Well, there is only one place to start this morning, and that is with our Open Evening gathering last night! The school was literally bursting at the seams between 6.30pm and 8.30pm and we were thrilled to welcome an exceedingly large number of Year 6 students and their families to Castell Alun. All visitors were treated to presentations and talks in a broad variety of subject areas and the Headteacher and Mr. Craig Stewart (Assistant Headteacher) spoke about the school and our values to a packed school hall on two separate occasions. Our younger guests clearly loved visiting both new and familiar subjects, and literally hundreds of them completed their sticker sheets, which means that they had visited all of our Learning Areas. The evening was filled with energy and the broad variety of engaging activities created a tangible buzz around the entire campus. We are extremely grateful for the interest in our school and, even this morning, have hosted a number of families during an open morning, whilst school was in session. It is only right that we give a special mention to our wonderful student ambassadors, who spoke so candidly and positively about their time at Castell Alun as they guided small groups and families around the building with great enthusiasm. Diolch yn fawr to everybody who visited and all those who participated in the evening. If you have any further questions please be so good as to email or telephone school at your convenience.
This year we have embarked upon a partnership with the ‘Children’s University’. A small number of students from Year 7 and 8 have been asked to participate and will gain credit for the activities in which they will now engage outside of the standard classroom. For their participation, students receive learning stamps, and anyone who reaches a minimum total of 30 stamps will be invited to attend a graduation day, hosted by Wrexham University in January. The 34 students scheme participants attended a ceremony this week during which the principles of participation were outlined…. and students were even given the change to try on a mortar board and gown! We are really looking forward to seeing how this group of students progress, develop skills and gain personal confidence as part of the Children’s University initiative.
On the sporting front this week our Year 7 boys football team battled wet and windy weather and won their two matches against St. David’s and Hawarden, which means they now progress to the next round of the Welsh Cup and Flintshire Cup. Our Year 8 boys also put on a robust performance but eventually lost to Hawarden in their Welsh Schools’ Cup match. Di iawn lads, you gave it your best shot, and we are proud of you. 
Rugby is becoming more and more popular in our school and there has been a marked increase in girls’ enthusiasm for the sport. Pip, our Rugby Development Officer, has undoubtedly had a great impact on many students’ enthusiasm for, and enjoyment of, the game. In a last minute surprise this week we were even able to welcome three members of the Wales Rugby Womens’ Team to school to meet some of our students. Welsh regulars Gwen, Kayleigh and Courtney spent an hour with a number of rugby enthusiasts and talked about the personal experiences in the sport and their hopes and aspirations for Welsh rugby. They then answered the many questions our girls put to them. The Welsh team play the USA tomorrow and they took time out from their busy training regime at their Colwyn Bay camp to invest in the next generation of Welsh rugby stars. Diolch yn fawr to the Welsh Womens’ team and pob lwc Cymru!
Next week on Thursday at 5.00pm we invite all parents/carers of current Year 10 students to an information evening in the school hall. Staff will share expertise and deliver short presentations on core subjects. We aim to talk about how best to support students in their learning throughout their Key Stage 4 courses. The evening will last less than an hour and we would love everybody involved with Year 10 students to attend.
Have a lovely weekend