Many of us have been planting spring bulbs this month, and the Stoke-sub-Hamdon Gardening Club was delighted to donate a box of narcissus bulbs to Castle Kids’ Patch, based at Castle Primary School.
Club members said they hope the children have fun planting them on their allotment, ready to enjoy the bright spring flowers next year.
Castle Kids’ Patch is a community gardening project for children that aims to connect them with nature, teach them about growing food, and promote sustainability.
It is a community-run initiative that began in Stoke-sub-Hamdon and offers hands-on gardening experiences through clubs and after-school programs.
The project involves activities such as planting, harvesting, and learning about the environment and healthy living.
Steve Morton, Principal of Castle Primary School, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the Stoke-sub-Hamdon Gardening Club for their generous donation.
“Opportunities like this help our pupils learn where plants come from, how to care for them, and how small actions can make a big difference to our environment.
“We can’t wait to see the results blooming in the spring.”
Photo: Mark Gooch (Chairman, Stoke Sub Hamdon Gardening Club), Dusk Eastman (Castle Kids’ Patch), and Mr Steve Morton (Principal, Castle Primary School)
Pupils at Castle Primary School are joining thousands of others across the country to support Hello Yellow, a nationwide campaign by the mental health charity YoungMinds which raises awareness and funds for young people’s mental health.
To mark World Mental Health Day, the school is running a playground sweepstake to raise money for this vital cause.
Frances Abbott, Year 6 class teacher at Castle Primary, said: “It’s wonderful to see our pupils so passionate about supporting mental health.
“Hello Yellow is a brilliant reminder that small acts of kindness and understanding can make a big difference to someone who’s struggling.”
The Castle Primary School Pupil Parliament elections have officially taken place – and what an exciting democratic journey it has been!
From passionate in-class constituency speeches by our MP candidates to whole-school speeches and tireless campaigning by those running for Prime Minister, our pupils have truly given it their all. The energy, creativity, and commitment shown by every candidate was nothing short of inspiring.
This year’s elections were held on Monday 22 September, and there was a real buzz of democracy in action across the school.
The King and Queen – Principal Steve Morton and Assistant Principal Laura Liddell – were invited, along with the four Pupil Peers – children nominated by staff for consistently upholding school values – to attend the Prime Ministerial debate speeches. The whole school community gathered for this lively and memorable event.
The announcement of newly-elected MPs and Prime Ministerial candidates will follow very soon. Once the new Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister have chosen their cabinet ministers, the 2025/2026 Castle Pupil Parliament will officially begin its important work.
Frances Abbott, Year 6 Class Teacher and Parliament Teacher Ambassador, said: “It has been incredible to see our pupils demonstrate such enthusiasm, creativity, and commitment to democracy.
“Every candidate has shown what it means to be a responsible, thoughtful leader, and I can’t wait to see the positive impact our Pupil Parliament will have this year.”
I cannot believe how quickly time has flown by this year. It seems like only yesterday that our new reception children were walking onto the playground for the first time and being guided by their buddies to their new classrooms. How much they have grown. Not just in height but also as young learners.
We faced an unthinkable challenge with the loss of Jake in February. Our children and community came together to offer each other support and comfort. Jake was a ray of pure light and happiness. We will forever remember him in this way. The funds raised over the year in ‘bakes for Jake’, along with other generous donations, have enabled us to install our beautiful rainbow buddy bench in his memory on our playground.
We would also like to say a ‘big’ thank you to Mr Mountford and Ms Dunford for their generous donation of a washing machine for the school to use.
It wouldn’t be a final newsletter for the summer term without taking a moment to speak about our Year 6 children who will be completing their primary school journey next week. It is funny to think that it was October when they were all wading through the bog up to their waists in mud! For some of the children leaving, their journey began at age 2 years old in Tiny Turrets. As they prepare to transition to secondary school, it’s heartening to reflect on the friendships they’ve forged and the skills they’ve developed along the way. Each one of them carries a unique story, filled with laughter, challenges, and unforgettable memories that will serve as a foundation for the exciting adventures that lie ahead. As they step into this new chapter, it is crucial to encourage them to embrace change and remain open to new experiences. This next phase promises to be filled with opportunities for growth and discovery, shaping them into the individuals they are destined to become. For some it has been a shorter journey, joining in Reception year or being welcomed into our school during KS1 or KS2. No matter when they have joined us, they have instantly become part of our Castle School family.
So, as we enter the final few days of the summer, we thank you all for your support and engagement over the year and wish you all a restful break. See you in September.
Congratulations to Mrs Abbott, a teacher from Castle Primary School in Somerset, on her successful application on to this year’s UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador course.
Mrs Abbott was one of only 70 teachers from across the UK who were successful in their application and has recently taken part in the three-day programme in London.
Mrs Abbott watched debates in the House of Commons and House of Lords, learnt more about the role of MPs, Lords, doorkeepers and select committees. She toured the palace, met fellow teachers, and had the unique opportunity to quiz Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, and his counterpart in the Lords, Lord McFall of Alcluith.
Sir Lindsay said the three-day programme ‘offers a great opportunity for politicians and teachers to share their experiences’.
He said: “In my view, you are never too young to get involved in democracy and to make things happen – so giving teachers an insight into our world is a great way to pass that message back to the classroom.”
Frances Abbott, teacher and Senior Mental Health Lead at Castle School said: ‘It was an absolute privilege to attend the Parliament Teacher Ambassador course. I am brimming with ideas and knowledge and look forward to sharing with students and staff in our school and community.”
Fran Jeens, UK Parliament’s Head of Education and Engagement, said: “I congratulate this year’s successful applicants and thank them for their support in inspiring and engaging young people with the work of the House of Commons and House of Lords.”
Welcome to the first newsletter of the year. This term seems to have flown by, but we haven’t missed a moment or an opportunity to cram in as much learning and enjoyment as we can. All the children have returned to school full of energy and enthusiasm. Everywhere around our school children have settled into their new classes and built relationships with their new classmates. The Reception children are certainly keeping their Year 6 buddies on their toes as they navigate their first term of ‘big school’.
International Languages Day and World Poetry Day kicked off our wider curriculum learning for the term. All the children sang and spoke in our assembly to the school in a multitude of languages from around the world. This was swiftly followed by Years 5 & 6 collaborating with children from all over Great Britain in a Guinness World Record attempt for the most people collaborating in a poetry lesson at the same time. The lesson was live streamed, and all our children and the teachers joined in. We will let you know if we get a mention in the record book!
World Mental Heath Awareness Day (Wear a bright colour) was a hit, with all the children filling our school with colour and smiles. Sessions throughout the day gave the children time to focus on their own mental health and to understand how to keep themselves well, whilst being aware of those around them. Ending the day with our second golden ticket event made the day even more special. Thank you to everyone who purchased a bar. I can’t wait to see who is joining the King and Queen for a private lunch this time.
We have spent some time introducing our new Castle values focus for the year. The Castle 4 C’s. The poster attached shares with everyone in our school community what we value and how we help to make our school and the wider world better. Lots more information to follow on this over the coming terms.
‘Project Playtime’ is off to a great start. The new play equipment and the structure of each daily play session is allowing for all the children to get involved in play that they are interested in. Adults around the playground are facilitating team games, role-play, crafts and a variety of physical activities. The new gigantic sandpit is a hit with, on average, 15 children tunnelling and building daily. Please do continue to donate any dress up clothes, buckets and spades, large cardboard boxes, plastic tarpaulins etc to keep it all evolving. Our next project is to remove the tin shed from the corner of the playground and to build an outdoor stage area for all our budding performers. We are looking for volunteers who are motivated to help with this over a weekend next half term. Please let the office know if you are willing and able to help.
Enjoy your half term break and we look forward to welcoming you all back in November.
I can’t believe it’s this time of year again so soon! What a marvellous year we have all had here at Castle Primary School. The summer term is always a whirlwind of busy and exciting activities, trips and school-based events. Thank you to everyone who has been able to join us to support the children in all their endeavours. As always, we strive to offer the children a diet of educational experiences that enhance and enrich their curriculum. We see each experience as an opportunity to feed into each child’s wider experiences of the world as well as to offer real-life experiences linked to their curriculum. We appreciate that the current economic climate brings with it challenges for all families and we have looked to maximise every contribution to our trips to ensure the children get the most out of everything we have offered. As I look back over the experiences this year, I am astounded as to how we managed to fit it all in! Here are just a few of the trips this year: Fleet Air Arm, Longleat Wildlife Park, Weymouth Sealife Centre, Bristol Aquarium, ROAM and our Year 6 Bristol Residential.
Thank you to all the members of FoCS for helping to coordinate and fundraise throughout the school year. It is through your support that so many of these events are made more accessible to all families. You are all amazing!
We also look to bring experiences into school for the children too. These have ranged from talks from firefighters and vets to local and famous authors. The children have participated in a judging panel for a national shortlisting for new books for children. They have competed in, and won, a regional bake-off held between local schools and held our own, in-school version run by two of our fantastic Year 5 students. They have learnt to ride their bikes safely through Bikeability and have even met a duckling and a gosling! All in all, we have loved teaching your children and we are grateful that you share their learning and development with us every day.
To our Year 6 children, we are so very proud of you for all your achievements and your growth as learners towards becoming young adults. If you multiply the above activities over 7 years and add in all the daily experiences and lessons that you have devoured over your time with us, then it becomes clear why you leave Castle Primary School so ready and prepared for the wider world. We know that you will make the right choices, be a voice for positive change, and make our world a better place because you are in it just being you! We will miss you all very much.
We also say a big thank you to Mrs Gosney who has decided to hand over lunch duty and leading our after-school care. We are very grateful for everything that you have done for our children over the years. From September Mrs Newman will lead our after-school provision.
Finally, to you all. Thank you for making me smile each and every day as you greet me at the gates. You brighten up the greyest of skies with your beaming smiles. Have an amazing break. Do marvellous things and come back to us safe and sound in September, ready for our next adventure together.
My goodness, this term has flown by! So many exciting experiences have been had and wonderful adventures the children have been part of, inside and outside of the classroom. Despite the weather seeming determined to rain on every single Forest School session, our spirits have remained high and where others would see grey skies, we saw an opportunity to splash in the puddles.
It is always a privilege to speak with our children about the activities and experiences that they are offered throughout each term. I have thoroughly enjoyed spending my lunchtime dining experiences with Sophie, Olivia and their guests, as part of our Charlie Castle ‘Wonka Bar’ golden ticket prizes. The dinner table conversations have been delightful.
We have been able offer trips to the top of Ham Hill to experience iron age living, visits to the tank museum followed by VE Day experiences. Live writing webcasts with Micheal Rosen to enhance our creative writing and opportunities to join a national celebration of new books for children as part of the judging panel. Also, not forgetting that our team representing the school in the ‘Big Bake’ won their heat (pardon the pun). The team were so highly motivated by their experience that they have agreed to create our own ‘in -school’ version of the competition next term. Watch this space for how to take part and hopefully eat some delicious cakes!
We are also proud of how our teachers drive to find new ways to enhance our school offer and experiences to the children. Mrs Abbott is now part of a programme set up by Westminster to bring a better understanding of government, democracy and how our voices and actions can make a powerful difference for change. We are already working together to build a new parliament in our school setting. There is a strong possibility that we may have a future PM in our school!
Finally, a huge thank you to FoCS and all of you for the amazing support and energy that you bring to our school every day. Greeting you all at the gate each morning is a real treat and a wonderful start to my day. Thank you for your support and kindness for all that we do. Have a restful Easter and we look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday 16th of April.
A Somerset primary school teacher has been selected as one of only 70 teachers nationwide to take part in this year’s UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador programme.
This story has featured on the Chard & Ilminster News website.
If you would like to read this story please click on this link.
