Summer Term | Tymor yr Haf

Issue 03

A message from Mrs Davies

Croeso i'n cylchlythyr tymhorol, welcome to our termly newsletter. You will see here how busy and exciting school life is at Ysgol Gyfun Heolddu Comprehensive School. This term our pupils have enjoyed sporting and academic activities as well as trips and visits, including to Paris over the February half term. We have also seen our Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 pupils working incredibly hard to prepare for their GCSE and A Level examinations, we are so proud of them and the hard work they have put in over the last few weeks and months. We look forward to seeing them receive their results in August.

Over the next few weeks, we have lots of plans for end-of-term activities, including performances of the school production, Annie Junior, at Blackwood Miners Institute and transition week where our Year 6 pupils will join us officially and become part of TîmHeolddu.

We look forward to another busy half-term! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @HeoldduCS and on our Facebook page for regular updates.

Stay safe and enjoy the sunshine!

Mrs N Davies

Pennaeth | Headteacher

Disneyland Paris School Trip / Taith Ysgol Disneyland Paris

A Memorable Journey to Disneyland Paris

We are thrilled to share the exciting experiences and adventures of our recent school trip to Disneyland Paris and the beautiful city of Paris. Our students had an incredible time exploring the magical world of Disneyland, marvelling at iconic landmarks, and immersing themselves in the rich culture of France. Here's a recap of the unforgettable journey we embarked upon:

Day 1 - Disneyland Paris

Our journey began with great anticipation as we departed from Heolddu Comprehensive School. After a delightful ferry ride, we arrived at Disneyland Paris and were greeted by a world of enchantment. The students spent the day indulging in over 50 captivating attractions, creating memories that will last a lifetime. In the evening, we enjoyed a delicious meal at Le Paradis Street restaurant before heading to our comfortable accommodations at Novotel Noisy Le Grand Hotel.

Day 2 - Disneyland Paris & Disney Illuminations

The second day was filled with even more excitement as our students continued their adventure at Disneyland Paris. Divided into groups, they relished in the magical atmosphere, exploring various attractions and immersing themselves in the wonder of Disney. In the evening, we gathered at Le Paradis Street restaurant for a delightful meal before experiencing the awe-inspiring Disney Illuminations fireworks display. The sky was illuminated with dazzling lights, enchanting music, and breathtaking projections, leaving us all in awe of the enchantment that surrounded us.

Day 3 - Paris, Eiffel Tower & Cite des Sciences et de l'Industrie

Leaving the magical realm of Disneyland behind, we ventured into the heart of Paris, a city known for its artistic and cultural heritage. Our first stop was the iconic Eiffel Tower, where students climbed its steps and enjoyed panoramic views of the stunning cityscape. The sight of famous landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral from the tower's observation deck left us in awe of Paris' beauty. Afterwards, we explored the scenic area, taking leisurely strolls along the River Seine and indulging in some shopping along rue Saint-Dominique. Our day concluded with a visit to the fascinating Cite des Sciences et de l'Industrie, the largest science museum in Europe, where we marvelled at the wonders of science and technology.

Day 4 - Return Home

On our final day, we bid farewell to our hotel and embarked on our homeward trip. Fortunately, we were able to catch an earlier ferry, allowing us to return to the school earlier than expected. We spent the journey reflecting on their adventures, sharing stories, and reliving the magical moments of the trip.

The school trip to Disneyland Paris and Paris was an unforgettable experience for all involved. The students immersed themselves in a world of magic, discovered the splendour of Paris, and formed lifelong memories and friendships. We are immensely proud of our students' exemplary behaviour and their enthusiastic participation throughout the trip.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Miss Brinkworth for arranging the trip, and also to the members of staff who dedicated their time and effort to make this trip a resounding success. We are also grateful to the parents and guardians for their continuous support and trust in us.

Thank you all for being part of this remarkable journey. We look forward to more exciting adventures in the future!

Languages / Ieithoedd

French Pen-Pal Letters

This term, pupils have continued to write to their pen-pals inCollège Jean Monnet near Rennes, France. We received letters back after our initial letters and we have responded to the questions that were posed. Pupils have learnt about schools in France and more about the region of Brittany. Our pupils have written responses in French and English, discussing schools in Wales and what there is for tourists in the region. We have also started a pen-pal letter exchange with Aberbargoed primary school, one of our primary feeder schools. Pupils have relished the opportunity to demonstrate their French ability to the younger learners. It has been great to see the responses from Aberbargoed, who have really impressed us! Both these projects have enabled our learners to develop their productive and receptive skills and gain cultural awareness. Pupils have really enjoyed the projects and we look forward to continuing them next year! Fantastique!

Textiles / Tecstiliau

It has been a very busy term in the Textiles department. Students across KS3 have been learning to develop skills within Textiles and utilising these skills to make a meaningful and personal outcome.

7D have been busy developing their skills and subject knowledge to make drawstring bags, Year 8 have been combining a range of skills to produce a Welsh culture-inspired cushion and Year 9 have been showing off their skills in participating in a driving test on the machine...a few minors, but all passed you'll be glad to know! A huge well done to all those who have shown excellent school values and embedded these within their learning journey! Miss Probert is astonished by the students' commitment to learning new skills and applying these skills in various ways! Gwaith da, da iawn!

Mini-Baccalaureate / Bagloriaeth Bach

In the lead-up to the King's coronation Year 7 and Year 8 participated in making school bunting, each part providing facts and information they had learned about the celebration. The bunting was displayed within the school reception to recognise global awareness and community spirit. Da Iawn!

PE / Addysg Gorfforol

Representing her club, Zentai Shotokan Karate, Lili recently participated in the highly anticipated Welsh Karate League held in Merthyr Tydfil. In the under 16 years team kata category, Lili's remarkable performance led her to earn a well-deserved silver medal, alongside her talented sisters Maddie and Poppy Vaughan. Furthermore, Lili displayed incredible bravery and determination in the under 14s kumite (fighting) event, earning herself a commendable bronze medal. Let's congratulate Lili for her outstanding karate achievements and wish her continued success in her martial arts journey!

Well done to the following girls for achieving Player of the Match in their recent games: Jesse Lewis and Taya Carter (Year 7), Farrah McLaughlan and Cassie McLaughlan (Year 8), and Libby Powell in (Year 9).

Jesse Lewis (Year 7)

Taya Carter (Year 7)

Farrah McLaughlan (Year 8)

Cassie McLaughlan (Year 8)

Libby Powell (Year 9)

Good luck to Ffion, Lana, Cassie, and Farrah playing for Caerphilly Schools in the WSFA Cup Final in Oswestry on Saturday, May 20th, and then again in the SWWGL Cup Final on Sunday, May 21st, but this time against each other.

Congratulations to Libby Powell (Year 9) who recently played in the Wales Netball National Championships in Pembroke last weekend, where her team reached the quarterfinal stages. A special mention to Freya Perry (Year 9) was also part of the team but couldn't play due to injury.

Well done to Year 9 for winning the Caerphilly Plate Final and bringing home the cup!

Well done to Year 7 for winning the Caerphilly Cup Final and bringing home more silverware!

Congratulations to Cody Rees, in Year 11, who recently represented Boys Clubs of Wales U18's.

Congratulations to Rhys Wood and Shawn Davies, in Year 8, who have been chosen to represent East Wales in Rugby League.

Well done to Year 7 for winning their first school rugby match this week. Da iawn!

Well done to these superstars in Year 7 and 8 who took part in the Sport Caerphilly Gymnastics Project Festival at Valley Gymnastics! They were all very well-behaved and enjoyed showcasing their medals back at school. Well done!

Creative & Music / Creadigol a'r Cyfryngau

We are delighted to share the remarkable success of the recent production of Annie Jr., which took place last week at our beloved school. The evening was filled with awe-inspiring performances, heartfelt emotions, and an undeniable sense of camaraderie that brought our school community closer together.

The students of our school poured their hearts and souls into the rehearsals, ensuring that every scene, note, and dance step was executed flawlessly. Their commitment, enthusiasm, and hard work were evident in every aspect of the show, leaving the audience mesmerized. The production of Annie Jr. not only showcased the immense talent of our students but also highlighted their exceptional teamwork. From the skilled actors who brought the beloved characters to life, to the magnificent singers who enraptured us with their melodious voices, each individual's contribution was invaluable.

The production of Annie Jr. served as a testament to the incredible achievements of our students, both academically and artistically. It provided a platform for them to showcase their talents, fostered a spirit of collaboration and unity, and left a lasting impression on all who attended. We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to the entire cast, crew, and production team for their exceptional dedication and outstanding performances. Your hard work and commitment have truly paid off, and we are immensely proud of each and every one of you.

School Uniform Bank / Banc Gwisg Ysgol

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.

A range of brand-new and high-quality used items are available at our uniform bank, so please do not hesitate to reach out if you need any assistance. 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. Thank you for your support in making this possible.

Transition Week / Wythnos Pontio

Heolddu Summer Transition Week - Monday 17th - Friday 21st July 2023

8:30 am – 2:40 pm daily for Year 6 pupils.

On Monday the 17th of July, pupils should attend in their Year 6 school uniform. The day will begin with Headteacher’s assembly at 8:30 am followed by:

One hour with their tutor group
Ice-breaker activities
Four lessons following 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 2021-2022

“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.”

Pupil Voice 2021-2022

“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.”

Wednesday 19th July 2023 - School Disco

Heolddu 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 please make sure you follow us on Twitter: @HeoldduCS and our Facebook page as we will be sharing updates regularly there as well as on our school website; however, if you do have any further questions then please do not hesitate to contact us via email HeoldduComprehensive@sch.caerphilly.gov.uk or 01443 875531. Miss F Probert (Head of Year) FProbert@heolddu.org.

English / Saesneg

It has been a busy few weeks preparing our KS5 and KS4 pupils for their external exams. As an English Department, we would like to wish all pupils the very best of luck for their futures. Well done to all pupils who attended are Easter and Whitsun revision sessions.

Book Buzz

Miss Leggett has secured BookBuzz funding for September 2023- this means that all pupils will select a book of their choice to keep. Many thanks, Miss L.

Below is a sneaky peek at this year’s books.

Bookbuzz 2023 Books

BookBuzz Reviews from 7B

Factopia - Kate Hale

“An interesting and fun book”

“ Funny and witty”

“Educational, go grab a copy”

You Are a Champion - Marcus Rashford

“An inspirational book”

“Inspiring”

Prom Committee

Our Prom Committee have been busy this year fundraising for their special night. They have raised a staggering amount of money to add some glamorous touches to their Prom. Well done all.

School Senedd

Our Senedd members have also been busy completing some pupil voice based on our lunch and break provision in school. We are excited to launch some additional clubs next academic year.

Also, many of our Senedd Members are about to start their Heolddu Fest '23 preparation. We want to build on the success of last year and raise as much money as we possibly can for our chosen charity Velindre Cancer Trust.

Please see Mrs Wilkinson if you are interested in running a stall.

Young Writers

Well done to our Year 9 superstars Charlotte Heywood, Maci Coggan, Megan Gardiner and Thomas Palmer who have had their work published. Pupils were asked to take inspiration from numbers in the world around them and create a story. Well done all, what an amazing achievement.

We are currently running another competition. Please see your English teacher for more details.

Heolddu Bees / Gwenyn Heolddu

Our hive is up and running with approx. 50,000 bees. We took delivery of a queen and her workers and drones on the 26th of May from Sirhowy Valley Honey Bee Co. Ltd., and they have all settled in well. We checked for and marked our queen with special paint so we can easily identify her amongst the crowd and they have all been busy as, well, bees of course! The workers have been collecting pollen from local flowers and the drones have been busy feeding the queen and tending to the larvae and young bees as well as the queen. It is hoped we can start extracting and selling our very own bees’ honey this year.

Big thanks to Mrs Poole and Mrs Howe for looking after our hive, and to Lorne East for the invaluable advice and help.

Catering / Arlwyo

Pupils at Heolddu have been busy showcasing their culinary talents in recent months. Year 8 pupils impressed everyone with their creativity during Easter, as they crafted delightful cakes adorned with sponge, buttercream, and a touch of imagination. The official start of Easter was marked by a cake-decorating extravaganza, where the pupils demonstrated their skills at their best. Additionally, the department hosted a fun-filled pancake day, where the pupils mastered the art of flipping pancakes to perfection, indulging in the classic toppings of lemon and sugar or strawberries and chocolate.

There was also a Mexican-themed Fakeaway Friday, where the pupils exhibited excellent knife skills and ensured safety by checking the core temperature of their fajitas. They even ventured into the realm of crème brûlée, using blow torches to achieve the satisfying crack on top. With a focus on budget-friendly cooking, the pupils continued their Fakeaway Fridays with chicken curry and homemade chicken nuggets, emphasizing the importance of handling raw meat safely. Year 9 pupils were impressed with their cheesecake-making skills, demonstrating their expertise with the hob, crushing, whisking, and knife techniques. Year 8 pupils also cooked an excellent stir fry for Fakeaway Friday, promoting healthy eating and the joy of making your own takeaway.

Year 11 Prom / Prom Blwyddyn 11

On Saturday 17th June tropical Tredegar played host to the Year 11 prom. It was a wonderful evening and everyone looked incredible. Year 11 were a credit to the school, impressing the venue with their behaviour, politeness, and most definitely with their dancing! Many thanks to all those who helped make the evening so special and helped make the prom committee’s hard work and planning a reality.

To all those who have helped support the stalls at the Senedd’s fêtes, bought raffle tickets or the odd doughnut, or donated your help, time and know-how, thank you! It was a fitting way to celebrate their time at Heolddu and send them off on their next adventure.

All the best, Year 11!

For the full gallery of pictures, please click here.

Community Support / Cefnogaeth Cymunedol

A huge thanks to Mr Silcox and Mr Barnes for supporting the Rhydian and Ieuan Memorial Cup in aid of Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide on Saturday by bringing a team to play touch rugby. An even bigger shout out to many of our year 11 'boys' for making a team and bringing a smile to every face. We are all so proud of them raised in excess of £2000 in memory of Miss Poole's son and Clare Jackson's son.

Deaf Awareness Week / Wythnos Ymwybyddiaeth Byddardod

During Deaf Awareness Week, from the 1st to the 7th of May, many of our young people learned how to communicate using British Sign Language (BSL). They were taught the alphabet and went on to learn some basic phrases including their name, where they lived and some everyday greetings. They were awarded certificates for their efforts and many of our pupils have been spotted around the school greeting each other and staff using sign language! Da Iawn!

Farewell Retirement Message / Neges Ymddeoliad Ffarwel

Message to Mr M. Windsor and Mrs T. Evans

On behalf of the entire school community, we wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt congratulations and sincere appreciation for your remarkable contributions throughout your long and dedicated careers. As you embark on this new chapter of your life called retirement, we want you to know just how much you have impacted the lives of countless students and colleagues.

You have been unwavering pillars of knowledge, inspiration, and guidance at our school, and your commitment to education has left indelible marks on generations of learners. The passion and enthusiasm you brought to the classroom each day have inspired countless young minds, nurturing their curiosity and sparking their love for learning. Your dedication and tireless efforts have made a lasting difference in shaping the future of our students.

Not only have you been exceptional educators, but you have also been cherished mentors, friends, and role models to your colleagues. Your wisdom, support, and willingness to go above and beyond to help others have left an enduring impact on our school's culture. Your kindness, patience, and genuine care for every student and staff member have created a warm and nurturing environment where everyone feels valued and encouraged.

As you transition into retirement, we hope you both take this opportunity to relax, spend quality time with your loved ones, and pursue your personal passions and interests. You have undoubtedly earned this well-deserved break, and we encourage you to embrace the joy of exploring new horizons and creating beautiful memories.

Please remember that the doors of our school will always remain open to you both. Your wisdom and experience are invaluable, and we would be honoured if you ever decide to return as a guest speaker or mentor to inspire future generations of educators. Your wealth of knowledge and insights will continue to shape the education landscape in ways that will endure for years to come.

Once again, congratulations on your retirement. As you step into this exciting new chapter, may it be filled with joy, good health, and boundless opportunities. You have made an immeasurable impact on our school community, and your dedication will forever be remembered.

From all at Heolddu

Wishing you the best of luck and happiness as you start your new chapter. We hope you never underestimate the impact you have had and how far the support you have given has reached beyond your classroom. September certainly won't feel the same without you but you'll always be part of the TÎm Heolddu family, so keep in touch!

Let the adventures begin!

Best wishes always,

Team English

End of the Newsletter / Diwedd y Newyddlen

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