25 Hydref 2026
Welcome to this week’s School Blog! It has been another busy and positive week at Castell Alun, with lots to celebrate and share. This week, we highlight our continued focus on developing reading across the curriculum, helping our students build the literacy and wider skills they need for learning, life and their future. We also introduce our new water fountains, share some fantastic sporting achievements.
Developing Reading
One of our key Teaching and Learning priorities this year is developing reading across the school. Reading is fundamental to success, not only in school but in life beyond the classroom. We want our students to develop a love of reading for pleasure, while also becoming confident and skilled at reading for learning – understanding, questioning and making sense of increasingly challenging information across all of their subjects.
Strong reading skills also support the development of wider literacy, helping students to build vocabulary, express their ideas through writing and communicate confidently through oracy.
These are important skills for future study, employment and everyday life, where young people need to be able to understand information, think critically, communicate effectively and continue to learn independently. This year, we are continuing to develop reading across all subjects, recognising that every curriculum area has its own texts, vocabulary and ways of communicating. By making reading a shared priority, we aim to equip every student with the confidence and skills they need to become successful learners now and in the future.
Stay Hydrated
We’re pleased to let you know that we have new water fountains around the school, making it even easier for everyone to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Drinking enough water is important for both your mind and body – it can help you to stay focused and alert in lessons, support your memory and concentration, maintain energy levels and keep your body working at its best.
We ask all students to bring a reusable water bottle to school each day and make use of the new fountains to fill it up during break and lunchtime. A simple habit like drinking enough water can make a real difference to how you feel, learn and perform throughout the school day.
Sporting Round-Up
It’s been another busy week of sport at Castell Alun, with our students representing the school brilliantly across football and athletics.
Da iawn to all our students who competed and represented Castell Alun so positively. We look forward to following their progress over the coming weeks!
U13 Girls – Welsh Cup Success
Our U13 Girls’ Football Team got their Welsh Cup campaign off to a fantastic start last week, taking on Morgan Llwyd in the first round and securing an impressive 8–1 victory. There was some excellent football on display throughout the match, with Ava scoring all eight goals! A superb team performance and a brilliant start to the competition – well done, girls!
U18 Boys – Through to the Next Round
Our U18 Boys’ Football Team were also in Welsh Cup action, facing Mold Alun in their first-round fixture. The boys produced a strong performance to secure a 2–0 win, earning their place in the next round. Congratulations to everyone involved!
Year 7 Football
Our Year 7 team were also in action against Argoed. Although the result didn’t go our way on this occasion, the team put in a really positive performance, showing great determination, teamwork and resilience throughout. There was plenty to be proud of and lots of promise for the season ahead. Well done to everyone who represented the school!
Flintshire Individual Athletics
Students from Years 8–12 represented Castell Alun at the Flintshire Individual Athletics event at Deeside Athletics Track. Our pupils represented the school extremely well, producing some excellent individual performances.
A number of our athletes have now been selected to represent Flintshire at the North East Wales competition next week – a fantastic achievement and one they should be extremely proud of.
Upcoming Events
Year 10 Information Evening – Thursday 8th October (5pm-6pm)
CAFA Sound Bath Evening – Tuesday 20th October 2026
Lost Property
A reminder that each Friday, photographs of all unclaimed lost property are shared on the School Blog for parents and carers to view, as well as on Google Classroom for students to check. If students recognise an item, they should speak to their group tutor to arrange collection during registration or at another suitable time during the school day. Any items that remain unclaimed at the end of each half term will be donated to charity, so please do take a look each week to see if you spot anything familiar!
In Closing
Another busy week draws to a close, and we would like to thank our students, staff, parents and carers for their continued support. Whether it is developing new skills in the classroom, representing the school in sport, or simply making positive choices each day, it is these everyday actions that help our young people to develop successful futures. We hope everyone has an enjoyable and restful weekend, and we look forward to another positive week ahead.
Have a lovely weekend – Mwynhewch eich penwythnos!
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.
