Remembrance Day Assembly
Welcome to the School Blog. Today began with a thoughtful, reflective, whole school assembly for Remembrance Day. We are very thankful for our supportive Governing Body, who joined us for the occasion. We are also grateful to Ella (Year 8), who performed ‘Fountain in the Rain’ so beautifully. Miss Anna John played the bugle call ‘The Last Post’ as we honoured those who have sacrificed themselves or been injured during wartime. The respect shown for the occasion was absolute across the school hall.
Curriculum Planning and Return After Half Term
School reopened for staff on Monday, and teachers from around Flintshire gathered to continue planning the Curriculum for Wales. This curriculum will be introduced gradually over the next couple of years to the lower school. It was wonderful to see all students back on Tuesday and hear their stories about half term.
Year 13 Trip to Berlin
On Friday 28th October, 19 Year 13 students studying History, RS, and German travelled to Berlin for an action-packed itinerary. They took in many of the city’s historical and cultural highlights. This was the first overseas trip students have been able to go on since COVID.
Although the trip only lasted three days, students certainly made the most of their time away. Staying in the former eastern part of the city, the hotel was situated right next to the longest section of the Berlin Wall that still stands in Germany’s capital. The educational visit took the party to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, the Olympic Stadium, the TV Tower, the Topography of Terror, Check Point Charlie, the Reichstag Parliament building, the Jewish Museum, and the famous Brandenburg Gates. After an action-packed few days, everybody appreciated that it was half term!
Year 13 thoroughly enjoyed their time in Berlin, and we all wish our Year 12 students fun when they embark on a similar trip this coming July.
Rhys Williams Visits Year 11 PE Students
A number of Year 11 PE students had a surprise visit this week when Rhys Williams, the Welsh International Rugby League player, joined them to take a rugby lesson. Rhys, who represented Wales recently in the Rugby World Cup, led the lesson during which students focused on precision passing and movement. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the visit, and we hope to host such occasions again in the future. Who knows, future legends who will go on to represent our country may well have been in that Year 11 class!
School Photography and Parents’ Evening
On Wednesday next week, Tempest Photography will be in school, and we will produce a rota throughout the day for students in Years 9, 10, and 11 to have their school photographs updated. On Thursday, we look forward to welcoming parents and carers of Year 13 students, and perhaps the students themselves, to school from 4pm onwards for a Parents’ Evening. This will be the last Parents’ Evening for these students and will be a face-to-face event in the building. Please see the Events Calendar for more information.
CAFA AGM and Fashion Show
The Castell Alun Friends’ Association’s (CAFA) AGM will take place on Tuesday 15th November at 6.30pm in school. All new members are welcome to participate in this group and become more deeply involved in school life. CAFA endeavours to raise funds which are then put directly back into the school to help support students. New members and new ideas are always welcome.
As posted in previous School Blogs, CAFA is hosting an exclusive fashion show on Friday 25th November at school, with the show starting at 7pm. This is a professional show with current fashion lines from high street stores at 50% or more off retail prices. All clothes are available to try, purchase, and take home on the evening. Cash and card payments are accepted. Prosecco and other refreshments will be available. Tickets are £3 each, or you can take advantage of our early bird offer of two for £5! Tickets can be purchased online using the link below, and please be prepared to leave your contact details where requested. This is a great way to support the school: Tickets for Fashion Show.
New Made-for-Wales GCSE Curriculum Consultation
We have been asked to inform you of a consultation on current proposals for the new Made-for-Wales GCSE curriculum. Qualifications Wales is creating a brand-new set of GCSEs to realise the ambition of the new Curriculum for Wales. They are consulting on proposals for 26 new GCSEs and other related qualifications. These are organised around what the Curriculum for Wales refers to as the six Areas of Learning and Experience.
Qualifications Wales wants people’s opinions on the content and ways of assessing the new qualifications that will be available from 2025. The proposed qualifications include new combined GCSEs in the Sciences (incorporating Biology, Chemistry, and Physics), Cymraeg Language and Literature, English Language and Literature, and Mathematics and Numeracy. Qualifications Wales also wants people across the country to share their views on the content and assessment of brand-new GCSEs in Social Studies, Engineering, Film and Digital Media, and Dance. Please follow this link if you would like to be further informed or make any comments on the proposals. The link will be live until the 14th December – Qualifications Wales Consultation.
Congratulations to Taylor
Finally, a big congratulations to Taylor (Year 11) who has made it through to the third-round selection stage of trials for the Steven Gerrard Football Academy. Taylor competes in local leagues regularly, and we wish him well on his quest to pursue a football-related career one day.
It seems unseasonably warm for the time of year… famous last words!
See you back here soon for the next School Blog!
