Crickhowell High School Ysgol Uwchradd Crughywel JUNE 2013 NEWSLETTER

F COMIC RELIE OSE DAY GREAT RED N Also inside this issue RED-HOT SPORTS DAY FAIRTRADE WEEK

WWW.-HS..SCH.UK CHS Newsletter - Page 2 Page 3 - CHS Newsletter Our first year in Headlines Crickhowell High School Once again, another academic year has flown by. Our summer edition of the Newsletter celebrates an extraordinary range of achievements and activities When we joined the school our feelings were mixed, some nerves but mostly that enrich our work at Crickhowell High School on a daily basis. excitement. The school welcomed us into their community with open arms and helped us settle in and find our way around, which made the transition Whilst the summer weather may not be all that we had hoped for, I am sure you from Primary to Secondary school easier. After the first week the older will be warmed by reading about the variety of extra curricular activities students had accepted us and we knew our way around, well most of us! experienced by students from the age of eleven right through to eighteen and beyond. As always we are indebted to everyone in our school community for The teachers were always kind and encouraging; they didn’t mind us bothering making so much possible and in particular staff, students, parents and them during breaks and lunches to ask where to go if we were lost. The lessons governors. and moving between classes was a new experience for everyone, whereas in Primary School you had only one teacher and one classroom. The late lunches Young Consumers As you already know, I remark constantly on how wonderful our students are: as caused a few troubles between some pupils, but after they learnt that a snack at Mobile phone Headteacher of such a fantastic school I feel very privileged to work with the best break time would fill their stomachs for most the morning! The homework was Competition minimal for the first two weeks but after that it started to increase and become more students in the world. It is exciting for every member of staff, teachers and From Suzanne Jerman absence text challenging. Overall the first year was a rollercoaster for everyone; including support staff alike to watch these amazing young people grow and develop into (CSP - Trading Standards) messaging service such fine young citizens. It was wonderful to see so many students enjoying teachers although it was great fun and we cannot wait for the intake of new pupils to our school! themselves at the Sixth Form Ball and we are grateful to the parents who Powys County Council Trading ‘In order to deal with absences as organised the Year 11 Prom. Standards send their thanks once quickly as possible, we have Some thoughts from this year’s pupils: again for Crickhowell High started to use ‘Teachers 2 Parents’ We have just completed the cycle of external examinations for all our Year 11, 12 School’s support of the Young text messaging service that will and 13 students with increasing numbers of students taking a wider range of “This year has been great; I have enjoyed it loads!” Consumers competition. The generate a text message for courses and even Year 10 students sitting some modular examinations. Our team did really well but they had a students who are absent from Exams Officer and a team of very professional Exam Invigilators have done “I was nervous, but within the first few hours I had tough draw in the semi finals and school. Phone calls to parents can everything possible to maximise opportunities for students to achieve their best settled down and was laughing with my new lost out to the eventual winners be unnecessarily time consuming during their examinations and we look forward to hearing of their results in and runners up of the competition. and by using the text messaging August. We are expecting a significant number of students to return to the Sixth classmates.” service, the school can inform Form, including a number of new students and are already planning for the next Please thank the team for their parents much more quickly. Each academic year. “It has been fun mixing with other year groups at enthusiastic participation, they really text message is automatically entered into the spirit of the personalised to include your As a team of staff we are all focussed on ensuring world class educational sports clubs at lunch and break times.” competition and represented their child’s name and requests that provision for all our students with an important emphasis on both our Welsh school and authority with you notify the school with a reason heritage and our international links. Our Canadian exchange visit earlier this year “I have thoroughly enjoyed this year, confidence. for your child’s absence. was a particular success and we are in the process of extending our international links for the future. and cannot wait for what 2014 brings!”

It is vital that we are notified if you A key priority for the school is our commitment to developing attitudes to healthy By Elena Barwise and Megan Jenkins, Year 7 Homework Club change your mobile phone number living and a continued commitment to sustainability. Our recent Sports Day was Homework Club is available in so that we can update our records perhaps our best ever with glorious sunshine and a significant number of ICT1 for everyone from 1.25 until to ensure the message is being personal bests and new records from our athletes. I am always delighted to see 2.10 pm Monday to Friday. There sent to the right person. It is also students gaining enjoyment through sport and this year we have a significant Audio will be an LSA on hand to help important that students sign the late group of students who have been recognised with places on County and you with any work you are book if they arrive in school after National teams for a wide variety of sports. Equally our outdoor education struggling with. registration at 8.40am as we will programme grows stronger with more and more students becoming involved Suspect automatically assume that they are with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards scheme. The TA Team absent and a text message will be Watch out for this up and sent.’ We have had a record number of applications for entry to join the school this coming band – if you like Biffy year and look forward to a larger cohort in our new Year 7 in September 2013. I Clyro and Indie music have a am sure you will enjoy reading the articles describing our Year 6 Day and the listen to these guys. They are Good Behaviour experience of being in Year 7 at CHS. available for bookings, and are in the process of making an EP. Award A Good Behaviour Award is given I wish you all a wonderful summer and look forward to exciting developments in Watch this space! Follow us out every month to one Year 7 the next academic year. With students who achieve so much, anything is pupil from each of the Tutor on Twitter possible! Members of the band who attend Crickhowell High School are: Groups. So come on Year 7’s – who will be next? Jackie Parker - Headteacher Sean Russell - 12M @crickhowellhs Tomos Jones - Year 11 David Harris - Year 11 Jane Overs CHS Newsletter - Page 4 Page 5 - CHS Newsletter Maths Debate Final of the extravaganza day RIBI Youth Speaks On the 25th to the 30th of April We were delighted with Hannah Lindoewood, Sibiyah Bevan and Isobel the ‘maths extravaganza day’ took Mogg who represented Crickhowell at the district final the Youth Speaks place in the MPS. Professor Berry competition on Friday 8th March in Barry Vale College. The girls were taught 50 pupils from KS3 and 4. brilliant but unfortunately lost to St John Lloyd Catholic School from Llanelli He teaches all around the country who were outstanding. and we were lucky as a school to have him teaching us. This year Although the team did not win the overall competition we are pleased to he taught us codes and matrices, announce Isobel Mogg’s achievement as she won her section as the best he gave us all booklets which Proposer of the Vote of Thanks. Well done girls! contained all of the information and activities we needed. LRC Blog World Book Day in March was He started off with a few activities for marked with competitions one of example the 24 game. This is where Rotary which involved pictures of staff you have four numbers and the four hiding behind their favourite book functions of maths, addition, being placed around the school. subtraction, division and Young Writer Magical May Ball Many students took part, multiplication. Then you have to find especially Year 7, and many of out, using the four numbers and Competition On May 2nd, on a bright and warm Spring evening, Crickhowell High School them got almost all the identities. four functions to find 24. We then hosted the annual Sixth Form Ball at The Marriott Hotel in Cardiff. Ecstatic The winners were Megan Jenkins moved on to barcodes and We have had great success this year years 12 and 13 left school at 1.00pm, to go home and ready themselves for and Abi Fisher from 7C. The scanning. We looked further into entering the Rotary’s Young Writer the dazzling evening to come. The girls arrived showing off sparkling winner of the book badge detail how each little number has a competition. The students were tasked dresses and flowing gowns, with the boys clad in the sharpest suits that the competition was Elena Barwise very special value to the product. with writing a letter entitled ‘Peace’ high-street had to offer. The attire wouldn’t have looked out of place at an also from 7C. A competition to We investigated further and we posted to anyone they wished. Freya Oscar awards ceremony. At 6.00pm, Crickhowell Sixth returned to the top design a book mark was also held, found out that there was more to it Lawrie wrote a touching letter about car park of the school, to have photos by a professional photographer with and this was won by Megan than it seemed. We then started to peace within a family. friends, family and teachers, backed by the beautiful mountains of the Haslam 7C. It seems that 7C have create a code. We resembled each National Park. some very talented girls! letter with a number e.g. a=1. We Freya’s excellent letter won the Intermediate then created a code and then section of the district final. She was After posing for the camera, two coaches arrived to take the excited young ladies We have had several new books in passed it to a friend. Because that presented with an award for her efforts by and gentleman to Cardiff for the party ahead. Menus had gone out to the school the LRC, and one the most was obviously very easy we Carwyn Jones at The Senedd on Monday in the previous week and the choice of cuisine for the evening was a starter of enjoyable I have read has been decided to change the number, like 17th June followed by a tour of the building. leek and potato soup, a main course of either chicken breast wrapped in bacon, ‘Wonder’ by R.J Palacio. This has the Jefferson cipher. We created or tomato gnocchi. This was followed by a delectable chocolate pudding, which I been nominated for the Carnegie codes and we tried to break them. found was the highlight of the menu. With the dining over, the party at the Greenaway Award for 2013, and I Marriott began, with a brilliant DJ playing the music for the event. Whilst some of thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It is Then we went onto matrices. the sixth form stayed for the music, others went back out into the city, going to about a boy called August, who has Matrices are an array of numbers. More Able Writers’ Day various night clubs and bars, to party late into the night. Some chose to stay in a a severe facial deformity, and the You can’t add matrices with only selection of hotels across the city for the night, while the rest of the school went book is about how he copes with one, you need two. Here’s how to On Thursday 13th June a group of Year 7 students travelled to High home on the coach at 1.00am to continue the fun elsewhere. With the various school life, having previously been add matrices: a matrix with 3 rows School with Mr Jacob to take part in a More Able Writers’ day. parties going on late into the night, the Ball had done a brilliant job of bringing educated at home. His effort to be and 5 columns can be added to together the sixth form of the school for a very enjoyable night. accepted at school is an epic another matrix of 3 rows and 5 Here one student reports: voyage, and after some ups and columns, but it could not be added We left for Brecon High School at 9.00am and we started the writers’ day at The following morning, the various tired party-goers, groggy and with sore heads downs he finally feels... I won’t give to a matrix with 3 rows and 4 9.30am. Colin R Parsons started the day by introducing his books and himself. made their way home from Cardiff. Some of the unlucky individuals found away the ending! His story is told columns (the columns don't match At 10.30am he gave us planning sheets for a story about children who were themselves catching early trains, to get themselves back to school to prepare for from the viewpoint of others in size). stuck in a video game. We had a vote on whether the story should have a roller and sit exams, a small price to pay for the night before. involved in his life, from his friends coaster or stepping stones. The roller coaster was unanimously voted for and to his sister and it is fascinating Doing the maths extravaganza with from then on we wrote our stories. At the end of the day some of our stories were As usual, the Sixth-form Ball was a runaway success for the pupils of Crickhowell to see things from their perspective. my friends and learning many five pages long and we read sections of the story out in front of the class. I really High School. The behaviour of all was exceptional, with no problems for the A very uplifting story, which I could things has been a great experience. enjoyed the day and I would recommend Colin R Parsons’ books and as a great teachers, up-holding the school’s reputation. It is no surprise that it leaves the not put down once I started reading Hopefully I can do it next year! visitor for other schools. pupils even more excited for next year’s event. it. Meg Rolley 8 P Reported by Billy Merrill-Glover By Jack Summers 12J Helen Parker - LRC Manager CHS Newsletter - Page 6 Page 7 - CHS Newsletter

Year 6 Fairtrade Fortnight at Open Day Crickhowell High Youth Seminar "I really enjoyed myself at Comic Relief Day Crickhowell High School. My Fairtrade Fortnight 2013 took place from 25th of February till favourite lesson was P.E because we Caoimhe Peregrine 11C did lots of fun sport. We played the 10th of March. As we are at Crickhowell High School proud to have been awarded the North, East, South and West. The From the 15th to the 18th of March 2013, I participated in a UK-German Fairtrade Schools Award in 2012, Red Nose Day 2013 was an food was lovely. Much better than youth seminar on the topics of education, citizenship and sustainability. I we wanted to hold a series of explosion of red and crazy primary school. We had lots more was immediately drawn towards the topic of education as I felt it is was a events to make a difference. To costumes, games, quizzes and an choice. The pizza was lovely. very controversial topic within which I could generate many new ideas raise awareness, the Eco exhausting fun run! Over £3000 was Everyone was really friendly and the among my peers and fellow youth seminar participants. The overall aim Committee held an assembly for raised for Comic Relief and many teachers were nice. Everyone smiled of the seminar was to produce an issue of a magazine called ‘Still and lower school, upper school and did sponsored silences, some at me and they were happy. In Sparkling’ which would convey our ideas from the seminar to the general sixth form. This informed them shaved their hair off, like Jessie J, science we boiled cabbage juice and public. that Fairtrade gives fairer pay to and quite a few came in morph suits added the liquid to household workers in poorer countries, so including a few of my friends. products e.g soap and washing We participated in discussion groups, talks and also in media workshops. The that they can afford essentials powder to see what colour they talk that I enjoyed the most was on education. I was inspired by the speaker and such as health care. turned. At break-time we got to use liked the ideas that he had about whether technology was the way forward in the vending machine, which was education. The first day was very tiring to say the least! I had to attempt to Also, in break times and lunch The day ended with the annual Fun really cool. The school was much understand a talk on graphic design that was in German-I didn’t gather much times, we set up a stall selling Run and then an assembly where a bigger than my primary school but from that particular talk! However, I still managed to gain a general idea and Fairtrade produce such as bananas band of Sixth Formers played. Mr. everyone helped us to find where we managed to use some of my German with the other seminar participants. and cereal bars. There was a raffle Clarke said “We have been doing the were going. The library was really We also took part in media workshops where we learnt how to present the ideas draw and 3 lucky winners won fun run for a long time now. The colourful and had laptops for us to from the education workshop. I decided to take part in the photography chocolates or coffee (Fairtrade of carousel of activities worked really well. use. We were put into form groups workshop which included a day in Berlin taking photographs for the magazine. I course!). A group of sixth form We have refined the process” so we met lots of new people. I liked was very happy when I was informed that my photograph had been chosen to volunteers went up into town to Elsewhere the broadcasted Comic my group and my form tutor was illustrate the education theme. raise awareness with local Relief show raised over £75,000,000, really funny. Everyone talked to each businesses by giving out leaflets There were games such as The Buzz a new record for the charity. There other and no-one was on their own. If The seminar culminated in a group presentation to representatives from the and selling Fairtrade bananas to the Quiz, a game where four contestants were loads of renowned celebrity anyone asked me about Crickhowell German foreign office and from the British embassy. We all presented our ideas local community. would answer questions off the board guests hosting the show and making High School, I would say that the and plans for how we could influence our communities. I thoroughly enjoyed the and answer them using the coloured this year’s show the best yet with the pupils are very nice, helpful and experience and would love to take part in a UK-German youth seminar again in Overall, this Fairtrade Fortnight was buttons on the controller. There was a record total. smart. It was much friendlier than I the future. very successful, as we raised over World Quiz where we watched clips thought it would be." and had to remember certain clips and A fantastic year overall and an £100 and more importantly raised By Lauren Farr awareness of the issue! So thank answer questions about it. There was astounding celebration. also Wii Games and we played Mario you to anyone who helped by “I really enjoyed my day at Kart in A3. By Dominic Delicata organising the event or by buying Feathers Crickhowell High School and had a Fairtrade, and we hope to raise Looks in the corner, A blaze of orange, great time. I can’t say what my even more next year. Please help to Crickhowell High School would like to thank all the staff, students, parents and Watching, drifting above all the smoke, A newcomer reaches high, favourite lesson was as I liked them keep making a difference at home wider community for your support and generosity shown in this year’s Comic up from the dead trees. Strength slithers down deep. all. I made lots of friends and got to by buying Fairtrade products where Relief celebration. We are proud to be a Platinum Award winning Eco School know my way around the school. possible. and place global citizenship at the heart of everything we do, which is why we The white dust falls down, Deeply soft sheets rip, Everyone was really friendly. I can’t Martha Rolley, take a full day off timetable to raise awareness of issues facing communities in a drop freezes everything. the glossy surface sinks in, wait for September!” Chair of the Eco Committee the UK and in developing countries. Thank you for your continued support. Light of dawn is out. The soft body is quiet. Mark Jones, Head of Geography and ESDGC Billy Maguire Grace Williams Year 8 Year 6 Ysgol y Bannau CHS Newsletter - Page 8 Page 9 - CHS Newsletter

Work Experience Year 12 Works! My name is Georgina Jones and I Fundraising Y Clwb Ffilmiau am 15, nearly 16 years old. I am in Year 12 sixth formers raised this newsletter to tell you guys £237. 40 for the Brain Injury “Croeso i’r Clwb Ffilmiau. Rheol hynny’n barod. Mae rhai wedi about my job. Rehabilitation trust. Helene gyntaf y Clwb Ffilmiau ydy: ‘dych chi ysgrifennu yn Gymraeg hyd yn oed – Sowerby in 12G saw a Film Club ddim yn siarad am y Clwb Ffilmiau. da iawn! Byddwn ni’n ysgrifennu mwy I am a trainee chocolatier at Black programme on the work that they Ail reol y Clwb Ffilmiau ydy: ‘DYCH o adolygiadau yn Gymraeg dros y Mountain Gold Chocolate. I fell into did for people recovering from “Welcome to Film Club. The first rule have taken the opportunity to share my job during my year 11 work of Film Club is: you do not talk about their opinions on line. Some have even CHI DDIM yn siarad am y Clwb flwyddyn nesaf. brain damage and suggested to Ffilmiau! Trydedd rheol y Clwb experience placement in October the form that this was a charity Film Club. The second rule of Film written their reviews in Welsh – da iawn! 2011. I instantly fell in love with my Club is: you DO NOT talk about Film We will be writing more reviews in Ffilmiau: os mae rhywun yn gweiddi Rydyn ni wedi cael ambell i worth supporting. Jay Edwards “stop!”, mynd yn llipa, neu’n tapio gystadleuaeth ac eleni ysgrifennodd un placement and knew that I wanted led the way as the form put Club! Third rule of Film Club: Welsh over the coming year so watch to work there. I love my job because if someone yells “stop!”, goes limp, this space! allan, mae’r ffilm drosodd…” o’n disgyblion Blwyddyn 13, Matthew together an assembly informing - Y Clwb Ffilmiau Richards, adolygiad bendigedig o’r ffilm it doesn’t feel like work. Every shift the rest of the sixth form about or taps out, the film is over…” is fun because I learn new things - The Film Club We have held competitions during the “12 Angry Men”. A dweud y gwir roedd the work of the charity. As a form Mae’r Clwb Ffilmiau wedi mynd o nerth i yr adolygiad mor rhagorol fel bod and create amazing things that I they then baked cakes and held a year and one of our Yr.13 sixth formers, never knew would be possible to do The Film Club has gone from strength Matthew Richards, wrote a fantastic film nerth eleni gydag aelodau newydd yn Matthew wedi ennill gwobr coffee morning in the staff room ymuno bob wythnos. Rydyn ni’n genedlaethol trwy’r Deyrnas Unedig with chocolate. and sold cakes in the main foyer. to strength this year with new members review of the film “12 Angry Men”. In joining weekly. We meet up every fact it was such an outstanding piece cyfarfod bob dydd Gwener yn L2 ac yn gydag “Adolygiad yr Wythnos” a The form also held a stall at the gwylio amrywiaeth o ffilmiau i adlonni, chafodd e becyn llawn anrhegion, crys– This job has led to me (hopefully) Christmas Fair and so there is Friday in L2 and we watch a variety of that he won the national award of going on to be ’, if not films to entertain, amuse and broaden “Review of the Week” and received a difyrru ac ehangu gorwelion disgyblion. t, ffilmiau, mwg ac ati o’r Swyddfa Clwb more money to add to their final Dewch i weld drostoch chi’ch hunain! Ffilmiau yn Llundain. Ardderchog, Matt! Britain’s, youngest female total. horizons of the pupils. Come and see bumper “goody bag” of gifts, t-shirt, chocolatier. In order to achieve this for yourself! films, mug etc from Film Club HQ. Well goal I will be doing my qualifications done, Matt! Ymhlith y ffilmiau rydyn ni wedi gwylio Hefyd eleni rydyn ni wedi cael sesiynau “The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust eleni mae “The Hunger Games”, “12 gyda gwesteion a daeth Kirsty Williams in August. Since working at Black (BIRT) is the UK charity leading Some of the films watched so far this Mountain Gold Chocolate the skills I year include “The Hunger Games”, “12 We have held sessions with visitors and Angry Men”, “Hotel Rwanda”, “An AS a chynrychiolydd o Ganolfan y brain injury rehabilitation. It offers “Inconvenient Truth”, “Be Kind, Celfyddau “Chapter” yng Nghaerdydd i have acquired are unbelievable. For complex care for people requiring Angry Men”, “Hotel Rwanda”, “An the perhaps the most noteworthy this example, I can now make bars, “Inconvenient Truth”, “Be Kind, year was with Kirsty Williams AM and a Rewind”, “Napoleon Dynamite”, siarad gyda ni . Rhannodd Kirsty ei special needs support or suffering a “Gulliver’s Travels”, ac edrychwn phrofiadau o fwynhau ffilmiau gyda ni; truffles, sheep, transfer lollies, disability as a result of head injury, Rewind”, “Napoleon Dynamite”, Representative of Chapter Arts Centre in wedding favours, showpieces and I “Gulliver’s Travels”, and we look forward Cardiff. Kirsty came in to the well- ymlaen at wylio “Beasts of the Southern manylodd hi sut mae ffilmiau yn gallu including traumatic brain injury Wilds” a “Jaws” nesaf. ysbrydoli pobl ac achosi newid yn y can even assist on the courses that (TBI), stroke and learning disability to watching “Beasts of the Southern supported session and shared with us we teach. The shop is based in Wilds” and “Jaws” next. her experiences of enjoying films; she byd. issues ensuing from brain damage. Yn y Clwb Ffilmiau rydyn ni’n anelu at Crickhowell up in the courtyard at Founded in 1992, BIRT provides explained how they can inspire people the top of Standard Street. I work In the Film Club we aim to have fun, and cause change. gael hwyl, mwynhau ffilmiau da a Hoffwn i ddiolch i’r disgyblion am eu specialist assessment and thrafod pynciau anodd mewn ffordd cefnogaeth barod yn ystod blwyddyn every Saturday or during the school rehabilitation at specialist centres enjoy good films and to discuss holidays for extra shifts. I will be challenging topics in a mature and I would like to thank all of the pupils for aeddfed i ysgogi meddwl sy’n amrywio gyntaf ein Clwb Ffilmiau newydd ac across England and Scotland, o hil-laddiad, gwrthdaro, cyfiawnder, edrychaf ymlaen at ddatblygu ac working full-time over the summer enabling people with head injuries thought-provoking manner ranging their support during this fledgling year and then part-time when I start from genocide, conflict, justice, poverty and I look forward to developing the tlodi a beth sy’n gwneud comedi da. archwilio’r posibiliadau di-ddiwedd o’n that have led to a brain injury to Rydyn ni’n annog i bob aelod Clwb. college in September. function as independently as plus what makes good comedy. Each endless possibilities of our Film Club. and every member is also encouraged ysgrifennu adolygiadau o’r ffilmiau a possible, develop their lives as they wyliwyd a phostio eu hymdrechion ar “Gwna neu paid â gwneud. My advice is to follow your dreams choose and participate in the wider to write a film review on the films “Do or not do. There is no try.” and don’t settle for less. watched and post this on wefan www.filmclub.org ac mae llawer Does dim trio.” community.” - The Empire Strikes Back wedi manteisio ar y cyfle i wneud www.filmclub.org website and many - The Empire Strikes Back Georgie Jones CHS Newsletter - Page 10 Page 11 - CHS Newsletter

to see where this was going. I thought the show was very entertaining now, making me and other people laugh on a regular basis. My expectation of this was peaking, but I wasn’t expecting it to finish like a West End show. They had a freeze frame to ask us whether to accept it or not, and Canadian Exchange 70% of the audience saying he should, so he did. st rd Skip forward to textiles, he had interviewed Robyn, having 21 March - 3 April 2013 had three takes at it, being not confident, too confident, and on the last go he got the balance perfectly right. He had 26 Canadian students from the school of École written the article successfully, but was being pressured into Secondaire Polybel, Quebec arrived for a two week writing “Uniporn” by one of the mean girls instead of stay with pupils from Crickhowell High School. It was Uniform. He said ‘no’, after us choosing, which was the a day when it just rained. A welcome to typical Welsh correct choice even though it would have been funnier if weather! The tired Canadians arrived, after a 24 hour we’d seen the consequences. Robyn had told her best journey, just before the end of the school day and friend Morgaine, who was still mad at her for not going to were greeted by their host families. An early night was the cinema with her because she was being interviewed by had after a warm welcome. The next day, the Ben, that she liked Ben. Ben got the three of them in Canadians were welcomed to the School by Mrs detention because he tried to pass a note to Robyn saying Parker, were given a tour of Crickhowell and a he liked her, but he got caught. They were making me demonstration of medieval weaponry before heading laugh by including me partly in the story calling me ‘Brian’ to a windy, rain-swept Raglan castle. who was the dumb nut of the class saying Brian had got his fingers stuck in the sewing machine. That weekend, the host families could make their own plans but many had to be changed after an unexpected The story was reaching its entertaining climax, Morgaine snowfall. Some then went to Big Pit, others bowling, but was being annoying by moving around and tapping her getting to know one another all the same. The week pencil, and all the way through ‘Speccy Becky’ was playing started with an introductory Welsh lesson for the the piano very well. Robyn stormed out in annoyance, they Canadians which they found to be a hard language to stopped the show for a second and said to the audience pronounce. A trip to Oxford was organised, with a visit to who should go after her? Ben or Morgaine? Around 85% of the Ashmolean Museum and a chance to do some “It’s up the audience said for Ben to, so he did. Again they stopped shopping. Wednesday was spent at the local primary the show and asked the audience for any idea for what he schools where the Canadian students spoke of their local should do. First someone said ‘take her phone and talk to area and the province of Quebec. The first week was her mum’, that definitely didn’t work, after that someone finished off with a trip to Cardiff where there was another said maybe take her phone and explain to her it was his chance to do some shopping and visits to the National to you” fault why she was in detention. Surprisingly that didn’t work History Museum of Wales and the Senedd. At the Welsh either, and they built it up to this, one of the people (the Assembly, we were able to see the debating chamber mean girl) said “Why don’t he kiss her!” and we all agreed, from the public gallery with a guide who answered all our review so they ran it again, he kissed her and he came back to questions. detention with her. A small group of performing students called “It’s up The second week started with Good Friday and the to you” from Worcester University came and gave us Canadians were able to do activities with their host a show. I was called from my RS lesson and told to families. Saturday was spent at Stonehenge and Bath. go to E1 and I walked into the room whilst one of the Easter Sunday was the last full day spent with the host students was acting as a strange teacher. I couldn’t families. There were trips to the beach, cinema and a help but feel slightly intimidated, but I was sure it was rugby match. Next was a trip to London. The group was going to be a good laugh. We were in the room with a taken on a walking tour of the historical city, visiting group of already mid GCSE girls from Year 10. They Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, the started with an interactive quiz on Academic Choices Tower of London and much more. It was a very long day with us using keypads to choose the answer. with an early start and a late finish. Our tired feet weren’t And then we got to the main story. given much rest with the next day spent at St Fagans. We ended the day with a shared supper, concluding the The story started with Ben, the only male character, talking action packed itinerary, where all the people involved about how he wanted to be a professional snooker player came together to wish the Canadians well in their return when he was older, and going on about how he thought it journey. would be easy, just picking up a stick, hitting a ball and My thoughts now were constant laughter and just a nice hoping. After this, another of the main characters, Robyn, production. To finish off the show they talked about the It was a very early start once again to say farewell to our talked to a teacher about coming to help change the decisions they made and finally held a quiz on if we’d made new friends who had to leave Crickhowell at 7am. We uniform. She was saying to herself about her mother the correct choices for them. have kept in contact with each other and all have pushing and telling her to focus on the main core subjects wonderful memories of those two weeks. like Maths and Science, when Robyn loves doing textiles A nice ending to a very good short play. and fashion. It went back to Ben being asked to write an By Jessica Rees article on the changing of the uniform, and it wasn’t difficult Milo 8C CHS Newsletter - Page 12 Page 13 - CHS Newsletter Tennis Yr 8 Girls and Yr 10 Girls are currently sitting at the top of their Year 13 groups with one game remaining against Haberdashers. Art Exhibition Wins against - Caerleon, Croesyceiliog, Bassaleg and Rougemont.

Yr10 Boys have won their group and now go through to the Finals held in Cardiff in September. Wins against - Caerleon, Croesyceiliog, Bassaleg, Abergavenny,Rougemont.

Yr 8 Boys currently sit second in their group with one game to play. Wins against Christ College and Caerleon and Rougemont. Defeats against Croesyceiliog and Bethany Saddington Bassaleg.

Here are some of 7C’s thoughts on the visit: I thought that the fact that the Mr Thomas PGCE student teacher organised a pilot trip just for 7c was fantastic. I also thoroughly enjoyed it because it was a great day out and I learnt loads about the castle and about its history. Sam Cashell Court I thought that Tretower was brilliant for wildlife, it had a bat in the tower and it was great to see so much life in the castle, it was The ‘medieval realms’ element of the Key Stage 3 History curriculum is amazing to watch. always a topic that is popular with pupils, and provides wonderful Abbie Williams opportunities for active local learning. Such opportunities are abundant Duke of around Crickhowell, a region that has deemed to have been important since I thought Tretower was amazing and is a very good Norman castle. Edinburgh’s Award the Normans began attempting to conquer Wales. On Tuesday May 21st 7C Arran D’Arcy embarked on a pilot educational visit to nearby Tretower Court and Castle in Congratulations to Harriet order to sample some of the areas rich history first hand. Upon arriving at Norman, Kim Best and Adam I thought that during our Tretower visit we discovered a whole new Bailey on achieving their Duke Leah Lovering the site pupils were introduced to the three symbols of power within Medieval Britain, the barn, the manor house and the castle. The remains of world and many new interesting facts. of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award. the Norman castle were particularly popular with pupils, who enjoyed Sali Powell climbing the tower and finding themselves face to face with four hundred year old graffiti. It also provided them with some concrete examples of Tretower is a great place there are amazing stories about it. The best Norman defensive features, such as arrow slits and the motte and bailey thing about Tretower is its size – it’s massive, and there are design of the castle, which they can take away into their classroom studies. amazing pictures and it’s the best place to tell stories. Libby Davies Following the castle, the manor house demonstrated to pupils the lifestyles of certain groups in medieval society, and also led to interesting discussions about All in all, the visit was a success with both pupils and staff enjoying the visit the changing nature of life in this part of Wales. Highlights inside the house immensely. The site represents an incredible resource right on our doorstep included the reconstructed kitchen with living quarters and the lavishly decorated which can help history come alive for pupils, and help introduce them to some of dining hall used for entertaining guests. The opportunity to sit in the Lord and Wales’ most important people and events, such as the Picard and Vaughan Ladies spot at the head of the table was eagerly taken by many of the children, families, who founded and developed the site respectively, and Owain Glyndwr’s while the kitchens also caused some interesting discussions. Moving around the rebellion, during which the site was used as a garrison for English soldiers. rest of the manor, pupils were informed of the tale of the infamous white ghost of Hopefully, this can be built upon and experienced by all future Year 7 students. Tretower, the lady of the house who still wanders the balconies waiting for her Scott Andrews and Erin Hayward husband to return after he had gone to capture in 1471. with Matt Elias at the recent Adistars Hannah Taylor James Thomas - PGCE student training day. CHS Newsletter - Page 14 Page 15 - CHS Newsletter

Fencing I am going to tell you about fencing (sword fighting.) I fence and I think it is an amazing sport Red-hot Sports Day for both boys and girls to do. I myself have found quite a lot of Every year, all of lower school and pizza’s in her room and through success in fencing, and I am participates in Sports Day, and this her windows with the help of several ranked 1st in Wales for girls my year a lot of year 10’s helped as teachers and students. People were in Wicked Three Peaks age, I’m also ranked 11th in well. We were lucky as the weather and out all day, enjoying the sun and the events their peers were performing Britain for girls my age. I have 1 was unusually good. Every year, When my husband Richard first suggested the ‘Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge’ in. Several records were broken in silver and 2 gold medals for Sports Day starts with the form I thought it would be a bit of a jolly, little did I know he would have us in both Field and Track for each year. fencing. relay, and this year was no training every weekend from February to the weekend of the challenge, Badminton exception. Starting with Year Seven, Lots of people upheld their titles, while June 15th, and that I would be doing cake sales on Friday mornings in the A huge “well done” to Matthew Fencing is most of the time going up to Year Nine this was how others gained new ones. staff room to raise money. Reynolds, he has had a very considered a sport for boys but in all the events were organised. In the Every year, awards are given out to a successful badminton season. my opinion and experience girls are form relay every person in each boy and a girl for their exceptional We left on Friday afternoon for Snowdon, the weather was a mixture of torrential He entered the Powys Schools just as good if not better, than boys form runs, and each form runs four sporting talents. These awards are rain and sunny spells. We knew the weather report for the Saturday morning Tournament and came away with at this sport. Even though this fact is laps. The whole of lower school is given out in the assembly following wasn’t good, but to get to the start point at 3.50am and be told we couldn’t walk first place for U16 singles and true, there are a very small number split into four houses, Yellow, Red, Sports Day. To be eligible for an award, Snowdon was a huge disappointment. We had to drive to Cadir Idris to check in, also a first place in the U16 of girls doing fencing. Green and Blue. Each form is put you have to compete in at least two where they explained to us that it had been due to extreme weather, doubles, with Ben Jones. into a house, and colours Track and one Field or two Field and thunder/lightning and high winds that we couldn’t walk Snowdon and that if Fencing can also help in a few other correspond with Dewi, Hywel, Pedr one Track. In Year Seven second place weather conditions didn’t improve in the next hour or two we would be unable to He entered the Gwent Closed sports. For example fencing helps and Cadw. went to Abbie Fisher and Megan attempt Cadir Idris. A two hour long wait on the mini-bus followed. Eventually we Tournament and competed in the in badminton and tennis because Jenkins jointly for the girls, and Lewis were allowed up, it was hard work as the rocky path had become a stream, and U15’s singles, gaining a third place, you can use lunges to get around The events are split into two Rees for the boys, and the winners it was a great shame that the views were spoilt by rain and cloud, but we his semi-final opponent was James the court and in all three sports you categories, Track and Field, like real were Oliver Stansfield and Abbie managed it and hopped on the minibus to Morris, where the score was 21:18. have to be patient and wait for the athletics. There are track events in Williams (Blue house). In Year Eight head for Brecon. Arriving at the bottom of right moment. long and short distances, the shortest coming second for the girls was Jenny Pen y Fan the weather wasn’t so bad, it being 100 metres and the longest Lewis and in first was Olivia Jones. Matthew also took part in the Yonex soon caught us up with the wind and rain Welsh Nationals where he entered It would be great for more people to being 1500 metres. Field events like Joint first for the boys were Angus howling, but it was good fun and the cup of the U15 singles and doubles, and try out fencing. If you are interested shotput and discus also take place on Hunter and Ieuan Miles. In Year Nine tea waiting at the bottom was very the competition was very tough. in trying fencing there is a club that Sports Day. For each event there is a both girls and boys were joint first and welcome! Matthew did get through to the is on a Wednesday lunchtime 1:25- record, one for each year, a boy and a they were Rebekah O’Loughin and semi-final play off in the plate, 1:45 in school all through the year. girl. In most events two Issie Mogg and Mackenzie Turner and We have raised between us so far £1465 for where he again met James Morris Or you can come to a club on representatives from each form (a boy Joseph Cooper. The overall house Ty Hafen, the Children’s Hospice. I would from Abergavenny, who won 21 – Wednesday evening at Gwernyfed and a girl), eight from each year, winners were Yellow and although the like to thank all the students for their 16. High School in Three Cocks from compete in each, although in some main theme of the day was support on non-uniform day, the School 7:00 till 8:30. Or you could go on to events like the obstacle course, four competition, everybody was extremely Council and Miss R. Thomas for making In South Wales Shuttle rankings, the Welsh or British Fencing representatives in each form compete. gracious and sporting and everyone and selling cakes many times in the foyer. Matthew was seeded second in websites and find the closest club There are also other team events, like enjoyed the day. Also, to staff who have supported my Friday both the U15 South Wales Boys to you. the three legged race, the tug of war cake sales, and thank you all for your and the 100 metres relay. By Aine Smith 8H Singles and Doubles with partner sponsorship money and encouragement. Ben Jones. By Cushla Gray. Throughout the day, Miss Armitti sold cans, ice lollies and food like hot dogs Cathy Mutlow Diary Dates July 2013 Thursday 11 th Year 12 Future Dynamics August 2013 Thursday 15 th GCE A Level results Thursday 22 nd GCSE results September 2013 Monday 2 nd Staff Training Day Tuesday 3 rd Term starts October 2013 Monday 21 st Year 11 Work Experience begins Monday 28 th October - Monday 4 th November (inclusive) Half Term November 2013 Monday 4 th Staff Training Day December 2013 Thursday 19 th End of Term

Friday 20 th Staff Training Day 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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