Thank you

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all our parents and carers for their support this year. It is invaluable and enables us to help our young people progress in all the areas of school.

I am sure that you would also all join me in thanking the staff for the tireless dedication and commitment they show in working with all our students. I am very proud of all of them.

Last, but absolutely by no means least, I would like to thank our fabulous students - who are simply amazing.

Have a great summer and see you all ready to learn on Wednesday 3rd September.

Secondary Sports

On Thursday this week we rounded of a busy and exciting term with our Secondary Sports Morning. It was a great session with lots of different sports and everyone getting involved. Well done to all the participants. Below are some great photos of what our young people got up to. This should inspire us all to get active!

Thrive Flower Show Success

Pendragon class went to Thrive flower show today.  They entered 4 competition classes: 1) Best Decorated Pot; 2) Best Artificial Poppy; 3) Best Victoria Sponge; and 4) Best Strawberry Jam.  They did amazingly well with their artificial poppy winning 1st prize, their strawberry jam (made from strawberries they grew in their garden) also coming 1st, their decorated pot coming 3rd, and their Victoria sponge being commended. This is a huge achievement as there was some stiff competition they were up against.  They also had a great day walking around the stunning gardens at Thrive, smelling and touching lots of beautiful flowers.  Their behaviour was impeccable - they really did the school proud! Well done! :)

 

Duke of Edingburgh Award success!

A number of students at Post-16 have been working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award this year. They have had to complete six months of volunteering, learn a new skill and take part in a physical activity, both for a three month period.

The final section is the expedition which took place last weekend. The students had to do lots of preparation prior to the expedition. They had to plan the route, organise equipment, decide what they were going to cook and complete training sessions.

The group chose to canoe down the Avon and Kennett canal.  They met early on Saturday morning and loaded the boats with all of the equipment needed for the weekend. They got in two boats and set off on their expedition. Throughout the day they had to make their way through 18 lock gates, navigate around other boats and make sure they were following the planned route.

The teamwork on display was amazing. As they approached a lock, two students would jump out to open the gate leaving the others to steer the canoe in to the lock. Day one of paddling for six hours ended in Newbury but the work was not complete. The group had to navigate to the camp site, set up the tents and then cook dinner. The evening was spent reflecting on the days great achievements whilst sat around a fire.

Day two started early at 7am wake up. Breakfast was made, bags were packed and tents were taken down and put away. The end goal for the day was to get to Woolhampton which would involve another six hours of paddling. The students had to overcome the tiredness from the previous days exertions and morale was a little low. It soon rose as a member of staff lost balance whilst trying to get a bag from a canoe and fell into the canal!

For the final half of the day the decision was made to combine forces and to get everyone on a boat together for a final push. The students worked well together to reach the end goal and complete the expedition.

Needless to say we are exceptionally proud of the group and are looking forward to the Duke of Edinburgh presentation evening. Below are pictures of their amazing weekend:

 

The Castle School Prom

On Friday evening our older students and those who are leaving us came together for the amazing Castle School Prom. It is an event that happens every year and allows all our young people and staff to socialise and enjoy music and good food and celebrate achievements. This year was a wonderful event and, as you can see from the photos below, was a very enjoyable and fun occasion. Thank you to everyone who supported and set it up, not least the parents who helped in taxiing students to and fro enabling students to be at this fantastic event. We wish all our leavers every success in their future endeavours.