This week we held our Remembrance Assembly. We had a moving, reflective time together and were inspired by readings from Niamh, Lucy and Ella (Sixth Form). Our musical item was a wonderfully fitting rendition of ‘Don’t watch me cry’, sung and played by Carys (Year 11). Many thanks to all those members of our school Governing Body who were able to join us for the occasion. Mr Searson and Katie (Sixth Form) played the Last Post perfectly to round off our period of silence. Furthermore, as mentioned in last week’s Blog, I visited the Willows Playing Fields with Dan and Megan (both Year 9) for the unveiling of a ‘Centenary Fields Plaque’ recently, and this plaque will serve to help members of our community remember the sacrifices made during World War 1 specifically.

During last week and this many of our Year 11 students have sat external examinations in Maths and English. Our students conducted themselves very well as we would expect and we have high hopes for a strong set of results again this year. Well done everybody.

Our Drama students were visited by ‘Splendid Productions’ on Wednesday for a performance and a workshop. The production was specifically designed to aid students in their GCSE and A-Level Drama courses. It was an exceptional performance of ‘Dr Faustus’ and all students thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the workshop afterwards. Thank you to Splendid for the quality of experience you delivered and we hope to see you again next year.

We’re grateful to all parents / carers of students in Year 13 who joined us for a really successful advice evening last night. Conversations were incredibly supportive and insightful and we are so fortunate to have such a wonderful partnership with you all as we work together to ensure our Upper Sixth students and your children are really thoroughly prepared for their examinations and life beyond school.

Today we are, of course, supporting Children in Need and also Alder Hey Hospital. Students love not having to wear school uniform and the monies raised through this will directly help other young people as they deal with the sometimes great challenges in their lives. Members of the Castell Alun family have been, and continue to be, in receipt of the wonderful care provided by the amazing professionals at Alder Hey.

On Saturday (tomorrow) CAFA will run their Christmas shopping trip to Manchester. Please check out school social media feeds for any last minute information, and have a great time everyone. Don’t forget the Festive Fair at school also in the evening on Friday 29th November.

Next week our GCSE musicians will undertake their practical examinations. We are truly in awe of the students’ abilities and thankful for the expert guidance they are given by our Music Department and peripatetic tutors. We look forward to seeing a number of you perform in our Christmas Concert on Tuesday 10th December at 7pm in the School Hall.

Our Sixth Form Welsh students will have the opportunity to attend a residential at Glan Llyn from Wednesday to Friday and some of our Year 11 students will visit Cambridge University for an educational visit and general look-around on Wednesday and Thursday.

Let’s hope for a great set of results for the Wales Football Team again in the next few days.

Have a lovely weekend.