Bore da,
It looks like the cold spell is coming to an end, although anything is yet possible in a ‘typical’ British winter! The light dustings of snow and heavy frosts have taken their toll on various sporting fixtures for our students this week and we are all looking forward to a warmer week soon, which will allow students to use all of our sporting facilities and compete in fixtures once again. However, the cold snap has not stopped our Year 11 students from ploughing on with their trial examinations. We are currently half way through this mock examination period and it is clear that most of our Year 11 students have put a good deal of time and effort into their revision. We will hold a Year 11 Mock Results Day during the week beginning 5th February in order to create a similar situation to that which our students will experience in the summer. This event will take place in a registration period and students will not miss out on any valuable learning time.
On Thursday next week our doors will open for all students who have an interest in joining the Castell Alun Sixth Form. Aimed primarily at Year 11, we invite both our own students and also welcome those from other schools to attend the evening during which they will be able to watch presentations and talk to both staff and current students about courses of interest at AS (A2 and Level 3) standard. The Headteacher and Director of Sixth Form Studies will begin the evening with a talk in the school hall at 6.30pm and this will be repeated and 7.15pm as we anticipate high numbers through the doors. Parking will be at both the front and the rear of the school and guides will also be available to show families around the campus, should this be a service which is of assistance to you. Doors will open around 6pm but the event will not formally begin until 6.30pm. If you are interested in this event but are unable to attend, please contact Castell Alun at your earliest convenience so that we may assist you further.
Just this week, a group of our Year 13 students, who seek to follow a route into employment rather than tertiary education attended a session in school which was led by Chrissie Small from Gap-Personnel. Amongst other things, the session helped students gain a most valuable insight into the recruitment process. We are always keen to cater for the needs of all of our students, irrespective of their chosen pathways, and would like to extend a great big diolch to Chrissie for her time and expertise. Indeed, we are in the privileged position of having a great many excellent employers working with our school to deliver meaningful career-related experiences, and in the same way we are able to provide first rate advice about further education and possible courses of study at university, for students who hearts are in further studies.
One sporting fixture did survive the weather this week! Our Year 8 Netball Team travelled to Yarm in Yorkshire because they had qualified for the quarter finals of the northern round of the Sisters in Sport National Schools Cup. Our girls took on a highly competent team from Grangetown and it should be noted the opposition even contained an international netball player. Representing Wales, our girls excelled themselves with a 38-29 victory and we now march on to the semi-finals. Llongyfarchiadau to all of our girls for their efforts and enthusiasm and especially to Erin (Player of the Match) and Molly (Coach’s Player of the Match).
In cross country we are thrilled to be able to announce that three of our students have gained a place in the North East Wales team to compete in the Welsh Schools’ Athletics Cross Country Championships in Brecon on the 28th February. Di iawn to Bethan, Jenna and Thomas (all Year 10).
Please be aware that Hope Community Library hosts ‘First Friday’ talks on the first Friday of every month at 7pm. On 2nd February, there will be a talk on the fascinating story of the role which Plas yn Bwl played in the medieval life of Hope and Caergwrle and how this has changed over the centuries. Entry is free and seating is provided on a first come, first served basis. You can find out more here
On the horizon also is our Year 10 Parents’ Evening (Thursday 1st February) at 4pm. Also, the following week (beginning 5th February) Year 10 students will sit their school examinations.
Have a lovely weekend/cael penwythnos hyfryd