Castle Hill Blog 20/03/26

A blast of spring has reenergised the whole Castle Hill community, with daffodils bowing their heads to the glorious sunshine and the pupils enjoying our fantastic outdoor spaces. It is an essential reminder of how important it is to appreciate and take care of the natural world.

Year 9 pupils were delighted to welcome Caitlin from Plastic Shed, a Stockport social enterprise redefining what it means to recycle. Caitlin shared her personal journey—including the challenges and strengths that come with ADHD—and how her creativity led her into community-focused environmental work. She introduced pupils to Plastic Shed’s mission of transforming everyday waste, like bottle lids and vinyl banners, into vibrant public art and useful products, all while tackling environmental inequality. Through stories of record‑breaking recycled murals and hands‑on community projects, pupils saw how sustainability, careers in the creative sector, and local wellbeing can come together. The session was an inspiring reminder that real change happens when communities collaborate, think creatively, and turn simple ideas into something meaningful.

Year 11 Residential Recount Writing

This week, Mrs Dean’s English class have been exploring how to write recounts. Look at these marvellous insights into their London residential experiences!

Day 1

Today was the day that I and the other year 11s go to London. It’s was going to be my first time I was so excited. We all met at the Stockport train station at 9:15 me and my dad were a bit early so we had to wait in the McDonalds. We sat there bored out of our minds, Dad gave me his phone because he knew I was gone be board on the train. We hugged and said our goodbyes. I wasn’t going to see him for 3 days. I sat on the train on a seat close to the window of course until a woman came up to me and said “sorry but I’ve got a seat reserved here” I understood and left without any problems. We arrived at London we were all quite tired from the train ride here we got on the tubes to the hotel and walked there. We were given our room cards and sent up there to put our cases in the rooms and chill for a half an hour to rest we were told to put our shoes back on and get to the front of the hotel for a group count.

 

We all went to Frank and Benny’s, the food was great. I had burgers, mac and cheese with drinks on the side Coke, Sprite, and Fanta. We were all stuffed after that. After we ate the food, we did some souvenir shopping. I got 4 magnets for my mum. After we shopped we went to see ‘Back to the Future the Musical’, it was absolutely amazing! It was loud, colourful, and the effects were out of this world. There was real smoke, real fire and actual sparks. The sounds were so loud it went right through us. I was shocked by all the effects and detail they put into this musical. Then we all went back to the hotel and brushed our teeth and showered then we went to sleep. 

Daley 

Day 2

I woke up for my first proper day in London. I was really excited to go and do the activities we were doing. After 5 minutes, I went for a shower. Then, after my boiling shower, I went down to breakfast at 8am. I had a golden hash brown, some white bread, 3 hot chocolates and then 2 glasses of nice cold milk. After that I felt energised.

James

Eventually we got to the London Eye, but before we could get on it there was a queue. We finally went on the eye. After that we went to the London Dungeons. We had to walk around the dungeons and go into rooms where there were people that were telling us scary stories. Without warning, the light would go off.

Harley

Day 3

The last day everyone was a bit happy but a bit sad because we were all leaving. The first thing we did was start packing. We tidied the room and packed out suitcases. I couldn’t finish because we then went to get breakfast. The breakfast was amazing. I will definitely miss it. I got back to the room and finished backed packing. At 9.30am we left the hotel. The hotel was amazing. I am going to miss it. We walked back to the Tube. Then we went down the escalators. I used to be afraid of but now, because of this trip, I am happy to go on them. I was feeling a bit sad because I will miss London, but happy to get home. We got back to Stockport and I said goodbye to my friends.

Ozarie

All aboard!

Hazel Grove Model Railway Society kindly shared ‘Hazel Road’ their model railway with some of our transport enthusiasts. Phil showed the pupils how to control the trains and discussed how this particular station was made. 

Looking Ahead...Dates for the Diary:

Date	Event
Mon 23rd – Fri 27th Mar	Year 11 Work Experience Week
Thurs 26th Mar	Parent Forum (9.30-11am)
Fri 27th Mar	Finish for the Easter Holidays (finish at 1pm)
Mon 13th April	Pupils return to school
Thurs 16th April	Whole School Welly Walk (PM)
22nd – 23rd April	Group 1 Year 9 Residential – Alton Towers
28th – 29th April	Group 2 Year 9 Residential – Alton Towers
Mon 4th May	Bank Holiday Monday
Mon 14th May	Parents Forum (9.30-11am)
20th – 22nd May	6th Form Duke of Edinburgh Expedition
Thurs 21st May	Happy’s Circus (4.30-8pm)
Fri 22nd May	Break up for the May holidays
28th – 29th May	Year 11 Duke of Edinburgh Expedition
Fri 12th June	Year 11 Leavers’ Assembly (9-10.30am) Year 11 Leavers’ Day
Wed 17th June	Year 13 and Pre-internship Leavers’ Day
Thurs 25th June	Parent Forum (9.30-11am)
	Year 11 Prom – Stockport County (5.30-9pm)
Fri 26th June	INSET (No pupils in)
Tues 7th July	Whole School Move Up Morning (meet new Form Tutors)
Fri 17th July	Break up for the Summer Holidays (finish at 1pm)

And Finally...

10AK have been learning about Nowruz, it’s the Persian New Year and they have all made a card for someone important to use to say ‘Happy Nowruz.’ Nowruz marks the first day of spring and celebrates new beginnings, renewal, and hope in many cultures across the Middle East and Central Asia.

And for those of you who are celebrating...

Have a great weekend!