Castle Hill Blog 07/06/24

Unfortunately some of our staff and pupils have had to endure some particularly difficult challenges recently with ill health or the loss of loved ones. Castle Hill is a very caring environment and community of people who want nothing more than to offer support to those who may be suffering. I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has stepped in to offer kindness and practical help to those who have needed it, it is always appreciated!

Foodbank Requests

Following on with the theme of kindness and support, a group of fantastic Year 12 students are collecting for Hazel Grove Foodbank as part of their 'Citizenship, enterprise, community and environmental understanding' unit for Enrichment. Donations to the school reception drop-off point of tinned food or long-life packet foods would be most appreciated.

Chocolate Box Creations

Year 9 have been exploring types of packaging for their graphics topic. They have designed their own chocolate boxes using their knowledge of shapes of a net from maths to ensure their boxes had flaps that could be attached on the inside to create a rigid product. Now all we need are the chocolates!

Magnificent Model

Look at this incredible model that I believe should be part of a collective exhibition across Manchester in line with the cows and the snowmen! This spectacular scarecrow was made by Reece Guilford, 9D.

A Change in the Hub

Our wonderful Hub Leader Alex Darlington is leaving us to take on a deputy headship in another school, I have no doubt she will be amazing and we all wish her the best of luck! I feel very proud and blessed to say that we have an incredible and knowledgeable member of staff taking over: Caroline Theobald. She will be present and delighted to meet you in our next Hub parent group on the 19th June at 1.30pm.

WhatsApp Concerns

We’ve recently had advice from the local authority about children being invited to join a WhatsApp group that is claiming to gain a world record by being the biggest WhatsApp group ever.

Most social media sites set an age restriction for users of their site, and WhatsApp is aged 13. However there is no verification and we know some young people often ignore the terms and conditions of use, unaware of the risks it might pose. Please see the attached poster for advice:

whatsapp 2023 4 .pdf

Looking Ahead... Dates For The Diary:

Date	Event
Mon 10^th June	8H Chester trip - DT
Tues 11^th June	8W Chester trip - DT
Tues 11^th June	Animal Magic in for sessions with all Years 7 & 8
Wed 12th – Fri 14^th June	Silver Duke of Edinburgh Expedition (6^th Form)
Thurs 13^th June	Staff vs Year 11s Football Match
Thurs 13^th June	Year 10 residential Parents’ Meeting 4.30-5.00pm
Fri 14^th June	Year 11 Leaver’s Assembly - 9-10.30am Year 11 Leaving Date
Mon 17^th – Tues 18^th June	Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Expedition (6^th Form)
Wed 19^th June	8P Chester trip - DT
Wed 19^th June	Year 13 Leaving Date
Thurs 20^th June	7A Legoland Trip
Tues 25^th June	New Year 12 Transition Session at 6^th Form – 11am -1pm Year 9 First Aid Training
Wed 26^th – Fri 28^th June	Year 8 Residential – Condover Hall
Fri 28^th June	INSET day – no pupils in
Thurs 27^th June	Year 11 Prom
Mon 1^st July	7M Legoland Trip
Tues 2^nd July	New Year 12 Transition Session at 6^th Form – 12.45 - 2.45pm
Wed 3^rd July	Year 14 Leaving Date
Fri 5^th July	7H Legoland Trip
Tues 9^th July	7B Legoland Trip
Tues 9^th – Thurs 11^th July	Rookie Rockstars (more details to follow)
Wed 10^th July	New Year 12 Transition Session at 6^th Form – 12.45 - 2.45pm
Sat 13^th July	Castle Hill Summer Fair (more details to follow)
Mon 15^thJuly (Year 10&11) Tues 16^th July (Year 8&9)	Form Tutor Meet and Greet – 3 - 3.30pm (parents/carers get to meet new Form Tutors – more details to follow)
Tues 16^th July	Move up Morning (Pupils get to meet their new Form Tutor and class)
Wed 17^th – Fri 19^th July	Year 10 Residential - PGL at Newby Wiske
Tues 23^rd July	Finish for the Summer Holidays – 1pm

And Finally...

Stevie the Wonderdog has had to step down and retire from being our school therapy dog. I'm sure those of you who had the privilege of meeting him will know that you couldn't ask for a calmer more positive presence. He genuinely had a smile and a wag of the tail for all who took the time to greet him. He has supported numerous pupils with anxiety and given them confidence to read out loud.

From all of us at Castle Hill:

High paw Stevie, you have been the BEST!