This week we held our whole school assembly on Thursday and we used this gathering of the student population to celebrate St. David’s Day, an occasion we were keen not to miss even though the day itself falls during our half term holidays. Our Languages Department led the assembly with a number of truly motivating contributions and Charlotte and Jess read beautifully. The school was treated to a superb performance by our Year 8 rock band ‘LIES’ of ‘Dakota’ by Stereophonics. Incidentally, LIES are performing a gig on Friday 1st March, at Connahs Quay Civic Centre, along with some other local bands from 7.30pm to 10.30pm…. and for a measly £5 you can be part of history in the making!
The final week before the half term has been a busy one and our Year 12 Geographers enjoyed their field trip to Harlech on Monday as did our Year 13 Artists, who attended an exhibition at Ruthin Craft Centre on the same day. On Tuesday we hosted an English Transition Workshop for a number of eager visitors from our local primary schools. Our A-Level Dramatists performed really well in their practical exam mid week and this evening some of our Welsh students from Years 11, 12 and 13 will be going to watch Wales play Rugby at Under 21 Level in Colwyn Bay.
Let’s hope our Year 10 Ski Trip participants have a superb time in Austria. They departed with high expectations of lots of snow at 9.30am today and are destined to have loads of fun am I certain.
Our sincere congratulations to Tom, Jamie and Jordan of Year 11 who have, just this week, been offered apprenticeships at Airbus. These are thoroughly well deserved and testament to the lads’ work ethic, enthusiasm and commitment and also, in no small part, to the guidance of Mrs. Diane Bates. Furthermore, a huge well done to Llewelyn and Matthew in Year 9, who, after attending an options talk have been working on a design for a new aircraft. Their concept was so impressive that the boys received a visit from two Airbus representatives, who discussed the design with the students and then invited them both to Airbus this summer to witness the landing of the new Beluga XL.
As you may be aware, Flintshire County Council is currently reviewing Post 16 (Sixth Form) transport arrangements from 2020 and consulting all interested parties. If your son/daughter is likely to be affected by any proposed changes to current transport arrangements, or if you simply feel strongly about such matters, please do take a moment to respond to the Council directly by following these links www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Resident/Schools/Home.aspx and https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SchoolTransportPolicy. The closing date for all feedback is 5th April 2019. We are very proud of our provision for all Sixth Form students at Castell Alun and would invite all students who have an interest in the subjects we offer to come and visit us, with a view to joining our family. Indeed this year we are considering the viability of further AS/A-Level courses, including the possibility of running Spanish, should interest be sufficient.
In further Sixth Form news, Toby and Oliver are in Rome this week playing for the Welsh Schools’ Football Team. What an experience! We look forward to hearing all about it upon your return.
Well done to Abi and Poppy of Year 9, who were integral parts of the winning netball squad that qualified for the Wales Inter Clubs 2019 National Competition. Sometimes it’s hard to believe just how many gifted sports men and women we have at Castell Alun!
You are all invited to join us at the Community Library over half term in order to begin World Book Day celebrations by trying out a book quiz or perhaps designing your own book cover. In school we will mark World Book Day on Thursday 7th March with a variety of fun events, including a Book Character Fancy Dress Costume Catwalk in the school hall at lunchtime. Members of the Senior Team will read excerpts from books over the school PA system throughout the day, and on the Friday, World Book Day will be the theme for our whole school assembly. Then on Saturday 9th March, from 10am to 12pm everyone is invited again to the Community Library to be part of ‘Blind Date with a Book’ or participate in lucky dips or bookmark making activities for children.
Upon our return to school after half term, a number of Year 7 students will participate in a trip to Chill Factore on Tuesday, and our Year 11 PE students will have their performances assessed on the Wednesday.
Thank you for all of your support, good wishes and encouragement for the work we do over this half term. We hope you have a lovely break with your children….. and that we all get the right result from the Principality Stadium tomorrow evening!