Vacancy for parent governor

Parent governor role

We have a vacancy for a parent to join the governing body, and there will be information coming out to you w/c 29th February. Please remember to return your completed nomination form by Wednesday 9th March.  For further details, please contact Vicki Murphy, Clerk to Governors on vmurphy@castle.w-berks.sch.uk

Houses of Parliment Visit

Lancaster Class and some of Caernarfon Class pupils recently visited the Houses of Parliament where they were lucky enough to visit the very grand 'House of Lords' and Westminster Hall. They found out about the Queen's involvement in Parliament and the History of the Building. They also stood directly above where Guy Fawkes stored the gun power to blow up the houses of Parliament unsuccessfully. This visit was to support recent work undertaken to understand the UK's voting system and further understand how Parliament works. Staff and students alike all enjoyed the visit.

 

 

A thank you to Derek

As most of you will know, the acclaimed pianist, Derek Paravacini visited us in January. You may be aware that Derek is both blind and has severe learning difficulties including autism. Despite these challenges, Derek is a virtuoso pianist, able to play any song after listening to it only once. We were all quite blown away after seeing Derek perform at our school and so inspired by what he has achieved, the pupils wanted to send him a thank you card. They were very clear that the card needed to be different so that Derek could enjoy it, so they designed it with raised relief so Derek could feel what it said. Derek was really pleased when he got it and said "Thank you very much, it is wonderful". Here is Derek with his card.

Happy Half Term

Happy Half Term

It has been another very busy and fun half term for our pupils. There have lots of wonderful events taking place, which I hope we have captured in the newsletters you will receive.

 

We wish you all a lovely half term break and look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 22nd February 2016

Happy Chinese New Year

The Staff and Pupils at The Castle School would like to wish everyone Gong Hey Fat Choy

 恭喜发财

 

 

A Wonderful Spanish Week

Every class throughout the school got a taste of Spanish culture during our Spanish week last week.  Monday began with a quick geography exercise to make sure we all knew where Spain was located, followed by learning the days of the week and a Spanish lesson to set us up for our debate later in the week.  The afternoon saw the making of not one but two giant paellas at both the main and Post-16 sites.  Pupils were invited to participate in the cooking and tasting experience.  Tuesday meant learning the colours of the Spanish Flag and the numbers up to 20 and there was an Art exercise to make a Spanish Fan or collage a bull if classes were feeling creative.  Wednesday we learnt to describe ourselves and the afternoon saw two major events.  In the secondary hall a feisty debate was directed by Rhona and James where the pupils eventually decided that Bullfighting should be banned, but this wasn't without some strong arguments made for the long held tradition.  In the secondary hall special guest Pedro read a story about Ferdinand the White Bull whilst Diane directed a fantastic sensory experience for everyone to enjoy.  On Thursday we learnt to describe our family in Spanish and were introduced to Flamenco dancing on both sites with the Tomas Jimenez Flamenco Duo arranged by Ali. Friday saw many classes cooking and enjoying Spanish Tortilla. It was wonderful to hold so many events in one week and to find elements of Spain for each and every pupil to participate in and enjoy.

Donnington "Digni-Tea"

As part of their Guided Options, a group of KS4 students have been attending Donnington Bupa Nursing Home on a fortnightly bases. During these visits they have been putting their teamwork skills to good use playing games with the elderly residents.

The residents have enjoyed our student's company so much that they were invited to join them at their "Digni-Tea" tea party to help celebrate Dignity Action Day. Dignity Action Day aims to ensure people who use care services are treated as individuals and are given choice, control and a sense of purpose in their daily lives. It is an annual opportunity to uphold people's rights to dignity and provide a truly memorable day for people who use care services.  

 

Our students joined the residents in writing their wishes for the future which were then attached to balloons. Together, our students and the residents released the balloons and the wishes into the sky.

 

As you can see, everyone involved had a wonderful time and a memorable day was most definitely created.

 

 

Music News @ The Castle School

Find out about all the fantastic things that our pupils have been getting up to in music and also hear about the exciting events to come in the coming weeks and months. Click here to go to the website music page and click on the newsletter.