SCHOOLS LES MISERABLES – SHOW REVIEW
The Performing Arts Department at Bryntirion Comprehensive School made school history by selling out all three performances of ‘Les Miserables’ (Schools Edition). The audience were treated to stellar performances by a large cast of hard working pupils and each night finished with a standing ovation. Head of Performing Arts, Mrs Claire Hawkes, commented that she had chosen ‘Les Miserables’ for the wide range of roles in the show and she was delighted with the way pupils had risen to the challenges presented, bringing the characters to life. With strong and passionate performance throughout, from the emotional prologue to the exquisite final ‘Bring Him Home’. A special mention for Matthew Daly (Jean Valjean), Dafydd Skilton (Javert), Phoebe Spence-Evans (Fantine), Shauna Holmes (Eponine), Scot Hawtin (Marius), Naomi Jenkins (Cosette), Geraint David (Enjolras), Nia Pennell (Young Cosette), Owen Jarvis (Gavroche) and Gareth Harfoot & Kirsty Richards as The Thenardier’s. The whole cast left the audience feeling like they had been to a West End production. Indeed, word of the quality performances at Bryntirion spread to the West End, as the London cast at the Queens Theatre recorded a special video message of congratulations, which they sent to the young cast on Friday.
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CYNFFIG COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL It’s been another inspiring term at Cynffig and I am proud to celebrate our pupils’ achievements. In sport Lowri Thomas and Ben Evans (Year 10) continue to represent Wales in Basketball. Our year 8 girls participated in the Beach Touch Rugby Ospreys Cup winning 6 of their matches. Years 8 and 9 competed in the Glamorgan Valleys Junior Athletics Championships congratulations to Ebony Rees (Year 9) who placed 3rd in Shot Putt. Year 7 also competed in their first athletics championships; special mention to Thomas Atwood who came 2nd in the 1500m and Mia Lunn who came 3rd in the High Jump. As a community - pupils, teachers, parents and friends of Cynffig walked 8 miles together in a ‘Stand Against Bullying’ and we welcomed our friends from Louisiana for a day of music, freestyle football with Daniel Cutting and cultural exchange. Our pupils have shown determination and skill with William Evans, Oliver Howe and Chloe Powell (year 7) competing in an intense Bridgend Spelling Bee, which resulted in a win for William! And finally this September we will welcome our largest year 7 cohort ever. I am delighted as ever that so many parents have chosen our supportive community school. As we look towards celebrating our pupils and staffs achievements this August I wish them and you a safe and happy summer. Hannah Castle Head Teacher www.cynffigcomprehensive.co.uk
THE END OF AN ERA FOR PORTHCAWL PRIMARY It has been another hugely busy and successful year at Porthcawl Primary and we end the year with a big change. Mr Wood will be retiring at the end of this academic year after 17 years as Head teacher of Porthcawl Primary. Mr Wood has steered the school through three successful Estyn inspections during his time and has also led the school to a number of national awards, most recently at the Achievement for All U.K. awards. As a leader Mr Wood is both supportive but also inspiring and he encourages everyone he works with to reach their full potential. His enthusiasm and advice is one of the main reasons that as a school we have achieved so much. The staff would like to thank Mr Wood for everything he has done for all of us; we will miss his unique sense of humour in the future! We would like to wish Mr Wood good luck in his retirement and we hope he will come and visit us soon. This month also sees our year 6 moving onto pastures new. We would like to also wish them the best of luck both next year and in the future. We hope everyone has a great summer! Deadline date is always the 15th of the month