Friday 18th January 2019


We began our week with a whole school assembly on the theme of the New Year – Potential.  The assembly was taken by the Senior Leadership Team and we all thoroughly enjoyed the piano solo ‘Divenere’, played brilliantly by Alex of Year 11.

It seems like there are always exams of some kind going in schools these days, and this week was no exception!  Our Year 11 English Language students undertook their recorded discussion task and performed to a very pleasing standard.  They will also undertake science practical examinations over the course of the next three weeks.

Further on the theme of exams, our current Year 9 and 10 students are now deep into revision for their internal examinations, which begin on Monday 28th January.  This is an incredibly exciting time, perhaps especially for Year 9 students, as these examinations lead directly into the options selection process, which helps to determine study paths in Year 10.  Students are already buzzing in their discussions with teachers, friends and family as they consider to which subjects they may be best suited in the next stage of their studies.  As ever, Castell Alun will provide each of our students with a variety of informative inputs to help our students on their way.  Will parents/Guardians of Year 9 students please pop Thursday 7th March in their diaries, as this is our Year 9 Parents’ Options Evening and we would highly recommend that everyone attends this key guidance event.  Further information on the student option process will be available in the near future, and all selections will be made finally after the 7th March Options Evening.

Our congratulations go to Matty and Lewis, both in our Sixth Form, who are currently successfully coaching football in Ysgol Estyn after school each Monday.  Jay and Adam, also of the Sixth Form did a similar thing last year and now have fundamental coaching roles in the Hope Dragons Football Club.  Indeed the club is kindly funding these lads in the acquisition of their coaching badges and first aid qualifications.  We facilitate many of these kind of opportunities for students in our Castell Alun Sixth Form.

We have always enjoyed great success in sport at Castell Alun.  Indeed our heritage with regard to various sports is one of which most schools across Wales would be jealous.  Just this week our wonderful Sixth Form Boys’ Football Team beat Caernarfon 3-1 in the All Wales Cup, and the lads now progress into the final eight of this prestigious national competition.  Such sporting prowess is often most attractive to students from other schools as they consider joining our Castell Alun Sixth Form.  Our Year 8 and 9 Boys’ Rugby Teams both lost narrowly in the later rounds of the Welsh Cup this week, and we were very proud of their performances.

As we look to next week, our English A-Level students will go on a trip to Colwyn Bay in order to learn more about their set works from a well-known speaker.  On Tuesday, girls in Year 8 and 9 will have their HPV vaccinations in school and may, of course, attend school on that day in their PE tops.  On Thursday we hold our Year 8 Parents’ Evening, and teachers will be available for consultation, as usual, from 4pm until 6.30pm.

The weather seems to be turning colder.  Just a reminder – in the event of inclement weather occurring overnight, we will show clearly on the school website and social media if the school is closed.  Parents/guardians must, of course make their own decision if they feel that travel would be ill advised, even if the school is open.  In the event that we have to close during the school day, please do ensure that your son/daughter has a place that they may go if not straight to the family home.

Please be advised that we continue to run a wide range of clubs and activities for students across the school and would encourage you to check out our extra-curricular provision on the school website.

Although still a couple of weeks away, please do bear in mind that our Sixth Form Open Evening will be held on Thursday 7th February from 6.30pm.  We have had a great deal of interest from students in other schools in this event, and we are really looking forward to meeting both students from our own Year 11 and those who may well become part of the Castell Alun Team on that evening.  Mr. Davies, Assistant Headteacher/Director of Sixth Form, has begun interviewing current Year 11 students in order to offer advice and guidance with regard to possibilities here at Castell Alun.

Wrap up warm and enjoy your weekend!