Llais Y Llan Ionawr 2020 Saesneg
www.yggllangynwyd.cymru Ambitious, Capable Learners @yggllangynwyd JANUARY 2020
Ethical, Informed Citizens
Enterprising, Creative Contributors Llais y
Healthy, Confident Individuals Llan
AMBITIOUS, CAPABLE LEARNERS STEM—CODING ROBOTS WITH BBC ANNUAL PRIZE CEREMONY MICRO:BITS On the last Tuesday of the autumn term, it was a privilege In November, 20 learners from year 9 were selected to take and pleasure to hold our annual prize ceremony to part in a STEM activity. Two members of STEM Cymru celebrate the amazing achievements of our learners. came to show us how to use micro:bits to control a robot. Several of our leavers from last year, along with current year 12 pupils, received their official certificates for their We discussed the development of the computer and the external qualifications achieved last summer. story of Alan Turing creating his first computer, Christopher. Our guest speaker was Mr Siôn Tomos Owen who delivered an entertaining message emphasising how We learned that many jobs are going be available in the important it is to take advantage of every opportunity in life future that will link to STEM work and skills. We also got a and to do our best in every circumstance. We also had taste of what we will do if we choose Computer Science as superb vocal performances from Cari and Ffion Wilson, a GCSE in year 10. Arwen Jones and Sophie Williams. In the session we had to write code in order to move the robot. After practising how to turn the robot around and moving from left to right, there was another challenge in creating a code to use a controller to move the car around. After all the work we were allowed to play different games against each other with the robots. It's fair to say everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The ICT & Computer Science Department has received funding to set up a coding club within the school where learners will have the Enillydd Gwobr Coffa opportunity to further develop their coding skills. Mary Griffiiths: Elliot By Cadi Clark and Ella Rees Phipps
Gwobr Y Prifathro Bl 11: Lleucu Jones
CONGRATULATIONS RHYDIAN
CHRISTMAS SERVICE Congratulations to former pupil Rhydian Jenkins, winner of the Bryn Terfel Scholarship 2019. Rhydian is the recipient of a £ 4,000 cash prize and will be performing at one of the worldwide celebrations for St David's Day in 2020.
What inspiration for learners at YGG Llangynwyd! On December 17th the school held our Christmas service at All Saints Church, Porthcawl. It was an amazing evening and a fantastic concert celebrating all the talents of our learners and staff. Many thanks to all the staff members who supported the learners and to all participants for their outstanding contribution. ETHICAL, INFORMED CITIZENS CLIMATE CHANGE The school was delighted to support Gracie and Iestyn Eco officers and our learners in expressing their views on BIG BEACH CLEAN #climatechange. Our promises as a school - reducing litter On the 23rd of October, year 8 learners visited Coney and plastic and switching lights to LED. The voice of the Beach in Porthcawl to take part in the 'The Big Beach young is very important to us! Clean' campaign. The aim of the trip was to raise awareness of the impact of plastics and pollution on our seas, especially in our local area. As a year they collected over 15 bags of rubbish on the trip with over half being plastic pollution. During the next term in their Art lessons the learners will use the findings to create 3D sculptures of sea creatures out of their collected materials. Well done year 8!
SUPPORTING CHARITY Learners at the school have been very busy supporting several charities over the first term. In addition to the money for the various causes, wash and hygiene items were collected for the charity Llamau for Christmas. We would like to thank everyone for supporting the learners and charities. TRIP TO GLAN-LLYN At the start of the THANK YOU VERY MUCH new school year, year 8 at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd had the opportunity to attend a special trip to Glan-llyn Urdd Camp and we were pleased, by the last day at least, that the sun was shining on us there. They had amazing experiences there and it was nice to have the POLITICS IN LLANGYNWYD opportunity to spend time with friends and communicate We thank Luke Fletcher who came to through the medium of Welsh. We had the opportunity to discuss with our 6th form learners about try out a variety of activities on Llyn Tegid, for example the political system as they will soon be rowing, kayaking, raft building and canoeing. We also had voting themselves. The learners had lots of fun singing and dancing together at the disco. Many shown so much interest in the thanks to the year 10 juniors for helping us and to the democratic process and political issues school staff and Glan-llyn staff for giving us this valuable and so it was a very beneficial session. opportunity. We also had the privilege of singing the It was a good day with lots of interesting anthem as part of a video to wish the Welsh rugby team questions on Brexit, Independence and good luck in the Rugby World Cup championship. (Nia why politics is so important. Compton, year 8) Following this a mock election was held at the school on December 11th. Long rows of learners were seen waiting to cast their vote. It was pleasing to hear learners SHOWING RACISM THE RED CARD 2019 discussing politics and the importance of voting. On Friday 25th October most learners and school staff wore red to school to show our support for the prevention of racism in sport and in our society at large. Everyone contributed financially to further support the cause and we are delighted to say that we raised £ 442.90 - thank you everyone!
ENTERPRISING, CREATIVE TRIP TO THE PANTO On Tuesday the seventeenth CONTRIBUTORS of December, a crew from Year 7 and 8 went to watch JUNIOR EUROVISION the 'Arwyr ' pantomime from Many congratula- the Mega Company in Nedd tions to Sophie Hall, Neath. It was a fun Williams on experience and there was an reaching the Final important message in the of ‘Junior pantomime too. There was Eurovision’ that lots of festive dancing and took place in singing! We would like to go Llandudno on 24th and see the pantomime September and again and would highly rec- was televised live ommend it to others! on S4C. Sophie, with 5 other competitors, competed to (By Briallen Harvey and Ava Phillips ~ Yr 7) represent Wales this year in Gliwice, Poland. Although unsuccessful on the night, this was an amazing experience for her and everyone in STEM AND BT Tîm Llan is very proud of her! Ten Year 8 girls were selected to attend a STEM session at the Cardiff BT Centre. The day was intended to help the learners understand simple algorithms and to THE SOUND OF MUSIC collaborate on team activities. After the girls had mastered effective communication to create the different Huge congratulations to Arwen Jones, tasks, they went on a tour of the BT centre to see all the Menna Phipps, Cari Wilson and Ffion public data storage. Wilson for performing in a successful The tour took an hour to visit the data store and see differ- production of the Sound of Music in ent people solving business problems. The girls were Porthcawl Pavilion last October. provided with an insight into how technology and science work together to safely protect personal and business The performances were outstanding data for the UK. and it is brilliant to see our learners participating in community activities.
CREATION COURSE
During the summer holidays, I went with Nathanael Stinton and Shannon Davies-Evans from year 9 for a week on the Urdd Creation Course. During the week, we took part in workshops with Osian and Branwen from the Paper Flowers band. We enjoyed getting to know people HEADTEACHER’S COLUMN all over Wales and taking part in games throughout the A Happy New Year for you all! day. Then we worked together to plan and prepare for a special performance and to record our composition work It is hard to believe that we have reached a new decade in a dedicated studio at the Wales Millennium Centre at and we celebrate that after twelve years since the opening the end of the week. This was a unique and truly of the school, work is embarking on renewing our multi- wonderful experience and I'm delighted to have taken this weather field! As you know, we inherited the field of opportunity to work with some of Wales' most talented Maesteg School that was opened in the 80s! So it will be people. (Gruffudd Lewis, Year 9) wonderful by the end of March to use a new multi-weather field and build on the hard work of our Physical Education Department and offer it to local community teams. NATIONAL POETRY DAY On this year's National Poetry Day, The spring term is always a busy time as learners and Key Stage 3 focused on the topic staff prepare for the preliminaries of the Urdd Eisteddfod 'Truth '. Learners enjoyed discussion which is taking place this year in Denbighshire during sessions during registration time as Whitsun week. There is also a host of sporting activities they thought about different types of afoot with the department and also through our Urdd poetry and issues relating to the workers, Lauren and Jordan. But above all this is an 'Truth ' theme that poets discuss in extremely busy period academically. There will be Key their work. Learners learnt about Stage 4 and 5 options evenings, together with practical rhyme and then tried to create a and oral examinations as well as coursework completion Limerick as a class. Learners also deadlines. It is important to remember the need to had the opportunity to attend a poetry writing workshop schedule time to prepare and complete these different during lunch. tasks. We are encouraging learners to plan a work timetable for home and to take advantage of the after school sessions and the late buses to transport home.
I wish you all a happy new year and I look forward to another successful season here at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd! Amdani Tîm Llan!
Also 31 learners from HEALTHY, CONFIDENT year 7 went to Barry on a lovely November af- INDIVIDUALS ternoon to play Ysgol OSPREYS RUGBY WORLD CUP Bro Morgannwg!! Two A great day at Llandarcy with very exciting games the Tîm Ty Derwen on their first against their B and C taste of rugby in the Ospreys team with Llangynwyd Disability World Cup event! The victorious in both boys were in awe when past games! A great time learners and Ospreys players, had by all - thank you to Harri Morgan and Dewi Lake Mr Rees, Jacob and Ifan from year 12 for their help. came to see the team!! The Tŷ Derwen learners also won the school’s Rugby World Cup FIRST TEAM RUGBY competition having chosen Gareth Davies as our Welsh Following on from the success of winning the league last player. Congratulations Tŷ year, this year was always going to be aimed towards Derwen! development, learning and building for future campaigns with a number of new players involved in this year’s Llangynwyd Seniors 1st XV cohort. It is a huge success to ICE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS finish 3rd within the league table considering the relatively young players we have within our squad compared to The school extends neighbouring schools. We’ve seen the passion to play our congratulations and embrace the style of rugby and tempo traditionally to Martha Herbert associated with Llangynwyd teams. Who knows what who has been might have been had we managed to clinch victory in the chosen to be in the 4 games that we lost by only 1 score early in the year, or UK Developmental if we hadn’t been hit by such important players having Squad in the long term injuries either. Well done to all who pulled on Individual Ice the Blue & Black jersey during the league campaign, your Dance category for efforts have been praiseworthy. the 2019-20 season. We wish her the best of luck!
URDD NETBALL
Excellent netball games from the year 8 girls team at the Urdd com- petition this year. Their skills and team work improved from game to game and this was led to victory in one game in a very talented group. There was even an in- terview by “Stwnsh” so look out for them on S4C. YEAR 7 RUGBY Following the Christmas break, attentions will turn to- wards the Welsh Schools Plate competition, where we welcome Caerleon Comprehensive School to the YGG It was great to take year 7 over to Coleg Cymunedol y Llangynwyd Playing fields on Wednesday afternoon of Dderwen to play round robin games against CCYD, 22/1/20 in the 1st Round. We look forward to the next Brynteg and Bryntirion. Competitive games were played challenge! full of spirit and energy! Well done to the boys for not complaining (too much!!) about the rain and the cold!!!! INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL
Huge congratulations to talented Year 9 pupil Tianna Teisar on captain- ing the Wales girls Under 15s team in October. An excellent 2 -1 victory over Scotland. Amazing Tianna, the school is very proud of your achieve- ments so far.