

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!
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 goes to…
RECB Sophia
RECS Freya-Lillie
Harper
CCSCommunity Choir 8:35amEveryTuesdayatintheFamily Lounge!Everyoneis welcome!
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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 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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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