POBL PENWEDDIG POBL PENWEDDIG

POBL PENWEDDIGwww.penweddig.ceredigion.sch.ukPobl Penweddig is sponsored by the Association of Friends of PenweddigSpring 2012St. David’s EisteddfodThe annual school Eisteddfod was held on the 9thof February in the Great Hall, Aberystwyth ArtsCentre. There was keen competition andphotographs of the day can be seen on the schoolwebsite.The winning house BLEDDYNThe winning house for homework BLEDDYNThe winning house for stage work BLEDDYNIndividual Medal WinnersLledrith Llew Award Ioan Lord, LlywelynMusician’s MedalEnglish MedalTrystan MaelgwynMemorial AwardHuw Roberts, BleddynHarri James, HywelGethin Thomas, LlywelynNon Taylor MemorialAward for the Best Heddwen Daniel, LlywelynInstrumentalistBest SingerSam Ebenezer, LlywelynBest Speaker Efa Lois, Bleddyn(with Alwen Morris, Bleddyn, very close)Best Performer Trystan ap Owen, Bleddyn|(with Kelsey Thompson, Bleddyn, very close)Chair Competition Efa Lois, BleddynCrown Competition Eoin Mahon, LlywelynEfa Lois,winner ofthe ChaircompetitionEoin Mahon, winner of the Crown competitionHouse SuccessesBleddyn Yr 10 – 13 Conversation, Miming asong, Story and SoundHywel Yr 7 – 9 ConversationYr 10 – 13 ConversationLlywelyn Style, Instrumental/Rock Group,Disco-Dancing Group , ChoirIndividual SuccessesYr 7 – 9 recitationAlwen Morris, BleddynYr 7 – 9 Girls SoloAlwen Morris, BleddynYr 7 – 9 DuetMared & Lowri, LlywelynUnawd Bechgyn Bl 7 i 9 Gwion Morgan Jones,HywelYr 10 – 13 Recitation Efa Lois, BleddynYr 7 – 9 Instrumental Solo Ifan Llywelyn, HywelYr 10 – 13 DuetSam & Catrin, LlywelynYr 10 – 13 Monologue Kelsey Thompson,BleddynYr 10 – 13 Girls Solo Kelsey Thompson,BleddynYr 10 -13 Instrumental Solo Heddwen Daniel,LlywelynYr 10 – 13 Boys Solo Sam Ebenezer,LlywelynSolo from a Musical Sam Ebenezer,LlywelynYr 7 – 9 IndividualAbigail Thompson,Disco DancingBleddyn1

Penweddig Pupils go ona Trip!By Dewi Davies 8LOn Tuesday morning, the 29thof November fifty three pupilsand three members of staff fromPenweddig School went on a tripto the Winter Fair. The aim of thetrip was for pupils to learn moreabout agriculture, craft and food,but also to support their fellowpupils who were competing. Thepupils, along with the membersof staff travelled in a bus providedby James Brothers, Llangeitho.The bus left Penweddig promptly at 8.45 and then returned by 6.00. The trip was organised by Mr V Davies,of the Welsh department. The fair was held on the Royal Welsh Showground. When the bus arrived at 10.00the weather was very nice, but by dinner time the rain was pouring down. Despite this the fair didn’t getwet because most of the event was indoors.During the day the pupils had a chance to see what the fair had to offer. From livestock competitions to craftdisplays to the YFC events, everybody had the chance to enjoy the best. Mr E Davies, one of the membersof staff who went on the trip said “This is a rural display at its best”. Dylan Griffiths, a pupil who attended thetrip said “I enjoyed the Winter Fair because there were a lot of different displays and competitions beingoffered”.The bus left the showground at around 4.30. It was obvious by the end of the day that everybody hadenjoyed and had fun, and of course everyone had learnt something new.Paris October 2011During the October half term, 42 pupils wenton an educational visit to Paris with the Art andFrench departments. The group enjoyed four fulldays learning about French and European artat the Louvre museum and Pompidou centre.Unfortunately, the employees of the D’orsaymuseum were on strike, so we were not able to seethe collection of Impressionist works, however, wedid learn the French work for strike - grève!The group were able to practise their linguisticskills whilst visiting some of Paris’ most famoussites such as the Sacre Coeur, Montmartre, NotreDame, Eiffel Tower, Montparnasse and Place de laConcorde. There was also time to relax on a boattrip on the Seine, at Disneyland Paris, and taking inthe views from the Trocadero.We hope the visit has inspired them to returnto this beautiful city to learn more about its richhistory and culture. Thank you to the staff andchildren for their enthusiasm!2

Talented Trioby Efa Gregory, 7AOn the twelfth of November three Penweddigpupils, Elin Wallace, Catrin Huws and Esther LlwydIfan went to Cwm Gwendraeth.The three played The National Anthem at the‘Cerdd Dant’ festival. They got the third prize andare very pleased with the result.They had been practising for weeks and enjoyplaying together. Catrin Huws said “It was a greatexperience.”Bardd Plant Cymru visits Year 8By Dewi Davies, 8LOn Wednesday the 25th of January a veryspecial visitor visited Mr V Davies’ Welsh class,in the resource centre. Eurig Salisbury, thecurrent Bardd Plant Cymru visited the pupilsto write a line of poetry.You may be wondering why he visited us towrite one line of poetry each, but that linewas a very important one. At the end of theday we gave Eurig the lines, which he wouldgive to the Aberystwyth prom developers.The developers will choose the best line outof the lines from local school pupils and thebest will appear on four stones that will beon the new prom. “The purpose of this visitwas for the pupils to create a line of poetryabout the prom” Eurig said.Thank you very much to Eurig for helping uswith this very special experience.Rhiannon’s SuccessesTo celebrate the Urdd’s 90th birthday recently agroup of Urdd members were invited to Londonto meet the Secretary of State for Wales inWhitehall.Rhiannon Hincks, Yr. 13, along with othermembers of Ceredigion and Myrddin Urdd YouthForum, visited Cheryl Gillan in Gwydyr Housebefore making their way to Downing Street totake their picture outside No. 10.Congratulations go to her as well on winning theGYTS 2011 prize for special leadership skills bypromoting Welshness across the school.Rhiannon has been active and prominent in Welshactivities over the years, especially as a GYTSmember and the Urdd.3Rhiannon Hincks

Gwion Morgan-Jones, Emily Jonesand Jordan Lloyd-JonesYear 8 Pupils in Only Kids AloudBy Dewi Davies and Dylan Griffiths, Yr. 8Three pupils from year 8 have had an excellentopportunity to be part of the choir Only Kids Aloud.Gwion Morgan-Jones, Emily Jones and JordanLloyd-Jones have received this special opportunityto sing in German and Latin.The choir have been meeting every Sunday inAberystwyth Arts Centre and they sang in Russiabetween the 22nd and 27th of March and in Cardiffbetween the 30th of March and 2nd of April.Gwion and Jordan said “I enjoy O.K. Aloud verymuch”. “It’s quite an experience” said Emily.World Book Day 2012At the beginning of March aWelsh and English book quizwas held in the Resource Centreto celebrate World Book Day.Congratulations to the winningteam on winning the competition and a booktoken each worth £5.The winners: Kate Williams, Nerys Davies, Manon Fychanand Catrin MoonMiss Hope, Mr. John Griffiths AM and members of Yr. 8Assembly Member’s VisitThe Minister for Environment and SustainableDevelopment, John Griffiths AM, visited theschool at the beginning of March. As a partof the Assembly’s science strategy, he tookan interest in Miss Hope’s biology lesson andwatched yr. 8 pupils dissecting a sheep’s heart.The purpose of the new strategy is to promotecareer opportunities in the field of science. MrGriffiths said: “It’s very nice to see directly thepupils’ enthusiasm – they could be the stars ofthe future.”Keep in touch…The school sometimes sends messages and letters to parents / guardians viae-mail. If you would like to receive information in this format or if there arechanges to your details which we already have, please sendan e-mail to ymholiadau.penweddig@ceredigion.gov.uk4

Rob Rattray’s visitBy Dylan Griffiths, 8EOn the twenty fourth of November a visitor came toPenweddig. He came to the school hall at lunchtimeto talk to some of the pupils who were interested inagriculture. The visitor was Rob Rattray, the popularbutcher from Aberystwyth.He showed us a PowerPoint presentation aboutevents that had been happened over the last fewyears at the Winter Fair. He brought pupils’ attentionto judging animals from a butcher’s point of view.In addition we saw the timetable for the two days.The event was held for the pupils to find out what was happening in the fair and to discover some of itshistory.The event was organized by the school’s Countryside Club. Mr Vivian Davies (one of the organizersand a teacher present) said “It was nice to have one of Penweddig’s former pupils back to present hisexperiences over the years as a competitor and judge.”The club was begun by Mr. Vivian Davies and Mr. Carwyn Davies. The aim of the Countryside Club is togive a taste of different activities related to agriculture to pupils.A Feast of Carols in Bethel Chapel by Dewi Davies, 8LHomework ClubOn the twenty-second of December, the last day ofthe Autumn term, Penweddig School held a carolconcert in Bethel Chapel, Aberystwyth. Every pupiland member of staff from the school, as well asmembers of the public attended the service. We hadan enjoyable morning with everyone singing to theschool orchestra. As well as singing some pupils readout parts of the Bible to the audience. There wereperformances by the school choir, the two-part partyand the older boys’ party. We also had an address bythe Reverend Derrick Adams and the blessing by theReverend Eifion Roberts.The service began at half past ten in the morning and it lasted until half past eleven. It was obviousthat everybody had enjoyed and had had a taste of Christmas. Thank you to Miss Howells, the choirs,the parties, the readers and the two Reverends for making the service so lovely to give everybody theChristmas spirit.Above: Rhianna Davies and Llyr Thomas, the Head Girl and Head Boy, opening the serviceEvery night the school runs a Homework Club where pupils can use the Resource Centre’s facilitiesduring out-of-school hours. The club starts at 3.30 and a member of staff is present to assist pupilswith their work, especially with Welsh spelling and grammar. The club ends at 4.30 and 4.00 onFridays. There is a page dedicated to independent learning on the school’s website which includesa handbook of Welsh terms, the independent learning timetable and a link to the Welsh LanguageBoard’s support service.5

Clwb-NThe journalism club now meets regularly in theResource Centre. By now the members have receivedtraining in looking for news stories, creating articlesand taking photographs. Some members’ work isin this newsletter. A warm welcome is extended tonew members and anyone interested should see Mr.Watkins.Some of the club members (left to right): Dylan Griffiths, Nerys Davies, Hanna Prytherch, Gwenllian apRobert John, Dewi Davies and Kate WilliamsVictorious in Stwnsh Quizby Dewi Davies, 8LCongratulations to Bryn Griffiths 8T on winning Stwnsh Sadwrn’squiz. He won an iPod Touch and a docking station. Bryn appearedon Stwnsh Sadwrn on the 3rd ofMarch. “I’m proud to have won thewonderful prizes and they workbrilliantly” Bryn said.Bryn GriffithsCongratulations!!!by Kate Williams, 7LCongratulations to Ifan Llywelyn, 7A on being accepted to the NCO (NationalChildren’s Orchestra). This is the 4th time he’s been accepted! On the 3rd ofNovember, he had an audition in Shrewsbury. He had to play two pieces ofmusic and two sight reading pieces. Ifan said, “It is a great opportunity tosocialize and make new friends. It also is a chance to improve my musical skills”.Ifan LlywelynWelsh Youth OrchestraFollowing an interview in Carmarthen Megan Haf Yr. 12 and Gwenllian Lewis,Yr. 13, will be joining the WelshYouth Orchestra for a two week intensive course in July.They will then perform in a musical festival in Hereford andin concerts in Swansea, Cardiff and St. David’s Cathedral.Megan, who plays the clarinet and Gwenllian, who plays theviolin, will join older musicians who are higher educationstudents and it is necessary for orchestra members to be ofgrade eight standard. Megan said “I feel nervous but I’m alsolooking forward to the course. Friends who have attended inthe past have said that it’s fun.”6

Off to London!Elin Pavli-Hinde, Yr. 12, will bebeginning a new course in Londonin the Autumn. Following an entryscholarship and a scholarship audition,she has been accepted to study athree year course in Italia Conti TheatreArts School. In September Elin will bestudying for a Diploma in ProfessionalMusical Theatre with teachingqualification.aElin Pavli-HindeField SuccessesNia Wyn Jones and Gwenno Evans, Yr. 10, andRebecca Williams, Yr. 13, had the honour ofrepresenting South and West Wales againstNorth Wales and South-east Wales in ahockey tournament in Wrexham.Additionally they all went on to win thetournament with Nia and Gwenno in the under 16 teamand Rebecca in the under 18 team.Nia was also selected to represent Wales in footballand hockey in the under 16 teams. She will receiveGwenno Evans, Nia Wyn Jones and Rebecca Williamshockey training in Cardiff once a month until Christmasand she has participated in a week’s football training in Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. Nia also travelled toDublin to play in the Celtic Nations competition. “I’m very happy that I’ve been selected to represent Walesand I’m looking forward to competing”, she said.Cross Country RunningAfter finishing 6th in the Welsh Cross Country Championship held at the end ofFebruary, Megan Turner Yr. 12, was selected as a member of the Welsh SchoolsUnder 20s Cross Country Team. She travelled to Glasgow in March to compete inthe Home Countries International Competition and finished in 28th place.Megan Turner7

Penweddig’s County Urdd CompetitiorsCongratulations to Penweddig performers whosucceeded in the Urdd County Eisteddfod. Thewinners went on to compete in the Urdd Eisteddfod,held in Snowdonia at the beginning of JuneAlwen Morris – Girls SoloYr. 7-9 (1st), Solo Folk SongYr. 7, 8 and 9 (1st), VerseSinging Solo Yr. 7-9 (1st),Solo recitation Yr. 7-9 (3rd)Angharad Davies, Ceramics-Pottery Yr.9 (1st) and DesignTechnology Yr. 9 (1st in thecounty and 2nd nationally),Siôn Nelmes – ComputerGraphics Yr. 7 & 8 (2nd),Photography/ComputerTenor and Bass Boys’ Choir, Yr. 13 and under (1st)Junior Choir, Yr. 7, 8 and 9 (2nd)Graphics Yr. 7 & 8 (1st). Ffion Nelmes – ComputerGraphics Yr. 9 (1st), Photography/Computer GraphicsYr. 9 (1st), Mask or Puppet Yr. 9 (1st in the countyand nationally). Missing from the picture is CatrinWalters - Art under 19 (2nd)Yr. 13 and under SATB Choir (1st)Orchestra – Under 25s Band (1st)Pictured right: Mixed Composition Dance Group,Yr. 7 and under 19 yrs (1st)8

Gwenno Thomas andAbigail Thompson –Verse Singing Duet, Yr. 9and under (1st)Erin Gruffydd, Wil Rees and Gwen ap RobertJohn. Yr 7, 8 and 9 Conversation (2nd). Missingfrom the picture is Steffan Herdman.Ifan Llywelyn. String Solo, Yr. 7-9 (1st). Missing fromthe picture is Megan Haf, Woodwind Solo, Yr. 10 andunder 19 yrs(1st)Hip-hop / Street / Disco Dance Group, Yr. 7, 8and 9 (2nd)Kelsey Thompsonand Hanna Turner –Conversation, Yr. 10 andunder 19 yrs (3rd)Hip-hop / Street / Disco Dance Group, Yr. 10 andunder 19 yrs (1st)Yr. 7, 8 and9 RecitationGroup (3rd)Medi Evans, IndividualFolk Dance for Girls, Yr. 9and under (1st)9

Megan Meredith - Solo Recitation, Yr. 10and under 19 yrs (2nd), Sam Ebenezer– Boys’ Solo Yr. 10 and under 19 yrs, andin the solo from a musical (2nd), DafyddRees – Brass Solo Yr. 10 and under 19yrs(2nd) and Mared Pugh-Evans – HarpSolo Yr. 7 -9 (2nd)Treading the BoardsCongratulations to Trystan ap Owen Yr. 13 on winning ascholarship towards his drama course fees at the University ofGlamorgan. In addition, he won first prize for his monologuein the Urdd County Eisteddfod and so went on to compete inSnowdonia at the beginning of June.Trystan ap Owen, Monologue, Yr. 10 and under 19 yrs (1st)10