Issue 3 November 2017 Senior School Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to our monthly E-Newsletter, reviewing activities during the month of November. We were especially proud of our students for their respectful participation at a number of Remembrance Services, both at school and within the community.

In addition to our everyday activities and internal examinations, our senior students are to be congratulated on completing their University applications; it was humbling to read their exceptional personal statements. Further congratulations are extended to our Chess Team, Public Speaking and Debating Society, our Mathematicians within the UK Challenge, and a number of sports teams who have distinguished themselves.

Particular mention must be made of our little acorns in the Nursery and Infants Department, who delighted all those who attended their Nativity Tableau at St Cadoc’s Church; and our fine oaks who performed magnificently at St David’s Hall, in a wide-ranging concert that delighted the audience. Thank you to the many parents who supported these events.

We now look forward to our Sixth Form Christmas Ball, Founder’s Day and Prize Giving, and festive fun on the final day of term. I shall be writing an extended letter to all parents and guardians, replacing an E- Newsletter for December. You will receive this early in the Christmas holiday, informing you of a range of exciting developments.

Wishing you a happy, healthy and blessed remainder of term,

Yours sincerely,

Gareth P. Lloyd, Headmaster.

029 2077 8936 www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com Issue 3 November 2017 Senior School Newsletter

Lower Sixth News At the beginning of November, our future medical students enjoyed a visit from one of our Alumni, Lucy Daly, who is in 5th year in medical school at Cardiff University. U6 &L6 very much appreciated her help regarding medical interviews and Lucy was able to give our students some excellent tips.

Thursday, 16th of November, Tasnim Zaman was chosen to be part of a very impressive panel, at Cardiff University, being the voice of girls rights in Wales. On the panel with Tasnim were Margo Thomas , recent United nation chief secretariat, Helen Walbey director of diversity and health, Sonia Brown CEO, national chief executive officer, black womens’ network. No country in the world has achieved complete gender equality so most gender equality efforts focus solely on empowering women; Girls’ Circle aims to start this process of achieving gender parity, by rewriting the script for girls and young women now, so that we can shift attitudes and expectations, before young people become adults and repeat the cycles of generations before them.

Tasnim has been working along with Helen Walby and we are hoping to invite her to SJC in the new year. I felt very empowered in such esteemed company!

Sunday, 19th November, as a treat, after end of L6 internal assessments, 18 students came bowling in the bay with myself, and Miss McManus. Great fun! 21st November we had a visiting speaker from LSE who gave 45 minutes presentation on her very prestigious university. Pupils were enthused by all the various opportunities. She also guided our students with their personal statement. 22nd November we also had an overseas student visiting from Cardiff University who came to talk to our oversea pupils about her experiences in Wales. 30th November about 30, L6 students are off to IKEA to take part in Cardiff enterprise competition.

Finally, we are very much looking forward to celebrate our first St John's Christmas Ball.

Upper Sixth

With the end of term approaching, UVI students are working hard to balance UCAS applications and academic study. They have sat mock exams this month and have the first of their parents’ evenings on 28th November. Offers and interviews have already started to come in for some of early applicants for Medicine and Oxbridge, so practice interviews have been a priority in recent weeks. Earlier this month, Martin Blamey from Cardiff Medical School’s selection panel gave a talk in preparation for mock MMIs (multiple mini interviews) which are now favoured by the majority of medical colleges. The MMIs themselves took place over two Monday evenings with students tackling a range of quickfire tasks

029 2077 8936 www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com Issue 3 November 2017 Senior School Newsletter

within six-minute time limits, including roleplay, multi-task dexterity and brain -teasing quizzes, medical dilemma scenarios, topical discussions and more. Thanks go to the many teachers who staffed our various

stations: GG, TW, MB, NC, DL, HR, LBo, JGS, ET and SM but especially to Ellie W of R16 who once again displayed her acting skills by playing a distressed student whom the candidates had to approach and help. Formal interview practice is also currently scheduled for students applying to read Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics and Music at institutions where the traditional panel system is still used. As part of this process, on Friday 24th November we were very grateful for the help of Dr John Holland who spent several hours with some of our students, working through practice questions and then giving invaluable feedback on their performances. Good luck to all those about to attend interviews!

English News

1st place for St John’s at the ESU’s Public Speaking Competition

Alessia M, Jacob V, Suyash A, Sameera O, Finn M and Neil M competed in the ESU's Churchill Public Speaking competition on Monday, 27th November, held in Howell's School. It was a thought- provoking and engaging afternoon, listening to young people from five different schools from across Cardiff, talk with such passion about highly challenging topics, such as: Is British politics in crisis? Equal pay for women, legalisation of all drugs; free university education. Both St John's teams were highly skilled in carrying out their roles as Chairperson, Speaker and Questioner. Our Team One won the competition and will now go forward to the Regional Final on March 5th. They are: Alessia Mahoney (R16), Jacob Vincent (R15) and Suyash Agarwal (R16).

Alessia also won Best Chairperson and then a series of Highly Commended awards to: Sameera for her role as Chairperson, Jacob as Speaker and Suyash as Questioner. Congratulations to all involved!

English Literary Quiz Wednesday, 22nd November two teams took part in the International Kids’ Lit Quiz. Pupils involved were Crina Capatana, Carys Rees, Ji-Eun Kang, Chukwuka Ivenso, Ojas Mohite, Rhea Immanuel, Krishna Lee and Kate Franklin. Both teams finished with very respectable scores and both won a round and received a book prize. Our team of R13 pupils: Carys, Ji-Eun, Chukwuka and Crina did particularly well, finishing 3rd overall and were only a point behind 2nd place. They received a £40 prize and a certificate. Well done to you all!

029 2077 8936 www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com Issue 3 November 2017 Senior School Newsletter

AS and A Level Literature Lecture Days

Friday, 24th November our Upper Sixth students attended four in-depth and stimulating lectures on King Lear ranging from The Nature of Shakespearean Tragedy to suffering and madness. Lower Sixth students were treated to lectures on Jane Eyre and 19th Century Patriarchy and The Nature of Fictional Autobiography. All agreed that the lectures were invaluable and one lecturer was afforded the accolade of being brilliant!

R14, having studied war poetry this term, were encouraged to write their own poems and we have chosen Akash Nakirikanti’s ‘For Those’ as it is a most moving, mature response that shows real understanding of the nature of loss, sorrow and the debt we owe the fallen.

For Those For those who died for our tomorrow, For those young men who never lived their lives, For those who lost a son or brother, or uncle, For those who departed with honour and glory,

For those who helped in any way, Making ammunition, clothes and food, To help those soldiers trudging away, Forever trudging to their deaths

Who helped lay the foundation, For our safety today, Brick by brick, And got their way, Who stopped the evil men who exploited nations, And ordered innocent men to kill and be killed, Who were thrown from power, And justice and humanity prevailed.

029 2077 8936 www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com Issue 3 November 2017 Senior School Newsletter

Mathematics Department R16 Well done to all our R16 pupils who were involved in the GCSE examinations just after half term. Fingers crossed that all your hard work pays off for the January results!

National Cipher Challenge Challenge six is now live and at least one of our teams is up amongst the leaders and the members are still as keen as mustard! Well done to all our teams.

Guest Speaker

A huge thank you to our second guest speaker of the term, Mr Stuart Minton. Ex-pupil of St John’s, Mr Minton is a Transport Planner and Traffic Engineer for CH2M based in Swindon. Mr Minton spoke to our R13 pupils about the everyday uses of Maths in his job. As always, the pupils made him feel very welcome and asked lots of related questions.

Senior Maths Challenge Success A number of pupils in R15 and R16 participated in the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Senior Maths Challenge, aimed at pupils in Year 13 (Upper Sixth) and below. The Maths department is overwhelmed by their achievements! Gold Certificates – Suyash A, William W and Neil M Silver Certificates – Aidan B and Aviral B Bronze Certificates – Nicky N, Edward X, Leon C, Anlan Q and Ben A

A massive congratulations to Suyash A, William W and Neil M who have done so well that they now qualify for the next round of the Senior Maths Challenge; the Senior Kangaroo and the British Maths Olympiad, Round 1.

029 2077 8936 www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com Issue 3 November 2017 Senior School Newsletter

Year 11 Mathematics Pop Quiz at USW – 1st and 3rd place

Congratulations to Will W, Suyash A, Shyon K, Sanay G, Alan M, Neil M, Aidan B, Nicky N and Edward X who competed in the University of South Wales Year 11 Maths Pop Quiz. The boys did extremely well,

coming home with 1st and 3rd place trophies. The competition from other schools was high and as usual, the pupils conducted themselves in a mature and sensible manner. Well done, all!

Sixth Form: Senior Mathematics Challenge (SMC)

On Thursday 7th November 2017, 59 of our sixth form mathematics students and 27 GCSE / R15 students participated in this years SMC. This challenge is run by UKMT; it is difficult and is a real challenge. This involves answering 25 multiple choice questions in 90 minutes. The questions are of graded difficulty and a mark is deducted for each incorrect answer. Most students enjoyed participating and enjoyed the pressure of working on challenging questions. This helps them to test their problem solving skill. Their participation is a confirmation of their commitment. Pupils who do well i.e. 60% of the students nationally will be awarded with Gold, Silver, Bronze certificates (in the ratio 1:2:3). Top performing students are invited to compete in BMO1 or Senior Kangaroo exam.

Results: 15 students achieved Gold certificates; 13 Silver and 20 Bronze; 15 students are automatic qualifiers to do Senior Kangaroo exam on the 01/12/2017 and 4 of them have reached the BMO1 threshold in the exam.

6 of our pupils scored at least 100 and one student scored the full 125/125. Congratulations to ALL and good luck for the students doing the Senior Kangaroo exam and BMO1 on 01/12/2017

DT News Monday, 22nd January, 2018 - R12 In-House F1 Competition

The R12 pupils have been working incredibly hard this term to design and make a model F1 car. During lessons they have learnt about aerodynamics and how to design a car that will have the fastest time on the racetrack. They have also produced a portfolio of designs and created a presentation that explains their journey as a team. Monday, 22nd January, they will race their cars on a 20m track in the Sports Hall

029 2077 8936 www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com Issue 3 November 2017 Senior School Newsletter

against each other and go through car scrutineering process to ensure they have met all the regulations set by F1 in Schools. Good luck, R12 - keep practising those reaction times! The overall winning team will represent St John's College in the Entry Class category at the Liberty Stadium in March for the regional finals. If you would like to sponsor this team, or any of our other teams that are entering the Development and Professional class, please contact Mrs Bate. To learn more about this challenge please take a look at the following website: http://www.f1inschools.co.uk/

Science News

The Upper sixth students are currently investigating the role of nitrogen and magnesium in plant growth. They placed radish seedlings in culture solutions last week and have dutifully been checking up on them throughout the week. This investigation will run for 5 weeks, at the end they will measure the length of roots and shoot, then dry the seedlings in an oven and record dry mass. They have been really enthusiastic about this investigation! Some pupils have even give the seedlings names! (maggie-lacking magensium, Nigel - lacking nitrate!

Techniquest Trip On Thursday 16th November, Lower Sixth Biology students accompanied by Mrs Chwieseni and Mrs Gordon-Smith attended a half day workshop in the laboratories at Techniquest. They had to extract a section of non-coding DNA from cheek cells and amplify it using the latest PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technology. The course was of great value to students taking the Biology AS Unit 1 examination in June. It also allowed them to work in a professional laboratory and gain an insight into the work carried out by Biomedical and Forensic scientists.

Charles Britton “I gained an invaluable insight into molecular biology and what it may be like to work in a lab. I enjoyed learning more about how DNA replicates, and the ways people exploit this to create multiple copies of DNA for real life reasons such as in CSI. However, the best thing was to actually replicate our own DNA using the same process we were learning about”.

029 2077 8936 www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com Issue 3 November 2017 Senior School Newsletter

This half-term, our R14 pupils have taken part in the Engineering Team Challenge run by the Institute of Civil Engineers. The task was to build a bridge support that could cope with torrents of water. The volunteers explained how this was a real-life problem that engineers are facing as the planet deals with changes to the climate. Not only did our pupils have to build the structure, they had to carefully plan their design and even factor in material costs as well. Some of the designs were very intricate and they all managed to survive the flood! Congratulations to Anna, Siya and Tara for winning "Best Design Approach" and Ella, Evie, Lily and Thamizhni for "Most Efficient Design".

Chess News

St John’s dethrone The Dell at Cardiff Stadium

At the Cardiff Stadium event, held on Tuesday 28 November, St John’s College Cardiff took top spot, winning all five of their matches by a comfortable margin. Rhydypenau came second in division one, and the winners for the previous three years, The Dell, came third.

With 18 teams competing in division one, and another 26 in division two, the event led to around 500 children playing chess at the Stadium. Chepstow and St John’s qualify for the regional round of the Under 19 Open

On Monday 20 November St John’s and Chepstow B enjoyed success in a qualifier for the regional round of ECF Under 19 Open (formerly The Sunday Times and then The Times Championship). In this event, played at Bristol Grammar, St John’s put in a very impressive performance, winning all three games.

The regional round will be played in the Spring term, with those that have qualified organised into sections of no more than 8 teams. The winner of these knock-outs will go through to national finals, played at Uppingham in early July.

Many congratulations to all our talented players.

029 2077 8936 www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com Issue 3 November 2017 Senior School Newsletter

Welsh News

Sixth Form Welsh News Residential trip to Glan-llyn

Wednesday, 15th November, our three Upper Sixth students, Rachel E, Morgan G and Fflur P, along with Miss McManus made the four hour journey to North Wales, ready for an intensive 3 days of lectures and revision seminars at the Urdd Centre in Glan-Llyn, near Bala. Despite the early start of 6:45am, the girls were ready for an afternoon of seminars where they had the privilege of listening to the playwright of the drama studied at A Level, and asking her many questions already discussed in lessons. That evening, they were very lucky to have an intimate, acoustic performance from Welsh language band, ‘Candelas’, around the campfire.

The following day was even busier, spent at Bangor University, where the students were very impressed when they were able to meet the authors of the short stories they are studying, along with many other distinguished Welsh lecturers. We finished the day by crossing the bridge over to Anglesey, with an exclusive tour of the television set for Welsh language soap opera ‘Rownd a Rownd’.

Finally, on Friday, the girls really got to practise all they had learnt with a workshop in preparation for their oral exams. Miss McManus couldn’t have been more proud of the girls throughout the trip, for both their academic successes and for being so well mannered, representing St John’s perfectly! Ansbaradigaethus!

Jonathan, S4C

On Tuesday 21st November, our sixth form students had the exciting opportunity to be part of the audience for the popular Welsh language television programme, ‘Jonathan’, hosted by former professional rugby player Jonathan Davies OBE, alongside international rugby referee Nigel Owens MBE, and rugby commentator Sarra Elgan. The students, (Rachel E, Morgan G, Fflur P, Emma B) and teachers, Miss McManus and Mrs Emms, all thoroughly enjoyed the evening!

029 2077 8936 www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com Issue 3 November 2017 Senior School Newsletter

Our very own ‘swog’!

This year, for the first time, Mrs Emms and Miss McManus, decided to take an A Level Welsh student to Llangrannog for the annual R12 residential trip. Such a student is referred to as a ‘swog’, where they volunteer their time to help the younger pupils in an ‘Urdd’ residential centre. This year, Benjamin E from Lower Sixth joined us, and was an invaluable help to all teachers and students. Ben really went above and beyond what was expected of him, taking the initiative to help the R12 students whenever necessary. Not only was Ben a great role model for our younger students, but he immersed himself into Welsh culture, practising and developing his own knowledge and understanding of the Welsh language.

This term, Ben has also volunteered more of his time to help R13 pupils with their Welsh studies. Diolch o galon, Ben. Rwyt ti’n seren!

Welsh A Level trip to the theatre

On Friday 20th October, our sixth formers studying the Welsh A Level course visited the Atrium, in Cardiff City Centre, along with Miss McManus and Mrs Emms to watch Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s (Welsh language branch of the Welsh National Theatre) latest production, ‘Hollti’ (Split).

The production told the story of plans to build a new nuclear power station on Anglesey, and the effect it would have on its nearest neighbours, as the capitalist machine attempted to swallow up a farm that has remained in the same family for generations. It proved to be a bold new verbatim play about a community’s right to shape its own future. The performance was constructed from interviews with local people, and a cast of familiar faces from Welsh television and stage brought to life the arguments for and against this most divisive of issues.

We are very proud of our pupils, and their enthusiasm towards the evening, as they see Welsh as a living language in our vibrant city! Da iawn, bawb!

Sixth formers learning about the Apartheid Regime In honour of Black History Month, this October, our Upper Sixth students studying Welsh A Level have been reading one of the short stories on the WJEC specification, ‘Angladd yn y Wlad’ (Funeral in the Country). The short story, written by Ioan Kidd, tells the story of a black family affected by the tragedies of the Apartheid regime in South Africa during the latter part of the 20th century. The story emphasises the segregation and inequality faced at the time, along with the significant contrasts between the poorer black community living in the shanty towns, and the richer white community living in plantation homes and palaces. Our sixth formers have enjoyed learning about the history, comparing it with the Civil Rights Movement in North America. Our students then went on to compare the literature with other Welsh and English literature.

029 2077 8936 www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com Issue 3 November 2017 Senior School Newsletter

Sports News

Netball

Ten R13 pupils played in the National URDD Netball Tournament. The girls all played exceptionally well and worked well as a team. The girls won one, drew two and lost one. The girls missed out on the Quarter Finals by one point. Congratulations girls on another excellent Tournament.

Miss Thomas

Girls’ Football

Congratulations to the R12/13 pupils who played fantastically well versus St Teilo’s. The St John’s College pupils opened with a cracking goal by Katie, the final result 1-1. Player of the match went to Nadia.

Mrs Wood.

Golf Launch

Earlier this month we launched the SJC Lee Bromley Golf Academy pupils tried out a range of SNAG (starting new at golf) golf equipment and expressed their interest. Our vision is now to establish our golf academy in partnership with Began Road Golf Centre and St Mellons Golf Club. The academy will begin in the new year.

Charity Thank you to Mrs Clare Crowley-Davies for organising our charity work with such enthusiasm and generosity of spirit.

Operation Christmas Child Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s "Shoe Box" appeal.

029 2077 8936 www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com Issue 3 November 2017 Senior School Newsletter

Over 60 parcels are on their way to Albania. I will keep you updated with any photographs Samaritans Purse send to us over the coming months.

Children In Need We had a fantastic day on Friday, raising money for Children In Need. It was a day filled with smiles, as children with silly socks and Pudsey ears all came together to raise over £900 for this worthy charity. Thank you for the fabulous cakes, both baked and "faked" that filled the dining room. To the very enthusiastic salesmen in R16, to the R12's, R13's and 14's that designed posters laid out the room and cleared up to everyone who did their bit - THANK YOU SO MUCH! You never fail to impress me.

This Christmas we will be supporting Crisis Charity for the Homeless We have already raised £473, rattling our charity buckets, at the St David’s Hall Christmas Concert and we will also add our Christmas Jumper Day contributions to this amount and send to Crisis to aid those who are without homes and often families.

Christ the King The last Sunday of the Church’s year is dedicated to Christ the King, or to give it its proper title, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. The Gospel at Mass is the scene of the Last Judgment. We hear that the specifics are a matter of love concretely expressed: "For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me." And we know the famous connection that Jesus makes: "Whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me."

There is something important about the specificity of these demands. This is not love in the abstract, having affection for "humanity." It is caring for that person who is homeless, for that person who is ill, for that person who is in prison. We do not take our money, our social status, our worldly power into the next world; but we do take the quality of our love.

In response to this invitation to love God in our neighbour, especially the marginalised, we are delighted to announce that our last charity project this term will be for CRISIS, the official UK charity for the homeless.

029 2077 8936 www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com Issue 3 November 2017 Senior School Newsletter

Caring for the homeless is a year round task, but it is at Christmas in particular, in the cold of winter, that those who lack the bricks and mortar of a material house are made most cruelly aware of their lack of a hearth, a home to share with loved ones and friends. For a little over £20, CRISIS will give a homeless person a Christmas lunch, access to washing facilities and new, clean clothes. Most importantly, the staff at

the refuge centres around Britain will spend their free time voluntarily with these individuals, and in so doing, give them back their dignity.

Finally, we would like to say a huge thank you for all your incredibly generous support of all the charities we have raised funds for this term. Please could we ask you to dig deep one last time in the certain knowledge that anything you can give will make this a very special Christmas for those that Jesus told us are closest to God.

029 2077 8936 www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com