OPEN Last Thursday, Mr. Newman Vincent came to the school in his capacity as president of Saundersfoot Rotary Club. He came to present certificates to Sixth Form students Jenna Griffiths and Lisa Thomas. These two young ladies took part in a Rotary Youth Leadership Award course held at Dolygaer, near Brecon. They spent one week doing outdoor pursuits and taking on the role of leading a group of other students. Both girls were kindly sponsored by Saundersfoot Rotary Club.

EVENING

On the same Thursday, the students were sent home early so that the staff could prepare the school for Open Evening. Four hours, and a lot of hard work later, the school opened its doors to a large crowd of interested spectators. As they entered the building, everyone was immediately impressed by the extensive photographic display of the school orchestra's recent visits to Paris and Vienna.

Proceeding along the bottom corridor, the English department opened their doors with comprehensive displays of students' work. Happy faces greeted all visitors and a group of diligent students showed their enthusiasm for the subject. A visit next to the Girls' Gym produced a display of high calibre gymnastics, carefully supervised by the cheerful PE staff.

Over in the Sixth Form Centre, the Drama Studio was packed with spectators watching the various impromptu pieces of drama, some of which were very amusing. Humanities staff were on hand to invite visitors into the subject rooms, the walls of which were heavy with the students' very impressive work. Sixth Form staff gave a warm welcome to all visitors to their department.

Back in the main building and there were outstanding displays in all departments on the ground floor. Design Technology displayed so much work of an outstanding standard that it was hard to believe that it was produced by school children.

The Music department played the video of the orchestra at the Festival Hall last summer, and until you turned the corner and witnessed the evidence on the video, you could have been forgiven for believing the music came from one of the top professional orchestras in the country. Going up the stairs to the Art Department, visitors were treated to some outstanding exhibitions of work, both artwork and pottery on just about every available wall space.

Round the corner, and down to the Information Technology department, students displayed their knowledge to an amazed audience. Of particular interest was the interactive white board. The very well-stocked Library received a great deal of compliments. The Learning Support Department attracted a lot of interest and staff and students were able to show visitors just what was available to assist students.

On the first floor, the Textiles Department exhibited their work all beautifully displayed for everyone's examination, while students demonstrated their ability on the computerised sewing machine. Next door, the Welsh Department was tantalisingly decorated with an array of attractive and inviting posters and displays. Students could test their knowledge of the language with flash cards and there were even Welsh cakes to nibble.

Next door, the Design Technology (Food) demonstrated CAM, Computer Aided Manufacture, to produce a range of flavoured breads, all of which visitors were invited to sample. A few doors away the RE Department held an exhibition portraying the main religions of the world. It was highly informative and very decorative and attracted a lot of interest.

Up the stairs to the next floor revealed the Mathematics Department with a fascinating display of mathematical problems, games and activities that students were invited to experience. A very innovative display was put on by the Modern Languages Department with videos, music and food to entice students and parents alike to enter the classroom to experience the good work of the department.

The Science Department proved a very popular venue. As always on these occasions, there were plenty of hands-on things to do, electronic puzzles, experiments, life-size models of the human body.

Outside the Main Hall, members of the PTA worked tirelessly to provide refreshments all evening long. They were very much appreciated and thanks go out to all those good ladies for their time and effort.

Also outside the Main Hall was a delicious display of some of the food that is available from the school canteen for the students to purchase.

Outside the school, with help of some very capable Sixth Formers, Mr. John Harrison and Mr. Rob Mayhew did a sterling job of organising the parking, and very well they did it too.

Mr. Chris Noble, the headteacher, gave an introductory talk halfway through the evening, after which guests had the enviable chance to witness the renowned school orchestra rehearse, always an awe-inspiring experience.

Thanks must go initially to all members of staff who worked so hard to put on such outstanding displays throughout the school, and who were helped by the army of volunteer students. These cheerful students were invaluable in showing people around, and demonstrating their skills in the various subject areas. Thanks again to the PTA for providing refreshments, to the caretaking staff for all their help, the cleaners who do a very difficult job very well and to all the clerical and technical staff - in fact everyone in the school who helped both directly or indirectly. A very successful evening by all accounts.