14 Apr 2006 - Bryngwyn Matters 37 (April 2006)
Inspected
During the week beginning 6 March our school underwent a standard ESTYN inspection and from the initial feedback, the school seems to have received a glowing report. The inspectors identified many good features in the school?s provision with a number of outstanding aspects. The good manners and behavior of our pupils throughout the week were commended by all the inspectors and we look forward to the publication of the full report on 11 May.
Dydd Gwyl Dewi
The weather tried its best to disrupt our Saint David?s Day celebration, with the school being closed for the second time in three years because of snow on 1 March. However pupils were given their chance to show their undoubted talent on the re-scheduled date of 17 March - Saint Patrick?s Day, with a full day of song and dance. Competition between the four houses was as fierce as ever, Lliedi House took an early lead this year which they never relinquished and became the new Eisteddfod Champions for 2006. The top prizes of the Welsh and English chairs were won by Morlais House representative Amy Westcott and Tywi House representative Samantha Cooper respectively. Special mention to Astrid Etherington who was runner up for the Welsh Chair for the second year in a row. But the performance of the day must go to Jamie Cockings of Year 11 for his rendition of Freddy Mercury?s ?I want to break free?. The memory of which will remain with us all for a very long time!
Double Debating Success
For the second year in a row our team of Samantha Cooper, Gareth Richards and Nathaniel Williams won first prize at the annual Rotary Club - ?Youth Speaks? debating competition.
In competition with all five Llanelli secondary schools, Bryngwyn debated the motion ?Men are superior to women? - surely a topic not worth debating! At the regional final in Llanddarog they faced stiff competition particularly from sixth form teams from Ffynone, Swansea and Queen Elizabeth High School, Carmarthen. Despite not winning they performed commendably.
Llangrannog
The weekend of 29 January was perhaps the most enjoyable weekend our staff and pupils have ever experienced in the Urdd camp, Llangrannog. This was due to a combination of the weather, the pleasant company of staff from other schools, the excellent accommodation in the new block and the fact that our pupils participated in every activity with no complaints about food or rooms. The activities included old favourites 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 so that pupils could benefit-Mr Dafydd Roberts, Mrs Delyth Davies, Mrs Sally Hopkins, Mr Gavin Heyes and Miss Laura Carver.
New Fitness Suites
The recent conversion of the P.E. store-room into a fitness suite has been warmly welcomed by both staff and pupils alike. The cost effective purchase of a large quantity of high quality second hand fitness equipment from Llanelli Leisure Centre has made it possible to develop one of the squash courts into a second fitness suite.
Sporting Digest
Swimming
Our pupils acquitted themselves well at the National Urdd Finals in January. At the U?13 level, Rebecca Knight came fourth in the 100m breaststroke and Emily Edmunds came third and seventh in the 100m backstroke and 100m freestyle respectively. At the U?15 level, Rhys Jones became our second ever national champion when he won the 100m freestyle and he also picked up a bronze medal for finishing third in the 100m backstroke.
Cross Country
The Year 7 Boys Lower Junior Team and the Years 8 and 9 Boys Junior Team became Llanelli Champions, with the following individuals being selected for Dyfed:
Henry Hughes, Grant Westcott and Shane Richards of Year 7; Rhys Watson of Year 8; Shaun Youngman and Gavin Williams Year 9 and Edward Beynon and Daniel Thomas from Year 11. Daniel went on to represent Dyfed in the National Championships.
Cricket
We were delighted to hear that Zain Ikram continues to progress at the highest level with his selection to represent Wales and the West of England on their tour of the West Indies in April..
U.K. Maths Trust Challenge
Once again Year 10 and 11 pupils were successful in the U.K. Intermediate Challenge this year. Carl Turner (Year10), James Stephens, Laura Purdue and Emir Bouleghlimatt (all Year 11) achieved gold awards, four pupils achieved silver and 12 pupils bronze. Another outstanding performance by Carl Turner whilst achieving his gold award, qualified him for the Maths Olympiad competition paper.
November Entry GCSE
Once again 49 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 35 achieving a grade C or above, it has given the pupils extra time to concentrate on their other subjects. Congratulations.
Butterfly Tea Dance
Pupils from the Year 11 Life Skills group, in partnership with Foothold?s ?Health and Well Being? Project, helped organise a fund raising event at Calsonic Social Club in support of Ty Hafan - the only Children?s Hospice in Wales. By decorating and serving cakes to the senior citizens of the county they made a valuable contribution to raising money for this essential provision.
Antiques Road Show
The school?s P.T.A. In association with James Vaughan Antiques Fairs raised over £700 which will go exclusively towards Bryngwyn?s Youth Zone out of school activities. Over 72 dealers from across the U.K. used the school as a venue on 1 April to sell a variety of goods from a bygone era.
Save Easy
Bryngwyn?s ?Save Easy? club in partnership with Llanelli Credit Union got underway at the end of term. In these days of escalating personal debt, money management skills are a necessity of life and this new scheme gives pupils the opportunity to develop good habits for the future. The club is open to anyone and everyone who wants to save as little as 50p a time.
Best Wishes
As the school reaches the end of another busy term, it is time to wish a fond farewell to Mrs Delyth Davies of the Welsh Department. Mrs Davies who has been with us since May 2002 is getting married over Easter and is leaving her roots in Llanelli to live in Germany the home of her husband to be. We thank you for all your hard work and dedication and wish you every happiness in the future.
Skiing Tour to Austria
During the Easter Holiday a party of 42 will head off to the ski resort of Zell Am See in the Austrian Tyrol. We wish them an accident free trip and hope they all come back having experienced and overcome plenty of new challenges in the high mountain environment.
Surprise Visit
On the last day of term Colin Jackson visited the school at short notice for the filming of a T.V. documentary on his athletics career. Apparently his first national success was on Bryngwyn?s very own running track when we hosted the Welsh Schools? Championships way back in the 1980?s.
During the week beginning 6 March our school underwent a standard ESTYN inspection and from the initial feedback, the school seems to have received a glowing report. The inspectors identified many good features in the school?s provision with a number of outstanding aspects. The good manners and behavior of our pupils throughout the week were commended by all the inspectors and we look forward to the publication of the full report on 11 May.
Dydd Gwyl Dewi
The weather tried its best to disrupt our Saint David?s Day celebration, with the school being closed for the second time in three years because of snow on 1 March. However pupils were given their chance to show their undoubted talent on the re-scheduled date of 17 March - Saint Patrick?s Day, with a full day of song and dance. Competition between the four houses was as fierce as ever, Lliedi House took an early lead this year which they never relinquished and became the new Eisteddfod Champions for 2006. The top prizes of the Welsh and English chairs were won by Morlais House representative Amy Westcott and Tywi House representative Samantha Cooper respectively. Special mention to Astrid Etherington who was runner up for the Welsh Chair for the second year in a row. But the performance of the day must go to Jamie Cockings of Year 11 for his rendition of Freddy Mercury?s ?I want to break free?. The memory of which will remain with us all for a very long time!
Double Debating Success
For the second year in a row our team of Samantha Cooper, Gareth Richards and Nathaniel Williams won first prize at the annual Rotary Club - ?Youth Speaks? debating competition.
In competition with all five Llanelli secondary schools, Bryngwyn debated the motion ?Men are superior to women? - surely a topic not worth debating! At the regional final in Llanddarog they faced stiff competition particularly from sixth form teams from Ffynone, Swansea and Queen Elizabeth High School, Carmarthen. Despite not winning they performed commendably.
Llangrannog
The weekend of 29 January was perhaps the most enjoyable weekend our staff and pupils have ever experienced in the Urdd camp, Llangrannog. This was due to a combination of the weather, the pleasant company of staff from other schools, the excellent accommodation in the new block and the fact that our pupils participated in every activity with no complaints about food or rooms. The activities included old favourites 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 so that pupils could benefit-Mr Dafydd Roberts, Mrs Delyth Davies, Mrs Sally Hopkins, Mr Gavin Heyes and Miss Laura Carver.
New Fitness Suites
The recent conversion of the P.E. store-room into a fitness suite has been warmly welcomed by both staff and pupils alike. The cost effective purchase of a large quantity of high quality second hand fitness equipment from Llanelli Leisure Centre has made it possible to develop one of the squash courts into a second fitness suite.
Sporting Digest
Swimming
Our pupils acquitted themselves well at the National Urdd Finals in January. At the U?13 level, Rebecca Knight came fourth in the 100m breaststroke and Emily Edmunds came third and seventh in the 100m backstroke and 100m freestyle respectively. At the U?15 level, Rhys Jones became our second ever national champion when he won the 100m freestyle and he also picked up a bronze medal for finishing third in the 100m backstroke.
Cross Country
The Year 7 Boys Lower Junior Team and the Years 8 and 9 Boys Junior Team became Llanelli Champions, with the following individuals being selected for Dyfed:
Henry Hughes, Grant Westcott and Shane Richards of Year 7; Rhys Watson of Year 8; Shaun Youngman and Gavin Williams Year 9 and Edward Beynon and Daniel Thomas from Year 11. Daniel went on to represent Dyfed in the National Championships.
Cricket
We were delighted to hear that Zain Ikram continues to progress at the highest level with his selection to represent Wales and the West of England on their tour of the West Indies in April..
U.K. Maths Trust Challenge
Once again Year 10 and 11 pupils were successful in the U.K. Intermediate Challenge this year. Carl Turner (Year10), James Stephens, Laura Purdue and Emir Bouleghlimatt (all Year 11) achieved gold awards, four pupils achieved silver and 12 pupils bronze. Another outstanding performance by Carl Turner whilst achieving his gold award, qualified him for the Maths Olympiad competition paper.
November Entry GCSE
Once again 49 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 35 achieving a grade C or above, it has given the pupils extra time to concentrate on their other subjects. Congratulations.
Butterfly Tea Dance
Pupils from the Year 11 Life Skills group, in partnership with Foothold?s ?Health and Well Being? Project, helped organise a fund raising event at Calsonic Social Club in support of Ty Hafan - the only Children?s Hospice in Wales. By decorating and serving cakes to the senior citizens of the county they made a valuable contribution to raising money for this essential provision.
Antiques Road Show
The school?s P.T.A. In association with James Vaughan Antiques Fairs raised over £700 which will go exclusively towards Bryngwyn?s Youth Zone out of school activities. Over 72 dealers from across the U.K. used the school as a venue on 1 April to sell a variety of goods from a bygone era.
Save Easy
Bryngwyn?s ?Save Easy? club in partnership with Llanelli Credit Union got underway at the end of term. In these days of escalating personal debt, money management skills are a necessity of life and this new scheme gives pupils the opportunity to develop good habits for the future. The club is open to anyone and everyone who wants to save as little as 50p a time.
Best Wishes
As the school reaches the end of another busy term, it is time to wish a fond farewell to Mrs Delyth Davies of the Welsh Department. Mrs Davies who has been with us since May 2002 is getting married over Easter and is leaving her roots in Llanelli to live in Germany the home of her husband to be. We thank you for all your hard work and dedication and wish you every happiness in the future.
Skiing Tour to Austria
During the Easter Holiday a party of 42 will head off to the ski resort of Zell Am See in the Austrian Tyrol. We wish them an accident free trip and hope they all come back having experienced and overcome plenty of new challenges in the high mountain environment.
Surprise Visit
On the last day of term Colin Jackson visited the school at short notice for the filming of a T.V. documentary on his athletics career. Apparently his first national success was on Bryngwyn?s very own running track when we hosted the Welsh Schools? Championships way back in the 1980?s.