Castle Hill Castle Hill Blog, 17.02.2023
INSET day and Strike Action
As you'll be aware, members of the NEU teaching union will be striking again on Tuesday 28th February. This will have a massive impact upon us and we expect over 25 teachers not to be in school on that day. We have therefore had to take the difficult decision to close school to all pupils in years 7-11, except for a small number whose parents and carers have already been notified. As on the previous strike day, pupils who receive free school meals will be sent a voucher by text or email.
As Monday 27th February is an INSET day, this means that most pupils will return to school after the half-term break, on Wednesday 1st March.
Years 12 and 13 will be in school as normal on Tuesday 28th February.
Wellbeing Award
As you hopefully are aware, over the past year we've been working hard towards achieving the ‘Wellbeing Award in Schools’. As part of this, we'd like to invite parents and carers to evaluate our current provision. Your views are important in helping us judge the impact of initiatives we've put in place since the last time we sent out this survey. Your responses will give us an insight into what we are doing well and how we can do even better in our ‘next steps wellbeing strategy’.
Please click on the link below to complete the survey, it should only take a couple of minutes. Please respond no later than 12th March.
All responses and suggestions are anonymous and will be carefully considered and used to plan a range of school improvements. If you have any queries about this survey, would like any help in completing it or understanding a bit more about it, please contact julie.Stonier@castlehill.stockport.sch.uk
The outcomes and actions from our previous survey can be viewed here:
The school website has also been updated to include a 'Wellbeing' section which has pages specifically for pupils parents/carers and staff.
You'll find more details on the Wellbeing Award itself and our definition, vision and strategy for wellbeing. It also covers what we have been doing to promote and improve emotional wellbeing and mental health for all of the school community. Initiatives include:
- signposting resources and useful websites
- training for staff
- informative assembles and form time activities
- Wellbeing Wednesday
- support for pupils, parents and staff and to ensure we remove stigma around mental health and wellbeing.
Dancing queen!
Here's Lizzie, one of our 6th Form students, with her latest stash of medals for Irish Dancing.
Lizzie has been dancing since the age of three and regularly enters competitions with her dance school. She is also now helping to look after the younger members of the troop when they are out at competitions or waiting for lessons.
Well done Lizzie!
Farewell Mrs Gee
It's one of those end of half-terms which is tinged with sadness, as we say goodbye to a member of staff who has been fundamental to the success of Castle Hill. Mrs Gee has been with us for 16 years, delivering Hospitality lessons in our Vocation Centre, but also being the driving force behind many whole school initiatives, such as our Breakfast Club and Christmas and Summer Fairs.
All the pupils and staff wish her the very best of luck in her next adventure!
Now where did I leave those tissues?
Have a wonderful half-term break folks!
