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Who’s Who? Rhodri Llwyd .Pwllheli Physics .Dolgellau

Background - Qualifications I come from Llanrug in Dyffryn Peris and I attended Ysgol Brynrefail before moving on to the University of , Cardiff to study Physics. I have been teaching since 1998 and teaching A level Physics since 2001 (at two secondary schools in Arfon), before joining the college in 2010.

Why did you decide to become a teacher? After living and working in Cardiff after graduating, my wife and I wanted to return to our roots. Both my parents and mother-in-law were teachers, so the idea of teaching was always on the radar. My year of teacher training was inspirational and I knew that I had made the right choice. My current role is my favourite position that I have held throughout my career. Teaching young people about to embark onto the next step, be it university or the world of work, is a privilege and immensely satisfying.

What would you say to a student who is not sure about coming to College? As someone who attended a sixth form at school, I was not sure what kind of experience a student would experience at a further education college. Working here has been a real eye-opener. The standard of the education and the pastoral care is amazing. The atmosphere is friendly and professional.

Everyone wants to do the best for the students, and the students themselves mature and gain valuable experiences from week one. Another massive advantage is the time given over to education. As one who has worked in secondary schools sixth forms’, having four and a half hour weekly is much more generous that the time allocated in schools.

Have you got any interests? I love quizzes. At the moment Chris’s Quiz on Radio Cymru on Friday nights is a favourite with me and my friends. It’s a chance to catch up and stay in contact during lockdown. I also like hosting quizzes - for students and staff. There is a lot of fun to be had hosting quizzes online - and it’s a chance for my geeky side to be applied, using various resources to host the quiz! Bethan Mair .Pwllheli Welsh

Background - Qualifications I was an A-level student at Coleg Meirion Dwyfor on the Pwllheli site. I went on to study Welsh and Creative Writing at before completing a PGCE course in Welsh. This job was the first teaching role I’ve had after leaving University - This is my first teaching job after leaving university. I have been at the college for 8 years, teaching Welsh to very special students. Also, during the exams’ season, I mark A-level Welsh papers for the WJEC.’

Why did you decide to become a teacher? I had always thought that the best teaching post was teaching in a sixth form college. The students are here because they want to be and they have chosen a particular subject because they have a passion for it. I love my subject and I wanted to see others share my passion - that is why I became a teacher. I also love to learn new things - and within this profession you learn things every day.

What would you say to a student who is not sure about coming to College? The college is a brilliant stepping stone between school and university / work. It bridges the gap by supporting and guiding you closely to gain individual study skills that you will later need in university / work. It is a unique opportunity for you to meet students that share the same passions and hobbies that you have as a student. It is an opportunity to build friendships with a range of people from different schools, people that you are sure to come accross later in life.

From personal experience, it was at college that I found my group of best friends, and I know that this is true for a lot of people. Even though my frineds and I went to different universities and work placements we still stood firmly as friends and still meet frequently. So, if you want to experience the next step before University / work - come to the college where you will gain independance knowing that you have a very secure safety net around you.

Rhyl. David Porter Chemistry

Science-specialist Dr David Porter teaches A-level Physics at the Sixth. He often takes the lead in supporting Rhyl Sixth students with their applications to Oxford and Cambridge universities…which has paid dividends in recent years. He has also taught Chemistry at A-level.

When asked about his own academic background, David explained more: “After my A-levels I completed a Masters’ Degree in Astrophysics at . I stayed on there for another three years to complete a PhD in physics and astronomy. My research was focused on the analysis of the active centres of galaxies.”

“I worked in America for part of this time: at Boston University to learn how to process the data that I downloaded from our telescopes, and then in Alaska to participate in a research conference. These were amazing experiences. Not only working with some of the greatest minds in the world, but being able to see black bears in the wild and walk on a glacier! None of it would have happened without my A-levels.”

Commenting on his eventual decision to become a teacher, David added: “I worked with undergraduate students as a lab demonstrator and assessor during my PhD. I really enjoyed this experience, particularly the time that I was helping and getting to know the students. It was a major part of me deciding to go into teaching.

“During my time at Rhyl College, I am really proud that two of my students secured places at Cambridge University to study Physics. It goes to show how far young people can go - regardless of their background - if they work hard for it. A number of my students have won medals in the British Physics Olympiad and it has been great fun to work with them and see them become fantastic scientists in front of my eyes.”

Catrin Roberts Psychology .Dolgellau

Background - Qualifications I have been a lecturer at Coleg Meirion Dwyfor since 2007, and am proud and honoured to be a part of a friendly, supportive and dedicated team who aspire to provide all learners with opportunities. My twin roles as both an A-level and a Welsh Baccalaureate co-ordinator are important part of my role, which enables me to ensure that A-level students receive extra curricular experiences that enrich their time at college, supporting them in their next step. I am also an examiner for WJEC Psycholgy.

Why did you decide to become a teacher? The main reason was to expand the opportunities available for students to study Psychology through the medium of Welsh, as well as English in Further and Higher Education. Teaching Psychology to students across Wales through the medium of Welsh allows students to progress to Welsh-medium Higher Education courses and occupations. We encourage students to experience extra-curricular activities within the field of Psychology. We recommend relevant lectures, work experience, voluntary work etc. supporting students in finding their preferred field. A prime example relates to the forthcoming online lecture for our students by Elizabeth Loftus, a renowned Psychologist

What would you say to a student who is not sure about coming to College? I would encourage students to attend open days/evenings/virtual events at college if possible. If this isn’t possible, I would encourage students to ask any than a former student’s about their experience here at college; you won’t get a better opinion than a former students’.

I would also encourage students and parents to make contact with subject tutors to enquire about the course and the provision. As subject tutors, we only teach AS and A2 students, allowing more time for us to have One-to-one time with our students, in addition to the standard 4.5 hours weekly contact time. Attending college develops independence skills as well as an opportunity to make new friends. During weekly pastoral tutorial sessions, students are taught how to manage time effectively e.g. the Power Hour where students allocate 20 minutes to revise, 20 minutes to write an answer to a question, and 20 minutes to self-mark using a marking scheme before confirming the/their mark with their Tutor. College is an excellent step between school and University. Llandrillo. Vinnie Ponalagappan Physics

Dr. Vinnie Ponalagappan teaches four subjects at ’s Rhos-on-Sea campus - Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and IT skills - and is also an Honorary lecturer at Bangor University.

A speaker of six languages, Vinnie has an impressive suite of qualifications: BSc, MSc, PhD, PGCE, MRSC and CSciTeach.

Speaking about her background, Vinnie said: “I am a chartered science teacher, with a PhD in Materials Chemistry and Physics. I have taught in Welsh and English medium schools across the north of the country. In addition to being a lecturer and A-level coordinator at Rhos Sixth, I am also an Honorary Lecturer at Bangor University.

“Prior to teaching, I pursued scientific research at the Universities of Manchester and Hamburg. This resulted in over 20 research publications and several monographs and books. I have mentored students at all levels from primary to post-graduate and fellow teachers as a practitioner. I am keen to promote the pursuit of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects by students and have organised events for students in different age groups. My efforts have been supported by learned societies such as the Royal Society and the Royal Society of Chemistry.”

Vinnie decided to become a teacher because she wanted to share her interest in Science and Mathematics, in particular “their various mysteries” with the next generation. She finds teaching rewarding and takes pride in watching students progress and achieve. She believes that “education empowers people and the community.”

Vinnie’s message to potential students is: “Come and talk to us and find out if college is suitable for you. Here you will find smaller classes and friendlier cohorts of pupils. Past and current students love that they are treated as adults and progress to being successful independent learners.” Llandrillo. Rhyl. Malan Murray A Level Co-ordinator

Rhyl Sixth co-ordinator of both A-levels and the Welsh Baccalaureate, Malan Murray, has been teaching within Grŵp Llandrillo Menai for 11 years. She has a degree in Education, with Maths as a specialist subject.

Malan was a manager “in her former life”, before starting a family: she had her first son, then twin boys. As Malan explains, “they made me realise I could make a difference, so I retrained.”

She has taught a wide range of courses over the years, but is presently teaching Maths: ranging from GCSEs, to the ‘passport to university’ programme, Access to Higher Education.

Malan says that her reward is, “when I witness the ‘light bulb moment’, that instant the student realises they CAN do it”. Llandrillo. Catrin Keller Welsh: Second Language

Multi-skilled tutor and talented harpist Catrin Keller teaches A-level Welsh second Language, Music Technology and the Welsh Baccalaureate at the Rhos-on-Sea campus.

She gained a BA (Hons) in Theatre/Music & Media, as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

Catrin explained a little more about what drove her in the direction of teaching: “I have a desire to see students achieve their own personal goals and develop further as young adults. There is nothing better than being part of their educational journey and to see them reach their full potential and achieve their own aims: within Higher Education, gaining an apprenticeship or going straight into employment.

When asked what she would say to potential students who are thinking of coming to the College to study, she said: “Coleg Llandrillo offers you a valuable learning experience. You get to choose from a wide variety of courses and also get the opportunity to develop so many skills that will support you in further adult life.

“The Welsh Baccalaureate is a fantastic course that supports you to develop so many life skills, and is also embedded into many of your main chosen subjects. Coming to Coleg Llandrillo will give you the opportunity to develop as a young adult, as you will be treated as a young adult. It’s a brilliant opportunity for you!” wd- qwd- qwd

Llandrillo.

www.gllm.ac.uk/a-levels