Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at The Castle School

We hope you have a great holiday and look forward to welcoming our amazing pupils back on Monday 5th January 2015

Christmas sing-song at Sainbury's

The young members of The Castle School Community Choir sang their hearts out to shoppers at Sainsbury's in Newbury today. They did wonderful renditions of Jingle Bell Rock, Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. It was a wonderful time and the pupils thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Sprouts and Aladdin at Christmas!

We have had a busy couple of days here at The Castle School. Parents and staff have enjoyed seeing our amazing pupils perform in their annual Christmas Productions.

Key Stage 1 and 2 staged a performance of The Enormous Sprout, with some really wonderful acting and singing.

 Richmond Class perform as the growing plants

 

Key Stage 1 and 2 attempt to pull up the Enormous Sprout

 



Key Stage 3 and 4 put on a brilliant version of Aladdin with every single class doing a particular scene to tell the whole story. Nathan was a particular star taking on the role of compere as he did at Castle's Got Talent

 The audience rubbed their heads and tummies for a wish - Ruth can get people to do anything!

 

 An Aladdin version of I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!

The Key Stage 3 and 4 cast celebrate at the end of their performance

As always, both performances were superb and we are all very proud of how our pupils worked together and the confidence that they showed. Well done.

Two musical stars

Last week, two of our students took part in their Trinity Board music exams. I am extremely pleased to tell you that Justin gained Grade 1 in Baritone Horn and Danny achieved Grade 2 in Tenor Horn.

This is an incredible achievement. Both exams are challenging and of a national standard. Justin has also recently played in the Wantage Youth Silver Band at The Castle School.

Well done to both lads and we look forward to further success with Grade 2 for Justin and Grade 3 for Danny in the not-to-distant future.

 

Danny and Justin, proud of their achievements

 

Justin performing with The Wantage Youth Silver Band

Castle Pupils amaze at St Nic's Carol Concert

The wonderful singers in the Castle School Choir started the Christmas season off in style by performing brilliantly at the annual St Nic's School Carol Concert on Tuesday. They made all the staff proud by singing beautifully, especially with their rendition of Mary's Boy Child (complete with harmonies and saxophone!) to a very appreciative audience. Well done and thanks to Ali Watkinson, our wonderful music teacher for her tireless effort in making sure the choir performed perfectly.

Modeshift Award: achievement for Castle School

The Castle School has been awarded the Modeshift Bronze award for all that we do with regards to promoting different types of transport.

Becky Jane (Children's Active Transport Coordinator from West Berks Council) came in to present the award.

Two of our students, Alisha and Tyrell, were chosen to collect the award for their commitment and success at independent travel.

Next year we will aim for the silver award. IN the meantime I would like to thank our many key stage 4 and 5 students who have successfully achieved independence in travelling independently to and from school each day.

 

Waterside Activity Day

On Wednesday 3rd December our a group of intrepid pupils from Key Stage 1,2 and 4 went to Waterside to take part in a wide range of activities organised by Adventure Dolphin. The students had a fantastic day. They all challenged themselves to learn new skills and as always we exceptionally well behaved. One of our students showed incredible skill in archery - a modern day Robin Hood!

Everyone showed such determination and we all so very proud of all of our students who took part.

Here are some pictures of the day:

Christmas at The Castle School

As ever, there are lots of things happening in the run-up to Christmas. Here are the dates and times of key events for your diary:

Carol Concert @ St Nics - evening - 02/12/2014

Come and enjoy this wonderful occasion where our choir will perform alongside other  schools from the area. This event is a lovely way to start the Christmas festivities.

Christmas Fair - 05/12/2014

Come along to the wonderful Castle School Christmas Fair. There will be lots of stalls selling all manner of exciting things as well as food. There will be lots of Christmas singing to help get you into the seasonal mood accompanied by The Wantage Junior Silver Band. In addition, you will be supporting Friends of Castle School in raising money to support projects for all our young people.

Key Stage 1&2 Christmas Production - PM - 10/12/2014

 Key Stage 1 and 2 perform their Christmas Production for parents and carers.

Key Stage 3&4 Christmas Production - PM - 11/12/2014

 Key Stage 3 and 4 perform their Christmas Production to parents and carers.

Post-16 Christmas Production - PM - 12/12/2014

 Post-16 perform their Christmas Production to parents and carers.

Community Choir at Sainsbury's - 15/12/2014

The Castle School Primary Community Choir will be performing a selection of well-loved Christmas Carols at the Sainsbury's store in Newbury from 12 noon. Come along and show your support and sing along if you wish.

Carol Service @ St Mary's Church - AM - 16/12/2014

Post-16 Christmas Carols - 18/12/2014

Come along to this lovely event where you can join in with our talented school choir and sing all the classic Christmas Carols. This is an evening event and more details will be sent out nearer the time.

End of Term 2 - 19/12/2014

The Castle School Christmas Fair

If you want to start off the festive season in style then come along to The Castle School Christmas Fair.

This Friday (5th December) from 6pm to 8pm at Love Lane.

There will be a wonderful array of stalls as well as a Christmas BBQ!

The whole evening will be accompanied by the talented folk of The Wantage Silver Youth Band conducted by Sam Wyne, playing a collection of Christmas tunes and other fun songs.

If you don't feel Christmassy yet, you soon will do.

Come along, support the school and have a lovely evening.

See you all on Friday

Please send in your bottles!

It is our annual Christmas Fair this Friday (5th December) at the Love Lane site. Please can you send in any bottles you have for our Bottle Tombola. This is always a very successful stall for raising money for the school, but we are still quite short. We will kindly accept any bottles whether they are drink, shampoo, bubble bath - in fact anything. Please
send them in before Friday. You support is very much appreciated.