Celebrating Welsh Language Day
Welcome to the School Blog. Bore da! We were greeted by a crisp, fresh Autumn morning and today is ‘diwrnod Shwmae Su’mae’ (a Welsh language celebration day). Throughout the day, we aim to encourage the use of Cymraeg in everyday life in Cymru. This is also a fitting launch time for our new ‘Bob Dydd,’ with posters being put up in every classroom. At Castell Alun, we are proud of our heritage and aim to develop bilingual, or indeed trilingual, students in every way possible.
Duke of Edinburgh Silver Expedition Success
Our Year 12 Duke of Edinburgh Silver Expedition students returned enthusiastic and unscathed from their final assessment last weekend. Although the challenges were great, everyone rose to the required level, and a good time was had by all. Well done, everyone, and thanks to Mr. Jack Evans for his organisational role in this event.
Enhancing Language Skills
During lockdown, developing oral skills in foreign languages was challenging. However, we now embark on a new era and aim to use languages for real purposes by building links with schools and organisations in France, Germany, and Spain. We have set up a partnership project with a school in France, Collège Louis Augustin Bosc in Saint Prix. Some Year 7 students have been asked to write an introduction about themselves. The students involved were excited, and soon we will be writing about our school and sending Christmas cards to promote language learning and links with France.
Sporting Achievements
We have had both individual and team success once again this week. A massive well done to the U13 Girls’ Football Team, who beat Ysgol Brynhyfryd in the second round of the Welsh Schools Cup with a 4-0 scoreline. Our Year 10 Boys’ team will also progress in the competition after beating Ysgol Brynhyfryd 5-2. Our Year 8 lads battled hard but lost against Rhyl. We were also pleased that 22 of our Year 7/8 girls attended a hockey development session locally this week. We can’t wait for the completion of our new Astroturf pitch to build on the enthusiasm of these students and raise the profile of hockey at Castell Alun. Well done also to our Year 10/11 Netball Team, who won a hard-fought match against Connahs Quay, 8-6, this week. We are tremendously proud of our students in each of these teams.
Individual Student Successes
Liv (Year 8) has once again been selected to play for the Flintshire School Girl’s Football team. Oscar (also Year 8) represented Castell Alun at the Welsh Schools’ Ski Championships at Llangrannog in mid-Wales, achieving a respectable 6th place in the challenging U14s group. Only 18 racers completed the course, and Oscar just missed out on a podium place by 2 seconds, highlighting the incredibly high standard of racing among his peers. Oscar is genuinely putting skiing on the map at Castell Alun and will continue his weekly training and attend a development camp in Llandudno over half term.
Adult Community Learning Project
Learning is our business at Castell Alun, but we don’t feel that learning is only for students! In life, we must all continue to learn to grow. Therefore, we are delighted to support the Adult Community Learning Project across North East Wales. We encourage you to click on the following link for more information about how adults can boost their career opportunities, learn new skills, and meet new people in a supportive and fun way.
Year 11 Virtual Parents’ Evening
As we approach half term, we ask that all parents/carers of students in Year 11 sign up for the virtual Parents’ Evening on Thursday, 21st October, if they have not already done so. We have known for many years at Castell Alun that the wellbeing and progress of our students depend on the partnership between school and families and the effective communication on which our collective success relies.
Upcoming Events
Next week, we will be joined by a small number of associate teachers in certain subject areas. On Wednesday, a large number of our GCSE Geographers will attend a field trip. There are signs of a return to former times, but we must remain vigilant and mindful of the need to continue to look after ourselves and each other.
Enjoy the Weekend
We hope you all enjoy a restful weekend – see you for the next School Blog soon!
