Castle Hill Blog 11/09/2026

Good afternoon everyone! What a buzzing week it has been here at Castle Hill. Our assemblies have swept us through themes of setting ambitious goals, how to earn rewards, the power of imagination, and the exciting pathway to becoming a member of the School Council. I’m genuinely thrilled to see who will step forward as our new representatives this year and the remarkable impact they will undoubtedly have on School life. On top of all of this we also had a VIP guest with us this morning...

From the NBA to Castle Hill

Today, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming the charismatic John Amaechi OBE—former professional NBA basketball player and renowned psychologist—to speak with our Key Stage 4 pupils and 5 students.

They had the fantastic opportunity to learn about John’s fascinating background, his career in America, and his current role as a psychologist. To say they were starstruck by his presence and incredible stories of his time in the NBA, would be an understatement!

What made the session truly special, however, was the maturity and respect shown when asking questions. The pupils and students asked a wonderfully diverse range of questions, covering everything from his favourite rock band and the celebrities he’s met, to his NBA earnings, social media following, and even his birth weight (an impressive 11 pounds!).

It was a brilliantly unique conversation that perfectly highlighted the curiosity and personality of our Castle Hill community. They did themselves and the school proud, leaving the staff incredibly inspired by their engagement.

Tremendous Treasure Work!

Mrs Dean’s Year 10 class has started a new Entry Level English topic on Treasure. This half term they will be delving deep into Pharaohs’ tombs, writing some swashbuckling adventure stories inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island and looking at real-life pirates such as Anne Bonny and Calico Jack.

This week, they explored the concept of treasure. For Mrs Dean, ‘treasure’ is the pair of patchwork jeans she had in the ‘90s, a sewing machine and her beloved Whippet, Wendy. The class considered what they would put in our own treasure chests and then used conjunctions to expand their ideas.

Jacob H: “I have chosen golf because it’s relaxing for me to play. It helps me be happy when I play a good shot. I have chosen my cat because I love her. She is so beautiful and nice to come back from school to see her.”

Lillie P: “My dog because I really can’t live without my dog Luna. She is like my little sister because she is so cute an adorable.”

Jake H: “I love my tortoise because I have had it for 10 years so practically my whole life.”

Ollie: “I have chosen Man United because it is my favourite football team. They are amazing, understanding and smart.”

Mrs Dean’s Challenge!

What would you put in your treasure chest?

If you see me around school, tell me what you would choose. Can you use the word ‘because’ when you tell me why?

If you do, I will put credits onto the system for you to spend at Castle Hill’s very own treasure chest – the Tuck Shop.

Awesome Art!

Marking an exciting start to the term, 7C dived into their first Art lesson alongside Mr Hampson by creating vibrant, personalised covers for their project folders. The classroom buzzed with individuality as every student drew a collection of their favorite things, translating their personal passions into distinct, eye-catching artwork.  

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Looking Ahead...Dates for the Diary:

And Finally...

If you're in need of a mood boost have a look at these joyful pupils who have been exploring roles that keep our neighbourhoods safe and healthy. Through a hands on Medical Sensory Bin activity, learners explored the real world tools used by doctors, nurses, and emergency first responders .

Have a great weekend!