Bore da,
Even at this early stage of the academic year there is plenty happening at Castell Alun. Although only a four day school week Year 7 students had their first experience of sitting an assessment in the sports hall when they took their CATs tests. We will not know the results of these potential-predicting assessments for a little while but are pleased to report that our new intake students coped with the day admirably.
Plans are very much in hand for our next New Intake Open Evening from 6.30pm on Thursday 29th September. How the last year has flown! Pupils in local primary schools will receive our main School Prospectus either later today or on Monday and we are really looking forward to meeting the current Year 6 and their families. On the evening there will be opportunities to meet staff, students, attend mock lessons, see presentations and gain a real flavour for our school campus and community. Main presentations will be run by the Headteacher Mr. Colin Ellis, Mr. Craig Stewart (Assistant Head – Pastoral) and Miss Janice Jones (Student Development Manager – Year 7) at 6.30pm and 7.15pm. There will be plenty of capacity to attend one of these talks and we will have car park attendants available to assist on the evening from 6.10pm. Visitors to the school will be able to access the event from the front or rear entrance, whereupon they will be given a leaflet detailing which sessions are taking place and where. There will be stickers to collect for our younger guests and prizes available for those who complete their collection and are lucky enough to be drawn out of the hat at the close of the event. The following day, Friday 30th September, sees our Open Morning, primarily for those families who are not able to attend the evening before. Please book in for a tour of the school in advance for this event either on the phone on 01978 760238 or through email reception@castellalun.flintshire.sch.uk. There will be two tours, one at 9.30am and one at 11.30am.
Please can we once again draw your attention to the Governor Ballot forms which have been sent home with students this week. Each parent/carer should have received a ballot form and each individual may select three of the nominees named on the sheet. We respectfully ask that ballot papers are returned to school by post, in person or by means of a registered student of the school by no later than Monday 3rd October, at 1pm. Ballot papers received after the time and date stipulated will not be counted.
As you are probably already aware, Flintshire Council intend to put in place a new traffic regulation order on some of the roads surrounding the campus. The proposed plans are available to view on our social media. Interested parties can also view the essential details attached to a number of the local lamp-posts on the roads concerned.
CAFA (Castell Alun Friends’ Association) will hold their first meeting of the new year on Monday next week (26th September) in school at 6.30pm. Anybody who would like to come along, perhaps with a view to joining this wonderful group, would be very welcome indeed.
At some point next week, weather permitting we intend to hold a fire drill in school. All year groups have been briefed about this already and shown how and where to exit the building and line up when the siren sounds. This is a standard event in the life of the school and not one which should cause any concern to members of the student population.
On Wednesday 28th September, students across the main school who have their signed forms will have their flu immunisation spray. Please be aware that students must bring their consent letter with them for this to take place. On the same day students in Years 7, 8 and 9 will attend a Harvest Assembly during registration, during which we will all be reminded to be thankful for the good things we have.
Many of us will have watched the events leading up to the Queen’s funeral. At Castell Alun we are extremely proud of our students’ successes, in and out of school and indeed when they leave us to go on to pastures new. Harrison left Castell Alun a couple of years ago and participated in the Queen’s parade in London.
Really well done to Lexi (Year 7) who represented Castell Alun at a recent athletics meeting and took a silver and bronze medal in her middle distance events. Also in Year 7, Emily competed against the best of British in the British Ju Jitsu National championships in Walsall and reached the very pinnacle of performance picking up a bronze, two silver and a gold medal. This is absolutely stunning and we know that a great deal of training has allowed Emily to reach this level. She has been practising Ju Jitsu since she was five years old, trains twice a week and hopes to compete internationally next year.
Finally, congratulations to Kyla (Year 9) who now plays rugby for Valkyries and is blazing a trail for any other girls who may want to try out this wonderful sport.
Have a lovely weekend.
Mwynhewch y penwythnos
