Thank you for your support and understanding during the first two weeks, where our newsletter needed to reflect the period of National Mourning.

I can’t believe that we are already three weeks into the new term. We have had a very positive start to the academic year and students have returned with a positive attitude. I have been very impressed with the engagement in learning that I have seen whilst walking around and popping into lessons. Our new year 7 cohort have started well and are already getting involved in Carisbrooke life.

I had the pleasure of leading the year groups’ first assemblies where I revisited our expectations – students need to be on time, in full uniform and ready to engage in their learning. As you know, our core values are built around ASPIRE which are Ambition, Success, Progress, Inspirations, Respect and Equality. Students have been putting together their individual tutor charters and creating a display about what Aspire and Achieve means to them and to us as a college.

Rehearsals are well underway for a number of events that are coming up: Dance Live! and our IWEF Christmas performance. It has been great to see so many students take up these opportunities. You can read more about this further in the newsletter.

A timetable is being put together of all our extra-curricular activities and will be available for all to see via our social media and website. If you do not already follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, please do, as there are regular updates and good news stories shared on these platforms. Information will also be shared about Google Classroom and our parent portal over the coming weeks.

Next week we have the pleasure of opening our doors to the year 6 students and parents/carers at our Open Evening. I know a large number of our students are going to be around that night working with departments and acting as guides. They are our best ambassadors as they can share their experiences of life at Carisbrooke.

Next week on Wednesday we will have a photographer in school taking individual photos of students. These will be available for parents/carers to purchase and further details will follow.

Have a lovely weekend.

Message from Mr Parr-Burman, Executive Headteacher

We would like to start this week by thanking the students and school communities for the respect that they have shown over the past week. We have had Books of Condolence on each of the Federation sites which students and staff have been able to add messages to. Some of the messages have been clearly thought about. 

As communicated this week, we will be observing the National Holiday on Monday for the State Funeral, so as this is considered a Bank Holiday, work will not be set for the students. We will be open as usual on Tuesday 20 September. 

We do have upcoming Open Evenings as Year 6 and Year 11 parents look to the next academic year. These evenings are:
Tuesday 20 September 5.00 pm – 8.00 pm – Medina College
Tuesday 27 September 5.00 pm – 8.00 pm – Carisbrooke College
Thursday 3 November 5.00 pm – 8.00 pm – The Island VI Form

We will be returning to our usual newsletters next week, but for this week, we will continue to show our respect to The Royal Family by keeping our update short. 

9 September 2022

Message from Mr Parr-Burman, Executive Headteacher

We start this term with a very different first message.

Following the extremely sad news yesterday evening from Buckingham Palace that Queen Elizabeth II has died, we have now entered a period of national mourning that will continue until the end of the State Funeral. 

It is especially important during this time that we do not speculate about timelines, events and closures. We will, as we have always done, follow officially shared Government guidance and information. Please be assured that as soon as we are able to update you with information, we will. The initial guidance from the Department for Education issued yesterday evening was that schools should remain open.

This is a momentous time for our nation, and in fact many nations around the world. It is very unlikely that a reign of 70 years will happen for many many generations to come. The Royal Family website is being updated with articles and a Book of Condolence if people feel they would like to contribute. This can be found here: www.royal.uk.

We are not going to add lots of other details to the letter this week as it is important that we show the respect that The Queen deserves.

Further school updates and information will be shared directly and via our social media accounts over the coming days.