17 Gorffennaf 2026
Welcome to our last Blog of the school year. Today, we came together as a whole school community for our final assembly of the academic year. Led by Mr Ellis, the assembly gave us the opportunity to reflect on everything we have achieved together over the past year and to celebrate the many successes of our learners, staff and wider school community.
As we looked back on the year, we were reminded of just how much has been accomplished—both inside and outside the classroom. From academic achievements and sporting success to performances, productions, trips, competitions and the countless everyday moments that make Castell Alun such a special place, there is so much to be proud of.
None of this would have been possible without the dedication and commitment of our entire school community. A heartfelt thank you goes to all our staff—teachers, teaching assistants, support staff, office staff, caretakers, catering team, cleaners, technicians and everyone who works behind the scenes to ensure our school runs so smoothly each day. Your hard work, care and commitment make an enormous difference to the experiences of our learners.
A huge thank you also goes to our students. Your enthusiasm, resilience, kindness and willingness to embrace every opportunity have made this another memorable year. Whether in lessons, on the sports field, on stage, out in the community or supporting one another each day, you continue to embody our values of Respect, Determination and Honesty, and you represent Castell Alun with pride.
The assembly concluded with a brilliant performance of My Hero by our talented Year 9 band. It was the perfect way to bring the year to a close, showcasing the confidence, creativity and talent of our learners and ending the assembly on a real high.
A Fantastic Week of Activity and Opportunity
This week, our annual Activity Days brought the whole school together for a fantastic programme of experiences, with every year group enjoying a wide range of activities both in and out of school.
Students visited Chester Zoo, Bounce Below and the Trafford Centre for bowling, while others took part in rounders, Army workshops, STEM activities, cookery school, art, drama, dance, food mindfulness, Cynefin walks, strategy games, our Year 7 Eisteddfod ….. and much more. Year 10 students also benefited from dedicated study skills and CV writing workshops as they prepare for their future pathways.
The week was filled with laughter, teamwork, creativity and new experiences, giving every student the opportunity to learn something new, challenge themselves and enjoy time with their peers.
A huge thank-you goes to all the staff who planned and delivered workshops, accompanied students on visits and helped make the week such a success. A special thank you must go to Mrs Sarah Thomas, whose outstanding organisation, planning and attention to detail ensured the week ran so smoothly.
Most importantly, it was wonderful to see every student getting involved, having fun and strengthening the sense of community that makes Castell Alun such a special place.
Year 9’s Entrepreneurial Success
Year 9 students worked exceptionally hard at last week’s Summer Fayre, raising an incredible £2,591.68!
The event featured a fantastic range of student-run businesses, including Glitter Tattoos, Sunglasses, Mocktails, Arcade Games, Penalty Shoot Out, Pie the Student and many more.
Year 9 demonstrated excellent behaviour throughout the event and were keen to ensure the Sports Hall was left clean and tidy at the end of the fayre—a credit to themselves and the school.
A huge congratulations to our top three fundraising groups and a great big diolch to Mrs Mason Thomas for her oversight of the event!
Dubai Berry Creation – £178.90
Sugar Rush – £149.85
Fizz n Frames – £148.75
Da iawn, Year 9! You should all be incredibly proud of your teamwork, creativity and fantastic fundraising efforts. Well done!
Learning with Autism Award Achieved
We are delighted to share that Castell Alun has successfully achieved the Learning with Autism Award. This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive learning environment where every learner is understood, supported and given the opportunity to thrive.
Achieving this award is a testament to the dedication of our staff, who continually strive to develop their understanding of autism and adapt their practice to meet the needs of all learners.
We are incredibly proud of this achievement and look forward to continuing to build on this work to ensure every student feels valued, supported and able to achieve their full potential.
Building Wellbeing Retreats in Minecraft
As part of the school’s wellbeing festival, Year 8 students in the Computer Science Department were challenged to design and build a Wellbeing Retreat in Minecraft. Working collaboratively in teams, students explored how digital environments can be designed to support relaxation, mindfulness and positive wellbeing, while developing their creativity, communication and problem-solving skills.
The completed builds showcased an impressive range of ideas. Many groups incorporated natural features such as waterfalls, rivers, ponds, cherry blossom trees, treehouses and campfires, creating peaceful environments designed to help visitors switch off and unwind.
Notable Features
Some of the most creative additions included:
- Zen ponds and calming waterfalls designed as spaces for reflection and relaxation.
- Hot tubs, swimming pools and sensory spa areas where visitors could de-stress and recharge.
- Treehouses, bridges and camping areas that encouraged exploration and connection with nature.
- Libraries and educational spaces filled with books, recognising the importance of learning and quiet reading as part of wellbeing.
- Animal cafés and social spaces designed to bring people together in welcoming environments.
- Music rooms, saunas and snack shacks, offering a variety of ways for visitors to relax and enjoy themselves.
Many teams combined several of these features into larger retreats, presenting how different spaces could support both individual wellbeing and social interaction.
Developing Skills Through Computing
The project provided an excellent opportunity for students to apply a range of skills from the Welsh Curriculum for Wales (CfW) and the Digital Competence Framework (DCF). Students used digital tools creatively to design, plan and construct their retreat environments, demonstrating digital creativity, problem-solving and collaboration. They worked effectively in teams, communicated ideas, evaluated design choices and refined their builds based on shared goals.
The activity also supported the Expressive Arts and Technology AoLEs, encouraging learners to design purposeful digital products while considering how environments can influence health and wellbeing. By combining creativity with technology, students explored how digital solutions can be used to meet real-world needs and improve people’s experiences.
As a proud CyberFirst school, we are committed to developing students’ digital skills, creativity and confidence with technology. Activities such as this encourage learners to think critically, collaborate effectively and apply their computing skills in engaging and meaningful contexts.
Through projects like these, students gain valuable experience in digital design while developing the resilience, communication and problem-solving skills that are increasingly important in the modern world.
We were delighted by the imagination and enthusiasm shown throughout the project. From tranquil nature retreats and sensory spas to libraries and animal cafés, the students created a fantastic range of wellbeing-focused spaces and demonstrated the creativity that is thriving within our Computer Science Department.
Well done to all of our Year 8 students on their fantastic designs and teamwork!
Outstanding Success at the Dance World Finals
We are delighted to share some fantastic news from the Dance World Finals in Dublin! A huge congratulations to Bethan (Year 7), who achieved an incredible 6th place in the world in her Commercial Solo.
Congratulations also to Bethan and Bess (Year 8), who placed 4th in the world with their squad, and to Penelope (Year 11), Seren (Year 9) and Bethan, who also achieved an outstanding 4th place in the world with their team.
Reaching the World Finals is a remarkable achievement in itself, and these results are a testament to the girls’ talent, dedication and hard work. They are still competing in Dublin, and we look forward to sharing any further successes.
Good luck to everyone for the rest of the competition.
Sporting Successes
Sports Day 2026 – A Fantastic Celebration of Talent, Determination and School Spirit
Following a change to the schedule due to the hot weather, our whole-school Sports Day was a tremendous success and a brilliant celebration of everything that makes Castell Alun special.
Throughout the day, students demonstrated outstanding determination, resilience and respect, supporting one another from the first event to the last.
The atmosphere was incredible, with students and staff creating a fantastic sense of community as they cheered competitors on and celebrated every achievement. Whether competing for a place on the podium, setting a personal best or representing their form with pride, every participant contributed to a memorable day.
Congratulations to all of our year group winners:
Year 7
1st: U – 120 points
2nd: T – 119 points
3rd: M – 112 points
Victor: Harley
Victrix: Doshima
Year 8
1st: S – 145 points
2nd: T – 134 points
3rd: U – 131 points
Victor: Tom
Victrix: Freya
Year 9
1st: U – 208 points
2nd: E – 151 points
3rd: R – 117 points
Victor: Zack
Victrix: Faye
Year 10
1st: R – 122 points
2nd: O – 119 points
3rd: T – 110 points
Victor: Harry
Victrix: Esme
A special congratulations also goes to those students who broke school records during the competition, Year 7 – Doshima for the High Jump and Hallie for Discus and Year 9 – Annabelle for Discus, an outstanding achievement that reflects the high standard of performance across the day.
Thank you to all of our PE staff, support staff, student leaders and volunteers who helped organise and run such a successful event. Your hard work ensured the day ran smoothly and provided an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
Most importantly, thank you to all of our students. The way you encouraged one another, competed with integrity and embodied our school values of Respect, Determination and Honesty made us incredibly proud.
Sports Day 2026 was a wonderful reminder that success is measured not only by medals and records, but also by teamwork, perseverance and school spirit.
In Closing
As we bring another successful school year to a close, we would like to thank our entire Castell Alun community for making it such a memorable one. To our students, thank you for your enthusiasm, resilience and the pride you take in representing our school. To our staff, thank you for your unwavering dedication, care and commitment in creating such rich and varied opportunities for our learners. Finally, thank you to our parents, carers and wider community for your continued support and partnership throughout the year.
We wish everyone a safe, happy and restful summer break, and we look forward to welcoming you back in September for another exciting year as we continue our journey of Developing Successful Futures.
Have a wonderful summer!
Mwynhewch wyliau’r haf! ☀️🌻
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.
