13 Rhagfyr 2024
Welcome to the Castell Alun High School Blog
With just one week to go until the Christmas holidays, it’s amazing to see how dedicated our students remain as they power through the final stretch of the term. Despite the festive season fast approaching, their commitment to their studies continues to shine. Whether it’s preparing for exams, engaging in extracurricular activities, or contributing to school events, our students demonstrate exceptional focus and enthusiasm.
At Castell Alun, we are proud to offer a wealth of opportunities for personal and academic growth. From enriching classroom experiences to exciting extracurricular programs, there’s something for everyone. It’s this combination of hard work, passion and a strong sense of community that makes our school such a special place to be. Please enjoy reading this week’s School Blog!
Christmas Carol Concert
Last night, our school came alive with the festive spirit as students, staff and families gathered for the much-anticipated Christmas Concert. The evening was a celebration of talent, dedication and community, bringing everyone together to share the joy of the season.
The concert featured a dazzling variety of performances, including enchanting choir renditions of our new musical ‘Our Day Out’, captivating instrumental solos, duets and even a few modern holiday favourites. Our talented performers showcased their hard work and creativity, filling the hall with music that warmed everyone’s hearts. The thunderous applause that followed each act was a testament to the extraordinary talent and teamwork of our students.
We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to making the concert such a memorable event. From the performers and the music department to the staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, your efforts truly brought the magic of Christmas to life.
Thank you also to all the families and friends who joined us last night. Your support and enthusiasm mean the world to our students and make events like these so special.
As we head into the holiday season, we are reminded of the importance of community and the joy that comes from coming together to celebrate. Last night’s concert was a beautiful reflection of that spirit, and we couldn’t be more proud of our school.
Please click on the video below to see a short compilation movie of the concert.
Exploring ‘Cynefin’
Year 8 have been working hard on the Cynefin (habitat/belonging) topic in their Cymraeg lessons. Students have enjoyed thinking about where they feel real happiness, belonging and familiarity. Students have enjoyed working collaboratively and displayed excellent oracy skills while presenting their ideas to class-mates.
Lots of students have taken this a stage further and have got involved with the Cystadleuaeth Cynefin – the Cynefin competition, which encourages students to use their creative and digital skills to put together a digital presentation about where they feel ‘cynefin’ and explain why in a few short words/sentences. The top entries will have their ideas turned into real-life artwork on the Cymraeg corridor, which will make up the ‘Taith ein Cynefin – the Journey of our Cynefin’ murals.
The deadline for the competition is Friday 20th December – so a reminder to everyone who is still to take part, to get involved!
Gratitude for Community Support
We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from our parents, local community and the businesses that play such a vital role in our school’s success. In light of the financial challenges faced by schools across the country, we truly appreciate any help we receive, whether it’s through sponsorship, donations, or hands-on support.
We’d like to extend a special thank you to the companies who have already contributed, from sponsoring individual departments and projects to assisting with repairs after the storm this past weekend. A heartfelt thanks goes to Honey’s Bakery, AJ Brown Financial Planning and Almac Atlantic LTD for their generous contributions and continued support. Your commitment makes a huge difference, and we are proud to have such a strong, supportive network behind us.
Building Confident Communicators
At Castell Alun we are passionate about helping our students develop the confidence to express themselves effectively in every aspect of their lives. A key part of this journey is nurturing oracy skills—the ability to speak clearly, confidently, and persuasively in a range of contexts.
As a school, we believe that strong oracy skills are fundamental to students’ success both in and beyond the classroom. From engaging in meaningful discussions to presenting ideas with clarity, oracy fosters critical thinking, collaboration and self-assurance.
This November into December, we’ve been excited to see the enthusiasm for Oracy November, a month dedicated to placing speaking and listening skills at the heart of learning. Having spoken with several Year 7 students, it’s clear that they are embracing the initiative, with many tasks already underway or completed. It’s fantastic to hear their reflections on how oracy is enhancing their confidence and participation in lessons. We have included Cindy’s Haiku Poem which she created in Art.
We’re excited to see how these activities will continue to build confidence in our students and further embed the importance of communication across the curriculum. Thank you to all the staff and students for your commitment to making Oracy November a success!
Together, let’s empower our students to find their voices and thrive as confident communicators.
Achievements in the Maths Challenge
We are incredibly proud to celebrate the achievements of our talented students in the recent Maths Challenge! A massive Da Iawn to Emily, Alice, Millie, and Tulani who secured a brilliant 2nd place in the competition—just one point away from first place! Their hard work, teamwork, and problem-solving skills truly shone through in what was a highly competitive event.
This annual challenge, which brings together schools from across Flintshire, provides a fantastic opportunity for students to put their mathematical abilities to the test. It’s not just about solving equations; it’s about applying logical thinking, working collaboratively, and tackling complex problems under pressure.
We’re also delighted to extend a heartfelt “well done” to our second team of Year 9 students – Arvan, Nathan, Hope, and Molly – who also competed with enthusiasm and represented our school with pride.
Here’s to more challenges, more successes, and a bright future ahead for all our students. Keep up the great work!
Inspiring Success
Chris and Alex, alumni of Castell Alun High School, joined Year 13 apprenticeship students on Friday for an informal chat about their experiences as degree apprentices. Chris is at Lloyds Bank in the role of Data Analyst while Alex is at Airbus specialising in Business Management. They provided invaluable information on their journeys on apprenticeships and were able to use their insight to answer our current Sixth Formers’ questions and queries. We are ever so grateful to have such wonderful alumni willing to support the school and pleased to hear their successful and aspirational career stories.
Sixth Form and Year 11 Students Rise to the Challenge
As the end of term approaches, our students have shown remarkable focus and determination in their academic pursuits. Over the past few weeks, our Sixth Form students have been hard at work completing their mock exams. These assessments have provided a valuable opportunity for them to gauge their progress, refine their exam techniques and identify areas for improvement as they prepare for their final exams next year.
The resilience and commitment demonstrated by our Year 12 and 13 students during this intense period have been truly inspiring. Balancing the demands of revision with their other responsibilities, they’ve approached this challenge with maturity and a clear drive to achieve their best.
Meanwhile, our Year 11 students are already turning their attention to their own mock exams, which will take place after the Christmas break. Preparation is well underway, with revision sessions, practice papers and focused study routines becoming part of their daily lives. Their dedication to laying a strong foundation for their GCSEs is a testament to their ambition and perseverance.
It’s clear that for both Sixth Formers and Year 11s, the work doesn’t stop. As a school, we are immensely proud of the dedication they are showing in pursuit of their goals. Their hard work now will undoubtedly pay dividends in the future, and we are here to support them every step of the way.
To our Sixth Form students: well done on completing your mock exams! Take pride in your efforts. Reflect on your feedback and use the holiday break to recharge before the next phase of your studies.
To our Year 11s: keep up the fantastic preparation and remember that steady, consistent effort is the key to success. Your teachers are here to guide and support you, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help.
Spreading Festive Cheer
The festive spirit was in full swing at school today. Staff have brightened the halls with their dazzling array of Christmas jumpers! From classic holiday styles to quirky creations, the day was full of laughter and cheer, celebrating the season’s goodwill. Christmas Jumper Day is always a highlight of the term. It brings our school community together to celebrate and support a good cause. A huge thank you to all the staff who took part. You’ve helped spread plenty of joy while setting a wonderful example of holiday fun for our students!
Sporting Updates
A huge well done to our Sixth Former Ruby! She has earned a place in the Wales U19 Netball Europe squad heading to Edinburgh this month. What an incredible achievement—Pob Lwc, Ruby!
In Closing
With just one week remaining until the Christmas holidays, let’s make a collective effort to finish the term on a high note. The hard work and dedication of our students and staff remain inspiring as the festive break approaches. Let’s carry this momentum into the final days, ensuring a strong and positive end to the year.
Thank you to everyone in our school community for your support and enthusiasm throughout this term. From academic achievements to extracurricular successes, together, we’ve created a term full of growth, joy and memorable moments. Let’s end the year with the same energy and spirit that makes Castell Alun so special!
Diolch yn fawr pawb!
Safeguarding
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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