St David’s Day 2013

POBL PENWEDDIGPOBL PENWEDDIGwww.penweddig.ceredigion.sch.uk

St. David’s EisteddfodThe annual school Eisteddfod was held on the 7th of February in the Great Hall, Aberystwyth Arts Centre. Photographs of the day can be seen on the school website.

The winning house BLEDDYN

The winning house for homework BLEDDYN

The winning house for stage work LLYWELYN

Individual Medal Winners

Lledrith Llew Award Erin Gruffydd, Llywelyn

Musician’s Medal Glyn Rhys-James, Bleddyn

English Medal Siân Evans, Hywel

Trystan Maelgwyn Dwynwen Spink, Bleddyn Memorial Award

Non Taylor Memorial Award for the Best Dafydd Siôn, Bleddyn Instrumentalist

Best Singer Sam Ebenezer, Llywelyn

Best Speaker Alwen Morris, Bleddyn

Best Dancer Mary Grice-Woods, Llywelyn

Best Performer Rhun Penri, Llywelyn

Chair Competition Meinir Williams, Llywelyn

Crown Competition Dylan Edwards, Llywelyn

House Successes Bleddyn Miming a Song, StyleHywel Yr 7 – 9 ConversationLlywelyn Story and Sound, Instrumental/Rock Group, Choir, Individual Dancing/ Duet/Trio, Dance Group

Individual Successes Yr 7 – 9 recitation Alwen Morris, Bleddyn

Yr 7 – 9 Girls Solo Beca Williams, Hywel Yr 7 – 9 Duet Niamh and Emily, Hywel

Yr 7 – 9 Boys Solo Gwion Morgan Jones, HywelYr 10 – 13 Recitation Esther Llwyd Ifan, Hywel

Yr 7 – 9 Instrumental Solo Ifan Llywelyn, Hywel

Yr 10 – 13 Duet Gwawr and Dylan, LlywelynYr 10 -13 Girls Solo Lucy Scott, LlywelynYr 10 – 13 Instrumental Solo Dafydd Siôn, BleddynYr 10 – 13 Boys Solo Sam Ebenezer, LlywelynSolo from a Musical Sam Ebenezer, Llywelyn‘Stand-up’ Hanna Turner, Bleddyn

Meinir Williams: winner of the Chair competition, and Dylan Edwards: winner of the Crown competition

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Siân Evans: English Medal, Glyn Rhys-James: Musician’s Medal, Dwynwen Spink: Trystan Maelgwyn Memorial Award, Erin Gruffydd: Lledrith Llew Award

WJEC A-Level Prize-winner

Every year the Welsh Joint Education Committee celebrates the achievements of its A-level candidates by awarding cash prizes and certificates to the highest achievers.

The winner of the A-level Welsh First Language prize is Eoin Mahon. Eoin gained the highest marks of all the candidates throughout Wales who sat WJEC’s A level Welsh First Language examinations in 2012, and received a certificate and prize of £50 to mark the occasion, together with a personal letter from Mr Gareth Pierce,

WJEC’s Chief Executive, congratulating him on such tremendous results. Mr Pierce referred to “an outstanding achievement, and evidence of the hard work that Eoin and his teachers put into preparing for the examinations”.

Mr Gwenallt Llwyd Ifan, Headteacher, said “Eoin’s achievement is something that we are very proud of here at Penweddig and displays Eoin’s dedication to his work and the excellent support and teaching of the Welsh Department”.

Eoin is currently studying Linguistics at King’s College, Cambridge.

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Innovation Success at Penweddig

The innovation awards run by the WJEC is a celebration of innovative and different high quality A-Level and GCSE work within Design and Technology. The top 20 projects within Wales were recently selected by a team who had representation from the Welsh Assembly Government, Industry, Commerce, HE and WJEC.

Congratulations go to Alis Rees Year 12, whose previous year’s GCSE work was selected. Alis’s project of a newspaper holder made from Welsh oak and rope is fashioned in a nautical theme, and has been skilfully carved to represent waves. This went forward to the events exhibition in Venue Cymru, Llandudno and the SWALEC Stadium, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff where designs were judged further and awarded prizes.Penweddig has annually been selected to forward projects for the innovation awards, and this is a sign of the strength and quality within the Technology Dept, and is the icing on the cake following very good results received across the board with an 89% achievement of A*-C grades at GCSE this summer.

Alis Rees

Eoin Mahon, pictured as winner of the Crown at last year’s School Eisteddfod

Winter Fair 2012By Dewi Davies, 9L

On the 27th of November over 60 Penweddig pupils went to the Winter Fair in Llanelwedd. The trip was organised so that the pupils could learn more about what the fair had to offer. This trip was also an opportunity for pupils to support their fellow-pupils who were competing.

The bus left Penweddig at a quarter to nine and arrived back at about six o’clock. Throughout the day pupils saw many items. They saw YFC efforts in the Christmas tree decorating competition, the wide range of animals and also an abundance of stalls. Wil Rees said “It was a very good day and I had a lot of fun looking around the fair.” The day was very successful with the weather remaining dry and everyone enjoyed very much.

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A Work of Art

Members of year 9, namely Sam, Elliw, Gwenan, Ffion, Robyn, Glyn, Kieran and Jordan worked on a project with Arad Goch and Ruth Jên in November.

They spent two days creating a mural to adorn the entrance to Arad Goch’s centre, taking inspiration from the company’s shows and productions over the years.

Mrs Elinor Wigley, the school’s Head of Art said: “It’s nice to contribute to public work which will be enjoyed for years”.

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Christmas Service 2012

The annual school Christmas service was held on the last day of term in Bethel chapel. It was great to see the chapel overflowing with people and the congregation were treated to readings, carols, items by soloists and the school choirs. The Reverend Eifion Roberts addressed the congregation and The Reverend Richard Lewis gave the blessing. More pictures can be seen on our website.

Urdd Swimming Gala

Congratulations to the pupils who took part in the Ceredigion Regional Urdd Secondary Swimming Gala and especially to the following: Ifan Thomas (2nd in the 100m Freestyle for Yr. 11+ Boys), Rhydian Jones, Fergus Pitcher, Steffan Herdman and Ifan Rees (2nd in the 4 x 50m Medley Relay for Yr. 9 & 10 and 2nd in the 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay for Yr. 9 & 10 Boys), Catrin Skym, Mali Jones, Manon Jones and Alaw O’Rourke (3rd in the 4 x 50m Medley Relay for Yr. 7 and 8 Girls and 2nd in the 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay for Yr. 7 & 8 Girls), Cari O’Rourke (1st in the 100m Backstroke for Yr. 9 & 10 Girls and 1st in the 100m Freestyle for Yr. 9 & 10 Girls), Steffan Herdman (2nd in the 100m Butterfly for Yr. 9 & 10 Boys and 2nd in the 100m Breaststroke for Yr. 9 & 10 boys), Tomos Watson (1st in the 100m Butterfly for Yr.11+ Boys and 1st in the 4 x 50m for Yr. 11+ Boys), Bethan Benham (1st in the 100m Butterfly for Yr. 9 & 10 Girls and 2nd in the 100m Freestyle for Yr. 9 & 10 Girls), James Michael (2nd in the 4 x 50m Yr. 7 & 8 Boys and 3rd in the 100m Breaststroke for Y. 7 & 8 Boys), Talesia Janes (2nd in the 4 x 50m for Yr. 11+ Girls), Manon Jones (3rd in the 100m Backstroke for Yr. 7 & 8 Girls), Alaw O’Rourke (2nd in the 100m

Freestyle for Yr. 7 & 8 Girls and 3rd in the 100m Breaststroke for Yr. 7 & 8 Girls), Elin Wallace (3rd in the 100m Breaststroke for Yr. 11+ Girls and 3rd in the 100m Freestyle for Yr. 11+ Girls.)

Gymnastics

Congratulations to Andreas Adams Yr. 13, on coming 5th in the United Kingdom in the 17-18 age group in the British Open Tumbling Championships at the end of November. He travelled to Stoke-on-Trent to compete and said that it was “an opprtunity to meet the best people in the field, from all corners of the world.”

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Silver Medal for Yr. 13 Pupil!

Coral Kennerley recently won a medal for pistol shooting in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival.

She received the medal for the Women’s 10m Air Pistol event and has been showing her talents for some time as a Pony Club member. Coral shot a 1000 in a competition which was a part of an Easter course in 2012 and also at the Pony Club Tetrathlon Championships the same year.

After receiving her medal Coral said “I am really delighted with the silver medal. This is definitely the best result I’ve ever had, as I’ve never won a medal in a competition as big as this; and it was pretty exciting to find out that I won the first medal for Team GB at this event. That was a good feeling.”

Coral is currently studying for her A-levels and has been shooting for ten years. Her recent score of 377 out of 400 for a shoot is enough to qualify Coral for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow!

Awards ServiceCurrent and former pupils of the school came together during the last week of term to receive examination certificates in the annual Awards Service. Photographs of the afternoon are available on the school website.

Christmas BannersYear 8 pupils created banners portraying ideas about the meaning of Christmas and their work was displayed outside Bethel Chapel in Aberystwyth.

The purpose of the pictures was to create a special decoration to celebrate Christmas and to encourage people who passed the chapel to think about the meaning of Christmas.

Mrs Elinor Wigley, the school’s Head of Art said: “Thanks to the artist Leah Adams for her help and inspiration. It was very interesting to see the variety of images and the personal meaning of Christmas through the eyes of the pupils.”

Bethel’s minister, Judith Morris added: “We are very grateful to the pupils for creating such a striking decoration…the pictures are certainly a valuable contribution at a very special time of the year for all chapels and churches in the town.”

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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.

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. There is a page dedicated to independent learning on the school’s website which includes a handbook of Welsh terms and the independent learning timetable.

Introduce yourself – Where do you live? What’s important to you?I’m Megan Turner and I live in Aber and I’m a sister to Tomi Turner who also attended Penweddig School. I feel that I’m very lucky to have been elected Head Girl. It’s an honour to be able to give back to the school, following the seven years of fun I’ve had here.

Sport is very important to me and I run, swim and surf at competition level. I have a solid group of friends here in school and that’s one reason why I’ve enjoyed my time in Penweddig. It’s been a pleasure to socialise over the years, with keen Welsh speakers in the GYTS club, so it was important to me to support the club when I had the opportunity last year. I had a lot of pleasure in helping to lead the club after school in order to support the Welsh language.

How did it feel to be elected Head Girl?My first reaction was shock, and the fact that I was elected by my fellow-pupils and teachers gives me great pleasure. I see it as a duty that I need to undertake efficiently and it’s incredible that people have entrusted this responsibility to me.

My duty is mainly to be a contact between the pupils and teachers. Being a member of the School Council allows me to share ideas with teachers and the management team. I see this as an opportunity to ensure that current and future pupils of the school receive the same positive experience in the school that I received.

Interview with the Head Girl

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Valuable Experiences…The school has been a platform for a number of experiences in the field of sport. Being a member of Penweddig’s running team has been a lot of fun and has led to me gaining four Welsh vests. I will be sad to wear the school vest for the last time this year! In addition to sport successes, I’m lucky to be a member of the choir, and have competed annually in the Urdd Eisteddfod, and winning on many occasions. Being a part of such a large crew who co-operate to succeed every time, is fun, and is something I’ll remember forever. I had a lot of fun arranging the philanthropy week last year and raising such a large amount of money proved that the hard work was worth it. The 2011 ‘Awr Fawr’ will remain in the memory for a long time too!

The Next Step…Following my exams in the summer I’ll be starting my term as a beach lifeguard, before beginning my gap-year. I’m hoping to spend a year working in France before returning to study for a degree in French and philosophy.

Message for Penweddig PupilsI remember starting in Year 7 and thinking that I would never leave the school as seven years is a long time. But here I am and the years have flown! So enjoy your time in Penweddig. I don’t think there’s a school like it. Enjoy and appreciate your friends, try to get along with your teachers, they are there to help you! Make the most of the opportunities that come your way, and don’t worry too much…no problem is too big.

Getting to know…Sam EbenezerI’m Sam Ebenezer and I come from a village outside Aberystwyth called Tal-y-Bont. I’m very grateful to have the honour of being awarded the job of Head Boy in Penweddig for 2012-13. I have many different interests including singing, acting, performing and playing football, and I hope to continue to study in the world of performing by concentrating on musicals. Singing and performing have been a large part of my life since an early age, beginning at my primary school in Tal-y-Bont, and we are very lucky to have the resources and the experiences here in Penweddig to follow the careers which interest us, and I’m very grateful for this.

How did it feel to be elected Head Boy?Being considered as a possible prefect was an honour but I had a shock when I was elected by my fellow-pupils and the teachers. I was pleased that people could trust my ability to do the job. This made me realise that the teachers and fellow-pupils appreciated my work enough to represent the school.

DutiesAs Head Boy I have a number of different roles. The main purpose of the job, in my opinion, is to be the contact between pupils and teachers, and to represent the pupils. I also have to represent the school at different events. Another thing that’s important, in my opinion, is being a part of the School Council. I’m glad to have the opportunity to express my opinion to the school and to make sure that pupils have the best possible time.

Interview with the Head Boy

Valuable ExperiencesBeing a part of this school has brought me many valuable experiences and fond memories. Taking part in school shows and choirs has been a big thing during my time in Penweddig and I have had the honour of winning on many occasions. The opportunities I’ve had within school and by representing the school are vast. I’m also very pleased to have had the opportunity to run the two groups, GYTS and Cwmni Brolio. Running these two groups was a great experience for me and they taught me how to run workshops and gave me a lot of confidence. I hope this will help me in the future if I find myself in similar situations.

The Next Step:I’m currently attending auditions for music and drama colleges, so next year I’m hoping to study in the world of performing. I hope to be accepted and the school, in particular the music department, has been a lot of help, and I’m very grateful for this.

Message for Penweddig pupils:Thanks very much for seven great years of my life. I realise how lucky I am with this school and how much support everyone gives . We are very lucky to have the choice of a Welsh education here in Aberystwyth, and are even more lucky with the quality of teaching. There are plenty of opportunities in every field in school so take every opportunity to have more opportunities, and to improve your skills. Represent the school at every chance available and perhaps one day you’ll have the honour of being elected Head Boy or Head Girl.

Hou Dougia, Caryl George, Catrin Pink, Meinir Williams, Serin Quinn and Hanna Meredydd

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HipHop Dancing

Congratulations to Stephanie Lucas and Hana Bailey on winning the Ceredigion HipHop Dancing Championship. They were also responsible for choreographing their routine. They will be competing in the Welsh HipHop Dancing Championship in April.

Chinese Cookery

Yr. 12 pupils who have Chinese lessons celebrated the Chinese New Year by making traditional dumplings with their teacher, Hou Dougia, who is here for a year. In their lessons they have the opportunity to learn about the culture and language of China.