21 Dec 2007 - Bryngwyn Matters 42 (Dec 2007)
Cynnes Iawn
After the various retirements at the end of the summer term, a few unfamiliar and not so unfamiliar faces greeted the pupils in September. Mrs Rhian Phillips, who had an extended period on supply last year, took up a post in the Technology department along with Mr Mark Hughes a former pupil of the school. Miss Sara Davies, another former pupil, joined the PE department until half term but has since moved on and Miss Anna Joseph has taken up the position. We extend a warm welcome to you all.
Blue Peter Visit
As an active member of the Carmarthenshire branch of the Barnado’s Youth Group, Luke Phillips, Year 8, along with 15 other young carers from across the county, has been invited to appear ‘live’ on the Blue Peter show on 19 December. What an experience that should be!!
Prize Evening
Our annual Prize Evening took place on 9 October with our link adviser Mr Emyr Wyn Jones as the principal guest speaker. Again, it provided the opportunity for the school to celebrate its success in such varied fields as academic, sporting, cultural and community. Special mention must be made of Carl Turner, who not only achieved A* grades in all 12 of his GCSE subjects and A grades at AS Maths and English, but also had the distinction of gaining the highest mark from over 240,000 entries in his GCSE Double Award Science exam. This achievement was recognised in a special awards ceremony in
CEWC Conference
In this year’s mock United Nations conference held in County Hall Carmarthen, Bryngwyn chose to represent
Poet’s Visit
On Monday 10 December, the Welsh department were delighted to welcome the Welsh poet and writer Catrin Dafydd. Catrin ran workshops with groups of Year 8 and Year 10 pupils to practise their creative writing skills. She was so impressed with the pupils’ enthusiasm and ability in the Welsh language that she has suggested making a return visit in January 2008.
Red - The Colour of Christmas
This term Bryngwyn has been full of the colour red thanks to its successful partnership with Llanelli AFC. Sixty of our pupils have taken advantage of the team’s skills in an ongoing coaching programme. The ‘Reds’ are also very pleased with the increased number of our pupils who are now attending their home games both as supporters and as ball boys and girls.
Sporting Digest
Football
The U’14s girls won the Llanelli Schools tournament with a convincing win over St. John Lloyd in the final, 14-7 . Was this football? Stacey Webber our
The U’14s boys team were not to be outdone. The highlight of their goals from a convincing 6-2 win over Greenhill, Tenby was the 60 metre perfect strike from Jac Villis. They are now through to the last sixteen in
Indoor Athletics
At the annual Sportshall Athletics Championships for Year 8 pupils at
Stacey Webber 5th in the 4 lap race; Okan Wilson 3rd in the triple jump; Matthew Ford 3rd in the 4 lap race. The outstanding performance however, was from Tony Lewis, beating the current Welsh outdoor sprint champion in the 2 lap final and winning the vertical jump with a staggering 62 cm. A full 16 cm. better than the second placed boy from Q.E. High.
Swimming
Our swimmers performed well in the
Musical Notes
The music department has had a busy time of it this term.
National Youth Wind Sinfonia
Congratulations to Epsie Thompson, Year 7, who will be playing her flute in this national orchestra.
National Youth Brass Band of
Christopher Smith, Year 10, has been picked as a reserve for this band. As the age limit is 21, Christopher will be rubbing shoulders with university students when they perform in concert.
Musical Play Day
In the first half term, we were pleased to welcome over 100 instrumentalists from our feeder primary schools for a day of music making with our school orchestra. All pupils worked together on a number of musical pieces during the day and performed a short concert in the early evening in front of an appreciative audience of family and friends.
Aladdin
Aladdin was the chosen show for this year and was performed over three evenings with three matinee showings to our feeder primary schools. Special mention must be made of the four pupils who took the lead roles: Ashley Thomas as Aladdin; Aysha Leaf as Princess Jazmine; Gavyn Brewster as the Genie and Matthew Cooke as the convincing baddy, Jafar. Anyone who missed it can purchase a DVD of the show for £2.00 from Mr McDowall.
Mince Pies and Music
An evening of light entertainment was enjoyed by family, friends and staff in early December. Llanelli AFC were kind enough to offer their social club to the music department free of charge and the choir and orchestra did the rest! Well done.
Carol Service
Felinfoel church hosted our annual Christmas concert on 19 December, where the more traditional celebrations of lessons, carols and musical items brought a fitting close to the term.
Welsh Pantomime
Following the success of last year’s pantomime visit to Theatre Elli, the Welsh Department organised a repeat trip this year for Year 7 and 8 pupils to see ‘Macsen’ produced by Cwmni Mega. The story is based on a Welsh legend and was conveyed through live, contemporary music, with professional dancers, colourful stage settings, enthusiastic actors and of course the obligatory “It’s behind you!”.
It provided our pupils with a fantastic opportunity to learn and have fun at the same time and the Welsh department would like to thank parents for encouraging their sons and daughters to attend. Diolch am eich cefnogaeth.
Salvation Army Appeal
Bryngwyn pupils rose to the occasion once again when raising money for the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal. A variety of fund-raising events took place in the lead up to the end of term. These included a sponsored 6 -a-side football tournament in Year 10, healthy cake stalls, sponsored walks and silences and the annual woodlice race!
This year over £2400 was raised to buy presents for local underprivileged children.