In this issue: Year 2 go to Hamworthy Beach Book your tickets for Summer Fest on 4 June
Learn more about our exciting new holiday provision and how this will work Would your child like to start Music lessons in September 2025? and more!
Dear Parents,
It has been lovely to have all pupils back on site this week following the busyness of Activities Week. Having listened to the children tell me all about their adventures and watched the amazing reels that were created, the overwhelming impression from last week is one of happiness For me that is what childhood should be about That doesn’t mean there won’t be some bumps and challenges along the way. Indeed, it is through overcoming these obstacles that we often find out more about ourselves and grow in character and resilience However, I would want every child at Castle Court to look back at their childhood and feel it was one filled with happiness. I would also hope they’d say that Castle Court played an important role in this. I was therefore shocked to read that in a recent UNICEF report, children in the UK ranked 21 out of 36 for child wellbeing when compared to other high-income countries At Castle Court the wellbeing of every child is prioritised and placed at the heart of all we do, because when children feel valued, loved and happy they have the right conditions to enable them to truly ‘fly’.
On Thursday afternoon, I had the pleasure of visiting Year 3 and 4 to look at the projects they had created during Activities Week. It was wonderful to hear the children speak so enthusiastically about their learning and to see their support and encouragement of one another. Thank you to all the parents who attended; the children loved sharing their work with you
other news, I am delighted to announce that in July we will be partnering with Foundation port and Play to provide a year-round holiday club provision for children aged 3-13, to include lf-term holidays This is an exciting new development for the school and one which I hope will prove an invaluable addition for parents. If you would like to find out further details, please ad the advert in this week’s newsletter.
In staffing news, I am pleased to share with you that Mrs Jessica Chudley has been appointed as Head of Geography from September 25. Jessica graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Geography and has taught at Channing Independent Girls School and most recently at Poole High School. We are really looking forward to welcoming Jessica to the Castle Court Family
Finally, we have some further sporting successes to share with you. Our U11 and U13 sailing teams performed brilliantly at the IAPS sailing competition this week, with Isabella D and Harriet P coming second overall and the U13 team placing third Unfortunately, the weather on Wednesday prevented any team positions being awarded for the U11 squad. Well done to everyone who took part. I am also delighted to announce that a record number of pupils have qualified for the National IAPS swimming competition in London on 7th June. For the first time in the school’s history, we have qualified for the team relays alongside the individual events congratulations to the following pupils and we wish you every success on 7th June: Josh Hugo S, Luan I, Ralph V, Alexandra H, Cordelia D, Diletta K, Emily C, Arthur K, Fred C and Molly T.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful half-term
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 Quentin
RECS Olivia
P1D Xander
P1Z Adaline
P2A Romilly
P2G Jujhar
3D Jonah
3M Connie 4D Leo
4M Theo 5D Sydney 5M Sophie 6D Annie 6M Milo 7D Finley 7M Molly 8D Sam 8M Myles
The week beginning Monday 26 May is half-term. All children are due back in school on Monday 2 June.
Monday 02-Jun-25 12:00 African Themed Lunch
Tuesday 03-Jun-25 14:15 Years 3&4 Matches v FSM
Wednesday 04-Jun-25 14:15 Years 5-8 Cricket v FSM
Thursday 05-Jun-25
Friday 06-Jun-25
Saturday 07-Jun-25
Year 5 Geography Trip to Durlston
Year 2 Trip to Sealife Centre, Weymouth
08:35 Parent Prayer Group Meeting 16:30 SummerFest
Junior Wessex Athletics IAPS Swimming Finals, London Aquatic Centre
Fridayisan ownclothesdayfor allchildren , regardlessofwhether theyareattending SummerFest .
Monday 09-Jun-25 14:30 Year 5,6,7,8 Swimming Finals
Junior Maths Kangaroo - timing tbc
Tuesday 10-Jun-25
09:00 EYFS Expressive Arts & Design Concert (Hall)
14:00 Years 3&4 Swimming Gala
Senior Wessex Athletics
Pleasenotethat thereareno matchesthisweekthechildrenwillbe practisingforSports Day!
Wednesday 11-Jun-25
08:30 PSPQ Exhibition Set-Up
18:00 Handlebards - Much Ado About Nothing
Thursday 12-Jun-25 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
18:00 PSPQ Presentation Evening
LAMDA Exams
Friday 13-Jun-25
16:30 Yr 3-8 Music Festival (Hall)
Activities
Tomakethefollowingclubsviableand keepthemrunning,wehavespaceson thefollowingandneedchildrentosign up!
FreshAirClub-Tuesdayevenings
MiniHandball-Mondayevenings
ComedyClub-Fridayevenings
Pleaseemailactivities@castlecourt.com ifyouwouldliketobookyourchild(ren)on toeitherofthese!
Friday6June
Thisisanownclothes dayforallchildren, regardlessofwhether theyareattending SummerFest.
Half-Term
Ideas for activities!
Theweekof26-30 Mayishalf-termweek. Allchildrenaredue backtoschoolon Monday2June
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 w mixture of multi-sport and fun activities each afternoon A chance for you to de 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.
Although the deadline for bookings will be at some point in June, early bookings are recommended to ensure these can be honoured with teachers who have fewer spaces. When places are filled, pupils will be put on a waiting list and you will be contacted when a place becomes available These will be allocated in date order of receipt of booking The updated documents and booking form can be found in Edulink - LinksMusic 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 – Links section – Music Timetable 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 time of the lesson. All timetables are posted on a Friday, ready for the following week, and are removed when lessons have taken place.
A gentle reminder to all parents (except Year 8) that half a term's notice is required for pupils wanting to stop music lessons. Music lesson charges for September 2025 will be £211.00 per term or £125.80 per term if shared. This is the same for LAMDA and private dance lessons.
At the Wimborne Minster Church, we are keen to welcome new boys and girls aged eightto sixteen to join our children's choir, the Minster Choristers.
Join us for a taster afternoon on Sunday1stJunebetween2pmand4.30pm,including the chance to take part in a ' mini evensong ' performance at 4pm with coffee and cake. Parents are welcome to drop their children off at 2pm and return for the performance or join us throughout the afternoon.
Did you know that as well, as receiving an excellent music education led by our choir master and music teachers, our Choristers take part in a wide range of social activities including bowling , pizza nights, theatre trips and alpaca walking . They also have the opportunity to sing at a range of services, weddings and community events
There are no scary auditions; everyone is very welcome. No previous church experience is needed .Choir robes are provided and in keeping with tradition, our Choristers are paid a small amount.
There are still a few spaces left on Fresh Air Club for after half-term! if you would like to sign up your child, please contact the School Office, or activities@castlecourt.com. On Tuesday this week, the children of Fresh Air Club were learning the art of axe throwing. After a full safety briefing, they really enjoyed this unique opportunity Please do click on the images to see them in action!
In amongst the hustle and bustle of Activities Week for the older children last week, our wonderful Year 2s fitted in a trip to Hamworthy Beach as part of their learning on Oceans and Seas
This week’s Artist of the Week is Nadine in Year 8, with this wonderful skateboard that reflects and explores her hobbies and interests.
Miss Sinclair-Smith particularly admired how bright and uplifting the final piece is, and the care with which Nadine has drawn the different elements.
Well done, Nadine!
Our Under 11 and Under 13 teams, featuring children from Years 5 and upwards, were in Weymouth this week for the IAPS Sailing Regattas
Well done to everyone who took part, and thank you to Mrs Hoey for overseeing the arrangements.
On Wednesday morning, the Year 2 children and parents were invited to an instrument demonstration for children and parents in the Hall. The children watched a series of orchestral instrument demonstrations and even tried the instruments themselves The scheme gives the children an opportunity to choose an instrument which they could learn, free of charge, under our group instrumental scheme for Year 3 or 4 children.
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)
Years 7 and 8 welcomed Caroline Foster JP to school on Thursday to learn more abut the role of magistrates, with a particular focus on the local community. This is part of our futures education programme delivered under the umbrella of CAVE
A huge thank you to Caroline for visiting us; the children were inspired by your talk
This week, our Sugarcrafters have been busy making beautiful English Bluebells and Greater Stitchwort (the little white flowers which commonly grow in hedgerows at the same time as Bluebells).
Badger Cubs
Class Teachers / Form Tutors
Mrs Genge | Mrs Tomblin
Badgers Mrs Bartlett | Mrs Wilson
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
Year 6
Year 7
Year 8
Yourfirstpointofcontact foranydaytoday questionsandenquiries relatedtoyourchild(ren)is theirtutororclass teacher.
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
Leadership Team
Mr Dunsford Assistant Head (Pastoral)
Mr Edmond Assistant Head (Operations)
Mrs Hoey Head of CAVE
Mrs Munns Director of Teaching & Learning
Mr Norris Bursar
Mrs Robson Admissions & Marketing
SENDCo
Mrs Harmer
Absences:
Please report absences to the School Office on office@castlecourt.com or by telephone to 01202 694438.
MrsJohnson:
To make an appoointment to see Mrs Johnson, please contact her PA, Hannah, on hmsec@castlecourtcom or use the telephone number above.