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Carisbrooke College Weekly Updates - 21 November 2025

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21 November 2025 

Weekly Updates from Carisbrooke College

This week marked the final set of Year 11 trial exams, and I would like to commend our students for the maturity and focus they demonstrated throughout. Their  positive attitude and calm approach have given them valuable insight into their strengths and areas for development, helping them take the next steps in preparing for their final GCSE examinations.

As a follow-on to the trial exams, a reminder that Year 11 Parents’ Evening will take place on 4 December. Appointments can be booked via Arbor and this will provide a valuable opportunity to discuss progress and next steps. If you have any queries or experience difficulty with bookings, please contact donna.godfrey@carisbrooke.iow.sch.uk.

Last month, a small group of our students embarked on a remarkable adventure that took learning to an entirely new level. Thirty students from Carisbrooke College and the Island VI Form had an unforgettable cultural and linguistic journey across China, a trip that continues to resonate deeply with all who took part.

The full story is captured beautifully on our website (linked below), and I encourage you to have a read.  I am immensely proud of our students for representing the school with maturity, openness, and enthusiasm. Experiences like this do more than deepen language ability; they broaden perspective, strengthen independence and create memories that last a lifetime. My sincere thanks go to the staff who planned and accompanied this ambitious journey and to the families who supported their children in participating.

I also encourage you to visit our website for updates on our recent sporting achievements and the wide range of extra-curricular activities taking place across the school. These moments truly highlight not only the enthusiasm and talent of our students, but also the dedication of the staff who give their time, energy and expertise to provide such enriching opportunities.

As per an email sent out on Thursday, please remember that hoodies are not permitted in school. Thank you for your support in helping us maintain high expectations around uniform.

As we near Christmas, please remember some of the festive events happening at school. Our Christmas Concert at the Minster in Carisbrooke, the students’ Christmas production, the Reverse Advent Calendar (for which we are collecting food and toiletries for the local food bank) and the Santa Dash on the last day of term are all wonderful opportunities for the school community to come together and celebrate the season. Additionally, Christmas lunch will be served in the canteen on Wednesday 17 December - a festive treat for all our students and staff. Please remember to book your child's Christmas lunch on Arbor by 9 December. 

Have a lovely weekend.

Natalie Sheppard
Headteacher


19 Nov 2025
CARISBROOKE STUDENTS EXPLORE THE FAR EAST!
30 students from Carisbrooke College and the Island VI Form recently returned home from a cultural and linguistic journey into the heart of Asia, travelling across China on a once in a lifetime MFL trip. The students, who all studied Mandarin Chinese at Carisbrooke, spent 11...
Read more
20 Nov 2025
Carisbrooke College Produce a 0–0 Thriller at The Bay
On Wednesday 12 November, our Year 10 boys travelled to The Bay with everything still to play for, league dreams, cup ambitions, and a whole season’s hard work on the line. What followed was, quite possibly, the most dramatic 0–0 ever witnessed on a school pitch.From the first w...
Read more
20 Nov 2025
U14 Netball Tournament Report: Autumn Cup - Resilience and Shooting Power
The Autumn Cup Netball Tournament was a brilliant showcase of effort and resilience for the squad. Facing a crowded schedule of seven matches, the players demonstrated superb teamwork, securing two excellent early victories and maintaining a fighting spirit, especially in the shooting circle, throug...
Read more
20 Nov 2025
Carisbrooke College Serve Up Double Championship Glory!
All year long, Mrs Peake has been the wizard behind the ping-pong curtain, running a lunchtime table tennis club that became so popular she had to add an extra weekly session just to stop the queue stretching halfway to Newport. With 40–50 students turning up every week, Carisbrooke officially...
Read more
20 Nov 2025
Carisbrooke's Cross Country Success and Tremendous Team Spirit
Throughout the week beginning 10 November, our students took part in our Inter-House Cross Country Championships with the intention of gaining as many points as possible for their houses, and also qualifying to represent Carisbrooke College at the upcoming Cross Country Relays at Medina College...
Read more

Well done to Year 7 student, Noah, who took part in the Festival of Remembrance concert with Medina Marching Band at Christ the King College, in the presence of the High Sheriff and HM Vice Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, also placing his drum for the drum head service.

Then, on Remembrance Sunday, Noah took part in the Royal British Legion's service held in Brighstone, marching at the front of the parade for the veterans. 

We are all super proud of you, Noah! 

On 8 November, one of our Year 8 students, William, took part in a Remembrance Day Texas Scramble, raising money for the Royal British Legion.  

A total of 35 players took part in the event and William and his team of three came joint second overall with a total of 46 points, only one point behind the eventual winners. 

William is a young sportsman who continues to develop his overall game and is going from strength to strength. We look forward to seeing where he takes his golf in the future. 

Well done, William!


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Feel Good Friday

This week has seen temperatures plunge, coats coming out of the cupboards and the central heating finally being turned on! It can feel hard to look after your mental health in the colder weather due to shorter days and less sunlight, but it is possible by staying active, connected, and mindful. Read more: FGF 21 November 2025


The Isle of Wight Council's Christmas Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is now open for booking! 

View all details of the programme and book your places here: Booking System

This year, activities include football, horse riding, fun at the farm, music, cheerleading, dance, circus skills, cooking, multi-sports and multi-activity holiday clubs. Every session includes a healthy, nutritious meal. 

The HAF programme is funded by the Department for Education so that local authorities can offer healthy food and enriching activities in the school holidays to children who receive income-related free school meals. A small number of places are also available on HAF activities under a discretionary funding stream. Please see the following link for more details on eligibility: 

HAF Eligibility


Dates for your diary

Mufti Day for The Pearl of Africa Children's Choir
All Day
28
November
Year 11 Parents' Evening
4:00pm – 7:00pm
04
December
A Christmas Carol Performance
7:00pm – 9:00pm
10
December
A Christmas Carol Performance
7:00pm – 9:00pm
11
December
Christmas Concert
6:00pm – 8:00pm
16
December
Santa Dash Event
All Day
19
December
Christmas Break
All Day
from 22 Dec until 02 Jan
22
December

Reverse Advent Calendar for the Isle of Wight Food Bank

A reminder that we are collecting items in school for the Food Bank's reverse advent calendar. If you are able to make a donation, please send it in with your child or drop it in to Reception by Wednesday 26 November, as this is when we will be delivering the donations to the Food Bank Warehouse. 

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