Castle Hill Castle Hill Blog 21/03/25
I am delighted to share with you that our school has achieved the Rainbow Flag Award. The assessors were very impressed with all the work we do to support and represent people who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. They were particularly impressed with the pastoral support we offer pupils as well as the breadth of the curriculum. A massive thank you to Ciara Nellis and Beckie Smith for collating all of the evidence and well done to everyone in our school community for working hard to ensure that our school is a welcoming environment for all!
Big Walk and Wheel
For the next 2 weeks from Monday 24th March-4th April, we have registered to take part in the national challenge!
Each morning in form time, pupils will need to be asked about their journey to school (walk, wheel, scooter, cycle) and this can be recorded on the following website:
For those pupils coming to school on transport, but wanting to participate, they can have a 10 minute 'active time' recorded as 'other' within the school day.
Why are we doing it?
It inspires pupils to make active journeys to school, improve air quality in their neighbourhood and discover how these changes benefit their world. On each day of the challenge, schools compete to see who can get the highest percentage of their pupils walking, using a wheelchair, scooting or cycling to school. Your school’s best five days will determine our final position.
Schools will be entered into a daily prize draw for rewards including equipment and accessories if over 15% of our pupils walk, use a wheelchair, scoot or cycle on that day of the challenge.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
9S have been studying the topic natural forms. They focused on fine motor skills to create beautiful macrame rainbow hanging art.
Sensory Circuits
Some of our children benefit from engaging in a short Sensory Circuit at the beginning of the school day in our sports hall.
A Sensory Circuit is a short plan of physical activities that enables children to achieve an optimal level of alertness. It lasts 10-15 minutes and consists of 3 sections: Alerting Activities, Organising Activities and Calming Activities.
For children with low arousal (appear tired/dazed) they will concentrate mainly on alerting activities and for children with high arousal (appear hyper/active/over- anxious), they will concentrate on calming activities.
Art for the Senses
Grace came to show me her incredible drawing of a delicious chinese meal. The attention to detail is quite startling and immediately made my mouth water and my stomach rumble....
Looking Ahead...Dates for the Diary:
|
Date |
Event |
|
W/c 24th March |
Year 11 Work Experience Week |
|
Tues 25th March (9.15-10.30am) |
HUB Parent Group |
|
Wed 26th March |
World Maths Day (various activities throughout the day) |
|
Fri 28th March (12.40-2.40pm) |
Easter Craft Parent/ Carer workshop |
|
Wed 2nd – Fri 4th April |
Year 7 Kingswood Residential |
|
Tues 8th April |
Year 9 Church Trip - morning |
|
Thurs 10th April |
Welly Walk – whole school (pm) |
|
Fri 11th April |
Break up for the Easter holidays – finish at 1pm |
|
Mon 28th April |
Back to school after the Easter holidays |
|
|
Year 11 RE trip to a Synagogue (AM) |
|
Tues 29th – Wed 30th April |
Year 9 Alton Towers Trip (half of year group) |
|
Thurs 1st May 5.30-7.30pm |
Parent Quiz night (more details to follow) |
|
Wed 14th – Thurs 15th May |
Year 9 Alton Towers Trip (half of year group) |
|
Fri 23rd May |
Break up for May half term holidays |
|
Mon 2nd June |
Back to school after the holidays |
And Finally...
The special school, Castlehill.
It sure is special to its students,
Oh, the students, they're all special and not just their needs.
They’re all special in their own unique ways.
Just like the school that they
Love so much.
James Barlow
