examiner visit on Monday 17th March.

Year 6 did well during their Bikeability session on Tuesday!

Meanwhile, Year 8 were introduced to our new Careers platform on Thursday, working well with Mrs Hoey to get this exciting development up and running.

Run2Renew

We are very proud of Charlie in Year 6, who at 10 years old set up his own charity - Run2Renew. He did this after taking part in a free park run n South Africa. Shocked at how many children were running in bare feet, he spoke to the organiser about how he could help.

The organiser, Lizzy, explained that the rural areas are often short of sporting equipment.

How can we help?

We will be placing a box in the office for donations of running trainers (not fashion shoes or plimsoles) which have been used but still have life in them!

Equally, if you have any lightweight running t-shirts and shorts for boys and girls from ages 8 and up, they would be very gratefully received.

Charlie will then take these with him on his next trip.

Looking ahead to the Summer Term

The Summer Term starts for children on Wednesday 23 April

Years 6-8 Swimming Gala will be held on Monday 9 June at 2pm

Pre-Prep Sports Day will be held on Friday 4 July from 9am

Move Up Morning for children in current Years 2 to 7 will take place on Tuesday 8 July.

The Senior Play will be performed to parents at 6pm on Thursday 3 July

Years 3-5 Swimming Gala will be held on Tuesday 10 June at 2pm

The Summer Term ends with Speech Day on Wednesday 9 July

Activity Weeks

Please pencil in 12-16 May for our annual off-timetable Activity Week for Years 3-8 pupils.For pupils in Years 5-8 there will be a residential component to the week. Pupils in Years 3-4 will have a programme of activities in school and out, with their annual overnight camp scheduled for later in June. Further details will follow!

Prep Sports Day will be held on Friday 27 June

The Year 8 PSPQ Exhibition will be open to parents from 8.30am on Thursday 12 June.

The PSPQ Presentations will take place from 6pm that evening.

New Events for this year: Friday 6 June - Family Fun Day!

The Years 3 and 4 Summer Concert will be held in the Hall at 9am on Wednesday 25 June

Please look out for more information on this; planning is well underway and it looks set to be an amazing event.

Wednesday 11 June at 6pm

The Handlebards - a Shakespeare Company - are performing Much Ado about Nothing. More information will follow in due course.

Please note that this far ahead, the dates and times listed are subject to change.

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

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