Crickhowell High School Ysgol Uwchradd Crughywel DECEMBER 2011 NEWSLETTER
JUDO STARS WIN MEDALS Also inside this issue LOTS OF ECO E NEWS INSID FANTASTIC NDRAISING CHARITY FU
WWW.CRICKHOWELL-HS.POWYS.SCH.UK CHS Newsletter - Page 2 Headlines I hope you have all seen and heard the news that Powys are not planning to close or merge any secondary schools, and that at Crickhowell High School we will retain our Sixth Form and our independence. We can now plan for the future with increased confidence for a future of stable education for all our students, from 11-18.
Another busy term is almost over and Christmas is rapidly approaching. Once again this has been a very busy time and it never ceases to amaze me how many activities we are able to fit in. There is a very lively and positive atmosphere around school and students are achieving amazing things, many of which are included in this magazine. Good There have been lots of developments to improve the school environment over the summer, and of course our new uniform has been introduced with students looking incredibly smart. The new uniform has proved a greater success than Behaviour even I would have predicted. I have received many compliments from members of the local community regarding the smart appearance of our students both Award verbally and in writing. Students also seem to be enjoying the new uniform. My particular thanks to all parents for being patient in waiting for deliveries due to the A Good Behaviour Award is given large volume of new uniform purchase. These supply issues have now been out every month to one Year 7 resolved. pupil from each of the Tutor Groups. Our old library has been redesigned and modernised extensively, with new laptops available and wireless connectivity for all to use. The newly named So come on Year 7’s Learning Resource Centre now has a soft seating area, which is proving very – who will be next? popular, and there is a much lighter and airier feel to it, making it a very pleasant place to work and study. Jane Overs It is good to see the new picnic tables and benches being so well used and I am very pleased that students are making an effort to keep the area tidy. We have also refurbished S6, one of our science rooms, and begun a redecoration programme.
Once again our students have shown great sporting prowess –congratulations to all those who have achieved medals and have represented the school. We have been involved in significant fund raising activities as well as a fantastic Fashion Show run by the PTFA, the Friends of Crickhowell.
I would like to thank all our staff, students and their parents and carers for their continued support, without which Crickhowell High School would not be so successful and I look forward to seeing you all at the Christmas Carol Concert on Christmas Thursday, 8th December 2011. at Crickhowell Jackie Parker - Headteacher Thursday 8 December 2011 at 7:00 pm Science St Edmund’s Church Admission Free (there will be a Award collection). Carols, instrumental pieces, solo’s, readings and poetry, Ella Carlsen-O’Connor receiving and mince pies! Come and enjoy her Science Award at the festivities with us! Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Page 3 - CHS Newsletter
Save money on bikes & equipment For the first time ever parents, kids, teachers and all members of the community can get great savings on bikes & cycling kit for the whole family, whilst helping to support Crickhowell High School.
Proud to be Global It's this simple: buy a bike, cycle clothes or other cycling kit and get a Citizens at CHS 15% discount while Crickhowell High School gets money for every We are proud to be members of not just our local sale to invest in improving the community but also the global community of which we school environment and pupil are part. We have been in contact with St Peters, our wellbeing. link school in Namwendwa, Uganda and have organised for the Eco Schools representative in the All you need to do is enter our region to visit and help them develop schemes for school code:- achieving the International Green Flag. 6PKRE in the Start Shopping box on the website. We have recently linked up with a school in New Dehli, India through a scheme called Faith to Faith which aims to get people across the world to share and Visit the website and save appreciate other cultures. We were keen to link with India as it is a country of money:- www.bikes4school.co.uk growing importance in the world, having a population of over 1 billion and a Tel:- 0845 071 30 20 rapidly developing economy. We held a video conference with our link school in the end of October, in which a Year 8 class got to see and talk to the pupils about their beliefs, culture and daily lives in India.
We have also continued our progress towards achieving the Fairtrade Schools Award by holding our regular Fairtrade stall each half term. We sell a range of fruit such as bananas and oranges, as well as bags of raisins and dried apricots. We raised a total Homework Club of £25 in our stall in October which goes towards Fairtrade and to A Homework Club is available in developing global links within school. ICT1 for everyone from 1.25 until Thanks for supporting us. 2.10 pm Monday to Friday. There will be an LSA on hand to help Mark Jones you with any work you are ESDGC Coordinator struggling with. The LSA Team CHS Newsletter - Page 4
‘Cook It’ Club
Crickhowell Community Cook It Club was successfully Litter Pick For ‘Tidy held for pupils from Lower School in July. It is where you cook a delicious and healthy meal for the Wales Week’ judges, the aim being that eating a balanced diet can be tasty as Crickhowell High School has been accredited with the Platinum Award for well as nutritious. Eco Schools. This is the highest accolade a school can achieve in the Eco Schools scheme and we are the first high school in Powys and only the It was really fun because you can second in the whole of Wales to have achieved this prestigious award. The choose to cook whatever you want inspectors were here all day on Wednesday the 22nd June because there such as fajitas, salads and was so much information on our schemes for the Eco Committee to present smoothies. You can also win prizes. to them. They were so impressed by the ethos of sustainability and If you come first you win £10 and if wellbeing that they also awarded us our 4th Healthy Schools Award. you come second or third you win £5. I designed and cooked Crickhowell High is delighted to have been vegetable fajitas with a chick pea once again working in partnership with dip. I came first and won £10. Crickhowell Primary School, CRiC Centre, Cook it Club is really fun because Crickhowell Police and members of the local you learn about healthy eating, community who took part in a series of litter choose your recipe, and then only picks as part of Tidy Wales Week during have 1 hour to cook and prepare it. September. It was wonderful to see This was a really enjoyable community members of all ages and challenge! backgrounds working together to keep Crickhowell as clean and tidy as possible.
Finally, on behalf of everyone at the school, I would like to thank and pay tribute to the support we get from pupils, parents and the wider community that shows what we can achieve when we work in partnership. It is a pleasure to be part of such a close and caring community, set in a truly stunning location. Mark Jones – ESDGC, Wellbeing and Nicole Darcy, Year 8 Pupil Voice Coordinator Page 5 - CHS Newsletter
Eco Committee Update – Improving our School Environment: What’s Changed Over CHS raises the Summer over £1200 As many of you might have noticed, the Eco for Macmillan! Committee were hard at work last half-term planning Our school has been trying to improvements to our school grounds. These were put raise as much money as possible in place over the summer holidays and hopefully for Macmillan Cancer Support. you’ve noticed what a positive difference they have This charity improves the lives of made. New green bins were installed in and around people with cancer, as well as the school to complete our efforts to eliminate litter providing support to the family from the school and grounds. In response to student and friends of those affected. and staff feedback, we decided to put four in the grounds and one in the school entrance. We are To help raise money for the charity, pleased to note that they are being used, helping pupils brought in cakes to sell in to maintain the beautiful surroundings we enjoy here break and lunch for Macmillan’s at Crickhowell! Biggest Coffee Morning on September 30th and raised £374. Also installed was the new picnic area just outside the canteen. This is made up Along with that Mr. Jones asked for of 6 large picnic tables and seats made of recycled plastics and will fit 36 people sponsorship for running the Cardiff to eat and socialise. The tables have been getting good use and we hope Half Marathon, and also the badges you’ve enjoyed using them! that were being sold raised £355.
The Eco Committee also picked up on the fact that many students weren’t happy Mrs. Jane Dawkins, our with the appearance of the cardboard recycling skip and bins near the kitchens. Examinations Officer, has also done To improve this, we put up new fencing around the bins to screen them off. This some fundraising for Macmillan by has greatly improved the first impression visitors get and hopefully your own organising an afternoon tea event at impression of the school. Gilwern Village Hall. 80 people came to the event and enjoyed the cakes A lot of effort has been put into organising the refurbishment of the Library and refreshments there. There was /Careers Centre and S6 science room. S6 is now a fully furnished, modern ICT also some entertainment including suite. The old Library was in desperate need of updating and renovation, so a Mrs Christine Veitch from Science total overhaul was planned, as well as a name change. The new Learning who sang at the event. Overall she Resource Centre is now a much more comfortable and welcoming place to work raised £500. and read. A new sofa was purchased, soft seating, laptops, pictures, and brand new desks and chairs, as well as a thorough sorting of the bookcases. Following the changes many more people have seen using and enjoying the LRC. We think you’ll agree that the new LRC is much more up-to-date workspace and has encouraged everybody to take advantage of a fantastic resource! The grand total Crickhowell High If you have any ideas for further improving our School raised was £1229! We school environment, please pass them on to would like to thank you all for your an Eco Committee member. support and generosity.
Caitlin Smith, Year 9 Elin Lewis, Year 10 CHS Newsletter - Page 6
We need your old clothes! We would like to remind you about our clothes recycling scheme called Rag Bag. Any school uniforms get sent to children in need in countries in Sixth Form Leadership and Africa, so that they can attend school and get an education to improve their lives. All other Team Building Programme clothes and textiles are collected For the fourth year running, Crickhowell Sixth Formers and depending on the condition have embarked on their Leadership and Team Building are either distributed to people in Programme. need or are recycled. All the proceeds are invested back to The Leadership and Team Work Programme is targeted at improve the school environment the year 12 & 13 students and is focused on developing and pupils’ wellbeing, such as basic leadership and team work competencies such as providing the new picnic area working together effectively, developing leadership style, outside the canteen. We recently empowering people and giving & receiving feedback. made £119 for our collection in September, so thank you to The programme is facilitated by Black Mountain Cadre Limited, a National Training everyone who has already Award Winner who has provided programmes for corporate organisations such as contributed. Visa, Pepsi, Sony, Easyjet and over 70 of Europe’s largest firms. All the facilitators provide their time for nothing throughout the year and Number Eighteen Coffee We can accept Shop in Crickhowell provide the funding and overnight accommodation for the the following items: residential workshop. • All men’s, ladies and children’s clothing Samantha Devos, an HR graduate and an experienced training manager prior to • Paired shoes (tied together) opening Number Eighteen after a career change said “we just thought it would be • Handbags, bags, ties & belts great to offer the High School some cutting edge leadership development”. Kate • Soft Toys Thomas, Head of Sixth Form has been a key enabler of the programme that offers • Blankets over 120 students the opportunity to develop themselves. It culminates in a select • Underwear to include socks, 24 sixth formers attending a 2 day intense residential leadership programme tights, pants and bras etc... followed by a series of ‘master classes’. Kate said “it is great to see the Year 13 • Household textiles to include students leading the programme and working with the new Year 12 cohort. The towels, bed linen, curtains etc... various leadership challenges give the teams a chance to raise a significant amount of money for charity. To have these local businesses provide their Please place cleaned items in a bag expertise is just great and we would like to say a big thank you to them”. and pupils can place these in H5 in school. (Mr Jones’s room) Each Steve Lewis MBE, a local business man and corporate coach said, “my team have bag is worth a merit and at the end all contributed their time, innovation and energy, not to mention their expertise to of the year the best 3 recyclers will this annual programme. From this year’s participants, we will select a pool of 24 receive a certificate and a prize! students to be next year’s student coaches for leadership and team work. This is a great opportunity for them to really leave school with another layer of leadership Mark Jones, ESDGC Coordinator understanding to be used in any career choice they make”. Page 7 - CHS Newsletter
News from CAWFF – Crickhowell All Weather Fitness Fund A small committee has been established to raise funds for the refurbishment of the tennis court area and the redgra. The aim of the committee is to succeed in grant applications and fund activity by 2013 when hopefully both surfaces could be replaced at the same time, giving the High School and the Community two areas which can be booked for A Fantastic use by school and sporting organisations. Fashion Show! To date £2,000 has been achieved through a School Fun Run, H.M.S. Crickhowell High School Friends Association and St David’s Foundation Pinafore and the Fashion Show. The Hospice Care held a Charity Fashion show at the Clarence Hall 11th aim is to apply for a Big Lottery November, match funded by Barclays Bank. This was a joint community Grant and to achieve the points of event with the school and St David’s working together to raise funds for the reference of the application the refurbishment of the school tennis courts into a multi-purpose surface for committee require, letters of support school and community use and for funds for St David’s Foundation Hospice from all interested parties. Please Care. The event showcased charity clothing and the outfits were an array of can parents, staff, pupils and friends day and evening wear, showing that recycled clothes can be fashionable of the school help by supplying a and look good at a reasonable cost. Miss Powys 2011 Laura Dwyer, past letter of support as to why this facility pupil of CHS, (in sash and tiara) joined the array of local ladies on the is necessary for Crickhowell and catwalk. Compère Steve Booker introduced the models and outfits, two District. Letters may be forwarded to handsome gentlemen assisted the ladies from the stage in style (Henry and the school office marked for the Alun). Barbara Lane and students from Ebbw Vale College kindly did the attention of CAWFF. models’ hair. The 6th Form did an excellent job of waiting on tables and helping out.
The CHSFA will benefit by £1200, and St Davids also benefit with total funds of £1300 (including clothes sold on evening). Barclays Bank match funded the event to the tune of £750 thanks to parent Mrs J Jones CHSFA. Thanks to Kerry at Volunteer Bureau, St David’s and CHSFA Volunteers, Clams Cakes, Petals, Grenfells and Webbs.
Tickets for this event were sold out, and it was a fantastic evening of fun, fashion and food! This was a great example of a joint Community venture, supported Thank you for your support in from many different areas of the community – from young and old, school and improving facilities for all young local business people, and there was a brilliant ‘buzz’ about the whole event. people and sports personnel in Crickhowell and District. Well done everybody! CHS Newsletter - Page 8
Year 11 Poland Trip
After a very early start (2.30am) on the morning of Wednesday 26th October, we left Crickhowell High school car park on our journey to Poland to visit the Auschwitz death camp.
It was the Year 11 Religious Studies and History trip. One of our group members, Mika Manneke, lost eighteen family members during the holocaust, ranging from adults, children and babies. Nazi soldiers came to the village in which Mika’s family lived - they rounded the Jews up and shot them. It touched us all in different ways and certainly will be something we shall never forget! The feelings we had in Auschwitz were mixed from great sorrow to complete determination not to forget what we saw and heard there.Mrs Pugh was a great comfort giving out hugs to those of us that needed them, and we owe her a big “thank you”!
On a lighter note the salt mine at Wieliczka was absolutely amazing, “a whole underground world”. There was a cathedral completely carved out of salt and beautiful chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. We would like to say a big thank you to the Humanities department for organising a once in a lifetime trip.
We will never forget how devastating war is and how the Holocaust was a time of unprecedented and unspeakable horror. War is something we should all hope will be avoided where possible and we should all pay our respects on Remembrance Sunday to those servicemen and women past and present who have made great sacrifices on our behalf.
By Georgina Davies & Mika Manneke Page 9 - CHS Newsletter
Schindler Factory Gates - Krakow Courtyard in Krakow
War Memorial - Krakow Synagogue - Krakow
A meal at the Jewish Hotel - Krakow Jewish Quarter - Krakow CHS Newsletter - Page 10
English It has been a busy few weeks for the Sixth Form English students. They recently attended a production of R.C. Sherriff’s ‘Journey’s End’ at New Theatre Cardiff. The production has transferred from the West End and is now touring nationally. The high quality of the setting and the acting was immediately evident as we were taken underground to see a realistic slice of life in the trenches. The play deals very acutely with the psychological H.M.S. Pinafore stresses the war imposed on the soldiers and the distractions they from Scratch October 2011 Clarence Hall Crickhowell invented to attempt to maintain The High School Community Performance their sanity. The production will be a very helpful aid when the The production was a first for Crickhowell. students are immersed in writing Creating a show in a week was a new idea, their coursework for Y13 after which gave cast members the opportunity to Christmas. take part in a show when normally time would not allow a long commitment. The risks were We were also fortunate to be taught high, but a strong dedication to learning lines by a visiting writer, Paul Henry, who and use of technology aided the production. was with us shortly after half-term. Paul lives in Crickhowell and is a very Strong nerves were required by the production team and they succeeded in experienced University lecturer on creating a super Gilbert and Sullivan show. The lead roles were an absolute Creative Writing. He was able to credit and provided many funny moments in the quick moving show. Duncan guide Y12 students through the Fisher as the lovelorn Ralph showed a great understanding of the sailor and sung process of writing a piece about a with a sureness that showed the versatility of a lyrical tenor voice. Phil O'Sullivan place they knew well and share played a strong and able Captain, displaying a fine baritone voice which we hope some of his own poetry as well as to see again in the future. Lloyd Evans provided a good contrast to the two rascal incorporating the works of the sailors of Lewis Armiger and Steve Booker, you really would not wish to meet classic English poets into his those two in a dark night! Alun Dawkins commanded the stage in his usual workshop. professional way amazing the audience with his array of fast lyrics( a Gilbert and Sullivan trait). Megan Purvis played the part of the Bum Boat Woman with great character and panache, while Ralph's love Josephine was ably performed by Jess Harrison showing the quality of a Mezzo-Soprano especially in the difficult CHS - Young high passages. The cousins were beautifully performed by Maya Fryer and Sian Consumer Team Lewis who eventually agree to look after the Admiral for the rest of his life, and again these are two voices to watch for the future. The chorus was very strong and the young ladies were led by Elin Lewis and Anya Fryer singing some stunning harmonies. Not forgetting the chorus of sailors, a fine group of men. The whole show was accompanied by a well balanced orchestra who must be congratulated on the sympathetic accompaniment to the voices, this is not always the case in amateur productions. This was a jolly good event and the community team at the High School must be thoroughly proud of what they achieved in such a short time. The school is fortunate to have so many talented pupils, staff and “Our Young Consumer Team visiting Powys County Council in parents all who were prepared to try Llandrindod Wells, pictured with the something new with an old operatic formula. Chair of Council, Mr Barry Thomas, Chair of Governors, Alan Peggrem; Well done community team of 2011! Headteacher, Jackie Parker; Cllr Jeff Holmes; Cllr Kathryn Silk; Cllr Catherine Llewellyn-Bennett Rosemarie Harris; Cllr John Morris” Page 11 - CHS Newsletter
serious consideration by the ministers. Points were awarded to both teams The Year 12 London Trip based on merit, or deducted for ill judged input. There was an atmosphere of the Central Lobby and Ante Chambers reluctance, probably due to year 12 and then on into the House of Amos, in-spite of his exuberance was being prematurely woken from their Commons, we all agreed everything eventually just pipped by Laura and the warm slumber, as we assembled in seemed much smaller and more Yellow team won the day. This was a the school car park for the early compact than when seen on the valuable exercise well handled by our departure to London. However, after television. lecturer and I'm sure we all came away a stop at the motorway services an wiser people. intake of poor quality coffee at high We were then escorted into the public quality prices, spirits were raised, gallery of The House of Lords where we Our departure from the building took us and the journey continued with an stayed a short time and listened to along a high level corridor, walls lined air of anticipation. proceedings, there was some with portraits of modern politicians, the uncertainty as to whether Douglas Hurd quality of which, I'm sure, will not be so Heavy traffic slowed our progress into was asleep or not, but in the end we highly considered in the future as those London but we enjoyed listening to our gave him the benefit of the doubt. of the past. In fact the portrait of Charles very capable driver, John, highlighting The attention and service provided by Kennedy seemed to do nothing for him points of interest along the way, "Alfred our tour guides was first class, and the other than confirm the rumours that he Hitchcock's House, Kylie Monogue's information provided was both overdid his consumption of certain Flat, Ernest Hemmingway's House " etc, interesting and well received by us all. beverages! although the main attraction for We then met our local MP Roger everybody seem to be the well lit Williams, a previous governor of our Out on to the streets of London, now contents of a large Porsche Showroom. school, who responded with genuine dark, even busier and noisier, a short We arrived at Trafalgar Square a little enthusiasm to some well considered walk back to the coaches and our later than hoped, hence the quick and probing questions by Year 12 who return journey, threading our way out of dispersal for an hour’s shopping and once again gave good account of the capital was again slow, but when we all met up again back at the themselves at this juncture.Then, clear we made good progress only fountains for photos and a verbal perhaps the highlight of the day was punctuated by a stop for a highly exchange of retail adventures. the "How the system Works" a hands calorific intake of food. Arrival back at We proceeded, on foot, down on controlled discussion of how school was later than anticipated, but Whitehall, passing the Cenotaph and democracy works for the individual spirits were still high. This was a very Horseguards’ Parade, we stopped voter. worthwhile and informative day out, briefly to view Downing Street, access thanks must go to all travelling now sadly restricted with permanent We were split, by our spirited lecturer, members of staff who demonstrated and substantial iron railings. into two teams, Amos Hall was elected high levels of patience and care, our leader of the Blue Team and Laura highly skilled coach driver, the staff who We then split into two groups, one party James headed up the Yellow team, organised the exercise, and finally to all was to visit the Supreme Court to other students played the parts of the members of year 12, whose behaviour, observe proceedings, and our group Minister, Shadow Minister and House of respect for people, property and continued on, after security checks etc, Lords representative etc, and the expensive sports cars was beyond inside the Houses of Parliament. remainder of us were the electorate, reproach. We were met by our tour guides and issues were put forward via the correct we started in the main hall, through to channels and rejected or accepted after Lee Parker - Privileged Observer CHS Newsletter - Page 12
South Powys Sports Under 16 Netball News Champions Hockey, Netball The Year 10 girls played at Christ & Rugby College against teams that were mostly Year 11 age to win the South Boys and girls’ hockey, netball, Powys County Netball tournament. rugby and football fixtures have been played every week since the They won convincingly in every game beginning of term across the age they played. They will now go on to range of 7 – 13. Year 7, after a slow play off against the North for the Gold start, are now turning out for rugby and Silver medal in the Powys Games. practise in numbers, enabling us to play matches against Llandrindod and Tredegar and also entering the rugby festival held at Gwernyfed High School in October. Fantastic South Powys Fencing Under 13 Congratulations to Hugh Kocan Netball Cross Country for winning the Welsh Open Novice Youth Under 14 boys competition. Cross – country is up and ‘running’ runners up the first race was held at CHS on 6th October and the Junior Girls did The year 8 girls team played at Christ brilliantly – coming in first. The College Brecon in the Under 13 second race was held at Gwenyfed South Netball tournament. The only team High School last week (awaiting they lost to were the tournament results). winners Christ College. The girls will Powys all be receiving Bronze medals and their results will be added to the Powys Under 16 medals table for the Powys Games. Rugby We are very fortunate to have Adam Hockey Jones in the Sixth Form, who is a qualified rugby referee, and has Champions taken charge of a number of fixtures this year. We are extremely grateful The girls in Year 10 and 11 played to Adam for his contribution to the valiantly in a tournament at Brecon CHS P.E. Department. High school against; Gwernyfed, Brecon, Llandrindod, Builth, John On 20 October we entertained a Beddoes and Christ College Rugby star Year 8 touring team from Abingdon winning all their games to become Prep School in Oxfordshire. It was South Powys County Champions. of the future… a very good fixture, in spite of the Congratulations to ex-pupil Kier fact that we lost! They will soon play against Welshpool Hughes on his selection to the Cardiff High school, the winners in the North, Blues U18 Squad to play against the to win either a Gold or Silver medal in Scarlets U18’s on November 16 at the Powys Games. The results will be Parc y Scarlets. Good luck and well on the Powys Website. done! Page 13 - CHS Newsletter
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Congratulations to the following pupils for completing their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Rowland girls Jordan Copner, Nicole Bowen, Jill Buck, Maya Fryer, Jamie Hunter, Lauren in the medals O’Loughlin, Tomos Compton, Sian Lewis, Jessica Lee, Phoebe Davies, Ross Gregory-Davies, Hannah Powell, Lauren Owen, Noinin O’Donohue, Sean at Judo Russell, Rhiannon Stahl, Seren Thomas. Championships Rhianna & Megan Rowland competed at the Welsh Closed Powys School’s Judo Championships on Saturday 17th September.
Megan achieved a silver medal in the Judo Competition pre cadet under 36kg category (This follows a silver at a recent competition On Sunday 20th November, Powys in Kidderminster) Schools Judo Competition was held in Newtown. This is an annual event, Rhianna won Gold in the under 48kg and was supported by children across Commonwealth trials category (This Powys. follows her Gold in the under 44kg in 2009 which she kept very quiet as Four pupils from Crickhowell High School national champion) competed in the event, they all train with Brecon Judo club, who train in Brecon Rhianna also achieved Bronze in the Leisure centre on a Saturday morning , next Commonwealth trials category and Crickhowell Primary School on a above her weight group the under Friday evening. 52kg.
There were individual medals for the Both Rhianna and Megan are very winner in each weight section, and an modest about their Judo which is overall schools trophy. Rhianna Rowland, admirable but given their consistent who is in the 6th form at Crickhowell High attainments and medals at almost all School, won the gold medal in the senior competitions they enter, they should under 48 kg, category, Henry Jones, year 9, won gold medal in the under 60kg, be congratulated and recognised. intermediate category, Megan Rowland year 8 took gold in the under 36kg, intermediate, and Olivia Jones year 7, won silver in the under 32kg junior Well done girls – fantastic achievement category. Everyone fought very well on the day, and were very supportive of and dedication to your sport. each other and other competitors from the local clubs.
Overall Crickhowell High school were closely beaten to 2nd in the competition, with 3 gold medals and one silver, Welshpool High School were the overall winners with 3 gold medals and two silver medals. CHS Newsletter - Page 14
Welsh Inter-Schools Badminton A Level PE The Year 12 and 13 A level PE students took to the hills this Tournament September to complete the Mountain Activities unit of their A level PE course. The students successfully completed a walk from Blaen y Glyn above Talybont, Report across the top of the Beacons and camped at Storey Arms. At 8:15 on Wednesday 2nd of November, 9 students chosen to represent the school in badminton, stepped onto the minibus that would take them to the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff where they would have to play some of the toughest and most competitive schools and students in badminton in the country (not to mention the U15’s Welsh numbers 1 and 2!). They then navigated their way along watch Tom, who’s twelve, run circles the Beacons way over Fforest Fawr, The boys’ team consisted of Tom around his fifteen year old counterpart finishing in the valley above Whiteman, Ben Welham, Dan Jones from the other school. He managed to Ystradfellta. The year 13 pupils and me. The girls’ team consisted of beat the other player somewhere in experienced their first wild camp and Lara Botting, Noinin O’Donoghue, the region of 21-1! It was a great start completed a third day back past the Helene Sowerby, Rosie Hawley and and Ben Welham, our second seed, Mountain centre and back to Penelope Daniell. enjoyed similar success, as did the Aberbran. Despite unseasonably doubles players. hot conditions the pupils were As we arrived at the seemingly motivated and managed to avoid humungous 10 court hall, it felt as if We had a brilliant (yet tiring!) success sunstroke and sunburn. The pupils you could cut the anxiety in the room streak from then onwards, achieving are now able to use this as with a knife. The hall was milling with similar results against all the schools coursework for their A level PE people, all looking strangely that we faced in our group. After course. comfortable in this unusual some hours of play, at about one environment. As we began to set up o’clock, we all enjoyed a 45 minute camp next to one of the courts, the respite to catch our breath and have a games commenced! bite to eat.
Tom Whiteman, the Welsh under 13’s We succeeded in beating all the other champion was fortunately on our schools in our group before the lunch team (he played superbly break and were nervous about throughout!) and was first up in our playing our next opponents in the team to play. It was quite amusing to quarter finals, a school with an Autumn Term excellent set of badminton players played some of the best badminton I 5x60 activities taking place during the that included the Welsh under-fifteens have ever seen. What a player! autumn term include Boxercise, number one! Having played so many Ben Welham was next to play and Fencing, Fitness, Badminton and Girls matches before lunch we were thrilled played an extremely close match, Football. Each of these sessions take to have made it all the way to the really pushing the boundaries of play, place during lunchtimes and after quarter finals! but sadly losing 21-19 to an excellent school and all activities are free to all opponent. pupils. The boys’ games against that school weren’t scheduled for a while, so we Dan Jones and I played next and won A group of girls in Years 7, 8 and 10 took sat down to watch the girls playing our game, although it was close. Dan part in a South Powys Girls Tag Rugby their matches and to see how they played fantastically and he and Ben festival held at Gwernyfed High School were getting on. They had played were great doubles partners. in October to coincide with the Rugby really well throughout the day, but World Cup in New Zealand. The girls were now playing one of the hardest The next doubles match was again a played against teams from Brecon, female teams in the tournament that tight one, but sadly Tom and Dan lost Maesydderwen, Gwernyfed, had humbled all of their previous to the number 1 and the third seed Llandrindod, Builth and John Beddoes. competitors. from that school. During the October half term a group of Whilst we were watching a doubles Unfortunately, Crickhowell were out, 12 students from Crickhowell, Brecon game between Rosie Hayward, Lara but placing a fantastic fifth in the and Gwernyfed took part in a half day Botting and their opponents, Rosie whole tournament! Paintballing session at the Celtic stumbled and fell as she sped Paintball site in Llangattock. Despite the backwards to hit a difficultly placed On behalf of the team I’d like to thank weather (and the bruises) everyone who shot. Unfortunately, as she fell, she Mr York for being so supportive to the took part thoroughly enjoyed the day. A dislocated her knee-cap. team and to Rosie. We’d also like to further trip is planned for February Half wish Rosie a speedy recovery and Term. The ambulance from the Heath say a huge congratulations to the hospital took 40 minutes to make it to both teams for playing brilliantly and Sixteen boys and girls in Year 7 and 8 Rosie, who remained extremely brave never giving up. WELL DONE! represented the school at the throughout. When the paramedics Brecknockshire Badminton Competition arrived they dosed her up on Cameron Neill held at Brecon Leisure Centre at the start laughing gas to reduce the pain, and of November. The boys A team of Sam then hoisted her onto a stretcher and Jessop, Max Farmer, Oliver Tod and into the ambulance to take her to the Benji Jones finished second behind hospital. Brecon A. Both teams will now go forward to the South Powys finals day on Speaking on behalf of the whole team Wednesday 2nd December where they I would not only like to congratulate will take on teams from Radnorshire. Rosie on her tremendous courage throughout her horrific ordeal, but A Community Club Showcase will take also because, as I’m sure she is place in school on Wednesday 14th unaware, she actually managed to December. This event is being organised return the shuttlecock and win the to strengthen links with clubs, point as she fell!!!! associations and providers from the local area. The clubs will be set up in the Tom Whiteman was then called up to sports hall for the morning with all pupils play the Welsh under-fifteens number in Years 7 to 11 then having the chance one in a singles game. It was very to come along and see what’s on offer. difficult for him to recover on such Many of our pupils already attend clubs short notice from seeing Rosie’s in the local area but this showcase gives ordeal, and I think he would agree these clubs the chance to promote with me if I said that you could easily themselves and encourage new accredit the first 5 points(which were members to join. lost to his opponent) to shock. Contact me Unfortunately, he lost the match, but For more information about the 5x60 at an incredible score of 21-13. Tom Programme in Crickhowell please played valiantly throughout and contact me on 07788 986365 or e-mail [email protected]. The Remembrance Day March - in London
On Sunday 13 November I went to London to march in the Remembrance Day Parade. I was there marching as part of the Army Cadet Force.
My Regiment is based in Crickhowell. Marching in the parade was a very big honour for me because I saw all the veterans who had fought in the war and to me they are heroes. I also saw the Cenotaph that was erected in memory of all the fallen soldiers since 1914. Diary It was a ‘once in a lifetime’ chance that I am honoured to have been given, and I would definitely do it again! Dates Ieuan Weston-Hall December 2011 Saturday 3 rd Volunteer Bureau – Celidh
Thursday 8 th Christmas at Crickhowell St Edmunds Church
Friday 9 th Ski Trip
Wednesday 14 th Sixth Form Xmas Fair Xmas Lunch
Monday 19 th A Level Certificate Evening
Tuesday 20 th End of Term January 2012 Monday 9 th Return to School
Crickhowell High School Ysgol Uwchradd Crughywel New Road, Crickhowell, Powys NP8 1AW Tel: 01873 813500 Fax: 01873 813550 www.crickhowell-hs.powys.sch.uk
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