Welcome back!
Welcome to the School Blog. It’s now two weeks since our previous School Blog, and a lot has been happening in and around school, particularly in our thriving Welsh department!
St. David’s Day Celebrations
Last Friday, we held our St. David’s Day assembly, led by the Welsh department and members of the School Council. The assembly featured key messages delivered in Welsh, along with a beautiful musical performance by Year 12 students Natasha, Georgia, and Eloise. Their rendition of “Calon Lân” with a flute accompaniment truly captivated the audience. St. David’s Day was celebrated throughout the school, with staff enjoying their traditional paned a cacen during breaktime. This celebration raised a significant amount of money for the Marie Curie Daffodil Appeal.
Throughout the day, lessons highlighted the occasion, and lunchtime activities took place in the Cymraeg department. Many students earned bilingual praise points for their use of Welsh during the school day. The growing interest in Welsh language and culture is evident, especially as we embrace the post-COVID period. In fact, A-Level and projected AS Level class numbers are at an all-time high!
Welsh Department News
This Thursday, the Welsh department welcomed the Criw Cymraeg from our feeder primary schools. Before the event, schools collaborated on a joint unit of work celebrating Dydd Miwsig Cymru – Welsh Music Day. Students explored different genres of Cymraeg music, expressed their opinions on various songs, and participated in a live poll to vote for their favourite. They then used their numeracy skills to analyse the results. Some students took it a step further by researching new Cymraeg artists or bands using their ICT skills.
On the day itself, the Criw Cymraeg from each school visited Castell Alun for a fun-filled afternoon. The event kicked off with a gig from the famous rapper/beatboxer Mr Phormula, who taught students the basics of beatboxing and even accepted a challenge to produce a bilingual rap. The excitement continued with a Disgo Distaw – silent disco – led by the Urdd, where students showcased their moves to Welsh music. Di iawn pawb!
Consortium St. David’s Day Concert
Yesterday evening, Castell Alun hosted an event for our entire consortium to celebrate St. David’s Day. The concert was a true collaboration between Castell Alun, our primary consortium schools, and the City of Wrexham Brass Band. The Sports Hall was filled with incredible talent from both students and adults, and the turnout was phenomenal. Diolch yn fawr to everyone who attended, and especially to those who performed and made the evening a resounding success.
Year 13 Mock Interviews
In further news, many of our Year 13 students recently participated in mock interviews to refine their interview techniques. As always, students dressed to impress! They demonstrated excellent work ethic by producing high-quality CVs and cover letters and preparing thoroughly for their interviews. The employers were highly impressed, with one commenting that the learners “were articulate, very well presented, and clearly hardworking” and that “the students at Castell Alun were some of the best prepared” they had ever encountered.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the employers who gave up their time and expertise to support our learners, including Airbus, The HR Department, Wrexham University, Knights PLC, Abrasive Technology, Byotrol, and Cheshire College South & West. We were delighted that the blend of employers included alumni, parents, previous guest speakers, and new guests to the school.
Sports Successes
We have a number of students to congratulate, especially since there was no School Blog last week due to our information system upgrade.
Congratulations to our Sixth Form students who excelled in their A-Level practical music exams this week. It’s clear that some of them have the potential for music careers that will bring joy to many.
Our sporting students have been very busy lately! Tom (Year 12) represented his nation in U18 rugby and has a bright future ahead. Tom, we expect you to bring home the Triple Crown soon!
A big di iawn to Finn (Year 10), who recently played hockey for his team in South Wales and took the trophy in the grand final. Well done also to Alex, Sophie, Ffion, Ruby, Erin, Phoebe, and Lucy, who represented NE Wales in the inter-counties netball tournament last weekend. In further netball news, we are incredibly proud of our U13s team, who narrowly lost by one goal to Scarisbrick PE in the ‘Sisters n Sport’ Cup this week.
In football, our Sixth Form boys triumphed in the quarter-final of the Welsh Cup against Friars last Thursday, drawing 2-2 but winning on penalties. Di iawn lads, and we’re beginning to dream of the final!
Bethan’s Achievements
A special llongyfarchiadau to Bethan (Year 7) this week. Bethan represented North Wales in the all-Wales Cross Country Championships and finished 10th in her age group. But the good news doesn’t stop there – Bethan also qualified for the Wales Nationals in backstroke after a successful meet in the North Wales Championships, where she earned six medals.
Looking Ahead
Here’s to continued success for everyone as we approach the Easter period.
And finally, another invitation to all – don’t miss our CAFA Sound Bath evening, which has been so popular that we’ve been asked to run it again. This is a special opportunity to deeply relax, carried by the sounds of crystal singing bowls!
See you back here soon for the next School Blog!
