
24 Ionawr 2025
Braving the Storm
This week, Castell Alun has once again shown its resilience as we braced ourselves for another storm with high winds sweeping through the region. Despite the challenging weather, we’re proud to have kept the school open and running smoothly, ensuring minimal disruption for our students.
A huge thank you goes to our dedicated team of caretakers, who worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of our school grounds and buildings. Your hard work behind the scenes has not gone unnoticed, and we are incredibly grateful for your commitment during such testing conditions. Enjoy catching up on the wonderful things happening in our school this week.
Leading the Way in Tackling Carbon Footprints

Castell Alun High School has become the first school in Flintshire to take on the innovative task of calculating its own carbon footprint. Year 9 science students, under the guidance of Head of Chemistry, Dr. Amanda Heath, used Flintshire County Council’s Climate Toolkit to identify carbon-intensive areas within the school. This forward-thinking project is not only improving Castell Alun’s environmental impact but is also providing students with practical skills highly valued by employers, such as calculating and mitigating carbon footprints.
The ground-breaking initiative is making waves beyond Castell Alun, influencing authorities across Wales and inspiring other Flintshire schools. Student representatives Alice, Tulani, Harry, and Scott presented their findings to the council’s Education, Youth, and Culture Committee. Their work included evaluating energy consumption, waste management, transport emissions, and conducting a tree survey on school grounds.
Scott said, “We’ve enjoyed playing a role in calculating the school’s carbon footprint. Small changes can make a difference.” The project aims to help move the school toward a carbon-free future through the eco-council’s involvement. This pioneering project has inspired Castell Alun’s students and staff and set a foundation for similar initiatives elsewhere.
This pioneering project has not only inspired the students and staff of Castell Alun but also laid the groundwork for other schools and local authorities to adopt similar initiatives.
Arla Academy Visit
Our Year 10 and 11 Applied Science students recently visited the Arla Academy in Bangor for an exciting trip. The visit included a tour of the academy’s advanced facilities, where students saw cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices. They took part in hands-on demonstrations from experts at companies like Weber, Travis Perkins, Aico, and Altro.
These sessions helped students understand how technologies like heat pumps, insulation, and roof designs work in real-world applications. The trip also showcased the growing career opportunities in the ‘green skills’ sector, from engineering to environmental science. Students were inspired by the range of roles available in sustainable technologies.
The visit linked the Applied Science curriculum with practical experiences and left students motivated about contributing to global challenges like climate change. It highlighted the exciting future possibilities in this vital field.
Supporting Student Wellbeing
This week, our Year 9 students took part in a series of consent workshops as part of their PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education). At Castell Alun, we are passionate about supporting the wellbeing of our students and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to navigate the challenges of life with confidence and respect.
The workshops provided a safe and open environment for students to explore important topics. These include topics surrounding consent, communication, boundaries and respect in relationships. Delivered by experienced facilitators, the sessions encouraged meaningful discussions, helping students understand the importance of mutual respect, personal choice and how to make responsible decisions.
These workshops are a vital part of our commitment to ensuring that our students are not only academically prepared but also socially and emotionally equipped to build healthy and positive relationships. Feedback from the sessions has been overwhelmingly positive. Students have praised the opportunity to learn in a supportive and respectful setting.
We are incredibly proud of our Year 9 students for their engagement and maturity during the workshops. By addressing these essential topics early, we hope to empower our students to take care of their own wellbeing and foster a culture of understanding and respect in our community.
Looking to the Future
Our Year 11 students have successfully completed their exams. They are now looking ahead to the next exciting chapter of their educational journey. As they begin to consider their options beyond their GCSEs, we’ve launched a series of option talks to help guide their decisions. These sessions, which started on Thursday this week, provide an opportunity for teachers to discuss the A-Level and Level 3 courses available at Castell Alun, as well as the potential pathways these courses could lead to. Whether students are considering further study, apprenticeships, or different career paths, these talks are designed to equip them with the information they need to make informed choices about their futures. We are excited to support them as they explore their options and take the next step toward achieving their goals.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Supportive Partners
We would like to take a moment to thank the numerous individuals who regularly come into school to support our students, including our Careers Wales Advisor, counsellors, nurses, peripatetic music teachers, alumni, and guest speakers. The impact of these people on our students is truly invaluable. They provided them with guidance, inspiration, and opportunities to grow both academically and personally. Their dedication and expertise help to ensure that every student feels supported on their journey toward achieving their full potential. We are deeply grateful for their contributions and the positive difference they make in the lives of our young people.
Sporting Updates

We are thrilled to share the results of the Year 7-8 Netball Competition for the North Region, and it’s excellent news for Castell Alun! Our talented netball team played their hearts out, showcasing incredible skill, teamwork, and determination. After a day of exciting matches, we are proud to announce that Castell Alun won the Plate!
A huge “Da iawn pawb” to all the players for their outstanding effort and sportsmanship throughout the competition. You’ve done the school proud!
We’d also like to extend our congratulations to all the schools who participated and made the day such a fantastic event. Here’s to more success in the future—keep up the amazing work, team Castell Alun!

Our U13 girls team had an unforgettable day recently. They travelled to Wigan to represent Wrexham AFC in the finals of the Utilita competition! The girls showed incredible determination and skill, topping their group with fantastic performances to secure a spot in the semi-finals. Although they narrowly lost 1-0 in a hard-fought semi-final match, their effort and team spirit were truly inspiring.
A massive diolch goes to WXM striker R9 for her motivational support. Thanks also to Lee for joining the team and cheering them on. Your encouragement made the day even more special! Well done to our U13 girls for doing Castell Alun proud on such a big stage. Here’s to many more achievements in the future!
Upcoming Events

We are excited to announce our Sixth Form Open Evening, which will be held on Thursday 6th February. This is a fantastic opportunity for students and their families to learn more about the range of A-Level and Level 3 courses we offer. They can also see the exciting opportunities available to students in our Sixth Form. Attendees will have the chance to meet with teachers and ask questions, and gain a better understanding of what life in our Sixth Form entails. Students interested in joining can apply online through our website or complete the application form found in the Six Form Prospectus. We look forward to welcoming prospective students and their families to this informative and engaging event!
You can see our full range of upcoming events by heading over to our Events Calendar page.
In Closing
Another busy and exciting week at Castell Alun comes to a close. We’d like to thank everyone in our school community for their resilience, enthusiasm, and dedication. From battling high winds to delivering innovative workshops and celebrating sporting achievements, it’s been another week that truly showcases the spirit and determination of our students and staff.
A special thank you again to our caretaking team for their incredible efforts during the stormy weather. Thanks also to all the staff and students who continue to make Castell Alun a hub of learning, inspiration, and achievement.
Let’s hope the weather improves this weekend – Cymerwch ofal pawb (take care, everyone)!
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.