21 Chwefror 2025
Croseo
As we close the final week of the half term, it’s clear how much our school community has grown and thrived together, guided by our core values of respect, determination and honesty. This week’s Blog is packed with stories that truly reflect the spirit of Castell Alun, and we’re sure you’ll enjoy reading about the fantastic achievements and experiences our students have shared.
From the powerful Year 11 assembly on social justice to Ysgol Estyn’s Criw Cymraeg inspiring us to embrace the Welsh language, our community continues to shine. Year 8 students demonstrated resilience and teamwork at Glan-Llyn, while Ieuan’s incredible success at the Welsh Gymnastics Championships reminded us how dedication leads to greatness. The Year 9 Options Evening was another highlight, helping students feel confident about the exciting path ahead.
As we head into the break, we couldn’t be prouder of the way our school community has come together to support one another and celebrate success. Diolch pawb for making this half term one to remember.
Assembly on Social Justice
This week, Year 11 students Ael, Olivia, Lola and James, along with their Student Development Manager, Mr O’Connell, led a powerful whole-school assembly on the theme of social justice, exploring how fairness, equality and respect can shape a better world. The assembly highlighted how social justice isn’t just about laws or global movements but about our everyday choices and how we treat others.
Students shared examples of inspiring figures like Malala Yousafzai, Martin Luther King Jr., Marcus Rashford and Nelson Mandela, emphasising how individual actions, big or small, can drive positive change. Mandela’s words reminded us that the journey toward fairness is ongoing and that progress brings responsibility.
The assembly concluded with practical ways to promote social justice in our school and community—being inclusive, challenging injustice, educating ourselves, using our voices and supporting charities as well as the School Council’s work on period poverty.
A reflective prayer closed the assembly, encouraging everyone to be peacemakers and advocates for equality in their daily lives. Freya sang a beautiful rendition of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’, accompanied by James on the piano.
Di awn pawb for inspiring us to do more within our community.
Criw Cymraeg
Last Monday, we were delighted to welcome Ysgol Estyn’s Criw Cymraeg to our school. The group has worked tirelessly to create Welsh language guides to help people in our community learn Cymraeg. We’re proud to now have copies available at our school reception for everyone to access. Mrs Wareing was truly impressed by their initiative and the hard work they put into this project. We’re excited to continue supporting the growth of Cymraeg both here at Castell Alun and in our feeder primary schools. An essential part of our journey is sharing the Welsh language beyond the classroom and into our wider community. Da iawn Ysgol Estyn!
Year 9 Parents’/Options Evening
The Year 9 Parents’ Options Evening was a great success, providing students and their families with valuable insights as they prepare to make their GCSE option choices. It was fantastic to see such a strong turnout, with parents engaging in thoughtful discussions with subject teachers and gaining a clearer understanding of the pathways available. The evening offered an excellent opportunity for students to explore their strengths, interests and future aspirations, ensuring they feel confident in making informed decisions about the next stage of their education.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our dedicated teachers, who took the time to share their expertise, answer questions and provide guidance on what each subject entails at GCSE level. Their passion and commitment truly made the evening both informative and inspiring for our students and their families.
Finally, we are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our parents, whose involvement plays a crucial role in shaping the success and well-being of our students. Your partnership is invaluable, and we look forward to working together as our Year 9 students take this exciting next step in their educational journey.
Empowering Student Voices
The school council plays a vital role in shaping the school environment by meeting regularly to discuss important topics that directly impact student well-being. These discussions cover a wide range of areas, such as providing better support and guidance for students, improving career advice, addressing concerns around PE kits and enhancing internet safety. By tackling these issues, the school council aims to create an environment where students feel supported, informed and safe, helping them to thrive both academically and personally. Their proactive involvement ensures that student voices are heard and their needs are prioritised.
Our four Governor representatives are Olivia, Daniel, Sibella and Natasha.
These students are also involved in The Young Flintshire Voice, which is led by Healthy School Flintshir. The Young Flintshire Voice is a dynamic new initiative that empowers high school students across the region to share their opinions and provide feedback on key issues affecting their schools and communities. By creating a space for students to voice their thoughts, the initiative encourages discussions on vital topics such as environmental sustainability, building a safer Flintshire community and expanding educational opportunities. Through this platform, young people are actively contributing to positive change, ensuring their voices are heard and their concerns addressed at both the school and community levels.
Urdd Centre Adventure
On Monday 10th February a group of Year 8 students enjoyed a visit to the Urdd Centre, Glan-Llyn. The morning started with canoeing and team-building on Llyn Tegid. They combined their skills to compete against each other to be the first team to cross the lake. Students then conquered their fear of heights on the high ropes course and tower jump. They cheered each other on and showed their resilience when the pressure was on.
The fun continued in the afternoon with students combining their Cymraeg skills and their science knowledge of fire triangles in a bush craft workshop. They worked successfully together to light fires where they then kept warm with hot chocolates and roasted marshmallows. The afternoon finished with students competing in an archery competition.
The students were brilliant ambassadors for the school. They received praise for their courteous and positive attitudes, and for their enthusiasm towards Cymraeg.
After half term Year 9 students will have the opportunity to enjoy a day at the centre.
School Council joins Young Flintshire Launch
We are incredibly proud to announce that Ieuan has achieved remarkable success at the Welsh Gymnastics Championships 2025, held in Cardiff. Competing in the Under 18 category, this was Ieuan’s first major championship, and he certainly made a statement!
Ieuan became the Under 18 Welsh Champion on the floor, showcasing his exceptional skill and precision. Not only that, but he also earned a silver medal on the vault, an outstanding achievement in such a competitive field. His vault performance was so impressive that he secured the highest execution score of the entire competition on his first vault – a truly remarkable feat!
Ieuan’s dedication and talent have earned him a place alongside some of the world’s best athlete. He has competed alongside world medalists, European medalists and Commonwealth champions. Despite this being his first championship, Ieuan showed incredible focus and resilience.
After the competition, Ieuan’s achievements continued to shine. He now holds the 16th highest floor score in the world and the second highest floor score in the UK. On top of that, he boasts the second highest vault score in the world in the junior category! These scores reflect his incredible potential and determination to continue rising through the ranks.
Ieuan’s success at this championship is just the beginning. We can’t wait to see where his gymnastics journey takes him next. Congratulations, Ieuan – you’ve made us all incredibly proud!
Upcoming Events
You can see our full range of upcoming events by heading over to our Events Calendar page.
In Closing
As we wrap up this half term, it’s wonderful to reflect on the achievements, growth and community spirit we’ve shared. Thank you to everyone—students, staff and families—for your continued support and dedication.
We hope you enjoy a well-deserved break, filled with rest, laughter and time with loved ones. Remember to recharge, stay safe, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon for another exciting half term.
Mwynhewch eich gwyliau! Enjoy your holiday!
Safeguarding
If you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Officers: Mr Colin Ellis, Mrs Gail Davies and Mr Craig Stewart. You can reach them via the School Office or by using our Contact Form.
