PARENT/STUDENT BULLETIN NO 18 /2009/2010 Tuesday 6 July 2010
NAME: ………………………………………………. Form: ………………….
Dear Parent
1. AWARDS EVENING INVITATION
Invitation to all families including those of former students. This wonderful evening is on Wednesday 21 July and not 22 July as reads on the green calendar and we will be pleased to see you at the school at the end of our Awards Evening if you would like to say farewell to Kevin Freedman who is retiring this term. We are extending the evening to accommodate this opportunity; coffee and soft drinks will be available from 8.30 until 9.15pm in the dining room to Award winners, their families and to all who would like to take up this invitation. We look forward to seeing you.
The Awards Evening will begin, as always, at 7.00pm. Award winners to be in their seats by 6.45pm please.
2. STAFF V OLD BOYS TWENTY/TWENTY MATCH – FRIDAY 16 JULY, TAUNTON DEANE CRICKET CLUB
You will be aware that Mr Freedman is retiring this summer after almost 15 years at school. During this time he has coached 3 very successful year groups in cricket. As a thank you we have invited players back to play in an Old Boys game on Friday 16 July at Taunton Deane Cricket Club (convent field). The Old Boys will be playing a current staff team captained by Mr Freedman and strengthened by Keith Parsons (ex-pupil) and Peter Bowler (parent).
The game is due to start at 6.15pm and be played in a Twenty/Twenty format. We are hoping that as many people as possible will turn up to support the event and to make it a fitting occasion. The bar will be open to provide liquid refreshments and there will be food available. Please support what should be a very enjoyable event. D B Jones.
3. ACADEMY STATUS
Families may be aware that all schools, such as our school, judged to be Outstanding by Ofsted have been invited to take on Academy status. Sheila Naylor, Chair of Governors, and I felt it important to inform you of our current thinking on this possibility.
At the present time we are investigating the benefits that Academy status might bring because the information available from the Department for Education does not yet have great clarity. When we have further knowledge about the programme, Governors will discuss whether the benefits make it worthwhile to give further consideration to the possibility of Academy status. Should this position be reached, Governors will, of course, consult with parents and other stakeholders.
4. TESCO VOUCHERS
Many thanks to everyone who collected and counted the amazing number of vouchers this year.
Our final total was 37,700 vouchers +8750 carried forward from last year giving us 46,450!
Due to this huge support we have been able to order:
2 African drums, 4 guitar amplifiers, and an alto metallophone set for the Music Department.
30 watercolour sets, 2 digital cameras, 2 tripods, 6 memory cards, 4 USB cables and a battery charger for the Art/Photography Department.
5. PARENTS AND PUPILS
Mr and Mrs Usher-Clark are heading out to The Castle School's link school in Kitwe, Zambia at the end of term and will be working out there for a couple of weeks, assisting in the day to day running of the school. As usual, the school will be sending out some supplies and donations but this being a world cup year we would also like to take out a collection of any football shirts that we can get our hands on.
What we are asking for is any old football shirts (any team, any size, any colour) that you or any sons/daughters/nephews/husbands etc may have.
We will be collecting them all together in school and taking them with us to give to the pupils out there.
Can all donations please be taken to the Main Reception.
Hopefully we can make a difference to pupils' lives that are not as fortunate as our own.
Mr Usher-Clark
Head of Sandringham House
6. MEAL DEALS
Don’t forget our wonderful offer for the rest of the term in that on every Monday students can purchase a 2 course meal for just £1. Those students who have not tried the canteen food may like to do so and it might be timesaving for those who may be in a rush on Monday mornings! We are also giving the new Year 6 students this special deal on their induction days – Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 July.
7. NEW INTAKE EVENING
Parents and students of Year 6 are invited to an information evening at the school on the Wednesday 7 July at 6.30pm when there will be an opportunity to purchase both new and good second hand uniform. For times of uniform sales see below.
8. SCHOOL UNIFORM SALES
Tuesday 6 July. 3.30 – 5.30pm. Wednesday 7 July. 3.30 – 5.30pm and 6.00 – 9.00pm. Thursday 2 September. 10.00am – 12 noon.
9. RICHARD HUISH COLLEGE OPEN EVENING
Richard Huish College Open Evening is on Wednesday 7 July.
10. YEAR 10 REPORTS - Year 10 Reports go home on Thursday 8 July.
11. PARENTS/CARERS CAREERS INFORMATION EVENING
Connect South West (the company responsible for delivering the Connexions contract) are holding a parents/carers open evening on Tuesday 13 July between 4-7pm to offer information and advice on career opportunities and options after leaving school. The evening is aimed at parents/carers of current year 10 students. The event will take place at our centre which is at the top of the High Street opposite the Job Centre. Due to restrictions on space, anyone interested in attending is asked to call 01823 321212 to register their interest.
12. “FLASH GORDON”
Help Wanted! The Drama department's next major performance project will be our own adaptation of the 1930's comic strip adventures of "Flash Gordon." At the moment we have a script and interest from a lot of pupils but we do not have anyone willing and able to take on the responsibility for costume design. The project will perform in the early spring and at the moment will go ahead in jeans and t-shirts unless we can find someone willing to say "I accept that challenge!" If anyone thinks they might be able to rise to the challenge then please contact Mr Mitchell via the school office.
13 . THE INTER-HOUSE DRAMA CONTEST
TUESDAY JULY 13 TH AT 7PM "A DICKENS OF AN EVENING!" 6 plays based upon the writings of Charles Dickens compete for the "Somerset County Gazette Trophy. Admission free, a collection will be taken for funds".
14. ARTS SHOWCASE
I am very pleased to invite you to our Arts Showcase on Monday 19 July. The evening consists of exhibitions and performances from the performing and expressive arts. Dance, Music and Drama performances will take place between 6.30pm and 7.30pm and these will have a particular focus on Year 11 students as well as featuring children from local primary schools. The ticket cost is – Adults - £2.50. Student/Concessions - £1.50.
Art and Textiles exhibitions will be available for you to visit between 6.00pm and 8.00pm free of charge. In order to secure a seat for the concert, please complete the form at the end of this Bulletin and return it to the Finance Office.
15. FRIENDS OF CASTLE SCHOOL – DON’T FORGET THIS GREAT IDEA!
RAISE FUNDS WHEN YOU SHOP AND SEARCH ONLINE - One of our families has alerted us to another way to raise funds for the school, through Easyfundraising.
If you already shop online with retailers such as Amazon, Argos, John Lewis, Comet, iTunes, eBay or HMV, you can raise money while you shop!
So how does it work?
You shop directly with the retailer as you would normally, but if you sign up to http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/thecastlesch for free and use the links on the Easyfundraising site to take you to the retailer, then a percentage of whatever you spend comes directly to us at no extra cost to yourself.
How much can you raise?
Spend £100 with M&S online and you raise £5 for us. £100 spent with Amazon raises £2.50, £100 with WH Smith puts £2.00 in our pocket and so on. There's over 2,000 retailers on their site, and some of the donations can be as much as 15% of your purchase.
Save money too!
Easyfundraising is free to use plus you'll get access to discounts and voucher codes.
Raise money as you search!
You can also raise money for The Friends of The Castle School - Taunton while you search the web.
http://thecastlesch.easysearch.org.uk combines the results of several search engines such as Yahoo!, Bing and Ask. Every time you search, half a penny is raised for The Friends of The Castle School - Taunton. Search just 15 times a day and you can raise around £25 a year for us.
Please consider signing up to http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/thecastleschto start raising money for The Friends of The Castle School - Taunton by shopping and searching online.
16. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FINAL DAY OF TERM
I should like to remind families that the final day of term is Friday 23 July. There will be a phased dismissal of students commencing at approximately 3.00 pm.
Academic Year Dates
The dates for the academic year 2010/2011 for students are as follows:
Autumn Term 3 September – 17 December 2010
Half Term 23 October – 31 October 2010
Inset Days 1 September & 2 September 2010
1November 2010
Spring Term 4 January – 8 April 2011
Half Term 19 February – 27 February 2011
Summer Term 27 April – 22 July 2011
Half Term 28 May – 5 June 2011
Inset Days 26 April 2011& 7 July 2011
May Bank Hol 2 May 2011
17. UNIFORM
Many parents make uniform purchases during the summer holiday and the uniform list is attached to this bulletin in order to ensure that these are made in accordance with the uniform policy. We have a strong belief in the importance of uniform and the school policy will be firmly enforced in September. I should, therefore, be grateful for the support of parents in ensuring that their son or daughter returns to school correctly dressed in uniform. Regular checks will be carried out to ensure that correct uniform is being worn.
As the end of the academic year approaches, if you wish to replace your child’s blazer or PE kit, it would be appreciated if you could encourage your child to come to the School Shop during morning break or afternoon registration when they can try on and reserve any uniform which they require. Payment can then be forwarded with your child (cash or cheque made payment to The Castle School) and the reserved items collected.
In particular, I should like to remind parents and students that the only jewellery that may be worn is one pair of ear studs. No other jewellery or replacement for jewellery, including earrings of any type, nose studs and facial studs, is permitted even if covered by a plaster. We shall be enforcing this policy strictly in September and would, therefore, ask that parents ensure it is followed.
I should also like to stress that training shoes must not be worn to school at any time without the support of a medical note and that there is a requirement that students should not wear beads or braids in their hair.
A fashion has developed for coloured T-shirts to be worn under shirts. This is not permitted and T-shirts and similar items if worn in this way must be plain white.
The firm policy of The Castle School is that children must attend in acceptable uniform, and the rules about this are rigidly enforced. Students who attend school incorrectly dressed, without good reason, will be sent home. Further, candidates who attend school for external examinations will wear their school uniform. We also expect students to wear their school uniform on their journey to and from school.
General uniform
The following regulations apply equally for girls and boys.
Jewellery
Students who have their ears pierced may wear one pair of studs only worn in the ear lobes – no other jewellery, including nose studs, may be worn to school.
Outdoor coats should be mainly plain –
multicoloured coats, denim coats or jackets, leather coats or jackets, coats with badges or slogans, tracksuit tops (except for the school tracksuit top which may be worn), sweatshirts, hoodies are not suitable (with the exception of those issued by the school). Students are encouraged to wear fluorescent clothing if cycling or walking to school.
Plain scarves may be worn to and from school but multicoloured or striped scarves are not acceptable.
Outdoor coats should not be worn within the school building.
Shirts must always be tucked neatly into trousers or skirts.
Hair should be well groomed and tidy. Beads in the hair are unacceptable. Hair dyed in unnatural colours is unacceptable.
Boys’ Uniform
*BOTTLE GREEN BLAZER with the Castle School emblem (a bottle green jumper – black for Year 11 – may be worn under the blazer)
WHITE TRADITIONAL SHIRT - not polo shirt or sports shirt – (a plain, white T-shirt may be worn under the shirt)
*SCHOOL TIE IN THE APPROPRIATE HOUSE COLOUR
BLACK TROUSERS - corduroy trousers, denim or cotton/canvas jeans are not permitted
PLAIN SOCKS - not brightly coloured
PLAIN BLACK SHOES - not trainers
PE kit - Boys
White Polo Shirt (with Castle and Sports College Logo)* or plain white T shirt.
Rugby shirt in House colour* (reversible)
Black shorts* (NOT "Leisure" shorts, ie not long shorts)
Black Socks*
Sports College Black Tracksuit* * The kit can be purchased from school
The following are required but cannot be obtained from school:
Plimsolls/trainers
Football boots
Towel
Gum shield
All kit should be named.
Jewellery of any sort must not be worn during PE for any reason.
Girls' Uniform
*BOTTLE GREEN BLAZERwith the Castle Schoolemblem (a bottle green jumper – black for Year 11 – may be worn under the blazer)
WHITE BLOUSE - shirt style or traditional white school blouse with a collar - not polo shirt or sports shirt - (a plain, white T-shirt may be worn under the blouse)
*OPTIONAL SCHOOL TIE IN APPROPRIATE HOUSE COLOUR
*ENAMEL BADGE IN APPROPRIATE HOUSE COLOUR
BLACK SKIRT - between mid thigh and mid calf in length which must show beneath theblazer
or BLACK TROUSERS - corduroy trousers, denim or cotton/canvas jeans, hipster style trousers and trousers made from “stretchy” fabric are not permitted
PLAIN BLACK SHOES - not trainers - maximum height of heels 6 cm
PLAIN SOCKS – not brightly coloured. Girls may wear plain, not brightly coloured, nylon tights.
PE kit – Girls - White Polo Shirt (with Castle and Sports College Logo)*
Bottle Green Shorts (NOT "Leisure" shorts) *
Bottle Green socks *
Bottle Green Fleece * (embroidered with Castle and Sports College logo) - optional
Sports College Black Tracksuit * - optional * The kit can be purchased from school
The following are required but cannot be obtained from school:
Plimsolls/trainers
Football boots
Towel
Gum shield All kit should be named. Jewellery of any sort must not be worn during PE for any reason.
Yours sincerely
K J FREEDMAN
Headteacher
The Castle School – please return to the Finance Office
I/We would like the following tickets for the Arts Showcase on Monday 19 July.
……………… Adults @ £2.50 each ………………… Children & concessions @ £1.50 each
Cheques should be made payable to “The Castle School” please.
Signed: ………………………………………. (Parent/Guardian)
Name of Student: ……………………………………………… Form: …………………