BBC Young REPORTErs

On 6th March 2019 we took part in the BBC Young Reporter News Day! Schools from across the UK had one day to create news reports. Click here to see how we got on.

Christmas In A New Perspective

By Sophia H-D

Christmas: many of us will think of gifts and decorations, however, oblivious to many of us, it is estimated that around 130,000 children will be homeless in the UK this 2018 Christmas. This figure is a 59% rise than the Christmas in 2013, meaning that 50,000 more children will be homeless this year. According to recent studies, the main reason for whole families to become poorless is poverty that is mainly caused by the rise in rental costs in the UK.

Homelessness can also have a huge impact on children’s education, it is now known that homeless children are twice as more likely to leave school without a GCSE than a child who has a safe place to call home. Why? Well, according to a secondary school teacher quoted on english. shelter.org.uk, homeless children have a fear of being recognised as being ‘different’. In fact a secondary school teacher from East-London said, “Homelessness has a massive negative impact on children, on their mental health and their attainment in school and just their life chances.” It is also known that in an average school in Britain, there is an average of five homeless children. This includes children living on the streets, in a hostel or being bounced around to other family members.

For many children, Christmas is just like any other day: full of stress, depression and anxiety. However, many people are pulling together to help the homeless this Christmas. One of the biggest this year is a reverse Advent calendar, where people are giving food and other necessary items to food banks to help people who are struggling most during this hard time of year. Additionally, many restaurants across the UK are pulling together and are offering free soup and hot drinks for free to anyone who needs it. This offer is certainly very heartwarming and will hopefully have a big impact this Christmas.

Local Charities are also encouraging the local community to donate warm clothes, food, warm beverages and money that can help people sleeping rough. There are also a range of charities that offer a service allowing you to donate to the homeless. However, it is also aware that many UK residents do not have the money to donate, according to a leading homeless charity, just by giving a smile to those who need it can extremely help out.

To conclude, my opinion as writer of this article, is that people need to pull together to try and solve the problem of homelessness as a community. This is also advised by the majority of homeless charities. To do this, you could organise a village food bank, partake in fundraising events near you or you can use Street Link’s Website to give the location and date of when you see someone homeless.

Facts, figures and quotes extracted from a pdf studying impacts of homelessness on children from england.shelter.org.uk.

Friday, October 26, 2018

Dyffryn Taf’s splendid open evening

by Rhian C.

On Thursday, October 25th Dyffryn Taf had their yearly open evening. From 4 to 7 in the afternoon, people and children who are considering coming to the school could see what Dyffryn Taf does as a learning institution.

Many of the teachers had something going on that had something to do with their subject. For example, both of the French teachers had a small and welcoming cafe. You could have a cup of tea or coffee with a brioche while the children could make masks for a competition. They could use colours or feathers and the lucky winners would have their prize sent to their school.

In the Art rooms you could see all of the students work. There sweet also some students creating their own art as well. One of the many subjects of a art was the year 9, Tim Burton project. Year 9 students had to draw themselves and a teacher in the T Burton style. Tim Burton is a famous film director that is known for his dark and goth style. His animated movie characters usually have gigantic, circular eyes, pale skin and large heads with tiny necks.

“I would like to say that the creativity of the pupils amazes me,” said Miss Frost, who is one the Art teachers.

“ Amazing and it gets better every year!” said a parent who attended.

One Dyffryn Taf student told us that “Tim Burton is very eccentric and it shows character in a different perspective.”

You could also watch the school choir practice new songs in the hall for forty five minutes. Or if you are more into performing, some students were performing in the drama room at 6. Each year group learned their lines and had a different subject to perform. The science teachers showed people cool and interesting ways to learn science and you could also have a henna tattoo done on the top floor. Also, in the textiles room you could have a go on the sewing machine doing different shapes. It was a lovely night.

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