Ysgol Uwchradd Llanfyllin High School Llanfyllin, Powys SY22 5BJ.

Ffôn/Telephone: (01691) 648391 Ffacs/Fax: (01691) 648898 office@llanfyllin-hs.powys.sch.uk www.llanfyllin-hs.powys.sch.uk

Pennaeth Dros Dro Mr Ll. Thomas Acting Headteacher

School Update – Easter 2017

It has been an extremely busy time since Christmas within school and pupils and staff have been involved in many activities. As ever, there are plenty of success stories to report on.

Year 9 Ski trip was held over February half term which was a successful and enjoyable event for both staff and pupils.

On March 8th, a successful Careers event was held at Builth Wells showground; Year 10 & 12 pupils attended along with other Powys High Schools and companies promoted themselves and their industries to the pupils.

An “Entrepreneurial Day” was held on the 23rd January for Year 9. It was in partnership between the Welsh department and Big Ideas Wales, co-ordinated by The Welsh Assembly. They sent five entrepreneurs to come and talk to Yr 9 about how they have set up their business ideas and how important it is to use the Welsh language within their work, whatever language skills you have.

A fire safety day was held for Year 8, whereby the Fire service gave a talk with video clips on the dangers of fire and how they handle these situations.

Food Technology pupils had a visit from Aled Jones, a butcher from Llanfyllin who showed them different cutting techniques with chicken.

HWB - We have a newly created ‘Hwb’ for students to seek guidance and support with revision, college/ job applications and any other concerns. We can also signpost external agency support such as CAIS, Careers Wales, School Nurse, Youth Worker and make appointments for them too. Parents/carers please feel free to email hwb@llanfyllin-hs.powys.sch.uk if you have any questions or wish to refer your son/daughter.

Lunchtime Club - A new club has emerged - board games and reading are currently taking place in the quiet environment of the library every lunchtime and there are plans for more activities based on feedback from the students - watch this space! Donations of games would be very welcome, thank you!

The Eco Team were fortunate enough to work with Lisa Barlow, Project Officer from Severn Rivers Trust. The team did some research around school to see how we could save water and are continuing their good work next term.

The work to improve the cycle route and road safety around the school grounds is complete and a cycle shelter has been installed too. The main entrance to the school car park is also going to have the ‘pot holes’ repaired, thanks to the funding received from Sustrans.

Niamh Taylor, Year 7 held a charity hair cut where she donated her hair to the “Little Princess” Cancer Charity that makes wigs for children.

GCSEPod is now available at Llanfyllin High School for Years 10 and 11! We have subscribed to the award-winning service to give children access to thousands of hours of professionally produced, audio-visual content which will benefit them throughout the coming year. GCSEPod has over 4,000 teacher-written, audio-visual pods which have been produced specifically for learning, homework and revision. The Pods contain all the right facts, quotes, keywords, dates and annotated diagrams that students need for GCSE success. The GCSEPod website can be viewed on mobiles, tablets and PCs and the Pods can be downloaded for offline viewing. The Pods are mapped to the curriculum and students can access pre-set exam playlists which collate all the Pods relevant to a specific exam into a neatly organised list.

Pedestrian Awareness Structure Competition 2017 Pupils of all ages within Llanfyllin High School were invited to enter this unique opportunity to design an archway or sculpture to welcome pedestrians to the school grounds. This was part of the project which SUSTRANS are sponsoring to improve safe walking and cycle paths within the ground of the primary and secondary schools.

The overall winner was Aaliyah Jones from 8u with an ambitious dragon archway design. The 5 worthy runners up were India Wilkinson Year 9, Alethea Bostock Wilkie and Emily Letham Year 10, Tegan Docherty Year 8 and Merlyn Rhys Roberts Year 12. A huge congratulation to all the winners as the competition was fierce with over 100 entries. Mari Jones, Year 12, achieved fantastic success in the Julian Hodge Bank Wales School Debating Championships. She was awarded the chance to compete for the Wales International Debating team and was in the last 22 pupils from across the whole of the country Staffing News Mr Huw Lloyd Jones is now Acting Assistant Headteacher and Mr Rob Rudge is currently Acting Head of Year 9. The Leadership team has been strengthened further with the addition of Mandy Saunders and Dan Morris who will start as Associate Senior Leaders next term. Bus Pass - All Bus drivers will be checking after the Easter holidays, please can you ensure that your child has one to present to the driver or if lost or needs replacing, please contact Nigel Leadbeater at the school on 01691 649301. Summer term starts back on Monday 24th April 2017.

Sport Success Stories

Under 18’s Football- the team were in the last sixteen in the Welsh Cup played at Ysgol Glan

Clwyd.

Under 15’s Boys Rugby – Semi-final of RGC plate at Cobra

Under 13’s Boys Rugby – Semi-final at Cobra

Under 12’s Netball Winners – North Powys

Under 13’s Netball – North Powys

Under 14’s Netball Runners Up – North Powys

Amber Bennett, James Crosskey & Izzy Evans

Welsh Indoor athletics, Izzy has gained her place in the UK Finals representing Wales

Under 14’s Hockey – North Powys

Represented Wales in Squash in Cardiff

Fergus Stevens, Wales captain in U18 hockey

Rugby - Quarter final Welsh cup