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Head of School’s Blog – 28 March 2024

Head of School’s Blog – 28 March 2024

Welcome to the final blog for this term. 

We are aware that some fake Tik Tok accounts have been set up. We do our best to investigate these and report them to Tik Tok to be blocked. However, I would like your support with this, so ask that if you come across such an account, can you please also report them so we can shut these down as quickly as possible.

This week I have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in our celebration assemblies and giving out Headteacher Awards, Tutor Awards, ASPIRE Awards and 100 Attendance certificates.  Congratulations to all of the students who received certificates.  Your hard work has paid off.

We held a mufti day today in aid of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.  Thank you to all the students and staff that took part.  So far we have raised a fantastic £391 and the money is still coming in.

Please remind students in Year 11 of the revision sessions that are taking place over the Easter holidays and encourage them to take part.  Also, to revise for their exams whilst still enjoying their break and taking time to relax. Hard work pays off – stick to your revision timetable and remember to take time out to relax as well.

Congratulations to our highest achievement point winners from last week – Maxi – Year 7, Hannah Year 8, Mia and Madison Year 9, Brooke Year 10 and Darcy Year 11.

I look forward to seeing students returning to school in full uniform and ready to learn on Monday 15 April.

Have a lovely Easter break.

Miss Begley

Head of School – Carisbrooke College

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Head of School’s Blog – 22 March 2024

Head of School’s Blog – 22 March 2024

Welcome to the blog for this week.

I will start by saying how proud I am of the six year 8 students who attended the Faraday Challenge at Christ the King College this week.  The challenge was to create a new device or system to improve road safety.  Inspired by island roads, the team came up with a very impressive idea of a device that alerts cars on blind corners that an on-coming car is coming. They impressed the judges with their prototype, organisational skills and confident presentation.  They won! By beating teams from Island Free School, Ryde School, Priory and two teams from Christ the King, and have a chance at attending the grand finals at Silverstone this summer.  Congratulations to the team and huge thanks to Mr Roux for organising and taking them. 

The Student Council voted last week for a colour themed mufti day on Thursday 28 March. The colours are as follows: Year 11 – Black, Year 10 – Blue, Year 9 – Green, Year 8 – tones of Grey/Brown/Beige and Year 7 – colours of the rainbow. It is £1 and payment can be made via Arbor (school shop) or cash on the day, whichever is preferred. The money raised will go to The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

Last week we had our monitoring visit by the Hampshire Inspection Advisory Service. Lessons and social times were observed and students and staff invited to discussions. They observed positive behaviour for learning, felt the school was calm and that students were well behaved, polite and able to communicate confidently. We will get a written report in due course.

Parents/carers of Year 10 are now able to book appointments for the face to face Parents’ Evening on Wednesday 17 April using the Arbor App. This is an excellent opportunity to discuss your child’s progress in school and raise any concerns that you may have. If you have any problems with booking appointments, please contact donna.keogh@iwef.org.uk.

As a school, we celebrate the achievements of students in and outside of school. I am delighted to share the success of one of our year 9 students. Summer competed in her first archery competition last weekend, competing in three competitions against juniors from the island and the mainland. She won all three of her competitions achieving personal bests and has achieved a Hampshire County record. She went on to receive the tournament championship trophy over the whole competition which included the adults as well as the juniors. Well done Summer, you should be so proud of yourself, as are your parents and the Carisbrooke community.

Can I please remind parents/carers of the importance of using the Arbor App. This is how we communicate with you and where you can see a breakdown down of your child’s time in school including attendance, behaviour and achievement points, detentions, timetables etc. It is also where you book parents’ evening appointments. If you have not already downloaded the app, please contact donna.keogh@iwef.org.uk for login details.

Congratulations to our top achievement winners from last week. Year 7 joint winners – Evie, Lexi and Shayna, Year 8 – Riley, Year 9 joint winners – Logan and Zach, Year 10 – Deacon and Year 11 – Harriet. Well done to you all.

Finally, information regarding revision sessions that are taking place during the Easter break for Year 11 has been emailed to parents this afternoon and can be found here. Please do encourage students to access this valuable additional support. 

Have a lovely weekend.

Miss Begley

Head of School – Carisbrooke College

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Head of School’s Blog – 15 March 2024

Head of School’s Blog – 15 March 2024

Welcome to the blog for this week.

Year 11 has seven weeks until their first written exam. Information will be coming out next week about revision opportunities available over the Easter holidays. They need to make sure that they use their time wisely – the hard work they put in now will be reflected in their final grades.

On Tuesday we had 81 year 10 students on a trip to see a performance of Macbeth in Southsea. The students were a credit to Carisbrooke College and I’d like to thank them and the staff involved – an excellent opportunity for the year 10s to see a play they are studying for their English GCSE. The students’ feedback about the performance was excellent.

Thank you to the year 9 students for submitting their options forms for year 10. During the process the students have been extremely mature and have asked lots of questions to assist them in their decision making. If you have forgotten to hand it in, please do so by Monday 18 March.

Attendance has dropped the last couple of weeks, especially in year 8. Lower attendance clearly has an effect upon the academic progress of students. Studies show that a student with 92% attendance or lower will, on average, achieve GCSE results that are one grade lower than their peers. In addition to this, absence from school can cause pastoral issues such as feeling lonely or isolated at school. If you have concerns about your child’s school attendance or punctuality please contact the school, through your child’s tutor in the first instance. I would like to thank you for your support in this matter and making sure your child is attending school regularly and are therefore benefiting fully from their educational opportunity.

Congratulations to our highest achievement point winners for last week, Riley year 7, Summer and Jack year 8, Maddie year 9, Archie year 10 and Hollie year 11. Well done to you all.

Have a lovely weekend.

Miss Begley

Head of School – Carisbrooke College

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Head of School’s Blog – 8 March 2024

Head of School’s Blog – 8 March 2024

Welcome to the blog for this week. It does not seem possible we are halfway through this half term. Year 11s have eight weeks before the exam season starts, including the Easter break. The first exams in the week beginning 6 May are in fashion and health and social studies. The first big whole year group exam is biology on 10 May. The year 11 students need to make the most of the time they have left and a timetable of revision sessions during the Easter break will be sent home shortly.

This week the year 11 students who study Food and Nutrition at GCSE have been doing their practical exam. The standard of cooking and presentation has been phenomenal. I have had the privilege of tasting their hard work! I have been treated to various lasagnes, pies, chicken kievs, paella, curries, wraps, kebabs, and pasta dishes. All students made their own pasta and fresh bread with some making pesto and chutneys. Those who made desserts produced bread and butter puddings, profiteroles (with various flavours of cream inside), rhubarb and apple pies and even some patisserie standard macarons. Their homemade jams and custards were very tasty. I am so proud of them all. Huge thank you to all the staff that have supported them. Thank you to all the parents that have supported the ingredients and tested various versions of their final menus. In my opinion there are a number of them who could become Mitchelin Star rated chefs of the future!

Last weekend a group of students attended a trip to the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton for a performance of Blood Brothers.  The students were a credit to Carisbrooke College and I’d like to thank them and the staff involved for taking time out of their weekend to attend an educational trip.

Year 7 had their core subject trial exams on Tuesday and this gave them a taster of what to expect during year 11 when they have their final GCSE exams.  Whilst it is a few years away yet, it sets the scene and shows them what is expected of them and is good practice for the coming years. The students were amazing and took it all in their stride.

It was lovely to see so many year 9 students and parents at the Pathways Evening on Thursday. Thank you to all the parents and students that attended and the staff who made it such an informative event. The deadline for the pathways form is next Friday 15 March.

We are looking to hold a Parent Voice meeting on Thursday 21 March. This is open to all parents/carers and is an opportunity for you to ask questions and/or raise any concerns that you may have regarding Carisbrooke College. Please email donna.keogh@iwef.org.uk to confirm your attendance.

Next Tuesday we have 81 year 10 students on a trip to see a performance of Macbeth in Southsea and a mop up session for year 9 students for the Teen Booster.  Another busy week here in school.

Miss Begley

Head of School – Carisbrooke College

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Head of School’s Blog – 1 March 2024

Head of School’s Blog – 1 March 2024

Welcome to the blog for this week.

As part of the support we have for Carisbrooke following our Ofsted, faculty leads are working with leads in HISP, looking at how formative and summative assessment is used to check pupils’ understanding – an area for development in our Ofsted report. 

Year 10 had the start of their trial exams this week.  These exams are an excellent opportunity for the students to experience working in exam conditions and how the exam papers look. The students were well behaved and respectful of each other and I hope they continue this behaviour into next week.

On Thursday 7 March, we have the Pathways Evening for parents and students in year 9.  This is an opportunity for parents and students to speak to individual subject teachers about the lessons on offer to study in KS4.  Please try to attend this event as there will be valuable information shared to help your child make their final decision for their subject choices. 

Next week, our year 11 students have their Food Technology practical exams.  I have the pleasure of being one of the official ‘tasters’ and look forward to savouring the delights from their menus.  Good luck to them all!

We will be celebrating World Book Day on Thursday 7 March – lots of exciting things will be available for students to get involved in. Information will be shared with the students on Monday.

Congratulations to our top achievement point winners this week.  Year 7 – Evie, Summer, Tulisa, Year 8 – Jackson, Year 9 Liam, Year 10 – Xanda and Year 11 Bethany and Mia.

Have a lovely weekend.

Miss Begley

Head of School – Carisbrooke College

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Head of School’s Blog – 23 February 2024

Head of School’s Blog – 23 February 2024

Welcome to the first blog for this half term.

This week I have enjoyed delivering assemblies linked to our Aprire and Achieve strap line and the word ASPIRE which focuses on our core values. The main theme this time was on inspiration. Other key messages were around our expectations in terms of attendance and attitude to learning.We held our Year 9 Parents’ Evening on Wednesday and it was a great success!  Thank you to those parents who

came along.  If you were unable to attend but would like an update from your child’s teachers, please email the school for this to be arranged. 

There will be a Pathways Evening for Year 9 students, parents and carers on Thursday 7 March, please add this to your calendar.

Year 11 had their core subject trial exams Thursday and Friday this week.  These exams are an excellent opportunity for the students to experience working in exam conditions and how the exam papers look.  They were all extremely well behaved and respectful of each other.

Next Wednesday we have the School Immunisation Team coming in to administer the Teen Booser vaccinations to those students whose parents/carers have given consent.  If you haven’t completed the consent form, you will have been sent an email with the details.  If you require any assistance with this, please contact the school.

As You will have seen on our social media platforms and further in this blog, we are already looking to arrange our end of year reward trips: Year 7 – Friday 28 June – Splashdown in Poole, Year 8 – Wednesday 26 June – Paultons Park, Year 9/10 – Thursday 27 June – Thorpe Park. These are offered to the top 45 students in their year group with regards to the following:

  • Highest Achievement Points
  • No or few Behaviour Points
  • Good attendance (above 95% for the year unless appropriate evidence has been provided)
  • Overall, behaviour and attitude will also be taken into consideration.

Please do speak with your child about their achievements, attitude and attendance and stress to them that they have until the end of this term to gain as many positive achievement points as possible and to improve their attendance if needed. 

Congratulations to our top achievement point winners this week.  Year 7 – Riley, Year 8 – Jackson, Year 9 Taylan, Year 10 – Solomon and Year 11 Eleanor.

Have a lovely weekend.

Miss Begley

Head of School – Carisbrooke College

Reward Trips 2024


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Head of School’s Blog – 9 February 2024

Head of School’s Blog – 9 February 2024

Welcome to the final newsletter for this half term.

Firstly, I would like to congratulate all the students involved in the Dance Live! competition. They have been rehearsing regularly and have worked so hard. I was a very proud Head on Wednesday evening at the Guildhall in Portsmouth, watching them perform. Thank you also to the staff involved who have given up so much of their own time. You were all an absolute credit to Carisbrooke College! We didn’t get placed but won the Technical award (for lighting, LED content and backstage efforts) and Soundtrack award, which is the next best thing.

I have thoroughly enjoyed attending our Celebration assemblies this week. Students were rewarded for their behaviour, engagement, progress, attitude and attendance throughout this half term with ASPIRE Awards (achievement points). It was a pleasure to read, sign and give out so many Headteacher Awards. A number of students received certificates for 100% attendance. Congratulations to all of the students who received a reward – keep up the good work!

Attendance is still an issue at the moment. We understand that students get ill and need to take time off school occasionally but it is really important that they return as soon as they are well enough and catch up with any work missed. This week letters were posted out to the parents/carers of those students whose attendance is below 95% so far this academic year. Please support the school in encouraging your child to attend school every day.

Expression of interest forms went out to our year 9 students last Friday and they have taken the first step to choosing which subjects they would like to study in Key Stage 4. Thank you to parents for supporting students with this. Year 9 Parents’ Evening is Wednesday 21 February. If you haven’t already booked your appointments, please do so using the Arbor App. This is an excellent opportunity to discuss your child’s progress with their individual teachers and any concerns around the Pathways process. The Pathways Evening for both parents/carers and students will take place in March and further details will be sent out after half term.

Congratulations to our top achievement point winners for last week. Year 7 Mario, Year 8 Olive, Year 9 Kyle, Year 10 Khalisha and Year 11 Luca.

Have a lovely half term break and we look forward to students returning to school on Monday 19 February at 8.45 am in full uniform and ready to learn.

Miss Begley

Head of School – Carisbrooke College

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Head of School’s Blog – 1 February 2024

Head of School’s Blog – 1 February 2024

Welcome to this week’s newsletter. February already! It does not seem possible that we have just one more week of the half term left!

Year 9 had the last of their option assemblies on Wednesday. They will have received an expression of interest form that needs to be filled in by Monday morning. There will be a Pathways Evening on Thursday 7 March. The year 9 Parents’ Evening is the first week back after half term – Wednesday 21 February. Please use the Arbor App to book your appointments. This is a great opportunity to discuss your child’s progress in school with their individual teachers. If you have any problems booking the appointments, please contact donna.keogh@iwef.org.uk.

The year 9 students also had an assembly on Thursday led by the School Immunisation Team who spoke to them about the Teen Booster coming up. If you would like your child to have the immunisation but haven’t yet completed the consent form that was sent out, please do so as soon as possible. If you have any problems, please contact the school.

Next Wednesday we have the Dance Live! competition at Portsmouth. I am really looking forward to watching their performance. The students have been working very hard in rehearsals for this and we wish them all the best for the evening.

Congratulations to our top achievement point winners for last week. Year 7 Riley, Year 8 Tobi, Year 9 Lucas and Daisy, Year 10 Cameron and Year 11 Bethany.

Don’t forget that tomorrow is a development day so students are not expected into school. We break up for the half term on Friday 9 February at 3.15 pm and return to school Monday 19 February at 8.45 am.

Have a lovely weekend.

Miss Begley
Head of School – Carisbrooke College

School Transport Policies Consultation

The Isle of Wight Council is seeking residents and stakeholders view on proposed changes to the School Transport Policy (previously called the ‘Home to School Transport Policy). The School Transport Policy sets out the legal responsibilities that the Council has in order to provide assistance with transport to school or another education setting for children and young people living in the local authority area.

The Council is required by law to consult on any changes to its School Transport Policy. In addition, the council is consulting in relation to post 16 travel arrangements  Although there is no automatic entitlement to local authority funded school or college transport once a student is over the age of 16, Isle of Wight Council makes discretionary funding available in certain circumstances. If approved, changes to the policy will be applied to new applications from September 2024.

The consultation is open now and will close at 11.59 pm on Wednesday 13 March 2024.

Before giving your views via the online response form we ask that you read the Consultation Information Packs, both of which can be accessed via the consultation webpage www.iow.gov.uk/consultations. If you require a paper copy of the consultation pack or response form please email, transport.info@iow.gov.uk.

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Head of School’s Blog – 26 January 2024

Head of School’s Blog – 26 January 2024

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

It was lovely to welcome parents to our “Help your Child Revise” evening on Thursday. Many thanks to Miss Jones and Mrs Clarke for their time in supporting our year 11. This was an opportunity for parents/carers of year 11 students to see how they can help and support their child with the revision leading up to their exams in the summer. If you couldn’t attend, all of the resources that we shared are on our website here.

We had a group from the Army in to deliver an Insight Presentation to our year 10 students this week. The afternoon was a great success and even included live music! This gave a lot of food for thought to a number of students with regards to a career in the army.

Congratulations to our year 10’s (Leo, Deacon, Gabe, Amelia, Isaac and Chloe) who took part in the Resilience Challenge run by EDWise, where Island schools and colleges had to respond to an emergency situation and put relief plans in place. They all demonstrated great career capital skills of: public speaking, teamwork, creative thinking, leadership and creative problem solving.

Please can I remind you to support your child by encouraging them to complete their homework. Maths homework is set weekly on sparks for all year groups. For English all students in years 7, 8 and 9 should now be completing their weekly Bedrock homework. Years 10 and 11 should be doing the daily Tassomai challenges in the core subjects as well as their subject provided homework on google classroom.

I have mentioned attendance in previous newsletters. Attendance figures for a number of students this week have been well below our expectations. We will be reviewing individual students’ attendance at the end of this term. I appreciate there are coughs and colds as it is January, but it is really important that students are in school. Attendance in school is crucial as absence disrupts the education of the individual student. Lower attendance clearly has an effect upon the academic progress of students. Studies show that a student with 92% attendance or lower will on average achieve GCSE results that are one grade lower than their peers. In addition to this, absence from school can cause pastoral issues such as feeling lonely or isolated at school.

On Tuesday, we had the second of our Pathways Assemblies for year 9 students covering the Creative subjects. Thank you to Mr Wiseman, Mrs Wesby and Mr Lyle for presenting their courses.

A reminder that next Friday, 2 February is a staff training day and so students will not be in school.

Congratulations to our top achievement point winners for last week. Year 7 Stanley and Shayna,  Year 8 Ryan, Year 9 Alice and Brooke-Lynn, Year 10 Sid and Year 11 Hollie.

Have a lovely weekend.

Miss Begley

Head of School – Carisbrooke College 

Measles

There has been a rise in cases of measles in London and the West Midlands recently. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has now declared a national incident in order to focus actions to limit the spread. To support this, the Department for Education has published What to do if you think your child has measles and when to keep them off school. Please take a look at this link. Measles can spread very easily and for some people can cause extremely serious problems, so it is important to be aware of the symptoms. 

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Head of School’s Blog – 19 January 2024

Head of School’s Blog – 19 January 2024

Welcome to the third newsletter for this term. It does not seem possible that we are halfway through this half term!

Year 9 students had their first Pathways assembly this week. It is time for them to start thinking about what subjects they would like to study at GCSE level in KS4. A Pathways Evening will take place after half term for parents to join their child in school and speak to the teachers of each subject available.

Thank you to those parents/carers who attended the Parent Voice meeting yesterday. Your opinions and comments are always welcome and valued.

Next week we have our Help Your Child to Revise Evening in school on Thursday 25 January at 4.30 pm. This is an opportunity for parents/carers of Year 11 students to see how they can help and support their child with their revision leading up to their exams in the summer. We will share with you links to useful resources and share tips to assist your child at a very important, and sometimes stressful time in their school life. There are also extra revision sessions taking place at lunchtimes and afterschool. Please see the list here.

A reminder that Friday 2 February is a staff training day and so students will not be in school.

Congratulations to our top achievement point winners for last week. Year 7 Shayna, Year 8 Daisy, Year 9 Mia, Year 10 Molly-Nora and Year 11 joint winners Charlotte and Bethany.

Have a lovely weekend.

Miss Begley

Head of School – Carisbrooke College 

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