Bulletin No 19/2009/2010 Tuesday 20 July 2010

 PARENT/STUDENT BULLETIN NO 19 /2009/2010 Tuesday 20 July 2010

NAME: ………………………………………………. Form: ………………….

Dear Parent

I normally use the opportunity provided by the final bulletin of the year to thank families for their support for the work of the school during the past year. In the context of my retirement at the end of August, I would on this occasion wish to extend this expression of gratitude to all families who have been supportive of our school over the nearly fifteen years of my headship.

I have been fortunate to head an outstanding school and I consider it a privilege to have served as Headteacher at The Castle. We have achieved much in the past fifteen years. These achievements give me great pleasure, not least because we have done this in the context of being one of the lowest funded schools in England.

The challenge of this low funding has been overcome by the willingness of my colleagues to work extremely hard in the interests of our students. I am very grateful for the commitment, integrity and belief in our students shown by my colleagues in all roles in the school. It is this which has guided our school to be special. I would also wish to thank our governing body for the manner in which it works on behalf of the school. Sheila Naylor, as Chair of Governors, has provided truly outstanding leadership.

Our students are very special. It has been a pleasure to have worked with them. I will miss them very much and wish each one good fortune and happiness in the future.

I am confident the school will continue to go from strength to strength under the leadership of Sarah Watson and with the ongoing outstanding contribution by my existing colleagues.

I should like to wish all families associated with us a very pleasant and enjoyable summer.

Kevin Freedman  

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. BICYCLE APPEAL

Has anyone got an Adult Bicycle lying unused in a shed or garage that they would be willing to donate to our Return to Learn Department (any condition – we will do it up!). Some of our students are adult size and cannot use the bicycles we have for that department. Please contact the school office and ask for Mrs Marney.

4. “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.

5. LOST PROPERTY DAY

 Due to a build up of lost property we will be having an extra lost property day on Wednesday 21 July. There will be an opportunity at break and lunchtime and after school for students to look at and reclaim any lost property. Parents are very welcome to come along after school until 4.00pm to take a look.

6. 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.

7. 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.

 8. 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

9. SCHOOL UNIFORM SALES

Thursday 2 September. 10.00am – 12 noon.

10. CONTACT DETAILS

 Please can I ask parents to keep the school updated of any change in contact details, particularly mobile numbers as the attendance officers use texts to report unauthorised absences to parents.

If your child is going to be absent due to illness please contact us by 10am using the absence line. Thank you.

11. FANTASTIC MEAL DEAL – NOT TO BE MISSED!

Next year – yes the whole year!!! – we are able to offer our special Meal Deal of £1 for two courses EVERY MONDAY! This represents real value for money.

Yours sincerely

K J FREEDMAN

Headteacher