Supporting Children in Need
Welcome to the School Blog. Today, our school community supports Children in Need. Kindly make your contributions online via Gateway. The charity will gratefully receive these funds. Although we all agree that the best scenario would be for this charity to become unnecessary, we truly appreciate the fantastic work Children in Need accomplishes. They provide vital support to countless young people across our country.
Young Chamber Award Success
Let’s start today by congratulating all students involved and Miss Lauren Robinson for winning the Young Chamber Award, sponsored by the Russell Taylor Group. This award recognises the creative and effective demonstration of entrepreneurship and the formation of positive business links. Our school received high commendation for our commitment to career events during the COVID period.
Over this challenging time, we hosted virtual guest speakers in Year 11 PSHE lessons, providing career guidance. We also conducted mock interviews for Year 13 Business and Vocational Pathway students, provided Christmas bags for the homeless, supported Breast Cancer Awareness, and maintained our commitment to Save the Children. Miss Robinson accepted the award on behalf of the school from broadcaster Sian Lloyd at a high-profile event with over 350 guests at Chester Racecourse last week. Brilliant job, everyone; we are a very proud school!
Year 11 Mock Examinations
On Thursday, we held a Year 11 assembly to launch the mock examination season, gradually leading to external assessments in the summer. We have provided all Year 11 students with a resource pack to support their revision. These students will now access study skill sessions during registration time and numerous subject-based revision sessions, many running after school. We also intend to hold a mock results day on Friday, 3rd February, for all Year 11 students, giving them a taste of both the practical and personal aspects experienced annually by their peers on results day in August.
Temporary Platform Closure at Hope
We have received confirmation from Network Rail that the southbound platform at Hope will temporarily close for safety improvements. They need to close the passenger crossing between platforms and create a fully accessible route. To enable this, Network Rail will create a new entrance to the station from Llwyn Alun.
From Tuesday, 22nd November to Friday, 16th December, the southbound platform at Hope station (for trains towards Wrexham) will close temporarily. Trains travelling between Bidston and Wrexham won’t stop at Hope station during this period. However, a replacement bus service will begin on Tuesday, 22nd November, collecting our students from our bus park and continuing en-route to pick up public members before dropping off at Caergwrle station. Students will then catch the train again. Trains travelling northbound will continue to call at Hope station as usual. For further information, please visit www.networkrail.co.uk/contactus.
Sporting Achievements
Despite tricky conditions recently, our Year 10 Rugby boys impressed with their determination and commitment in the Flintshire Schools’ Playnight this week. Similarly, our Year 9 girls’ netball team won two games, drew one, and lost one. Congratulations to our Year 7 netball team, who won every match at the playnight hosted by Connahs Quay High School.
World Cup Excitement
As a nation, we are thrilled that our football team has qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years. Our students and staff are proud of the nation’s success and eagerly desire to watch the games. This aligns with the spirit of the New Curriculum for Wales, informally launched to Year 7 students and will roll through to older students over the coming years. Welsh Education and Flintshire Local Authority support this sentiment, agreeing on its validity for all schools.
We believe students should have the opportunity to watch the games, if they wish, when a match falls during school time. To the best of our knowledge, this applies to one game, Wales vs Iran, on Friday, 25th November at 10am. Although plans are being finalised, our intention is to provide an opportunity for all students to watch this game for 90 minutes. Those who do not wish to do so will have a supervised room to continue their studies.
Year 7 Parent Meetings
As an advance notice, all parents and carers of Year 7 students should now have received an email inviting them to meet their child’s Group Tutor virtually on either Monday, 28th or Tuesday, 29th November. Please book all appointments online. These sessions offer a valuable opportunity to discuss progress and other related issues during a Year 7 student’s first term at Castell Alun.
CAFA Fashion Show
There is just one more week until the CAFA Fashion Show on Friday, 25th November. Tickets are still available at £5 for two. Follow the link to purchase tickets for a spectacular show and an opportunity to pick up early Christmas gifts! Tickets for Fashion Show.
Castell Alun Lottery
Another way CAFA raises money is through the Castell Alun Lottery. Draws are weekly, and as well as a local draw, there is also a national draw with a chance to win £25,000. Anyone can join, and for every ticket sold, CAFA makes money, which is then put back into supporting students at Castell Alun. If you would like to participate, please click on the link. Castell Alun Lottery.
Upcoming Events
In the run-up to Christmas, we will hold a Year 12 face-to-face Parents’ Evening on Thursday, 1st December, starting at 4pm. All Sixth Form students will sit their mock examinations during the two-week period beginning Monday, 5th December. Our school Christmas Concert is scheduled for Thursday, 15th December – please book it in – more information to follow! Please keep an eye on our Events Calendar for more information.
Year 11 Leavers’ Prom
One final advanced notice: Parents and carers of Year 11 students, please be aware that we have now confirmed the date for the Leavers’ Prom. It will take place on Thursday, 29th June 2023, at St. David’s Hotel, Ewloe.
See you back here soon for the next School Blog!
