Friday 27th January 2023


Blog 27th January 2023

As we reach the mid-point in this half term we are pleased to announce that our Sixth Form Open Evening yesterday was a great success.  Our student ambassadors were wonderful and guests to the school gave a great deal of really positive feedback about the information supplied and the experience they had with us.  A great big diolch to everyone who made the event possible and all those who attended to seek guidance on the best possible routes for their children, post GCSE.

By now you should have all received information on the industrial action scheduled for Wednesday 1st February.  Please do feel free to contact school if you have any further questions.  Students in receipt of free school meals will have monies paid directly into nominated bank accounts for this day.  We all remain hopeful that a suitable compromise will soon be found in order to prevent further strike action and we will keep you informed of relevant developments.

You may recall that our Christmas concert had to be postponed due to illness.  We have now rescheduled this event for Thursday 9th February at 7pm.  Tickets are available from school at a cost of £3 and although the programme has been re-written with far less emphasis on festive items, we are confident that everyone who attends will enjoy the occasion.

Please would all parents/carers be so good as to have a good look around your homes and return any overdue library books, which may be lurking in cupboards or under beds.  We have noticed a reduction in numbers on our shelves in the library and it would be very helpful if school books could be returned as soon as possible and before we place our next stock order.

Last week we mentioned that we have had great success with our KS3 STEM club and this week we can announce that Year 7 student, Isabella, has won the first prize in a national competition organised by the Aluminium Packing Recycling Organisation (Alupro).  The competition was launched as part of their ‘Bin-fluencers’ campaign and Alupro invited students from across the UK to come up with a vibrant recycling bin design.  The judges considered Isabella’s entry to be ‘highly creative and engaging’.  Alongside seeing her artwork emblasoned on a brand new recycling bin donated to school, Isabella also takes home an iPad.  STEM Club Leader, Mrs. Jackson, was thrilled about the win and commented, “Club members were excited that their hard work and passion had been recognised.  They are all really proud of Isabella and are already working on new ideas to support future local and national developments.”

Today we welcome many of our local primary schools and their sports teams who will participate in a Transition Festival at Castell Alun.  This is a wonderful event and a great opportunity for youngsters to experience a glimpse of life at Castell Alun before they come to join us, although we would imagine that many are focussed primarily on trying to win the netball and football competitions!

On Friday 3rd February, we will hold a mock results day for our Year 11 students.  This is the first time we have held such an event and our intent is to simulate results day in August in order to stimulate students into strong revision techniques and a positive mentality, by showing them how success may feel if they give their best to their studies over the coming months.  Results will of course be mock results, but it is hoped that the emotions that students feel on the day will help them to focus on that which is important before the main examination period begins.

CAFA (Castell Alun Friends Association) is a small but enthusiastic group of parents and staff whose aim is to raise funds for the benefit of the students.  They would love to welcome some new members to the team. It’s not a full time job, whether you’d like to join the meetings, offer your skills in the background, help out at events or simply send CAFA any ideas or suggestions for fund raising, they would love to hear from you!  Please be so good to email members at cafa@castellalun.flintshire.sch.uk or contact them through their social media accounts.  The next meeting is on Tuesday 7th February, at Castell Alun.  Perhaps it would also be opportune to mention the CAFA lottery once again also.  Thanks to everyone who already supports the lottery.   Castell Alun appreciates that times are currently tough and that makes any contribution even more greatly appreciated. Tickets bought help raise funds for CAFA which means that monies in turn are placed back into the school. Draws are weekly, and as well as being in the draw to win the local prize, supporters are included in a weekly national draw to win £25,000. Anyone can join and all support is gratefully received. Please follow the link for more details and to sign up.

We have a number of success stories this week.  Congratulations to Celyn (Year 10), who was awarded ‘Male Gymnast of the Year’ at the North Wales Gymnastics awards 2022 last weekend.  His club, Wrexham Gymnastics, was also awarded the Club of the Year and we will follow Celyn’s progress with great interest!  On the water, Robyn (Year 9) has been chosen by Canoe Wales as their ‘Paddler of the Year’ at the Canoe Wales Awards 2022, which recognises the tremendous dedication and commitment of their members.  Great job Robyn, da iawn!

Our congratulations also to Elisha (Year 11) who has won Most Improved Female at the Olympus Gymnastics Club recently.  Well done indeed!   And finally, we would like to wish the very best of luck to George and Ben in Year 9 who have been selected for the RGC squad to play against Cynon Valley this weekend.

We hope that this weekend will be a little warmer than last and you all manage to take some time for yourselves.