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Posted on: April 30th 2021

A message from Mr Nation

Life is certainly beginning to feel a little more ‘normal’ in school. Clubs are now up and running, Forest School and Premier Sports are in full flow and the school is buzzing with energy and excitement. 

As I’m writing this, I can hear 22 EYFS/KS1 children taking part in a drumming session (their first of many) and others are on the school field participating in their sports club. Bikeability will soon be taking place for some of our older children in KS2 and it couldn’t be more timely. I’ve had some parents express their concerns over children cycling in large groups in the middle of the road through the village. We’re not sure who these children are but if your child cycles around Stoke-Sub-Hamdon, can you please remind them the importance of staying safe. 

During assemblies, we’ve been focusing on our School Vision, ‘Together We’re Stronger’ as well as ‘equality’ and ‘diversity’. As a team, we are passionate about supporting the children to understand the importance of acceptance and have been discussing how we feel ‘safe’ around those who are similar to us. We’ve paid particular attention to accepting those who may look, speak, behave or sound different to us. Please help your child to understand the meaning of the words ‘equality’ and ‘diversity’. 

Earlier this week, we had an external review of our school conducted by an education consultant with over 42 years of experience. He was very complimentary about many aspects of Castle Primary and recognised the journey of improvement we have been on since our last OFSTED inspection. Well done team Castle. We now have some clear actions for us to grow in strength. 

Can I gently remind everyone that KS2 children must wear a tie. Some of the children have returned without them. Several children are also wearing trainers. Again, this is not part of our school uniform. School uniforms must be worn whilst at school. Many thanks in advance for your understanding with this.

As a school, we have taken several measures to ensure the safety of our children and staff. Please ensure you are wearing a mask when on the playground, this includes those who drop off / collect their children from Camelot Club. 

Finally, we are continuing to ensure the children understand the importance of reading and that it is key to accessing everything in the world. You can support your child by letting them read to you at least 4 times per week and by reading to them. Your support and understanding with all of the above is greatly appreciated and most importantly, has a positive  impact on your wonderful children

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A message from Mr  Morton Posted on: 4/09/2023

A message from Mr Morton

Welcome back everyone!   We hope that you have all had a restful summer break and enjoyed lots of new adventures and relaxing days. We are grateful to have such nice weather for our return to school, allowing the children the chance to get outside and catch up with their friends and have a run around. It is a shame that we didn’t have this weather during the holidays but we will embrace it while we have it. Winter is coming!   The children have all settled back into school life seamlessly. Everyone is enjoying their new classes and they all look so smart in their new school uniforms. I have had the pleasure of complimenting many of them on their new…everything! It is a good time to remind everyone to please ensure that all items of clothing and objects that come into school have a clear name label on them. It helps us to return misplaced items swiftly to their rightful place.   Staffing updates:   We have had confirmation from Mrs Sandiford (from her rooftop garden!) that she is safely in Egypt and loving her new job and accommodations. We are not jealous at all!!!!   We welcomed Miss Raybold’s little baby girl, Marlee, into the world. We look forward to many cuddles over the coming weeks.   Mrs Staniland underwent major surgery over the summer break. She is well and recovering at home. She wanted you all to know that she is on the mend and looks forward to seeing everyone around the village again soon. Until she is back up and working I have continued my split headship role over the 2 schools. I’m sure you will join us in wishing her a speedy recovery.   We officially welcome Miss Hill to our teaching team as the Totnes class teacher. She is off to a flying start and we can’t wait to see the exciting experiences she will enrich our school with over the year.   We also welcome David Seccombe and Emma Logan to our school site maintenance and cleaning team.    Lots to take in within only 2 days of school so far… We will soon be sharing many more school events and letters from the class teachers and FoCS about all of the amazing events and learning experiences we have planned over the coming term. Please do come and say hi on the playground anytime for a catch up or chat. I look forward to our exciting year’s adventure together.     Mr Steve Morton     Head of School  Categories: 1 CategorySchool News
A message from Mr Morton Posted on: 18/07/2023

A message from Mr Morton

As I write the final newsletter of the school year, I think back on all of the challenges and adventures that we, as a school, have faced and overcome this year. With each memory I can feel my smile growing wider. For every hardship there has been a happy ending and for every obstacle there has been a new route to discover and they have led us to new adventures.  Our school is a special place and home to a wealth of marvellous minds and creative thinkers. Every child, parent, member of staff and member of our wider village community has made each day here special and filled my heart with memories of happiness. For that, I thank you all.  As the Year 6 children prepare for their next adventures into the big world of secondary school, I know that they will share my thoughts about our school and I know that they too have an abundance of happy memories to see them on their way. They are all amazing young individuals who are destined for greatness. Good luck Year 6 and we wish well. We must also say a huge thank you and farewell to Mrs Sandiford, Mrs Morris and Mrs Staniland as they begin their own new adventures next term and congratulations to Miss Raybold as she prepares to welcome her new arrival over the summer holidays. We can’t wait to meet them in September. All that is left for me to say is thank you to everyone for everything that you have done for our school, our children and for our staff this year. You are all amazing people. Enjoy your summer break and I look forward to welcoming you all back in September.  Categories: 1 CategorySchool News
A message from Mr Morton Posted on: 19/05/2023

A message from Mr Morton

Another fabulous term here at Castle Primary School. As a school we have been focusing on the value of perseverance. It seemed like an appropriate value to reflect upon as this half term sees our Yr 2 and Yr 6 children participate in the national SATs tests. Cast your minds back to those heady days of being in school and sitting a test, yourself. “Ugh!!!” I hear you say. The children have been amazing. They demonstrated resilience, stamina and persevered until the final paper was completed. They all shone brightly and were able to demonstrate all of their hard work, understanding and educational prowess. We are very proud of them all.   This week our school again competed in the Trust Public Speaking Competition. Tennessee, Hebe and Lexi M all represented our school and spoke with passion and enthusiasm about the subject of ‘Equality and how children can make a difference’. In front of an audience of their peers, teachers and a panel of judges, the children gave their speech with confidence. It was inspiring to hear them quote famous activists who have been a force for change in our world and to share how we, as a community, can also make a difference. Powerful and wise words from such young minds. It was truly inspiring to hear them speak.   As half term approaches and we all start to blow the dust off of that box of summer clothes that we were beginning to think we would never see or need again, we wish you all a restful and hopefully sunny break from school and we look forward to welcoming you all back for our final half term’s exciting learning and events. I hope to see you all on Monday 29th at the May Fayre.  Categories: 1 CategorySchool News
A message from Mr Morton Posted on: 31/03/2023

A message from Mr Morton

It has been another exciting and rather jam packed half term of new experiences and educational adventures here at school. It is always a real privilege to be part of the learning journey that our children undertake each half term and I am always blown away by how they apply their skills and knowledge to find the answers and to make those connections that allow them to make sense of the wider world.  It is not just in school that we see our children flourish. Well done and thank you to all of the children who represented our school at the Trust Performing Arts day, held at The Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton. You sang your amazing hearts out and filled the theatre with music. I know that you all had a fantastic day and that the experience of standing on a stage in front of a live audience was equally as scary as it was memorable.  I hope you have noticed the new amazing reading shed that has appeared on our playground this week? Our reading champions have worked tirelessly to raise money to fund the project. The new shed was designed and generously built by Mr Hayne. I'm sure you will join us in thanking Mr Hayne for this amazing addition to the school. It has now offered even more opportunities for our children to connect with reading and to extreme read!  Please all have a safe, restful and joyous Easter break filled with family, celebrations and maybe some chocolate eggs! We look forward to welcoming you all back for our Summer Term on Tuesday 18th of April. Happy Easter everyone!    Steve Morton Executive Head of School  Categories: 1 CategorySchool News
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