Dear Parent
Year 10 artists began the GCSE course this year with a major project on the theme of Community. You are invited to view the finished work with exhibits from each of this years Year 10 at the Catholic Centre, The Mount, Taunton, on Tuesday 18 May between 6pm and 9pm when we will be holding our Exhibition Event.
Everyone is welcome; Year 9 students whove opted for Fine Art next year will find this a particularly useful opportunity to learn about the Year 10 work and to get inspiration for the challenges to come.
The school breaks up for the half-term holiday on Thursday 27 May (as Friday 28 May is one of our INSET days) and returns on Monday 7 June. There are, however, some students who will be in on Friday 28 May to sit science GCSE exams.
Reports will be issued to Year 7 students on Thursday 27 May.
Thursday 10th June - HPV vaccination 3rd dose Year 8 girls.
Please carry on sending these into school the collection boxes are in the Library. Sainsbury Sports Vouchers offer finishes on Tuesday 8 June. Vouchers should be sent in by Monday 21 June in order to be sent off on Friday 25 June. We are collecting for Art and Music equipment from the Tesco vouchers.
Sept 09 - 1st - Phil Amos, 2nd - Dianne Duffield, 3rd - Mr & Mrs Kazer.
Oct 09 - 1st - Lin Little, 2nd - Alison Holbrook, 3rd - Jackie Rooks.
Nov 09 - 1st - Mrs P Royle, 2nd - Lennie Butler, 3rd - Mr Berry.
Dec 09 - 1st - Mr & Mrs Hancock, 2nd - Tracey Hallows, 3rd - Mr & Mrs Wedge Thomas
Jan 10 - 1st - Anna Oliver, 2nd - Linda Payne, 3rd - Mrs Jennings Barratt.
Feb 10 - 1st - Andrew & Liz Dunningham, 2nd- Philip Curtis, 3rd - Lin Foxwell.
March 10 - 1st - Tricia Bryant, 2nd - Linda Payne, 3rd - Mr & Mrs Kazer.
April 10 - 1st - Gabby Downs, 2nd - Sheila Naylor, 3rd - Joyce Gachanja.
May 10 - 1st - Jane Brook, 2nd - Sarah Burt, 3rd - Jane Innes.
Cheques will be received by the end of this Half Term.
Please could you ensure that your childs medical conditions are up to date with the school in case of emergency. Also if there are any special procedures to be taken in the event of a medical problem or medicines (ie Ventolin inhalers) to be stored in the Welfare Office please contact Mrs Cooper.
We have now finalised all of the arrangements for the two Curriculum Enrichment Days on Thursday 1 and Friday 2 July, details of which are explained below. We have endeavoured to provide a range of activities for all students and have subsidised a number of these activities to try to keep costs to parents/carers as low as possible.
These Curriculum Enrichment Days offer valuable opportunities for students to experience activities not normally available in the curriculum, without disrupting normal lesson time.
We anticipate all students will take part in both days activities. Years 9 and 10 work related activities are a compulsory part of their programme.
Please read through the information carefully and complete the relevant form(s) attached, which should be returned to the Finance Office at the School, during morning break or afternoon registration, by Monday 7 June.
Unless stated otherwise, all activities will be leaving and returning at normal start and finish times.
All activities are non-uniform
Thursday Forms GLM to Chepstow; Forms RWY Sample a Sport/Smoothie Making/Healthy Pizza
Friday change over
Chepstow Castle Visit Forms GLM Leave school at approx 9.00 am and return by 3.30 pm Cost: £10.00
Sample a Sport/Smoothie Making/Healthy Pizza Forms RWY School based activity 8.45 am-3.30 pm Cost: none
Total cost for 2 days for each Year 7 student = £10.00
Important trip information for Year 7 students
1. Sample a Sport/Smoothie Making/Healthy Pizza
Students must wear PE kit when taking part in archery, golf and fencing. However, there is no need to change into your clothes when going to the Food Technology department. Students will be put into 5 groups and will rotate around the activities during the day. They will be informed on the day which group they are in. Activities will take place as follows:
Fencing - Sports Hall
Golf - Grass area
Archery - All-weather pitch
Pizza making - T24
Smoothie making - T21
2. Visit to Chepstow
As part of the Year 7 History course, we will be studying Medieval society and more specifically, the development of castles and fortifications. This visit will be an excellent opportunity for our pupils in Year 7 to experience these developments for themselves. Pupils will go on a tour of the Castle, take part in designing strategies for defending and attacking fortifications, and be enthralled by our Medieval re-enactor, archer and fletcher.
All of Year 7 should take the opportunity to visit Chepstow Castle and will be the focus of a piece of class work. The day of the visit will depend on their form groups; please take note of the class listings below:>/p>
Thursday 1 July G, L and M
Friday 2 July R, W and Y
We advise all students to wear sensible shoes or trainers or they will be banned from walking around the Castle; students need to be prepared for all weathers as the area is very exposed, ie rain proof clothing, sun cream, sun hats etc. All pupils will need to bring a packed lunch and a pen and pencil. They will need at least two bottles of water - no food/drink is available to buy.
We will register at the normal time (students will be told the rooms nearer to the trip) and travelling to Chepstow via three separate coaches. The journey should be relatively short, lasting approximately 1 hour 15 minutes each way. We will depart from school at approximately 9.00 am and return just before the end of school, at 3.30 pm.
Could you please sign the consent form and return it to the schools Finance Office with the payment of £10 by Monday 7 June 2010.
Year 7
CURRICULUM ENRICHMENT DAYS 1 and 2 JULY 2010
Please complete BOTH PARTS and return to the Finance Office by Monday 7 June.
Year 7 Activity (1) Chepstow Castle Visit
Name of Student Tutor Group
I enclose a cheque for . (payable to The Castle School) for the Chepstow visit.
I would like my son/daughter to participate in the Chepstow visit. As parent/guardian, I have read, fully understood and am satisfied with the details supplied about the above mentioned activity and agree to my son/daughter taking part in it.
I know of no medical reason why he/she should not take part.
I am aware that:
a) except for visits abroad, insurance arrangements are the same as for students in educational establishments, ie that the Authority can only insure against the proven negligence by the Authority and/or its employees;
b) I should consider making my own insurance arrangements for personal accident cover for my son/daughter.
Signed .(Parent/Guardian) ..
(Emergency Contact Number) Date .
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Year 7 Activity (2) Sample a Sport/Smoothie Making
Name of Student Tutor Group
I would like my son/daughter to participate in the Sample a Sport/Smoothie Marking. As parent/guardian, I have read, fully understood and am satisfied with the details supplied about the above mentioned activity and agree to my son/daughter taking part in it.
I know of no medical reason why he/she should not take part.
I am aware that:
a) except for visits abroad, insurance arrangements are the same as for students in educational establishments, ie that the Authority can only insure against the proven negligence by the Authority and/or its employees;
b) I should consider making my own insurance arrangements for personal accident cover for my son/daughter.
Signed .(Parent/Guardian) ..
(Emergency Contact Number) Date .
Year 8 students
Thursday Forms GLM to Exeter; Forms RWY to K2 Adventure, Butlins, Minehead
Friday change over
Exeter Multicultural Mystery tour of the City Forms GLM
Leave school at 9.00 am and return by 3.30 pm
Cost: £10.00 (this includes a £2 contribution to the places of religious worship)
K2 Adventure, Butlins, Minehead Outdoor pursuits/Watersports Forms RWY Leave school at 9.00 am and return by 3.30 pm. Cost: £22.00
Total cost for 2 days for each Year 8 student = £32.00
Important trip information for Year 8 students
1. Visit to Exeter
Students should - - Wear shoes comfortable for walking in - Bring a head-covering (scarf or hat) - Bring a packed lunch - Bring wet-weather gear Non uniform (modest dress, i.e. knees and shoulders covered)
2. K2 Adventure
As part of the day, your son/daughter will have the opportunity to follow a high and low ropes course which includes the leap of faith, use of the high ropes, which are the highest ropes in Europe; the fan descender and a zip line. At all times, your child will be harnessed in and strapped in place with safety equipment and be under the expert guidance of K2 staffing. All K2 staff have been cleared and have the correct qualifications.
Whilst one of the groups will be undertaking the high and low ropes, the other half of the population will be involved with some problem-solving activities and will also get the full use of the Butlins indoor pool. The pool will be completely open to our students, including the use of all flumes and slides.
Your child will need the following kit:-
PE kit, to include tracksuit bottoms Swimming clothes and towel Fleece Waterproof outer layer Training shoes NO open-toed shoes Any medication
PUPILS SHOULD ALSO COME INTO SCHOOL DRESSED IN PE KIT AND BE PREPARED FOR A PROMPT DEPARTURE AT 8.45 am.
Please complete both the attached consent forms and return to the Finance Office with the payment for the trip, to reach the Finance Office by Monday 7 June.
Year 8 - CURRICULUM ENRICHMENT DAYS 1 and 2 JULY 2010
Please complete BOTH PARTS of this form, together with the K2 Medical Form, and return to the Finance Office by Monday 7 June.
Year 8 Activity (1) Exeter: Multicultural Mystery Tour
Name of student .. Form
I enclose a cheque for .. ( payable to The Castle School) for the Exeter Multicultural tour of the City.
I would like my son/daughter .. to participate in the Exeter Multicultural Mystery Tour. As parent/guardian, I have read, fully understood and am satisfied with the details supplied about the above mentioned activities and agree to my son/daughter taking part in it.
I know of no medical reason why he/she should not take part.
I am aware that:
a) except for visits abroad, insurance arrangements are the same as for students in educational establishments, ie that the Authority can only insure against the proven negligence by the Authority and/or its employees;
b) I should consider making my own insurance arrangements for personal accident cover for my son/daughter.
Signed .(Parent/Guardian) ..
(Emergency Contact Number) Date .
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Year 8 Activity (2) K2 Adventure, Butlins, Minehead
Name of student .. Form
I enclose a cheque for .. (payable to The Castle School) for the K2 Adventure visit.
I would like my son/daughter .. of Form ........... to be considered for the activity. As parent/guardian, I have read, fully understood and am satisfied with the details supplied about the above mentioned activity and agree to my son/daughter taking part in it.
I know of no medical reason why he/she should not take part.
I am aware that:
a) except for visits abroad, insurance arrangements are the same as for students in educational establishments, ie that the Authority can only insure against the proven negligence by the Authority and/or its employees;
b) I should consider making my own insurance arrangements for personal accident cover for my son/daughter.
Signed .(Parent/Guardian) ..
(Emergency Contact Number) Date .
Year 8 Activity (2) K2 Adventure, Butlins, Minehead
Please complete the following K2 Adventures Medical Consent form and return to school with your payment.
Thursday Forms GLM to Somerset College Healthy Lifestyles; Forms RWY visiting places of work
Friday change over
Somerset College Healthy Lifestyles 9.00 am to 1.00 pm Students will register at school, and be escorted to Somerset College Sports Hall PE Kit needed together with drink; snack; suitable clothes to wear outside in relation to weather. Students will be dismissed from SCAT at 1.00 pm to go home. Leave valuables at home!
Cost: None
Visiting places of work. As part of the crash days 1st and 2nd July, we are planning visits to employers in the local area. These are listed on the attached sheet and we are asking for students to indicate on the form which placement they would like to visit.
The purpose of the visit is to give your child an insight into the world of work, looking at the skills employers are looking for in future employees. It will also help with the choice of a work experience placement which will be made in Year 10.
The visit will include: A tour of the business A talk by the manager Work shadowing Interviews to help look at work skills
The visit will last about 3 hours and, with your permission, your child will then return home. The exact timings are different for each placement and full details will be sent home when the final selections have been made.
The dress for the day is usually non-uniform but suitable clothing is needed for each placement; again full details will be given when the final choice is made. A packed lunch is needed and transport will be provided if the business is out of town.
There is no charge for this day and unless they are going on the Fine Art trip, it is expected that all students in Year 9 will take part.
Some of these placements will be more popular than others so an early reply is advised. Please return slip to Mrs Corbett in T3 office.
Cost: None
Total cost for 2 days for each Year 9 student = £Nil
Year 9 GCSE Art option students ONLY are invited to a trip to the Tate Britain and Tate Modern Art Galleries in London on Thursday 1 July. Leave school at 8.00 am and return by 7.30 pm (approx) Cost: £17.50
Tate Gallery Visit
As we approach the end of Year 9 and begin to prepare for the challenges of Year 10, students who have chosen Art as a GCSE subject are invited to join us on a trip to the Tate Britain and Tate Modern Art Galleries in London.
Students will leave school at 8.00 am, arriving in London at around 10.30 am. We will visit the Tate Britain Gallery which houses the national collection of British art and at 1.00 pm will go on the Tate ferry along the Thames to the Tate Modern gallery which houses the British collection of international modern art; on the way well pass the London Eye, St Pauls Cathedral, the Millennium Bridge and Parliament.
At each gallery, students will be given some guidance to interpret the exhibits; they will have some free time to explore, and will complete a task that can be added to one of their coursework units next year. We will leave London at 4.00 pm and hope to be back at school by 7.30 pm (approx).
Because studying artists and learning about the world of art is an important aspect of the GCSE course, it is recommended that all art students attend this trip, which will provide an introduction to some of the ideas and images we study in the GCSE course, as well as being an enjoyable day out.
CURRICULUM ENRICHMENT DAYS 1 and 2 JULY 2010
Please complete BOTH PARTS of this form and return to the Finance Office by Monday 7 June. Year 9 Art students please complete Art form also.
Year 9 Activity (1) Visiting Places of Work
I agree to my son/daughter taking part in the Visiting Places of Work day activity. As parent/guardian, I have read, fully understood and am satisfied with the details supplied about the above mentioned activity and agree to my son/daughter taking part in it.
I know of no medical reason why he/she should not take part.
I am aware that:
a) except for visits abroad, insurance arrangements are the same as for students in educational establishments, ie that the Authority can only insure against the proven negligence by the Authority and/or its employees;
b) I should consider making my own insurance arrangements for personal accident cover for my son/daughter.
Signed .(Parent/Guardian) ..
(Emergency Contact Number) Date
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Year 9 Activity (2) Somerset College Healthy Lifestyles
I agree to my son/daughter taking part in the Somerset College Healthy Lifestyles activity. As parent/guardian, I have read, fully understood and am satisfied with the details supplied about the above mentioned activity and agree to my son/daughter taking part in them.
I know of no medical reason why he/she should not take part.
I am aware that:
a) except for visits abroad, insurance arrangements are the same as for students in educational establishments, ie that the Authority can only insure against the proven negligence by the Authority and/or its employees;
b) I should consider making my own insurance arrangements for personal accident cover for my son/daughter.
Signed .(Parent/Guardian) ..
(Emergency Contact Number) Date
Year 9 Activity (1) Visiting Places of Work
Please return this form only to Mrs Corbett, T3 Office
Visiting Places of Work /Somerset College Healthy Lifestyles
Employer visits: Thursday 1st July - RWY: Friday 2nd July - GLM
Name Form
(Remember if you are doing GCSE Art next year you will be on the Tate trip on the Thursday.)
Select three employers you would like to visit and number them 1, 2, 3 (1 being the placement you would most like to visit)
Employer
Areas of interest
Choice
Taunton Magistrates Court (Friday only) Law
Cannington College Sports Turf/Green keeping, Equine Studies, Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing, Farming and Agriculture (minibus transport provided)
County Flowers Floristry
C S Williams Construction, Surveying
Taunton Fabrications Steel work, Accounts, Computer Assisted Design, Engineering
Tops Day Nursery Nursery Nurse, Child Care
Royal Air Force Armed Forces, Physical Activities
Emergency Services Police, Fire Service, Ambulance
Tesco Careers in the Retail Trade
Yeovil Town Football Club Football, Physio, Marketing, Groundsperson (minibus transport provided)
Sarah Hodge Hair Academy Hairdressing
Boots Healthcare/pharmacy/cosmetics
Vauxhall/Audi Motor vehicle engineering
The Body Shop Cosmetics
Year 9 GCSE Art Option Students ONLY
Visit to Tate Britain and Tate Modern Galleries
Name of student .. Form
I enclose a cheque for ..(payable to The Castle School) for the visit to Tate Britain and Tate Modern Galleries.
I would like my son/daughter .. to participate in the Tate Britain and Tate Modern Galleries visit. As parent/guardian, I have read, fully understood and am satisfied with the details supplied about the above mentioned activity and agree to my son/daughter taking part in it.
I know of no medical reason why he/she should not take part.
I am aware that:
a) except for visits abroad, insurance arrangements are the same as for students in educational establishments, ie that the Authority can only insure against the proven negligence by the Authority and/or its employees;
b) I should consider making my own insurance arrangements for personal accident cover for my son/daughter.
Signed .(Parent/Guardian) ..
(Emergency Contact Number) Date .
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Year 10 students
Art/Health and Fitness and Industry Day/Post-16 visits
All Year 10 students will take part in both days.
Those students studying GCSE Art will be expected to go on a Study Visit to Barrington Court, near Ilminster, on Friday 2 July.
For these students, Thursday 1 July will be Industry Day/post-16 visits. Therefore the Year 10 activities will not be organised on a GLM/RWY basis. A number of non-Art students will be taking part in the Industry Day/post 16 visits on Thursday 1 July in order to create even numbers on both days.
The remaining students will be involved in Industry Day on Friday 2 July. On Thursday 1 July, they will participate in a Health/Fitness curriculum enrichment activity (no cost). If they are based in school and involved in sport on Thursday 1 July, they will need full PE kit. These pupils will be involved in 5 different sporting activities during the day archery, trampolining, body pump/fab abs, fitness suite and climbing wall.
If students are involved in sport activities on Friday 2 July, they will again need full PE kit but because canoeing is also an option, all these pupils will need to bring another change of PE kit to include:
old trainers change of PE kit waterproof top
If pupils want to bring their own wet suits, they can do so (the school is unable to supply wet suits). Pupils need to come to school in their PE kit that day.
Cost: None
Industry Day comprises a simulation of a Business activity in the morning followed by a taster session from a post-16 provider in the afternoon. The business activity is run by employers from Somersets Education Business Partnership and gives students an opportunity to develop key work-related skills. The morning of the Work Related Learning Day begins in school at 8.30 am. Students do not need to be in uniform, but must wear clothing suitable for an office job jeans or clothes which reveal a lot of flesh are not acceptable.
Five local post-16 providers will be taking students each afternoon, and students will select the provider of their choice following input from each of them on Monday 17 May. Details of times and travel arrangements will then be confirmed.
The providers are:
Bridgwater College
Qdos Centre The Castle School Centre for Sports related qualifications
Richard Huish College
Somerset College of Arts and Technology
The Space Heathfield Schools Centre for Performing Arts
Cost: None
Year 10 GCSE Fine Art option students ONLY
Year 10 Fine art students will be visiting The National Trust's Barrington Court, near Illminster, for a drawing and researching day. This trip provides the starting point for the Year 11 GCSE Coursework project in Fine art and therefore all Fine artists should attend; the project theme is Adorn, Decorate and Embellish and the day will be spent making drawings, taking photographs and exploring creative uses of art media in response to the house and gardens at Barrington.
We will be leaving school at 9.00 am. Students will be spending the whole school day at Barrington Court and will need a packed lunch and drinks. They will be working in their Year 11 sketchbook and should bring basic art materials including pencils and pens, rubber/sharpener and colours. Something to sit on would be useful if the ground is wet, and a light waterproof coat/umbrella might be necessary. School uniform is not required - students should dress for a practical drawing day, anticipating that a good deal of our time will be spent outside in the grounds at Barrington.
We will return to school by 3.30 pm
Cost: £7.50
CURRICULUM ENRICHMENT DAYS 1 and 2 JULY 2010
Please complete and return to the Finance Office by Monday 7 June.
Year 10 Art students please also complete form for Barrington Court visit.
Year 10 Activity Art/Health and Fitness and Industry Day/Post-16 visits
I would like my son/daughter to participate in the Art/Health and Fitness and Industry Day/Post-16 visits Days. As parent/guardian, I have read, fully understood and am satisfied with the details supplied about the above mentioned activities and agree to my son/daughter taking part in them.
I know of no medical reason why he/she should not take part.
I am aware that:
a) except for visits abroad, insurance arrangements are the same as for students in educational establishments, ie that the Authority can only insure against the proven negligence by the Authority and/or its employees;
b) I should consider making my own insurance arrangements for personal accident cover for my son/daughter.
Signed .(Parent/Guardian) ..
(Emergency Contact Number) Date .
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Year 10 GCSE Fine Art Students ONLY
Visit to Barrington Court
Name of student .. Form
I enclose a cheque for ..(payable to The Castle School) for the visit to Barrington Court, near Ilminster.
I would like my son/daughter .. to participate in the Barrington Court visit. As parent/guardian, I have read, fully understood and am satisfied with the details supplied about the above mentioned activity and agree to my son/daughter taking part in it.
I know of no medical reason why he/she should not take part.
I am aware that:
a) except for visits abroad, insurance arrangements are the same as for students in educational establishments, ie that the Authority can only insure against the proven negligence by the Authority and/or its employees;
b) I should consider making my own insurance arrangements for personal accident cover for my son/daughter.
Signed .(Parent/Guardian) ..
(Emergency Contact Number) Date .
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Reminder please ensure returns by Monday 7 June. If you do have any queries, please contact the relevant member of staff
Chepstow Castle - Mr Lowe
Sample a Sport - Mr Jones
Exeter Multicultural Mystery tour - Miss Shallow
K2 Adventure, Minehead - Mr Jones
Healthy Lifestyles Day - Mrs Jones
Visiting places of work - Mr Howe
Art/Health and Fitness and Industry Day/Post-16 visits - Mrs Clark
Tate Britain and Tate Modern - Mr Simpson
Barrington Court - Mr Simpson
Yours sincerely
K J FREEDMAN
Headteacher