YBA Blog Issue 2

Issue 2- September 22nd 2026

Headteacher's Message.....

Our word of the week has been Endeavour and what a wonderful example of this our students have shown over the past few weeks.

I have been incredibly proud to see our learners embracing so many opportunities both in and beyond the classroom. From Year 9 students questioning scientists through I'm a Scientist, Get Me Out of Here!, to Year 7 enjoying the inspiring Make Some Noise! concert, our young people have demonstrated curiosity, confidence and a love of learning.

Our School Council have shown tremendous leadership through their training, meetings with the Senior Leadership Team and the development of ambitious plans to improve our school. Meanwhile, students have been building life skills through visits to H.A.C.K Horse Sanctuary, Wellbeing Wednesday activities and creative projects led by our Prefects.

We have also celebrated sporting success, from the opening of our new 3G pitch with Wales international Rhiannon Roberts to Eva's fantastic achievements in cricket. Alongside this, it was a pleasure to welcome pupils from our partner primary schools for a YBA Taster Day and give them a glimpse of life at our wonderful school.

Every one of these experiences reflects the determination, resilience and enthusiasm of our students. They continue to amaze us with their willingness to get involved, support one another and make the very most of every opportunity.

I hope you enjoy reading about just some of the many successes and experiences that make me so proud to be Headteacher of Ysgol Bryn Alyn.

Opening Doors to Opportunity: Celebrating Our New 3G Pitch

Ysgol Bryn Alyn was proud to officially open our fantastic new 3G pitch, marking an exciting milestone for our school and wider community.

The event was made even more special by the attendance of Rhiannon Roberts, Wales international footballer and an inspiration to so many young people. Rhiannon, who is proudly featured on our school mural, officially opened the pitch before spending time coaching our girls' footballers. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to learn from someone who has represented Cymru at the highest level and to see first-hand what can be achieved through hard work, determination and belief.

We were also delighted to welcome Councillor Phil Wynn, Andrew Ranger and Ken Skates, who joined us to celebrate this important occasion and shared their support for the opportunities this new facility will provide for our young people.

The morning began with a superb musical performance from Aurelia, Theo and Callum, whose talents helped create a memorable start to the celebrations.

Most importantly, our students had the chance to experience the new pitch for themselves. Their excitement, enthusiasm and smiles demonstrated just how much this facility will mean to our school community.

This new pitch is about far more than sport. It is about creating opportunities, building confidence, promoting participation and providing a space where young people can develop friendships, resilience and a sense of belonging. It will allow future generations of Ysgol Bryn Alyn students to enjoy sport, pursue their ambitions and create lasting memories.

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to making the day such a success. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this facility will have for many years to come as we continue to help our learners discover their potential.

Year 9 Pupils Connect with Real Scientists

Year 9 students enjoyed an exciting and inspiring afternoon recently as they took part in "I'm a Scientist, Get Me Out of Here!", an engaging STEM initiative organised by Mr Eames.

The event gave pupils the unique opportunity to connect directly with scientists from a range of backgrounds and specialisms, asking questions about their careers, research and experiences. Our students embraced the opportunity with enthusiasm, posing thoughtful and imaginative questions on topics ranging from career pathways and scientific discoveries to particle accelerators and even favourite volcanoes.

The quality of the questions demonstrated the curiosity, confidence and enthusiasm for learning that we are so proud to see in our students. It was wonderful to watch them engage with experts, explore new ideas and gain a deeper understanding of the diverse opportunities available within science and STEM careers.

As part of the programme, pupils can also vote for their favourite scientist, with the winning scientist receiving funding to support their ongoing work and research.

Opportunities like this help bring learning to life, showing students that science extends far beyond the classroom and highlighting the exciting possibilities that could lie ahead. We hope to extend this fantastic experience to all year groups in the future.

At Ysgol Bryn Alyn, we encourage our learners to keep asking questions, keep exploring and never stop being curious. You never know where a great question might lead.

Wellbeing Wednesday: From Orchard to Juice!

Students enjoyed a fantastic hands-on experience during this week's Wellbeing Wednesday as they worked alongside our Youth Workers in Education to harvest and press apples from start to finish.

From picking the fruit to operating the apple press, learners were involved in every stage of the process, producing some delicious fresh apple juice while developing a range of valuable life skills along the way.

The activity encouraged teamwork, communication, problem-solving and resilience, helping students understand the rewards that come from working together towards a shared goal. As they watched the apples transform into juice, students experienced first-hand how patience, effort and determination can lead to successful outcomes.

Experiences like this demonstrate that learning extends far beyond the classroom. By connecting with nature, trying something new and building practical skills, our young people continue to grow in confidence and independence.

A huge well done to everyone involved. Their enthusiasm, hard work and willingness to get involved made the afternoon a great success.

Students Enjoy Visit to H.A.C.K Horse Sanctuary

A group of Ysgol Bryn Alyn students recently enjoyed a fantastic visit to the H.A.C.K Horse Sanctuary, accompanied by our dedicated Youth Workers in Education.

During the visit, students had the opportunity to care for the horses and meet the sanctuary's friendly pig, while developing a range of valuable life skills. Through hands-on activities, they learned the importance of teamwork, responsibility, resilience and confidence, with every task providing a chance to grow and succeed.

Experiences such as these demonstrate that learning extends far beyond the classroom. By embracing new challenges and working together, our students continue to build the skills, character and self-belief needed to thrive in the future.

We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm, positivity and commitment shown by everyone involved. The visit was a memorable experience that not only strengthened confidence and independence but also created lasting memories for our young people.

A huge thank you to our Youth Workers in Education for providing yet another wonderful opportunity for our students.

Eva Continues Her Cricket Journey

We are incredibly proud of Eva following her recent success at the North Wales Cricket trials, where she secured her place in the regional squad.

This weekend, Eva takes the next exciting step in her cricket journey as she heads to Cardiff and Sophia Gardens to attend trials for the Glamorgan CAG national team. Having already progressed through the first round, this is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of her hard work and dedication.

What makes this accomplishment even more special is the resilience, determination and commitment Eva has shown throughout her journey. She has continually worked to improve, embraced every opportunity to learn and represents both herself and Ysgol Bryn Alyn with pride.

Everyone at Ysgol Bryn Alyn wishes Eva the very best of luck for the next stage of the trials. Whatever happens, she has already achieved so much, and we look forward to seeing where her talent and determination take her next.

Pob lwc, Eva. We are all incredibly proud of you!

Prefects Launch Christmas Card Project

Our Prefects have successfully led their first Christmas Card Planning Session, bringing together students for a fun and creative lunchtime activity.

Pupils enjoyed designing their own festive artwork, which will be transformed into Christmas cards for friends and family to purchase in the run-up to the festive season. The session was a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their creativity while getting into the Christmas spirit.

A huge well done to our talented young artists and our dedicated Prefects for organising and leading such an enjoyable event.

Students who would like to take part can join us every Thursday lunchtime in the Art Room to create their own festive masterpiece. We look forward to seeing even more wonderful designs in the weeks ahead.

Future Students Enjoy a Taste of Life at Ysgol Bryn Alyn

We were delighted to welcome Year 5 and 6 pupils from Heulfan, Penrhyn, St Mary's and Tan y Fron for a special YBA Taster Day.

Throughout the day, pupils experienced a range of exciting lessons including Art, Maths, Spanish, Geography, Science and PE, embracing every opportunity with enthusiasm, curiosity and confidence. They also had the chance to meet staff, make new friends and experience the warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes Ysgol Bryn Alyn such a special place to learn.

The day was filled with laughter, excitement and plenty of smiles, as our visitors discovered the opportunities available to them as future members of the YBA community.

A huge thank you to all the pupils and primary schools who joined us. We look forward to welcoming many of you back at our Open Evening and hope you enjoyed your first taste of life at Ysgol Bryn Alyn.

Year 7 Inspired by ‘Make Some Noise!’

Our Year 7 students were treated to a fantastic live performance from Make Some Noise!, delivered by the talented team from Wrexham Music Co-operative.

The concert showcased the incredible skills of our peripatetic music teachers, who had students dancing, clapping and singing along throughout the performance. The energy and enthusiasm in the room made for a truly memorable afternoon.

The event was a wonderful opportunity for students to experience live music, discover new instruments and see where a passion for music can lead. We hope the performance has inspired many of our young people to explore their own musical talents and get involved in music-making at Ysgol Bryn Alyn.

A huge thank you to the Wrexham Music Co-operative team for sharing their talent and inspiring the next generation of musicians. Students interested in starting music lessons should speak to Mr Humphreys for further information.

School Council Members Set Ambitious Plans for the Year Ahead

Our School Council members recently took part in an inspiring training session led by Tricia Jones, helping them develop the skills and confidence needed to make a positive impact across Ysgol Bryn Alyn.

During the session, students worked together to set ambitious objectives for the year ahead, explore ways to communicate effectively with their peers and consider how they can represent the views of students across the school. Through discussion, teamwork and leadership activities, they demonstrated impressive enthusiasm, thoughtfulness and determination.

The training provided an excellent opportunity for students to develop their leadership skills and begin planning how they will contribute to school improvement throughout the year.

A huge well done to all involved. We look forward to seeing the positive difference our School Council will make as they continue to champion student voice and help shape the future of Ysgol Bryn Alyn.

School Council Share Their Vision for the Year Ahead

Our School Council recently met with the Senior Leadership Team to present their priorities and ideas for the year ahead. It was fantastic to see students confidently sharing their views and demonstrating a real commitment to making a positive difference across Ysgol Bryn Alyn.

One of the council's key priorities is to improve the footpath behind the Science block, creating a safer and more accessible route for students. The project is a great example of student voice in action, with learners identifying an area for improvement and working to make it happen.

To help bring this vision to life, we would love the support of our wider school community. If you, your business, or someone you know could offer advice, materials or practical assistance with the footpath project, we would be delighted to hear from you.

We are incredibly proud of our School Council members for their ambition, leadership and determination. We look forward to seeing their ideas become reality and the positive impact they will have on our school community.

If you think you may be able to support the footpath project, please get in touch. Together, we can make a real difference for our students.

UPCOMING NEWS/EVENTS ...

Week commencing 21st September 2026

• 22/09/2026 - GRESFORD MEMORIAL DAY

• 24/09/2026 - FLU IMMUNISATIONS

• 24/09/2026 - OPEN EVENING

• 25/09/2026 - MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING

• 25/09/2026 - YBA GRADUATION