This year we supported World Book Day on Friday 3 March by reading a five part story at the beginning of each lesson throughout the day.  The chosen text was a short story from the book ‘Being an Ally’, a recommended text for our readers. Students found the story engaging, thought provoking and it led to further conversations between students and with teachers. The book can be purchased with a World Book Day book token from most book stores.

Student reflections

Clyde – I think that it is a good moral to stand up to racism by helping others who need it and by becoming an ally. When they start their own website I think it is inspirational because it shows that by sharing stories we can speak out and not be afraid. It shows us how people can feel when they are belittled and how by helping each other we make each other feel better and supported. 

Erin – It was a good story, it teaches you about not just sitting there, but instead using your voice to speak up for others. It teaches us that racism still exists and it can be subtle but it hasn’t disappeared. 

D – I thought it was interesting to read about something that happens in real life. it wouldn’t be something that I would normally read, as it is not the same genre. You may not hear much about racism, but it is clear that it still exists, and it changes the way I have thought.

Leo – I thought it was very interesting and it is a real life situation that could happen at any time and this makes it relatable. 

Oliver – I thought it was a good short story and it shows that a few words can make a big difference to a situation. 

Deacon – I agree with the message that racism is harmful but the story was a bit short.  We hear about racism regularly but there seems to be no better ending to the story ever. 

Stefan – It was a good book, and it teaches about things that I  know happen but I haven’t experienced.  It gave me a new insight on a really important issue. 

Harry – Showed me things I might not have noticed before about the way I speak to others. 

Chloe – It is a good thing to talk about and I can relate to it. It makes me feel less alone. 

On Wednesday 1 March, 60 students from Carisbrooke College, Medina College and The Island VI Form went to see a production of ‘Freshwater Five’ at the Quay Arts in Newport.

The play told the story of five fishermen from The Isle of Wight who were convicted of drug smuggling in 2011. The five men in question have always pleaded their innocence in the face of contradictory evidence. 

It was an excellent piece of storytelling, highly creative and very well acted. It should provide our students with lots of ideas about how to create and develop their own productions in the future.

During the last half term Year 7 focused on Kindness. We launched Kindness Bingo, where the students had to complete a range of activities which showed kindness to others. The winners of this activity were then invited to have breakfast with Mrs Lythgoe and Miss Bracegirdle. 

The students were treated to pancakes, croissants, pan au chocolate, fresh fruits and fresh fruit juices. The students were able to enjoy this treat and share their stories of how they have been kind to others and how this made them feel. 

Our focus for the half term ahead, will of course be to carry on being kind to others, but also how we prepare ourselves to have the correct focus and approach to learning within the classroom. 

Well done Year 7!

On Tuesday 7 February students from Carisbrooke College took part in an U13’s Cricket Festival at Medina College.  This was the first time the students had played competitive cricket in this format, however, what took place over the course of three hours was quite frankly remarkable. 

From start to finish, all 10 girls performed to an amazing level and competed in all disciplines of cricket; batting, bowling and fielding and did so as a solid unit. In the first game against local rivals, Medina set Carisbrooke a target of 82 to win after some excellent bowling from the whole team.  Tali J, Rosie B, Daisy R, Evie R, and Cerese B all bowled consistently straight and at a good length, with Madison W stopping every ball from reaching the wall and giving runs away. The Year 8 students were great role models for the younger students. With Summer C and Jasmine D completing the roster for the first game and showing no signs of weakness, Carisbrooke really did look as though they could compete on all ends. 

In reply to Medina, Carisbrooke started well with Captain Tali leading from the front and who eventually went on to score 20 before having to retire.  Rosie complemented this effort with 12 of her own and as the team continued to perform well, it went down to the last ball of the game for Carisbrooke to go away with their first win.

Tali continued to captain the team well and quickly found that the team liked to follow in the current England team footsteps by batting second with a clear target to aim for. This could not have been a better decision as the next game against The Bay went down to the penultimate ball with Carisbrooke needing 81 to win.  What was so nice about this game was that whilst the older students put in another great performance, it was the younger students who brought the team home to eventually take the win with 85 runs.  It was once again nice to see how the team supported each other to change positions in the field and adapt tactics throughout. Daisy W, in her first game, took two well timed wickets to slow The Bay run rate and Miley H in her first appearance bowled superbly and supported the run chase.

In the third game Carisbrooke held the Priory to 59 and managed to score 95 runs in reply which meant they would only need to win their final game to take the championship. In the final game against Ryde Academy, Carisbrooke put together an amazing display in the field to hold them to 64 all out, which was the second game in a row that Carisbrooke had managed to bowl their opponents out.  In return Carisbrooke steadily built a good run chase but lost some key wickets at crucial times.  However, the girls on the side did not stop cheering on their batters and pushed them on to eventually take the win, thanks to some outstanding batting by Daisy R in the last over.  

The girls were an absolute pleasure throughout the tournament and did Carisbrooke proud.  Some individual highlights include:
Tali J – great captain, inspirational in the field, bowling and leading out the attack when batting. Player of the tournament as selected by the other players.
Daisy R – consistent throughout including bringing the team home in the final game to take the trophy.
Evie R – calm and reassuring throughout with some big hits to the boundary and taking wickets at key times.
Daisy W – massive hits with the bat and outright speed when bowling which was almost impossible to hit.
Rosie B – excellent catching, consistent bowling and high run scoring in all the games.  Vice captain throughout which really supported others.
Madison W – Best wicket keeper in the tournament and the difference between winning by 1 or losing by 1.  Simply outstanding behind the wickets.
Cerese B – hitting the most 4s and 6s in the tournament and always willing to help others including other teams.
Summer C – scored the vital runs in the second game to bring the team home and went throughout the tournament without making a mistake. 
Miley H – Enthusiasm to stop everything in the field and running between the wickets and putting the pressure on the opponents fielders.
Jasmine D – showed no fear in taking on some of the fastest bowlers in the tournament and taking some wickets at the key moments in the game.