Head’sNote
Dear Parents,
An important part of my role as Head is welcoming prospective parents to our school It is always a privilege to see the school through the eyes of a visitor and yesterday’s Open Morning was no exception. I was filled with pride watching our senior pupils lead tours, speak confidently about their experiences, and share what they love most about Castle Court They were outstanding ambassadors for the school, and their warmth and authenticity said far more than any website or brochure ever could
I received such positive comments from our visitors. Parents commented on the passion and warmth of our staff, the engaging and supportive atmosphere in lessons and the loved the way our pupils feel known as individuals and have the confidence to try new things, ask questions and step outside their comfort zone. That to me, is the best reflection of what we strive for: a place where curiosity and kindness thrive side by side Thank you to all my colleagues and the pupils for making the Open Morning such a success – it was a true team effort.
Last Friday, our senior pupils had the opportunity to attend Bryanston’s Model United Nations They were outstanding in the way they presented their resolutions for their different countries and handled the different debates. I am delighted to say that Castle Court won two out of the three committees, and two teams were commended for their resolutions; please see more further on in the Newsletter A huge thank you to Ms Thompson for preparing the pupils so well for this competition. I look forward to hearing how our Year 8 pupils get on at Canford’s Model United Nations on Monday.
On Thursday, as part of their CAVE programme, our Year 5 pupils visited Corfe Mullen Foodbank helping to prepare food parcels for families. It was a wonderful way for our pupils to see first-hand the impact that the generous donations from our Harvest Festival will have on the lives of local families It is great to see our pupils showing servant leadership skills and making a positive difference in the community
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend when it comes,
Katie
Head’sAwards
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
ParentCalendar forthenexttwoweeks
Monday 13 Oct 11:00 Canford / Bourne Academy / CCS - Model UN
Tuesday 14 Oct
Wednesday 15 Oct
08:30 Community Choir, Family Lounge
14:15 Year 3&4 Matches with Sherborne
09:30 Charlie's Chimps, Family Lounge
09:00 Pre-Prep Awesome Autumn Day
14:15 Year 5-8 Boys' Football & Girls' Hockey vs Sherborne
13:00 Vision Screening Session for Reception
Thursday 16 Oct
13:00 Year 5-8 Sailing, Ringwood
14:30 Year 1 & 2 Sponsored Walk (with parents)
U11 IAPS Girls' Hockey at Wellington
08:30 Parent and Staff Prayer Group, Boardroom
Friday 17 Oct
Monday 20 Oct
10:00 Local Schools' Performing Arts Morning for Year 4
16:30 Year 6 to 8 Music Festival (Hall)
16:00 Nursery Parents' Evening
16:30 Year 3&4 Parents' Evening
08:30 Community Choir, Family Lounge
Tuesday 21 Oct
14:15 Year 3&4 matches with Yarrells
16:30 Years 1 & 2 Parents' Evening
09:00 Flu Vaccinations (Rec-Yr8), Hall
09:30 Charlie's Chimps, Family Lounge
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Wednesday 22 Oct
14:15 Year 5&6 Boys' & Girls' Football vs Yarrells
14:15 Year 7&8 Boys' & Girls' Football vs BCS
Half-Term starts on Thursday 23 October for all children.
School returns after the break on Monday 3 November.
AwesomeAutumnDay inPre-Prep
On Wednesday 15 October, Pre-Prep children will experience an ‘awesome’ day enjoying autumn-related activities.
This includes children in Reception, Years 1 and 2, and any Nursery children who attend on Wednesdays.
Children are encouraged to wear autumn colours (red, orange, yellow, brown) into school for the entire day.
ParentNoticeboard
FluImmunisations
Pleaseensurethatyou haverespondedtothe emailsenttoparentsin ReceptionuptoYear8.The closingdateis17October.
Charlie’sChimps
RAvailabilityremainsfor eceptionandYear1 CchildrentojoinCharlie’s mhimpsonWednesday ornings.PleasefollowTHISLINKtosignup!
OldSportsKit,PhonesandTablets
We have a parent who has very kindly offered to collect any old sports kit, phones or tablets, and donate them to a charity helping families in Uganda If you have items to donate, please do bring them to the school office and they can be collected from there.
UKSchoolsBiathlon
Smartphones/Smartwatches
Please can we remind parents that as per our e-safety policy, any phone or Smartwatch that can take photos, play music or has cellular access must be signed into the office at the start of the day and can only be returned when leaving the school They should not be used on the minibuses Parents of children who move between households and may need a phone or device as a matter of routine should seek permission from Mr Dunsford
It’s Triathlontime again! The event will take place in May 2026, so there is plenty of time to sign up The link that you need to do so is HERE.
Castle Court pupils have a history of enjoying this event. It is for pupils in Year 3 upwards and theentrylinkisHERE. Theeventcomprisesa25mswimanda400mrun,both of which can be practised in school by signing up through SOCS to early morning running or swimming
The two qualifying events are at Millfield-Sunday23November (entries close on 2 November) or Leweston-30November (entries close on 17 November)
Unfortunately, we are not able to enter as a school so if your child would like to take part, please use the above link to register them
Fresh Air Club are delighted to offer Holiday Clubs over the October halfterm. If you are interested, please do click on the image below.
HolidayProvision: OctoberHalf-Term
Half Term
Holiday Course bookings are open!
Foundation Sports are holding their holiday courses at Castle Court this half term.
If you would like to know more, please contact Foundation Sports using the details provided
If you would like to book your child a place, please click on the image.
Girls’Hockey: WelcometoBryanston!
Our Senior Girls welcomed Bryanston Prep this Wednesday for some excellent games of hockey The U11b side won 1-0 and lost 3-0, and the U10a team drew 0-0 and lost 1-0. Well done, girls!
Snippets: GlimpsesofSchoolLife
CongratulationstoCharliein Year7onhiswonderfulwork fortheYoungGeographero theYearcompetition,which earnedhimaHead’sShowU andrecognitionin assemblytoo.
Year5visitedtheCorfe MullenFoodbankthisweekto shareourHarvestdonations. Thankyoutoeveryonewho wasabletocontribute.
OurYear8shave already bondedbeautifullywiththe younger pupils via our LeadershipProgramme.
Cordelia,ArloandHugowere GselectedforthePentathlon WBSquadcompetinginthe orldChampionshipsin hSouthAfricalaterthisyearugecongratulations.Wewill becheeringyouon!
Badger Cubs
KeyContacts atschool
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 Hanger | Mrs Zachariades/Mrs Wheildon
Mr Antell | Mrs Hellyer/Mrs Glenn
Mrs Baugniet | Mr Bambrey
Year 4 Dr Lippiatt/Mrs Deards | Mr Laidler
Year 5
Year 6
Year 7
Year 8
Nursery
Pre-Prep
Years 3-6
Years 7&8
Mrs Vivian | Mrs Miller
Mrs Rule | Mr Jordan
Mrs Lea
Mr Phillips | Ms Thompson
Section Leaders
Mrs McSorley
Mr Antell
Mrs Munns
Ms Thompson
Heads of Department
English Ms Thompson
Maths Mrs Miller
Science Mrs Gallop
History Mrs Rule
Geography Mrs Chudley
French/German
Mr Mills
Music Mr Smith
Art Miss Sinclair-Smith
DT Mr Phillips
Sport Mr Fermor-Dunman
Yourfirstpointofcontact foranydaytoday rquestionsandenquiries elatedtoyourchild(ren) istheirtutororclass teacher. Absences: oPleasereportabsencestotheSchoolOfficeon ffice@castlecourt.comorbytelephoneto01202694438.MrsJohnson: PTomakeanappoointmenttoseeMrsJohnson,pleasecontacther nA,Hannah,onhmsec@castlecourt.comorusethetelephone umberabove
Leadership Team
Mr Edmond Deputy Head
Mr Dunsford Assistant Head (Pastoral)
Mrs Munns Director of Teaching & Learning
Mrs Robson Admissions & Marketing
SENDCo
Mrs Harmer