24 Mar 2005 - Bryngwyn Matters 34 (Easter 2005)
Croseo Cynnes Iawn
A warm welcome is extended to Mrs Tonia Crowther. Mrs Crowther took up her appointment as Head of Modern Foreign Languages in January. As a native Llanelli girl, she returns to her home town after learning her craft in foreign pastures. Her most recent teaching being done in the North of England at Fred Longworth School in Wigan. We hope your stay in Bryngwyn will be both enjoyable and rewarding.
Tsunami Appeal
The tidal wave disaster in Southern Asia on Boxing Day touched the hearts of our pupils, and members of the student council were keen to do their bit for the survivors of this natural catastrophe. A non uniform day was held on the 14 January and together with a raffle organised by Learning Support Assistants Mrs. Dawn Evans and Mrs. Susan Griffiths a staggering £2500 was raised for the appeal.
Dydd GwyI Dewi
No problems with the weather this year. Our celebrations for our Patron Saint went full steam ahead as planned, with a full day of song and dance.
Competition between the four houses was as fierce as ever, with the lead changing hands several times before the eventual winners were announced at the end of a splendid day. Tywi House being the new Eisteddfod Champions for 2005. The top prizes for the Welsh and English chairs were also won by Tywi House representatives, with Samantha Cooper winning the English Chair and Helen Martin the Welsh Chair.
Debating Success
Along with all five Llanelli secondary schools, Bryngwyn took part in the annual Rotary Club - 'Youth Speaks' debating competition. Debating the motion 'School days are the best days of your life' our team of Samantha Cooper, Gareth Richards and Nathaniel Williams won first prize, with Samantha winning the 'Best Speaker' award. At the regional final in Mumbles they more than held their own against 11-18 schools from Swansea, Neath and Carmarthen with Samantha again excelling and winning the 'Best Speaker' award.
Comic Relief
Following the success of the Tsunami Appeal, Mrs Dawn Evans and Mrs Susan Griffiths presented pupils with a very moving assembly on the plight of orphaned children in Kenya mainly due to the AIDS epidemic. Despite raising such large sums of money a few weeks earlier, pupils were urged to consider how each of them could help in raising funds for this worthwhile appeal. Many events took place including cake stalls, auctions, 'wear something red', 'wacky hair', leg waxing (males only), a Miss Bryngwyn Competition and a doughnut eating competition. The latter was won by Mr Neil Angelone thanks to the free doughnuts donated by ASDA and Mr Paul Barnes now has the sleekest, smoothest legs on the staff. The highlight of the week, however, must have been the unforgettable 'Miss Bryngwyn 2005'. A big thank you to all the male staff who took part, but the eventual runaway winner, 'Miss' Haydn Williams, in particular, will live in the memory for a very long time. In total, over £1572 was raised for Comic Relief and a big thank you must go to pupils, parents, staff and local companies for their kind donations and support.
Llangrannog
Thanks to the weather, the excellent accommodation in the new block and the fact that our pupils participated in every activity, this turned out to be a very enjoyable weekend at the Urdd Camp in Llangrannog. The activities included old favorites like horse riding and skiing, along with a few new ones such as the bungee trampoline and the brand new leisure complex. Many thanks to the staff who were willing to give up their weekend for the pupils and particular mention to Mandy and Kirrie from Year 11 who went along as SWOGS to keep a close eye on the younger pupils both day and night.
Oxbridge Success
We were delighted to hear that our former Head Girl, Carly Rees who left us in 2003 with 12 A* grades at GCSE has been offered a place to read geography at Jesus College, Oxford.
Visit to 'Can I Gymru'
A group of 20 pupils went to the Newport Centre on the evening of 1 March to be part of a live audience for the S4C programme 'Can I Gymru'. The programme consists of eight original songs being sung as well as interviews with the composers and singers. The viewers and audience then vote for their favourite song. The winning song becomes the Welsh entry for the Celtic Song Contest held in Killarney every May.
Sporting Digest
Swimming
Gold at last! Our relay team of Tom Simms, Christopher Smith and brothers, Carwyn and Rhys Jones finally walked away with the top prizes at the National Relay Swimming Gala in Brecon earlier this month. They achieved second places at both this event and the National Urdd Galas in the past but have always been beaten by the same School - Greenhill, Tenby. Even in January of this year their Tenby rivals won as usual at the Urdd finals in Bangor. But revenge was that much sweeter when eventually they reversed these positions and won both the medley and freestyle events at U'15 level.
Rhys also gained representative honours when he was chosen to swim for Wales in the l00m freestyle and freestyle relay at the Home Internationals Swimming Championships held this year in Swansea.
Football
As a reward for becoming Dyfed Champions, our Year 7 team faced the prospect of a long bus journey to Porthmadog before taking on the challenge of Ysgol Eifionydd in their Welsh Cup match. At full time the teams were tied at 2-2 with goals from Ben Williams and Chad Tinnuche. But in the second period of extra time the home team got the winning goal in a closely fought game.
At a recent 7-a-side tournament our U'12 girls team won all six games to become county champions with Charmian Martin deserving special mention.
Gymnastics
Imogen Richards, Year 8, was crowned both Llanelli and Dyfed Champion at U'13 level.
Cross Country
On Saturday 19th March two of our boys were competing in the Welsh Schools Cross Country Championships in Brecon. Daniel Thomas, Year 10, was competing in the Middle Boys age group and did very well in finishing in 19th place, whilst Rhys Watson, Year 7, came 24th in the Lower Boys age group - an excellent effort by both.
U.K. Maths Trust Challenge
Year 10 and 11 pupils gained success in the U.K. Intermediate Challenge this year. Four pupils achieved silver and 13 pupils bronze. An outstanding performance by Carl Turner, Year 9, when achieving a gold award, qualifies him for the Maths Olympiad competition paper.
November Entry GCSE
Once again pupils in Bryngwyn were given an opportunity to sit the Maths Intermediate GCSE in November. Pupils worked hard, giving up an additional hour each week from September to prepare for the exam. With 34 achieving a grade C or above, it has given the pupils extra time to concentrate on their other subjects.
Skiing Tour to Canada
During half-term a party of 44 left Heathrow to fly to Montreal in Canada. The party skied for two days in the resort of Stoneham and three days at Mt. Saint Anne. The skiing was challenging with everyone making excellent progress throughout the week. On the sixth day they visited an Ice Park for an unique experience full of thrills. The evening activities included a tour of Quebec City and a visit to the city's indoor ice hockey stadium where they joined 14,000 other spectators in an electric atmosphere never to be forgotten.
A warm welcome is extended to Mrs Tonia Crowther. Mrs Crowther took up her appointment as Head of Modern Foreign Languages in January. As a native Llanelli girl, she returns to her home town after learning her craft in foreign pastures. Her most recent teaching being done in the North of England at Fred Longworth School in Wigan. We hope your stay in Bryngwyn will be both enjoyable and rewarding.
Tsunami Appeal
The tidal wave disaster in Southern Asia on Boxing Day touched the hearts of our pupils, and members of the student council were keen to do their bit for the survivors of this natural catastrophe. A non uniform day was held on the 14 January and together with a raffle organised by Learning Support Assistants Mrs. Dawn Evans and Mrs. Susan Griffiths a staggering £2500 was raised for the appeal.
Dydd GwyI Dewi
No problems with the weather this year. Our celebrations for our Patron Saint went full steam ahead as planned, with a full day of song and dance.
Competition between the four houses was as fierce as ever, with the lead changing hands several times before the eventual winners were announced at the end of a splendid day. Tywi House being the new Eisteddfod Champions for 2005. The top prizes for the Welsh and English chairs were also won by Tywi House representatives, with Samantha Cooper winning the English Chair and Helen Martin the Welsh Chair.
Debating Success
Along with all five Llanelli secondary schools, Bryngwyn took part in the annual Rotary Club - 'Youth Speaks' debating competition. Debating the motion 'School days are the best days of your life' our team of Samantha Cooper, Gareth Richards and Nathaniel Williams won first prize, with Samantha winning the 'Best Speaker' award. At the regional final in Mumbles they more than held their own against 11-18 schools from Swansea, Neath and Carmarthen with Samantha again excelling and winning the 'Best Speaker' award.
Comic Relief
Following the success of the Tsunami Appeal, Mrs Dawn Evans and Mrs Susan Griffiths presented pupils with a very moving assembly on the plight of orphaned children in Kenya mainly due to the AIDS epidemic. Despite raising such large sums of money a few weeks earlier, pupils were urged to consider how each of them could help in raising funds for this worthwhile appeal. Many events took place including cake stalls, auctions, 'wear something red', 'wacky hair', leg waxing (males only), a Miss Bryngwyn Competition and a doughnut eating competition. The latter was won by Mr Neil Angelone thanks to the free doughnuts donated by ASDA and Mr Paul Barnes now has the sleekest, smoothest legs on the staff. The highlight of the week, however, must have been the unforgettable 'Miss Bryngwyn 2005'. A big thank you to all the male staff who took part, but the eventual runaway winner, 'Miss' Haydn Williams, in particular, will live in the memory for a very long time. In total, over £1572 was raised for Comic Relief and a big thank you must go to pupils, parents, staff and local companies for their kind donations and support.
Llangrannog
Thanks to the weather, the excellent accommodation in the new block and the fact that our pupils participated in every activity, this turned out to be a very enjoyable weekend at the Urdd Camp in Llangrannog. The activities included old favorites like horse riding and skiing, along with a few new ones such as the bungee trampoline and the brand new leisure complex. Many thanks to the staff who were willing to give up their weekend for the pupils and particular mention to Mandy and Kirrie from Year 11 who went along as SWOGS to keep a close eye on the younger pupils both day and night.
Oxbridge Success
We were delighted to hear that our former Head Girl, Carly Rees who left us in 2003 with 12 A* grades at GCSE has been offered a place to read geography at Jesus College, Oxford.
Visit to 'Can I Gymru'
A group of 20 pupils went to the Newport Centre on the evening of 1 March to be part of a live audience for the S4C programme 'Can I Gymru'. The programme consists of eight original songs being sung as well as interviews with the composers and singers. The viewers and audience then vote for their favourite song. The winning song becomes the Welsh entry for the Celtic Song Contest held in Killarney every May.
Sporting Digest
Swimming
Gold at last! Our relay team of Tom Simms, Christopher Smith and brothers, Carwyn and Rhys Jones finally walked away with the top prizes at the National Relay Swimming Gala in Brecon earlier this month. They achieved second places at both this event and the National Urdd Galas in the past but have always been beaten by the same School - Greenhill, Tenby. Even in January of this year their Tenby rivals won as usual at the Urdd finals in Bangor. But revenge was that much sweeter when eventually they reversed these positions and won both the medley and freestyle events at U'15 level.
Rhys also gained representative honours when he was chosen to swim for Wales in the l00m freestyle and freestyle relay at the Home Internationals Swimming Championships held this year in Swansea.
Football
As a reward for becoming Dyfed Champions, our Year 7 team faced the prospect of a long bus journey to Porthmadog before taking on the challenge of Ysgol Eifionydd in their Welsh Cup match. At full time the teams were tied at 2-2 with goals from Ben Williams and Chad Tinnuche. But in the second period of extra time the home team got the winning goal in a closely fought game.
At a recent 7-a-side tournament our U'12 girls team won all six games to become county champions with Charmian Martin deserving special mention.
Gymnastics
Imogen Richards, Year 8, was crowned both Llanelli and Dyfed Champion at U'13 level.
Cross Country
On Saturday 19th March two of our boys were competing in the Welsh Schools Cross Country Championships in Brecon. Daniel Thomas, Year 10, was competing in the Middle Boys age group and did very well in finishing in 19th place, whilst Rhys Watson, Year 7, came 24th in the Lower Boys age group - an excellent effort by both.
U.K. Maths Trust Challenge
Year 10 and 11 pupils gained success in the U.K. Intermediate Challenge this year. Four pupils achieved silver and 13 pupils bronze. An outstanding performance by Carl Turner, Year 9, when achieving a gold award, qualifies him for the Maths Olympiad competition paper.
November Entry GCSE
Once again pupils in Bryngwyn were given an opportunity to sit the Maths Intermediate GCSE in November. Pupils worked hard, giving up an additional hour each week from September to prepare for the exam. With 34 achieving a grade C or above, it has given the pupils extra time to concentrate on their other subjects.
Skiing Tour to Canada
During half-term a party of 44 left Heathrow to fly to Montreal in Canada. The party skied for two days in the resort of Stoneham and three days at Mt. Saint Anne. The skiing was challenging with everyone making excellent progress throughout the week. On the sixth day they visited an Ice Park for an unique experience full of thrills. The evening activities included a tour of Quebec City and a visit to the city's indoor ice hockey stadium where they joined 14,000 other spectators in an electric atmosphere never to be forgotten.