20 Dec 2002 - Bryngwyn Matters 27
Croeso Cynnes Iawn
A warm welcome is extended to all the new members of staff who joined us in September. Mr David Bugler, the new Head of Biology, Mrs Keren Haynes, Maths/Science, Ms Elizabeth Atkinson, Technology, Mrs Shân Evans, reprographics technician, and Mrs Amanda Burgess, currently standing in for Mrs Alison Alderman, who is taking extended maternity leave after the birth of her daughter, Bethan.
Royal Visit
The School played host to its first visit from a member of the Royal Family this term. During a two day visit to Carmarthenshire in October, Prince Edward, Duke of Wessex took time out to spend a morning with us here at Bryngwyn. We were chosen as the only school of his visit because of our strong links with the Duke of Edinburgh scheme in recent years. During the morning he met our pupils and was treated to a guided tour of the various displays produced by Bryngwyn pupils and by others from several secondary schools in the county. He seemed very impressed by what he saw and likewise the pupils were struck by his interest in their endeavours and were pleased to have had the chance to discuss them with him.
£4000 Charities Jackpot
Bryngwyn pupils have surpassed themselves once again this term in raising colossal sums of money for various charities.
Early in the term staff and pupils were encouraged to 'Wear Something Pink' in order to raise funds for the Breast Care Unit at Prince Philip Hospital. This they did to great effect and were in a position to donate £2000 to Mr Simon Holt, consultant surgeon and principal guest speaker, at the annual prize giving ceremony in October.
More recently it was time for the annual Salvation Army Christmas Appeal in which registration groups 'adopt' a number of underprivileged children and raise money in order to buy them Christmas presents. This year, after spending nearly £2000 on the presents, and with further donations, there was enough left over in the kitty to donate £300 to the Llanelli Hospice and £300 to Cancer Research UK as part of their Childrens' Cancer Awareness Month campaign. Special mention must be made to registration group 9.4 who raised over £340.
When presents are opened on Christmas morning, Bryngwyn pupils can feel justly proud that they have given as well as received.
Prize Evening
The School's annual prize giving evening got the academic year off to a positive start in early October when over 700 people packed into the sports hall to witness the awarding of prizes to both past and present pupils for their various achievements. Principal guest speaker this year was Mr Simon Holt, consultant surgeon at Prince Philip Hospital and head of the Breast Care Unit. His speech on 'Lifelong Learning' was well received by his audience. As guest of honour Mr Holt was on hand to distribute 38 graduation scrolls with distinction to over 21% of last year's Year 11 cohort who achieved 10 passes or better at grades A*-C at GCSE. Jack Felton, Pearl Newton and Emily Pullham each achieving 8 A* grades.
Positively Mad
A total of seventy Year 11 pupils attended two training days entitled 'Strategies for Success' and 'Positively Mad'. The aim was to improve the students' study skills in advance of next summer's GCSE examinations. They now realise that learning can be fun and by using memory techniques learnt during the course are even able to count to ten in Japanese!
Perfect Prefects
The new Head Boy and Girl, Philip Lewis and Carly Rees, together with their deputies, Cerith Jones, Andrew Harries, Sophie Nurse and Ann Marie Brookes and the remaining 44 Year 11 prefects received a two hour training session with an outside speaker last November to fine tune their already honed skills to perfection as they continue to be a credit to the school in their role as prefects.
Eye on the World
Year 10 pupils, Frank Newton, Alex Thomas, David Skyrme, Matthew Davies and Jack Lynch, were the lucky delegates who attended a seminar devoted to the outcomes of the Johannesburg Conference on the environment.
Following a slick powerpoint presentation previously prepared for the Welsh Assembly council leader, Meryl Gravelle, introduced the event which then moved off into workshops where delegates looked at world debt, global warming and renewable energy to name but a few.
The pupils were treated to an enjoyable lunch which was essential for keeping up the energy levels over a full day's activities and debate. The verdict was a 'super if strenuous day'. The big message undoubtedly was "Planet Earth is not ours to dispose of as we wish. We hold it in trust for our grandchildren"
CEWC's Forum Fun
In early November Carly Rees, Andrew Harries, Cerith Jones, Sophie Nurse, Ann Marie Brookes and Philip Lewis represented the countries of India and Japan in a model United Nations Conference held at County Hall, Carmarthen.
The debate of the sensitive world issues of the Geneva Refugee Convention and Humanitarian Intervention was fast, furious and fun. Some delegates (Iraq) dressed in role and all delegates acted in role as representatives of their various countries.
Everyone agreed this was a worthwhile, enjoyable and really challenging day.
Millennium Stadium Trip
Christopher Thomas, Year 8, won a free tour of the Millennium Stadium for his excellent design of a rugby shirt. As a result of winning the competition, Chris's classmates were able to accompany him on this very enjoyable trip.
Sporting Digest
Football
The U'16 soccer team are through to the final of the Carmarthenshire Cup. Having beaten Coedcae 4-3 (after extra-time) and Bromyrddin 4-1 they play the winners of the match between Cambria and Amman Valley in the final.
Netball
Sophie Davies and Rachel Evans of Year 11 have been selected to represent Dyfed at U'16 level again this season.
The Year 8 Netball team reached the last eight of the National Urdd tournament played in Cardiff recently. They won their group in the first round of matches before bowing out at the quarter final stage.
Swimming
At the regional event of the National Urdd Championships there were wins for Carly Hughes Year 8 in the 100m backstroke, Chris Smith Year 8 in the 100m butterfly, Scott Thomas Year 11 in the 100m backstroke and the relay and medley relay team of Carwyn Jones, Tom Simms, Chris Smith (Year 8) and Rhys Jones (Year 7). We wish them every success at the National Finals in Bangor to be held on the 25 January next year.
Rhythmic Gymnastics
A new sport for the newsletter but nonetheless welcome. Sally Davies, a Year 7 pupil qualified for the British Championships in Burton On Trent in December after achieving her grades at a competition in Scotland earlier in the year. On the first day of competition she achieved a third place in the 'ball' which allowed her to proceed to the second day where her performance with the 'rope' gained her an overall fifth position. Congratulations Sally, we shall be keeping an eye out on your progress.
Annual Carol Service
The annual carol service took place in Dafen Church in the last week of term and along with the traditional nine lessons and carols, items of contemporary music made for an enjoyable evening of entertainment and festive spirit.
(Bryngwyn Matters edited by Mr John Ellis)
A warm welcome is extended to all the new members of staff who joined us in September. Mr David Bugler, the new Head of Biology, Mrs Keren Haynes, Maths/Science, Ms Elizabeth Atkinson, Technology, Mrs Shân Evans, reprographics technician, and Mrs Amanda Burgess, currently standing in for Mrs Alison Alderman, who is taking extended maternity leave after the birth of her daughter, Bethan.
Royal Visit
The School played host to its first visit from a member of the Royal Family this term. During a two day visit to Carmarthenshire in October, Prince Edward, Duke of Wessex took time out to spend a morning with us here at Bryngwyn. We were chosen as the only school of his visit because of our strong links with the Duke of Edinburgh scheme in recent years. During the morning he met our pupils and was treated to a guided tour of the various displays produced by Bryngwyn pupils and by others from several secondary schools in the county. He seemed very impressed by what he saw and likewise the pupils were struck by his interest in their endeavours and were pleased to have had the chance to discuss them with him.
£4000 Charities Jackpot
Bryngwyn pupils have surpassed themselves once again this term in raising colossal sums of money for various charities.
Early in the term staff and pupils were encouraged to 'Wear Something Pink' in order to raise funds for the Breast Care Unit at Prince Philip Hospital. This they did to great effect and were in a position to donate £2000 to Mr Simon Holt, consultant surgeon and principal guest speaker, at the annual prize giving ceremony in October.
More recently it was time for the annual Salvation Army Christmas Appeal in which registration groups 'adopt' a number of underprivileged children and raise money in order to buy them Christmas presents. This year, after spending nearly £2000 on the presents, and with further donations, there was enough left over in the kitty to donate £300 to the Llanelli Hospice and £300 to Cancer Research UK as part of their Childrens' Cancer Awareness Month campaign. Special mention must be made to registration group 9.4 who raised over £340.
When presents are opened on Christmas morning, Bryngwyn pupils can feel justly proud that they have given as well as received.
Prize Evening
The School's annual prize giving evening got the academic year off to a positive start in early October when over 700 people packed into the sports hall to witness the awarding of prizes to both past and present pupils for their various achievements. Principal guest speaker this year was Mr Simon Holt, consultant surgeon at Prince Philip Hospital and head of the Breast Care Unit. His speech on 'Lifelong Learning' was well received by his audience. As guest of honour Mr Holt was on hand to distribute 38 graduation scrolls with distinction to over 21% of last year's Year 11 cohort who achieved 10 passes or better at grades A*-C at GCSE. Jack Felton, Pearl Newton and Emily Pullham each achieving 8 A* grades.
Positively Mad
A total of seventy Year 11 pupils attended two training days entitled 'Strategies for Success' and 'Positively Mad'. The aim was to improve the students' study skills in advance of next summer's GCSE examinations. They now realise that learning can be fun and by using memory techniques learnt during the course are even able to count to ten in Japanese!
Perfect Prefects
The new Head Boy and Girl, Philip Lewis and Carly Rees, together with their deputies, Cerith Jones, Andrew Harries, Sophie Nurse and Ann Marie Brookes and the remaining 44 Year 11 prefects received a two hour training session with an outside speaker last November to fine tune their already honed skills to perfection as they continue to be a credit to the school in their role as prefects.
Eye on the World
Year 10 pupils, Frank Newton, Alex Thomas, David Skyrme, Matthew Davies and Jack Lynch, were the lucky delegates who attended a seminar devoted to the outcomes of the Johannesburg Conference on the environment.
Following a slick powerpoint presentation previously prepared for the Welsh Assembly council leader, Meryl Gravelle, introduced the event which then moved off into workshops where delegates looked at world debt, global warming and renewable energy to name but a few.
The pupils were treated to an enjoyable lunch which was essential for keeping up the energy levels over a full day's activities and debate. The verdict was a 'super if strenuous day'. The big message undoubtedly was "Planet Earth is not ours to dispose of as we wish. We hold it in trust for our grandchildren"
CEWC's Forum Fun
In early November Carly Rees, Andrew Harries, Cerith Jones, Sophie Nurse, Ann Marie Brookes and Philip Lewis represented the countries of India and Japan in a model United Nations Conference held at County Hall, Carmarthen.
The debate of the sensitive world issues of the Geneva Refugee Convention and Humanitarian Intervention was fast, furious and fun. Some delegates (Iraq) dressed in role and all delegates acted in role as representatives of their various countries.
Everyone agreed this was a worthwhile, enjoyable and really challenging day.
Millennium Stadium Trip
Christopher Thomas, Year 8, won a free tour of the Millennium Stadium for his excellent design of a rugby shirt. As a result of winning the competition, Chris's classmates were able to accompany him on this very enjoyable trip.
Sporting Digest
Football
The U'16 soccer team are through to the final of the Carmarthenshire Cup. Having beaten Coedcae 4-3 (after extra-time) and Bromyrddin 4-1 they play the winners of the match between Cambria and Amman Valley in the final.
Netball
Sophie Davies and Rachel Evans of Year 11 have been selected to represent Dyfed at U'16 level again this season.
The Year 8 Netball team reached the last eight of the National Urdd tournament played in Cardiff recently. They won their group in the first round of matches before bowing out at the quarter final stage.
Swimming
At the regional event of the National Urdd Championships there were wins for Carly Hughes Year 8 in the 100m backstroke, Chris Smith Year 8 in the 100m butterfly, Scott Thomas Year 11 in the 100m backstroke and the relay and medley relay team of Carwyn Jones, Tom Simms, Chris Smith (Year 8) and Rhys Jones (Year 7). We wish them every success at the National Finals in Bangor to be held on the 25 January next year.
Rhythmic Gymnastics
A new sport for the newsletter but nonetheless welcome. Sally Davies, a Year 7 pupil qualified for the British Championships in Burton On Trent in December after achieving her grades at a competition in Scotland earlier in the year. On the first day of competition she achieved a third place in the 'ball' which allowed her to proceed to the second day where her performance with the 'rope' gained her an overall fifth position. Congratulations Sally, we shall be keeping an eye out on your progress.
Annual Carol Service
The annual carol service took place in Dafen Church in the last week of term and along with the traditional nine lessons and carols, items of contemporary music made for an enjoyable evening of entertainment and festive spirit.
(Bryngwyn Matters edited by Mr John Ellis)