Summer Term | Tymor y Haf

Issue 06

A message from Mrs Davies

Dear Pupils, Staff, Parents and Carers,

As we end another successful year at Heolddu Comprehensive School, I want to extend my thanks to everyone in our school community for their unwavering dedication and hard work. This year has been filled with remarkable achievements, both in and out of the classroom, and it is all thanks to the collective effort of our students, staff, and families.

To our students, your enthusiasm and commitment to your studies have been truly inspiring. You have navigated the challenges of this academic year with resilience and a positive spirit. To our wonderful staff, your dedication to providing an exceptional educational experience has been outstanding. And to our supportive parents and carers, your partnership and encouragement have been invaluable in ensuring our students' success.

As we look forward to the summer break, I hope you all take this time to rest, relax, and recharge. It is well-deserved after a year of hard work and accomplishments. Enjoy your time with family and friends, and make the most of the summer sunshine.

Thank you once again for all that you do. I wish you all a restful and enjoyable summer, and I look forward to welcoming you back in the autumn term, ready for another year of achieving excellence together.

Mrs N Davies

Pennaeth | Headteacher

Introducing Our Community Support Page / Cyflwyno Ein Tudalen Cymorth Cymunedol

We are excited to introduce our new Community Support page in our newsletter.

Through collaborative engagement and support, we aspire to empower every parent and carer with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive personally, support their families, and actively contribute to the holistic growth of our community. EmpowerED stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to nurturing a strong, supportive network where every individual feels valued, heard, and empowered to shape a brighter future for themselves and their children.

Visit the Community Support page to explore a vast directory of useful information, activities, and support available to our local community. Join us in building a stronger, more connected community! Check it out using the button below!

Community Support

Trips and Visits / Teithiau ac Ymweliadau

A French Adventure / Antur Ffrengig

We have just returned from our school trip to France, and a wonderful time was had by all involved. We visited the market and castle in Fougères, climbed Mont Saint-Michel, toured the walled city of Saint Malo, and spent an unforgettable day at Disneyland Paris. Our excellent tour guide provided us with lots of information about the history of the places we visited and answered any questions the pupils had.

Pupils participated in a range of activities at the château, including archery, nightline, and the zip-line. They also took the opportunity to practise their French by ordering food and buying gifts, as well as sampling some French delicacies, including snails and crêpes. In the evenings, pupils were entertained with karaoke, dancing, quizzes, and other activities at the château.

The pupils' behaviour was impeccable throughout the trip, and we received numerous compliments from the public and château staff, highlighting how well-mannered and well-behaved our students were. Their confidence and resilience shone through, and they were a credit to our school.

I would like to say a huge thank you to Mrs Jones, Miss Plumley, Mr Rees, and Mrs Poole for giving up their time and for all their hard work during the trip. Merci beaucoup!

Monsieur English

Drama Students' Unforgettable London Adventure / Antur Llundain Bythgofiadwy Myfyrwyr Drama

The drama trip to London was a resounding success. After an early start, the school travelled by coach and arrived in London under glorious sunshine, ready for a river cruise on the Thames.

The historical trip was thoroughly enjoyable, with the pupils standing out for their exemplary behaviour. After some sightseeing, we enjoyed a meal at Pizza Express, where the students impressed everyone with their politeness and courtesy. The highlight of the trip was attending the West End musical "Wicked," which captivated the entire group.

The evening ended with a joyful ride back to the hotel, filled with singing. The trip concluded with a delightful shopping spree in Covent Garden before heading home. Many friendships were forged, and everyone had a fantastic time—an experience to book again for next year!

PE Updates / Diweddariadau AG

Sports Awards / Gwobrau Chwaraeon

The school community came together to celebrate the outstanding achievements and unwavering dedication of its pupils at our first Sports Awards Evening.

The evening commenced with a welcome address from the head teacher, who highlighted the importance of sports in fostering teamwork, discipline, and resilience among students. "Tonight, we are here to celebrate more than just victories on the field," she said. "We are here to honour the spirit of participation and the positive impact sports have on our school community."

Throughout the evening, awards were presented across various categories, including Best Athlete, Most Improved, the Sports Captains Awards, Sports Leaders of the Year, and our fabulous Rising Stars. Our PE staff gave out awards to individuals who have truly stood out in lessons, and we also honoured past staff and pupils by naming awards to celebrate their successes.

The evening concluded with three prestigious awards given to pupils who are excelling in their respective sports.

The evening concluded with the presentation of three prestigious awards to pupils excelling in their respective sports.

VICTOR LUDORUM

Tyler Rees

VICTRIX LUDORUM

Freya Perry

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

Tyler Morgan

The event was a resounding success, highlighting the achievements of our top athletes and celebrating those who have shown exceptional commitment throughout the academic year. Preparations are already underway for next year's event!

Special Mentions / Crybwyll Neillduol

Pupils Head to Wembley

We are thrilled to announce that our pupils had the incredible opportunity to visit Wembley, thanks to the Cardiff City FC Foundation. This exciting trip was a result of the hard work and dedication of our pupils, with special thanks to Jacob for his outstanding efforts.

Our boys represented Heolddu Comprehensive School wonderfully and truly enjoyed the experience. Well done to all involved – your hard work and enthusiasm have made us very proud!

Keep up the fantastic work, and here's to more exciting opportunities in the future!

Celebrating Success: Under 14 Caerphilly Caps Earned

A big well done to our talented football players for earning their Under 14 Caerphilly caps. Your hard work and dedication have paid off, and we are incredibly proud of your achievements.

Keep shining on the field, and continue to make Heolddu Comprehensive School proud!

Achieving Dreams: Signing with St Helens RLFC

We are thrilled to announce that Rhys, who has been a dedicated member of Bargoed RFC for over a decade, has signed a 2-year scholarship deal with St Helens RLFC. Rhys's commitment and passion for rugby have paved the way for this incredible opportunity. Congratulations, Rhys! Everyone at Heolddu Comprehensive School and Bargoed RFC is immensely proud of you. Go out there, chase your dreams, and showcase your immense talent to the world!

U14 Coaches Player of the Year

Congratulations to Cassie for being named the Caerphilly Schools' Under-14 Coaches Player of the Year. What a fantastic achievement!

Player's Player of the Match Award

Congratulations to Harry for being selected for both the Captain's Award and Player's Player of the Year by his teammates!

Coach's Player of the Year Award

Congratulations to Jack Romais for being named the Bargoed RFC Under 15s Coach's Player of the Year! This recognition is truly well-deserved. Great job, Jack!

A Successful Health and Wellbeing Enrichment Day / Diwrnod Cyfoethogi Iechyd a Lles Llwyddiannus

A successful Health and Wellbeing Enrichment Day for pupils was held on Friday, 5th July. Pupils were enthusiastic in all activities and demonstrated exemplary behaviour. Throughout the day, students showcased the skills they had practised over the year, working collaboratively in team activities that required effective communication, mutual support, and problem-solving. Their resilience was evident as they tackled physical and mental challenges with determination and positivity, reinforcing their ability to persevere in various situations.

Celebrating Year 11 Prom / Dathlu Prom Blwyddyn 11

On Saturday, 22nd June, the class of '24 celebrated their time at Heolddu in spectacular fashion with their Year 11 prom.

Even the sun favoured us with an appearance, allowing our pupils to take full advantage of the weather and truly arrive in style. Smartly dressed in their slick suits and beautiful dresses, everyone looked red carpet worthy. Not even our traditional Welsh summer could have dampened their spirits!

It was a fantastic evening where behaviour was as impeccable as the dress code. Heolddu’s very own DJ Krossy provided the soundtrack for the night, whilst Max and Riley proved the perfect double act to compère the awards. Pupils took to the dance floor, posed in the photo booth, and even enjoyed a visit from an ice cream van.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the night so special. We hope you all had a wonderful time. Good luck and best wishes for whatever you choose to do next.

Mr Barnes & Miss Price

Sixth Form Leadership Team / Tîm Arwain y Chweched Dosbarth

Senior Leadership Team / Uwch Dîm Arwain

Libby Eynon

Head StudentSustainability and Fundraising Coordinator

Seren Traylor

Head StudentCreative Expression Coordinator

Harrison Reeve

Deputy Head StudentEquality and Diversity Coordinator

Elena Jones

Deputy Head StudentS.T.E.M. Coordinator

Wider Leadership Team / Tîm Arwain Ehangach

Brooklyn Dobbs

Wellbeing Coordinator

Tyler Morgan

Active Lifestyle Coordinator

Kian Mayo

Numeracy Coordinator

Ella Harding

Languages, Literacy, and Communication Coordinator

Emily Powell

Literacy Coordinator

Kacey-Jo Cross

Charity Coordinator

Ellie Williams

Charity Coordinator

Cerys Williams

Anti-Bullying Coordinator

Brooklyn Griffiths

Anti-Bullying Coordinator

Transition Week Success for Year 6 Pupils / Llwyddiant yr Wythnos Drosglwyddo i Ddisgyblion Blwyddyn 6

We are thrilled to report the resounding success of our recent Transition Week for Year 6 pupils. The week was filled with exciting activities, team-building exercises, and the opportunity for our future students to familiarise themselves with the school environment, meet their new teachers, and make new friends. The enthusiasm and positivity displayed by the pupils were truly inspiring.

We look forward to welcoming these bright and eager students to our school in September. Their journey at Heolddu Comprehensive School promises to be filled with growth, learning, and unforgettable experiences.

Thank you to all the staff and pupils who made this week a success.

Heolddu Fest 2024: A Fantastic Success / Gwyl Heolddu 2024: Llwyddiant Ffantastig

We are delighted to share the success of Heolddu Fest 2024! The event was a vibrant celebration, packed with fun activities, delicious food, and fantastic stalls, all run by our dedicated staff and students.

Here's a recap of the highlights:

Painting Insect Homes (Welsh Bacc: JJ / SP)
Hot Dogs, Doughnuts & Drinks (Drama: BB)
Glitter Face Painting (Music: CKE)
Cheesy Nachos & Chocolate Pancakes (Support Team: Mrs B)
Cakes & Cookies (Design Department)
Splat the Rat (Design Department)
Play Your Cards Right (Maths: PV/RB/SR)
Giant Skittles, Garden Games & Hook a Duck (NC/ Team 9B)
Soak the Teacher (Humanities/PE: HS / TB and DH)
Sweetcones (Seren Sharley, Caitlin Beynon 7FT and 7LR)
DJ/Song Requests (Kasey Jo)
Tuck Shop with cans, crisps, sweets, and chocolate (6th Form: Seren, Ellie, Emily, and Cerys)

The event was a huge success, filled with laughter, joy, and a strong sense of community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated and helped make Heolddu Fest 2024 an unforgettable day. Your support and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated.

We look forward to more such joyful events in the future!

Celebrating Generous Donations to Our Design Department

On behalf of the Design Department, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Gareth Williams and Gareth Banks at Orangebox for their incredibly generous donation of fabric to our Textiles Department. This thoughtful gift will provide our students with materials to fuel their creativity and bring their textile design visions to life. We are tremendously excited to see the amazing projects they will produce using this high-quality fabric. This donation will undoubtedly have a positive impact on their learning experience and allow them to explore their textile design skills to the fullest. We are truly grateful for Orangebox's support of our students and the Design Department.

A massive thank you also to our site team, Lee and Ian, for collecting the huge haul of fabric, to our pupils who helped unload it from the bus, and to those who folded and cut it into workable pieces.

We are always looking for ways to expand the creative possibilities for our Design and Technology students. If any local businesses have consumable materials, such as timber offcuts, wall tiles, adhesives, etc., that they no longer require, we would be delighted to hear from you. These donations can be a fantastic resource for our students, allowing them to experiment with different materials and develop their design and construction skills. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Design Department if you feel you might be able to contribute in this way.

Drama Club / Clwb Drama

After another busy but successful year in Performing Arts, we proudly reflect on the incredible performance of "Annie" this time last year and the outstanding rendition of "Grease" back in March. Our drama department thrives with new members, becoming one of the most successful in the school by developing skills that enable students to produce shows of professional standards. This year, following a pupil vote, we are excited to announce that we will be performing the Disney classic "Beauty and the Beast" at Blackwood Miners' Institute in the first week of March 2025.

Auditions have taken place, and we have cast our talented superstars in their dream roles: Jayden Harwood as the Beast, supported by leading actress Brooke Taylor as Belle. Our magical enchanted castle servants include Thomas Palmer as Cogsworth, Lucas Tamsin as Lumière, and the delightful Emily Evans as Mrs Potts, who will sing the showstopper "Tale as Old as Time" with Lucy Neilson as her young son Chip. Caleb Hope will portray the charming but misguided Gaston, with the charismatic Erwyn Vaughn as his sidekick LeFou. Thomas Chard will play Belle's father Maurice, whose misadventure leads Belle to the Beast's enchanted castle. Will they be able to fall in love and break the spell forever?

Tickets will be released towards the end of September, so don't miss out on this magical experience! Rehearsals will resume in September, and we eagerly welcome our new Year Seven performers. Our performing arts department has been enriched by the musical talents of our newest member, Ms Carter-Evans. This year, students enjoyed a trip to the Royal Welsh College, where they participated in a jazz improvisation workshop. We now have an in-house school choir and a fun staff choir, both of which are preparing for their first concert this December as part of our community Christmas carol service. Get ready for some festive cheer and mince pies!

Mrs Bibey would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all parents, guardians, and staff for their support. Without your assistance with fundraising and encouragement at home, these experiences would not be possible. Have a lovely summer, and we look forward to seeing everyone back in September, with our first after-school rehearsal on the first Thursday back!

Honouring History: D-Day 80th Anniversary / Dathlu Hanes: Pen-blwydd D-Day yn 80

Heolddu has been contributing to the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Sarah Banks and Erwyn Vaughan completed poetry readings at St Gwladys Church as part of the Bargoed and District branch of the Royal British Legion remembrance event. After the event, we received certificates and letters of thanks from the RBL for 15 years of service supporting the Poppy Appeal.

Celebrating Community Engagement & Environmental Stewardship / Dathlu Ymgysylltu â’r Gymuned ac Arferion Amgylcheddol

During this term, Year 12 pupils have been planning and undertaking community activities both in school and in the local community. Aaron and Joel have been busy raising awareness of food poverty with our younger pupils through workshop sessions. They have also collected items to support the local food bank and will be volunteering there in Nelson during the last week of term.

A group of environmentally conscious pupils have been teaching Year 7 pupils about conservation. They have plans to rewild an area of the school to support the bee population and will be supporting Year 7 in a volunteering role at the local allotments during the last week of term. 7D also helped them improve an outside area on the school grounds, and they all had a great time.

The Sixth Form Sport Leaders have done a wonderful job coaching younger pupils in school and from the local feeder primary schools, encouraging them to become more active. Eleanor has also taken part in local litter-picking activities in the community, and Ella has supported younger pupils in one of our local feeder primary schools. Both pupils also deserve praise for the valuable work they are doing as youth representatives on the local council.

I would like to thank all the pupils for their dedicated attitude towards their community activities and the members of the local community who have supported them. The photographs below show our pupils undertaking many of the activities mentioned.

Mrs J Jones

Arweinydd Dysgu | Leader of Learning

Farewell Message / Neges Ffarwel

Thanks, Mr Coleman, for all your hard work as Numeracy Coordinator, your hard work and dedication meant that you made a real difference to the students. I know you're going to do a great job as Head of Department in your new school.

Mr P Vinnicombe

Mrs Poole, it has been a pleasure working with you for the last 20 years, your kindness, support and friendship have been amazing, also your dedication and commitment to the pupils have definitely enriched all their lives. Wishing you every success in your next adventure. Keep in touch.

Mr Coleman, Miss Price, and Miss Williams, it has been a pleasure working with you and I wish you all the best for your future.

Mrs W Horley

Mrs Poole; to my inspirational friend, you will be sorely missed. Who will get my references to eighties trivia now?!

And to Mr Coleman; you'll be an awesome head of science. You are calm and organised and this is why I will miss you in the science faculty of chaos.

Mrs D Nind

Miss Williams, you will be missed. Good luck in University, you will make a brilliant teacher!

Mr Coleman, Heolddu has lost a brilliant teacher and it is another schools gain! All the very best in your new job.

All the very best and best wishes to you both.

Mrs A Lavelle

I have really enjoyed working with you all over the past couple of years, I wish you the very best for your future. You will be missed!

Mr G Gapper

Mr Coleman, you are a great loss to this school and the kids! Good luck, Mr Comb-man!

Best of luck in your future career, Mrs Poole. Our pupils' loss is the animal-sitting-world's gain.

Good luck in your future endeavours, Miss Price!

Good luck, Miss Williams. You will be a fantastic teacher, all 6'2" of you!

Mr H Silcox

Wishing you all the very best on your new journey. May you find success and endless opportunities in all that you do. Best wishes and take care.

Ms L Entwistle

It has been a pleasure working with all of you. Best of luck for the future. Lots of love,

Miss L Harris

Miss Price, it’s been a privilege and pleasure to work alongside you this year. I will really miss our chats and seeing your friendly face peering through the door every morning waiting to be let in! I’ll definitely have more chewing gums now, and I feel really proud that I’ve passed on my love of a cup of Bovril to you. Keep being fabulous!

Lots of love,

Mrs E Davies

School Uniform Bank / Banc Gwisg Ysgol

School's out for Summer! / Ysgol allan am yr Haf!

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.

As the term comes to an end, please note that the last day of school is Friday, 19th of July. Pupils will return on Tuesday, 3rd September.

A gentle reminder for all pupils in Years 7-11 and Sixth Form to review our school uniform policies, which can be found on our website.

School Uniform Policies | Heolddu Website

Careers Wales / Gyrfa Cymru

Careers Wales is committed to ensuring that parents are empowered and suitably prepared to support their children in their career planning. In addition to the information and tools available on our website, they create a newsletter for parents every term.

Our latest newsletter shares information about the support available for young people, real examples of our work and advice for those facing changes over the next few weeks.

Parent Newsletter Summer 2024

GCSE & A Level Results Day: Collection Info / Diwrnod Canlyniadau TGAU & Safon A: Gwybodaeth Casglu

Mark Your Calendars: September Return Date / Marcio eich Calendr: Dyddiad Dychwelyd ym mis Medi

End of the Newsletter / Diwedd y Newyddlen

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