The contents:
He adte achers’ Address Key Worker School Fun and Games in the Key Worker School Cre ati ve Moments in the Key Worker School Facult y Compe titions Virtual School Work Showcase Byron Dix’s Lockdown Art Collection Fare well Ms Dudgeon Royal Albert Hall Virtual Wellbeing for Students, Parents and Staff
The Headteachers’ Address I am sure that I speak for everyone when I say that this is the strangest and most challenging end to an academic year that we have ever experienced. You will know through our numerous channels of communication since lockdown that we have worked hard to keep you informed, maintain student learning and provide essential places for as many key workers as possible. We have looked to praise students where we can and nudge those who have not engaged as well as they could have.
Whilst the situation in school has been anything but ’normal’, we have tried to keep some normality going. Hence the head teacher awards recently and this Update. As usual, despite everything, you will see the tireless dedication of our staff to provide both learning and enriching activities. Many of our staff have been as challenged as many of you will have been with working from home whilst looking after young children and being unable to secure places at key worker school provision. All of the activities we have created have been through staff volunteering to come into school, many right from the very beginning, 23 March! For all of this we have been incredibly grateful and can only praise all staff at every level for finding the strength and resolve to keep going. My thanks also extends to you, as parents/carers, for playing your part in supporting our efforts and, in many cases, finding the time to voice your appreciation.
We hope you enjoy reading about the successes and adventures of our students and staff. Our next adventure will be the beginning of the new school year in September, whatever that will look like.
In the meantime, we hope you enjoy some quality family time over the summer break, whilst acknowledging the limitations that there will be. As ever, it still feels appropriate to wish you the very best in staying safe and
well together.
The Key Worker School Although Caludon has been closed to the vast majority of Caludon students since lockdown began, there is a group of staff and students who have been working together as part of the Key Worker School. Nearly 75 staff have volunteered to support Caludon students who still needed to come into school, this includes teachers, support and admin staff. Each day had a different team of staff providing a wide range of activities for students to do, along with the opportunity for students to work on their virtual school lessons.
The hidden talents of staff have come out in the creative, innovative and varied activities that they have organised for students. The competition between staff and students in sporting events has been a continuing theme, providing significant entertainment to those watching. We have been making chalk rainbows to support the NHS, playing a variety of socially distanced sports, making clay models and creating stop motion animation, to name just a few. Staff from all different roles and subjects have had the opportunity to work together and students have got to make friends across different year groups.
The key worker school has created new opportunities for staff and students and has helped all involved build new relationships that will definitely outlive these strange times. These images show just a small proportion of the activities undertaken in the Key Worker School.
Ms McManus
Fun and Games in the Key Worker school
A giant game of chess in the sun.
A competitive game of ‘Molkky’. This is a tactical skittles game that originated in Finland.
Students exploring places around the world with the virtual reality headsets. Chalk drawn hopscotch in the sun.
Limbo in the hall. Volcano making; a cross curricular project that was fun for all involved.
Creative Moments in the Key Worker School
Chalk drawing in the sunshine, where the students made colourful asymmetric patterns.
Students created stick art with Mrs Petty and submitted their art pieces to Grayson Perry’s art programme on Channel 4.
Creating celebrity collages using colour and shadows to make interesting images.
Rock painting that celebrates our key workers and NHS.
Faculty Competitions Les Choristes Competition
Just before half term, the students at the Key Worker School watched the French film ‘Les Choristes’ (The Chorus) with Mrs Slack.
Students were asked to create a poster promoting the film, including their reaction to the characters, the story and the music. All contributions were fun to read and shared some lovely reactions to the characters in the film. Nearly all the students mentioned the strict headmaster and how he should be put in the ‘cachot’ (the chokey), as well as the finale when the choir master leaves and his class who are not allowed to say goodbye, do so by flying paper aeroplanes with messages from their window.
In 3rd place Jasmine
In 2nd place Lailah
In 1st place Farhan!
Mrs L A Slack
Year 7 and 8 creativity project about what they love to read
Castle Phoenix Creative Writing Competition Students from different schools in the Trust took part in the 'Castle Phoenix Creative Writing Competition' using the ideas of 'castle' and 'phoenix' to inspire them. Well done to everyone who entered! Miss Cash - KS2-3 English Transition Lead.
Alisheba’s Winning entry: The Phoenix Wars The phoenixes circled the volcano in their hundreds, waiting for their king, Vulcan, to come out from its fiery depths. Their plumage stood out against the black volcano: shimmering shades of flame against obsidian rock, a burning circle of fire; a blazing ring of flame.
Finally, a giant avian head rose from the smoke and ash letting out an ear-splitting shriek. If all went according to plan, he would emerge from the volcano and lead his children to wreak havoc on Earth, covering the blue planet in lava and erupting into flames. It was their destiny. However, other creatures had different plans.
Somewhere, in the deep blue of the pacific, another ancient being was stirring: the Poseidon, an enormous equine army made from ocean tides and sea spray. He wanted to lead his army of Nokks, horse-like water spirits, and flood the world’s vast continents. The Nokks were on their way, and soon, the prophesied battle between fire and water would begin, leaving only one victor.
At the break of dawn, hundreds of sparkling forms materialised on the horizon and, by midday, the battle had begun. Hooves kicked, talons clawed, steam rose into the air. Poseidon reared up from the water just as Vulcan broke free from this stone prison and the two engaged in a bloody battle.
Before long, Vulcan’s fiery talon ripped across Poseidon’s chest, causing it, and his body, to dissolve into steam. Vulcan backed away from the evaporating corpse and lifted his head into the air, announcing his triumph. His children paused for him. He trilled at them gently: he could feel his life slipping away, and he knew now that he would never rise again. But at least he could breathe his last breath knowing his life’s purpose had been fulfilled.
RGS Young Geographer of The Year Competition This year’s theme for the RGS Young Geographer of The Year Competition was ‘the world outside my window’. The Geography Department had lots of entries from Year 7, 8 and 9 that were sent to the RGS. However, within each year group there was an individual winner. These 3 people’s entries were outstanding, both in their presentation and in their use of key geographical skills. Well done.
Mrs Irving - Leader of Geography
Jenna, Year 8
Neha, Year 9
Nadia, Year 8
Virtual School Work Showcase Year 8 creative writing shared by Ms Ivin
Tiny holes along the dead branch uncover the hiding spot of the unlucky insects who squirm about fighting for protection from the outside world. Rambunctious, cursed birds tightly grip onto the disorientated twigs of the deceased tree. Earpiercing squawking reveals the drops of fresh red blood curdling inside the enclosed trap of death within the battered beak. Is this newly discovered region concealed in dark magic?
Darcie B
The river grows restless, the tranquil sounds of trickling water is long gone and now splashes can be heard from miles away. Cool, refreshing liquid speckles my face and swirls around my feet, it’s crystal clear and feels liberating. I gaze down and see the river beaming back at me (it’s my reflection, of course, but it doesn’t prevent my irresistible urge to scoop up the water and drink). It tastes sweet yet simple but runs through my fingers before I can drink again.
The slender and desolate mountains bunching behind the building. Then I heard a sinister, growling sound and a cascade of white thundered down the mountain. A huge whiff of wind blew past our face – it was coming from the peak of the foothill. On our sides it was like we could feel the presence of spirits and what lay before us.
Leanna L-T
Warren M
Art work shared by Miss Brooks  
Thank you to all of the students for their continued hard work during the virtual school. Here is a small selection of some of the fantastic work!
Byron Dix’s Lockdown Art Collection
Byron Dix is a hugely talented artist in Year 9 at Caludon Castle School. The lockdown has allowed his passion to flourish as he has been given the time to practise and play around with dierent artistic styles. These are just a few from his Lockdown Collection. It would be fair to say that these pieces of art are absolutely outstanding and would brighten any room they were in. Well done Byron.
The Year 9 Team.
The Royal Albert Hall virtual concert Our school choir, along with over 2,500 singers from across the country, have missed performing together at the Royal Albert Hall that was planned for the 3rd June but was cancelled due to Covid-19. Although we couldn’t be together at the venue, we were excited to take part in the AC Academy Does the Virtual Royal Albert Hall, which featured professional singers, scholars and footage from the last performance in 2018.
Whist we can’t see our own members of our choir singing along at home, we can see our Year 12 student Ella Aldridge singing. Ella became an AC Scholar after her solo performance at the Royal Albert Hall in 2018, after being ‘spotted’ during rehearsals. You can watch her sing ‘The Prayer’ in the video link: https:// youtu.be/KVVljClsjIk?t=797
The AC Academy Scholarship programme is designed to create a pathway for talented teenage singers towards university, with a special focus on Oxbridge choral scholarship preparation.
Scholars receive the following FREE benefits:
• Expert tuition from some of the UK’s top singers and teachers
• Coaching from Armonico Consort’s Artistic Director, Christopher Monks
• High-level solo opportunities in venues including the Royal Albert Hall
• Singing side-by-side with Armonico Consort’s professionals
• Coaching and support with choral scholarship preparation for Oxbridge and other universities
• Concerts and tours
• Bursaries for music courses
• Support with instrument purchase and travel costs (subject to eligibility)
AC Academy Scholars have recently benefited from masterclasses with internationally-renowned singers such as Elin Manahan Thomas and mentoring from some of the UK’s top singing tutors including David Lowe, Director of Music, Downing College, Cambridge. They have also given concerts at Warwick Arts Centre and the Royal Albert Hall. Forthcoming plans include a masterclass with international baritone Roderick Williams, AC Academy Does the Royal Albert Hall, and a five-day trip to Belgium including a concert at the Ghent Festival.
Many congratulations to Ella from the Music department!
Farewell Ms Dudgeon
Mental Health and Wellbeing
On our website you can find a dedicated page to help you with your own mental health and wellbeing as well as how to deal with your child’s mental health. There is advice on how to start those conversations for a variety of dierent needs including mental health, COVID-19 and LGBTQ+.
You can access the page by following this link:
https://www.caludoncastle.co.uk/mhwb-help-corner/