10 Hydref 2025
Croeso
Welcome to this edition of the Castell Alun School Blog, where we celebrate the creativity, achievements and experiences that make our school community so special. From inspiring university visits and thought-provoking wellbeing workshops to musical performances, poetry celebrations and sporting triumphs, our students have once again shown enthusiasm, talent and a love of learning in all they do.
We were delighted to see such a fantastic turnout at our Year 10 Parents’ Information Evening last night, with a record 220 attendees. The evening provided valuable insights to help students and parents navigate the journey through Years 10 and 11 — focusing on effective communication, subject specific information and supporting study at home. We are incredibly proud of the strong partnership we share with our students and parents, and the work we collectively do to support the success of every learner. Thank you to all the staff who were there also.
Read on to discover the highlights of an action-packed few weeks at Castell Alun!
Inspiring University Experience
Year 10 students kicked things off with a warm welcome from Dr Tim Erasmus, who shared how the Seren Programme can help them reach their full potential. They also heard from Tess Bottomley from Magdalene College, Cambridge, about making the right choices and making the most of their Seren journey. A real highlight was the interactive Maths Workshop with Zoe Griffiths from Think Maths, exploring The Hidden Maths of Technology, followed by a fascinating campus tour.
Meanwhile, our Year 8 learners enjoyed getting their first taste of university life with a campus tour and interactive session introducing them to higher education. They also joined Dr Erasmus and Zoe Griffiths for a lively maths workshop that got everyone thinking in new ways.
Both groups returned inspired and enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead.
Consent & Wellbeing Workshop
Our Year 9 students recently took part in an engaging and thought-provoking workshop run by Little Blackbird, a wellbeing and personal development organisation that delivers interactive, person-centred sessions on topics such as consent, resilience and positive relationships. The session explored the importance of understanding consent, respect and healthy communication in relationships. Through interactive discussions and activities, students were encouraged to think critically about boundaries, personal responsibility and the impact of their choices. The workshop provided a safe and supportive space for learning. It helped students to develop confidence and empathy in navigating real-life situations.
School Gets A Fresh Look
Our school pond has long been a beloved feature of Castell Alun. A familiar landmark for many, and a special memory for those of you who now have children or grandchildren at the school. Recently, the pond has undergone an exciting transformation and has been reinvented as the Thinking Pool – Y Ffynnon Doeth.
Thanks to the hard work and vision of Mr Ross Bevan and Mrs Kate Williams, the Thinking Pool has been brought up to date. It has created a refreshed space for reflection, learning and enjoyment for all our students. It’s wonderful to see this classic school feature given a new lease of life!
Jazz Workshop
It was fantastic to see Rhodri, Ceri, James, Ben and Dan taking part in a jazz workshop organised by Theatr Clwyd Music. During the workshop, the students had the incredible opportunity to work closely with the renowned jazz artist Tomos William. They learned new techniques, exploring improvisation, and gaining insight into the professional world of jazz performance.
The experience culminated in an evening concert, where the students showcased their skills and creativity alongside Tomos Williams. Their confidence, enthusiasm and talent were clear to see, making it a truly memorable and inspiring day. Events like this highlight the exciting opportunities available to our students to develop their musical abilities and perform in professional settings.
Celebrating National Poetry Day
This week at Castell Alun, students have been celebrating National Poetry Day with creativity, imagination and plenty of poetic flair!
During form times, Year 7 students explored the theme of “New Beginnings”. They used inspiration from the poem New Beginnings by Tony Walsh to craft their own verses about starting their new journey here at Castell Alun. It was wonderful to see their reflections on friendship, change and the excitement of life at a new school.
Years 8 and 9 embraced this year’s official National Poetry Day theme — “Play”. Students were challenged to experiment with language and layout by creating either a shape poem or a play-on-words poem. The results were inventive, funny, and thought-provoking, showcasing just how playful poetry can be!
Meanwhile, our Key Stage 4 students delved into the world of song lyrics and slam poetry. They began by debating the question — are song lyrics poetry? — before exploring performance poetry and the power of spoken word. Their competition options included writing and performing their own slam poem, or rewriting song lyrics as a piece of poetic art.
We’ve had lots of fabulous entries across the school. It’s been a joy to see poetry bringing students together in such diverse and exciting ways.
Sporting Spotlights
Congratulations to Welsh Vaulting Champion Isla!
We’re incredibly proud to share that Isla has achieved an outstanding success at the Welsh Vaulting Championships, held at Sŵn Yr Môr. Isla impressed judges with her skill, balance, and dedication. She earned 1st place and the title of Welsh Champion 2025 in her category.
This remarkable achievement is a testament to Isla’s hard work and commitment to her sport . She is an inspiration to us all here at Castell Alun. Congratulations, Isla, on becoming a Welsh Champion!
Joshua Shines as Media Lead at TNS Takeover Day!
We’re thrilled to share that Joshua recently took part in The New Saints FC (TNS) Junior Members Takeover Day on Saturday, 4th October. He had the fantastic opportunity to step into the role of Media Lead for the Welsh Premier League match between TNS and Barry FC.
Joshua won his place after entering a competition run by the club and embraced the experience from start to finish. He enjoyed every minute, from wearing the official kit to conducting interviews, taking photographs, and helping with media publications throughout the day.
It was a wonderful gesture from TNS. The occasion was made even more special as Joshua’s younger brother, Callum, plays for the club as an U9 goalkeeper. Joshua returned to school full of enthusiasm, eager to share his experiences with teachers and friends.
Congratulations, Joshua — what an amazing opportunity and a brilliant example of confidence, teamwork and passion in action!
Sporting Success for Year 8 and 9 Teams!
Our Year 9 Netball team travelled to Mold Alun to take part in the annual Year 9 Play Night. With five other schools competing, it was a fantastic evening of high-quality netball and great sportsmanship all round.
Meanwhile, our Year 8 Rugby team also faced Mold Alun in an exciting match — and brought home a well-deserved win! A brilliant evening of sport for both teams.
Upcoming Events
Year 11 Parents’ Evening
Thursday 16th October (4:00pm–6:30pm)
CAFA Quiz Night
Friday 17th October (6:30pm start)
In Closing
We’re so proud of everything our students continue to achieve — in the classroom, on the stage, on the sports field and beyond. Thank you to everyone who contributes to making Castell Alun such a vibrant, supportive and inspiring community. We look forward to sharing even more success stories next time!
Diolch am ddarllen a llongyfarchiadau i bawb ar eu llwyddiannau.
Thank you for reading and congratulations to everyone on their achievements.
Safeguarding
If you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Officers: Mr Ellis, Mrs Davies or Mr Stewart. You can reach them via the School Office or by using our Contact Form.
