16 Hydref 2026
Croeso i flog yr wythnos! It’s been another busy and exciting week at Castell Alun, with pupils making the most of a wide range of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. From exploring future careers in cyber security and healthcare to celebrating Shwmae Su’mae Day and supporting a worthwhile charity, our school community continues to demonstrate curiosity, kindness and community spirit.
There has also been plenty to celebrate on the sporting front, with fantastic achievements across football, rugby and athletics. In addition, we welcomed our Year 11 pupils and their families to Parents’ Evening last night, providing a valuable opportunity to discuss progress, celebrate achievements and consider the next steps as pupils prepare for their GCSE examinations. Thank you to all the parents and carers who attended, and to our staff for their continued support and commitment to helping every pupil reach their full potential.
Read on to discover more about the wonderful experiences, achievements and successes taking place across our school community. Diolch yn fawr i bawb am eich cefnogaeth barhaus!
Sumae Shwmae Day
As part of our Sumae Shwmae Day celebrations, staff came together to support the Marie Curie Daffodil Appeal by bringing in delicious cacennau (cakes) to share at breaktime. A donation pot was available in the staffroom, giving colleagues the opportunity to enjoy a sweet treat while contributing to this worthwhile cause. Staff also had the chance to collect their Tocynnau Iaith, helping to celebrate and promote the Welsh language as part of the day. Diolch yn fawr to everyone who took part and supported this fantastic cause!
Cyber Security Challenge
Year 12 and 13 Computer Science students recently visited the Cyber Innovation Academy (CIA) at Wrexham University for an engaging day of hands-on learning, teamwork and cyber security challenges.
The visit began with a practical programming activity using BBC micro:bits. Students learned how to programme the devices to detect and interpret radio signals before putting their code to the test in a treasure hunt around the department. The activity encouraged students to apply their programming knowledge in a real-world scenario while developing their problem-solving and debugging skills.
The students then split into two teams to take part in an exciting 12-part cyber escape room challenge. Acting as cyber security professionals, each team was tasked with responding to and containing a simulated cyber security incident. To progress through the challenges, students had to use a range of skills developed through their Computer Science studies, including logical thinking, cryptography and collaborative problem-solving.
Working under pressure and against the clock, both teams demonstrated excellent teamwork and resilience, successfully completing all twelve challenges before the 80-minute time limit. Their achievement was a testament to both their determination and the knowledge they have developed through their studies.
In the afternoon, students explored the world of web development by designing and building their own online cyber escape rooms. This activity introduced them to aspects of full-stack development, giving them valuable insight into how web applications are created and how interactive cyber security training resources can be developed.
The visit provided a fantastic opportunity for students to experience the growing cyber security sector and gain an understanding of the wide range of careers available within computing and technology. It also allowed them to see how the skills they develop in the classroom can be applied in realistic industry contexts.
We would like to thank the team at the Cyber Innovation Academy and Wrexham University for delivering such an enjoyable and informative experience. The day challenged our students, inspired them to think creatively, and further developed their understanding of both cyber security and software development.
Well done to all students involved for representing the school so positively and for rising to every challenge throughout the day.
Exploring Careers in Healthcare
On Tuesday afternoon, a group of Sixth Form students interested in pursuing careers in medicine and allied healthcare professions had the opportunity to visit Nightingale House Hospice. The visit provided a fascinating insight into the vital work carried out by the hospice and the compassionate care offered to patients and their families.
Students were given a guided tour of the facilities, learning about the different services provided and how the hospice operates on a day-to-day basis. They also attended an informative talk on the running of the hospice, gaining a greater understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of healthcare.
A particular highlight of the visit was a question-and-answer session with Doctor Adrian Belwood, which allowed students to ask all kinds of questions relating to a career in medicine and to explore career pathways, discuss the realities of working in medicine, and gain valuable advice from an experienced healthcare professional.
The afternoon was a truly worthwhile and inspiring experience, providing students with a deeper appreciation of palliative care and the healthcare sector as a whole. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the staff at Nightingale House Hospice, especially Jo and Holly, for their warm welcome, generosity with their time, and for making the visit such a memorable and insightful experience.
Sporting Update
The past few weeks have been a fantastic period for sport at Castell Alun, with pupils showcasing their talent, teamwork and determination across football, rugby and athletics.
Our U15 girls’ football team made a brilliant start to their Welsh Cup campaign, beating Prestatyn 7–2 in the first round. After reaching the final last year, the team will be hoping to go even further this time around.
There was also huge success for our Year 8 girls’ football team in the Utilita Girls’ Football Cup. The girls finished top of their group before beating Ysgol Grango in the final. As the only Flintshire school competing, this was a fantastic achievement. They now progress to the regional round, where they will represent Wrexham FC.
Our U16 girls’ rugby team also represented the school at an RGC rugby tournament. Facing some very strong opposition, the girls showed excellent determination, effort and team spirit throughout the event. They also participated in a coaching clinic following the tournament, delivered by Tom Hoare from WRU.
There was further success at the NE Wales Schools Individual Athletics Championships at Deeside. 13 pupils from Years 8–11 represented Flintshire, with every pupil finishing in the top three in their event. An incredible six pupils won their events, earning selection to represent North East Wales at the Welsh Schools Finals in Cardiff during the summer term.
Finally, a huge congratulations to Year 11 pupil Ollie, who has been selected for the Cymru Men’s Under-16 National Team and will represent Wales at the FIFA World Cup Festival in Azerbaijan over half term. This is a fantastic achievement and we wish Ollie the very best of luck!
Our Year 8 U13s football team enjoyed an outstanding result on Tuesday, securing an impressive 11–1 victory against Ysgol Argoed. The team delivered a fantastic performance, demonstrating excellent teamwork, communication and determination throughout the match. Their ability to work together, create scoring opportunities and support one another on the pitch was a real highlight of the game.
Well done to all our pupils for their hard work, commitment and determination. We are incredibly proud of you!
Upcoming Events
CAFA Sound Bath Evening – Tuesday 20th October 2026
Lost Property
A reminder that each Friday, photographs of all unclaimed lost property are shared on the School Blog for parents and carers to view, as well as on Google Classroom for students to check. If students recognise an item, they should speak to their group tutor to arrange collection during registration or at another suitable time during the school day. Any items that remain unclaimed at the end of each half term will be donated to charity, so please do take a look each week to see if you spot anything familiar!
In Closing
Thank you for taking the time to read this week’s Blog and for your continued support of our school community. We are incredibly proud of our pupils’ achievements, enthusiasm and commitment, and we look forward to sharing more of their successes with you next week.
Diolch yn fawr a chofion cynnes
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.
