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A message from Mr Nation Posted on: 29/01/2021

A message from Mr Nation

Whenever I compose my introduction for the newsletter, words such as commitment, dedication, and compassion seem to come to mind. Now more than ever are those words necessary to describe the team effort of Castle Primary School in such challenging and difficult times. However, those words are also relevant to all the parents and families that are working relentlessly to support their child/children with Home Education. In addition, a special mention to all the children of Castle School - you’re doing brilliantly and we miss each and everyone of you.  Over the past three weeks, the staff have carefully planned their provision for children in line with government guidance and expectations as well as responding to the latest (national) research and evidence. All the monitoring and surveys to date demonstrate that this hard work has paid off. Consequently, the children are accessing quality education and continue to make progress. The children’s Health and Wellbeing remain the most important aspect of all we do at Castle School and we’ve been working hard to ensure we support everyone as best we can. Next week it is Children's Mental Health Week and this will feature in work planned. This year's theme is 'Express Yourself' and on Friday we are encouraging children in school and at home to wear bright colours or something that helps them to express themselves. Across the week we will be encouraging children (and adults) to explore the different ways we can express ourselves, and the creative ways that we can share our feelings, our thoughts and our ideas. Regardless of individual staff situations, everyone is working relentlessly to maintain the highest of standards of education. Furthermore, our team of TAs have once again stepped up and we’re grateful for all their commitment to our children and school. A special mention to Mrs Abbott and Mrs Morris for their continued support and to Mrs Mayes who is providing Spanish lessons for all children across the school. Miss Gosney has once again proved her commitment to our children with her flexibility and willingness to adapt in a variety of situations, roles and expectations! The admin team has been unstoppable. Mrs Oliver and Mrs Purchase have been absolute bedrock. I could list everyone for their individual efforts, whether working from home or in school, you’re all doing a fantastic job and play such important roles in the family of Castle Primary School. Thank you again to parents/carers for your support and efforts at home, please continue to maintain regular communication with the school and contact me via the school office if there is anything further we can do to support you. Staff 'Home Testing' kits have arrived at school and the team are voluntarily taking part in line with government guidance. Please continue to play your part by following the rules and guidelines around social distancing etc.  My thanks to those who attended the Parent Zoom sessions. I hope you found these informative and took some practical solutions from the session. I do not underestimate the challenging situation we’re all in and we all need to support each other so do get in touch.   Categories: 1 CategorySchool News
A message from Mr Nation Posted on: 18/12/2020

A message from Mr Nation

Welcome to the final newsletter of 2020. The staff and children have achieved so much this term despite the challenges we have faced.  Christingles, nativites, performances - you name it, but all in bubbles and shared virtually! In addition, Mrs Knobbs and the members of FoCs organised a ‘Nativity Walk’ around the village where parents and children decorated their windows for advent. Our Discovery topic focused on Design and Technology and has taken a different angle on 'Performance' to ensure the children still have such experiences, albeit in a different way this year. While learning the craft of designers they have been busy planning innovative and appealing products to meet their design briefs while utilising new skills linked to woodwork, electricity, music, cooking and nutrition. The children are very proud of their outcomes, and so they should be. We have seen over 30 different bread rolls, watched wonderful theatres come to life and listened to a range of musical instruments made from everyday items. Most importantly, the children have enjoyed their learning experiences and have been eager to share what they have been up to which is credit to the adults in their classes. Rev Annie has provided the school with wonderful acts of Collective Worship which we have shared on a weekly basis along with Values Assemblies and Celebration Assemblies. Life is certainly different and virtual assemblies are commonplace. The children also enjoyed a visiting pantomime of Dick Whittington organised by Mrs Liddell, it was lovely to see the children getting in the festive spirit...oh yes it was! We are also hugely grateful to FoCS this term who have been busy finding new ways to fundraise. They have still managed to raise money for our school through new ventures along with making some regular school events safe to continue. This has meant we have been able to invite professionals in to the work with the children and have been able to put on a pantomime to help get children in the festive spirit. Finally, my thanks to you as parents/carers for your continued support of the school. I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.  Categories: 1 CategorySchool News
Castle Primary School – Display their art for the Octagon Theatre visitors Posted on: 18/12/2020

Castle Primary School – Display their art for the Octagon Theatre visitors

Castle Primary School – Display their art for the Octagon Theatre visitors Castle Primary School pupils in Stoke sub Hamdon (part of The redstart Learning Partnership) were delighted to be invited to take part in an exhibition being displayed at the Octagon theatre to celebrate their reopening following lockdown.  Corfe, Totnes and Dunster classes all provided artwork which has been put on display in the foyer areas.  The theme of the children's artwork is very apt at this time and is entitled 'The Show Must Go On'.  The Duty Manager & Arts Engagement Assistant, Katherine Hoskins said: “Thank you to the Castle Primary School pupils for providing us with some artwork to display around the Octagon for our reopening! We are absolutely delighted with the amount and quality of artwork which we received and it has really brightened up our venue!” Pupils have been encouraged to visit the venue (where safe to do so!) and when the venue is open.  Information regarding the Octagon opening times over the Christmas period are on their website. The artwork can be viewed here: https://www.octagon-theatre.co.uk/news/community-artwork-display-for-the-octagons-reopening A spokesperson from The Redstart Learning Partnership said: “We are absolutely delighted to hear about this great partnership and opportunity for the pupil’s at Castle Primary School.  We’d like to thank the pupil’s for their fabulous artwork and to the Octagon for allowing our pupil’s to display their artwork for public display”.     Notes: Please see attached photo’s Castle Primary School: / Castle Primary School is part of The Redstart Learning Partnership: http://www.theredstartlearningpartnership.co.uk/ Contact: Beth Souster: bsouster@redstartpartnership.co.uk       Categories: 1 CategorySchool News
A message from Mr Nation Posted on: 20/11/2020

A message from Mr Nation

What a busy week! My thanks to those of you who joined the teachers for parents evening. I appreciate these were a little different to normal but no doubt you managed to gain a good insight into your child’s education and how you can support at home. I've already received some positive comments which is lovely to hear. As you know, we had to close the Drogo / Corfe ‘bubble’ earlier this week. The admin team were fantastic and communicated quickly and effectively, the teachers ensured that they followed the Home Learning Agreement immediately and Mrs Liddell worked relentlessly to assist with the closure of the ‘bubble’’. My thanks also to those who remained 'on the ground' and supported accordingly. Fortunately, all is well and we were able to safely reopen the 'bubble' on Wednesday 18th November. Since our last newsletter, the children have been working on their new Discovery project which focuses on 'Design and Technology’ through the gateway of Performance. From woodwork theatres in Key Stage 1 with stage lighting provided by Year 6, nutritional Great Bread Bake offs in Totnes, musical instruments in Dunster, and electronic moving Christmas decorations in Tintagel. Based on the successes and impressive outcomes from last term's Discovery project in Art, I’m sure the standard of work will be just as strong if not better. You will see from the picture at the top of this newsletter that we are celebrating the childrens’ work by displaying it as a large installation in the school hall. Thanks to Mrs Staniland and Mrs Morris for ensuring this was displayed so beautifully. Please take time to look at some of the latest developments on our website. Under the ‘About Us/Curriculum’ section, you will find our Curriculum Statement of Intent as well as further detail of how and what we are teaching at school. Some of these sections are still under development but please enjoy learning more about the work we are doing to enhance the full curriculum we offer the children. Finally, my thanks to those parents who've sent messages of support to me and the team. I cannot emphasise how hard every member of staff is working in these exceptionally challenging times. Despite the obviously difficult situation, your child's/children's safety, wellbeing and learning remains at the heart of everything we do. Categories: 1 CategorySchool News

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