Yearly archives: 2022

End of Term Updates and Celebrations Welcome to the School Blog. As we draw towards the end of an extraordinary long term, it is with deep regret that we were forced to postpone our Christmas Concert due to excessive student and staff absences through illness. We will refund all tickets […]

End of Term Excitement Welcome to the School Blog. With less than two weeks of teaching time left, it is understandable that some of our students are becoming a little excitable. However, it is good to report that behaviour remains appropriate and standards are maintained throughout the curriculum. This is […]

Winter Season Updates and Events Welcome to the School Blog. Bore da! We began the first week of winter this week, and although it is noticeably colder, we have thankfully been spared the rain so far! This dry weather has allowed us to reopen our all-weather pitch to students. Most […]

Mid-Term Update and Exciting Developments Welcome to the School Blog. Bore da! We have nearly reached the middle of this half term, and the lighter evenings are now a thing of the past. However, we are thrilled to announce that our new all-weather pitch will partially open to all students […]

Supporting Children in Need Welcome to the School Blog. Today, our school community supports Children in Need. Kindly make your contributions online via Gateway. The charity will gratefully receive these funds. Although we all agree that the best scenario would be for this charity to become unnecessary, we truly appreciate […]

Remembrance Day Assembly Welcome to the School Blog. Today began with a thoughtful, reflective, whole school assembly for Remembrance Day. We are very thankful for our supportive Governing Body, who joined us for the occasion. We are also grateful to Ella (Year 8), who performed ‘Fountain in the Rain’ so […]

End of a Long Half Term Welcome to the School Blog. As we reach the end of an extremely long half term, we can report that all Year 7 students enjoyed their Talk the Talk workshops yesterday. The trainers were exceptionally complimentary about everyone who participated, praising their skills and […]

Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Assemblies Welcome to the School Blog. As we entered school this morning, we saw a sea of pink across the Sixth Form as students and staff reflected on Breast Cancer Awareness this month. Our Lower School Assembly focused on taking responsibility, featuring excellent readings from […]

Celebrating Shwmae Sumae Day Welcome to the School Blog. Bore Da! Today, we celebrate Shwmae Sumae Day in school. Students have already participated in a live quiz during registration, and various other activities are happening throughout the school today. All KS3 students will engage in a scavenger hunt during their […]

Successful Information Evening Welcome to the School Blog. It was delightful to see numerous Year 10 families yesterday at our Information Evening. Everyone agreed it was a worthwhile occasion, filled with valuable information. Diolch to all families and staff involved in the event. Fire Drill We conducted a fire drill […]

Open Evening and Morning Welcome to the School Blog. Last night we hosted our New Intake Open Evening, and what an amazing occasion it was! Nearly 350 students attended voluntarily to showcase their talents and knowledge of a school they are clearly proud of. Our students have always been our […]

Upcoming Events Welcome to the School Blog. Even at this early stage of the academic year, plenty is happening at Castell Alun. Although only a four-day school week, Year 7 students had their first experience of sitting an assessment their CATs tests. We will not know the results of these […]

A Respectful Atmosphere Welcome to the School Blog. A highly respectful atmosphere has filled our bustling school campus this week. We were thrilled for our students and their families with the examination results of August 2022. We welcomed back a high number of both Castell Alun and external students into […]

Welcome Welcome to the School Blog A great big Castell Alun welcome to all new students, especially this morning. As we start our new school year, we can report that everyone is settling in well. Yesterday evening’s news dominates our thoughts today. Reflecting on Queen Elizabeth’s Legacy We have just […]

End of Year School Blog Welcome to the School Blog. We have just one week left, so this will be the final School Blog of the academic year. Although everyone at school is ready for the summer break, standards remain high in both academic and behavioural terms. Celebrating Reading Millionaires […]

Busy Times Before Summer Break Welcome to the School Blog. As we begin July, we are mindful that our students have only two more weeks of school before their summer break. Year 12 students will not attend lessons from 11th July, with some undertaking work experience and others exploring opportunities […]

Examination Season Success Welcome to the School Blog. We have finally reached the end of the examination season. Although it has most certainly been trying at times for various reasons, our students have given their best and thoroughly deserve success in the future. We are proud of every single one […]

WJEC Frustrations It’s great to have our Year 12 students back with us. Everybody has come through the examination period, although some have expressed frustrations about certain papers. We have already passed these frustrations onto the WJEC. Further feedback will be provided to the board as necessary on an individual […]

Year 12 Returns Welcome to the School Blog. We eagerly anticipate seeing our Year 12 students return on Monday. Many students and staff have already provided feedback to the WJEC on recent examination papers. Additionally, we will send a comprehensive school letter to the examination board and Qualifications Wales. Big […]

Examination Season and Student Achievements Welcome to the School Blog. The examination season is in full flow, and our students have impressed us with their responses. Despite their recent lack of participation in such assessments, they have shown resilience. Many of you are aware that students across Wales have taken […]

Examination Updates and Celebrations Welcome to the School Blog. Our examination students are coping remarkably well, considering that very few have undertaken formal external examinations in the past couple of years. Staff will give feedback on the WJEC and all examination papers to Qualifications Wales over the coming weeks. Therefore, […]

Examination Season Begins Welcome to the School Blog. The examination season has officially begun, and parents/carers of students have been notified of procedures should a student become ill, with or without COVID, when they are due to sit an exam. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to […]

Examination Season Focus Welcome to the School Blog. As the examination season begins, there is most certainly a studious focus in school across all year groups. Rewards Breakfasts We have hosted rewards breakfasts for hardworking and high-performing students in various year groups over the past couple of weeks. Unsurprisingly, the […]

Welcome Back After Easter Welcome to the School Blog. We hope you enjoyed a restful Easter. Our students have returned with excellent attitudes, and many are now ready for their external examinations. Please remember that any student experiencing anxiety or stress should speak to their Group Tutor or Student Development […]

Settling into the New School Week Welcome to the School Blog. We have now returned to a standard school week, which will see us through to the Easter break. Our students have adapted to this slight change in our daily timings with ease. Year 7 Virtual Parents’ Evening Thank you […]

Approaching Easter Break Welcome to the School Blog. With just one more school week to go before the Easter break, we would like to thank you for all of your support and understanding as we have tirelessly sought to keep all students in school, despite ever-increasing COVID rates amongst students […]

Springtime and Rising COVID Cases Welcome to the School Blog. The wonderful weather, lighter mornings, and longer evenings are a welcome change for all of us. Unfortunately, however, incidences of COVID are once again on the rise locally. A number of our staff and students currently have the virus, so […]

Supporting Ukraine Welcome to the School Blog. As a school community, we have all been horrified by the events unfolding in Ukraine. We are sure that you, too, struggle to make sense of such acts of unwarranted aggression. Several organisations are currently putting great effort into helping those displaced from […]

Reflecting on Global Events Welcome to the School Blog. As we navigate what seems to be the tail end of the pandemic, we remain acutely mindful of the horrors continuing in Ukraine. This global situation profoundly influences our lives at present, and many of us have already found ways to […]

Celebrating Our Patron Saint, Dewi Sant Welcome to the School Blog. It was lovely to return to school after the half-term break and spend the week commemorating our patron saint, Dewi Sant, and celebrating all things Welsh. Cake Sale Success On Monday, staff enjoyed partaking in the cake sale. The […]

Focus and Purpose Welcome to the School Blog. As we approach our final week of half term, there is a clear sense of focus and purpose in our school family. This is especially true for those among those preparing for external examinations this summer. Therefore, we feel it is an […]

Approaching Half Term Welcome to the School Blog. It’s hard to believe there are only two more school weeks until half term and that winter is nearly over! Celebrating Welsh Culture Over the last two weeks, we’ve celebrated three important annual Welsh events in school. On Tuesday, January 25th, it […]

Three Weeks In Welcome to the School Blog. We are already three weeks into this half term, and despite the short daylight hours, time is flying in school! We remain grateful for the decent winter weather as we complete the final elements of our new build refurbishments and put the […]

Midway Through Winter Welcome to the School Blog. We are now past the midway point of winter, and to date, the weather has been quite kind. For this, we are really grateful, especially as we near the conclusion of our building works. COVID Guidelines and Student Compliance We continue to […]

Back to School Welcome to the School Blog. It’s lovely to have a full week under our belt again after our students’ return from a perhaps quieter-than-normal Christmas break for many. A New Year and New Term The national picture appears to be gradually changing with regard to the virus […]