GHS.Newsletter.Volume.08.2013.March - Gwernyfed High School

Ysgol Uwchradd Gwernyfed High School
ACHIEVEMENT
RESPONSIBILITY
EXCELLENCE
News
Mrs Hughes - Teacher of the Year Finalist
Also in this edition........
P3 Young Sports Leader of the
Year
P5 Our visit to Llangoed Hall
P6 Model UN Conference
P7 Child Development Visitors
P10 Young Enterprise National
Finalists
P12 Annual Eisteddfod
Taking Afternoon Tea at Llangoed Hall
Issue 8 Page 1 March 2013

Letter from our Headteacher
As we wait for Spring another term comes to an end. Whilst only 5 ½ weeks it has again been a
successful period for Gwernyfed High School. All year groups have worked productively, upper
school students completing Controlled Assessments and Coursework; Key Stage 3 pupils working
towards achieving target levels and reaching their potential. Staff continue to prepare and deliver
high quality lessons taking into account the needs of all children in their classes.
The school Eisteddfod proved to be a day to showcase the performing talent, with a celebration of
all things Welsh. Further details in this newsletter.
Particular praise must go to Year 12 students who have won the Mid Wales Young Enterprise
competition, ran Comic Relief Day, kept the Eisteddfod scores, been to Paris on the Art / Business
Studies Trip, attended the Sixth Form Open Evening to share their experiences in subjects and in
studying an AS Level at another school as part of the South Powys Curriculum Offer. They have
deserved the improved Sixth Form Centre which enhances their study facilities.
Ms Kayleigh Hughes (Art) has been shortlisted for outstanding new teacher in Wales in the Pearson
Teaching Awards. Fully deserved, she will find out in May if she will attend the national finals.
In our efforts to improve communication our Sixth Form have redesigned their prospectus and
been part of a working group to improve our website. The new site will go ‘live’ on 15 th April! If you
think we are doing things well please tell us; if you have concerns speak to us too.
The school day will change from 3 rd June. We will start at 8-35am
and finish at 3-05pm every day. We will be running a homework
support session until 4pm Monday – Friday with adult support
and I.T facilities. Staff are preparing for the one hour lessons
committed to improving learning opportunities.
Enjoy the Easter break. We return for the Summer Term on
Monday 15 th April to allow our students to show their
capabilities in the summer examinations.
Please ensure pupils attend every day.
Thank you for your continuing support
Diolch yn fawr
John D Williams
Pennaeth/Headteacher
Powys Cross Country
NEW SCHOOLDAY TIMINGS
8-35am Registration /
Assembly
8-50am Lesson 1
9-50am Lesson 2
10-50am Break
11-10am Lesson 3
12-10pm Lesson 4
1-10pm Lunch
2-05pm Lesson 5
3-05pm End of School Day
Congratulations to the schools Cross Country
team for their recent success at the Powys Cross
Country Championship.
A particularly good result was achieved by
Gabriel Kay who became the Powys under 16
Cross Country Champion.
Ben Dunster also ran very well and achieved
overall 2nd in the Under 18 competition.
Gabriel, Ben, Rachel Smout, Brychan Price-Davies
and Levi Phillips were all selected to run for
Powys in the National Finals. Brychan also won a
team Bronze medal.
Issue 8 Page 2 March 2013

On the 6 th of March we
went to Crickhowell High
School and we played a
netball tournament. It was
very cold and trying. We
won the first match 2-1!!!
We came to the second
match, where we didn’t do
very well, 1-0 not our best.
Third match we drew 1-1
better than the other
match and then it went
downhill from there. We
finished the tournament
with improved skill and in
7 th place.
By Mollie Phillips and
Billie Pfeiffer (A Team)
Young Sports Leader of the Year
Congratulations to Mollie Gibbons who won the Young
Sports Leader Award, 2012 at the Brecknock and Radnor
Sports Awards. This was in recognition of her work in
promoting the Olympics and Paralympics in local schools,
setting up sports clubs in the lunchtime and assisting with
coaching a local under-15 hockey team.
Congratulations to Luke Meredith who received runner-up
in the Volunteer of the Year Awards for his work in coaching
junior football. Well Done also to Ben Dunster and Gabriel
Kay who were also nominated for the Junior Sports
Personality Award.
Mollie, who is a South Powys Gold Young Ambassador said
that she was delighted and surprised to receive her award .
Netball Teams compete at Crickhowell
My netball team went to a netball tournament in Crickhowell. We played our own team first
and we lost that game. We also lost all of our other games but showed great sportsmanship. It
was also very cold outside and we weren’t up to our best. Our defence worked very hard but
unfortunately we were unable to get the ball through to our attacking players.
By Thea Harrhy and Ruby Keylock (B Team)
Issue 8 Page 3 March 2013

Finalist in the Teacher of the Year Awards
Kayleigh Hughes, an Art teacher from Gwernyfed High School in Brecon, has been selected as a
finalist for the 2013 Pearson Teaching Awards. She joins a list of exceptional teachers who are
the stars of education this year.
2013 is a record year for the
Pearson Teaching Awards with over
24,000 nominations. Each and
every nomination is a “thank you” to
an education professional who has
made a difference to the lives of
young people. The finalists will
receive the results when they are
announced by the Pearson Teaching
Awards on Thank a Teacher Day, 17
May 2013.
Oscar-winning actress Emma
Thompson, president of the
Teaching Awards said: ‘I am
genuinely proud and honoured to be
the president of the Teaching
Awards. I owe so much of what I’ve
done to my fantastic teachers at school and university and it is exciting to join in celebrating
what is probably the most important profession of them all.’
Ms Hughes joined Gwernyfed in 2011 and has quickly settled in to the highly successful Art
Department. She has become a popular and inspirational teacher, teaching pupils from year 7
to A Level.
Upon hearing of her successful nomination she said “ I was surprised and honoured to be
nominated for this award. When i was told I was a finalist I was really excited although the
visit of the judges was nerve-wracking! The whole experience has been fabulous. I really enjoy
working at Gwernyfed and the staff and pupils have been so welcoming since I started.”
Netball Competition
On Friday 1 st of March a group of Gwernyfed’s netball
supporters journeyed to Cardiff’s ‘Welsh Sports Centre’ to
observe and support the Celtic Dragons V’s Manchester
Thunder. Participants varied from Year 7 – Year 12. The
match was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Added entertainment
was provided by Miss Schofield’s rendition of Gangnam
style. Our grateful thanks are given once again to Miss
Ricketts for organizing another successful trip.
Article by Angharad James
Issue 8 Page 4 March 2013

Our Day at Llangoed Hall
As part of our Hospitality and
Catering studies we were privileged to
be able to visit Llangoed Hall to see
how a hotel is run.
When we arrived we had a very warm
welcome by the Managing Director of
the hotel, Calum Milne. We were
made to feel extremely welcome and
the staff had even laid out teas ,coffees
and biscuits for us. We had a talk from
Calum. His knowledge of the industry
was incredible and was a great help
when it came to completing our work.
Once the talk had finished we had a
tour of the magnificent hotel. The
rooms we were able to visit were truly
stunning and the quality and attention to detail in every room was easy to see. Each room had
amazing original paintings and drawings and special items which made them all individual
and unique. For all involved the tour of the hotel was a great experience and we all loved
having a behind the scenes look at the hotel.
After the tour had finished we were allowed to enter the kitchens where the talented chefs had
offered for us to help them make pasta. Head Chef Nick Brodie and Chef de Partie Jerry Adam
taught us the basics of pasta making. We were allowed to help roll out the pasta and we were
taught how to make several different types of pasta. Once we had completed the pasta Josh
Roberts, the Sous Chef at the hotel, cooked our pasta and once it was cooked we were allowed
to try it. We were also allowed to try a very expensive ingredient, truffle oil, which was a great
experience. The pasta was delicious and you could clearly see how talented all the chefs in the
kitchen were. We thanked the chefs for allowing us to have such an amazing experience but
they said they had another surprise for us.
An afternoon tea selection was brought out to us. Brilliant cakes and patisserie were brought
out along with sandwiches and homemade crisps. We also had tea and coffee which we drank
out of cups which were exclusive to
Llangoed Hall and contained 24 carat gold.
All of the afternoon tea was delicious and we
ate every single thing!
Finally it was time to leave, however none of
us wanted to go! We thanked Calum and his
staff for such a wonderful experience which
will definitely be of benefit to our course.
All of the class really enjoyed the morning
and felt a great privilege to be able to have
gone to such an exquisite establishment.
By Lucy Williams
Issue 8 Page 5 March 2013

Model UN Conference in Cardiff
On Friday March 15 th the Year 12 Geographers went to the Senedd in Cardiff to put on a Model
UN Conference with a few other schools. Our school consisted of Somalia, Pakistan, South
Africa, the Fair Trade Organisation and the
International Press.
The day started off with presentations from a
few countries about the topic of ‘Global Food
Justice’. These presentations were to help form
alliances between countries or organisations
to help overcome hunger. At the end of the
morning’s session the International Press gave
a brief conclusion as to what had happened.
In the afternoon countries and organisations
proceeded to modify the resolution. The
afternoon brought the Fair Trade organisation
to describe Cuba as ‘mad’ and a ‘dictatorship’.
At the end of the day all the countries voted to
see if the resolution was to be put in action.
The votes showed 13 countries agreed with it,
1 disagreed and 4 preferred not to vote. This
was followed by a summary of the afternoon
from the International Press. Overall, the day
was a success as everyone participated and
was more enjoyable than we all thought it
would be. Kate (who was Somalia) said she
‘enjoyed the debating side of things’. Tom
(who also represented Somalia) reckoned ‘the
day was a lot of fun. It was interesting to see
the points of view from many of the groups
that attended’. By Caitlan Sampson
Issue 8 Page 6 March 2013

Child Development Visitors
On the 19 th March, year 10 child development students had an
observation session in the drama studio with 8 toddlers and
their parents / grandparents. The ages of the children were
between 3 months and 3.5 years old. We were in groups of 3 and
we organised the parents and children separately around the
room. We had to rotate around each parent and toddles, ask
questions, carry out little activities such as colouring - in and see
how they behaved around other children. Overall we had a
very successful afternoon and we really enjoyed spending time
with the children and seeing how they are different from each
another.
We want to thank the mothers and grandmothers for bringing in
their children for us to spend time with them.
School Council
At our last meeting we discussed:
How the Sixth formers can help younger year groups eg P.E., afterschool clubs, help
with revision, assemblies.
Slovenia Project – year 12 students are building links and it is hoped that this can be
extended to include year 11 and 10..
Our new school website is nearly ready to launch and will include pages for the
School Council, SNAG and Eco-committee.
We received a report on SNAG from Imogen Cripps who gave us the results of the
survey.
To improve communication Council members were encouraged to address their
forms or year assemblies
Lucia Jones, a member of Funky Dragon, is a co-chair for the Health portfolio in
Wales. She will be meeting experts in health to discuss young peoples issues.
Issue 8 Page 7 March 2013

Interviewed by Caitlan Sampson
An interview with Lucia Jones
Lucia is in Year 12 and as well as being school council
rep and a Pupil Governor, is a member of both Powys
Youth Forum and Funky Dragon. So for this interview I
decided to find out what she does, what she enjoys and
how it helps her
What is Powys Youth Forum
Powys Youth Forum is an organisation made up of
young people, who represent views and opinions of all
children and young people in Powys. The forum meets
four times a year for a three day residential, where they
are consulted by members of the council and Powys
based organisations, and also has the opportunity to
discuss the views of young people in Powys on issues
that affect them. I have so many incredible opportunities
being part of this forum- since being involved in Powys
Youth Forum, I have completed the PAWS Volunteer
scheme, receiving my 20, 50 and 100 hour volunteering
certificates and have started the Millennium Volunteers Lucia and Ffion
Award, have received ‘Young Inspector’ Training for
organisations working with young people, attended a British Youth Council Conference and
been involved in discussions on the ‘One Powys Plan’ with Powys County Council. I have also
sat on Interview panel for New Head of School Service from Summer 2012, and was recently
on the Young Inspectors panel that inspected Welshpool High School’s School Council for a
Kite Mark. We work really hard, but it is also rally nice to meet lots of new people and make
really good friends.
What is Funky Dragon
Funky Dragon is the Children and Young People’s Assembly for Wales. It is like Powys Youth
forum, where young people meet up on residentials, but this time there are representatives
from all over wales. There are four reps from each county, me being one of the Powys reps,
who was elected through Powys Forum. We also meet four times a year in different locations
across Wales, and once a year hold a meeting with Welsh ministers to inform them on young
people’s views about issues. Funky Dragon has 3 portfolio areas ‘Health and Social Care’,
‘Environment’ and ‘Education’ and two young people (called Co-Chairs) from Funky Dragon
are elected to represent each portfolio area. I was elected last year to be Health co-chair,
meaning myself and another co-chair are representing all young people in Wales on the area of
Health. I stand for one year. In addition to that, there is another sub group I attend called
FUNC, which stands for Funky’s United Nations Challenge. This group focuses on writing a
report to the UN on Children’s Rights and I have recently attended a residential where we
analysed all the findings and summated them into a final draft report ready to send to the UN
very soon.
Issue 8 Page 8 March 2013

An interview with Lucia Jones
What’s the best bit
Hmm, that’s really hard! The experiences are great, all of the things that I’ve been able to do
through this are fantastic, but I think I have to say the people. I’ve met some incredible people
through this, and made some really good friends- we are like an extended family. I think
they’ve definitely helped me become the person I am today.
Is there any part of it you don’t enjoy
Not really- sometimes the late nights and early mornings on residentials are a bit of a killer,
but then again, who enjoys that anyway!
How has it helped you
Confidence is a big one, it’s made me a lot less nervous about standing up in front of a lot of
people and talking to them and feeding back information. I think as well, it has empowered me
to ensure young people have a voice- that’s really important to me. I really like the feeling that
I can make change for young people and really get their voices heard, its’ great that I can
influence decisions not just for me, but for my peers too. My CV is looking pretty good too!
Pancake Day at Gwernyfed High School
Article by Bethany and Chloe (Year 10)
On Tuesday 5 th February, our year 10 Hospitality
and Catering class held a pancake morning for
students and teachers to come and enjoy. In groups
we prepared and cooked pancakes. We made over
200 pancakes between us and had over 100 buyers.
The food room was packed with students at break
time keen to buy the pancakes. Overall the event
was very successful and we made a profit of £50.
We wish to use this money to update old kitchen
equipment and to fund many more days like this!!
Issue 8 Page 9 March 2013

Future 7 are the Young Enterprise National Finalists
On Tuesday the 12 th March a group of sixth-formers embarked on a journey
to promote their product ‘Sport Garters’ at the Young Enterprise regional
finals in Builth Wells. The group of young entrepreneurs included Phillipa
Rylands, Angharad James, Mollie Gibbons, Rebecca Meredith, Aaron Nicholls
and Catrin Price, all of whom contributed to the company’s success in the
event.
The requirements and purpose of Young Enterprise is to encourage young people to set up
their own business, producing a service/product and developing skills such as the ability to
write an interim and financial report.
Throughout the day the team were consulted and interviewed by judges and were required
to set up a trade stand for their product. Before judging each member had to present the
product and endorse the company to fellow competitors and the judging panel. The team
performed and demonstrated a high standard which promoted them to progress to the next
level representing Mid Wales in the Welsh finals.
The team are actively seeking recognition and would appreciate any support; their Facebook
group – SWAG has been launched and any followers are greatly appreciated.
Lastly, may we take the opportunity to thank Mrs Morgan for her continuous support
throughout the process, Thomas Davies for his IT design and both Mr Williams and Miss
Gibbons for their support. Finally, Miss Schofield for her continual patience when teaching
members of the group to use a sewing machine!
Article by Angharad James
Issue 8 Page 10 March 2013

Art Workshop
On Friday the 15th of March the Year 12 art students went up Pen Trumau to see the peat bog
scar. We met with Pip Woolf an artist who initiated this project and Kirsty Klaxton another
artist who is helping. As we walked up the mountain we were given several instructions, the
first of which was to be silent for part of the walk. This gave us the opportunity to think about
our surroundings and concentrate on the environment. As we approached the top of the
mountain it started to get windy. The last final push before we reached the scar was the
hardest as it was very steep, windy and it started to hail then snow. When we reached the peat
bog it was very bare and desolate, as if it was the remains of a war. The scar was caused by a
fire which was uncontrollable, that burnt away all of the vegetation and exposed the peat
which is eroding away. After looking at the woollen lines that we made in Year 9 to help stop
the erosion and make a drawing across the bog when seen from gliders we asked many
questions and it was soon time for us to take a long, cold walk back down the mountain back
to civilisation. We are working with the artists to make artwork about this amazing place this
month which will be exhibited in a Crickhowell Gallery in May.
Art Exhibition
The school recently held a very successful Art
Exhibition at Theatr Brycheiniog. This event showcased
the best of the pupils work including
sculptures and film, and was highly praised by
visitors who commented:
“Wow! What exciting stuff!.....I would have loved to
have seen the Artists!”
“Well done everyone on a fantastic display. All the
hard work has been so worthwhile!”
Issue 8 Page 11 March 2013

Annual Eisteddfod
The annual Eisteddfod was held on Friday March the 1st. Mynydd staff and pupils were
gorgeous in green and Dyffryn were radiant in red. Once again the standard of competition
was very high.
Mr Williams opened the day with a reminder of how proud we are to be part of Wales and
how much we have to celebrate. We were delighted that our judges: Rev Charlesworth, Rev
Thomas, Mrs Cunningham and Mr Sweeting were able to join us. They did a difficult job with
humour, enthusiasm and praise for the competitors and gave some valuable tips as well. One
of the highlights of the day was the Sospan Fach sing off. The singing was tuneful and very
loud! Mynydd won. As well as all the competitions we had a fabulous dance performance by
Y10 girls. It was amazing!
The chairing ceremony was really exciting as nobody knew who had won until the last
minute! Mrs Cunningham said that it was a pleasure to read such imaginative and well
written prose. The winners were announced in reverse order. The ceremony was
accompanied by Mrs Thomas on the harp and Mrs Walker played the piano all day! Mrs
Vincent introduced the items and Mr Williams performed the sword ceremony proclaiming
Heddwch! Peace! with the audience joining in.
The winners were
The Junior Chair 1 st Eirwen Abberley-Watton 2 nd Holly Jones 3 rd Menna Morgan
The Senior Chair 1 st Felicity Jones 2 nd Bronnie Hopkins 3 rd Sophie Protheroe
Issue 8 Page 12 March 2013

More Eisteddfod results
Music Group performance y7-9 1 st Meg Griffiths Emily Guinane 2 nd Mollie Doyne Eirwen
Abberley-Watkins Music Composition y7-9 1 st Lil Biggs 2 nd Harri Hughes 3 rd Matthew
Griffiths Solo performance y10 1 st Owain Wilcox 2 nd Kelly Harding 3 rd Megan Dover-Smith
Group Performance Y10 1 st Nik Dickens -Chauhan Ross Leighto2 nd Chris Davies Tegan James
Rebecca Lloyd Bethany Pinkney3 rd Jess Gwynne Natasha Chalkley Lowri Erin Whitelaw
Solo Performance Y11 1 st Sarah Charlesworth 2 nd Megan Summerfield 3 rd Caitlin Evans
Group Performance Y11 1 st Megan Summerfield Seren Corbett 2 nd Becky Norris 3 rd Lucy
Morris and Rachel Bowen Composition Y11 1 st Caitlin Evans Seren Corbett 2 nd Sarah
Charlesworth 3 rd Megan Summerfield Maddy Bowen Waca Dance 1 st Rhiannon Hanniford-
Hanks Ieuan Phillips Mathew Leighton Katie Northam 2 nd Will Webb Alice Opie Tom Ritchie
Ned Radcliffe 3 rd Tiegan Samuel Mathew Price, Emma Evans, Fred Hayward Dan Jones Cai
Williams Band 1 st Dyffryn 2 nd Mynydd Vocal Solo y7-9 1 st Alex Parkinson 2 nd Jenna Myatt 3 rd
Thea Harrhy Choir Sospan Fach 1 st Mynydd 2 nd Dyffryn Welsh sketch y8-9 1 st Dafydd Jones
Dewi Jones Matthew Dodd Levi Philips 2 nd Duncan Havard Will Eckley Morgan Lewis Matt
Price Owen Rees Joe Howell Geraint Powell Cai Williams Music Performance y7-9 1 st Lil Biggs
2 nd Sam Davies 3 rd Eirwen Abberley-Watton 4 th Matthew Sampson English Recitation y7 1 st
Barnaby 2 nd Lara Hill 3 rd Lewys Feldwick Y7-9 1 st Jenna Myatt 2 nd Josie Lord 3 rd Adam Thorn
Welsh sketch y7 1 st Will Webb Callum Chalkley Ryan Meredith Robert Jones 2 nd Tomos
Morgan Evan Price-Davies Jamie Ayling Sam Walters Reece Jones 3 rd Rosie Thompson Poppy
Thompson Ella Ward-Willis
Mynydd Band: Caitlin Evans, Sarah Charlesworth, Ruby Thomas, Felicity Jones, Rhiannon
Hanniford-Hanks,
Dyffryn Band: Alice Lord, Sam Davies, Eirwen Abberley-Watton, Mollie Doyne, Alice Gardiner,
Annie Rose Metcalfe.
Issue 8 Page 13 March 2013

Artwork of the Month
Rachel Grummett year 11
Lily Biggs Year 9 -Surrealist Horse
(manipulated photograph using adobe
photoshop)
To receive this newsletter
electronically in future please email
pupils name and form to:
news@gwernyfed-hs.powys.sch.uk
Art@Gwernyfed blog
Using your smartphone scan the QR Code. This will take you
directly to the Art@Gwernyfed blog on the school's Moodle.
Alternatively login to your account and click on Art@Gwernyfed.
Homework, Classwork, exhibition photos and photos of students
work are all posted on there for you to have a good nose through!
If you have any Artwork you would like posted come and see us in
the Art department!
Dates for your diary...
15.4.13 Start of Summer Term.........24.4.13 Year 10&12 parents
evening.........6.5.13 May Day Bank Holiday........
8.5.13-10.5.13 National Literacy and Numeracy tests for Years 7,8
and 9........13.5.13 GCSE & AS Examinations start........
24.5.13 Hay Festival Visit.......24.5.13 Half Term holiday starts........
24.5.13 Study Leave begins for Year 11. (All pupils must attend
every day until this date)
Gwernyfed High School, Three Cocks, Brecon, Powys, LD3 0SG
Phone: Issue 801497 847445 Email: enquiry@gwernyfed-hs.powys.sch.uk Page 14 Fax: March 014972013
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