19 Mehefin 2026
Welcome to this week’s School Blog. It has been wonderful to celebrate the achievements, talents and contributions of our students and staff. This edition highlights just some of the many ways our school community continues to excel, from showing appreciation for our dedicated teachers, to reaching for the stars through scientific innovation, achieving success on the national stage, and demonstrating excellence in sport. We hope you enjoy reading about these recent highlights and sharing in our pride at all that has been accomplished.
Thank a Teacher and Team Day
On Wednesday, our school community came together to celebrate Thank a Teacher and Team Day, recognising the dedication, care and hard work of all those who make a difference to the lives of our learners every day.
Throughout the day, students took the opportunity to express their appreciation by writing thoughtful cards, notes and messages to their teachers. It was wonderful to see so many kind words shared, with students reflecting on the support, encouragement and inspiration they receive both inside and outside the classroom.
Teaching is about so much more than delivering lessons. Every day, our staff help young people to grow in confidence, overcome challenges, discover new interests and achieve their potential. The messages received from students were a powerful reminder of the positive impact that teachers and support staff have on the lives of our learners.
To mark the occasion, we also extended break time by five minutes, providing staff with a valuable opportunity to come together, enjoy a well-earned pause and celebrate the day as a team amidst the busyness of school life.
We would like to thank all of our students who took the time to write a card or message, and to recognise the incredible commitment of our teaching and support staff. Your passion, care and dedication help make our school a place where every learner can thrive.
From Classroom to Cosmos
We are thrilled to celebrate an extraordinary achievement by two of our Year 12 students, who recently had their Python code launched—quite literally—into orbit as part of the prestigious Astro Pi Mission Space Lab competition, run by the European Space Agency in collaboration with the Raspberry Pi Foundation.
The students, James and Noah, took part in this international STEM challenge, which gives young people the opportunity to conduct real scientific investigations in space. Their mission: to develop a program using the Raspberry Pi computers aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to gather and analyse data in microgravity.
With remarkable skill and ingenuity, our students designed and coded an experiment that used the Astro Pi’s onboard sensors to determine the speed of the ISS. By analysing data from the gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer, they calculated that the space station was travelling at an astonishing 7.3 kilometers per second—approximately 26,280 kilometers per hour!
Their code passed all pre-flight checks and was among the select few chosen from hundreds of entries across Europe to be deployed on the ISS, where it ran in orbit and returned real scientific data. This not only demonstrates the students’ technical prowess but also their ability to think creatively and solve complex problems—skills that are vital for the future of science and engineering.
We are incredibly proud of these students for aiming high—literally beyond the sky. They showed what passion, teamwork and perseverance can achieve. Congratulations to our young space scientists! We can’t wait to see where your curiosity and innovation will take you next.
Celebrating Success
Castell Alun has once again demonstrated the outstanding talent, dedication, and ambition of its students, achieving remarkable success across both the arts and performing arts.
One of the school’s greatest achievements this year came in a prestigious national art competition, where students showcased their creativity, technical skill, and originality. Competing against schools from across the country, Castell Alun secured an impressive third place in Wales, a testament to the hard work of both the students. The achievement highlights the Welsh department’s commitment to nurturing artistic excellence and providing opportunities for young people to express themselves through creative mediums.
The celebrations did not stop there. The school’s Group adrodd also enjoyed an exceptional year, earning the opportunity to perform on a major stage in front of large audiences at the Eisteddfod yr Urdd in Anglesey. Their performance was met with praise and admiration as they competed alongside some of the most prestigious schools in the Welsh-speaking world including the Welsh school in Patagonia.
The Welsh department would like to thank the following students and their parents for their support, hard work and commitment;
Group Adrodd- Adam, Claudia, Cairo, Tilly F, Poppy, Ffion, Faith and Jessica .
Art competitions- Seren, Scarlett and Eira.
Diolch yn fawr iawn from Mrs Owens-Jones and the Welsh department.
Sports Day – Friday 10th July
We are looking forward to our annual School Sports Day, which will take place on Friday 10th July 2026.
Sports Day is always a highlight of the school calendar, providing students with the opportunity to take part in a range of athletic events, represent their house and enjoy a day of healthy competition and school spirit.
A letter has been sent to parents/carers with full details about the arrangements for the day, including information regarding participation, kit requirements and contingency plans in the event of poor weather.
We would like to thank parents and carers for their continued support and look forward to an exciting and successful Sports Day. Good luck to all of our competitors!
Mason to Captain FAW North Team
Congratulations to Mason, who was once again selected to captain the 2013 North Team in the Football Association of Wales (FAW) North vs South fixture on Saturday.
The match took place at Dragon Park, Newport, and being chosen not only to represent the North Team but also to lead the side as captain is a fantastic achievement. This recognition reflects Mason’s talent, commitment and leadership qualities on and off the pitch.
We are incredibly proud of Mason and all that he has achieved. Representing the region at such a prestigious event is an honour, and we look forward to following his continued success in the future.
Lost Property Gallery
Here are photos of this week’s lost property. Students should speak to their group tutor to arrange collection during registration or at another suitable time during the school day. At the end of each half term, any unclaimed items will be donated to charity.
Upcoming
In Closing
As we reflect on the stories featured in this week’s Blog, we are reminded of the incredible opportunities, achievements and experiences that make our school such a vibrant and inspiring place to learn. Whether in the classroom, on the sports field, on the stage or even aboard the International Space Station, our students continue to demonstrate ambition, resilience, creativity and determination.
We would like to thank our students, staff, parents and carers for their ongoing support and commitment to our school community. Together, we continue to create an environment where every learner is encouraged to achieve their very best.
We look forward to sharing more celebrations and successes with you in the coming weeks.
Diolch yn fawr am eich cefnogaeth barhaus.
Thank you for your continued support.
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.
