4 Ebrill 2025
Croeso
We’re excited to share all the wonderful things happening across our school community. This blog is your go-to place for celebrating student success, showcasing special events and keeping up with all the latest news from Castell Alun. From outstanding achievements in competitions to inspiring guest visits, fun and engaging activities, there’s always something to be proud of. Whether you’re a student, parent, or part of our wider school family, we hope you enjoy reading about the moments that make our school such a vibrant and supportive place to learn and grow.
Praise and Rewards
At our school, we take great pride in recognising and celebrating the achievements of our students through our praise and rewards system. This system is designed to encourage hard work, perseverance and a commitment to excellence. Throughout the year, each year group has been competing to earn the top spot, with tutor groups going head-to-head to see who could achieve the highest scores. This friendly competition not only motivates our students but also fosters a sense of teamwork and community within each year group. This morning, we were thrilled to celebrate the winning tutor groups with a special celebratory breakfast, where students could enjoy the rewards of all their hard work. To further recognise the outstanding achievements of our top performers, we awarded Amazon vouchers to the highest praise points-achieving students as a token of appreciation for their hard work and dedication. Di awn pawb! Keep up the fantastic work – your determination and passion for learning are truly inspiring!
Transition Wellbeing Day
Yesterday, we were thrilled to host a wonderful Transition Wellbeing Day, designed to help students feel confident and excited as they prepare for the next stage of their learning journey at Castell Alun. The day focused on building essential skills, encouraging new friendships and promoting a sense of belonging—all key to a smooth and successful transition in September.
The day began with a warm welcome from Headteacher Mr. Ellis, setting a positive tone for what was to come. Students then rotated through four engaging workshops—Performing Arts, Art, PE, and Music—each one aimed at developing healthy habits and encouraging self-expression, collaboration and creativity.
Transition Wellbeing Day is part of our broader commitment to supporting students as they move into the next chapter of their education. We were so impressed with the enthusiasm, energy and openness the students brought to the day. They truly embraced every opportunity to learn, grow and connect—and we can’t wait to see them thrive when they officially join us in September! A special diolch goes to Mrs. Lisa Allen for organising such a memorable and meaningful event. We look forward to welcoming the rest of our Year 6 students next week!
Success at the Urdd Regional Eisteddfod
On Friday 28th March, several students represented Castell Alun at the Urdd Secondary Regional Eisteddfod in Ysgol Maes Garmon. They competed in a range of Welsh-language competitions, including singing and recitation. Students from Years 7, 8, 9 and the Sixth Form all took part in the recitation events. Their enthusiasm and commitment to Cymraeg shone throughout the day, showcasing both talent and pride in Welsh culture.
The evening proved both enjoyable and successful. Tawana Muzimba (Year 9), along with the KS3 and KS5 Recitation Groups, all secured first place in their categories. As a result, these talented students will now represent Flintshire, Wrexham, and Castell Alun at Eisteddfod yr Urdd in Port Talbot this May.
We wish them the very best as they prepare for this exciting next stage!
Da iawn to them all and to the Welsh department for training and supporting them on the evening. Llongyfarchiadau! We are very proud of them and wish them every success.
Rachel Inspires the Next Generation
We were thrilled to welcome back former student Rachel Harper—now a successful BBC actor and scriptwriter.
Rachel has carved out an impressive career. She has appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, collaborated with Dermot O’Leary. She has also contributed to various BBC soaps and dramas—both on-screen and behind the scenes.
During her visit, she spoke passionately about her journey through the Performing Arts industry. She shared valuable advice and real-world insights with our students. Moreover, her talk emphasised perseverance, creativity, and the power of building strong connections. She also showcased how Castell Alun lays a solid foundation for future actors, writers, and creatives.
We feel incredibly proud of Rachel. Even more, we’re thankful she returned to inspire the next generation.
Are you a former student working in Performing Arts—or do you know someone who is? If so, we’d love to reconnect and welcome you to our growing Alumni network!
Upcoming Events
You can see our full range of upcoming events by heading over to our Events Calendar page.
In Closing
Looking back at recent events, we’re reminded of the values that shape life at Castell Alun—respect, determination, and honesty.
Through celebrating success, supporting each other, and aiming for personal growth, our students live out these values daily. Their effort, resilience, and integrity shine through in every aspect of school life.
We’re incredibly proud of what they continue to achieve. And as always, we look forward to sharing more inspiring moments with you in the coming weeks.
Mwynhewch y penwythnos – Have a wonderful weekend
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.
