Autumn Harvest School Blog
Welcome to our Autumn Harvest School Blog! As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisper, our school community is excited to share the activities, inspiration, and fun that capture the spirit of autumn.
Celebrating Harvest
This week, our lower school assembly focused on Harvest time. Mrs. Wareing opened the assembly with a prayer in Cymraeg, reminding us of our local and cultural heritage.
Year 7 students have been hard at work collecting food. Each tutor group created beautifully decorated harvest boxes, which will be delivered to the Mold Food Bank later today. They have been reflecting on how their small contributions can make a big impact on people’s lives.
Mr. Neil Eve, our Year 8 Student Development Manager, read alongside Maya, Oliver and Isla. The readings centred on the important message that it is everyone’s responsibility to care for our world and encouraged us to think about ways we can contribute to helping our country and the planet.
The assembly was closed by a wonderful performance by the year 11 GCSE Music Group singing ‘Somewhere Only We Know’. Diolch yn fawr am y gerddoriaeth wych Blwyddyn 11!
Supporting Local Charities
Last Friday, our staff hosted a Macmillan Coffee Morning, raising an impressive £123 for this worthy cause. It was a fantastic event, and it turns out we have some truly talented bakers among our team!
Cambridge Professor and Castell Alun Alumnus Inspires Students
Cambridge professor and alumni of Castell Alun, Ben Guy, delivered a session to university students about the importance of being aspirational and the feasibility of pursuing the university route after sixth form. Ben also was able to see our early applicants for university on a one-to-one basis to offer support regarding the application process. Diolch yn fawr, Ben!
Creative Sparks Fly in Performing Arts
What an exciting week it’s been for Year 7 and 8 students in Performing Arts! Year 7 have been busy creating dynamic movement sequences inspired by Men in Black, while Year 8 have blown us away with their creativity and flair for costume design. This hands-on learning ties beautifully into the Expressive Arts Area of Learning and Experience (AoLE) in the Curriculum for Wales, encouraging students to explore their creative potential, develop confidence, and work collaboratively.
It’s been a brilliant start to the new academic term—dal ati pawb (keep it up, everyone)!
European Day of Languages
On Thursday, 26th September, the MFL department celebrated the European Day of Languages by organizing an exciting treasure hunt for Year 7 students! The challenge included six questions, each tied to a different learning area around the school. Year 7 students had to track down clues and solve the questions, with prizes awarded to the best hunters.
A huge well done to all the Year 7 students who took part! Special congratulations go to Alisa, Cindy, and Luisa for scoring the highest across all teams and winning the treasure hunt!
Félicitations / Herzlichen Glückwunsch / Felicidades / Llongyfarchiadau!
Empowering Year 9
We were thrilled to welcome Belinda Mortell to deliver an inspiring assembly to our Year 9 students on nutrition and careers in dietetics. We are incredibly grateful to have such a supportive network of stakeholders to motivate our students—thank you, Belinda!
This assembly is part of a broader series of career-focused sessions designed to support Year 9 students with their decision-making as they choose their options. Aligned with the Curriculum for Wales, these opportunities aim to develop students’ understanding of the world of work, fostering informed choices and connecting their learning to real-world career pathways.
Paralympian and Entrepreneur’s Remarkable Journey
Our Year 11 Business class was deeply inspired by Mark Williams’ remarkable story. Despite losing a limb as a child, Mark’s positive mindset and determination propelled him to success, winning numerous gold, silver, and bronze medals in the Paralympics and World Championships for swimming. He then built a successful career at Ecolab before founding his own award-winning business, LIMB-art, which designs prosthetic limb covers.
Mark’s journey not only motivated our students but also offered valuable lessons in resilience, entrepreneurship, and innovation. His story helped them see how overcoming challenges can fuel personal growth and business success—key skills they can apply to their own learning and future careers.
Year 13 Geographers Sharpen Fieldwork Skills
Year 13 Geographers had a productive day at the Rhyd-y-Creuau Field Studies Council site. They enjoyed honing their data collection and statistical analysis skills. This hands-on experience is essential preparation for their Individual Investigation NEA, a key component of the A-Level Geography course. These fieldwork skills not only support their coursework but also develop critical thinking and analytical abilities that are fundamental to success in their final exams and beyond.
Sporting Successes
Our sporting successes continue to showcase the development of key skills. The Year 8 boys football team demonstrated teamwork and resilience in their opening Welsh Cup victory, defeating Clwedog 6-3. At Flintshire’s Schools Competition, our athletes displayed perseverance and determination despite challenging conditions, with results still pending.
It was also fantastic to see our Year 11 girls engage in rugby during their core PE lessons. Here they developed physical literacy and teamwork skills under the guidance of our WRU hub officer, Mr. Bagshaw. These experiences foster not only physical development but also problem-solving, collaboration, and confidence—essential skills for life.
Next Week’s Upcoming Events
A reminder that we will be holding our Year 10 Information Evening on Thursday 10th October from 5.00pm-6.00pm. All Year 10 parents are welcome to attend.
Due to the popularity of previous events, there will be another Sound Bath this month, on Tuesday 22nd . Please book your place here!
Before that, CAFA will also be holding a Family Bingo and Quiz Night on Friday 18th October, here at Castell Alun. The evening starts at 6.30 pm and will be a combination of Bingo and Quizzing! There will be a bar, hot dogs and other refreshments on sale. Please book your place here and come along and help support the school.
As we wrap up this incredible week, we couldn’t be more proud of the hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm shown by everyone in our school community. From exciting achievements in the classroom to memorable moments on the sports field, this week has truly showcased the spirit of teamwork and perseverance. We always appreciate being made aware of stories and achievements to feature in future editions of the School Blog.
Let’s carry this energy forward and look forward to even more success in the weeks ahead – see you for the next School Blog!
Diolch am eich cefnogaeth barhaus, ac rydyn ni’n methu aros i rannu mwy o newyddion cyffrous yn fuan!
Safeguarding
If you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Officers, Mr. Craig Stewart, Mr Colin Ellis and Mrs Gail Davies. You can reach them via the School Office or by using our Contact Form.
