Year 6 day
On Friday, July 2, pupils from the feeder primaries attended their first official day at secondary school. Pupils were put in their forms for September and spent most of the day with their new form teachers. The day concluded with a question and answer session with the headmaster. Overall, the day was very successful.
Visit to Pipriac
On Monday we visited Rennes, which is famous for its courthouse (writes Emma Moseley, Year 9). Everyone spent loads of money and had lots of fun. We had lunch in a park where we weren't allowed on the grass! In the afternoon we went to Rennes shopping centre.
On Tuesday morning we went to Rochefort en Terre, a small village with lots of traditional shops. In the afternoon we went to La Gacilly. This was a bigger town and everyone thought it was haunted.
Wednesday was the 'home day'. Most people went swimming, shopping or go-karting.
On Thursday we went to Vannes. It was huge. After that we went swimming. It had a diving pool, fun pool, lengths pool and a slide. In the evening, a disco was organised.
Friday was the best day (for most people). We went tree-climbing. Everyone enjoyed the adrenaline rush of being so high on high ropes and dressing up in the climbing overalls.
University visit
A party of Year 12 students visited the chemistry department of Swansea University on Friday, July 2 (writes Mr. Howells, of the chemistry department). They were Sarah Bevan, Joe Duffy, John Evans, Anneka Glanville, Rhiannon Jones, Andrew Stephens, Angharad Thomas, Sophie Treacy, Rachel Wadley, Joe Sandford-Pooley, Lloyd Wells, Nicholas Brookes, Alison Davies, Gemma Lavender, Michael Martin, Charlotte Milward, Rose Mozdiak, Ruth Phillips, Tom Powell, Rachel Rosser and Gwen Winship.
The students visited the mass spectrometry centre and NMR laboratories. They also received a lecture and workshop by Dr. John Davies on compound identification using advanced analytical techniques, such as infra-red, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry.
In the morning, the Year 12 students worked in pairs in the laboratory, synthesising aspirin by acetylation using quick-fit reflux equipment. The students then performed thin layer chromatography to assess the purity of the aspirin that they had synthesised.
The students and myself would like to thank Dr. Davies for a thoroughly enjoyable day.
Eisteddfod successes
Congratulations to Sioned Evans, Year 9, and Ellen Mason, Year 8, on their recent successes in the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Anglesey.
Sioned was placed second for her diary, Three Days in the Life of a famous Person, and Ellen came third in the 12-15 years calligraphy competition.
Jade Steel, Year 11, represented Dyffryn Taf in the 15-19 girls' solo competition and was placed first - well done Jade.
Other students representing the school included Diana Higginson, Year 7, who took part in the 12-15 year learners' recitation, Dawn Roberts and Sian Jenkins, who took part in the 15-19 year duet, and a group of 18 Year 7, 8, 9 girls who competed in the 'Parti Merched'.
Congratulations to everyone who took part.
Fund-raising activity
PAs part of the personal and social education programme, Year 7 have to raise money for a worthy cause. 7N, under the leadership of their tutor Meinir Eynon, decided that the cause would be the RSPCA. There was great activity, with everyone doing their best to raise money. A raffle was held, guess the name of the teddy bear and guess the number of sweets in a jar, culminating in a jumble sale held at lunchtime on Monday, June 14. The pupils organised a book stall, a cake stall, origami, games and a lucky dip.
Raffle winners for the first soft toy were Emma Privett, of 8N, with the second soft toy going to Jacob Parsells, of 9N. Six prizes of tickets for bowling, donated by Canaston Bowl, were won by Emily Hutton, Kiera Williams, Sarah Patterson, Tom Bradbury, Stephen Bevan and Sarah Davies.
Name the teddy bear was won by Rosie Thorne, 7Y, and the number of sweets competition was won by Owen Howells, chemistry teacher.
Representatives from the RSPCA came into school on Tuesday, July 6, to accept a cheque for £211.39. They outlined the work of the society and thanked 7N for their tremendous effort.
Year 10 Peer Mentor Training Day
On Monday, June 29, 12 peer mentors took part in helping to train 10 hyper Year 10 mentors for September's new Year 7 arrival.
The Year 10 mentor scheme works by helping all Year 7 pupils settle in and also to be there if they have an issue they would like to talk to someone about. Year 10 mentors will also be involved in participating in health days and other activities throughout the year.
The mentors attended the training day and learnt different techniques such as ice-breakers, scenarios, role-plays and many more. Some of these techniques were demonstrated by 20 Year 12 mentors, which helped the Year 10 to have a better practical idea on how they could resolve different scenarios.
Mrs. F. Sellick, the leader behind the scheme, said: "The training scheme is an enormous success and it is fortunate that we are able to have such a scheme, because I know that some other schools don't and they miss out."
Chris Walters, one senior Year 12 peer mentor, said: "This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to help the Year 7s settle in in September. I remember when I was in Year 7 and I had two great peer mentors and they really did help me settle in and I know that these great enthusiastic peer mentors will do the same!
"I also hope in the future that these great Year 10 mentors will also participate in becoming a Year 12 peer mentor and then show the next batch of Year 10 mentors their previous roles."