Bulletin No 8/2009/2010 Tuesday 12 January 2010
PARENT/STUDENT BULLETIN NO 08/2009/2010 Tuesday 12 January 2010
NAME: ………………………………………………. Form: ………………….
Dear Parent
1. Poor Weather.
We are sorry that were unable to open the school on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week. We do appreciate the inconvenience this caused to families and the loss of educational provision for students. The decision to close was taken only after very careful consideration. Unfortunately, the site was too unsafe for students.
Should there be any future days of poor weather, we will continue to publish information on our website, telephone system and local radio stations.
Students will need to take care on the site because it remains difficult in many places. Students may continue to wear, until further notice, shoes of any type that provide the greatest safety.
2. Spring Term.
Welcome back to the new Spring Term, which runs from 4 January-31 March 2010 with the half term from 13 February-21 February 2010.
3. Year 9 Reports
A reminder that the year 9 reports will be sent home to parents on Thursday 21 January.
4. Science revision evening.
There is a science revision evening for all year 10 students on Thursday 28 January 2010 3.30pm-6.30pm.
5. Interim Assessments (IAs) – Year 7
Interim Assessments (IA’s) will be issued to year 7 students on Thursday14 January 2010.
6. Christmas Hampers for the Taunton Women’s Refuge
Our thanks go to everyone who kindly contributed to the hampers for the Taunton Women’s Refuge for Christmas.
7. Year 7 Study Evening - Tuesday 19th January 6pm – 7pm
We would like to invite all year 7 families. This evening will provide you with an opportunity to gain an understanding of:
a) Data used to report, monitor and track the progress of each student.
b) Learn to Learn Awards and the support you can offer from home
c) Fronter – our virtual learning platform
d) Curriculum enrichment days.
The evening session will support the learning the students will have been involved in during the day. As always, you are welcome to bring your child to this evening, but on this occasion, it is not essential, because much of the information will have been covered with them during the day.
We look forward to seeing you, as always we promise the evening will be no longer than the hour indicated.
8. Year 9 Option Choices-Key Dates
We have several important dates scheduled to support students and families in making option choices. These are detailed below:
• 18 January 2010 at 6-7pm - Options talk to Year 9
This evening includes an ‘Opt into Learning’ roadshow for parents in the hall. The roadshow is provided by a touring drama group (IMPACT) to raise awareness of the choices available and the factors to consider at this important time.
• 21 January 2010 - Options booklets and reports sent.
• 27 January 2010 at 6-8pm - Options evening – Facing the Future
An opportunity to talk to teachers and students in all option subject areas. This is an essential evening for gathering information to make informed choices for Key Stage 4. The evening consists of a talk in the main hall from 6pm – 6.30pm explaining the options process and key points to consider and from 6.30pm onwards there is the opportunity to gather information on option subjects and colleges of further education.
• 1 February 2010 - Diploma Information Evening at Somerset College.
• Week commencing 8 February 2010 - Parents’ Evening: individual option interviews, mainly evening slots but some day time appointments to be arranged.
• 12 February 2010 - Options Forms and Diploma Applications to be given to your Form Tutor by this date.
9. Friends of The Castle School
Thanks to all who attended our very successful Quiz Night last term – this is always an enjoyable event so look out for details of our next one due in April. Also many thanks for your support and donations for the mulled punch which the Friends served at the Variety Show.
The Friends of The Castle School
Yours sincerely
K J FREEDMAN
Headteacher
12th January 2010
Dear Parent/Carer
As part of this bulletin I wanted to write to you to inform you that I have decided to retire from the post of Headteacher on completion of this academic year at the end of August 2010.
At this time, I will have completed nearly 15 years as Headteacher and 37 consecutive years working in teaching. I have been fortunate to work in five schools and posts that have given me considerable satisfaction and fulfilment, and particularly to complete my career in a post that I have often described as ‘the best job in the world’.
Teaching is a wonderful career but it is also one that means you put many aspects of your life ‘on hold’. My hopes and aims are that the coming years will allow me to enjoy a wide range of opportunities and adventures.
The Castle School offers an outstanding education and I am confident that it will continue to develop in the coming years. We have achieved much and a strong base exists on which further progress will be made.
I am looking forward to the remaining part of this academic year. There is much that we will achieve in the coming eight months, including completion of the new building and further improvement in the educational standards reached by students.
The governors will be following the process to appoint a new Headteacher through this term.
Yours sincerely
K J Freedman
Headteacher