Newsletters

Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome to this week’s blog update. As we approach the final week of our first half-term, I am delighted to share a wonderful example of student leadership, alongside key reflections on our Mental Health Strategy and an essential set of milestones for our Year 11 students as they prepare for their upcoming Trial Exams.

A Great Moment This Week: Student Leadership in Action

The highlight of my week was receiving an email from one of our Year 10 students, TS, writing on behalf of our school robotics team, Team TechTonic. The team are preparing to compete in the national First Tech Challenge, which requires a £300 deposit to secure essential robot components. Demonstrating inspiring initiative, responsibility, and teamwork, TS and his teammates had already begun organising bake sales and donation pots. Recognising they needed a final school-wide push to reach their target before the deadline, TS reached out to propose a fundraising mufti day. His request arrived at the exact moment we were finalising our activities for World Mental Health Day, providing a direct connection to our refreshed Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026–27.

A Thought from the Head: Our Mental Health Strategy 

We recognise that emotional wellbeing and mental health are fundamental to learning, behaviour, attendance, and personal development. Our strategy, led by our Designated Mental Health Lead (DMHL), Beth Peckham, focuses on embedding early intervention, relational care, and strong partnerships across four core pillars:

• Early Identification & Targeted Support: Using pastoral, safeguarding, and attendance data to spot emerging emotional difficulties early. We provide structured 1-to-1 and group interventions, including Mental Health Support Team (MHST) sessions, emotional literacy groups, School Pastors, and exam stress workshops.

• Trauma-Informed, Relational Culture: Embedding emotionally literate classroom practices, structured entry routines, and our 'Choice, Chance, Consequence' framework to keep classrooms calm, safe, and predictable.

• Student Voice & Peer Leadership: Empowering students through our Mental Health Ambassadors, PEP peer training, and the MHST Voice & Influence Group.

• Enrichment as a Mental Health Anchor: Recognising that hobbies, sports, music, and team projects (like robotics!) give young people a sense of purpose, joy, and emotional resilience.

Signposting for Families: Supporting Children with Wellbeing at Home

We know that emotional stress can manifest in many ways at home; through sleep disruption, feeling overwhelmed before school, irritability, or withdrawal. When a young person signals anxiety, early reassurance and collaborative support make all the difference.

If your child is experiencing anxiety or emotional distress, here are key resources and pathways available to support your family:

• Internal School Pathways: Contact your child's Form Tutor or our Mental Health Lead, Beth Peckham, so we can put tailored in-school adjustments or 1-to-1 support in place.

• Isle of Wight Youth Trust: Provides accessible, local 1-to-1 therapeutic support and guidance for young people and families across the Island.

• Mental Health Support Team (MHST) & Early Help: Access coordinated family support and guidance via our school website and pastoral team.

• Family Wellbeing Toolkits (YoungMinds & NHS Every Mind Matters): Offer practical advice for parents on holding supportive conversations about emotional wellbeing and school attendance at home.

Looking Ahead

World Mental Health Day & Mufti Day (Friday 16 October)

On Friday 16 October (our final day before the half-term break), Carisbrooke College will mark World Mental Health Day with a non-uniform / mufti day focused on 'the things that bring us joy, enrichment, and wellbeing.'

Students are invited to come to school in mufti and are asked to bring a suggested £1 donation.

Year 11 Focus: Building Aspiration, Confidence & Trial Exam Preparation

As we look toward November, our Year 11 cohort enters a pivotal phase. The upcoming November Trial Exams are an essential milestone – they build academic stamina and confidence, serve as a key indicator for final predicted grades, and allow us to structure targeted subject interventions for the remainder of the year.

To ensure our Year 11 students feel fully supported, ambitious, and prepared, we have a vital sequence of events scheduled next week:

• Tuesday Afternoon (13 Oct) – Post-16 Careers Event at Medina College: Year 11 students will attend a dedicated careers event at Medina College to explore college courses, sixth-form pathways, and apprenticeships, helping them visualise their next steps and build long-term aspiration.

• Thursday Afternoon (15 Oct) – English Literature Masterclass: A focused masterclass designed to sharpen exam technique, essay structure, and key text analysis ahead of the trial papers.

• Thursday Evening (15 Oct) – Year 11 Parents’ Evening & Revision Toolkit Launch: A crucial opportunity for parents and carers to meet directly with subject teachers. During the evening, we will be distributing complete revision resource packs (in both digital and paper formats). These resources will equip students to build up their study materials and construct a structured, manageable revision timetable for the upcoming two-week half-term break.

We strongly encourage all Year 11 parents and carers to attend Thursday's Parents' Evening so we can work together to give our students the very best springboard into their November trials.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we work together for your children.

Warmest regards,

Natalie Sheppard
Headteacher, Carisbrooke College