11 Gorffennaf 2025
Croeso
Welcome to this week’s School Blog, as we enter the penultimate week of what has been another action-packed school year! With the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 kicking off in Switzerland, it feels only fitting that this week has a strong sporty feel. From the energy and excitement of our whole-school Sports Day to outstanding individual achievements on national and international stages, we’re proud to celebrate the talent and determination of our students. This week’s edition also takes us beyond the sports field, with highlights from our MFL study tour to Brittany—an unforgettable opportunity for students to immerse themselves in French language and culture. As the term draws to a close, the momentum and spirit across school remain high!
Bon Voyage!
This year’s MFL study tour took us to Brittany in Northern France, where 49 students in Years 9, 10 & 11 enjoyed 5 days abroad to use their French language skills in a real, authentic setting. Throughout the week, the trip group took in the sights of Saint Malo via mini train, visited a local aquarium, spent a day at Mont St Michel, toured the Château de Fougères and took a boat to the seaside town of Dinard. Lots of French was
spoken by our students throughout the trip, mostly when buying treats and souvenirs, but also in the hostel and to staff on our excursions. We received compliments from members of the public on our students’ politeness and impeccable behaviour throughout the whole trip, and the trip teachers were equally very impressed and proud of our students’ confidence, friendliness and considerate attitudes! Thank you to all the students on the trip for their positive attitudes, the parents for their incredible punctuality and support, and also the trip teachers for their commitment to ensuring the students had the safest, but most enjoyable, time possible.
Celebration of Sports and Spirit
Sports Day is always a highlight in our calendar, and today did not disappoint. It was a tremendous success, despite the heat, and a wonderful reminder of how special it is when our whole school community comes together. We always look forward to this day—not just for the competition, but for the shared spirit and celebration it brings.
Competitors from across the school showed incredible determination and resilience, giving their best in every race, jump, and throw. The energy from the crowd—students and staff—was infectious, creating a fantastic atmosphere that made the event truly memorable.
A huge thank you to all the parents who generously donated or lent gazebos. This provided essential shade and helping make the day possible. Mrs Molloy’s Jubly’s were a huge hit, offering a refreshing treat that kept everyone cool and smiling throughout the day.
Special appreciation goes to our dedicated staff.Special mention to the PE department and Mrs Beccy Rowlands. Their outstanding organisation ensured everything ran smoothly and joyfully from start to finish.
Sporting Updates
Congratulations Freya, Phoebe and Lucy who represented the North Wales Regional Academy in Cardiff this weekend.. some amazing talent was evident to all!
Seren qualified to represent Wales at the Dance World Cup back in December 2024 placing 1 st in Wales. The Dance World Cup finals were held in Burgos, Spain from 3rd-12th July. This is the biggest dance competition in the world with 9,000 dancers qualifying for the finals from 54 countries. Seren had an amazing competition placing 5 th in the World with her lyrical duet with her younger sister. Seren also came 6th with her lyrical solo, 8th in Acro and 9th in Jazz. This was against the best dancers in the world! A very successful Dance World Cup!
More Sporting Success
Morgan of Year 7 has represented the U13 North Wales Girls Hockey team. After clearing a series of rigorous selection trials, dedicated players from across North Wales have earned their spots and now form the team. They have been training together most weeks in the lead-up to competing in the Regional Hockey Championships in Nottingham on 11/12/13 July. This is a prestigious three-day tournament featuring the top young players from all over the UK. Impressively, Year 7 student Morgan secured the team’s sole spot for a girl in her year group.
You may also know that Henry Tonks and Isaac Horsley earned selection for the U13 Boys North Wales Hockey team. Both completed similar selection and training processes. Additionally, the coaches appointed Isaac vice-captain of the boys’ team.
They competed in the Nottingham Championships over the weekend of 20–22 June.
Also, llongfarchiadau to Kate in Year 9 who became Welsh Champion in the U15 Girls Discus last weekend!
Today our Junior Girls and Junior Boys travelled to Brecon to represent NE Wales in the Wales schools finals. It was a tough competition with the sun beaming down! However, there were some exceptional performances, which once again put Castell Alun on the map!
Upcoming Events
We’d like to remind all students and families about this summer’s exam results arrangements.
📌 GCE Results Day – Thursday 14th August
Students in Year 12 and Year 13 can collect results at school between 8:00am and 10:00am. After 10:00am, results will be sent directly to students’ Castell Alun email accounts.
📌 GCSE Results Day – Thursday 21st August
Students in Year 11 can collect results at school between 8:00am and 10:00am. After 10:00am, results will be sent to their Castell Alun email accounts.
Year 10 results will be sent directly to students’ Castell Alun email accounts by 9:00am. These results will not be available for collection at school.
If you have any questions about results days, please contact the school office.
Best of luck to all our students — we are proud of your hard work!
You can see our full range of upcoming events by heading over to our Events Calendar page.
In Closing
As the week ends, we send our best wishes to our Gold Duke of Edinburgh students. They’re heading into the hills and mountains for a tough expedition. This marks an incredible achievement and proves their resilience and teamwork.
We’re thrilled to announce exciting record-breaking news. Castell Alun is now officially a Guinness World Record holder! Our participation in the largest cooking class has been verified, and the record is now ours. What a fantastic way to enter the final days of term!
Next week marks the final one of the school year. It promises plenty of activity and excitement, including the ever-popular Year 9 Welsh Baccalaureate Summer Fair. Let’s finish the year on a high!
Diolch a mwynhewch eich penwythnos / Thank you and have a lovely weekend.
Safeguarding
If you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Officers: Mr Ellis, Mrs Davies or Mr Stewart. You can reach them via the School Office or by using our Contact Form.
