THE GRAIG GAZETTE THE GRAIG COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL, PWLL, , FEBRUARY 1991

Behind the Staffroom Door Graig welcomes the fpllowing new members of staff: Miss Jane White (Welsh) 1 Miss Moira Evans (History) 1 Mr John Croot (Science) 1 and Mrs Nicola Davies (Music) and Mr Oliver Taviot (French). Miss Jane White lives in Mumbles, Swansea, which she· considers to be the· coolest place on earth. Looking much younger than her actual mid-twenties, Miss White attended Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera (a Welsn Lornprehensive School) and graduated at Swansea University gaining a Joint Honours Degree in Welsh and English (a bilingual degree!) Before entering teaching Miss White worked as a management trainee in Harrods (London}- the top people's store. But the lure of Welsh· brought her back to Swansea to a Post- Graduate Course in Education. She has little time for hobbies except aerobics and her Marks and Spencers' Chargecard! Miss Moira Evans taught History at Cefn Hengoed School in Swansea before joining the Graig Staff. A keen researcher of local History, she is magazine editor of the Amman Valley History Society and she enjoys arranging exhibitions for the society on all aspects of local History. Her interests includ'e painting in water-colours and oils and also drawing. One of her annual pleasures is the design of Christmas Cards and Harvest Home notelets for the Amman Valley History Society. She has been researching her Family Tree for a Another successful Harvest Celebration was held at number of years and is a past secretary of the the School on 17 October 1990. Inspiring Dyfed Family History Society. She has traced her addresses at both services were delivered by Rev. own family tree back to the 1400s. Dorrien Davies, Curate of the Parish of Llanelli, Mr John Croot from Swansea teaches Science from and the generosity of the pupils, parents and year 7-11 but in previous posts he has held staff was evident in the vast array of food items positions in Psychology {the study of the human on display. At the conclusion of the services, mind} 1 Physics (the study of the human world); Sixth Form students prepared and then delivered Information Technology (the study of everything parcels to senior citizens in the community. It else) and, of course Teaching (the study of is always an encouragement to the students studying). ·one may well ask how did he get so involved in such good work and the school is varied a life? His answer is simple: work hard and always delighted to receive notes of appreciation. listen in class and leave the rest to the A letter from the East Dyfed Health Authority at teachers! He claims that in twenty years' time, Bryntirion Hospital said: np1ease convey to the Graig pupils could be masters of Quantum Mechanics p�pils- and staff of the school our gratitude for and hey could hold the key to the Universe with the kind donation of harvest gifts. 1The donation Schrodinger's Harmonic Theory of Reality! will be used to give our patients greater variety, n Mrs Nicola Davies is a lady of many parts. When and is greatly appreciated by all concerned she is not teaching Music at the Graig she is most Many other letters from individuals and other old likely to be pounding away at a typewriter or people's homes were also received. attending play rehearsals in draughty Church Halls. Mrs Davies is known in Wales as a playwright and last term had two of her plays Parents' touring the Principality in a professional production. Mrs Davies lives in the Swansea Association Valley and travels from there to be with us two � Friday, February 22 -- Annual Dinner days a week. Thursday, March 21 -- Easter Raffle Draw We welcome Mr Oliver Taviot to the school as this And looking ahead to next term, the Parents' year's French Assistant. Mr Taviot comes from St Association Brieuc in Brittany and most of his time at our will be holding a Barn Dance and a Summer Fayre school is spent in French Conversation with forms The "GRAIG GAZETTE" gratefully acknowledges the 11, 12 and 13. He also spends part of his week in financial support given by the Parents' Glan-Y-Mor School, . We trust he is Association in assisting with meeting the costs of enjoying his stay in Wales. roducing this free newspaper

Star Musician The Caring, The best came last in the 1990 w Llanelli Star" Sharing Graig the greatest challenge Young Musician of the Year Competition. in our short academic Graig Sixth Former Peter Mainwaring was the final FOR HUMANS ••••• 1ted Head Boy and Bead solo competitor of the evening at Theatre Elli, but his cornet performance of "Facilita" left the To complete the term's er the last year have, adjudicators in no doubt about his overall victory activities the C.P.V.E gr�ups the aid of a very co­ to take the coveted trophy. came up with the idea of a ixth Form. This year's competition attracted almost 80 young Christmas Appeal for the !ry successful one and musicians. Elderly. With support from active role in School the parents, pupils and staff, ies we have organised We also congratulate John Hooper of year 12 who they collected presents and on several Discos, the was the winner of the string section playing the Monday 17 December distributed and other aspects of violin. John was also a finalist in the overall them to the residents of he activities we have competition and our congratulations go to them Ca e rna en Resid en t ia l Home • been most successful both. This furthered the link with money has been raised On the Record Caemaen which has been charities, both local fostered since it was opened. Work related to producing "Records of Achievement w m were finely rewarded is progressing well and it is expected that pupils FOR ANIMALS ..... 1tember when Mr Smith :1 in Year 11 will receive their final documents in Common Room for the April/May 1991. These documents will contain Graig School initiated cialise during their subject-related comments: comments on pupil• s "C hristmas Gifts for Animals" stly, we would like to personal qualities and skills: and a statement last Christmas and pupils ?Orted us in the past prepared by pupils themselves. In addition, threw great enthusiasm. into :nd our best wishes to pupils will be able to include evidence of the Dog and Cat Food Appeal ut to take office. achievement which enhances their individual for the RSPCA. records. School topped a total of 300 NTER and ROBERT STROUD Further progress is being made in years 7 and 8 on tins of pet food: 2 sacks of reporting National Curriculum achievements, and in dried food for dogs: 2 bags of year 12, work is in hand for records of "Shapes" and a bag of l-o achievement for students in the 16 - 19 age range. "Winalot" It is hoped that, in addition to increasing pupil The appeal was organised by �tober all the pupils Miss Jane Rosser and Miss Sara k of Work Experience. motivation, these records will provide parents and other users with more detailed information. Davies. tnls Christmas Term. He � '" '"'SMo ""'"' ,, ,N DANIEL COOK Years excellent service to the school and was a courteous I like playing Hockey and I gentleman and a good friend to I also like Science because I the staff. We shall miss his i"""' like doing experiments. helpful manner and the sound LISA THOMAS wo•, of his upright gait, fasioned £ .. by the Welsh Guards. We wish The gyms are really good, him a happy and lenghtyj better than in our Primary retirement. School. CARLY REES BELLO ••••• I think Graig School is large Gr�ig School welcomes to the! but comforting School Office Mrs Alyson REBECCA ROSENTHAL Griffiths (Secretary), Mrs Linda Corbett (School Clerk); one of the best things about and Mrs Kim Evans (TVEI Clerk) Graig are the large fields They have settled in well and around the school which we their service and help are play Rugby and Football on. already much appreciated by GARY REES both staff and pupils. We also welcome Mrs Linda Rees toi Having a lot of different the post of Reprographics subjects to study is a new Technician and trust she is experience, as is having so settling into her post thi� much homework. term. SCOTT JONES Student Loan Rememberance Day We have been particularly fortunate in receiving four. Following the sale of poppies very able studentsDepartment from at school, special9 services Swansea University uslc and lYrles were held on Friday November of Education at Bendrefoilan1 lhe Pia�' The Maldlmaker' 1111 Thornlon to remember all the Service lucllon directed 111d cl1ommaPhed 1w C.O.. were Philip Hawley B.A (Physica)J llroadwu Slut 1w David l'lmick 111d CII people who killed or Catrin Jones " B.A IIIIIITlckels: injured protecting the freedom sdaY and Thursday cunreservedJ (English/Drama)J Tanya Young a>i iiid SarurdaY rReservedJ we enjoy today. The school B.Sc (Biology) and Sharon lroni orchestra, under the direction Roberts B.A. (History) are eatr flll Box Oftice. Tel: 7 of Dr. Terry James, was Grahl School, Llanelll, Tel: l successfully completing their prominent and worthy of first teaching practice. They special note was 'The La·st have been joined this term by Post• played by Pet�r three students from Mainwaring and poetry read by Aberystwyth University: Judith Mr W.Noel Rees. Tracy This year's Rees B. A ( Eng 1 ish) 1 School Production Tickets are now available from It was a special privilege to Beadle BSc. (Geology) 1 and the smash-hit Broadway Mrs Hopkins in the Physics Lab have, as a representative of Jeffrey Warren B.A (Drama). musical comedy •eELLO, opposite the School Office. the Royal British Legion, Lt. M.B.E. We trust all students are DOLLYJ•- is really getting All seats for the Wednesday Col. W Cledwyn Thomas, enjoying their �xperiences at into full-swing for its and Thursday performances are Kt. St. J., T.D D.L. who the Graig and that they are production in March. unreserved and are £2.50 each. time will delivered an informative benefiting from their A star-studded cast bring Reserved seats at £3.50 are address which was with us for their future the story of everyone's available for the Friday and appreciated by all present. careers. favourite girl-friend DOLLY to Saturday Performances. Other students have also the stage of Llanelli Over 150 pupils are involved Sports' Scene visited the school for varying Entertainm13ent Ce.ntre from in the production and early periods of observation during Wednesday16 March to Saturday booking is advised. The the past months. March. Performances start sooner you book, the better Shorts at 7 pm the seats. THESE FEET WERE MADE Careers in Mind FOR WALKING ••••• A Ca r e e r s Convent f6'n was In Conference Panto mania There was a tremendous organised by the Llanelli TVEI response to the P.E. Consortium in the Selwyn11 On Wednesday 7 November 1990, Graig School has never seen Department's Sponsored Walk. Samuel Centre1990. on Tues day, forty-five Sixth Formers and anything 11 ke it 1 Not in its To date over £1200 has been September A wide three members of staff visited history has the school ever collected. This money will be variety of occupations ranging Westminster Central Ball in from agriculture to youth and presented a dramatic put to good use in and was London for a Sixth Form production so bold and daring. Departmental ways. One or two community work, Conference entitled 'The World The Staff Christmas Pantomime pupils still have money represented. Tomorrow'. All Year 11 pupils from the The gen eral managed to raise itself from outstanding and Mr Goronwy theme was the the gutter to pavement level owen urges them to bring it in Graig attended the convention Environment and the six in the afternoon and pupils in speakers were: and Mr Meir ion Rees and Mr as soon as possible. David Wynne Owen really proved that Years 12 and 13 had the Evans - Director General opportunity of visiting the Farmers life's a drag. This year's Senior Rugby of the National Union; Thanks to all the staff who Captain is Paul Maguire. convention in the evening. Dr John Gittus - Director participated so willingly and Out and About General British Nuclear Forum; with such gay abandon to ·this The following boys have been Ken Livingstone MP - Labour selected for the Dyfed Under modern retelling of The Snow 14 Since September ther have been Party; Roger Opie - Fellow of White Story which delighted an Soccer Trials: Stephen the New College Oxford and Edwards, Richard Jenkins, field trips and educationalA enthusiastic and appreciative .visits galore: The English Broadcaster; Jonathan Porritt end-of-term audience. Let's Wayne Bowen, Gregory Newman, - Former Director General of Craig Bugh, Paul Stallard and level group visitedGeography Bristol hope that a tradition is being Old Vic J Year 11 the Friends of the Earth; and established. Darren Lewis. Roger Freeman MP Minister of pupils discoverd Pontantwn, State for Transport. The Under 15 Soccer Squad Year 12 enjoyed an informative Christian Union I visit to Llanelli Town The day included a question includes Nathan Davies and 1 and answer session, with many It that Stephen Williams. Library J The Welsh A level contributions from the is pleasing to report pupils attended a lecture 11at delegates, resulting in l�vely the Graig's Christian Union The School's Hockey and Swansea University, Year Computer Study pupils visited Eachand interesting discussions. recommenced meetings this Netball Teams have enloyed delegate received a Autumn. The initial meeting quite a successful season to the College of conference pack containing was addressed by Mr Alan Rees date and the Year 8 Netball Technology and Art 1 the A related material. of the Christian Council for Team has proved themselves level Geographers went on a field trip to OgJ110re1 Junior the Schools in Wales. undefeated. away at Attendance at the weekly pupils enjoyed a week lunch-time meetings averages Sharon Lloyd, Melissa Davies the Urdd Camp at Llang rannog 1 about 15 and several members and Karen Maize have been Maths and Physics A level For the students attended a lecture at •GRAIG GAZETTE• of the community have selected for the Llanelli addressed the group which is Schools' Hockey Team. Swansea University, a group of Co-ordinators Technology pupils visited MR. W. NOEL REES ably led by two senior Typists students - Lisa Christopher Janine White has been selected Cardiff University; and, most MRS. ALYSON GRIFFITHS and Neil Corner. It is hoped for the Dyfed Schools' Netball re,cently, 50 senior pupils Titles., that interest will be Team. attended Coedcae School's MR. EDWARD SKINNER maintained and that members Production of •showboat• will grow.