School Blog (07/03/25)

Welcome back to the second half of our Spring term! It’s great to see the days growing longer, the weather warming up, and signs of spring all around us. This week’s School Blog highlights our St. David’s Day celebrations, reflecting on his powerful message: “Gwnewch y pethau bychain”—”Do the little things.” We also take a look at how our staff and students have embraced World Book Day, celebrating the joy of reading and its lasting impact.

On Monday, our school celebrated Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant with an inspiring assembly led by the Cymraeg department. St. David, a 6th-century monk, dedicated his life to teaching, healing, and spreading kindness. His famous miracle—where the ground rose beneath him as he preached—symbolises how small actions can have a big impact. Wales is not just about history but also about modern figures shaping its future, like Michael Sheen, Dafydd Iwan, Gareth Bale, and Elin Fflur. We are proud to be a bilingual school and we must continue to embrace our Welsh identity by speaking the language, supporting cultural events, and engaging with Welsh music, media, and literature. Keeping Welsh alive is more than just learning it in school—it’s about using it every day.

As St. David said, “Gwnewch y pethau bychain”“Do the little things.” Every time we speak Welsh, we preserve our heritage for future generations. Let’s challenge ourselves to use more Welsh daily, celebrate our traditions, and strengthen our school’s Welsh identity. A special thank you to the Cymraeg department for a fantastic assembly that reminded us why being Welsh is something to cherish. Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus i bawb!

A photograph of several KS3 students involved in our St David's Day activities, circa March 2025

As part of celebrating St David’s Day KS3 students were challenged to complete a variety of tasks. Year 7 students enjoyed baking and decorating cakes with a Cymraeg design or painting stones making a connection to Cymru. Blwyddyn 8 and 9 students were set a challenge board which encouraged students to use their Cymraeg with family members as well as in the community, as long as ‘do the little things’ – students volunteered their services to do litter picks and helping out in other meaningful ways. Creative students had the opportunity to create their own Welsh mythology based games or create origami daffodils; whereas the musically talented turned their hand to the 1-8 rap challenge or learned to play the National Anthem on an instrument. Link Here!

A photograph from our Year 12 Geography trip to Glan Llyn, circa March 2025

Just before half term, our Year 12 Geography students embarked on an unforgettable residential trip to Glan Llyn, near Bala. This trip provided an incredible opportunity to bring classroom learning to life, as students explored key geographical concepts in a real-world setting.

Over the course of the visit, students engaged in a range of fieldwork activities, investigating river landscapes, glacial features, and rural land use in the stunning Snowdonia National Park. They developed essential skills such as data collection, analysis, and evaluation—key elements for their A-Level studies. The trip also encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience as students worked together in challenging but rewarding environments.

Beyond fieldwork, students had the chance to enjoy the natural beauty of the area, taking part in outdoor activities that pushed them beyond their comfort zones. Staying at Glan Llyn fostered a real sense of camaraderie, making the trip both academically enriching and personally rewarding.

A huge thank you to the staff who helped make the trip a success, and to our students for their enthusiasm and hard work. This experience will no doubt be a highlight of their Geography A-Level journey!

A photograph of a student preparing in the Library for World Book Day, circa March 2025

World Book Day is always a special event in our school, and this year was no exception! Our students have been busy bringing their favorite books to life through incredible displays, filling our corridors with color, creativity, and a shared love of reading.

Tutor groups worked together to design and decorate their classroom doors with themes from their favourite books. Among the fantastic displays were Gangsta Granny, Little Women, and The BFG. One of the standout projects was The BFG, where students went the extra mile by crafting their own dream jars—each one filled with imaginative ideas and beautiful designs.

In the library this week, we introduced a fun challenge—students could pick a book based solely on its description rather than the cover. Don’t judge a book by its cover! This activity encouraged students to step outside their reading comfort zones and discover new stories.

As a school, we have also launched a literacy focus on reading, which will continue throughout the term. We will be highlighting two key areas:

Reading for Pleasure – fostering a lifelong love of reading.
Reading for Learning – developing the ability to extract, interpret, and analyse information.

With World Book Day celebrations taking place across subjects, students have had the chance to engage with reading in new and exciting ways. These activities emphasise the importance of reading—not just for enjoyment, but also for academic success. A huge da iawn to everyone involved for making this year’s World Book Day such a fantastic celebration!

Here are some of the fantastic creations with more to come next week.

The Featured Image of the School Blog for 07/03/25

On Sunday evening, we welcomed back our Year 10 students and teachers from another incredible and successful ski trip! This year’s destination was Ski Amade, Austria, in the stunning resorts of Flachau and Zauchensee. Students had the opportunity to experience world-class skiing, breathtaking mountain views, and an action-packed itinerary filled with fun and adventure.

Throughout the week, students developed their skiing skills, whether they were complete beginners finding their balance on the slopes or more experienced skiers perfecting their technique. The ski instructors were full of praise for our students’ enthusiasm, determination, and progress, and it was fantastic to see so many of them growing in confidence each day.

But the trip wasn’t just about skiing! After an exciting day on the slopes, students took part in a variety of evening activities, including bowling, fancy dress party, swimming, water slides, and even a water disco! These activities provided the perfect opportunity for students to unwind, bond with friends, and make lifelong memories.

Beyond the fun and excitement, the ski trip also encouraged resilience, teamwork, and independence—valuable skills that will stay with our students long after they’ve returned home. The experience of navigating new challenges, embracing a different culture, and stepping out of their comfort zones made this trip truly special.

A huge thank you goes out to all the staff who gave up their time over the holidays to make this incredible experience possible. Their dedication, support, and enthusiasm ensured that the students had a safe, enjoyable, and unforgettable week.

We’re so proud of all the students who took part, and we can’t wait to do it all again next year! 

More images can be found on our Social Media Posts page.

A promotional image for Castell Alun's production of Our Day Out being performed in March 2025
A promotional image for CAFA's Sound Bath event

You can see our full range of upcoming events by heading over to our Events Calendar page.

As we enter the second half of our Spring term, it’s a great time to reflect. From cultural celebrations to academic successes and outdoor adventures, students have shown enthusiasm, creativity, and a passion for learning.

St. David’s Day provided a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Welsh culture and language. Students participated in various activities, embracing their heritage with pride and excitement. Soon after, World Book Day ignited creativity across the school. Students and staff engaged in storytelling, reading challenges, and lively discussions about their favorite books. Seeing such a strong love for literature and imagination was truly inspiring.

Beyond the classroom, students have gained valuable hands-on experiences. Geography students took learning beyond textbooks during a trip to Glan Llyn, where they explored the natural environment. Meanwhile, Year 10 students embarked on an unforgettable adventure to Austria, skiing while strengthening resilience, teamwork, and confidence. These trips not only deepen learning but also create lifelong memories.

The energy of learning, creativity, and adventure continues to thrive. With more exciting opportunities ahead, we encourage everyone to stay engaged. Let’s celebrate achievements, embrace new challenges, and keep our school a vibrant, inspiring place.

Keep up the fantastic work, and let’s make the rest of this term just as memorable!

And remember to…  “Gwnewch y pethau bychain”“Do the little things.” 

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.

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