22 Tachwedd 2024
Welcome to the Castell Alun High School Blog
This week brought a flurry of activity both online and on campus as heavy overnight snowfall temporarily closed the school on Tuesday. Students and teachers transitioned to online learning, and we apologise for any technical hitches which may have occurred. A big thank you to our caretaking team, whose tireless efforts gritting and clearing ensured we could return to school safely on Wednesday. We’re proud of the vast majority of students who, once back on campus, moved around safely and respectfully. Despite the wintry disruptions and a couple of postponed activities, our school community has remained as busy as ever. Last Friday’s Children in Need day was a heart-warming success, raising an impressive £838.55—diolch yn fawr for your incredible support!
Breaking Barriers with Languages
Every year since 2022, selected Year 8 students have been lucky enough to take part in MFL Mentoring sessions – a scheme which allows university students to talk to students about the importance of language learning. On Thursday 7th November, we welcomed Castell Alun’s third MFL Mentor, Vitalis Emmanuel, to the school. Vitalis is a masters student at Wrexham University studying International Business and Data Analytical Management, and he is also a Nigerian native – here’s what he had to say about his experiences with languages:
“I was born and raised in Nigeria, where I had my primary, secondary and university education. In Nigeria, there are over 200 spoken languages. My parents are of different tribes and their languages differ. As a result, I grew up learning both languages. My interest in languages led me to learn Hausa and Yoruba (two of the 3 major languages in Nigeria).”
Both students and staff are enjoying learning about language and culture through Vitalis’ extensive cultural knowledge, sense of humour and different perspective in his series of 6 lunchtime sessions. Merci, danke and diolch to Vitalis and we look forward to seeing him again next week!
Teamwork Takes Centre Stage
With the snowy conditions outside limiting outdoor activities, students had the exciting opportunity to try a new and unique sport: Omnikin, also known as Kinball. This fast-paced and dynamic game provided a fantastic platform for students to develop essential skills such as communication and teamwork. Working together to control and strategize with the oversized, lightweight ball, students quickly discovered the importance of clear communication and collaboration to succeed in the game. The introduction of Omnikin not only added a fun and engaging twist to their week but also reinforced key values that are central to our school community.
Sowing the Seeds of Sustainability
Exciting developments are underway at Castell Alun as we kickstart our gardening journey! After being awarded the Food Production grant by Keep Wales Tidy, we’ve begun clearing the quad to make space for our raised beds and polytunnel. This marks a new chapter in our commitment to sustainability and hands-on learning. We’re also thrilled to join the RHS Campaign for School Gardening, and a big thank you to RHS School Gardening for the Growing Year Calendar and cress seeds to help us get started. A special thank you goes to Mr. Rasmusen for his dedication and hard work in making all of this possible—we’re so grateful for his efforts in bringing this project to life!
Building Skills
The Nurture Group is diving into an exciting series of LEGO STEM sessions over the coming weeks. These sessions are all about exploring the many creative ways to use LEGO, from problem-solving challenges to designing unique creations. Last week’s session was a fantastic start, with parents even joining in on the fun! We’re thrilled to see what new skills and discoveries the next sessions will bring. Stay tuned for more updates from the Nurture Group!
Youth COP 24
Thanks to @sizeofwales for hosting an inspiring Youth COP 24! The event was a powerful reminder of the importance of youth voices in tackling climate change. It was a particular honour to meet representatives from the Wampis nation, whose perspectives and commitment to environmental stewardship left a lasting impression on us all. Collaborating with diverse communities and sharing ideas gives us hope and motivation to create a sustainable future together.
Sporting News
Our Sixth Form boys’ football team delivered a fantastic performance with a brilliant 3-1 win away at Ysgol Brynhyfryd, securing their place in the next round of the Welsh Cup. The team showcased skill, determination and excellent teamwork throughout the match, overcoming tough opposition to claim a well-deserved victory. This result highlights the hard work and dedication the players have put into their game, and we’re excited to see them continue their success as they progress further in the competition. Well done, team!
Our U13 girls’ rugby team achieved an outstanding 3-1 victory this recently, securing their spot in the next round of the Welsh Cup. The team travelled to Ruthin for the first-round matches, where they faced formidable opponents, including Valkyries, Ysgol Dinas Brân, and Ysgol Brynhyfryd. Each game presented its own challenges, but our girls rose to the occasion with incredible resilience, determination and teamwork. Their commitment to supporting one another on and off the field was truly commendable. Their hard work paid off with this well-deserved win. Da iawn, genod—an excellent achievement, and we can’t wait to see what you accomplish in the next round!
Upcoming Events
Here’s a quick look at some upcoming events—don’t forget to check the Events Calendar for the full list!
CAFA Sound Bath Evening – Tuesday 26th November – 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Year 12 Parents’ Evening – Thursday 28th November – 4:00pm – 6:30pm
CAFA Christmas Sale
CAFA is once again selling Christmas trees and wreaths this year! These are high-quality and excellent value for money. Don’t wait too long—there’s only a small window to make your purchase. You can find out more by clicking here.
In Closing
As we wrap up another School Blog, we reflect on the resilience, creativity and community spirit that define our school. From navigating snowy disruptions with grace to embracing new opportunities for learning and growth, it’s been a week full of achievements.
Whether it’s our students excelling on the sports field, exploring sustainability initiatives, or connecting with global voices at Youth COP 24, we are proud of the way our school community continues to thrive. A heartfelt thank you to everyone—students, staff, parents and visitors—who contributed to making this week so successful. Here’s to celebrating more exciting moments in future editions of the School Blog as we move forward together!
See you next week for the next School Blog!
Welwn ni chi wythnos nesaf ar gyfer Blog nesaf yr Ysgol!
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.
