In this issue:
Year 2 visit The Sealife Centre in Weymouth
Year Group photographs are available to order online Arrangements for Pre-Prep Sports Day are confirmed
Sailing for Fun gets up and running and more!
Dear Parents,
I am looking forward to seeing many of you this afternoon at our SummerFest. This new event has been created in response to the feedback we received from parents asking for more family events at school so that you can enjoy these with your children. Having opportunities when we can come together as a whole Castle Court family is really important to me, as this is what lies at the heart of the school. As the African proverb states, “It takes a village to raise a child.” These wise words remind us that the journey of education is not one which school or families walk alone – it is a shared path, shaped by collaboration, trust and care
I believe that when parents and teachers work in harmony, the results can be truly transformative. Children thrive when they see the adults in their lives united in their support, expectations and encouragement That is why it is so important to us to work in partnership with parents, and why you are such an essential part of our school family So ahead of this afternoon’s event, I wanted to say a personal thank you for all that you do to support the school and your child’s learning. Whether that is helping with reading or homework, attending school events or just taking the time to listen to your child talk about their day These moments matter more than you know
This week, there has been lots going on with Year 8 pupils busily preparing for their PSPQ exhibition and TED-X presentations to parents and senior schools on Thursday night. We will be opening up the PSPQ exhibition to all parents next Thursday at morning drop off, and next Friday from 330pm I would really encourage you to take the time to look round the Year 8 projects (in the Sports Hall) as the standard of work is exceptional and is a fitting culmination of their PSB journey.
This week, Year 2 enjoyed a trip to Weymouth Sealife Centre as part of their topic on oceans I hear it was lots of fun! They have also been busy planting sunflower seeds and kindly offered to plant one for me. I’m secretly hoping mine will grow to be the tallest! Today, Reception also enjoyed a visit from the ambulance service and enjoyed finding out more about the important work that they do
In sporting news, 11 swimmers will be making their way to London Aquatic Centre for the IAPS National Finals on Saturday morning. Mrs Richards and I will be greeting the first swimmers at 7:30am so I feel lots of coffee will be needed! I wish all the swimmers every success at this event.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful weekend.
Katie
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 Jasper
RECS Spencer
P1D Olivia
P1Z Aiden
P2A Billy
P2G Nancy 3D Beau 3M Amelia 4D Hugo 4M Rex 5D Jack 5M Diletta 6D Sam 6M Max 7D Tallulah 7M Maddie 8D Nadine 8M Lenny
Monday 09-Jun-25 14:30 Year 5,6,7,8 Swimming Finals
Tuesday 10-Jun-25
Wednesday 11-Jun-25
Pleasenotethat thereareno matchesthisweekthechildrenwillbe practisingforSports Day!
Thursday 12-Jun-25
09:00 EYFS Expressive Arts & Design Concert (Hall)
14:00 Years 3&4 Swimming Gala
Senior Wessex Athletics
08:30 PSPQ Exhibition Set-Up
18:00 Handlebards - Much Ado About Nothing
Bryanston Imagine Day (Year 6 & 7)
08:30 PSPQ Exhibition Open for Parents
08:30 Yr 5 Trip to Bryanston Technology Day
09:00 Year 1/2 Performing Arts Jamboree (Hall)
09:00 Badgers Trip to Kingston Lacy
PM Year 1 Trip to Poole Park
18:00 PSPQ Presentation Evening
LAMDA Exams
Friday 13-Jun-25
16:30 Yr 3-8 Music Festival (Hall)
Monday 16-Jun-25 Year 7 Informal, End of Unit Assessments in English, Maths and Science
Bryanston Familiarisation Day
Tuesday 17-Jun-25
14:15 Year 3&4 Mixed Cricket v Dumpton
16:15 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' - Performance to Parents (Yr6)
Wednesday 18-Jun-25 14:15 Year 5-8 Mixed Cricket v Dumpton
09:00 ABRSM Music Exams
Thursday 19-Jun-25
09:00 Reception Trip to Swanage RNLI
16:15 Yr 4 overnight camp (at school - until Friday)
Canford Familiarisation Day
08:35 Parent and Colleague Prayer Meeting in the Boardroo
Friday 20-Jun-25
14:45 Best of British Day (Reception Parents' Tea Party)
16:30 CCS Unplugged (Hall)
Activities
Tomakethefollowingclubsviableand keepthemrunning,wehavespaceson thefollowingandneedchildrentosign up!FreshAirClub-Tuesdayevenings
MiniHandball-Mondayevenings
ComedyClub-Fridayevenings
Pleaseemailactivities@castlecourt.com ifyouwouldliketobookyourchild(ren)on toeitherofthese!
YearGroupPhotos
To
Pre-PrepSportsDay
ThiswillbeheldonFriday28June.
BadgerCubs,BadgersandReception willstartat9am-pleasemakeyour waytotheWalledGardenafterdrop offforrefreshments.
Years1and2willstartat10.30am.
Theeventsshouldlastaroundanhour.
If
Our after school Golf club, run by Mr Edmond every Tuesday, is a real highlight for both him and the children. It’s a great way to get a sense of calm after a busy day, and this week, before the bad weather hit, they had a particularly sunny evening to enjoy their rounds.
TUESDAY15THJULYUNTILTHURSDAY17THJULY,9-3pm
(Early and late pick ups available on request)
As our new holiday course providers, Foundation Sports, are not able to offer holiday provision until Monday 21st July, our CCS team are excited to be able to host a three day holiday course during the first week of the summer holiday for children from Badger Cubs to Year 8.
The cost of the course is £35 per child per day
BadgerCubstoYear2
This will be led by Mrs Speer and members of the Pre-Prep team. The three days will be full of creative fun, friendship and laughter
Year3toYear8
Led by Mr Fermor-Dunman, this will be a hockey training camp each morning mixture of multi-sport and fun activities each afternoon A chance for you to d hockey skills, tactical awareness and general hockey fitness.
Ifyouwouldliketoknowmore, please email: Mrs Speer (lspeer@castlecourtcom) or Mr Fermor-Dunman (afermor-dunman@castlecourt.com)
We are delighted to announce that Foundation Sports and Play will be managing our holiday provision from July 2025
They are a highly experienced company who currently offer before and after school provision, as well as holiday provision, in a number of schools across the local area
Their provision will run from Monday21stJulyuntilFriday29thAugust andwillbeopentoallchildrenaged3-13
The activities on offer will be varied: a mixture of sport (from multisports to swimming), dance art and crafts making full use of our lovely 50 acre estate. The children will be based at two locations in the school, with the older ones in the Jubilee block and the younger children in the Badgers/Badger Cub area
You will be able to book for ad-hoc days, or full time; whatever works best for your family.
Foundation Sports and Play will then run further provision eachhalfterm,plusduringtheChristmasandEaster holidays. They are able to offer wraparoundcarefrom8.00am,andifyouwouldlikeit,ahotlunch.
IfyouwouldliketoregisteryourinterestinthesummerprovisionthenpleaseuseTHISLINK.
We hope that this exciting opportunity will prove to be a great help to you as you plan your child care for the summer months.
MusiclessonscannowbebookedforSeptemberforanynewstarters.
The deadline for bookings for next term will be FRIDAY27 JUNEth These will be allocated in date order of receipt of booking. The updated documents and booking form can be found in EdulinkLinks - Music Timetable - Music Documents for Parents.
New for this year is an online booking form which can be found by clicking HERE. You do not need to complete a form if your son/daughter is continuing with the same tuition as this year
As a reminder, music timetables can always be found on EduLink–Linkssection–MusicTimetable page
From there, search for the music teachers’ name – click on their timetable – find the letter next to your son/daughter’s name – find this letter in the yellow highlighted column and read across for the tim the lesson All timetables are posted on a Friday, ready for the follow are removed when lessons have taken place.
The Summer Term is a busy one in the Music Department, and some key dates for your diary are:
Y3-8MusicFestival - Friday 13 June - 430pm th
Parents will have received an e-mail today to notify them if their son/daughter is performing.
"CCSUnplugged"- Friday 20 June - 430pm th
Parents will receive an e-mail next Friday to notify them if their son/daughter is performing.
Y 3&4S C t W d d 25 J 9 th
Year 2 braved the elements on Thursday to venture to Weymouth! They loved seeing all the creatures, some of which they’ve learned about in their ‘Oceans and Seas’ Topic.
And when the sun came out, they made the most of the lovely playground!
This week’s Artist of the Week is Barnaby in Year 3, with these wonderful and characterful freehand sketches of animals. Well done, Barnaby!
Sailing for Fun started this week, and despite the wet and chilly weather, it was great to get children out on the water again. A particular well done to those who hadn’t had much sailing experience: you quite literally took to it like a duck to water!
This year’s task is to createanA3posterexploringatleastoneisland: its location its people its places its environments
The poster can be handmade (then submitted electronically using a scanned copy or photograph), or made electronically using PowerPoint, Canva, Word, Publisher or PDF.
WhataretheRoyalGeographicalSociety lookingfor?
Eye-catching, innovative, informative and accurate submissions.
A well-written and informative piece that demonstrates geographical knowledge and uses accurate geographical terminology
Any images used must be copyright free – you may choose to visit an island and take your own images
All images must be credited. Excellent attention to spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Original and independently produced - class sets of identical entries or entries which have copied information from other sources, such as the internet or AI, will not be accepted
Entries must be produced by single pupils – no group entries allowed.
If produced electronically, please use a minimum font size of point 10
Entries must not be 3D or have tabs or hidden information.
Ideasforislands:
Local- Brownsea Island, Green Island, Long Island, Isle of Portland
National- Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly, Lundy Island, Scottish Islands, Islands on Lakes, Isle of Man
Global- Remote Islands (Artic/Antarctic), Tropical Islands (Pacific, Caribbean, Coral Reefs), Holiday Islands, Islands for defence...
Howtoenter:
All entries must be made as an online submission via the RGS website: https://www.rgs.org/ygoty2025.
The deadline for doing this is 3 October 2025; however, the RGS recommend submitting them in good time before this date.
Whocanenter?:
There is a category for Key Stage 2 (pupils aged 7-11) and for Key Stage 3 (pupils aged 11-14)
EddieJack is playing for the England Lions today vs India in Northampton; what an outstanding achievement, and one of which we are very proud
All photographs © Stephen Nicholls, a local photographer - thank you for letting us use these
Badger Cubs
Class Teachers / Form Tutors
Mrs Genge | Mrs Tomblin
Badgers Mrs Bartlett | Mrs Wilson
Reception Mrs Brewer | Mrs Speer
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Mrs Dobson | Mrs Zachariades
Mr Antell | Mrs Glenn
Mrs Baugniet | Mr Bambrey
Year 4 Dr Lippiatt/Mrs Deards | Mr Laidler
Year 5
Year 6
Year 7
Year 8
Mr Mills/Mrs Vivian | Mrs Miller/Miss Sinclair-Smith
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
Nursery Miss Hixson
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
Science Mrs Gallop
History Mrs Rule
Geography Mrs Hoey
CAVE Mrs Hoey
Music Mr Smith
Art Miss Sinclair-Smith
DT Mr Phillips
Sport Mr Fermor-Dunman
Yourfirstpointofcontact foranydaytoday questionsandenquiries relatedtoyourchild(ren)is theirtutororclass teacher.
Leadership Team
Mr Dunsford Assistant Head (Pastoral)
Mr Edmond Assistant Head (Operations)
Mrs Hoey Head of CAVE
Mrs Munns Director of Teaching & Learning
Mrs Robson Admissions & Marketing
SENDCo
Mrs Harmer
Absences:
Please report absences to the School Office on office@castlecourtcom or by telephone to 01202 694438
MrsJohnson:
To make an appoointment to see Mrs Johnson, please contact her PA, Hannah, on hmsec@castlecourt.com or use the telephone number above.