July / Gorffennaf 2015 Headteacher’s Message School bids farewell to retiring Headteacher. Neges Y Prifathro Farewell and Fond Farewells and New Beginnings at Cathays High School. thank you Mr Phillips

That said, this school is not just about examination results; we are much more than that. Accordingly, this edition of “Cathays Eye” documents some of the wide variety of activities and opportunities our young people have engaged in that have helped to develop them as well-rounded individuals. Much of this is down to the dedication and commitment to offering “Opportunities for All” by a consistently outstanding group of staff who I have been fortunate As the academic year draws to a close, to work with over the years. I find myself writing this: my final “Headteacher’s Message”; whilst Finally, I want to recognise the looking back, and reflecting on, the contribution that our young people have achievements and experiences of our made to the school community through community over the last 18 years. their efforts to work their hardest, in co- I have seen how the standards and operating with and supporting their achievements of our young people have On behalf of the whole Cathays High fellow students and their teachers, in improved year on year validated by School community past and present I welcoming newcomers to their fold with consistently good reports and would like to say a big thank you to friendship and, in particular, for the judgements made by Estyn, Welsh Mr. Rod Phillips for his committed example they have set to our adult Government and the Local Authority. It service to the school over the past 14 community both within school and in the is now a regular occurrence for our years as our Headteacher. wider world outside. Our young people young people to progress to the most He has taken the school from strength are a living example that people of prestigious Higher Education to strength, to the point where we different cultures, faiths and ethnic destinations including medical schools have had our best ever exam results, backgrounds can live and work together and Oxbridge. where we achieved a ‘Good’ with in a successful and harmonious way. outstanding features in our 2013 We remain a truly inclusive school; They continue to show us that a inspection report and have been valuing all our members equally multicultural, multi-racial, multi-faith nominated by the South East Wales regardless of gender, colour, creed, community is an exciting, dynamic Consortium for effective practice in ability, class, age or status. We have vibrant reality and I would like to thank raising attainment for a number of never deemed poverty to be a barrier to them for the example they have shown disadvantaged groups within our school success; indeed, last year we were the us. community, including being recognised only school in Wales to close the gap in It has been my proud privilege to serve by Estyn for a number of best practice performance between children on free this community as first a Deputy case studies. school meals and those not; the Headteacher, then as Headteacher, over I feel privileged to be able to lead the Education Minister’s stated priority. these past eighteen years. school through its next chapter as I wish you well – Ymlaen! Acting Headteacher from 1st September 2015.

Tracey Stephens

Cathays Eye is edited by Ms Lauren Li and published by Cathays High School, Cardiff. Tel 029 2054 4400 Information in this magazine was accurate at the time of going to press. July 2015. Design by Huish Creative - Tel: 07925 921712

2 3 YSGOL UWCHRADD CATHAYS HIGH SCHOOL CYFLEOEDD I BAWB OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL This has been another busy term for the The History Department continues its Textiles Department. partnership with Cardiff University.

Textiles update History update Written by Miss Braddick Written by Mr Taylor

Patrik Bandy’s fan inspired Year 7 Technology Day Pupils in Key Stage 3 have continued to This year we held a year 7 summer timetable Technology Day where the Technology enjoy the benefits of our ongoing Couture Bridal Gown partnership with the School of History, Cathays High pupil Patrik Bandy created team worked with our year 7 pupils to design and create kites which they went out and Archaeology and Religion at Cardiff the gown below for his AS level Art and tested. This year all our kites flew successfully with only two getting caught in the trees! University. Design eight hour controlled The University’s ‘Share With Schools’ assignment. (SWS) programme regularly brings teams Patrik chose the theme ‘fan’, he of undergraduate and postgraduate researched all types of fans and artists students to Cathays High to run and fashion designers who have used workshops for pupils. fans in their work before designing and This year, pupils in year 7 have investigated creating this garment, which he did in the Romans in Wales and year 9 pupils the allocated 8 hours. Patrik used the have found out about life in Wales during laser cutter to cut out fan shapes into the Industrial Revolution, by examining a the bottom of this mermaid shaped range of historical artefacts. gown and hand-sewed the floral detail on to the bodice. In June a group of year 7 and 8 pupils were able to return to Cardiff University where they: examined a range of amazing historical documents from the university’s library archives; went on a tour of the conservation labs and were given a chance to see how archaeological finds are preserved; investigated artefacts to help them understand life in South Wales during the First World War; and had a taste of what a university lecture on medieval outlaws might be like. Many thanks to the SWS team for a great day!

Year 7 Summer Activities Three forms in Year 7 have been on educational visits to Caerphilly Castle to enhance their understanding of what Medieval Wales was like while pupils in 7VAC have been on a trip to the National Museum of Wales in Cathays Park. All year 7 forms also had a visit from a very special guest, Owain Glyndwr, who spoke to them about his 15th Century revolt against the English king and gave an insight in to his military strategy as well as the process of being hung, drawn and quartered!

4 5 YSGOL UWCHRADD CATHAYS HIGH SCHOOL CYFLEOEDD I BAWB OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL Science Department News Adran Wyddoniaeth News Techniquest School Visit This summer term we have had the pleasure of inviting staff from Techniquest in to our school to lead on some of our Chemistry Competition On Thursday 15th May Cardiff University’s science lessons for years 7, 8 and 10 School of Chemistry hosted the annual pupils. Years 7 and 8 pupils participated in Salters' Festival of Chemistry, welcoming lessons titled ‘Explore your Universe’ and year 7 and 8 pupils from fifteen different year 10 pupils studied cells as part of a schools from across Wales. scientific literacy programme. The Festival involved two fun-packed Our pupils thoroughly enjoyed their laboratory-based sessions, followed by a lessons and showed great enthusiasm presentation by Dr Dayna Mason, and the towards our visitors and in the final prize-giving. The morning Salters' experiments in which they participated. Challenge involved a forensics invest- We look forward to next year’s lessons. igation to solve a murderous crime! The students used chromatography and test- tube reactions to analyse samples collected at the scene of the crime and from the suspects. The afternoon University Challenge asked the students to produce a 'Rainbow Indicator'; the pupils were tasked with making mixtures of indicators that gave the best range of colours for different pH solutions. Cathays High School won 2nd Prize for the University Challenge on the day. Well done to all pupils involved!

6 7 YSGOL UWCHRADD CATHAYS HIGH SCHOOL CYFLEOEDD I BAWB OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL Cathays High School Eisteddfodd 2015 Cathays High School Eisteddfodd 2015

8 9 YSGOL UWCHRADD CATHAYS HIGH SCHOOL CYFLEOEDD I BAWB OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL Catthays Hiigh Schooll Prom 2015 Catthhaayys HHiighh SScchooll Prroomm 2015

10 11 YSGOL UWCHRADD CATHAYS HIGH SCHOOL CYFLEOEDD I BAWB OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL .b stands for “Stop, Breathe and Be!” The 2015 Cathays High School Presentation Evening was www.mindfulnessinschools.org held at the Reardon Smith Lecture Theatre.

Mindfulness Update Presentation Evening 2015 Ymwybyddiaeth Ofalgar Noson Gyflwyno 2015 During the Easter break we hosted a In adults, mindfulness training has been Miss McRobbie is trained to teach all the Presentation evening is a night of commenced with the ever popular fashion British writer, photographer and four day Mindfulness in Schools Project shown to improve health and wellbeing and Mindfulness in Schools Courses (.b for celebration that we hold every year to show, commentated by textiles teacher broadcaster, Robert Penn was our guest Teach .b Certification Course here at people of all ages report that they can learn Secondary schools .b paws for Primary congratulate our current year 11 Miss Braddick and upbeat music to get the speaker for the night who delivered an the school. more effectively, think more clearly, schools, .b Foundation, for staff and parents students for their achievements over crowd and participants in high spirits. uplifting closing speech to leave our pupils Miss Clare McRobbie, Head of Pupil perform better and feel calmer, less anxious and MBSR for all adults in the community). the years at Cathays High School GCSE and A-Level garments were with a positive outlook for the future. and less depressed. Lauren Li, completed the .b Mindfulness in modelled on the catwalk by our pupils Development, organised the course, the before they sit their GCSE The evening was attended by the majority Schools course and the MBSR. Assistant who have worked relentlessly over the first time it has been run in Wales. The .b Over the 4 days, our staff were taught the examinations. It is also a night of of our year 11 pupils who received their Headteacher, Mr Taylor, Head of the ASC past months to complete their garments. courses are regularly hosted in London, lessons in ‘real time’ by experienced entertainment and a chance for our personal files from their form tutors and Base, Miss Jones and Senior Teaching Thank you to the wonderful models and Dublin, Phuket, Edinburgh, Manchester, Mindfulness in Schools Project trainers. pupils to showcase their talents in a VIP guests. Head of year 11, Mrs Hodson Assistant Miss Glanville-Ellis also compl- the talented designers and to Miss Amsterdam, Finland and New York. Miss McRobbie was one of the trainers on number of musical performances and said on the night, “You will be presented eted the 8 week MBSR (Mindfulness Based Braddick for presenting and explaining the the course along with 4 other teachers our yearly fashion show. with certificates of achievement which Professionals from across the UK attended Stress Reduction) course. This will ensure work to us and for all the hours of from Wales and England. She has been Newly appointed Head Boy, Adam represent some of your achievements at including psychologists, counsellors, well- that mindfulness is rolled out in all sectors support and preparation that you and the teaching the Mindfulness .b lessons at Trueman and Deputy Head Girl, Halima Cathays High. However, many of your being and yoga teachers to business of the school and every pupil has the team in the Technology department have Cathays High this year to Year 9 pupils Muhith welcomed guests and parents to achievements cannot be captured on owners and teachers. Mrs Lauren Li, our opportunity to be taught Mindfulness put in to tonight’s showcase. during PSE lessons and Year 10 pupils the annual year 11 presentation evening. paper, such as the fact that you have Community Learning Officer also attended. techniques. Training will be offered to staff during Welsh Baccalaureate lessons. She Pupils from year 11 also welcomed the Olivia Azangisa gave us a guitar and vocal become the responsible and confident On completion of the course professionals and parents in September by Miss has also carried out a small scale research crowd with greetings in Arabic, solo of “Recipe” written and composed by young people that we see before us this are certified to teach the 9-lesson .b McRobbie, who is also the leading the project on the impact of the .b lessons on Portuguese, Spanish, Somali, Czech, the very talented Olivia herself. Menna evening”. curriculum in schools or in other whole school approach on Mindfulness in wellbeing, the report will be published in Bengali and Welsh to name a few. Powell-Davies also gave us a flute solo community settings to young people the school. To all our year 11 pupils, we wish you September. Some of our pupils were rendition of “Allegretto” written by between 11-18 years old. Once all our governors, VIPs and students health, happiness and every success in invited to speak on the last day of the This term, pupils have also been training in Godard and finally Tom Waite sang “The filled the theatre and after a speech from your examinations and in your future Mindfulness is all about learning to direct course to give valuable feedback and Mindfulness and Restorative practices. Last Goodbye” written by Billy Boyd. Headteacher Mr R Phillips the night careers. our attention to our experience as it opinions to the professionals. As always, Pupils spent a day at County Hall running unfolds, moment by moment, with open- our pupils spoke with great confidence and through various scenarios and coming up minded curiosity and acceptance, rather honesty about their positive experiences of with ideas and solutions. These pupils will than worrying about what has happened or the .b lessons, which was greatly be known as ‘Restorative Mentors’ and will might happen. It trains us to respond appreciated by their audience and was be utilised in school this coming skilfully to whatever is happening right commented on in evaluation forms as being September. now; be that good or bad. a highlight of the course!

12 13 YSGOL UWCHRADD CATHAYS HIGH SCHOOL CYFLEOEDD I BAWB OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL Presentation Evening 2015 Presentation Evening 2015

PPrreesseennttaattiioonn EEvveenniinngg 22001155 NNoossoonn GGyyffllwwyynnoo 22001155

14 15 YSGOL UWCHRADD CATHAYS HIGH SCHOOL CYFLEOEDD I BAWB OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL Cathays High School Production Cathays High School Production

16 17 YSGOL UWCHRADD CATHAYS HIGH SCHOOL CYFLEOEDD I BAWB OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL Out and About Hwnt ac Yma

18 19 YSGOL UWCHRADD CATHAYS HIGH SCHOOL CYFLEOEDD I BAWB OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL Out and About Hwnt ac Yma

Year 9 and 10 Trips to Oxford University The Stock Market Bengali New Year Celebration, 2015 In February, Dr Beth Mortimer came in to Cathays High to talk about opportunities on offer for our students at Oxford Challenge Written by Mrs. Roy University. Cathays High has recently become a target school for Oxford University. This year sixth form pupil, Joshua Written by Ms Jones Bengali New Year is the first day of the Bengali calendar, celebrated on 14th April Newell received an offer from Jesus College to study history due to his outstanding AS Level results last summer. A team of year 10 maths students in Bangladesh and 15th April in the Indian state of West Bengal by the Bengali Later on in the month, we were kindly invited to visit Oxford University where pupils would be given the opportunity to take a tour experienced a session of simulated people. Every year people celebrate the New Year with lots of singing and of the colleges and speak to present students of the university. During the morning of our trip, our students were guided around Keble trading in financial markets in April, dancing across the regions of the country. College; one of the largest of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford. Pupils were given the opportunity to look around giving them an insight into careers in Singers and dancers perform traditional songs welcoming in the New Year. Food is an the dormitories, the in-house chapel, classrooms and the grounds of the college. Pupils were given a presentation on the benefits of financial services. important part of the day. People prepare special dishes for their visiting relatives, friends studying at Oxford University inside one of the many classrooms and seized the opportunity to ask questions about life at Keble The opportunity required them to apply and neighbours and share happy memories with each other throughout the celebrations. College. Before setting off to explore more of Oxford, pupils were served lunch in the colleges impressive dining hall. With its long their number skills in a real life situation. This year celebrates the 1422 th year of the Bengali calendar. rows of benches and vast amount of lights, the Keble Hall looked like a scene from Harry Potter. The team members were Anisa Askar, This year, students of the Cathays High Bengali club were invited by Club 1400, a local In the afternoon, Mr Luff, Mrs Li and our pupils took a walk through Oxford to the Ashmolean Museum; the world’s first university Joyce Beya, Hana Ibrahim, Shakeel Asraf, Bangladeshi group to perform a regional dance on the 19th April to celebrate the Bengali museum, where we were given a guided tour. Ahmed Awed and Abdi Hajinur. New Year in Cardiff. Sumaiya Ullah, Gagandeep Kaur and Sarbina Ahmed learnt and The event consisted of twenty teams practised the dance in Bengali club as a way of learning about their culture. They were from other secondary schools in the area. thrilled when they were short listed to perform on the day. It had given them an exposure Our pupils demonstrated good use of to perform within the community and has boosted their confidence. mathematical concepts, teamwork and communication and their enthusiastic engagement resulted in the successful completion of a profit-making portfolio. Well done Cathays High!

20 21 YSGOL UWCHRADD CATHAYS HIGH SCHOOL CYFLEOEDD I BAWB OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL The official winner of the 2015 Carnegie Medal was “Buffalo Soldier”. Out and About Hwnt ac Yma

Carnegie Award 2015 Written by Mrs Davies Plasnewydd Community Millennium Stadium Tour Talk the Talk day! Centre Written by Mr Picken All pupils in Year 9 had a day devoted to oracy provided by a company called Talk the The Carnegie Medal is presented each There were 8 books on the shortlist: At the start of June, our Community Year 8 pupils recently visited the Talk. year to an author of an outstanding “Apple and Rain” Learning Co-ordinator, Lauren Li and our Millennium Stadium as part of a book for children. “The Middle of Nowhere” Every pupil delivered a speech as part of the day as well as taking part in some Sports Development Officers, Sophie literacy programme. Across the country Shadowing Groups interesting and fun activities. “The Fastest Boy in the World” Grosvenor and James Horwood met with Pupils visited the stadium and were given read the books on the shortlist and take “Cuckoo Song” staff from Plasnewydd Community Centre a tour, visiting the press room, the part in Carnegie events. “Buffalo Soldier” and representatives of Cardiff Street changing rooms and the President’s Box Year 7 pupils from Cathays High School “When Mr Dog Bites” Games to discuss setting up a new which is where the Queen sits! Pupils joined the local Shadowing Group along “Tinder” ‘doorstep sports club’ in the area to run were also able to run down the tunnel with pupils from 11 other schools. These “More than This” out of Plasnewydd Community Centre, and out onto the pitch as well as having a pupils were: The day at the school was spent that all Cathays High pupils will have knowledgeable guide to answer all their questions. Taraneem Badawi participating in workshops to create and access to. rehearse the presentations. Year 8 pupil Limon Miah stated that, Aisha Tariq Pupils will have the opportunity to “it Alana Banaszak Then the following day at The Gate, the participate in futsal, dance, athletics and was one of the best trips I have been on. Very The trip is part of scheme run by Rhianwen Watkins presentations were performed in the good.” basketball as well as a being offered a the school which is designed to boost Bleu Cunningham afternoon for all year 7 pupils from number of volunteering opportunities for their literacy levels. Pupils took an active Cathays High School and in the evening Bushra Yusuf young people aged 14-25 years old. This is part in organising the trip and will be This year it was held at the Bishop of for family and friends. a great development for the Plasnewydd producing articles and videos for the Llandaff School and The Gate Arts A panel of judges chose the winning area where in the past provision for young school website as part of their reflection. Centre. performance, for the book “Tinder”. people has been limited.

22 23 YSGOL UWCHRADD CATHAYS HIGH SCHOOL CYFLEOEDD I BAWB OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL Sixth form news Goodbye to Year 13 Y Chweched Dosbarth Ffarwel i Flwyddyn 13 Written by Mrs Harrington

Charity Committee BBC work experience UCAS annual event Goodbye to Year 13 A big thank you to Asima Bakshi and Aisha In March Year 12 students were invited to It has been a busy few months for our sixth form students. Year 13 have been studying hard in order to ensure that they Ali (year 13) for all of their hard work and attend a UCAS convention at Cardiff achieve the grades needed for the university places that they have been offered. effort over the past 3 years raising money Metropolitan University. There were The Year 13 Leaver’s Assembly was an emotional occasion. The common room was decorated, cakes were set out and speeches for various charities. representatives present from over 120 delivered. Each student has left their own unique mark on Cathays High School and as teachers we are privileged to have guided them Asima and Aisha have organised a number universities from across the UK, including through this stage of their lives. We will, without question miss them, but we wish them all well in the future. of events for Children in Need, Oxford and Cambridge. Comic/Sport Relief and Islamic Relief By attending the event students were which include cake sales, coffee mornings given guidance and directing with regards and pampering sessions. Kate Trueman (year 12) was given the to the courses that they would like to opportunity to visit and work with apply for in the autumn term. BBC Wales. ‘During the first half term of Year 12, I was given the opportunity to do a few days work experience in BBC Wales. Generally, I was shadowing a sound engineer and was able to see how both recorded radio programmes and live radio programmes work. I realised how stressful live radio is due to the mistakes that can be made. As well as being able to play around with sound, I got to see how random objects like a tub of gel or a tin of beans can be used to make sound effects on Doctor Who; and how important sound is to radio and TV shows. On the second day, I was given a tour of the BBC Wales studio in Llandaff. I got to see how complicated controlling a live TV programme like the news is and how big the studios actually are as they are needed to fit all the lights and cameras. One of the most Head Girl’s leaving message interesting and surreal parts of the day was Written by Asala Al-Shawani seeing a whole street in the middle of the As I leave this school today, my heart studio.’ yearns for all those precious moments that will remain very close to my soul always. This school and the teachers gave me those lessons of life which made me a more successful person, self-sufficient and independent. Please accept my heartfelt gratitude to all the teachers of Cathays High School. Thank you for being my support for the last four years. A special thanks to Mrs. A. White, Mrs. J. Williams, Mrs. L. Leach, Mrs. T. Stephens, Mrs. K. Harrington, Mr. C. Young, Mr. C. Springall and, Mr. A. Ghelali. Good bye teachers, I will miss you all!

24 25 YSGOL UWCHRADD CATHAYS HIGH SCHOOL CYFLEOEDD I BAWB OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL Working with our Primary Schools Gweithio gyda’n Hysgolion Cynradd

Spring Concert Primary School Bake Off by Primary Schools Written by Lauren Li

To celebrate the Easter period we host an annual Spring Concert here at Cathays High School. All of our local primary It was a busy Easter here at Cathays High School. Food Technology teacher, Ms. Webb put in a lot of work to organise a schools are invited to perform at the concert to showcase their talents during an evening of fun-filled entertainment. Every Primary School Bake Off event, in partnership with The Great Roath Bake off Festival, which took place in May. year, young pupils in the area put on great performances on stage and this year was no different. The audience were treated Children from our local feeder primaries and Cathays High were invited to take part in a morning or afternoon session of baking and to a variety of dancing, singing, recitals and poems. cake decorating with last year’s Great Roath Bake Off winners, Gareth Davies and Nell Pugh on hand to help. Gareth and Nell both Nathan Webber, a pupil from Cathays High kicked off the show with a tremendous piano solo of Muse’s “Neutron star collision”. Pupils produced amazing cakes for last year’s competition and were excellent in helping us decorate our cupcakes in fancy patterns and funny from Albany Primary danced to “As time goes by” and performed a superb arrangement called “Don’t stop”; a medley consisting of faces. We also had help from community volunteers and Cathays High students on the day, which helped the event to be the fun-filled songs such as “Don’t stop me now” by Queen and “Don’t stop believing” by Journey. Cardiff Muslim Primary made their debut at the day that it was. Spring Concert this year performing songs in an impressive three languages; Welsh, French and Arabic. Allensbank Primary provided us All the children involved baked some delicious cakes and their decorating skills were impressive. We hope that they all left feeling happy with their own version of “Uptown funk” a song originally sung by pop artist Bruno Mars. They also performed a brilliant dance piece, and took away new skills to show their friends and family. No doubt families enjoyed eating what was left of the cakes later on in the day. titled “Music mash up at the movies”. Pupils from Ysgol Mynydd Bychan’s choir serenaded us once again with a lovely Welsh song called “Nos Da” meaning ‘goodnight’ in English as well as providing us with duet and solo performances. Cathays High pupil Olivia Azangisa Pictures from the day were used in an exhibition at the Great Roath Bake Off event and all children involved received an invite to the closed the show with her beautiful rendition of “Little ol’ me” by Jamie Grace. event. Well done to Natasha and Jasmine Bowers who both participated in the junior section of the Great Roath Bake Off on May 9th. It is great to see you both playing your part in the community. We would like to thank everyone involved in the day and we hope to run As always, it is great to see so many talented young children performing on stage and showcasing what they have learnt in school to more community events in the summer months. family and friends. The annual spring concert is one of our favourite concerts that we host at Cathays High and we were so pleased to see so many parents, brothers and sisters, teachers and pupils supporting the performers on the night. A big thank you also goes to all the staff and pupils involved for putting on a great evening. We look forward to seeing you again next year! All proceeds made through ticket sales were donated to the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.

26 27 YSGOL UWCHRADD CATHAYS HIGH SCHOOL CYFLEOEDD I BAWB OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL Sporting Success Sporting Success Llywyddiant Chwaraeon Llywyddiant Chwaraeon 5x60 News 5x60 News

CrossFit Judo classes Cathays High School We have linked up with the Boat Shed Training Centre off Colchester Avenue to provide Sports Council our KS4 pupils with an opportunity to take part in the competitive fitness sport, CrossFit. Written by James Horwood, CrossFit workouts incorporate elements from high-intensity interval training, Olympic School Sports Development Officer weightlifting, plyometrics, gymnastics, kettlebells, calisthenics and strongman competitions. This summer term at Cathays High Jiri Makula, Nirushan Sudarsan, Raja Rahi, Hannan Abdul, Mohammed Hassan, Quresh School saw the creation of the first Adam, Belal Miah and Sharad Firooz all took part in an 8 week course with Boat Shed School Sports Survey 2015 School Sport Council. In 2013, we completed the Sport Wales School Sport Survey. This survey brings together all Training Centre owner Peter Rankin. The aim of the School Sport Council is to the opinions of our young people in regards to PE and extra-curricular sport in school. The The boys all worked extremely hard over the 8 week period working on their lifting give the pupils of Cathays High a voice on data we received from the survey is priceless and great things have happened in school as techniques and cardiovascular endurance and all of them came away having learnt new everything related to school sport. Our a result. We’ve been able to give our pupils a voice, and not only this, but then taking notice skills and a new found love for CrossFit. Sports Council was established due to the of what is being said. There has been a creation of a School Sports Council this year with strength of sports within the school and the help of Sport Wales, giving pupils the opportunity to contribute to the planning of which The Boatshed Training Centre have been developing their junior section, making CrossFit our pupils' desire to contribute to the sports are offered at our school. more accessible to young people. development of sport provision. We've also seen results highlight why some of our pupils haven't really been enjoying PE and The schools Young Ambassadors; Rebecca extra-curricular sport in the past. This year we have made steady changes and we feel that Virgin and Katie Moore sent out the PE and extra-curricular sports programme has really grown this year. We have application forms to fellow pupils and introduced many new activities and provided pupils with more opportunities to compete interviews were held to identify and in competitions across the city. Pupils that hadn’t tried any physical activity in the past are recruit 12 suitable members to the Sport now participating in sporting clubs on a weekly basis and we are always looking for new Council. We held our second meeting in ways to engage young people. June where ideas and issues were raised Judo classes have once again started up at including the need for new equipment, Being physically active helps us to become physically literate and improves our chances of Cathays High on Wednesdays after school. different extracurricular clubs and P.E kit. a healthier life. Giving pupils the opportunity to take part in more sport more often also Sessions are led by well-known Judo During our second meeting the schools has some pretty great immediate benefits, such as improved confidence, team working skills coach; Roy Court, who specialises in Young Ambassadors up-skilled the rest of and even attainment. training those with special needs and the School Sport Council on the This year, we will be taking part in the survey once again. Things have already gotten disabilities. importance of leadership and teamwork. underway here at Cathays High School and we can’t wait to see the results for 2015. Roy was also one of the first recipients of The role of the Young Ambassadors is to: the South Wales Echo Community If you have any suggestions or comments about our PE and extra-curricular programme at Champion Award and we are very pleased • Inspire pupils of Cathays High to be Cathays High, please contact Lauren Li, Community Learning Co-ordinator at the school. to have him training our young people. more involved in sport and leadership. For more information about our Judo • Increase healthy lifestyles and participa- Club here at Cathays High, please contact tion in physical activity in their school. Lauren Li, Community Learning Co- • To promote the positive values of Ordinator on 02920 544400. sport in and through sport. • To be an ambassador and role-model advocating PE and school sport. • To be the young person's voice on PE and school sport in our schools and communities. • Bring the inspiration of major sporting events to schools and communities.

28 29 YSGOL UWCHRADD CATHAYS HIGH SCHOOL CYFLEOEDD I BAWB OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL Sporting Success Sporting Success Llywyddiant Chwaraeon Llywyddiant Chwaraeon End of year review End of year review Written by Mr Jay

Year 7-10 Cathays High Induction and Partial trip to Cardiff City Stadium Extra-curricular sports clubs School Tennis Team Pupils from the Induction and Partial groups at Cathays High were given the opportunity at Cathays High School Cathays High School entered the to attend a literacy and reading day at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday 28th May, It is important to thank all pupils who Cardiff Tennis league for the first time 2015. The day involved workshops with a number of well-known and experienced have attended extra-curricular clubs this this summer term. authors such as Phil Carradice and Damien Hurley who have written children’s books year including matches, competitions and The Year 10 team lost a hard fought match that have sold worldwide. fixtures. Football, rugby and basketball were excellent throughout the Spring and against Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw at an away The workshops were interactive, interesting and fun and the pupils from Cathays High Autumn term! match in Cwmbran. The Year 8 team won really got a lot out of the day. An extra bonus during the day was to have a stadium tour against Whitchurch High School at of the Cardiff City Stadium including sitting on the bench by the pitch and going in to This term has been the most promising in Whitchurch Tennis Club on a tie-break the home and away changing rooms! terms of numbers to clubs, especially with Frank Powell-Davies and Ben Voss baseball club on a Wednesday with at least playing outstanding tennis. The Year 10 25 pupils attending every week! Athletics team once again lost a close match against club and tennis club have also been well ‘Physical Literacy’ and Outdoor and Adventurous Activities Whitchurch High School. Their next attended and we hope as a Physical Thirty two year 7 pupils visited the Storey Arms Outdoor Education Centre in Brecon match is against Duffryn High School at Education department that numbers will on 17th June. Mr Jay and Miss Evans from the Physical Education department combined Whitchurch Tennis Club. continue to improve and increase over the a number of different physical activities with teamwork and communication to hopefully The pupils that have been involved in following academic year! improve literacy and oracy levels as well as providing the opportunity to take part in fixtures to date are Martin Garcia (year 7), new sports and activities. The day was a great success and the pupils loved every minute! Frank Powell-Davies, Ben Voss and Cassius Williams (year 8), Ieuan Jones and Jack Athletics competitions Filer-Rowson (year 9) and Hannan Abdul, Wales V Belgium European Qualifier - Friday 12th June, 2015 Cathays High School have sent boys and Raja Rahi and Peter Gutovskis (year 10). Thirty pupils and three staff members attended the Wales v Belgium football match at girls to all athletics competitions this the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday 12th June, 2015. The atmosphere was outstanding summer term at Jenner Park, Barry and If anyone would like to start playing tennis, from start to finish with the stadium at its capacity. The pupils were extremely excited, Leckwith. There have been a number of there is a tennis club run by Mr. Jay at supporting Wales loudly throughout. It was amazing to see the likes of Bale, Ramsey, outstanding performances with far too Whitchurch Tennis club every Friday after Hazard and Courtois in a live international football match. Wales won 1-0 and the pupils many pupils involved to name them all! school. We leave straight after school and loved every second. Tickets for the final qualifying match between Wales and Andorra in However, it is important to say that 6 of return at approximately 4.45pm. October will be going on sale soon! our pupils made it through to the Junior U15 Championship Finals on 3rd June. Congratulations to all involved. Ieaun Jones – 800m Antonio Michuy Galvez – 1500m Adam Sharif – Long Jump Kai Prince – Shot Putt Sidney Carey – Discus Izzah Burki – Javelin

30 31 YSGOL UWCHRADD CATHAYS HIGH SCHOOL CYFLEOEDD I BAWB OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL Sporting Success Llywyddiant Chwaraeon End of year review

Physical Education trips Half Term Activities - Written by Lauren Li Year 7 pupils were given the opportunity During February half term, Mr Jay and I had a great opportunity to to visit Cardiff International Swimming reward our hardworking year 7 pupils with a half term week full of fun Pool on 2nd June. The flumes and slides sporting activities. We had a great response from the year group with were loved by the pupils and they all had nearly 50 pupils attending the 3 day camp in February. a really great time! This was to say thank The days were split in to two; morning team games took place in school you from the Physical Education in the sports hall and gym and in the afternoon pupils were taken offsite department for their excellent attitude for more challenging tasks. While in school pupils took part in basketball, and enthusiasm this year in curricular and dodgeball, baseball, atomic touch rugby and American long ball. Over the 3 extra-curricular lessons and clubs. afternoon sessions pupils attended Boulders Climbing Centre to try their Year 8 pupils were given the opportunity hand at rock climbing, test their skills kayaking at Cardiff International White to go to Boulders Rock Climbing Centre, Water Centre and on the final day had an in-depth tour around the Cardiff on 8th June or 10th June. The Millennium Stadium. majority of pupils had never climbed We all had so much fun throughout the 3 days and Mr Jay and I commend all before, but their skill level was outstanding our pupils who attended on their excellent behaviour in school and offsite. I look with many excellent climbers throughout forward to organising more activities in the future for our new year 7s. the year group.

32 YSGOL UWCHRADD CATHAYS HIGH SCHOOL