Spring Term | Tymor y Gwanwyn

Issue 05

A Message from Mrs Davies / Neges oddi wrth Mrs Davies

Dear Parents and Carers

As we reach the end of another busy term at Heolddu, I would like to thank you all for your continued support and partnership in your child’s education. Your involvement, whether it be attending parents' evenings, responding to surveys or questionnaires and offering encouragement at home, plays a crucial role in the success of our pupils. To this end, we will be looking to launch a brand new Friends of Heolddu group in the summer term and we would love to see as many parents as possible participating in this, as we try to raise some much-needed funds to support extra-curricular activities for our young people.

I am very proud of the hard work and achievements of Heolddu pupils this term. Our school production of Grease was an enormous success with sell-out audiences and incredible feedback from many members of the school community who attended. We have also seen a wide range of sporting events with both boys' and girls' rugby teams reaching finals of local cups and plate competitions. Most importantly, however, our pupils have been working hard in lessons and those in exam years have begun sitting formal examinations at GCSE and A Level. We wish them the best of luck as they move into the full summer examination series after the Easter break. There are several revision sessions being held at school over the Easter holidays, you can see all of these in the news items below.

I would like to thank the dedicated staff here at Ysgol Heolddu School who are supporting our pupils so well as they move into the final stages of revision.

Good attendance at school is essential for all pupils, and I would like to remind parents that we do not authorise any holiday requests during term time. There is a direct link between high levels of attendance (over 95%) and strong academic outcomes. Your child has the very best chance of success if they are in school every day. Please contact Miss Watkins, Family Engagement Officer, or your child’s Head of Year if you would like to discuss attendance.

Finally, for information, we have been notified that the cost of school lunches will increase to £2.80 from 1st April. Please see the following links for information to parents from the Welsh Government in relation to free school meals and grants to help with costs.

We wish you a restful Easter break as we break up on Friday 22 March. We look forward to welcoming pupils back to school on Tuesday 9 April (Monday 8 April is a training day for staff).

Yours sincerely,

Mrs N Davies

Pennaeth | Headteacher

Get help with school costs: promotional toolkits for schools

Get Help with School Costs | GOV.WALES

School Updates and Upcoming Events / Diweddariadau Ysgolion a Digwyddiadau i Ddod

SLT Drop-In / TAU Galw Heibio

Mark your calendars for our upcoming Parent Drop-In session on 26th June from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Do you have questions or need support? No appointment is needed.

Join members of the SLT for an open session where we're here to assist you with:

Academic progress 📚
Attendance 🕒
Pastoral support 🤝
Class Charts/Go 4 Schools help 💻

Your concerns matter to us, and we're here to help address them. See you there!

Save the Date: Parents' Evenings

Transition Week / Wythnos Pontio

Heolddu Summer Transition Week - Monday 8th - Friday 12th July

8:30 am – 2:50 pm daily for Year 6 pupils.

On Monday the 8th of July, pupils should attend in their Year 6 school uniform. The day will begin with the Headteacher’s assembly at 8:30 am, followed by:

One hour with their tutor group
Ice-breaker activities
Four lessons following the Year 7 timetable
For the rest of the week, pupils will follow their full Year 7 timetable, accessing all lessons supported by sixth formers who will guide them around the building.

Parent Voice / Llais y Rhieni 2022-23

Pupil Voice / Llais Disgyblion 2022-2023

“It can be a daunting time going from junior to comprehensive school. However, the transition week gently eased my son into comprehensive life as he knew what set he was in, and who his form tutor was so the new term in September wasn't so daunting.”

“My son knew what to expect when starting school and felt more confident over the summer instead of worrying due to the unknown.”

“The transition week allowed me to make new friends from outside of my year 6 class, I really enjoyed my summer holidays as I was not worried about starting Heolddu”

“I was the only pupil joining from my primary school, but I made lots of new friends during the transition week and my Head of Year supported me.”

Year 6 School Disco - Wednesday, 10th July / Disgo Ysgol Blwyddyn 6 - Dydd Mercher, 10fed o Orffennaf

We would also like to offer a free-of-charge disco to all year 6 pupils on Wednesday 19th July, this initiative was agreed upon by all cluster schools to replace the Year 6 prom. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet new friends.

This disco will start at 5:00 pm and end at 6:30 pm. Your child may want to bring some money for the tuck shop.

In the meantime, follow us on Twitter (@HeoldduCS) and our Facebook page as we will share updates regularly there and on our school website.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via email at HeoldduComprehensive@sch.caerphilly.gov.uk or 01443 875531.

Mr T Barnes (Head of Year).

ClassCharts Points / Pwyntiau ClassCharts

You Said, We Did / Dywedasoch, Gwnaethom Ni

55,000 Positive Class Charts Awarded and Counting!

Congratulations to all our pupils for their outstanding achievements this academic year. Your dedication and hard work have earned you a whopping 55,000 positive ClassCharts points!

We are thrilled to see so many of you making use of your purchase awards before the half-term break. Keep up the great work and continue to strive for excellence in everything you do.

Following a recent learner voice exercise, we've implemented key updates to enhance pupil well-being and school culture. Firstly, we've introduced a 'report a problem' button on the student section of the school website, allowing anonymous reporting of concerns such as bullying to promote a safe environment. Additionally, to address persistent unkindness often disguised as banter, we've introduced an 'unkind comment' negative point system to build awareness and encourage kindness among pupils. These changes reflect our commitment to listening to student feedback and fostering a supportive school community.

School Senedd / Senydd Yr Ysgol

Wear Red for Velindre Day / Gwisgwch Goch ar gyfer Diwrnod Felindre

Back in February staff and pupils participated in “Wear Red for Velindre Day” Many staff members wore red and pupils supported our red-themed cake sale and raffle. There were some delicious cakes on offer. We raised an amazing £473 for Velindre. Thanks to our wonderful Heolddu community, for your support with this event.

CAHMS Online Well-being Workshops / Gweithdai Lles Ar-Lein CAHMS

Cost of Living Support / Cymorth Cost Byw

School Uniform Bank / Banc Gwisg Ysgol

Join CAMHS workshops on MS Teams this Half Term! Open to all children, young people, and families in Gwent.

Book your spot at least 24 hours in advance using the button below. Don't miss out!

The Parent Network's 'Cost of Living Push Back' project provides school wear, shoes, coats, children and adults clothes, baby items, fancy dress and free hair cuts.

If you are a family in need, know a family in need or work with a family in need then they can help you.

If you would like to donate any uniforms that pupils have outgrown, please hand them in at the main reception. Your donation can help other students who may not have access to appropriate clothing. Additionally, if any parents or guardians would like to access the uniform bank at Heolddu, please let us know. We want to ensure that every student has access to the clothing they need to succeed in their education.

Our team is here to help ensure that every student has access to the clothing they need to feel confident and comfortable while at school.

English Department / Adran Saesneg

World Book Day / Diwrnod Llyfr y Byd

Book Tasting / Blasu Llyfrau

Huge thanks to everyone who helped support our World Book Day celebrations and for joining in the lanyard book hunt. We had a blast and even picked up some new reading recommendations too. Da iawn pawb!

A spot of book tasting was also on the menu for World Book Day. Our KS3 pupils loved listening to the opening chapters of this year's World Book Day books before deciding which they liked best. They were spoilt for choice when they had to pick one (or two) to ‘take away’ with them. A huge thank you to Storyville Books for all your help- we certainly had some rave reviews!

Exploring the Scribblers Workshop at Cardiff University / Gweithdy Archwilio’r Sgriblwyr ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd

Recently, some of our pupils from Years 7 and 8 travelled to the Cardiff University campus to take part in the immersive ‘Scribblers’ creative writing workshop organised by the Hay Festival. This exciting trip offered a unique opportunity for our budding writers to meet seasoned writers and mentors, gain a true insight into the depths of the writing process using their imagination, and develop their storytelling skills.

Engaging in a number of lively discussions and interactive activities, students refined their literary skills while exploring the importance of character development, plot construction, and narrative techniques. The wonderful author, Emma Carroll, shared how our pupils' life experiences could be turned into incredible pieces of writing, as well as challenging our young writers to create a backstory for some interesting image prompts. The energetic Karl Nova had our pupils hooked with a sensational talk about poetry and how it inspires his Hip-hop lyrics. He even gave our pupils an electric performance of his new rap song!

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day and ended this fantastic experience with a chance to have books kindly signed by the authors.

Some of the pupils also shared their feedback about the trip!

“Since going on the trip, I feel more confident in my writing as I’ve learnt many new skills.”

“Creative writing seems easier after listening to the advice of authors.”

“It showed me how I can create stories with just using my brain and what I enjoy.”

“I already believed that reading and writing was an amazing thing, and the trip proved my views on it.”

“My favourite part was interacting with other people and hearing about their ideas and using my imagination.”

Family Assembly / Cymanfa Deuluaidd

PSE Week / Wythnos ABCh

Celebrating Student Achievements / Dathlu Llwyddiannau Myfyrwyr

On December 20th, we had the pleasure of celebrating the exceptional achievements of some of our students. A heartfelt thank you to all the parents and carers who joined us to show their support.

Don't miss out on capturing the memorable moments from the event! Visit our website's photo gallery by clicking the button below.

Family Assembly Gallery

Christmas Celebrations at Heolddu / Dathliadau Nadolig yn Heolddu

Back in December, staff and pupils enjoyed a delightful Christmas lunch. We extend a heartfelt Diolch yn fawr iawn to our magnificent catering team for their remarkable effort in crafting a roast Christmas feast 🦃 that brought joy to all. Your hard work and dedication truly made the day special.

PE Updates / Diweddariadau AG

Special Mentions / Crybwyll Neillduol

Successes in Snooker Championships / Llwyddiannau mewn Pencampwriaethau Snwcer

Jay Vokes (Yr 10) has achieved remarkable success in the U16s Welsh event 5, reaching the final and finishing as the runner-up. Additionally, Jay has been selected to represent Wales in the U16s European Snooker Championship in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Ardderchog, Jay!

Cardiff Foundation Presentation / Cyflwyniad Sylfaen Caerdydd

Thanks to Cardiff City FC for providing our pupils with the opportunity to deliver their presentation in support of the Cardiff Foundation. Three Year 9 students Rhys, Kai and Dempsey showcased excellence and represented our school admirably. Congratulations, boys, on a job well done!

Year 12 Masters First Aid / Cymorth Cyntaf Meistri Blwyddyn 12

Our Year 12 students recently completed first aid training in collaboration with Cardiff University, mastering essential life-saving techniques in a single afternoon session. Under expert guidance, they successfully tackled CPR and learned to respond to various medical emergencies and acquiring a crucial life skill. Well done to our Year 12 cohort for this significant achievement!

U16's Regional Girls Finals: A Triumph for Heolddu / Rowndiau Terfynol Rhanbarthol Merched Dan 16: Buddugoliaeth i Heolddu

Our U16 girls recently participated in the Regional Girls Finals, showcasing exceptional rugby skills against formidable opponents. Despite playing against older competitors, our team of 16 girls displayed remarkable determination and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

This experience not only provided our pupils with the opportunity to compete at a high level but also served as valuable preparation for future competitions. Their commendable performance demonstrates their commitment to excellence and sets a solid foundation for next year's challenges, including the prestigious road to Principality.

Congratulations to our talented girls for their outstanding achievement. Your dedication and effort have made Heolddu Comprehensive School proud. Well done!

The Brilliant Club / Y Clwb Gwych

The SEREN Project / Y Prosiect SEREN

Year 12 students at Heolddu Comprehensive School have been actively engaged in the Brilliant Club Scholars Programme this term. This programme aims to equip students with the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence to secure placements in competitive universities.

Over the course of six weeks, participating students collaborated with a PhD tutor from the University of Leeds. They were tasked with crafting a university-standard essay on the topic of "Protecting Genetic Information and the Challenges Ahead."

We are proud to announce the success of the following students in completing this rigorous academic endeavour:

Brooklynn Dobbs
Kacey-Jo Cross
Ella Harding
Seren Sullivan
Harrison Reeve

Each of these students has been awarded either a first-class honours pass or an upper second-class honour for their outstanding achievements. Congratulations to all on this remarkable accomplishment!

Humanutopia: A Journey of Self-Discovery / Humanutopia: Taith o Hunan Ddarganfod

Recently, students in Years 8, 9, and 10 embarked on a transformative journey with Humanutopia at Llancaiach Fawr. This engaging experience delved into the depths of self-awareness and personal growth under the theme "Who Am I."

Who Am I / Pwy Ydw I?

Who Am I is a very powerful day which lives long in the minds of young people. Typically the programme is split into three 90-minute sessions.

Session 1 is the Comfort Zone in which the students reflect on the past helping them reflect on how they became the person they are. This session is a roller coaster as students are roaring with laughter one minute and deep in reflection the next minute.
Session 2 is the Stretch Zone when the students consider how the present could be so different if each person behaved differently. The activities are highly engaging as young people interact with others outside their normal friendship group.
Session 3 is the Panic Zone during which the young people imagine who they could be in the future, discussing dreams, hopes, goals and ambitions. The day is concluded when every student identifies and commits to making three positive changes to improve their future.

Intended Outcomes / Deilliannau Arfaethedig

To provide an opportunity for all students to reflect on their past and consider why and who they have become today.
To provide a warm and psychologically safe environment for young people to express themselves about the struggles and challenges they have faced.
To encourage the students to work collaboratively in small groups in order to present a positive social experience with students outside their friendship circles.
To challenge young people to ask if and how they can make positive changes to improve their life chances.
To inspire the students to aspire to a bigger and brighter future by encouraging them to consider and chase their dreams.

Performing Arts / Celfyddydau Perfformio

Grease Lightning Strikes Again: Heolddu Drama Club Shines at Blackwood Miners Institute! / Trawiad Mellt Grease Eto: Clwb Drama Heolddu yn Disgleirio yn Sefydliad y Glowyr Coed Duon!

The Blackwood Miners Institute was transformed into a nostalgic trip down memory lane as it played host to a vibrant and energetic production of the classic musical "Grease." Directed by Mrs. Bibey and Musical Director Miss Carter-Evans, and performed by Heolddu's Drama Club, the production captured the essence of 1950s America with its toe-tapping tunes, memorable characters, and slick dance moves.

From the moment the curtain rose, the audience was transported to Rydell High, where the T-Birds and Pink Ladies reigned supreme. The set design was simple yet effective, evoking the iconic locations of the story, from the diner to the school gymnasium. The attention to detail was incredible, with authentic props and costumes adding to the authenticity of the era.

The cast delivered standout performances across the board, bringing their characters to life with charisma and flair. The chemistry between Danny (played by Kai Stephens) and Sandy (played by Brooke Taylor) was palpable, capturing the tumultuous romance at the heart of the story. Their rendition of "Summer Nights" was a highlight of the evening, showcasing both their vocal talents and on-stage chemistry.

Supporting characters were equally impressive, with standout performances from Rizzo (played by Emily Evans) and Kenickie (played by Calum Thackrah). Their performances of "There Are Worse Things I Could Do" were poignant and powerful, revealing the vulnerability beneath Rizzo's tough exterior and "Grease Lightning" was energetic and soulful, revealing Kenickie's passion and poise.

Of course, no production of "Grease" would be complete without its infectious musical numbers, and the ensemble cast did not disappoint. From the upbeat energy of "The Hand Jive" to the sweet harmonies of "Freddy My Love" (performed by Ava Parsons), each song was delivered with precision and enthusiasm, eliciting cheers and applause from the audience.

The choreography was another standout element of the production, with intricate dance routines adding an extra layer of excitement to the performance. The cast moved with grace and confidence, executing complex sequences with apparent ease.

The humour and interactions from the main cast were second to none, setting the performance at a professional standard. Highlights include a glimpse into the dream world of a teen wannabe rock star with the song "Those Magic Changes" (performed by our very own Jayden Harwood), the heartwarming "Mooning" (performed by Caleb Pope and Cassie McLaughlan), and a classic rendition of "Beauty School Dropout" (sung with warmth and style and performed by Tomas Chard and Sarah Banks).

Overall, the whole school production of "Grease" at Blackwood Miners Institute was a resounding success. It captured the spirit of the original musical while infusing it with fresh energy and talent. From its charismatic cast to its dynamic choreography, every aspect of the production came together to create an unforgettable evening of entertainment. Bravo to all involved!

Music / Cerddoriaeth

A Day of Jazz Exploration with NYJO at Cardiff University School of Music / Diwrnod o Archwilio Jazz gyda NYJO yn Ysgol Cerddoriaeth Prifysgol Caerdydd

Budding musicians embarked on an exhilarating journey into the world of jazz, thanks to a captivating workshop organized by the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) at Cardiff University School of Music.

Led by the esteemed jazz specialist, Dr. Huw Warren, the day kicked off with an engaging workshop that left participants buzzing with inspiration. Among them were Kai, Brooke, and George, who eagerly immersed themselves in the intricacies of jazz under Dr. Warren's expert guidance.

The workshop provided a unique opportunity for students to delve into the nuances of jazz, exploring improvisation, harmony, and rhythm. Kai, Brooke and George found themselves captivated by the fusion of theory and practice, gaining valuable insights into the art form.

Young Carers / Gofalyddion Ifanc

Celebrating Our Accreditation and Looking Forward to 'Beyond the Basics' / Dathlu Ein Achrediad ac Edrych Ymlaen at 'Y Tu Hwnt i'r Hanfodion'

We have recently gained accreditation in 'The Basics' of the Young Carers in Schools Programme (YCiSP), and The Care Collective attended our Young Carers Action Day assembly to award the school with our plaque! The Programme has five areas of focus and encourages schools to better understand, inform, identify, listen, and support young carers in education.

Schools are required to work with The Care Collective to gather evidence to support the work taking place, which is collated into a portfolio and presented to the Peer Review Panel, a group of young carers who review the portfolios and make recommendations for improvement or award the school for achieving the standards. Once a school has passed a stage of the YCiSP, they are awarded a plaque to be displayed in their school and are sent digital logos to show their community they have been awarded. Our staff and Young Carers were thrilled that we have received this recognition.

We look forward to working towards the next accreditation, 'Beyond the Basics.'

Fantastic Fundraiser Success for Young Carers / Llwyddiant Codi Arian Gwych i Ofalwyr Ifanc

On Friday, the 15th of March, we hosted a Bake Sale and Raffle to support our Young Carers, and the response was incredible! Thanks to the generosity of our amazing Heolddu staff, we had an abundance of delicious cakes and fantastic raffle prizes. It was heartwarming to see not only our Young Carers lending a hand but also many other staff members and students pitching in. The funds raised will go towards treating our deserving and hardworking Young Carers. A massive thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event such a success!

Mini Bacc. / Bagloriaeth Bach

First Give Project Year 8 / Blwyddyn 8 Prosiect First Give

As part of their First Give Project, Year 8 pupils had a visit from LATCH, the charity they have chosen to support. LATCH is a local charity based in Noah’s Ark Hospital, Cardiff, supporting children who are suffering from cancer and their families. The visitor provided them with information about what LATCH does and showed some examples of how they support families.

The children were very engaged and asked lots of questions. They were awarded with some token merchandise to help them promote the charity and raise awareness in the school community. Some of the girls carried out a ‘Social Action’ in which they gave out ‘Purple Roses’ for Mothering Sunday with a little message card for pupils to write their Mothering Sunday greetings.

The group raised £71 for LATCH with this single act alone and has more ideas in the pipeline - watch this space! Well done, 8B!

Health and Social Care / Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol

Eisteddfod

Year 7 and 8 learners celebrated Saint David’s Day with a special Eisteddfod assembly on Friday, March 1st. Pupils competed in competitions across a range of subjects to win points for their house. One point was awarded for each competition entry, with an additional 10, 7, and 5 points awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place pupils respectively. A huge "da iawn" to everyone who participated by entering a competition and supporting their house on the day, and "llongyfarchiadau" to our winners, Tŷ Melyn (Yellow House).

Report abuse