19 Jul 2004 - Bryngwyn Matters 32 (Summer 2004)
End of an Era!
A number of staff are either retiring or moving on to pastures new at the end of the school year. Mr Wayne Wilkins and Mrs Julie Mitchell are moving to schools in Carmarthen and Mr Tudor Parry Jones is moving to Tenby. Mrs Rosemary Whitaker is retiring after joining the Learning Support and Science department in 1998.
And now for the vintage of 1977. A trio of teachers who have been teaching at the school since its inception in 1977 are hanging up their boots. Mrs Diane Evans, Mrs Rosemary Mages and Mrs Eryl Thomas are finally calling it a day after 26 years of service. We wish you all the best of health and happiness in the future.
Key Stage 3 Results
224 Year 9 pupils sat their National Curriculum Tests in English, Maths and Science at the beginning of May. When the results arrived back they showed that 72% of the year group achieved level 5 or higher in both Maths and Science and 65% in English. These are the best ever overall results at Key Stage 3 and congratulations are extended to both pupils and staff.
U.K. Maths Competition
The School team of Jonathan Harries, James Stephens, Matthew Lelli and Carl Turner took part in the prestigious United Kingdom Mathematics Trust competition regional final in Cardiff on the 4th of May. The competition tested the full range of mathematical skills and involved 16 teams of finalists from across South Wales. The Bryngwyn team performed superbly, taking the lead from the start and going on to win the competition convincingly.
For the National final held in London on the 5th of July there was one team change, with Katie Nurse replacing James Stephens. Unfortunately no win this time, but the team acquitted itself well, and all members had an unforgettable experience.
Transforming Schools
Bryngwyn has joined together with Olchfa Comprehensive School, Swansea and Cwmtawe Comprehensive School, Neath/Port Talbot, to form a partnership across three LEA's in the Transforming Schools Initiative. This is a very exciting and innovative project, which aims to develop the leadership skills of all staff and will allow us to share good practice. We have been successful in obtaining an £8000 GTCW Professional Networking Grant to support this work.
Business Challenge
Ten Business Studies pupils from Year 10 took part in the Young Enterprise Business Challenge at the Selwyn Samuel Centre in early July. The day's events provided an insight into developing a business idea. Pupils competed against six other Carmarthenshire schools and had to think of innovative ideas, give a sales talk, write a promotional leaflet and design a web page. After a very pleasant buffet the results of the competitions were announced and our pupils were successful in being awarded with a trophy for the 'Best Shop Window'.
Basic Skills Numeracy Project
Mrs Karen Taylor from the Maths Department was successful in a bid to receive a grant of £5000 from the Basic Skills Agency. This will give certain Year 7 pupils the opportunity to receive additional support in small groups to improve their numeracy skills.
Technocamps Initiative
Four Year 10 pupils, Sam Lowe, Martin Williams, Georgia Bowles and Sian Musselwhite accompanied Mrs Vicky Harries on the Technocamps Initiative at the University of Wales, Swansea, for four days earlier this term. The objectives of the visit were to inspire and technically empower young people interested in the computing sciences and to encourage able young people to consider the challenge of a career in the computing sciences. The programme included sessions on Digital Imagery, Graphics, Games Technology, Internet Systems and Simulation. Everyone enjoyed a mix of seminars and workshops and all had the opportunity for hands on experience in the laboratory.
Basic Skills Award
On 1st April the School was assessed by the LEA advisory team against criteria for the Basic Skills Award. They visited many classrooms and considered the evidence provided, regarding the development of pupils' basic skills across the curriculum. Congratulations are extended to all staff and particularly to Mrs Julia Hughes (literacy co-ordinator), Mrs Karen Taylor (numeracy co-ordinator) and Mrs Pauline Collis, who co-ordinated the preparation for the Award.
Year 11 Prom
For the second year running, the School Prom took place in the beautiful setting of Craig y Nôs Castle in the Swansea Valley. Nearly 150 Year 11 pupils attended the event and, dressed immaculately in formal evening wear, they enjoyed a memorable evening. Voted Prom King and Queen were Andrew Thomas and Sherene Reardon-John.
Sporting Digest
Cricket
Zain Ikram, Nathan Richards, Chris Davies (Year 8) and Rohan Nangalia (Year 7) have represented West Wales this term.
The U'14s team are the Carmarthenshire champions this year after beating Amman Valley school in the final and now go on to play Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest, in the Dyfed final. Darryl Jenkins, Jamie Thomas and Michael Nangalia from this team have represented South Wales and were invited to attend a coaching course at Lords during the Whitsun holiday.
Tennis
Hayley Thomas in Year 7 won the Carmarthenshire U' 14 Open Tennis Tournament and the U'15's boys team comprising Lewis Davies, Alex Davies, Richard Williams and Jordan Phillips are through to the Dyfed Schools Championships after becoming Llanelli Champions.
Athletics
The Boys U' 13 team represented Llanelli in the Dyfed Championships. Daniel Thomas of Year 9 came fifth in the National Schools Championship 1500m held in Brecon.
Rhys Webb in Year 7 won a silver medal in the 80m hurdles at the National Lower Junior Championships held in Colwyn Bay.
Triathlon
After her successes of last year Amy Westcott in Year 9 has once again been selected for the Welsh Team.
Noah
A pleasant evening of music and song was enjoyed by all when Bryngwyn joined forces with Dafen, Halfway, Llangennech, Old Road and Swiss Valley Primary Schools. Over 200 pupils put on a night of entertainment under the musical direction of Mrs Ellen Evans.
The first half was comprised of instrumental items and the second was a rock cantata composed by a student in the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama based on the story of Noah.
Scott Arthur played Noah and Robert Ballard, God. There were solos from Sam Lelli and Catherine Lewis (Year 8) and Lucy Davies and Caren Davies (Year 10).
New Year, New Day, New Uniform
When we start back on the 2nd of September a number of changes will be upon us. The school day will finish a quarter of an hour earlier and end at the same time every day and after lengthy consultations with the pupils a new uniform will be adopted incorporating a new logo.
A number of staff are either retiring or moving on to pastures new at the end of the school year. Mr Wayne Wilkins and Mrs Julie Mitchell are moving to schools in Carmarthen and Mr Tudor Parry Jones is moving to Tenby. Mrs Rosemary Whitaker is retiring after joining the Learning Support and Science department in 1998.
And now for the vintage of 1977. A trio of teachers who have been teaching at the school since its inception in 1977 are hanging up their boots. Mrs Diane Evans, Mrs Rosemary Mages and Mrs Eryl Thomas are finally calling it a day after 26 years of service. We wish you all the best of health and happiness in the future.
Key Stage 3 Results
224 Year 9 pupils sat their National Curriculum Tests in English, Maths and Science at the beginning of May. When the results arrived back they showed that 72% of the year group achieved level 5 or higher in both Maths and Science and 65% in English. These are the best ever overall results at Key Stage 3 and congratulations are extended to both pupils and staff.
U.K. Maths Competition
The School team of Jonathan Harries, James Stephens, Matthew Lelli and Carl Turner took part in the prestigious United Kingdom Mathematics Trust competition regional final in Cardiff on the 4th of May. The competition tested the full range of mathematical skills and involved 16 teams of finalists from across South Wales. The Bryngwyn team performed superbly, taking the lead from the start and going on to win the competition convincingly.
For the National final held in London on the 5th of July there was one team change, with Katie Nurse replacing James Stephens. Unfortunately no win this time, but the team acquitted itself well, and all members had an unforgettable experience.
Transforming Schools
Bryngwyn has joined together with Olchfa Comprehensive School, Swansea and Cwmtawe Comprehensive School, Neath/Port Talbot, to form a partnership across three LEA's in the Transforming Schools Initiative. This is a very exciting and innovative project, which aims to develop the leadership skills of all staff and will allow us to share good practice. We have been successful in obtaining an £8000 GTCW Professional Networking Grant to support this work.
Business Challenge
Ten Business Studies pupils from Year 10 took part in the Young Enterprise Business Challenge at the Selwyn Samuel Centre in early July. The day's events provided an insight into developing a business idea. Pupils competed against six other Carmarthenshire schools and had to think of innovative ideas, give a sales talk, write a promotional leaflet and design a web page. After a very pleasant buffet the results of the competitions were announced and our pupils were successful in being awarded with a trophy for the 'Best Shop Window'.
Basic Skills Numeracy Project
Mrs Karen Taylor from the Maths Department was successful in a bid to receive a grant of £5000 from the Basic Skills Agency. This will give certain Year 7 pupils the opportunity to receive additional support in small groups to improve their numeracy skills.
Technocamps Initiative
Four Year 10 pupils, Sam Lowe, Martin Williams, Georgia Bowles and Sian Musselwhite accompanied Mrs Vicky Harries on the Technocamps Initiative at the University of Wales, Swansea, for four days earlier this term. The objectives of the visit were to inspire and technically empower young people interested in the computing sciences and to encourage able young people to consider the challenge of a career in the computing sciences. The programme included sessions on Digital Imagery, Graphics, Games Technology, Internet Systems and Simulation. Everyone enjoyed a mix of seminars and workshops and all had the opportunity for hands on experience in the laboratory.
Basic Skills Award
On 1st April the School was assessed by the LEA advisory team against criteria for the Basic Skills Award. They visited many classrooms and considered the evidence provided, regarding the development of pupils' basic skills across the curriculum. Congratulations are extended to all staff and particularly to Mrs Julia Hughes (literacy co-ordinator), Mrs Karen Taylor (numeracy co-ordinator) and Mrs Pauline Collis, who co-ordinated the preparation for the Award.
Year 11 Prom
For the second year running, the School Prom took place in the beautiful setting of Craig y Nôs Castle in the Swansea Valley. Nearly 150 Year 11 pupils attended the event and, dressed immaculately in formal evening wear, they enjoyed a memorable evening. Voted Prom King and Queen were Andrew Thomas and Sherene Reardon-John.
Sporting Digest
Cricket
Zain Ikram, Nathan Richards, Chris Davies (Year 8) and Rohan Nangalia (Year 7) have represented West Wales this term.
The U'14s team are the Carmarthenshire champions this year after beating Amman Valley school in the final and now go on to play Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest, in the Dyfed final. Darryl Jenkins, Jamie Thomas and Michael Nangalia from this team have represented South Wales and were invited to attend a coaching course at Lords during the Whitsun holiday.
Tennis
Hayley Thomas in Year 7 won the Carmarthenshire U' 14 Open Tennis Tournament and the U'15's boys team comprising Lewis Davies, Alex Davies, Richard Williams and Jordan Phillips are through to the Dyfed Schools Championships after becoming Llanelli Champions.
Athletics
The Boys U' 13 team represented Llanelli in the Dyfed Championships. Daniel Thomas of Year 9 came fifth in the National Schools Championship 1500m held in Brecon.
Rhys Webb in Year 7 won a silver medal in the 80m hurdles at the National Lower Junior Championships held in Colwyn Bay.
Triathlon
After her successes of last year Amy Westcott in Year 9 has once again been selected for the Welsh Team.
Noah
A pleasant evening of music and song was enjoyed by all when Bryngwyn joined forces with Dafen, Halfway, Llangennech, Old Road and Swiss Valley Primary Schools. Over 200 pupils put on a night of entertainment under the musical direction of Mrs Ellen Evans.
The first half was comprised of instrumental items and the second was a rock cantata composed by a student in the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama based on the story of Noah.
Scott Arthur played Noah and Robert Ballard, God. There were solos from Sam Lelli and Catherine Lewis (Year 8) and Lucy Davies and Caren Davies (Year 10).
New Year, New Day, New Uniform
When we start back on the 2nd of September a number of changes will be upon us. The school day will finish a quarter of an hour earlier and end at the same time every day and after lengthy consultations with the pupils a new uniform will be adopted incorporating a new logo.