Castle Matters

Christmas 2017

Dudley Academies Trust NewsWith the establishment of the Dudley Academies Trust at the beginning of September, Castle High joined forces with Hillcrest, High Arcal and Holly Hall Schools under the sponsorship of Dudley College. More information about the trust, including its aims and governance, can be found at www.dudleyacademiestrust.org.uk.

Much collaborative work has been taking place all term across the four schools to bring staff and students together.

In early September, all staff members from across the four schools were involved in developing the Trust’s Vision and Mission statements. More information about these can be found on the Trust’s website.

Senior Leaders from the schools are undertaking a high quality year-long Development Programme to ensure consistent and robust leadership across the four schools.

A gifted and talented project is underway with students taking part in a 6 week project at Dudley College.

Year 11 revision sessions for Maths and English at Dudley College after school on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Extra support for all students with English as an additional language with a programme to accelerate their access to the English language.

Dudley College’s Estate team have visited all four school sites to start planning future renovation and building projects which will equip the schools with the facilities they need to meet the challenges of a 21st century curriculum.

All of the schools have also taken part in a Peer Review to highlight strengths and points for future development. The reviews have been carried out by senior leaders from partner schools and the College together with outside consultants. Castle’s review was conducted in November and indicated the following strengths :

The overall standard of teaching and learning at Castle High was good across all year groups.

Teachers were engaging and enthusiastic and in most lessons there were high levels of learner engagement.

Lessons were well planned with effective strategies for differentiation.

Behaviour outside of the classroom was very good both when moving between classes and at break times

The learning environment is excellent with well-maintained facilities and colourful displays both in and out of the classroom

Students are very loyal to their school. They think that staff are friendly and helpful, that facilities are good and that there is good after school provision.

Students feel supported by Heads of Year, Form Tutors and Ms King.

Students feel safe and know how to stay safe. They think that bullying is rare.

Students would recommend Castle High to others and felt that the school was a “family”.

Leaders have a very good understanding of the needs of Castle students and are thinking strategically about how to develop opportunities for them.

Safeguarding is good with secure systems, procedures and support in place.

From The Head’s DeskWelcome to our first newsletter of this school year. Once again it’s been a busy term for us here, with our new Year Seven students finding their feet and settling in and older students getting to grips with GCSE work and sitting their mock exams.

The establishment of the Dudley Academies Trust has taken up much of our time but we are already beginning to feel the benefits of the opportunities now available to us. We were delighted that our Peer Review (see opposite) highlighted so many positive things at Castle and we have already put measures in place to address areas for development.

At the end of last month we were fortunate to be able to welcome Jo Higgins to our Celebration of Achievement Evening. Ms Higgins has been appointed as Chief Executive of the new Trust and will oversee its work. We are looking forward to working with her closely as her track record in driving school improvement and working collaboratively across large numbers of schools is impeccable.

We have also found the time to support worthwhile causes this term. Over £700 was raised for Macmillan Cancer Support through one of its Coffee Mornings at the end of September and money raised from the non-uniform day at the end of term will also go to support good causes. Raising money for charity is something that our children and staff do readily and willingly. This sense of community is something very special about our school and is one of the things that makes me most proud of it.

Largely our staffing will stay the same in the New Year. However, we do have to say goodbye to two members of Science staff. Miss Smith and Mrs Chambers will both be leaving their posts for new opportunities. We wish them both well.

I would like to say a very big thank you to the staff and our students for their hard work throughout the term. I would also like to thank our parents and carers for the support we receive in making a difference to so many young lives.

Finally, I would like to wish all students and parents, from all the staff and governors of the school, a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Last day ... first dayThis term will finish on Wednesday, December 20 at 1.00.

Wednesday, December 20 will be non-uniform day at a cost of £1 per student.

Next term begins on Wednesday, January 3 at 8.50

Castle goes to Potter

In October a group of students took a trip to the Warner Bros Studio and the set of Harry Potter.

Introduced in a fantastic interactive lesson to the many and varied aspects of the film world, students got to see and try some of the fantastic props created for the world of Harry Potter.

STEM at Castle STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) club launched earlier this month and students have been busy doing Christmas-related Science games.

We have been making buzz wire trees and tested who could complete theirs the fastest. This week, we will build Santa’s sleighs and race them against each other.

Interested in joining? Contact Mrs Taylor in S60 and put your name on the register, but hurry: spaces are limited.

If you are in year 9, we need 6 students to enter the MNA challenge, where you will be working with a local engineering company to design a product throughout the year and present it in July.

Earn your Science badge and be part of creating the future!

School uniform - a reminderSchool uniform shows that we take pride in ourselves, our school and our learning. The vast majority of students present themselves very well and we thank you for your support. We are currently having a drive to ensure ALL student maintain the highest standards.

Please be aware that the following are non-negotiable and are outlined in the school uniform code and school handbook:Black leather formal shoes (no trainers, black sports branded leather pumps or similar)

Blazer to be worn at all times

No mobile phones (if seen, taken and returned at 3:15pm)No piercings other than a stud in each ear

We thank you for your continued support.

If you have any issues regarding uniform or questions, please contact Mr Heywood (Assistant Headteacher)

Spring’simportant

dates

Eco schoolsWe are still working hard to achieve our Green Flag award, having already achieved the Bronze and Silver Awards. The Eco Committee meet weekly with Mrs Masunga to check on progress and continue to come up with initiatives around the school.

RE Debate

On 11th December, eight of our youngsters in Year 8 took part in the Dudley RE Debate held at the Council Chambers, Dudley. They took on the Earls High School, Halesowen debating the motion that ‘gay couples should not be allowed to marry in a place of worship’ a topical and emotive subject dealing with religious, social and legal issues. A difficult and sensitive matter, to say the least.

Brandon Drabble particularly enjoyed the experience, saying “I loved discussing interesting issues and had a great day.”

A massive thank you and congratulations to our champion debate team!

Brandon Drabble, Michael Shipway, Leo Lacey, Tasnim Akhter, Ala Mrugacz, Tanya Afzal, Katie Walton and Maryam Shahid

A number of assemblies have taken place to raise awareness of Eco Schools and living sustainable lifestyles. Lots of work has taken place around environmental issues in different curriculum areas and displays have been put up around school by Mrs Ratcliffe.

Each tutor group has an energy officer and recycling officer and these are now regularly involved in recycling during PSHE. Energy officers are responsible for ensuring that staff turn off unused lights and whiteboards and for keeping everyone on their feet when it comes to saving energy.

We also encourage visitors to school to get involved in sustainable life in two ways. Each new visitor gets a copy of the Visitors’ Charter and on Parents’ Evenings, the Eco Reps are out and about distributing leaflets on how energy can be saved in the home.

Attendance figures

Y795.1%

Y893.8%

Y993.6%

Y10

92.5%

Y11

92.2%192 students have 100%

attendance this term

Sport MattersIt’s been a really busy couple of terms for the PE department with new girls’ football teams and fixtures being added to our already extensive extracurricular clubs and practices.

All the boys’ football teams have played games during the first term with some great performances and dedication shown across the age range. The new Y7s had success in the annual DAT 9-aside tournament held on the superb Dudley College 3G and run by Dudley College students. They opened with a 0-0 score line against a very strong High Arcal team followed by a 1-0 victory against Holly Hall with Kai Holmes scoring the winner. High Arcal were declared winners of the tournament pipping Castle High on goal difference only!

The basketball season has started with mixed results with the year 11 putting in some great performances but coming up against some extremely strong club players at High Arcal, Ellowes and Holly Hall in the premier league and we look forward to the cup competition in the new year. The Y10s narrowly lost to league winners Hillcrest 33-26 after giving them a 16-3 head start we will seek revenge in the cup and look to regain our title in Year 11. Finally the year 9 team have started brilliantly, remaining unbeaten so far this season and have amazingly only conceded seven baskets in two matches whilst racking up nearly 80 points in successive victories.

Our weekly football club remains a huge success and our thanks to Mr. Kerr-Robinson and Mr. Jones for running this club for our students and the basketball club from 6-8pm on a Wednesday remains a well-supported club with both past and present students attending each week.

In Core PE lesson the lads have taken part in many different activities such as football, basketball, fitness, gymnastics and even their very own Ninja Warrior course! The year 8 lads sports acro balances have been amazing to see and their attitude has been superb throughout!

We have the annual trip to Worcester Wolves to come in January and we look forward to offering more trips like this in the New Year if the students want them!

Follow us and keep up to date with results, fixtures and latest news on Twitter @castlehighpe

It has been a busy start of the year for the girls in PE. We have had girls netball, football and now basketball teams up and running competing with other schools.

It has been a new experience at Castle for girls to start learning about football and all teams have been fantastic. Girls have been training most lunch times and after school to improve their skills; this has led to greater confidence and ability in other sports. We have competed in numerous tournaments and leagues for all sports and expect to finish level with all other local schools.

We have recently joined the ‘Girls Active’ campaign in order to increase participation levels. Girls Active are a national charity passionate about creating a brighter future for all children and young people through the power of sport. Here at Castle we aim to demonstrate the power that PE and school sport has to change young people’s lives; unlocking their potential, helping them to be healthy and happy, ultimately going on to lead successful lives and positively contribute to society. To do this, we urge young sports leaders to step up and represent Castle High School.

All girls are doing excellently in sport and should be proud of themselves!!

Prefect NewsAfter a gruelling round of presentations and interviews earlier this term, Elle-Marie Twitchen was appointed as Head Girl.

Helping her in her role will be Seun Adetuberu, Lee Dolman and Molly Williams who have been appointed as Senior Prefects.

School shoes - a reminderThe rules around school footwear have not changed.

School shoes should be plain, formal, black leather ones with no coloured markings on them. Please do not be persuaded to buy trainer-style footwear simply because shoe shops advertise such styles as suitable for school.

Trainers, canvas pumps or any other informal shoes are not permitted under any circumstances. If you are

in any doubt, please contact school to seek further advice.

Full details of our uniform are on the school website, as are

details of our PE kit.