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

We hope you have a wonderful holiday and look forward to welcoming our brilliant pupils back on Tuesday 5th January 2016

Christmas Shoe Box Appeal

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated items or even whole boxes for our shoebox appeal.

We have an incredible 47 packages which have now been collected by the charity Loose Ends, who help homeless and vulnerable people in the Newbury Area. Please click here to have a look at their website.

Thank you everyone involved.

Castle-Made calendars for sale

Some of our industrious pupils have developed and produced a 2016 calendar for you to purchase.

As part of our GO (Guided Options) sessions in Key Stage 4, some of the pupils have been learning about digital photography. They have created this 2016 calendar using the photographs they have taken.

If you are interested in buying one of our calendars (at the real bargain cost of £2.50) please let Liz Wiltshire (Tintagel Class Teacher) have your order as soon as possible so that we can make them for you before we break up for Christmas.

 

A wonderful stocking-filler :-)

 

 

Christmas Shoebox Appeal

Dear all,

The pupils in Tintagel Class have decided that this Christmas they want to support local people who are homeless by making up shoeboxes full of useful and nice items to help them through the winter months.

 

Please see the poster below for Tintagel's shoebox project which outlines the type of items we are looking for.

Thank you to anyone who has already donated items or whole boxes. We have already put together about 25 packages  

If anyone else wishes to make a donation we'd like them by Monday 14th December.

Thank you  

Liz Wiltshire (Tintagel Class Teacher)

"Beyond" Relaxed Performances

The wonderful staff at the Watermill Theatre want to get ideas and views from you. Please read below for more information

‘Beyond Relaxed Performances’

Welcoming people with autism to The Watermill
Following The Watermill’s first Relaxed Performance of Alice in Wonderland, on Monday 30th November at 6.30pm, you are warmly invited to The Watermill for a Q&A, where you are the experts with the answers.

Saturday 12 December at 10.30am
The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, Newbury, RG20 8AE

Under generous funding from Greenham Common Trust, we are looking to offer participation opportunities to young people with autism and ASD, particularly teenagers. The aim is to provide a safe and creative space to make theatre, express yourself and practice interaction.

But we need your opinions… Is this the right age group? What structure will fit your life best, one-off workshops or a weekly group? What time? Where?
If you would like to be part of the conversation about what this new provision will look like, please join us on Saturday 12 December at 10.30am.

This event is free but please contact Lixi at lixi@watermill.org.uk or call 01635 570918 to register your interest by 4pm on Friday 11 December, or for any further information. If you are unable to attend but would like to share your views, please get in touch.

Visual Story
For attendees who would like some information about the theatre ahead of the event, our Social Story is available on our Access webpage:

https://www.watermill.org.uk/access or if you are not able to access the internet, contact Lixi for a printed copy to be posted to you.

Strictly Come Castle!

In September the boys in Donnington and Tintagel classes worked with Zoie Golding from Fuzzy Logic Dance Company. Over a period of 7 weeks the boys developed a dance that focussed on the idea of how reading books can inspire our imaginations. 

In November the project culminated in a showcase of dance at the Newbury Corn Exchange where many West Berkshire Primary and Secondary Schools participated.

The Project is suitably titled, ‘ManMade’ and was set up by Fuzzy Logic Dance Company to inspire and engage boys in dance. 

The night was a total success with the boys performing their movement with focus, precision and energy. Dancing live on stage, with expressive lighting, in front of hundreds of people was awe inspiring for them and was an experience I’m sure they won’t forget in a hurry. Below are some wonderful pictures from the event.

Modeshift Travel Training Award

We are very pleased to tell you that we have been awarded our Modeshift Bronze Award for the second year running. The award was presented by Becky Jane from West Berkshire Council. Becky said:

 

"On Monday 23^rd November, I was very happy to present The Castle school with their bronze Modeshift STARS award for the second year running, in an assembly that morning. The Castle have been presented with this award for their dedication to promote sustainable travel, and change the ways in which their pupils travel to and from school for the better. Two great ways in which they have done this is through independent travel training – where the pupils learn and develop the skills and confidence to travel independently to schools or colleges with 1:1 personalised training. The other way is through Bikeability, where the children are successfully taught the skills to ride their bikes safely on the roads, meaning the pupils will have the confidence to use this as a mode of transport. Congratulations to The Castle school for their efforts, and hopefully this will have a lasting impact on the pupils."

Keeping children safe online

The internet can be a wonderful resource with lots of exciting things to do. However, we are all aware that it does bring additional risks for children and young people. As parents we all want to ensure that our children stay safe and also are able to enjoy the experience of the web - something that can be a challenge. As such we have set up a page on our website entitled "Keeping Safe Online". If you visit the page you will see a variety of links which give advice on how to ensure your child stays safe whilst surfing the internet including guides on safe use of social networks.

Please click here to be taken to the Keeping Safe Online page.

You can also help us by letting us know of any resources you might be aware of for keeping children safe online so we can include them on the page. If you do know of anything you think might be useful please email Jon Hewitt (Headteacher).

Let's work together to ensure that all our children are able to use the internet safely.

Radishes ready for harvesting!

We have been very excited this week as pupils and staff alike have been picking their radishes. It is amazing what the class teams have been able to produce. Below are some pictures of Colchester Class and Appleby Class and their produce - which all went into making a lovely radish salad. Well done guys:

Christmas Carol Concert

Each year, as you may know, we have an annual carol concert for our pupils at St Mary's Church in Shaw. We have always managed to squeeze a few parents in. However, we have grown each year and now that we have 157 pupils with around 100 staff it will unfortunately no longer be safe to have parents attending. I know that this will be sad news for many of you, but I am sure you will understand that the health and safety of our pupils comes first.

I have, of course considered alternatives, such as using another church - however, this is our local church and it is easily accessible for all our pupils from our school and has a special place in out local community. We have also considered running two separate carol services for older and younger pupils - but we feel our pupils get something very special from everyone in the school being together at this very special time.

Of course there will be other events and shows that you will be able to come to.

We will try and video the event and make it available for parents to watch.

I thank you for your understanding,

Jon Hewitt
Headteacher

Castle at the Care Home

Donnington pupils had a really successful visit to Donnington Bupa Nursing Home on 5th November as part of the GO afternoon. The class team took 7 pupils to play bingo with the residents. They were once again a credit to the school. Two of the pupils even came out asking Emily, the class teacher, about raising money to buy something for the residents.

They loved having us there and the students all came out smiling and saying what a wonderful time they had had. Here are a few fabulous photos of the afternoon

Bikeability

Some of our pupils have been working hard on their bike riding skills through the Bikeability Scheme. Last week Chris Barltrop from West Berkshire Council came into school and supported by Chris Mason and Christine Cranstoun spent two session training some pupils on safe riding techniques. The pupils really enjoyed there day and were brilliant. Chris sent a lovely email to say what a great day he had, some of which I put below:

Hi Lisa

I just wanted to touch base following completion of the two day Bikeability course earlier this week. Badges were presented to all 6 pupils who completed level one while 5 completed level 2. 

 

The trainees were all enthusiastic and keen, and listened well too given some of the challenges they face regarding concentration. In addition Christine and Chris were excellent support for me given that my colleague, Alison, had a really unwell daughter and couldn't attend. 

I'd like to thank all the staff I encountered for making me feel welcome and at home.

Chris Barltrop

CBCT

for West Berkshire Council

Here are a couple of pictures:

 

Children In Need

As always, our pupils and staff came out in force to help raise money for BBC Children in Need. The theme was Superheros and we were not disappointed with the wonderful outfits that people wore. The school managed to raise an impressive £240.63. Well done and many thanks to all our wonderful pupils, staff and parents. Here are a few pictures form the day:

Getting involved at Fairclose

Following a fundraising project in conjunction with Mencap "Inspire Me" last year, the students of Lancaster Class bought a card making kit with the idea of using it to build community relationships.

On Wednesday 10th of November Lancaster class ran a card making session at Fairclose Centre where many elderly members of the Newbury community can enjoy activities and social interaction. Initially both teenagers and elderly were wary of each other and had to be encouraged to mix, but before long all parties were getting stuck in together and beautiful cards were made as well as new relationships.

One member of Fairclose was quoted as saying 'I was worried about mixing with the teenagers, but I have really enjoyed my afternoon.  Thank you.'

Fee Rodger teacher of Lancaster says; ' It is really important to use every opportunity to breakdown barriers between the old and the young.  In my experience opportunities, like our Art afternoon, really build bridges and are really rewarding for all parties involved'.

The students have been invited back in January to take part in a flower arranging session.