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 

Welcome to the second newsletter for this term.

It was lovely to have so many year 11 parents attend their first face to face Parents’ Evening on Wednesday night. This is a critical time for Year 11 and we want to make sure that they are getting all the help and support they need. We have our Helping your Child to Revise Parent Information Evening coming up 25 January at 4.30 pm. This will show you how you can support your child in preparing for their GCSE exams.

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

Attendance remains a key focus for us. Good attendance helps children to make good progress in school and fulfil their potential in life. Miss school, miss out – Every day counts – Going to school regularly and being part of the school community gives children and young people a sense of belonging and means that they benefit not only from lessons and learning, but also can see friends and teachers, ask for help, join clubs, go on school trips, have a clear routine and can get mental health support.

Whole school attendance for this year is currently 92% which is well below where we should be – our minimum target is 95%. Year 8 attendance is a concern as they have the lowest attendance as a cohort.

The next Parent Voice meeting will take place next Thursday 18 January. We will meet in the Drama studio at 6.00 pm. All parents and carers are invited to attend.

For your information, Friday 2 February is a staff training day and so students will not be in school.

Congratulations to our top achievement point winners for the last week of the Autumn term. Year 7 Sofia, Year 8 Warrick, Year 9 Alice, Year 10 Keira and Year 11 Alfie.

Have a lovely weekend.

Miss Begley

Head of School – Carisbrooke College 

Welcome to our first newsletter for the Spring term.

I want to start by wishing you all a Happy New Year and I hope you had a relaxing break. I would like to thank you for your continued support in encouraging your child to be on time for school, in smart school uniform and with equipment ready to learn. These basic expectations enable everyone to have a positive experience in school. It has been lovely welcoming students back this week.

I have enjoyed delivering assemblies to year 8, 9 and 10. Linked to our Aprire and Achieve strap line and the word ASPIRE which focuses on our core values, the themes this time were on Ambition and Success. Other key messages were around our expectations in terms of attendance and attitude to learning. I will be delivering it to year 7 next week.

Year 9 students will soon be looking to choose their non compulsory GCSE subjects for Year 10. You will soon be receiving information on the Keystage Pathways process. It kicks off with them attending assemblies starting 15 January detailing some of the subjects that will be available that have not been taught at Key Stage 3.

Next Wednesday we have our year 11 parents’ evening in school. Appointments can be booked using the Arbor app. If you have any difficulties in doing so, please contact donna.keogh@iwef.org.uk. This is an excellent opportunity to discuss your child’s progress in class, the recent mock exams and the upcoming GCSE exams in the summer.

The next Parent Voice meeting will take place 18 January. Further details will follow next week.

Congratulations to our top achievement point winners for the last week of the Autumn term. Year 7 joint winners Chloe and Ted; Year 8 joint winners Amelia, Lily and Matthew; Year 9 joint winners Eddie, Tali and Chloe; Year 10 Solomon and Year 11 Emma.

Have a lovely weekend. 

Miss Begley

Head of School – Carisbrooke College 

It has been a very busy final week. I have thoroughly enjoyed attending the end of year celebration assemblies. It is fantastic to be able to present the headteacher awards. On Monday we were able to let year 7 and 8 see this year’s school pantomime “Snow White” and on Wednesday the whole school was treated to our staff panto. Feedback is that the students very much enjoyed it.

I was super proud of Year 11 yesterday when they received their trial exam grades. They took it seriously and their behaviour was exemplary. They need to think about a revision programme leading up to their exams. Over the Christmas break it would be good to have a go at a few Tassomai challenges.

A group of year 7’s visited ‘Old Charlton House’ yesterday afternoon to sing some carols and deliver homemade cards and biscuits. They were a credit to Carisbrooke and the residents were appreciative of their kindness and company.

Feedback on the behaviour of year 8 and 9 students from both Carisbrooke College and Medina College who went on the trip to Ypres last week has been nothing but positive. The trip was a great success and the students were just brilliant!  It was a very busy two days for the students and the staff involved, thank you to all.

We had our delicious Christmas lunch on Wednesday from Chartwells – thank you to the catering team for all of their hard work.  Myself, Miss Bracegirdle and Miss Smith helped serve many many meals and students were full of praise for the tasty feast.

A huge thank you to Mrs Peake for organising ‘The Santa Dash’ today. Money is being raised for The Wight Brainy Bunch (they provide emotional support and financial assistance to Isle of Wight families affected by brain tumours). Students ran/walked from Carisbrooke College to Carisbrooke Castle and returned – it was quite a sight and great to see so many students getting involved – pictures to follow.  They enjoyed a hot chocolate on return. Mufti day today raised money for the Ellen Macarthur Cancer Trust.  We will let you know the totals raised from both events in a further blog.

Congratulations on our top achievement point winners for last week – year 7 Ethan, year 8 Ryan, year 9 Emily, year 10 Taylor and year 11 Lucy.

All the staff at Carisbrooke are extremely proud of all our young people and we wish you all a happy Christmas and New Year and we look forward to seeing all our students back in school on Tuesday 2 January, ready for a new term, in full uniform and with a positive attitude to learning.

Happy Christmas.

Miss Begley

Head of School – Carisbrooke College 

The Christmas season officially kicked off this week at Carisbrooke College with our Federation School Panto Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Thank you to all of the students and staff involved and a big thank you to the parents/carers who came along to support the performances. It was an excellent evening and I was a very proud Head of School!

A group of year 7 and 8 students from both Carisbrooke College and Medina College left for a trip to Ypres yesterday early morning. It will be a busy two days for them and I look forward to hearing all about the visit next week on their return.

Next week will be a busy week of festivities but lessons will still take place as normal right up until Friday at 3.15 pm. Monday through to Thursday, we still expect students to be in full correct uniform.

We have our Christmas lunch on Wednesday, the Santa Dash next Friday on the last day of term to raise money for The Wight Brainy Bunch and also a student and staff mufti day. To take part in mufti day, we are asking for £1 donation towards the Ellen Macarthur Cancer Trust.

Hopefully you have had a chance to read the resources shared earlier in the week from the local authority around the dangers of vaping. Please share this with your child if you feel it is appropriate.

Congratulations on our top achievement point winners for last week – year 7 Jack, year 8 Molly, year 9 Naomi, year 10 Luke and year 11 Ashleigh.

Have a good weekend.

Miss Begley

Head of School – Carisbrooke College 

Year 11 finished their trial exams this week and, overall, their behaviour and attitude has been excellent. Year 8 had their trial exams this week and whilst there were some nerves, their behaviour was, on the whole, amazing!

I thoroughly enjoyed popping down to the VI Form to visit year 11 whilst they were there for their ‘taster day’. From talking to them it was clear that they had a great day and received a good insight into the post-16 education life. Hopefully this will assist them in making their decision on how they would like to progress once they leave Carisbrooke College.

I had the pleasure of joining a group of year 8 students on a trip to London on Wednesday to visit the Houses of Parliament. The trip was a great success and the students behaved impeccably and were great ambassadors of Carisbrooke College. I was very proud to be alongside the group as Head of School.

Next Thursday, we have a group of year 7 and 8 students from both Carisbrooke College and Medina College going on a trip to Ypres. It is going to be a busy two days of visiting and we look forward to hearing about their adventures on their return. If your child is attending this trip, please remember to send them into school on Monday with their passports and GHIC cards for collection at the start of lunch time.

The Christmas season officially kicks off next week at Carisbrooke College with our Federation School Panto taking place at Carisbrooke College on 5 and 6 December. If you would like to book tickets to the performance, you can do so using the Arbor App.

May I take this opportunity to remind parents, carers and students that whilst the excitement of the Christmas season is upon us, school uniform and behaviour rules apply right up until we break up for the holidays.

Congratulations on our top achievement point winners – year 7 Lucas, year 8 Phoebe, year 9 Scarlet, year 10 Scott and year 11 Dillon.

Have a good weekend and try to stay warm!

Miss Begley

Head of School – Carisbrooke College 

Attendance letters are going out today to those students whose attendance is less than 95%. We are currently running at 91.9% and have this week dropped below the national average. It was pleasing to see year 11 attendance increase this week – we hope that this improved attendance will continue after the exams. Being in school is important to your child’s achievement, wellbeing, and wider development.

Overall year 11’s behaviour and attitude have been amazing during their exams. Exams will continue into next week. Morning exams start at 9.00 am, students need to be lined up by 8.45 am. Thursday 30 November is the taster day for Year 11 students at The Island VI form. It is a good opportunity for them to find out if A levels are for them.

I have begun my meetings with Student Voice and am gaining invaluable opinions from students regarding their experience of Carisbrooke College. Students are being open and honest and it is a pleasure to speak to them.

Please remember that if your child would like to take part in the Santa Dash, we need the completed consent form returned to school as soon as possible. This is a fun run to Carisbrooke Castle to raise money for The Wight Brainy Bunch.

Our Federation School Panto will take place at Carisbrooke College on 5 and 6 December. If you would like to book tickets to the performance, you can do so using the Arbor App. We are also asking for donations of shop bought mince pies to offer the audience during the interval. If you would like to make a donation, please send your mince pies into school with your child and ask them to pass it to reception.

Congratulations on our top achievement point winners – year 7 Amelia, year 8 Amelie, year 9 Maddie, year 10 Xanda and year 11 Lucy and Lewis.

Have a good weekend.

Miss Begley
Head of School – Carisbrooke College

It was lovely to see so many of our year 11 at the VI Form open evening last night. Next week they sit their trial exams. In their assembly on Monday, protocols and expectations during exams were shared. This was a reminder of the things that are considered as malpractice if they occur by the examination boards. They must not have mobile phones or watches on them, only water in clear bottles without labels are allowed in the exam hall, pockets need to be empty and they must remain in silence throughout their exam from the time they walk in the door, to the time they leave. We have a duty to report malpractice in the summer exams, and we will, in order to ensure the integrity of our centre.

I appreciate that for some students this will be a stressful week. There are a significant number of exam staff to support students through this, as well as their tutors and Mrs Smith. Morning exams start at 9.00 am, students need to be lined up by 8.45 am. Punctuality to school is very important. We will be opening the doors to them at 8.00 am, offering a bacon baguette, toast and a drink. Please encourage them to take up this offer as there will be staff on hand to support them with any queries or anxieties they may have.

On Monday we had ‘Odd Socks’ day. Students and staff are encouraged to wear odd socks for the day and donate £1 for the Anti-Bullying Alliance. We raised £120! Thank you to everyone who took part.

Flu vaccinations are taking place in school on Monday. If you have completed a consent form sent out by the NHS school vaccination team, your child will be called for their vaccination during the day.

Emails were sent out this week regarding the Santa Dash. This is a fun run to Carisbrooke Castle to raise money for The Brainy Bunch. If your child would like to take part, please complete the consent form and return to school.

Our Federation School Panto will take place at Carisbrooke College on 5 and 6 December. If you would like to book tickets to the performance, you can do so using the Arbor App. We are also asking for donations of shop bought mince pies to offer the audience during the interval. If you would like to make a donation, please send your mince pies into school with your child and ask them to pass it to reception.

Congratulations on our top achievement point winners – year 7 Summer, year 8 Zack, year 9 Liam, year 10 Ruby-Jayne and year 11 Riley.

Have a good weekend.

Miss Begley

Head of School – Carisbrooke College 

Welcome back to a new half term! I hope you had a good break, despite the wet weather.

I have had the pleasure of leading the assemblies this week. My focus is always on sharing with our students our mission statement which is ASPIRE & ACHIEVE. Our core values are built around ASPIRE which are Ambition, Success, Progress, Inspirations, Respect and Equality. My focus this half term is on Respect. I talked about ‘The Animals’ war – Remembrance Day from a different perspective.

Today we held our Remembrance Service in school. Unfortunately due to the wet weather, it was held indoors this year but we received a beautifully played Last Post by Mary Teague and readings from Eleanor C which were heard over the tannoy system. It was very sombre and the respect shown by the school community was outstanding. We are so proud of them.

It was good to see so many year 11 students come into school for the revision sessions over the holiday. Huge thanks to the staff for running these. There are a number of revision sessions available to year 11 leading up to their rehearsal exams – please encourage them to attend. Next Thursday, 16 November, we have our Island VI Form open evening from 5.00 pm – 8.00 pm. If your child is considering post 16 education, please come along and see what the college has to offer.

The students who visited Vietnam over the holiday had a fantastic time! Take a look at the pictures of the trip on our facebook and instagram pages. The students were amazing and made the staff on the trip very proud!

On Monday we are having ‘Odd Socks’ day. Students and staff are encouraged to wear odd socks for the day for £1 which will be donated to the Anti-Bullying Alliance.

Finally, can I please draw your attention to this letter from the Violence Reduction Unit Director for Hampshire and Isle of Wight regarding knife crime awareness.

Have a good weekend.

Miss Begley

Head of School – Carisbrooke College 

I cannot believe we are half a term through this academic year! This week we have had our celebration assemblies and many students have received certificates. Congratulations to all of the winners and thank you for all of your hard work. It is always a pleasure to see the amount of students being rewarded for being such great members of the Carisbrooke College community.

On Monday we had our year 7 disco. The event was a great success for students and staff alike. It was lovely to see so many students joining in with the fun and letting their hair down. A well deserved treat for completing their first half term in secondary school.

On Monday, a group of students from Carisbrooke, Medina and the VI Form travelled to Vietnam for a long awaited trip. You can keep up to date with their adventures on our facebook and instagram page. So far it appears that they are having a great time and we are looking forward to hearing all about it on their return.

A letter was emailed out on Tuesday regarding revision sessions for year 11 students over the half term. Please encourage your child to engage in these sessions as they are to provide added support with their GCSE exams next year.

I wish you all an enjoyable half term and we look forward to students returning to school at 8.45 am on Monday 6 November.

Miss Begley
Head of School – Carisbrooke College