Today we have posted a letter providing details of the personalised return to school dates for students in Years 7-10 and 12. All students choosing to return to school will be able to ‘check-in’ with us twice before the end of term. Students in Years 7 and 8 will be in school on selected Tuesdays and Thursdays, with those in Years 9, 10 and 12 in on selected Wednesdays and Fridays, as initially indicated. My letter will be accompanied by our new Home School Agreement which has been revised to reflect the current Covid-19 situation and ensure we all keep the health and wellbeing of students and staff at the heart of all we do. If for any reason you have not had these communications by Wednesday 24th June, please ring the school at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for the positive reactions we have had to our Reopening of School document and Frequently Asked Questions pages, both of which are available on our website. We are all subject to ever-changing information and guidance flowing from the Welsh Government, and we hope to supply you with further information to this end next week, when we plan to send out to all families an expectations checklist for students’ return to school.
As part of our move to blended learning, with most still taking place from home at present, we have some further news to celebrate. In addition to the 3 students mentioned last week, really well done also to Keishe in Year 8, whose entry to the national English Mini Series Writing Competition brought success also. Keishe’s work will also be published in the national anthology.
In Lower School Geography classes, many students have responded brilliantly to a Coronavirus ‘Place’ Task. The coronavirus pandemic has influenced the way we experience place. We have spent a lot more time in one place and perhaps now see it differently. There have been both positive and negative changes to our place due to the coronavirus. Our younger geographers were this week given the task of producing a snapshot of how Coronavirus has affected their place. There has been some excellent work submitted, and here are some wonderful examples from each year group: Iwan, Jacob, Lewis, Amber (all Year 7), Archie Harry, Alice (all Year 8) and Luke, Dylan, Seren (all Year 9). Well done to you all, and indeed every student who rose to this challenge.
Holly, Year 12, is currently researching gender discrimination issues within STEM (Science, Technological, Engineering and Math) workplaces as part of her Individual Project, which is worth 50% of the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification. Last week Holly organised a conference call with 6 women working in STEM industries from Mexico, Brazil, Chicago, and the East Coast of America. She created and shared a
presentation with the results from a questionnaire she had conducted to seek further information and clarity on relevant issues. The call was really successful and she received great feedback, with participants asking for the presentation so they could send it to some of their colleagues. As a school we are incredibly proud of Holly’s great endeavours which will be an encouragement to future students undertaking the project as part of the Welsh Baccalaureate.
GCSE Art students have been utilising materials they have at home, such as tea, coffee or food colouring to add surface interest and tonal detail to their latest drawings. They have produced some really creative pieces, which will certainly enhance their current projects. Brilliant stuff Owen, Niah, Jodie, Carys, Amelia, Evie and Megan.
On a sporting front, a huge llongyfarchiadau / congratulations to Matthew in Year 8 for cycling 100km in 20 days recently. Matthew did this in aid of the NSPCC and raised over £230. Superb stuff Matthew – great achievement! Da iawn!
As we head into the weekend, l hope you all keep well and enjoy time relaxing with your immediate families. We look forward to seeing students very soon!