As September draws to a close, we conclude a really successful start to the term. Further evidence that our Year 7 intake has settled in well was seen on Thursday when all students coped admirably with their CATs tests in the School Sports Hall.

Our main assembly this week was on the theme of Encouragement and was led by Year 11. Josh and Ellie read very well and our musical item was a lovely piano duet brought by Millie and Chloe. We also heard about an exciting Duke of Edinburgh expedition in a report brought by Carys and Kian.

Our Year 13 Geographers went on a field trip to Wrexham and Liverpool and we also achieved many successes at the Athletics competition for students in Years 9, 10 and 11 on Wednesday of this week.

Wednesday, a very busy day, was in fact, also the European Day of Languages.

Our visiting speaker, Mr Tim Penn, delivered inspiring and thought-provoking sessions to a number of students in Years 9, 10 and 11.

His input highlighted the ever-increasing importance of language skills in the world of work and also considered the nature of international trade and essential requirement for effective foreign language communications in a post-Brexit society.

A large number of our students continue to enjoy our trips to the theater and further trips will run both this evening and on Monday evening next week. Indeed on Monday evening, a large number of students in Years 10 and 11 are going to the Lowry Theater in Salford to watch ‘Macbeth’.

This term the entire Castell Alun team is considering the theme of homework and we are speaking to a number of students in order to collate their views on the most effective means of setting appropriate, timely homework over the next few weeks. We will let you know our findings in the near future.

On Thursday next week we will hold our New Intake Open Evening from 6.30pm onwards. This annual event always proves very popular and I will be delivering my introductory talk twice, once at 6.45pm and again at approximately 7.15pm. Visitors will have opportunities to access all areas of the school and chat with members of staff from each subject area and the Senior Management Team. If you are unable to attend on the evening we will, of course, be happy to show you around the school on Friday morning on tours planned for 9.30am and 11am. Please be so good as to book on to these tours through Miss Olwen Jones on 01978 760238.