,
Head’sNote
It has been so lovely to have everyone back this week and to catch up on stories from the half term break. This half term is always a particularly special one: as the afternoons darken, the classrooms begin to sparkle with Christmas lights, the sounds of carols drift through the corridors, and rehearsals for nativity plays begin to take shape Christmas really can never come too early in the prep school world!
In a world that is ever changing, there is something deeply comforting about the rhythm of school life and the traditions that underpin it. At Castle Court, we are constantly looking forward to what is next, while also reflecting on what has been – always looking up, forward, and out That balance between progress and reflection is what keeps our community grounded and growing
This week, our Year 7 pupils embodied this beautifully through their leadership programme. They spent a lunchtime at St Nicholas Church helping with their lunch club – serving roast lunches, chatting with the pensioners, and bringing music and joy to the afternoon. It was servant leadership in action: giving time, care, and warmth to others. I could not have been prouder of the children, nor more grateful for the kind feedback from the St Nicholas community team
Next week, we continue to look outward as we mark Anti-Bullying Week by wearing odd socks on Monday and Children in Need on Friday with mufti day. While it may seem simple to change our clothes, these small shifts in routine remind us that by doing things differently – even in small ways – we can challenge our thinking, show empathy, and open our eyes to how our actions can positively impact others.
As part of this ongoing theme of change and growth, you will today have received an email from our Chair of Governors, Ian Johnston. I am excited by the bold direction that our Governors have set for the future. The reduction in school fees is a clear and compassionate step to make Castle Court accessible to more families and to ease the financial burden for you, our current parents. Alongside this comes a reenvisioned school day designed to ensure that our broad and distinctive range of co-curricular activities remains accessible to every child. This is only the first stage of an ambitious plan for the future. Further investment in our site and teaching resources is already being planned, and I look forward to sharing more details with you in due course
Castle Court has always been about developing young people who lead with purpose, empathy, and courage. As we look ahead, together, we will continue to nurture those qualities looking forward with ambition, upward with optimism, and outward with service
Best wishes,
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
Anti-Bullying Week - ODD SOCKS DAY!
Monday 10 Nov 2025
Primary Maths Challenge (this week)
Year 8 Exams in Science/Maths/English
08:30 Community Choir, Family Lounge
10:45 Whole School Act of Remembrance
Tuesday 11 Nov 2025
14:15 Yr 3&4 Matches with Walhampton
16:30 Year 5 Parents' Evening
Wednesday 12 Nov 2025 14:15 Years 5-8 Boys' Rugby & Girls' Hockey v Walhampton
Children in Need Day - OWN CLOTHES DAY
Friday 14 Nov 2025
08:30 Year 7 Geography Trip to Poole
16:30 Years 3-5 Music Festival, Hall
Monday 17 Nov 2025 16:30 Year 7 Parents' Evening
Canford: Late CET Testing for Yr8 Pupils
Year 7 and 8 Trip to Parliament
Tuesday 18 Nov 2025
08:30 Community Choir, Family Lounge
14:15 Year 3&4 matches with Dumpton
Wednesday 19 Nov 2025 14:15 Year 5-8 Boys' Rugby & Girls' Football v Dumpton
Year 4 & 5 Theatre Trip to Narnia, Southampton
Thursday 20 Nov 2025
14:15 Bryanston Politics Students present to Yr 7/8 on Democracy
18:00 Year 7&8 Film Night
LAMDA Exams (Bournemouth)
Friday 21 Nov 2025
08:30 Parent Prayer Group, Boardroom
16:30 ABRSM Informal Concert, Hall
We have made some amendments to the Parent Calendar that was sent out at the beginning of term. To view an up to date version, please click HERE. We will keep updating this link as arrangements for events are confirmed.
Remembrance Day
This year, Remembrance Day falls on Tuesday 11 November.
Year 8 have visisted Years 5-8 already and will be visiting Junior and Pre-Prep classes during registration times and break times to sell poppies on the following dates:
Monday 10 November - Years 3 and 4
Tuesday 11 November - Pre-Prep
If you would like your child to wear a poppy, please send them in with a donation on the appropriate day. For Pre-Prep, please ensure that change is placed in a named envelope or purse and handed to the class teacher.
There will be a whole-school act of remembrance on Tuesday 11 November for staff and children.
ParentNoticeboard
ChildreninNeedDayfalls on 14 November this year and children will be able to wear their own clothes to school for the day in return for a donation to Children in Need.
NextweekisAnti-Bullyingweek, andtokickthisoff,weinviteall childrentoattendschoolon Monday10Novemberwearingodd socksaspartofOddSocksDay.
It’s Triathlon time 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.
Instead of cash, you can donate via text to BBC Children in Need. Each text message you send will result in a donation to BBC Children in Need and the amount donated will depend on the keyword stated in the sent message For example, by texting the word FIVE to 70701, you will donate £5. Text messages cost the Donation Value, plus your standard network message charge (based on your service provider rates)
Click HERE for more information
UKSchoolsBiathlon
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
reminder to parents that our 'AutumnTerm PerformingArtsPresentation' will take place in the school hall on Monday 1st December at 4:30 pm. This performance will involve children who take private drama or dance lessons as well as members of our senior dance and drama clubs. Parents are warmly invited to attend and refreshments will be available in the hall foyer with doors opening shortly before the performance begins
We would also like to remind parents of the dates of our forthcoming theatre trips
Year 4 and 5 will be heading to the Mayflower Theatre on the afternoon of Thursday 20th November to see a production of 'TheLion, theWitchandtheWardrobe' and our Year 7 pupils will be watching a Canford School production of 'TheAddamsFamilyMusical' on the afternoon of Tuesday 2nd December
ChristmasHoliday Sports&PlayCamps
Foundation Sports & Play will be returning to school to host their Christmas Holiday Camps from Monday 15 December
Please
Sugarcraft: WorkshopforParents
We’re delighted to confirm that Mrs Glenn will be running another one of her parent Sugarcraft workshops as we head into the festive season.
Date: Thursday 20th November 830am to 10.30am in the Art room, to include seasonal refreshments and all resources
Cost: £30 per head, payable in advance. A limited number of places are available
Contact: Mrs Glenn at lglenn@castlecourtcom for further details and to secure a place
For other information about Sugarcraft workshops see Mrs Glenn's website which is HERE
SeniorSport: Girls’Hockey
JuniorEarthshot Competition:Years5&6
Step 2:
Follow these instructions carefully
Step 3:
Either submit your entry to Canford directly, or bring your entry into school and ask Mrs Chudley, Head of Geography, to submit it for you
Canford School are running their annual Canford Earthshot Prize Competition, aimed at children in Years 5 and 6.
Step 1:
Which of these issues do youfeel passionate about?
SugarcraftClub: SparklerCakes!
Mrs Glenn and her Sugarcrafters made Sparkler cupcakes this week! While they weren’t able to light them in school, Mrs Glenn did light hers at home, and we’ll sure you agree that it looks amazing! Well done, everyone!
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