It’s hard to believe that we are nearly halfway through our first half term already. Lots of wonderful learning is taking place and our students are as engaged and inquisitive as ever. Students who have tested positive are self-isolating and each of them continues to make a good recovery. Everyone is managing to navigate around the campus, even in its current form.

On Wednesday this week, our Year 7 students coped really well with their Cognitive Ability Tests, and each of them rose to the occasion admirably. These are really important tests for us this year in particular as the previous eighteen months of learning have been so disrupted and therefore data on students received from primary schools cannot possibly be as detailed as was previously the case. We use such information to ensure that we look after your child in every way and the data also enables us to set appropriate targets for learning for individual students.

Although it is an incredible shame that we can’t host a New Intake Open Evening, we find ourselves in the same position as all Flintshire Secondary Schools, and therefore Open Evening information will be posted on our website by Thursday 30th September. Staff have been busy filming their sections of the video, and although Hollywood does not need to concern itself yet, we are hopeful that the input will answer a great many questions and provide the necessary detail for anyone new to the school.

After our plea for success stories last week, thank you so much for the contributions we have received in the last few days. All of our students are winners and it’s great to be able to recognise individual successes in all areas of life.

In Year 7 Oscar had another skiing success representing Castell Alun at the Regional Welsh schools Competition this week, where he clinched a silver medal in the U14s race category. This fantastic achievement has been the culmination of much training, determination and participating in national competitions across the UK over the summer. Brilliant stuff Oscar! Also in Year 7, Ruben has received a number of accolades and certificates for his contribution to local football teams over recent months. We are hopeful that students like Ruben will help us achieve school team success in the future again, also both in Flintshire and North Wales competitions.

Continuing on a football theme, our Year 7 and 8 Girls’ team are playing in the Welsh FA Cup for the first time ever this year. We have already made it through to the second round and will soon take on Brynhyfryd (away). We will keep you informed of progress.

We are really proud of Charlie in Year 8 who is making a name for himself in the swimming pool. It seems Charlie is moving up through swimming levels on a regular basis and has recently completed an assessment taking him into the second-highest category for his age. Charlie clearly loves his swimming and we hope that he goes from strength to strength and, who knows, perhaps represents us in the Olympics one day!

In Year 9, Sophie, a regular star of our netball team has just been selected for the Severn Start U17 Nova Academy. Sophie follows in the footsteps of a number of former students who excel on the netball court, some of whom now represent their Country. We believe in you Sophie….. you could be next!

Chloe (also in Year 9) competed in her first slalom competition on Wednesday night in Llandudno with Snowsport Wales and achieved 1st place in the Under 14 unregistered category. This was Chloe’s first-ever time skiing on a dry slope and she took to it like a duck to water! More success will clearly follow, but let’s hope we don’t get the snow until later in the year!

In Year 10 , Warrick has just completed his Referee Leaders Award, and has clearly not yet been bothered by VAR. Tom, also Year 10, is now playing outside of his own year group for the RGC (North Wales Rugby). Well done lads!

…. And not to be totally outdone by their students, Miss Roberts and Miss Gittins completed the North West Triathlon on Sunday. Both ladies were still able to walk afterwards and we call that a success!

Have a nice weekend.