Autumn term newsletter 2007

Headteacher/ Pennaeth Alan Tootill

Pontarddulais Road Gorseinon SWANSEA SA4 4FG

Tel: (01792) 533066 Fax: (01792) 899756

Autumn Term Newsletter 2007 1.

STAFF NEWS Mr Bruce Denley-Jones, Assistant Headteacher and Teacher of Science, will be leaving us at the end of this term to begin a much deserved retirement, although in reality he will no doubt continue to keep busy in other directions! Mr B. D. Jones has been teaching for 38 years, and will be sorely missed.

Earlier this term Mrs Sue Webb celebrated 40 years as a laboratory technician in Penyrheol Comprehensive School. What an achievement! She started her career in the old grammar school which was absorbed into the present school. She has been through the trauma of both fires and is determined to be here to help the Science Department settle into the new building. Congratulations and keep up the good work!

2.

IMPORTANT DATES

School Terms and Holiday Dates for 2007/2008 Academic Year

TERM AUTUM N 2007

TERM BEGINS Tuesday 4th September

SPRING 2008

Monday 7th January

SUMM ER 2008

Monday 7th April

BEGINS Monday 29th October Monday 11th February Monday 26th May

MID TERM HOLIDAY ENDS Friday 2nd November

TERM ENDS Friday 21st December

DAY S 74

Friday 15th February

Thursday 20th March

49

Friday 30th May

Wednesday 23rd July

72

TOTAL 195

Good Friday Easter Monday May Day Spring Bank Holiday

– 21st March 2007 – 24th March 2007 – 5th May 2007 – 26th May 2007

PENYRHEOL COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL CALENDAR 2007/2008 DATE DAY December 17th Monday 18th Tuesday 19th Wednesday th 20 Thursday 21st Friday 22nd Saturday rd 23 Sunday 24th Monday 25th Tuesday 26th Wednesday th 27 Thursday 28th Friday th 29 Saturday January 2008 30th Sunday st 31 Monday 1st Tuesday 2nd Wednesday 3rd Thursday 4th Friday th 5 Saturday 6th Sunday th 7 Monday 8th Tuesday 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th

Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday

15th

Tuesday

16th 17th 18th

Wednesday Thursday Friday

19th 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th 26th

Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

EVENTS Staff Meeting Y7 / 8 Christmas Disco (6.00 p.m. – 8.00 p.m.)

Leadership Team Meeting Carol Concert at St. Catherine’s Church (7.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m.)

Term Ends: School Closes at 1.00 p.m.

Christmas Holidays Christmas Holidays Christmas Holidays Christmas Holidays Christmas Holidays

Christmas Holidays Christmas Holidays Christmas Holidays Christmas Holidays

INSET Day Spring Term Begins for Pupils HODS / HOYS Meetings Leadership Team Meeting GCSE Child Development: Board Prescribed Task

Maths Department Eurodisney Trip Leaves (Until 16/1/08) Y11 Reports: Subject Comments Completed Department Meetings Y11 Reports: Interests and Activities (Lesson 1) Leadership Team Meeting

Y11 Reports to HOY Y11 GCSE Maths Coursework Fortnight (Until 1/2/08) Y7 / 8 Llangrannog Urdd Camp Y7 / 8 Llangrannog Urdd Camp Y7 / 8 Llangrannog Urdd Camp Year Team Meetings Leadership Team Meeting Y11 Reports to Resources PSE Day Y11 Reports Issued

27th 28th 29th 30th 31st February 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

Friday Saturday Sunday Monday

5th

Tuesday

6th 7th

Wednesday Thursday

8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 18th

Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

19th Tuesday February continued 20th Wednesday st 21 Thursday nd 22 Friday 23rd Saturday th 24 Sunday 25th Monday 26th

Tuesday

27th 28th 29th

Wednesday Thursday Friday

March 1st 2nd 3rd

Saturday Sunday Monday

4th 5th

Tuesday Wednesday

Interim Assessments Weeks for Y7, Y8 and Y10 Leadership Team Meeting Y11 Parents’ Evening (3.30 p.m. – 6.30 p.m.)

Community and Property Governors’ Meeting Interim Assessments for Y7, Y8 and Y10 Completed

School Production (Matinee and 7.00 p.m.)

School Improvement Group Meeting School Production (7.00 p.m.)

Leadership Team Meeting School Production (7.00 p.m.)

Interim Reports Issued for Y7, Y8 and Y10 School Production (7.00 p.m.)

INSET Day / GCSE Moderation Day

Half Term Break Half Term Break Half Term Break Half Term Break Half Term Break

Y9 Option Programme Begins HODs / HOYs Meetings Leadership Team Meeting Personnel Governors’ Meeting Y10 Parents’ Evening (3.30 p.m. – 6.30 p.m.)

Y9 Reports: Subject Comments Completed Year Team Meetings (Preparation for WSRD) Y9 Reports: Interests and Activities (Lesson 1) Leadership Team Meeting Whole School Review Day Y7 / 8 St. David’s Day Eisteddfod (Lessons 1-4) Y11 Photographs (Lessons 1-2) Y9 Reports to HOY Y9 Trip to St. David’s Day Festival in Disneyland, Paris Y9 Trip to St. David’s Day Festival in Disneyland, Paris Y9 Trip to St. David’s Day Festival in Disneyland, Paris Book Fair Week (Library) Senior / Middle Management Link Meetings Senior / Middle Management Link Meetings Y11 Entry Level Exams Begin (Until 12/3/07) Y10 GCSE Science Modular Exam

6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th

Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday

12th

Wednesday

13th

Thursday

14th

Friday

15th 16th 17th 18th

Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday

19th

Wednesday

20th 21st

Thursday Friday

Y9 Reports to Resources Curriculum Governors’ Meeting World Book Day Y9 Reports Issued

Y11 GCSE Art Examination Y11 GCSE Art Examination Leadership Team Meeting Y11 Entry Level Exams End Y9 Parents’ Evening (3.30 p.m. – 6.30 p.m.)

Y11 GCSE Art Examination Finance Governors’ Meeting Y11 GCSE Art Examination Y9 Options Deadline

Staff Meeting Y8 Real Game (Y-R) Leadership Team Meeting Y8 Real Game (E-H) Full Governing Body Meeting Term Ends Easter Holidays

3.

SCHOOL NEWS

MODERN LANGUAGES World Day of Languages The celebration of world languages took place on Wednesday 26th September. All pupils and staff wore stickers saying “Hello” in different languages.

Mme Tanner held special assemblies during which she addressed the school in French, Welsh and English. Four pupils contributed to the assemblies by speaking their native language. Rejinah Tecson and Ceila Baldemor conducted a conversation in Tagalog. Filip Novak read a passage in Polish. Si Yuan Huang sang a love song in Chinese.

Pupils in Years 8 and 9 designed imaginative posters which are on display in the languages department.

A group of girls from 9H helped out with face painting during the lunchtime. This proved to be very popular with pupils in all year groups.

Two past pupils visited the school to talk to classes about their experiences of studying languages and living abroad.

window. In the night we went to an old town. It was beautiful, there were breathtaking views. When we arrived back at the hotel we went to sleep. It was very exciting staying away from home. The next morning we went to the aquarium, there were huge sharks there and multicoloured fish. The best thing of all though, was the shopping! Cite d’Europe. It was the biggest shopping centre I’ve ever been to.

We used euros to pay for our things. When we paid for the things we said “Bonjour” to say hello and “Merci” to say thank you.

We got back on the bus to the ferry and finally got home very late at night. I really enjoyed my trip to France.”

By Natasha Davies 8E. “The French trip was fun. I stayed in a hotel in Boulogne and it was great but some of the rooms were better than others.

The weather was very hot in France. We also went around the old town and the Sealife Centre. Some of the sharks in the Sealife Centre were massive. We went to the big shopping centre called Cite d’Europe and it was huge. There were loads and loads of shops, it was great. The trip back on the bus was boring and long.

I think we were on the bus home for about six hours, but we finally got back and went home.”

By Samantha Pulling 8E.

Shane Jones 7E was the winner of the costume competition.

Trip to France At the end of the summer term, during activities week, a group of students went to France for a few days. Here are some memories of that trip!

My French Trip Memories “We crossed to France on a very shaky boat from Dover. I loved looking at the sea from the boat, it felt refreshing. When we got to our hotel, I loved it straight away. Samantha and I shared a room; we could see the road and shops from our

RE Imperial War Museum “The trip to the Imperial War Museum was really good. I really enjoyed seeing and learning more about the Holocaust. I understand now what the Jews must have gone through and how they must have felt.

One of my favourite parts was the beginning of the Holocaust exhibition, when you see pictures of the Jews, happy and enjoying themselves before the Holocaust happened. My favourite picture

was of six people who are on the beach laughing and having a great time.

One of the items I remember is of the cart which they would put the bodies into.

When I saw the picture, just above the cart, showing a man with the cart and the bodies on top of each other, I felt really sad.

I will always remember the museum and what happened to the Jews.”

By Joanna Upritchard 9C. “The visit to the Imperial War Museum was very interesting. It was moving and you realise how bad it was in the Holocaust and also life during the war.

The Holocaust section was upsetting but it also showed the horrible truth. It made me feel as if I was actually there with the people in the concentration camps and how they felt!

In the Holocaust section there was a little plastic doll and its head was crushed. That was the most moving part for me because you think to yourself, what did that little person go through? What was made of her? What happened to her in the end? It makes you think of how good our lives are at the moment.

The trench section and the blitz section were great experiences. I felt a little uneasy in the trenches as it was small and dark. The blitz section was very moving because you feel as if you’re stepping out of an air raid shelter into the streets, seeing what has become of the homes and shops.

The whole day was a good experience and I would like to go again with the school.”

By Abigail Morgan 9H. “I really enjoyed the museum and being able to see what happened in the Holocaust. It was really moving and sad but it is what happened and I liked learning about it, and seeing just how bad it was.

My favourite part was being in the trenches that were there, and being able to

see what it was like in one during the war, but I enjoyed it all.

The only thing I was disappointed with was not being able to take photos in the Holocaust exhibition because some of the displays were really good. For example, the white table with the models of the people getting off of the trains and being led to the chambers to be gassed. I really would have liked to have taken photos of that. Overall, I really enjoyed it and would definitely consider going again.”

CELTIC ENTERPRISE One of this year’s Celtic Enterprise companies has produced a 2008 school calendar featuring staff and pupils.

‘Super Six’ is made up of six Year 10 pupils who have signed up to the challenge of running their own business.

They approached ‘Gorseinon Party Shop’ to see whether they would lend them some fancy dress costumes for staff to dress up in.

They then recruited teachers and other staff to take part in the calendar.

With the help of Miss Cabble (Art Teacher), photographs were taken of the staff dressed up and backgrounds and special effects were added to each photograph.

Shopping around for professional printers took a long time – finally a local printer agreed to offer a discounted rate in return for their displaying their logo on the calendar.

The group have worked very hard and have found running their own business both challenging and rewarding. Each member has their own role within the company but they are also finding out they have to work as a team to succeed. The group is composed of: Emily Smith (Managing Director) Jason He (Finance and Accounts) Michael Deeley (ICT Manager) Cerys Morgan (Sales)

Hannah Lewis (Marketing) Yuan Huang (Human Resources and Secretary)

SCIENCE Paper Plane Competition “Ryan Williams, Shannon Hughes, Luke Powell, Daniel Nelson, Jodie Bennett, Jordan Bateman, David Davies, Luke Evans, Tammy Mackavett, Mr Davies and Mrs Steele went to Swansea College to represent Penyrheol Comprehensive School in a paper aeroplane competition in Science. We had to make a paper aeroplane and we had to blow it out with a straw. It was really hard because the aeroplane wasn’t allowed a point at the front which made it hard.

When we arrived at Swansea College we went in and the other schools were really friendly. A man told us about the things we needed to do. We had a Year 7 and Year 8 competition in which we came third in both. It was a good laugh and really fun.

Some of the other teachers were too serious for winning. All the other schools and us had free cans of coke. Mr Davies and Mrs Steele had a good time and even though we lost, it was really fun and awesome! Both teachers were pleased with us.”

By Shannon Hughes, 7C.

EVENING POST South Wales Evening Post Website: www.thisisswansea.co.uk

Our attention has been drawn to the following:The first section My School is a place where all pupils and parents can look for information about their local school.

The second section is My Sport which will include school sports features.

The third section is called My Verdict which includes different kinds of reviews.

For My Sport click on Evening Post Sport and for My Verdict click on Entertainment.

YEAR 8 ACHIEVEMENTS On Thursday, 29th November, five pupils from Year 8 represented Penyrheol in the Swansea heat of the ‘All Wales Crime Prevention Quiz’ which was held at the Odeon Cinema by South Wales Police and West Glamorgan Fire Service.

Alex Fitzpatrick, James Roberts, Liam Smith, David Davies and Thomas Kendall came a very respectable fourth out of the thirteen schools that took part. Well done to them all!

Sam Schwartz of 8C recently took part in an evening of drama and music at Swansea Grand Theatre along with visually impaired pupils from ten city schools. The show was organised by the National Blind Charity, the RNIB. The pupils’ performances have won them a lot of praise as they acted like true professionals on stage. Everyone was incredibly proud of what they had achieved. Well done, Sam!

SCHOOL PRODUCTION: “SUMMER HOLIDAY” Preparations and rehearsals are underway for next term’s school musical, “Summer Holiday”, which will be performed in early February in the School Theatre.

Shake off those winter blues and join us for one (or more) of the performances which promise to be of the usual high standard. See you there!

Approximately thirty pupils involved in the production performed an excerpt at the Grand Theatre on Monday, 3rd December in a performance that showcased work from schools in Swansea.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD Last term Mr Davies (Science) and Ms Ensell-Lewis (English) spent nine days over half term training for their BELA qualification in order to lead the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award at Penyrheol, which has been reintroduced by Mr Davies. This involved a variety of outdoor pursuits, a first aid course and an activity weekend where ten Penyrheol pupils were coached and led by other trainee BELA participants from the Swansea area. Pupils learned map reading, compass work and camp craft, and these skills will be used when undertaking their expedition next year.

Mr Davies and Ms Ensell-Lewis successfully completed their two day expedition at the end of November, which took place in The Brecon Beacons in a “wild camp”. “It was lots of hard work in cold, wet conditions, but a huge amount of fun” said Mrs Ensell-Lewis; “It was awesome!” said Mr Davies.

This training has been intensive and exhausting, but worthwhile as it ensures a high standard of leadership and safety for those wishing to participate in The Bronze

Duke of Edinburgh Award at Penyrheol.

"The Award is a fantastic opportunity for young people aged 14-16 to experience a range of challenges on a physical, personal and social level, whilst at the same time developing character and contributing to the community in a positive way."

Over thirty Year 10 and 11 pupils are currently pursuing their bronze award at Penyrheol and have already undertaken several training weekends at Swansea School of Education, Pembrey Country Park and a recent practice walk using maps and compasses to navigate a 17 km route through Afan Argoed Forest Park, Neath. There was thunder, lightning and hailstones, but everyone performed really well and enjoyed the experience thoroughly.

Many thanks to all staff involved; Ms Heard, Ms Cabble, Mr Gray, Mrs Tanner, Mr Fuge, Mrs Morse, and Eliot Rees, Leslie Davies and John Davies, who made each event possible.

Anyone interested in the award scheme, see Mr Davies or Ms Ensell-Lewis

Planning and mapping routes at Swansea School of Education (Nov 24&25th)

In September more than two hundred youngsters took up the opportunity to make an arty splash at the city’s Wales National Pool.

Schools from across the county took up the challenge – to design a poster with an aquatic theme to celebrate the National Pool.

Afan Argoed via Maesteg! (Dec 2nd)

The best overall entry came from 11 year old Thomas Charles of Penyrheol Comprehensive School! His work hangs in the corridor at the pool and he has won a year’s free swimming! Well done, Thomas!

LIBRARY NEWS The winner of a competition to “draw a Roald Dahl Character” for Roald Dahl Day was Jodie Jones of 7C. A Book Fayre raised £450 worth of books for the library.

The winner of a competition to write a poem on the theme of dreams for National Poetry Day was Kerensa Phelps of 7H.

CAROL CONCERT A carol concert will be held on Wednesday, 19th December at St Catherine’s Church, Gorseinon. Start time 7.30 pm. All are welcome!

CHARITY WEEK For a week in November all efforts were channelled into raising money for charities chosen by the School Council. Activities ranged from sponsored events to raffles and table-top sales. Over £550 was raised for charities, still to be decided.

ART COMPETITION

SPORTS NEWS County Representatives The following pupils have represented the County in the following sports: Hockey: Fran Roberts Elinor Roberts- Year 11 Cross Country Chrissie McCallum Jordon Smart (3rd Welsh Schools) Cerys Morgan – County Champion for 4th year Swimming Abby McCallum Emma Savage Boys’ Soccer The new intake of Year 7’s is looking to match the achievements of our very successful Year 11 team. They have currently reached the semi-final of the cup

by winning 5-0 and then 9-0 in the quarter final.

Once again our Year 11 team is leading from the front. After the success of the ‘Playstation’ 5-a-side tournament and several TV appearances, they have followed it up by being named, ‘The Daily Telegraph National Sports Team of the Year’ and for the second year running the ‘Swansea Schools Sports Team of the Year’.

Our Year 9 rugby team has once again enjoyed a very successful year. They are currently unbeaten in the Welsh Schools Rugby Cup, with 6 wins and 1 draw. They now move onto the National stages where the real test will begin.

Our Year 11’s are also currently unbeaten and looking to progress further in the Welsh Schools competition.

There has also been a good turn out for Year 7 and 8 rugby training and matches which is very pleasing for the future.

Individual Boy’s Sport Achievements: Congratulations to Eli Walker Yr 11 who is achieving great success with ‘The Ospreys’ U16’s rugby squad.

Congratulations to Ieuan Carey (Yr 11) as well, as he is currently the ‘Welsh Karate Champion’ Final congratulations goes to Adam Matthews (Yr11) who has recently been captain of the U16’s Welsh football squad during this years ‘Victory Shield’ Tournament.

PENYRHEOL COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL AWARDS FOR 2006/2007

The pinnacle for the boys would be success in the U16’s Welsh Cup, where the boys kick off in the quarter final against ‘Ogmore’. Good Luck.

Finally due to their monumental success, ‘BBC Sports Wales’ have made a documentary about the boys to highlight their success, which was broadcast on Thursday 13th December on BBC2 at 10.00pm.

Boys’ Rugby

On Thursday 29th November, the School held its Annual Award Assembly in the School Theatre.

There were twenty-nine categories of awards in all and twenty-three students were presented with cups and cheques.

The evening celebrated this year’s excellent GCSE results. Congratulations to all pupils!

The evening ended with refreshments which were provided by the PTA. Parents, pupils, teachers and governors

were able to chat informally — a pleasant end to this special evening.

NOTICE TO PARENTS If your child has done anything praiseworthy in or out of school, then please let us know so that it can be included in the next Newsletter. Please contact Mrs M C Williams or leave a message at the school reception.

PENYRHEOL COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL AWARDS – 2006/2007 1.

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Memorial Award for outstanding service to the School Penyrheol Award for outstanding service to the School Vanstone English Trophy for best G.C.S.E. performance in English Mathematics Award for best G.C.S.E. performance in Mathematics Marion Williams Science Award for best G.C.S.E. performance in Science Subjects Neville Rees Award for most praiseworthy effort in Science John Glenn Award for the best performance in Design Technology Lloyds Bank Cup for the best performance in Modern Languages Welsh Award Expressive Arts Award for the best performance in Dance and Drama Peter Jones Award for the best performance in Art The Nance Jones Textiles Award for the best pupil in Textiles and Art The Nance Jones Food Award for the best pupil in Food Technology Child Development Award Brian Llewellyn Music Shield for the best contribution to Music Marion Williams Award for Humanities for best G.C.S.E. performance in Humanities UNISON Trophy for the best performance in Business Studies History Award Geography Award Religious Studies Award Sports Award for Sporting Achievement Commitment to Sport Award

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Thomas Award for Special Effort 24.

Gorseinon & Llwchwr Twinning Association Award

Faye Jenkins Christopher Banfield Natalie Holborow Thomas Heycock Thomas Heycock Jazmine Thomas Samuel Amura Aimee Smith Ebony Johnson Daniel Powell Jamie Van Hooijdonk Rebecca Clements Ieuan Brain Ebony Johnson Jamie Jones Hannah Rose Roberts Jamie Mason David Uprichard Aimee Smith Hannah Elizabeth Roberts Katie Thomas Jamie Van Hooijdonk Christopher Banfield Jake Watkins Natalie Holborow

for contribution to languages 25.

Community Council Millennium Award

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I.C.T. Award Vernon Davies Award Vocational Education Headteacher’s Award Catherine Williams Award for the outstanding G.C.S.E. performance

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Rebecca Clements Charlotte Sarah Jones Gareth Ebenezer Joshua Davies Aimee Smith