15.12.2016 Views

Getting arty at Portmeirion

2gFMG0a

2gFMG0a

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Eleventh edition Winter 2016<br />

<strong>Getting</strong> <strong>arty</strong> <strong>at</strong> <strong>Portmeirion</strong><br />

Editors’ Note<br />

IT HAS been an excellent start to<br />

the new school year for all Elfed<br />

High School students.<br />

We have been glad to welcome new<br />

reporters and writers to make up our<br />

wonderful team. We really hope th<strong>at</strong><br />

you enjoy reading this issue and look<br />

forward to our next one. All students<br />

have been working extremely hard<br />

this term and their dedic<strong>at</strong>ion shows<br />

throughout this newspaper.<br />

We, as Year 10 students, have been<br />

very pleased to take on the editor’s<br />

role and we can’t wait to see wh<strong>at</strong> the<br />

year has in store.<br />

Merry Christmas and enjoy this<br />

issue!<br />

By Laila Rees, Abbey Young and Abby<br />

Cooper<br />

The views were bre<strong>at</strong>htaking <strong>at</strong> <strong>Portmeirion</strong>.<br />

YEAR 10 students thoroughly enjoyed the<br />

art trip to <strong>Portmeirion</strong> village, Gwynedd.<br />

Students in Year 10 who have taken Art as an option went<br />

to <strong>Portmeirion</strong> to improve their art techniques. The students<br />

produced a sketchbook full of a variety of techniques based on<br />

the surrounding architecture. They went on a brief tour which gave<br />

background inform<strong>at</strong>ion about the village and its<br />

cre<strong>at</strong>or, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis.<br />

The students also went on a woodland walk which<br />

went through the coastal p<strong>at</strong>h of <strong>Portmeirion</strong>. The<br />

artwork produced was based on the architecture<br />

in the central plaza, shell grotto, Hercules hall and<br />

many other aspects of the village.<br />

The trip was inspir<strong>at</strong>ional. Evonne Blackwell said:<br />

“The trip was gre<strong>at</strong> fun and it allowed me to develop<br />

my skills.<br />

“The place was very inspiring.”<br />

Many students said they would highly recommend<br />

the visit as it helped to develop a cre<strong>at</strong>ive eye and<br />

observ<strong>at</strong>ional drawings.<br />

By Laila Rees<br />

A Year 10 student’s<br />

w<strong>at</strong>ercolour painting of<br />

<strong>Portmeirion</strong>.<br />

Students drew sketches <strong>at</strong> <strong>Portmeirion</strong>, inspired<br />

by the textures and architecture around them.<br />

CROESO<br />

Welcome<br />

to the new<br />

reporters and<br />

reviewers in<br />

the Adlais Elfed<br />

Echo team!<br />

Inside this Issue...<br />

Ysgol Uwchradd Elfed High School, Buckley CH7 3HQ 01244 550217 -<br />

- Twitter: @ElfedHS


Audience experience a journey of a lifetime<br />

ELFED Youth The<strong>at</strong>re has performed<br />

another original production called ‘Our<br />

Journey.’<br />

The storyline demonstr<strong>at</strong>ed the different<br />

journeys th<strong>at</strong> people and animals embark on<br />

throughout their lives. The scenes included a<br />

colony of ants sc<strong>at</strong>tering before a train, th<strong>at</strong><br />

same train being delayed because of a leaf<br />

on the line, annoying commuters, a funny<br />

sketch about geese asking for directions and<br />

a touching scene about two sisters becoming<br />

refugees and fleeing their home country.<br />

The entire play was written and directed by<br />

Mrs L. Heap, drama tutor, with the whole cast<br />

contributing to the original ideas.<br />

Evie Wright, a student who saw the play,<br />

said: “‘Our Journey’ was<br />

excellent!<br />

“The students in it<br />

portrayed lots of<br />

amusing scenarios<br />

perfectly! I<br />

especially<br />

enjoyed<br />

one<br />

section<br />

about a girl<br />

recovering from<br />

being hit by a car<br />

and one about a group<br />

of people on a train.”<br />

Students from all year groups took part in Elfed Youth The<strong>at</strong>re’s ‘Our Journey’ as refugees.<br />

By Lauren Conway<br />

Refugees escaped from a war-torn country.<br />

A teenager learned to walk again,<br />

with help from her friends.<br />

Elfed Youth The<strong>at</strong>re performed another original drama, ‘Our Journey’.<br />

Numeracy goes residential<br />

STUDENTS from Years 7, 8 and 9 took part in the<br />

first ever residential M<strong>at</strong>hs trip, held <strong>at</strong> PGL Sports<br />

and Adventure Centre, Shropshire.<br />

During their stay, the students enjoyed a weekend of<br />

M<strong>at</strong>hs-based brain games, conundrums and puzzles<br />

designed to help with revision, to improve M<strong>at</strong>hs and<br />

problem-solving skills back <strong>at</strong> school and in prepar<strong>at</strong>ion<br />

for the N<strong>at</strong>ional Tests.<br />

The games were not limited to the classroom though<br />

as the brain-training moved outside to the sports ground<br />

for fencing, canoeing, rifle-shooting, a giant swing and a<br />

football m<strong>at</strong>ch played on space-hoppers.<br />

Evie Wright, Year 8, said: “This was the craziest school<br />

trip I’ve been on and I got my best score in my test!”<br />

By Sorrell Davies<br />

En garde! The young people<br />

learned fencing during their trip.<br />

Follow the M<strong>at</strong>hs<br />

Department on<br />

Twitter @elfedm<strong>at</strong>hs<br />

Students took on m<strong>at</strong>hem<strong>at</strong>ical challenges.<br />

2<br />

Ysgol Uwchradd Elfed High School, Buckley CH7 3HQ 01244 550217 -<br />

- Twitter: @ElfedHS


Pizza and<br />

Pasta Night<br />

success<br />

Families took part in quizzes in the classroom.<br />

Families enjoyed some Italian cuisine <strong>at</strong> Pizza and Pasta Night.<br />

PUPILS and their families had fun <strong>at</strong> the Pizza<br />

and Pasta Night as food was shared, and<br />

teachers introduced themselves to students’<br />

families.<br />

Older students from Year 10 handed out food<br />

and Miss Bethell and Mrs Woolgar went around the<br />

tables, speaking to families and making sure th<strong>at</strong><br />

everyone was having a good time. There was a raffle<br />

and many families bought tickets and won prizes.<br />

Tutor groups 7D, 7H and 7G went into the Dining<br />

Room first and <strong>at</strong>e the delicious food. The students<br />

were on different tables according to their tutor<br />

groups so th<strong>at</strong> parents could meet and get to know<br />

their child’s friends. Mr Kinnair, Pastoral Support,<br />

said: “It was a brilliant night.<br />

“It showed th<strong>at</strong> all of our new Year 7s have settled<br />

in extremely well <strong>at</strong> Elfed.”<br />

While students from 7D, 7H and 7G <strong>at</strong>e with<br />

their families, tutor groups 7E, 7L and 7F went to<br />

classrooms with their families and their tutors where<br />

they enjoyed some quizzes. The questions were on<br />

sports and general knowledge, with a true and false<br />

round. The groups then switched areas so the rest of<br />

the families could e<strong>at</strong> while the other families tested<br />

their knowledge.<br />

Overall, students had a gre<strong>at</strong> time and their<br />

families got to know teachers and the staff th<strong>at</strong><br />

educ<strong>at</strong>e and take care of their children in school.<br />

By Esme Jones<br />

Students prepare for post-16 life<br />

YEAR 10 and 11 students were able to gain an<br />

insight into post-16 life <strong>at</strong> the Careers Fair this<br />

term.<br />

During the event, students got the chance to speak<br />

to employers, sixth forms and colleges and begin to<br />

make decisions about further educ<strong>at</strong>ion and future<br />

careers choices. Activities and demonstr<strong>at</strong>ions gave<br />

students the opportunity to test their skills and get a<br />

taste for some of the things they may find themselves<br />

doing in both jobs and further educ<strong>at</strong>ion alike.<br />

At the Careers Fair, there were numerous<br />

employers and colleges, including Galliford Try, JCB,<br />

Scottish Power, Coleg Cambria, Mold Alun Sixth<br />

Form, and even the Royal Army, giving students a<br />

gre<strong>at</strong> opportunity to explore different industries and<br />

career p<strong>at</strong>hs as they prepare for their G.C.S.E.s.<br />

The students took full advantage of the event, with<br />

many leaving with a fresher knowledge of the p<strong>at</strong>hs<br />

they can take after the completion of their G.C.S.E.s.<br />

The Careers Fair also allowed employers to gain an<br />

insight into the next gener<strong>at</strong>ion of employees.<br />

By Abby Cooper<br />

Local businesses <strong>at</strong>tended the Careers Fair to look for future<br />

students.<br />

Student represent<strong>at</strong>ives visited the Careers Fair.<br />

Open Evening<br />

success once<br />

again<br />

ONCE again, Open<br />

Evening was a<br />

huge success,<br />

with Year 6 pupils<br />

from all over<br />

coming to school<br />

and particip<strong>at</strong>ing in fun activities.<br />

Students and staff of Elfed High<br />

School were overjoyed with the result<br />

they got from Open Evening. Lots of<br />

primary school pupils came to the school<br />

and thoroughly enjoyed themselves<br />

taking part in activities. Activities<br />

happened in all subject areas, including:<br />

M<strong>at</strong>hs, P.E., Design and Technology and<br />

many more.<br />

Mountain Lane pupil, Callum<br />

Brocklebank, said: “My favourite thing<br />

was Technology as you could see wh<strong>at</strong><br />

happened with the laser th<strong>at</strong> gave you<br />

your three letter name tag and you could<br />

see wh<strong>at</strong> you wanted and how it was<br />

made.”<br />

Students from Elfed High School also<br />

helped out with the event, mainly in<br />

subjects th<strong>at</strong> they are Leading Learners<br />

in. The aim of the event was to get<br />

students for next year used to the school<br />

and give them a taster of wh<strong>at</strong> to expect<br />

in lessons.<br />

By Erin Davies<br />

Ysgol Uwchradd Elfed High School, Buckley CH7 3HQ 01244 550217 - - Twitter: @ElfedHS 3


Cabinet Feilio’r<br />

Nefoedd -<br />

Eisteddfod yr<br />

Urdd 2016<br />

Students performed on stage<br />

<strong>at</strong> Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2016.<br />

EARLIER this year,<br />

Year 8 pupils<br />

particip<strong>at</strong>ed in<br />

Eisteddfod yr Urdd as<br />

it was so local.<br />

Year 8 pupils from Ysgol Uwchradd<br />

Argoed took part in the Urdd Eisteddfod,<br />

Flint. The group fought their way<br />

through the pre-lims, volunteering to<br />

give up several lunchtimes, Fridays and<br />

weekends in the process. The group<br />

proceeded to improve the recit<strong>at</strong>ion<br />

further.<br />

The pupils and Miss Williams, teacher<br />

of Welsh and mentor of the group, put in<br />

so much dedic<strong>at</strong>ion, time and hard work.<br />

Miss A. Williams said: “I am so proud of<br />

our pupils!<br />

“They worked really hard and showed<br />

dedic<strong>at</strong>ion. I thoroughly enjoyed the<br />

experience because it was gre<strong>at</strong> to<br />

see the pupils succeed and enjoy the<br />

experience.” After all the effort put in,<br />

they finally got through to the main<br />

event.<br />

The day of the Eisteddfod arrived and<br />

the group, Miss Williams and family<br />

members came to Flint <strong>at</strong> 6:50am<br />

in order to compete for a chance to<br />

perform on stage. Everyone became<br />

extremely excited as the group waited<br />

anxiously to hear the results after<br />

performing live on stage.<br />

Two members of the recit<strong>at</strong>ion group,<br />

Rhys Wheldon and Libby Riley, said:<br />

“We really enjoyed learning the ‘Cabinet<br />

Feilio’r Nefoedd’ poem and working<br />

together as a team because it was a fun<br />

way to get more involved with Welsh.<br />

“Also we had a wonderful day on the<br />

‘Maes’.”<br />

To view their performance, please visit;<br />

www.s4c.cymru/urdd/e_index.php and<br />

scroll down to the bottom of the page.<br />

Then type ‘337’ into the ‘Quick Search’<br />

bar.<br />

Students have a fun-filled<br />

trip to Techniquest<br />

YEARS 4 and 5 pupils went to Techniquest to learn about their<br />

science topic, the human body.<br />

The students went on a gre<strong>at</strong> day trip to Techniquest to find out<br />

more about their topic. They travelled by bus with Miss Jones and<br />

Mrs Roberts to Glyndŵr University in Wrexham where Techniquest<br />

is held.<br />

The students did loads of fun-filled activities, including mirror<br />

maze, brain games and finding out about the human body. One<br />

student, Joseph Harrison, said: “I enjoyed the mirror maze; it was<br />

amazing.”<br />

Another student,<br />

Tia Davies, said:<br />

“It was really fun<br />

and exciting and<br />

there were lots of<br />

fun activities and<br />

challenges to do.”<br />

Then, when the<br />

pupils finished<br />

their day out <strong>at</strong><br />

Techniquest, they got<br />

back on the school<br />

bus and went back to<br />

school.<br />

By Daniel Mayers-<br />

Jones, N<strong>at</strong>alya<br />

Harrison and<br />

Charlotte Jackson<br />

YEAR 6 pupils enjoyed school trip to Danger Point, Talacre,<br />

where they learned about the dangers of daily life.<br />

At Danger Point, pupils learned about the dangers of:<br />

transport, drugs, electricity, the internet (cyber-bullying) and the<br />

beach. The pupils were put into groups with a member of staff<br />

from the centre. Three of the groups had a teacher from school<br />

with them and the other three had parent helpers with them.<br />

Miss McElmeel said: “Danger Point was thoroughly enjoyed by<br />

the staff and children from Mountain Lane.<br />

“Lots of important issues were discussed and the “interactiveness”<br />

of each ‘danger` made it good fun for all.”<br />

Students particularly enjoyed speaking to K-OS, a cartoon<br />

alien from another planet. K-OS spoke about the dangers of<br />

going on the internet and playing games th<strong>at</strong> you are too young<br />

for. The children thoroughly benefitted from going on the train<br />

set. They learned about all the<br />

dangers near trains and w<strong>at</strong>ched an<br />

interesting short film based on a true<br />

story. Grace Lawrence, Year 6, said:<br />

“I really liked Danger Point because it<br />

was very interesting and taught us a<br />

lot about safety.<br />

“My favourite part was talking to<br />

K-OS because he was so cute and<br />

funny.”<br />

By Jessica McHugh,<br />

Sam Ross-Asplet and<br />

Jemima Davies<br />

Pupils played with puzzles <strong>at</strong> Techniquest.<br />

K-OS AT DANGERPOINT<br />

Pupils learned about the human body.<br />

For more inform<strong>at</strong>ion, visit<br />

www.tqg.org.co.uk<br />

Safety first: learning about transport.<br />

By Kayla Warburton, Emily Maxwell and<br />

Luca Eagleton<br />

For further inform<strong>at</strong>ion, go to<br />

www.dangerpoint.org.uk<br />

Learning about lifebo<strong>at</strong>s <strong>at</strong> Talacre.<br />

4<br />

Ysgol Uwchradd Elfed High School, Buckley CH7 3HQ 01244 550217 -<br />

- Twitter: @ElfedHS


Students unleash their inner Bear Grylls <strong>at</strong> Glan Llyn<br />

STUDENTS from Ysgol Mynydd Isa Primary<br />

School visited the adventurous park, Glan Llyn,<br />

to put their skills to the test.<br />

The bus was filled with excitement as the children<br />

arrived <strong>at</strong> Glan Llyn. They couldn’t wait to get started<br />

on the activities to come. While some were doing raft<br />

building, others were doing the high ropes course<br />

and rock climbing. A girl who went to Glan Llyn said:<br />

‘’I enjoyed the rock climbing because I could abseil<br />

down and it was very fun!’’ In Glan Llyn they also did<br />

some w<strong>at</strong>er activities, including canoeing. The same<br />

pupil said: ‘’I also enjoyed the canoeing because it<br />

was adventurous and wet!’’<br />

While some of the children were getting ready for<br />

their outdoor activities, in their dorms some pupils<br />

were having fun in the indoor activities as well.<br />

Although the children had fun in the activities, they<br />

also had fun laughing and joking with each other.<br />

Not only did the children have a good time but the<br />

teachers did too! One teacher, Mr Edwards, said: “I<br />

love the lake and the archery and playing football and<br />

e<strong>at</strong>ing the children’s sweets.<br />

“I also liked dunking the children in the lake.”<br />

By the end of the week, everyone had enjoyed<br />

Kayaking on the lake.<br />

their time <strong>at</strong> Glan Llyn and hoped they’d go again.<br />

Visit Glan Llyn’s website <strong>at</strong> www.urdd.cymru/en/<br />

residential-centres/glan-llyn<br />

By Maria Smallwood, Ruby Formby<br />

and K<strong>at</strong>herine Ridding<br />

Pupils built rafts <strong>at</strong> Glan Llyn.<br />

Welcome to our<br />

guest writers<br />

for the year<br />

2016 - 2017!<br />

Pupils were supported by<br />

Adlais Elfed Echo reporters.<br />

The Eco-council helped to arrange the litter pick.<br />

Westwood saves Buckley<br />

from devast<strong>at</strong>ing litter<br />

PRIMARY school pupils<br />

have been helping the<br />

environment by conquering<br />

the menacing litter during<br />

their litter pick.<br />

This event was cre<strong>at</strong>ed by the Westwood<br />

Eco-council. It started in Westwood’s main<br />

hall <strong>at</strong> 9:30am. The Eco-council gave out<br />

equipment and Mrs Williams, the Deputy<br />

Head, gave the pupils a safety talk. Next,<br />

the pupils split up into their classes and then<br />

went to their specific destin<strong>at</strong>ion where they<br />

were litter picking.<br />

The loc<strong>at</strong>ions of the litter pick included:<br />

Princess Avenue, Bistre park and church,<br />

the common and Buckley town. It was all<br />

done by the Year 3s through to the Year<br />

6s. Even the teachers got involved! They<br />

achieved an amazing accomplishment and<br />

made the environment a cleaner place.<br />

Litter-picking helped to improve the environment in Buckley.<br />

Year 6 pupil, Hannah, said: “The<br />

litter pick was gre<strong>at</strong> because we<br />

were saving the environment.”<br />

Another student, Emma,<br />

from Class 7, said: “The litter<br />

pick <strong>at</strong> Princess park was very<br />

successful because now there is<br />

no litter around our environment.”<br />

By Alicia Colloby, Shaun Evans<br />

and Keyley Roberts<br />

THE Adlais Elfed Echo team has<br />

been joined by guest writers from the<br />

Buckley and Mynydd Isa Consortium<br />

of schools: Drury, Mountain Lane,<br />

Westwood, Ysgol Mynydda Isa and<br />

Argoed High School.<br />

The pupils <strong>at</strong>tended a writing<br />

workshop <strong>at</strong> Elfed High School where<br />

they learned the skills required to write a<br />

superb report.<br />

Both Miss Pennington and the<br />

Elfed High School helpers were very<br />

impressed with the pupils during the<br />

workshop. Da iawn! Well done!<br />

Want to learn<br />

more inform<strong>at</strong>ion on<br />

the litter pick or even<br />

do your bit for the<br />

environment? Go to:<br />

www.westwood<br />

cpschool.co.uk<br />

Ysgol Uwchradd Elfed High School, Buckley CH7 3HQ 01244 550217 - - Twitter: @ElfedHS 5


North Clwyd Animal Rescue<br />

Last year’s Festive Walk!<br />

NORTH Clwyd Animal Rescue, based<br />

in Holywell, is a charity th<strong>at</strong> looks after<br />

c<strong>at</strong>s, dogs and other animals and helps<br />

them to find good homes.<br />

North Clwyd Animal Rescue helps animals<br />

th<strong>at</strong> have behaviour problems and they help<br />

pet owners to be kind and good owners.<br />

The charity gives owners inform<strong>at</strong>ion on<br />

dogs and other animals to do this.<br />

You can get involved with North Clwyd<br />

Animal Rescue by helping with their Festive<br />

Walks on Christmas<br />

Day, <strong>at</strong> 10.30am,<br />

and Boxing Day,<br />

<strong>at</strong> 12.30pm. The<br />

Festive Walks last<br />

one to two hours and<br />

include a quick stop in the<br />

village of Llanasa for tea, coffee and tre<strong>at</strong>s.<br />

By Gemma Lewis-Taylor and<br />

Samantha N<strong>at</strong>ion<br />

For more inform<strong>at</strong>ion, visit their website <strong>at</strong>: www.ncar.org.uk or email<br />

Nicky Owen on nickyowen@ncar.org.uk<br />

Welcome to the new teachers<br />

<strong>at</strong> Elfed High School<br />

Where to go this Christmas!<br />

ARE you bored this Christmas? Are you in need of<br />

some serious boredom-quelling help? Well, luckily<br />

for you, this article is jam-packed full of activities to<br />

quench your thirst for fun!<br />

First off, let’s take a look <strong>at</strong> Ewloe Castle, a stunning<br />

centuries-old stone ruin in the very heart of Wepre Park’s<br />

epic hike and beautiful scenery. As this splendid <strong>at</strong>traction<br />

has been deemed pet friendly, as well as family friendly,<br />

this ancient ruin is the perfect place to visit for a fun day<br />

out, or just a spectacular place to bring a picnic.<br />

Next comes a gre<strong>at</strong> way to exercise and get into the<br />

Christmas spirit. Of course you’ve guessed – the Mold<br />

Santa Dash! Take off your uniform, dress up like F<strong>at</strong>her<br />

Christmas and run, jog or walk along the streets of Mold.<br />

Starting <strong>at</strong> Daniel Owen Square on 11th December, there<br />

is a warm-up <strong>at</strong> 10.30am and the race starts <strong>at</strong> 11.30am.<br />

So get off the sofa, away from the TV and down to Mold!<br />

Are you one of those people who doesn’t spend their time<br />

studying, playing or w<strong>at</strong>ching sports or playing on a games<br />

console? Are you one of those people who just love shopping?<br />

If this is you, then maybe, this Christmas, you should make your<br />

way down to Chester’s Winter Market which is on from 18th<br />

November to 18th December. With plenty to see and do, this is<br />

the perfect opportunity to do your Christmas shopping, or just<br />

have a look around!<br />

Finally, last, but certainly not least, why not pop along to<br />

Chester’s very own mid-Winter w<strong>at</strong>ch parade? A fun and exciting<br />

celebr<strong>at</strong>ionn to commemor<strong>at</strong>e the original ‘handing over of the<br />

keys’ ceremony which took place years previously, this epic<br />

celebr<strong>at</strong>ion takes place on 7th December and consists of the<br />

Karamba Samba, The Lord of Misrule, Cooks Band, Devils,<br />

Dragons, Angel and the Tree of Life and is definitely worth a visit<br />

to Chester for a scare th<strong>at</strong> will have you craving more action!<br />

By Evie Wright<br />

Try any of these activities out this Christmas?<br />

Send pictures to adlaiselfedecho@live.com<br />

and see your picture printed here!<br />

Christmas Word Search<br />

Welcome to the new teaching staff!<br />

THIS year staff and students are very<br />

happy to welcome a number of new<br />

teachers to Elfed High School.<br />

All of the pupils are very excited to have<br />

the new teachers join their school. The<br />

teachers and the subjects are as follows:<br />

n Mrs Williams - Head of M<strong>at</strong>hs<br />

n Miss Boniface - Head of Religious Studies<br />

n Mr Sharp - Head of I.C.T.<br />

n Miss S. Coyle - Science<br />

n Miss Horan - Science<br />

n Miss E. Royle - Technology, Welsh and Art<br />

n Mr Herd - P.E.<br />

n Mr Barton - Head of P.E.<br />

n Mrs Mortlock - M<strong>at</strong>hs<br />

n Miss Robinson - History<br />

Two of the new teachers were asked about<br />

wh<strong>at</strong> they thought of Elfed High School<br />

so far. Miss Robinson said: “I have had a<br />

wonderful time <strong>at</strong> Elfed High School meeting<br />

lovely new pupils.”<br />

Mrs Williams said: “Both students and<br />

staff have made me feel very welcome <strong>at</strong><br />

the Elfed.<br />

“I have been impressed with students’<br />

<strong>at</strong>titude to M<strong>at</strong>hem<strong>at</strong>ics and the high<br />

standards being achieved. I am delighted to<br />

be working here.”<br />

Students hope th<strong>at</strong> the new teachers<br />

thoroughly enjoy their time <strong>at</strong> Elfed High<br />

School. It is a pleasure to welcome them.<br />

By Erin Davies and Esme Jones<br />

f TREE f HAT f CHRISTMAS f MANGER f HOLIDAY f JESUS<br />

f SNOWMAN f ICE f SPROUTS f STOCKING f REINDEER<br />

f LIGHTS f SCARF f TINSEL f PRESENTS f SANTA f WREATH<br />

f GLOVES f HOLLY f ADVENT f SNOWBALL f STAR f ANGEL<br />

6<br />

Ysgol Uwchradd Elfed High School, Buckley CH7 3HQ 01244 550217 -<br />

- Twitter: @ElfedHS


Fresh Off the Charts header and the following text: Reviews of the l<strong>at</strong>est<br />

music, films, books and games by our Adlais Elfed Echo reporters.<br />

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child<br />

HARRY Potter and the Cursed<br />

Child is an excellent playscript th<strong>at</strong><br />

continues on the bestselling Harry<br />

Potter series where J. K. Rowling,<br />

the original author of the last<br />

series, left off.<br />

If you can’t remember, they are<br />

all on Pl<strong>at</strong>form 9 ¾, as Harry bids<br />

farewell to his son as he leaves for<br />

Hogwarts. The next thrilling story,<br />

in the form of a play script, takes the readers on an<br />

unimaginable ride, which travels through space and time<br />

itself!<br />

I wouldn’t hesit<strong>at</strong>e to recommend this amazing read to<br />

any former Harry Potter fan, and new readers, as the style<br />

is gre<strong>at</strong> and the character development is unbelievable!<br />

Shout Out to My Ex<br />

LITTLE Mix’s new single, Shout Out<br />

to My Ex, is a c<strong>at</strong>chy, fun tune th<strong>at</strong><br />

is a real ‘girly’ song.<br />

Musically, it’s quite average because<br />

it is very similar to most music th<strong>at</strong> is<br />

popular <strong>at</strong> the moment. However, Little<br />

Mix has a unique sound th<strong>at</strong> is cheery,<br />

uplifting and instantly recognisable<br />

to anyone who has heard their music<br />

before.<br />

It is quite different to Black Magic, another of their hits,<br />

but, in my opinion, they are both as good as each other.<br />

Black Magic is supposed to be fun, but a bit mysterious and<br />

interesting as well, whereas in Shout Out to My Ex the story<br />

is clear – the singer wants her ex-boyfriend to know th<strong>at</strong><br />

she is over him and she wants him out of her life. One of the<br />

lines in the song is, “I swear you’lll never bring me down” so<br />

I assume she doesn’t care about him anymore.<br />

I enjoyed the song and I think other girls of all ages will<br />

too.<br />

Best Fiends Forever<br />

BEST Fiends Forever is a<br />

sequel to Best Fiends, a<br />

puzzle adventure game;<br />

however, this game takes<br />

on a much different<br />

approach.<br />

In this game, you must<br />

b<strong>at</strong>tle through an army of<br />

slugs th<strong>at</strong> have captured<br />

the cre<strong>at</strong>ures th<strong>at</strong> once<br />

lived in harmony. You do this by tapping on the<br />

screen repe<strong>at</strong>edly. As you progress through<br />

the many levels of the game, you can release<br />

cre<strong>at</strong>ures th<strong>at</strong> can help you along the way. With<br />

every enemy you defe<strong>at</strong>, you collect coins th<strong>at</strong><br />

you can use to upgrade your cre<strong>at</strong>ures to make<br />

them more powerful which is very useful as, the<br />

further you go, the tougher the enemies are to<br />

be<strong>at</strong>.<br />

The game is very fast-paced, yet it is still<br />

one you can play on and off throughout the<br />

day because it will still collect coins when you<br />

are away from the game. Overall, Best Fiends<br />

Forever is a very fun and addictive game th<strong>at</strong><br />

will keep you hooked for a long time.<br />

Lucy’s Web<br />

IF YOU are worried<br />

about internet<br />

safety, or not too<br />

good <strong>at</strong> computing,<br />

especially social<br />

media, then you<br />

should grab a copy<br />

of the new book,<br />

Lucy’s Web.<br />

Written by up and<br />

coming author, Charles Conway, who has<br />

also written three adult books, and been<br />

nomin<strong>at</strong>ed (and shortlisted) twice for the<br />

‘Making the Internet Safer’ c<strong>at</strong>egory of<br />

the Nominet Internet Awards, this book<br />

contains six short stories designed to<br />

make the reader more aware of internet<br />

safety.<br />

This helpful and unique book is available<br />

as an eBook on Kindle or on Amazon for<br />

£5.99. And there’s more - if you complete<br />

these novels, there is a preview of another<br />

short story from the author’s next book,<br />

Steve’s Web, which is soon to be released!<br />

Zootropolis<br />

Castle in the Sky - Animé Club Review<br />

A YOUNG girl named Sheeta is<br />

a descendent from the magical<br />

castle in the sky, ‘Lupita.’ She<br />

is the beholder of an ancient,<br />

exquisite necklace th<strong>at</strong> has<br />

supern<strong>at</strong>ural powers and she<br />

is completely unaware of this.<br />

The military are hunting Sheeta<br />

down because they want to use<br />

Sheeta’s necklace’s powers for<br />

their own personal gain.<br />

She meets a young boy named<br />

Pazu. He quickly discovers why she<br />

is in danger and decides to help her.<br />

As they are venturing across the<br />

land, they discover pir<strong>at</strong>es. They<br />

think th<strong>at</strong> the army is going to stop<br />

the pir<strong>at</strong>es but they both realise th<strong>at</strong><br />

the leader of the army is actually the<br />

enemy, not the pir<strong>at</strong>es. The army<br />

leader betrays his army and takes<br />

Sheeta captive.<br />

The army, the pir<strong>at</strong>es and Pazu<br />

are all in a race against time to find<br />

the castle in the sky. Unfortun<strong>at</strong>ely,<br />

the pir<strong>at</strong>es are captured and,<br />

somehow, Pazu has to rescue the<br />

pir<strong>at</strong>es and Sheeta before time runs<br />

out!<br />

By Sam Cave, Haydon Rowe, Jacob<br />

Armstrong and Jake Ayriss<br />

OUR favourite animal-rel<strong>at</strong>ed film is<br />

Zootropolis because it is very funny and<br />

the anim<strong>at</strong>ion is gre<strong>at</strong>.<br />

The story is based in the town of<br />

Zootopia, which is set in a city inhabited<br />

by all different species of animals. The<br />

storyline follows a rabbit called Judy Hopps<br />

(voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) who wants<br />

to pursue her dreams as a police officer.<br />

When she gets the opportunity to do a<br />

mission, she finds herself being paired<br />

up with a fox called Nick Wilde (Jason<br />

B<strong>at</strong>eman). Will she succeed or fail in this<br />

mysterious mission?<br />

Calling all students with an interest in the<strong>at</strong>re!<br />

Get involved in some drama <strong>at</strong> Elfed High School!<br />

Efled Youth The<strong>at</strong>re meets every Wednesday <strong>at</strong> 3.30pm in the Drama Studio.<br />

Elfed Youth The<strong>at</strong>re Sevens meet every Thursday <strong>at</strong> 3.30pm in the Drama Studio!<br />

Ysgol Uwchradd Elfed High School, Buckley CH7 3HQ 01244 550217 - - Twitter: @ElfedHS 7


Five minutes with… Robbie Evans<br />

Adlais Elfed Echo editors caught up with Wrexham FC player, Robbie Evans, to find<br />

out how he achieved success in his career.<br />

Name: Robbie Evans<br />

Born: Wrexham, North Wales<br />

Occup<strong>at</strong>ion: Professional footballer for<br />

Wrexham FC.<br />

Playing position: Midfielder<br />

Awards: Player of the Year 2014/2015<br />

and 2015/2016.<br />

Q: How old were you when you realised<br />

th<strong>at</strong> football was wh<strong>at</strong> you wanted to do?<br />

A: Probably when I was about eight or nine.<br />

My Dad got me a pair of football boots for<br />

Christmas and a kit and he’d take me to the<br />

park. Then obviously, it’s a bit of a hard job<br />

to do professionally but I just wanted to do<br />

it really.<br />

Q: Were there any drawbacks when you<br />

began your career and, if there were any,<br />

how did you overcome these?<br />

A: When I was about eight or nine I had<br />

trials to go to premier league clubs so I have<br />

the chance to go to Liverpool but I had an<br />

injury. I could have gone still but I didn’t<br />

have confidence th<strong>at</strong> I could do it with the<br />

injury. Wrexham came and I thought it was<br />

the right option to go to Wrexham because<br />

it’s not so serious compared to premier<br />

league clubs. I chose Wrexham because of<br />

the injury.<br />

Q: Wh<strong>at</strong> do you most enjoy about playing<br />

for Wrexham?<br />

A: I’m a local lad and it means quite a bit to<br />

me. Obviously, I’ve got family and friends<br />

who are massive Wrexham fans so if we win they<br />

love me and if we lose they h<strong>at</strong>e me [laughs].<br />

Q: Have you achieved any awards<br />

through football?<br />

A: Yeah, last year I won Player of the<br />

Season and I won it again this year (2016)<br />

so th<strong>at</strong>’s not too bad. I won an award for<br />

making a hundred games. I’ve played one<br />

hundred games for Wrexham so I got an<br />

award for th<strong>at</strong>.<br />

Q: Wh<strong>at</strong> would you say is your gre<strong>at</strong>est<br />

accomplishment?<br />

A: I’ve got two. One was making my debut<br />

<strong>at</strong> sixteen and then being captain. I was<br />

captain, youngest ever captain, when I was<br />

seventeen for Wrexham. They’re probably<br />

my two gre<strong>at</strong>est achievements <strong>at</strong> Wrexham.<br />

Q: Wh<strong>at</strong> advice would you give to others<br />

wanting to become a footballer?<br />

A: Go for it! I never thought I’d be a<br />

professional footballer. I was from Penycae.<br />

I lived on a council est<strong>at</strong>e. I used to play on<br />

the park. Obviously, stay in school and stay<br />

educ<strong>at</strong>ed. I had to do th<strong>at</strong> just in case I didn’t<br />

achieve it [become a professional football<br />

player]. If you’ve got a dream, go for it.<br />

Th<strong>at</strong>’s wh<strong>at</strong> I did.<br />

Q: Wh<strong>at</strong> inspires you?<br />

A: Wh<strong>at</strong> inspires me? I would say the money<br />

but it’s not the money [laughs]. It’s just<br />

doing a job th<strong>at</strong> you love. My Dad works in<br />

a factory and he comes home every day<br />

from work and he h<strong>at</strong>es it. He kept telling<br />

me not to do th<strong>at</strong>. Don’t work in a factory.<br />

Do something you love, and I love playing<br />

football. It’s the best job in the world for me<br />

personally.<br />

Q: At the start, how hard was it to play<br />

professionally?<br />

A: Yeah, it was hard because I was only<br />

seventeen when I got the professional<br />

contract and I play with people th<strong>at</strong> have<br />

played a lot of games. Pre-season training,<br />

I’m not sure if you know about th<strong>at</strong>, but it’s a<br />

lot of running and when I was seventeen and<br />

getting used to it, I was used to just playing<br />

football. I struggled but I overcome it in the<br />

end.<br />

Q: Have you always wanted to do football?<br />

A: Yeah, definitely. When I started playing for<br />

Wrexham in the youth team, under thirteens,<br />

under fourteens, it was just brilliant. Training<br />

twice a week, or three times a week, you’d<br />

finish school and go straight there. I loved<br />

it. I wanted to always train.<br />

I’m always doing it. Now<br />

when I’m not training, I’m<br />

doing this kind of work with<br />

the community. I just love it,<br />

everything.<br />

Q: Wh<strong>at</strong> is it like training<br />

for a m<strong>at</strong>ch?<br />

A: Before a m<strong>at</strong>ch? So you<br />

mean before a game? Like<br />

warm ups? When the crowd’s<br />

there, like when we play<br />

Chester or Tranmere, it’s a<br />

bit nerve-wracking but I’ve<br />

got used to it now. I’ve been<br />

playing for quite a while even<br />

though I’m only young, only<br />

twenty. I’ve been playing<br />

since I was sixteen so I’ve<br />

got used to it now. I quite like the excitement<br />

when you’re warming up and the crowd<br />

starts singing and th<strong>at</strong>. When you’re inside<br />

and getting ready, getting shin pads on and<br />

the crowd are singing, I get pretty excited.<br />

Q: How important are the fans to you?<br />

A: To me? They’re really important because<br />

I’m a local lad so it makes an extra ten<br />

percent for me playing wise. They realise<br />

th<strong>at</strong> you don’t get many local lads playing for<br />

your local team. I’ve got the song as well th<strong>at</strong><br />

they sing for me which is brilliant and, yeah, I<br />

love it. The fans mean everything to me and,<br />

hopefully, I mean the same to them.<br />

Thank you to Robbie Evans for taking the<br />

time to be interviewed by the Adlais Elfed<br />

Echo. Diolch yn fawr.<br />

Robbie met with Adlais Elfed Echo editors for the interview.<br />

Students throw<br />

down barriers<br />

Tom Davis worked with the Sports Council.<br />

Tom Davis taught students<br />

Judo moves, including throws.<br />

STUDENTS learned Judo skills with<br />

champion Tom Davis.<br />

Members of the Sports Council had<br />

the fantastic opportunity of learning<br />

Judo with a champion. As well as this,<br />

they learned the Sky Sports Six Keys<br />

to Success. There was a heavy focus<br />

on planning for your future and making<br />

decisions. The students were able to<br />

play fun, team-building games which<br />

involved communic<strong>at</strong>ion and planning<br />

together.<br />

The highlight of the day was learning<br />

Judo. The young people were taught<br />

basic Judo skills, such as a throw. There<br />

was also a game which involved strength<br />

and thinking quickly.<br />

All of the students thoroughly enjoyed<br />

the day. Courtney Jones, a member of<br />

the Sports Council, said: “It was a gre<strong>at</strong><br />

experience and I had fun.<br />

“I have learnt many skills and enjoyed<br />

taking part in a new sport. I would<br />

definitely encourage others to try Judo.”<br />

It was a fantastic day where students<br />

learned skills th<strong>at</strong> will help them both in<br />

and out of school.<br />

By Abbey Young<br />

8<br />

Ysgol Uwchradd Elfed High School, Buckley CH7 3HQ 01244 550217<br />

www.elfedhs.co.uk Twitter: @ElfedHS

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!