Main Assembly this week was on the theme of ‘The Blame Game’ and was led by Year 11, with very proficient contributions from Lilly and Hannah. We were all encouraged to take responsibility for our own actions, admit to mistakes and grow as a direct result of learning from our errors. This message is central to the ‘Growth Mindset’ attitude which we seek to encourage amongst all students.
A number of our Year 10, 11 and Sixth Form students worked with celebrity chefs in the Cooking Theatre at Mold Food Festival earlier in the week. Our students worked really hard behind the scenes preparing and serving dishes for professional chefs during their demonstrations. Graham Tinsley MBE, Head Chef at Carden Park, Eddie Shepherd from the Walled Garden Underground Restaurant and celebrity actor Sean Wilson (who played Martin Platt in Coronation Street and also owns an artisan cheese company and restaurant) were all exceptionally impressed with our team of Castell Alun students. Really well done to Caitlyn, Sophie, Charlotte, James, Ewan, Lucy, Hollie, Sammie, Charlotte and Amelia.
Members of our school Governing Body supported, challenged and encouraged our staff team in meetings this week, as feedback was provided by our Learning Managers on attainment at Key Stage 3, examinations taken throughout Key Stage 4 and, of course, Sixth Form qualifications. It is only with such a concerted team effort that we remain one of the high-performing schools in areas of the curriculum on the local, county and indeed national scene. Thank-you so much to all governors, parents / carers, staff and students for what you bring to Castell Alun.
We were all so proud of the new Year 7 during their CATS tests on Thursday. All students coped with the sessions in the exam hall really well and, as we would expect, behaviour and attitude were both exemplary throughout the tests. Excellent job Year 7 – well done!
Also on Thursday many of our KS3 students represented Castell Alun in a county athletics competition. Although results are yet to be ratified, we are told that a number of our students have taken first or second place in their events, and, as such, will soon proceed on to the next round in order to become part of the Flintshire team. I’ll keep you across this story as it continues to develop. Well done and thanks to all students who took part.
Today lots of our Year 13 Geographers will spend time in Wrexham and Liverpool undertaking research for their A level qualification, having performed their river-based work on Monday.
Also today, Sixth Form students will run a Coffee and Cake Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Staff will also fund-raise for this fantastic cause, with a number of tasty treats to be bought and won in the staffroom. Thank-you to everybody for your efforts – they are really appreciated by so many people.
Many congratulations to Catrin (Sixth Form) who took a silver medal with her team recently in Portugal at the Dance World Cup in the seniors section. Catrin has incredible talent and is certainly a name to watch out for in the future.
As we look to next week, many of our A level students will bring presentations to a set of ‘Dragons’ as part of their Advanced Level Welsh Bacc. qualification. Thank-you to everyone who will kindly give their time to support this valuable process. If you feel you could assist us further in this kind of session in the future, please do contact Mr Kevin Davies or Mrs Rebecca Lloyd-Jones. We’re very grateful for any expertise you can bring.
As previously mentioned, we will hold our Castell Alun Open Evening, on Thursday 3rd October, from 6.30pm. There will be two opportunities to attend my Headteacher’s presentation at 6.30pm and 7.15pm respectively, and we will have plenty of very eager guides willing to show you around the school throughout the evening. It is always a lovely event and we would encourage parents/carers to bring their Year 6 children along with them in order to visit many of the subject areas with whom they will soon be working. Our school Prospectus is now live on our website for your perusal also.
On Friday 4th October a further opportunity is available for interested parties to visit the school during our Open Morning, from 9.30am. Tours of the school and an opportunity to talk with members of the Senior Leadership Team will be available. Please book in with Mrs Olwen Jones in advance on 01978 760238.
The Australian Rugby Team don’t know what’s coming!
Have a great weekend.