Friday 17th February 2017


Our whole school assembly this week was on the theme of ‘Love’ and was led by Year 10, with readings from Maria Parcesepe and Shannon Samuel,  and an excellent musical item, ‘Dances with Bears’, performed  by Ben Thomas.

We supported ‘Safer Internet Day’ by delivering Safer Internet lessons and assemblies to students and promoting discussion on related topics. Students in Years 7,8 and 9 were asked to create their own Safer Internet Day ‘Meme’ for the Meme Wall and competition.  The winners and runners up were Year 7 – Grace Roberts and Mischa Williams, Year 8 Alicia Steele and Scarlette Hargreaves and Year 9 – Callum Eve and Jack Strong. Safer Internet Day is celebrated globally to promote the safe and positive use of digital technology for young people. The day offers the opportunity to highlight positive uses of technology and to explore the role we all play in helping to create a better and safer online community.

 

Year 10 present Hope House with their cheque

Hope House were presented with a cheque this week for £1672.37 from our Year 10 students.  The money was raised via such initiatives as Dragons Lair and Pop Up Shops.  Well done Year 10!

On the final day of the half term all Year 11 students were treated to an interactive revision and study skills session.  This ‘Positively Mad’ event was both highly informative and motivational and students left the room with a spring in their step, better informed on how to proceed with forthcoming revision.

We waved the Year 10 Ski Trip off at 10.30am this morning and eagerly await stories of their ski slope triumphs upon their return to school  after half-term.

Our U16 Hockey Team traveled to Swansea on Wednesday, having qualified for the U16 Welsh Hockey Finals.  Our girls performed brilliantly and narrowly lost out to Christ College, Brecon.  However, it should be noted that the vast majority of our team will be eligible to compete in this event again next year and we have high expectations already.

Caerdydd Trip

On Friday, February 10th 14 Castell Alun AS students traveled down to Caerdydd (Cardiff) for the weekend.  The Urdd hosted a weekend specifically for Welsh second language A-level students which involved a visit to the Senedd, folk dancing with an S4C presenter, a mini Eisteddfod and of course watching England Vs Wales in the rugby.  The students thoroughly  enjoyed the weekend, apart from the rugby score!  It was a fantastic opportunity for students to use their Cymraeg with other students from all over Cymru and also participate in plenty of cultural activities.

Well done to Owen Critchell, Year 7 who has been invited to take part in the highly prestigious Tennis National Tour Grade 2 Event in Bath and will be training with the Welsh National Squad.  This is a huge achievement for Owen who has done exceptionally well gaining a place in this tournament as it contains the very best players in the country.

Good luck to Ella Brown, Year 11 who has been selected to represent Wales at The Dance World Cup. The 2017 finals take place in Offenburg, Germany this June.  Ella has qualified to perform a tap solo and is currently ranked in the top 2 in Wales and the top 6 in the UK!  She will also be performing in a tap group, Irish dance group and a musical theatre group.  Last year her dance school, ‘Elsberdance’ brought home 2 silver medals for team Wales.  Fingers crossed for another successful year.

Good luck also to our Year 9 Football Team – Jordan Waddilove, Freddie Howarth, Zac Hewitt, Ayden De Winter, Alex Foster, Ben Thompson, Owen Davies, Elliot Moore, Jack Hitchen, Joel Buchanen, Isaac Lecki,
Toby Rees Slawson, Dan Herdman and Connor De Winter  who are taking part in a Welsh Cup Football fixture on Wednesday 1st March against Darland High School.

Can I take this opportunity to thank you all for your support during this busy half term and wish you all a very pleasant week.