Outstanding GCSE and A-Level Results Once again Penweddig’s pupils were very successful, building on last year’s excellent results which put the school among the highest in Wales.

92% of pupils gained 5 GCSEs at grades A* - C .

The pass rate for 5 GCSEs was 100%.

In addition, 100% succeeded in the Entry Level examinations.

In the A-Level examinations, 38% of the whole results were A*or A and the A-Level pass rate was 99%.

Many congratulations to the pupils and their teachers and thanks to the parents for their support.

Christmas 2013

POBL PENWEDDIGPOBL PENWEDDIGwww.penweddig.ceredigion.sch.uk

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Erwan Izri, Gerallt Hywel and Brychan Morris-Dafydd receiving their A-Level results

Nat Burrell and Catrin Hughes with their GCSE results

No. 1 in CeredigionPenweddig has reached the top of the list of Ceredigion’s secondary schools in this year’s ‘Western Mail Real Schools Guide’.

The school scored an overall four points out of five, with five stars awarded for attainment and behaviour.

The ranking system, based on the latest publicly-available data for 2011-2012, rates schools on their results, teaching, behaviour, and pupils’ prospects.

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Mared with her teacher, Caryl Thomas

At the end of the afternoon it was announced that Mared was the winner, Molly Rowan Sharples of Pembrokeshire was second, and Cassandra Tomella of Italy was third. Mared received a prize of £500 presented by Vining Harps of Cardiff, one of the sponsors, and as part of the prize, she accepted an invitation to play in a concert on the night of the Pencerdd Gwalia Festival at the Tabernacle Chapel, Bridgend, sharing the stage with Catrin Finch, Hannah Stone, the tenor Gary Griffiths and the Tabernacle Choir.

A Winning Harpist…Congratulations to Mared Emyr from Borth, who won first prize in the junior competition of the Pencerdd Gwalia Festival in Bridgend. The competition was held by the Harp College of Wales, chaired by Elinor Bennett, as part of the festival to mark the centenary of the death of John Thomas, Pencerdd Gwalia, in 1913.

The requirement of the competition was to present either one of the Welsh folk tunes arranged by John Thomas or one of his many original compositions for the harp, and it was one of these, ‘Le Soir’ which Mared chose. She managed to be one of the four who came to the fore in the first round of the competition held as part of Caernarfon Harp Festival on the 3rd and 4th of April. The four were invited to perform again in the closing concert of the Festival held in St Mary’s Church, Caernarfon on the Thursday night, with Rhys Meirion, Elinor Bennett and the Chorus of the William Mathias Centre.

The final of the competition was held at the Sony Theatre, Bridgend College, on Saturday 13 April, with the four harpists who were representing South Wales joining representatives from North Wales to perform to an audience along with the adjudicators Katherine Thomas and Catrin Finch.

Blue Riband WinnerMared won the Under-16 Instrumental Blue Riband in this year’s National Eisteddfod. She travelled to Denbigh to compete in the Under-16 Harp Solo and won with a performance of ‘Arabesque’ by York Bowen.

Dalwyn Henshall’s composition ‘Three Welsh Dances’ was her winning performance in the Blue Riband competition. Mared said “It was an unforgettable experience and although I was nervous before performing, waiting for the results was worse!”

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Fishing for TroutDaniel Davies Yr. 9 won a shield and three tickets to fish at Clywedog Lake, after winning the Clywedog open fishing competition, at the beginning of April.

He was a member of the Llanilar fishing team and following six hours of competitive fishing against the Llanidloes team his bag of trout weighed 10lbs 12oz; quite an achievement considering he was competing against juniors and seniors.

At the end of April Daniel took part in trials for the Junior Welsh Team in Trawsfynydd and again at the end of July on the banks of Llyn Brenig.

Trip to Disneyland ParisAfter winning the Year 6 and under ‘Folk Song’ competition in the Urdd Eisteddfod in Snowdonia last year I, Rebecca Williams and my family was honoured to have the opportunity to travel to Disneyland Paris on 8 March this year.

It was an unforgettable experience and I had a lot of fun there! The highlight was performing at the Welsh Festival with four other competitors who won other competitions in the Eisteddfod. I participated in the Disney and Urdd Parade which was travelling around the park in a vehicle. The vehicle was decorated with daffodils and the red dragon. Joining us in this incredible vehicle were Mickey and Minnie wearing Welsh clothing. I enjoyed all the thrilling rides at the park including ‘Tower of Terror’, ‘Big Thunder Mountain’ etc.

A television programme about the weekend was created, called ‘Mistar Urdd a Mickey Mouse’. I will look back on the weekend with pride, thinking of the thrill of performing and all the excitement I experienced in Disneyland.

Science and Engineering WeekYear 7 pupils visited the National Science & Engineering Week exhibition at Aberystwyth University, at the end of March. Pictured are Dafydd Evans, Iwan Phillips and Rhys Hopkins trying out one of the many hands-on science-based activities.

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Emmanuel Okuni Annang, Commissioner Christopher Salmon and Daniel Thomas

Police and Crime Commissioner Visits PenweddigDyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon went back to school at the end of April and was given a close look at Penweddig’s personal and social education (PSE) programme. Mr Salmon met students, school managers, staff and PSE tutors.

He said: “I congratulate all those connected with the PSE programme. They work together to provide an outward-looking broad-based scheme.”

“It offers students a valuable look at the world from a local and global perspective. Messages of good citizenship and multiculturalism come through very strongly.”

After meeting head teacher Gwenallt Llwyd Ifan and PSE coordinator Carol Izri, Mr Salmon took part in lessons on self defence, buddying and anti-bullying, road safety, Chinese language, internet safety with Dyfed-Powys Police schools liaison officer PC Simon Griffiths and the issue of Fair Trade with Lampeter-based Ghanaian drum and dance teacher Emmanuel Okuni Annang.

‘Sgwad Sgwennu’The poet Ceri Wyn Jones came to Penweddig’s Resource Centre at the end of April. Arranged by the Welsh Department, the session focussed on creating poetry and prose with members of year 8 and 9.

Mr Ifan said: “I am very grateful to Commissioner Salmon for his visit and his interest in our PSE programme. It has helped emphasise the importance of developing the role of our pupils as fully rounded citizens in our society, and given them an opportunity to express to him what is important to them as young people.”

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Yrs. 11 and 13 LeaversPupils who left school to begin their study periods for external examinations were wished well.

More pictures are available on the website.

Left to right: Sam Ebenezer, Elis Ifan, Carys Evans, Rhydian Fitter, Lisa Morgans, Ifan Birtwistle, Efa Lois

Thomas, Ifan Hooper, Andreas Adams and Joshua Wheeler

Catrin Griffith, Heulwen Evans and Elen Ebenezer

Triathlon SuccessesCongratulations go to Mali Jones Yr. 7 on winning the girls’ under 15 section of the junior triathlon held in Newtown at Easter. She attended the ‘Junior Triathlon Camp Initiative’ for two days at Maldwyn Leisure Centre, before going on to compete at the end of the course.

At the beginning of May she came 2nd in the competition for girls aged 11 and 12 in the ‘Welsh Triathlon’ series in Ruthin, before moving on to Machynlleth Aquathlon in the middle of the month, coming in 2nd place in the same class.

During the Whitsun half-term Mali came 3rd in her class in the Pencoed Junior Triathlon. She said “I really enjoy the Triathlon competitions because they keep me interested and keep me fit”

Keep in touch…The school sometimes sends messages and letters to parents / guardians via e-mail and text. If you would like to receive information in these formats or if there are changes to your details which we already have, please send an e-mail to: ymholiadau@penweddig.ceredigion.sch.uk

Please also let us know if you have provided your details but are not receiving correspondence from us.

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Urdd Eisteddfod 2013 - Homework and

Art, Design and Technology Successes

Gwenllian Spink: 1st in the Yr 12 and under 19 Prose, and Marged James:1st in the Yr 12 and under 19 Poetry

Seren Wyn Jenkins: 1st in the Yr 7 & 8 Design and Technology and 3rd in the Yr 7 & 8 Artefact competition, Siwan Davies: 1st in the Yr 7 Poetry, Anest Eirug: 2nd in the Yr 7 Prose, Catrin Huws: 2nd in the Yr. 8 Poetry

YR 12 AND UNDER 19 POETRY 2nd Dylan Edwards 3rd Efa Lois Thomas YR 9 PROSE

2nd Gwenno Thomas 3rd Erin Gruffydd YR 10 AND 11 PROSE

1st Alys Cowdy

YR 12 AND UNDER 19 PROSE 2nd Dylan Edwards UNDER 19 SPEECH

2nd Efa Lois Thomas

UNDER 25 SHORT STORY 3rd Alaw Dafydd

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Chinese Dragon Boat FestivalSeventy Yr. 6 pupils from local primary schools were invited to Penweddig on 12 June, to celebrate the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival.

Under the guidance of Hou Doujia, the school’s Chinese teacher and with the help of members of the sixth form studying Chinese, a number of activities took place in the morning before tasting Star Flower tea and Chinese fruit.

A Chinese meal was served in the canteen at lunchtime.

Zongzi cookery class

Learning Chinese greetings and songs

Racing Dragon Boats

Tasty food!

Homework ClubEvery night the school runs a Homework Club where pupils can use the Resource Centre’s facilities during out-of-school hours. The club starts at 3.30 and a member of staff is present to assist pupils with their work, especially with Welsh spelling and grammar. The club ends at 4.30 and 4.00 on Fridays.

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Urdd Eisteddfod 2013 Stage Successes

Anest Eirug and Beca Williams - 2nd in the Yr. 9 and under ‘Cerdd Dant’ duet. Also, Beca came 3rd in the Yr. 7 - 9 ‘Cerdd Dant’ solo

Alwen Morris – 3rd in the Yr. 7 - 9 Solo Recitation

Yr 7 - 9 String Solo

Ifan Llywelyn – 3rd

Yr 10 and under 19 Solo from a Musical

Sam Ebenezer – 3rd

Y1 10 and under 19 Hip-Hop/Street/Disco (or combination) Dance Group

Ysgol Penweddig – 3rd

15-25 Ensemble

Ysgol Penweddig – 3rd

Penweddig’s football team won a national football competition in May. The Yr. 7 & 8 team beat Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf 5-2 on penalties in the final of the Urdd National 7-a-side football competition, held on Blaendolau fields.

Penweddig’s Head of Physical Education Clem Thomas said “This was a terrific achievement from the Year 7 and 8 boys when you consider that schools from all over Wales came to compete. We’re all very proud of their achievement.”

Urdd Football Winners

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An Acclaimed Shooter

Congratulations to Siwan Burrell Yr. 10, who won a gold medal for Wales in the Four Nations competition in Saarlouis in Germany, in June. In the British Open Championship in January she managed to win two bronze medals and one silver, and this was enough for her to go through.

Siwan has had the honour of representing Wales and Great Britain in 10 metre pistol shooting since 2012. In August last year she was capped for Wales and Great Britain and won two bronze medals at the Junior International Competition. This year Siwan represented Wales and Great Britain in the International Competition held in Surrey in August.

Siwan is coached by John Kelman, Carmarthen Shooting Club, and is also a member of Aberystwyth Shooting Club.

Trip to Australia

Megan Trubshaw Yr. 9 will fly to Sydney at the end of the year to take part in an International St John Ambulance Cadets Camp. She is one of two cadets from Aberystwyth who are among 13 in Wales who will spend more than two weeks taking part in first aid situations and visiting the tourist areas of the city. We wish her well.

Megan Trubshaw

Siwan Burrell

Former pupils in a new prospectus

It was nice to see past-pupils of the school, Rhys Llwyd, Trystan ap Owen, Nanw Beard, Llŷr Thomas, and Megan Lewis taking a prominent role in the 2014 Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol prospectus.

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School Sports 2013

A very successful school sports was held once again this year with a large number of new records being set. The winning house at the end of the day was Bleddyn with 889 points. In second place was Hywel with 868 and Llywelyn came third with 656.5 points. More pictures of the day’s events can be found on the website, along with a full list of results.

Receiving the shield for ‘Bleddyn’, are the house captains Elliw Dafydd and Osian Burrell.

The Victor and Victrix Ludorum winners were (left to right) Steffan Gittins and Ben Griffiths (Hywel), Mary Grice-Woods (Llywelyn), Jac Williams (Hywel), Dwynwen Davies (Bleddyn), Megan Mason (Bleddyn), Alys Cowdy (Hywel) and Ffion Roberts (Llywelyn). Absent from the picture is Jack Rimmer (Bleddyn)

Ceredigion YFC Rally

Congratulations to the school’s pupils who took part in the County Rally this year. Below are the competitions in which the pupils took part.

• Section D Cob Judging (16 years of age and under) Rhodri Griffiths, Llangwyryfon - 4th; Gwennan Evans, Trisant - joint 5th; Ioan Evans - Llanddeiniol - 7th

• Badger Sheep Judging - Llangwyryfon - 6th; Llanddeiniol - 8th

• Welsh Black Cattle Judging - Llangwyryfon 1st; Llanddeiniol - 6th; Trisant 9th

(16 years of age and under) Eiry Williams, Llangwyryfon - 1st; Angharad Davies, Trisant - joint 2nd

• Federation Display - Llangwyryfon - 3rd - Mirain Griffiths; Ffion Jones; Sarah Scollan; Manon Jones

• Members’ Competitions - Llangwyryfon - 8th; Llanddeiniol - joint 11th; Trisant - 14th

• Celtic Challenge - Llanddeiniol - 1st - Anwen Thomas and Dylan Morris

• Dressing Up Competition - Llanddeiniol - 5th

• Celtic Scavenger Hunt - Trisant 8th - Huw Lewis

• Dancing - Llangwyryfon - 7th

• Celtic Chariot Race - Llanddeiniol - 2nd; Trisant - 12th

• Tableau - Llangwyryfon - 2nd

Total Marks - Llangwyryfon - 3rd; Llanddeiniol - 9th; Trisant - 16th

‘Walk On’On Wednesday 17 July the tenor Rhys Meirion and his guests called at Penweddig, on their 200-mile walk in aid of Wales Air Ambulance. Before their arrival in Aberystwyth they walked for four days from Swansea and after receiving a cheque from the Headteacher, Mr.Gwenallt Llwyd Ifan, they went on with Yr. 7 to the Prom, before turning to the north and reaching Caernarfon on 20 July.

Humanitarian Service 2013This year’s Humanitarian Service saw cheques totalling over £4000 presented to local and international charities. A special school assembly was held on Thursday 16 July, with representatives present from Children in Need, British Heart Foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support, Jeans for Genes, Age Cymru Ceredigion, Children’s Cancer Appeal, Penweddig’s Eco-school committee, Cancer research, Apêl Elain, DASH, Christian Aid, Angharad Ward at Bronglais Hospital, Christian Lewis Trust, ShelterBox, Kilimanjaro appeal, Air Ambulance, MS Society, Aberystwyth St John Ambulance and Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund. Led by Yr. 12, the annual presentation is the culmination of the year’s money-raising activities. Miss Joyce Howells, the main event organiser and head of the Religious Education Department, said “All money raised is a credit to the school’s caring ethos, which places emphasis on maintaining those less fortunate than us.”

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Gweriniaeth

Y BandanaFollowing a summer tour of fifteen concerts around Wales to promote their second album ‘Bywyd Gwyn’, the Welsh band The Bandana came to Penweddig on the last day of the summer term.

Opening the concert was a performance by the local group Gweriniaeth, before the Caernarfon group entertained pupils and staff for the morning.

The band performed at the National Eisteddfod this year as well.

Y Bandana

European Day of LanguagesTo celebrate this year’s ‘European Day of Languages’, Penweddig’s Yr. 7 had an own-clothes day to represent the colours of flags. A menu of international foods was served at lunchtime as well. The picture shows (l-r) Sara Hopton, Elsie Roberts, Delun Roberts and Lisa Ewart.

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Penweddig 40As part of Penweddig’s 40th birthday celebrations the school’s 600 students were all part of a unique picture recently. This was the launch of the year’s celebrations that will see various activities being held to look back at four successful decades of Welsh medium education at Aberystwyth.

The idea of the photograph came about during a meeting of past students, staff and governors and according to the school’s Headteacher, Gwenallt Llwyd Ifan, posed some logistical questions, “There were three key elements for us to consider, getting

600 students to form the shape appropriately, getting high enough to take the picture and the weather. The first element was sorted thanks to staff and students working well together, the local fire service were instrumental in helping us get high enough and thankfully the weather was kind to us.”

Local photographer Keith Morris was tasked with going up into the skies to take the picture,

“I think it’s fair to say this was not a run of the mill job and it’s lucky I don’t suffer from vertigo. I’m glad the students took to the task so obediently as it would have been difficult to go up and down trying to get them to stand in the right spot or move them around. I think the results are definitely worth it and it’s a wonderful kick start to this celebratory year.”

The school was located originally on St David’s Road and moved to its present location and modern, purpose-built premises in 2001. During its forty years there have only been three headteachers at the school, Gerald Morgan in the early years, followed by Arwel George and for the last three years Gwenallt Llwyd Ifan has been at the helm.

As part of the celebrations the school is looking for old photographs and students and if you can help please post them in or e-mail them to ymholiadau@penweddig.ceredigion.sch.uk or call 01970 639499.

You can also follow the developments of the year’s celebrations on a special Twitter account @Penweddig40 and on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/Penweddig40

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Cinema TripOn 8 October Yr. 7 paid a visit to Aberystwyth Arts Centre’s cinema. This was a follow-on to the Yr. 6 transition course.

They had a worthwhile afternoon and a very valuable experience to end the transition work.

Penweddig School and a Career in MedicinePenweddig School is keen to give their pupils every opportunity to strive for success. As part of the ‘Way Forward Scheme’, they had the pleasure of welcoming three successful ex-pupils, who are studying Medicine at Cardiff University. Osian Penri, Sian Thomas and Tomos Hywel visited the school to talk to sixth formers about their experiences in the field of Medicine. The pupils learnt about the application process and were given invaluable tips in preparation for their future applications. Each of the trainee doctors spoke about their personal experiences and gave a detailed insight into life in a busy hospital.

Penweddig’s students, who are keen to follow careers in various areas of medicine and veterinary courses, were encouraged to research thoroughly before choosing where to study and gain as many opportunities to volunteer in the local area, in order to develop their skills. We look forward to continued contact, as the young doctors act as mentors for our pupils and support them in their future career paths. They will also be taking part in a series of mock interviews, as part of the scheme, preparing this year’s candidates for their first step in a medical career.

Chief Bard’s VisitThe Chief Bard Tudur Dylan visited the Welsh Department in July to run a workshop with Year 7 pupils. They studied a part of a Welsh translation of ‘Under Milk Wood’ by Dylan Thomas before the pupils had a chance to create new characters and act a scene in front of the class.

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Sports Results

RugbyWednesday 9 October 2013Under 13: Penweddig 10 - Dyffryn Teifi 20 Senior Team: Penweddig 14 - Dyffryn Teifi 10

Wednesday 2 October 2013Under 15: Penweddig 38 - Newcastle Emlyn 5 Senior Team: Penweddig 36 - Newcastle Emlyn 10

Wednesday 25 September 2013Under 13: Penweddig 22 - Cardigan 5 Under 15: Penweddig 7 - Cardigan 15 Senior Team: Penweddig 27 - Cardigan 12

Thursday 19 September 2013Under 13: Penweddig 12 - Aberaeron 19 Under 15: Penweddig 22 - Aberaeron 22 Senior Team: Penweddig 10 - Aberaeron 17

Thursday 12 September 2013Yr. 8: Penweddig 49 - Tregaron 0 Yr. 10: Penweddig 12 - Tregaron 5 Senior Team: Penweddig 14 - Tregaron 0

Football

Wednesday 2 October 2013Yr. 9: Penweddig 3 - Newcastle Emlyn 2

HockeyTuesday 15 October 2013Senior Team: Penweddig 3 - Penglais 0 Yr. 9: Penweddig 2 - Penglais 0

Wednesday 9 October 2013Senior Team: Penweddig 3 - Dyffryn Teifi 0 Yr 9: Penweddig 0 - Dyffryn Teifi 5 Wednesday 2 October 2013Senior Team: Penweddig 5 - Newcastle Emlyn 0 Yr 9: Penweddig 3 - Newcastle Emlyn 0

Wednesday 25 September 2013Senior Team: Penweddig 3 - Cardigan 0 Yr.9: Penweddig 2 - Cardigan 0

Tuesday 17 September 2013Senior Team: Penweddig 7 - Aberaeron 0 (Nia Wyn Jones scoring 5 goals) Yr.9: Penweddig 1 - Aberaeron 2

Thursday 12 September 2013Senior Team: Penweddig 3 - Tregaron 0 Yr.9: Penweddig 2 - Tregaron 0

NetballTuesday 15 October 2013Yr. 10: Penweddig 7 - Penglais 4 Yr. 8: Penweddig 3 - Penglais 5

Wednesday 9 October 2013Yr. 10: Penweddig 7 - Dyffryn Teifi 11 Yr. 8: Penweddig 1 - Dyffryn Teifi 3

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Scholastic Book FairA Scholastic Book Fair was held in the Resource Centre between 25 April and 1 May and was open to pupils during break and lunchtimes. Stationery was also sold. A total of £135 of books and stationery was sold.

Music and Drama Trip to LondonA group of staff and pupils went to London in July to see the musicals Billy Elliot and The Bodyguard. They also visited Shakespeare’s Globe and had time to shop in Covent Garden.

In the foyer of Victoria Palace Theatre after seeing Billy Elliot

Tuesday 8 October 2013

Ceredigion Netball Tournament 2013Under 18 Penweddig 7 - Dyffryn Teifi 6 Under 18 Penweddig 8 - Cardigan 4 Final: Under 18 Penweddig 2 - Penglais 5 Under 16 Penweddig 10 - Tregaron 1 Under 16 Penweddig 11 - Dyffryn Teifi 2 Under 16 Penweddig 2 - Aberaeron 2 Under 16 Penweddig 3 - Penglais 3

Wednesday 2 October 2013Yr. 10: Penweddig 16 - Newcastle Emlyn 11 Yr. 8: Penweddig 3 - Newcastle Emlyn 7

Wednesday 25 September 2013Yr.8: Penweddig 10 - Cardigan 3

Tuesday 17 September 2013Yr. 10: Penweddig 14 - Aberaeron 7 Yr. 8: Penweddig 2 - Aberaeron 12

Thursday 12 September 2013Yr.10: Penweddig 12 - Tregaron 8 Yr. 8: Penweddig 4 - Tregaron 2

PSEThere have been a number of PSE days since the last publication of Pobl Penweddig

Yr. 10 discussing Fair Trade with Lampeter-based Ghanaian drum and dance teacher Emmanuel Okuni Annang

Huw Roberts realising the consequences of driving whilst wearing ‘beer goggles’

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PC Simon Griffiths discussing safety on the internet with Yr. 10

Yr. 7 receiving first aid training

Rock project with Yr. 7

Over 8,000 New ResourcesThe Resource Centre now subscribes to LinksPlus, which catalogues records of over 8,000 curriculum-related websites in MARC format.

It is a comprehensive directory of internet sites commonly requested by users when researching in a library. Each site is annotated and placed under a school subject heading. Sites are carefully chosen for their educational content and usefulness by a teacher-librarian and experienced educators.

Each month the catalogue is updated with between 80 and 100 relevant websites to add to or replace the previous month(s) and to maintain an up-to-date listing of working sites.

This service will be especially useful to students who are researching a topic, as a search result will display a list of books held by the Resource Centre along with websites which can be accessed directly from the catalogue.

The Resource Centre catalogue, Alice, can be accessed from any computer in the school.

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Sixth-form Prefects 2013-2014

Leading the school’s prefects this year are the Head Boy Rhodri James and the Head Girl Kelsey Thompson with their deputies Eilir Huws and Elan Elidyr.

Supporting them are the prefects Gwenno Stevens, Gareth Davies, Dylan Edwards and Sophie Trotter.

In addition to studying for their A-Level examinations, they are keen to set a good example and offer support to the teachers and pupils.

They would like to maintain the good name of the school and spread awareness about it, and assist the School Council in developing the school further in all areas.

Next year the prefects intend to go to Univeristy to study Drama and Theatre, Medicine, Dance, Geography, Biomedical Science, English and Film Studies.

Left to right: Gwenno Stevens, Eilir Huws, Rhodri James, Gareth Davies, Kelsey Thompson, Dylan Edwards, Sophie Trotter and Elan Elidyr