Weekly Update - 9 January - Calthorpe Park School

Message from Mr John: Following our mains gas leak yesterday, contractors are currently on-site carrying out repairs and a further update will be provided by 5pm on Sunday 11 January.

We are aware that your child may have left possessions in their lesson. Please be assured that everything remains as the students left it yesterday morning and we are keeping everything safe. All students will be directed back to the classroom they left on the first day back to collect their things. More details will come out in the email to parents about arrangements for the reopening of the school.

I would like to thank parents for their support during yesterday’s evacuation and early closure. The positive comments we have received are greatly appreciated.

Inside the Classroom: We all know that school isn’t the same as when we were there all those years ago. New teaching methods, based on years of educational research, and a wealth of technological changes have meant that the education your children experience is very different from the education you experienced.

We would like to invite you to join us, ‘Inside the Classroom’, where parents will get to experience education as it is taught today. From up-to-date teaching methods to interactive technology, you’ll experience first hand what it’s like to be a student at CPS now and maybe learn a thing or two along the way.

This event will take place on Thursday 29 January, from 6-8pm – please book your free space here.

Volunteers needed: Thanks to everyone who has signed up to help at our Business Day for Year 10 students on Thursday 26 February 2026. We are still looking for more volunteers who would be able to come in that day to run workshops in the morning and/or to conduct mock interviews with these students in the afternoon.  If you are able to commit to this time and help us, please complete this form.

Holocaust Memorial Day: Please see this letter.

MFL: We are holding an assembly for our Year 8 students at the end of this month to highlight the importance and benefits of learning a foreign language. Did you study languages at CPS and have gone on to use them? Would you be interested in coming in to talk in the assembly? Alternatively, could you send in a short paragraph about yourself for inclusion in the slides shown? It would be great for our students to hear from our own alumni! If you can help please contact Ms Meaden by email – thank you in advance for your support.

Trips: Please see the Trip Bulletin for trips that are currently open for applications. The deadline to apply is 9pm on Monday, 12 January. Parents of students eligible for these trips were sent emails on Tuesday, 6 January with instructions on how to apply. Please look out for emails from Hampshire County Council/Evolve (the trips communication channel, not EduLink). You do not need to register to receive Evolve emails – they will be sent to parent email address registered with the school. However, you can still register for myEvolve app if you wish (details are included in the invitation to apply email). If you have not received the email, please contact the Trips Team before the deadline. Late applications will not be considered and will only be added to the waiting list if one is created.

Macbeth: We will be providing an opportunity for all Year 10 and 11 to watch the most recent film adaptation of ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’(15 certificate), directed by Joel Coen and starring Denzel Washington in the title role.
Date: Thursday 22 January
Time: 3.15pm – 4.45pm
Location: The Library
Some film viewing snacks will be provided. This sinister adaptation is a great way to further students’ knowledge of ‘the Scottish play’ whilst enjoying a relaxing afternoon of cinema. If your child is interested in attending please email Mrs Wiltshire to confirm their space.

Lost Property: Classrooms and PE changing rooms were cleared of lost property items during the Christmas break. We have returned named items to students, however, we still have a huge amount of items left to be claimed. These are all un-named and have been neatly stored in an accessible cupboard opposite Food Tech room DT7. Students have been advised to check this cupboard for missing property. It will be kept there until the end of January. Items will then be removed/donated.

Ski lessons: We had a great first week at Aldershot Dry Ski Slope, and although the weather has not been kind to us, our Novice Skiers had their first lesson. They have progressed brilliantly practicing their snow plough and use of the button lift. They have two more weeks of sessions ahead of our annual Easter ski trip when we head to Claviere.

if your child would like to join us in Passo Tonale in 2027 for our Ski Trip, there is still time to sign up. Look out for an email from Hampshire County Council/Evolve.

PTA: Get your thinking caps on and your taste buds ready as Calthorpe Park School’s newly formed PTA is delighted to invite you to our very first event a Curry and Quiz Night! Join us on Friday 30th January 2026 in the school hall for an evening of laughter, friendly competition and great food. Whether you’re a quiz mastermind or just in it for the curry, this promises to be a fantastic night out for our school community. Please arrive by 6:45pm for a 7pm start. You can enter a team of up to six players, so gather friends, family or fellow parents and put your knowledge to the test. Tickets are £15 per person, which includes both the quiz and a delicious curry, with a bar open on the night for refreshments. Tickets are available to purchase at this link. To register your team, simply purchase your tickets and then email events@cpspta.co.uk with:

• Your quiz team name
• Quiz leader’s name
• Number of players

We hope you’ll join us for what we’re sure will be a brilliant evening, all while helping to raise valuable funds to support our children and school.

Brains at the ready,
Calthorpe Park School PTA

Football: For anyone interested in the Southampton FC Women’s match against Portsmouth Women on Saturday 10 January at 5.30pm at St Mary’s Stadium, tickets are free via this link.

On Wednesday 7th January, 80 students from Years 9–11 studying Music, Music Technology, and Drama enjoyed an exciting trip to London to see the musical Hercules.

The performance was outstanding. The music was powerful and beautifully arranged, with some brilliant new songs that added fresh energy to the story. The sound and lighting design were exceptional, creating dramatic moments that really brought the myth to life. The puppetry was a real highlight too, adding creativity and magic to the production.

Due to little traffic and superb driving from Hodges Coaches, we also had time to explore Covent Garden, which was a great opportunity to experience the vibrant atmosphere of the city.

A big thank you to our dedicated staff team: Mrs Shackell, Mr Walker, Ms Stimson, Mr Forster, Mr Marshall-James, Mrs Kenny, and Mr Knights for their support and organisation, which made the trip run so smoothly.

Miss Kearns