CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations are extended to the following students who have recently attained success in a variety of sporting events and activities. These students bring honour to themselves and to our school and have received congratulatory letters from headteacher, Mr. Newsome.
Marie Canning, Yr 10 - Bronze Medal (high jump), Welsh Junior Indoor Athletics; Alex Powell, Yr 9 - Bronze Medal (400m) and Silver Medal (800m), Welsh Junior Indoor Athletics; Daniel Mason, Yr 11 - Gold Medal (U17 triple jump), Welsh Indoor Athletics; Ian Davies, Yr 10 - selected to represent Dyfed at Cross Country in Brecon; Keeron Stone, Yr 11 - received Wales U16 cap playing against the Republic of Ireland.
We are very proud of your achievements.
PROGRESS EVENING
The next parents' evening will be for students in Year 10 and will be held in the school hall on Wednesday, March 13, from 4-7 pm. Please make your appointments in the usual way. We look forward to seeing you.
CAREERS
The second annual Yr 9 careers/options day was held at Dyffryn Taf. Some 180 pupils had the pleasure of finding out more about their career choices and what course they should follow for their job prospects.
In the afternoon, 15 employers from the locality set up stalls which were visited with enthusiasm. The venture, sponsored by Careers Wales West, was a great success and comments by both pupils and employers were positive.
This event is now a regular fixture on the school calendar and wheels are already in motion to organise next year's.
PREPARING FOR
HIGHER EDUCATION
On Tuesday, February 5, Year 13 enjoyed a talk on grant and loan applications from Alison Williams, of Carmarthenshire County Council.
Funds for our students entering higher education is a complex and often worrying issue. Parents may have to fund a shortfall in tuition fees and living costs; students may worry about their overdraft and student loan.
NETBALL NEWS
The U16s did not qualify for the next round, however a good effort was made by all. The U18s did not compete due to illness.
WELSH DEPARTMENT
On February 1, Miss Hayley Lewis from the Welsh Department and Miss Bethan Jane Jones took a group of pupils from Yr 7, 8 and 9 to the Urdd camp in Llangrannog. Miss Bethan Wyn Jones from the Welsh Department joined in with the activities on the Saturday.
On Monday, January 28, Miss Bethan Wyn Jones arranged a visit to Pontardawe Arts Centre for the Yr 12 AS students. There was a screening of a film in the morning and in the afternoon they discussed and analysed extracts of the film.
On Thursday, February 7, Mrs. Ann Rees Phillips took the Yr 13 second language students to Haverfordwest to listen to Mihangel Morgan discussing his short stories which are on the syllabus.
THEATRE VISIT
On Tuesday, January 29, 49 students and four members of staff visited the Swansea Grand Theatre to watch the touring London production of 'Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat'. The show immediately captivated the audience with its powerful songs and vibrant scenery. The two hours soon passed and in the closing scenes, Dyffryn Taf pupils left their seats and danced in the aisles.
The time went too quickly, but the 'Joseph' experience was enjoyed by all.
INTER-HOUSE COMPETITION
The inter-house chess competition was held recently over three days.
Nine students - three each from Dylan, Beca and Hywel - competed to find the champion chess team.
There were some excellent games, especially from Jack Rawles, Yr 11 (Beca), who beat Malcolm Perkins, Yr12, in four moves.
The overall result was: 1. Hywel; 2. Beca; 3. Dylan.
Congratulations and well done to all who took part.
PUPILS IN
POLICE STATION
On Friday, February 15, 10 Yr 9 pupils, accompanied by Mr. Chris Skone, visited Carmarthen police headquarters to have a look at the ways Dyfed-Powys Police operate.
In the morning some of the pupils were put through a rigorous recruitment fitness test, were shown a recruitment video and watched the police dogs in action.
Following an appetising lunch, pupils were then asked to complete some competence tests which involved responsiveness, creativity, adaptability and leadership, and to close there was a short question and answer session.
An enjoyable day was had by all, with many pupils showing more than a passing interest in a career in the police force.
Our thanks go to the Dyfed-Powys Police Force and the Education Business Partnership for organising the day.
MEGA BOWL VISIT
TO SWANSEA
Pupils from the Learning Support Department took part in an exciting bowling competition at the Swansea Mega Bowl 2002. The event was organised by the Mid and West Wales Sports Association.
The pupils who represented the school were from Yrs 8, 9 and 10. They were Mathew Jarvis, Shaun Williams, Ryan Walters, Jamie Barnes, Brian Murrow, Matthew Shellam, Daisy Cloud and Martin Brown.
Several pupils showed skill and scored a number of strikes. The pupils all enjoyed the event and were able to get to know pupils from Pembroke School who were competing in the lane alongside.