Students at Carisbrooke enjoyed a fantastic morning at our Brass ‘taster session’ workshop on Monday with Martyn Stroud (Brass teacher from Wight Music Tuition). The students had an opportunity to learn about the Brass family and play some of the Trumpets, French Horns and Trombones that Mr Stroud had brought with him, even putting together a short performance at the end.

If your child would like to sign up for Brass lessons, Mr Stroud is offering group lessons (in pairs) for £80 a term; as we are already halfway through this term, this means there would be £40 to pay for November to December. There is also the option of paying in monthly instalments, if this is something you would prefer, to help spread the cost of the lessons. Lessons will take place during school hours.

If you would like to sign up for these lessons please email beth.peckham@iwef.org.uk to register your interest, you will also need to complete an application form on the Wight Music Tuition website https://iwmt.org.uk/apply-online/, indicating which instrument and selecting ’20 minute in-person group lessons’. You do not need to select ‘yes’ for hiring an instrument as Mr Stroud can arrange this for you once lessons have started.

An important part of our Literacy Strategy is to ensure that Key Stage 3 students are equipped with the key literacy skills required and the belief that they can succeed at GCSE level. In order to achieve this we aim to remove as many taboos about Literacy as early as possible and make it seem less daunting to year 7 students as well as building their confidence with regards to school and their own abilities.

Last week we took a small group of year 7 students and immersed them into the Shakespeare text, The Tempest. Initially, students were worried about not being able to understand the words and the writing but by approaching the text through The Arts, the students soon became comfortable with the ideas and themes within the plot.

These year 7 students worked with local artist Glenn Martin, and English teacher, Mrs Smith to access this tricky text. Through drama, music and art the students were plunged into the Elizabethan text and encouraged to think about the characters and how they felt.

By visiting the beach the students were able to experience the atmosphere of the sea and understand and appreciate its power. They were able to imagine that they too were castaways washed up on the sand and how frightening that might have been. The beach also allowed the students to create some fantastic art works and to act out sections of the text. When visiting the forest they were able to feel nature and talked about the language that could be used to describe the environment. They depicted key scenes from the text by creating boxes inspired by Joseph Cornell. The created and coloured maps of Shakespeare’s unnamed island marking out places that key scenes were set.

Back at school, students used their beach experience to compose a musical response with Mrs Peckham and performed Act 1 Scene 1 with Mr Lyle to gain further appreciation of the text.

This project allowed students to break down any preconceived notions they may have had relating to Shakespeare. Students ended the week by producing an exhibition for parents on Friday afternoon.

Thanks to Miss Begley for driving the minibus and Ms Ryan for supporting throughout the week. A big thank you to the Creative Arts Faculty for their assistance and unending positivity. 

A group of KS3 students from both Carisbrooke and Medina Colleges had the privilege of attending Shakespeare’s Globe in London last week to watch a production of The Tempest which forms part of their English Literature studies.

The in-house Globe Ensemble of actors created an amusing, visually inventive, and fun take on Shakespeare’s final play. Students were entertained by the costuming of characters who were dressed in modern garb rather than more traditional attire. Students were amused by Caliban’s call and response routine at the end of the first half; Prospero’s scheming brother Antonio and his inner-circle’s “feast that wasn’t”; the Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban “washing-line” scene (the “washing line” having been turned into washed ashore lost Amazon packages) to name a few.

Visiting Shakespeare’s Globe adds to the impact of the play and allows students to truly feel immersed in the theatre environment.

Attending as Groundlings (an audience who stands in front of the stage) for the production also helped students further understand the context of Shakespeare’s time and experience the play as he intended. Watching a Shakespeare play on stage allows the students to gain a better understanding of the themes and character development within the text and this helps them to develop their comprehension of the play.

Despite some transport difficulties, it was a lovely, sunny day and was enjoyed by all!

The school is now working towards the SILVER award – more details to follow.

This week we received news that one of our former students, Marcellino Mamo, took part in The Queen’s State Funeral procession. Marcellino, who is now 20 years old, is a Mine Warfare Specialist in the Royal Navy.

The Royal Navy played a crucial role in the procession that followed the State Funeral service. More than 130 of their sailors had the honour of pulling the State Ceremonial Gun Carriage bearing the Queen’s coffin for 2 miles through London. The Royal Navy confirmed, on their official website, that 98 sailors would haul the two-and-a-half-ton ceremonial carriage, while a further 40 sailors would march behind the vehicle acting as brakes.

The role that the Royal Navy carry out during State Funeral processions has been a tradition since 1901 when they stepped in to pull the State Ceremonial Gun Carriage which was bearing Queen Victoria’s coffin at the time.

We are extremely proud of everything that Marcellino has achieved since leaving our school and wish him all the best for the future.

Marcellino Mamo – Second from back 

Marcellino Mamo – Third from back in the very left line of Royal Navy Personnel

Photos courtesy of Rachel Pascoe

We would like to say a big well done to Libby in year 10, who has achieved the Super Badger Award as a St John Ambulance Badger.

Badgers are the youngest members of St John Ambulance; they take part in a wide range of fun activities on various topics and earn badges for each one. On completion of nine subjects Badgers achieve the Super Badger Award. The Super Badger Award is the highest award a Badger can achieve.

Well done Libby!

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (1926 – 2022)

We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty The Queen. She served the nation as our Sovereign for a magnificent 70 years. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to The Royal Family. 

During the period of National Mourning we were able to support our students, staff and learning community. 

We observed the national holiday on Monday 19th September for Her Majesty The Queen’s State Funeral. 

25 August 2022 

Carisbrooke College students and staff are celebrating an amazing set of GCSE results after a few challenging years in education. 

Students have shown determination, strength and resilience to arrive at their results this year. Their hard work has paid off, with students receiving impressive results which will set them up for ongoing future success. 

The Governors and staff are very proud that the majority of students are remaining within the Isle of Wight Education Federation community, by moving on to take A Level and vocational Level 3 courses at The Island VI Form. However, students are also progressing into a range of apprenticeships and other further education studies both on and off the Island. 

Head of School at Carisbrooke College, Karen Begley, said “I am immensely proud of each and every one of our year 11 students. They remained motivated throughout the year and worked really hard to make sure that they achieved their full potential.” 

“My sincere thanks go to staff and parents alike who have supported our students to ensure their success. I wish all of the students the very best as they take the next step in their journey.” 

If any student across the Island is still undecided about their next step, The Island VI Form is operating a drop-in session on Friday 26 August between 9.30am and 2.00pm. Pop in to find out more about the unique and dedicated post-16 campus and the widest range of Level 3 courses on the Island. Alternatively, you can email viform@iwef.org.uk for more information.