Please find below a letter from Mr Lindsay Iorwerth Harvey – Corporate Director – Education and Family Support Bridgend County Borough Council regarding some information being distributed outside schools, and across social media, relating to relationships and sexuality education within the school curriculum.
Please can learners in years 7, 8, 9 and 10 return any borrowed laptops to school after the Easter break. Thank you very much.
Over the coming weeks we would like to recognise those learners who are going above and beyond during lockdown. Three such learners are Daisy Griffiths, Molly Ridge & Imogen Davies who are all in Year 7. These learners were all amazing at taking part in the “Race To The Stadium Challenge”. The PE department would like to recognise the hard work and effort that these girls gave and show a picture of them holding there much deserved “Race To The Stadium Challenge” certificates.
Dear Parents and Carers of year 9 learners,
AYP leader Sasha Flower (Y11) is currently working on her Gold Ambassador programme linked with the Active Young People Department. As a young ambassador her role is to promote sport and physical activity to young people around Wales. So, to encourage participation, this year she would like to inform the school about a challenge she has created (with other leaders from other schools) to encourage physical activity among young people during this difficult time. The AYP leaders have created a challenge that everyone can take part in that will improve physical and mental wellbeing.
The challenge they have decided to set is ‘A mile a day in March’. It’s a simple challenge, if learners are aged 3-18, all they need to do is complete a mile a day. They can run or walk the mile, it’s up to them. There are lots of different apps that learners can use to track their mile a day, all they need to do is visit the app store and download one of the Free apps available. The AYP leaders from around Bridgend would love to be able to see how our learners from CCYD are doing on the challenge. Learners can use the Bridgend Young Ambassador – make a change, social media pages – Twitter, facebook and Instagram @BridgendYA #Mileadayinmarch #BridgendYoungAmbassadors-Makeachange – to share their progress.
As a thank you and well done for participating learners will be automatically entered into a FREE prize draw and they will be giving away prizes at the end of the March, with a chance to win an apple watch or bike.
The leaders are asking learners from CCYD to please sign up for this challenge, All they need to do is scan the QR code on the poster.
We all know how important exercise is for Mental Health and Physical Well-Being but now even more so during these unprecedented times. CCYD is very proud of all our learners who are challenging themselves to participate in daily exercise.
We would like to celebrate learners achieving these fitness goals by sharing a few examples of who has been keeping fit during lockdown participating in a Joe Wicks Session.
Congratulations to Year 8 brothers Iestyn and Rhydian Galtry, also Zac and his baby sister, Year 10 Kyle McCarthy, Year 8 Jack Morgan, and Year 7 Daisy Griffiths.
Keep up the good work and encourage others to join in.
In a bid to keep pupils active and promote well-being during Children’s Mental Health Week, a number of schools across South Wales have come up with a fitness challenge inspired by the Six Nations.
Pupils – and staff – at Bryntirion, Chepstow, Cwmtawe and Monmouth Comprehensive Schools and Coleg Cymunedol y Dderwen (CCYD) are competing with each other to ‘virtually’ run / walk / cycle / row to as many Six Nations stadia as possible by Round 2 of the Guinness Six Nations and the race is well and truly on!
Andy Farrell, Head of PE at Cwmtawe Community School and creator of ‘Race to the Stadiums’, said: “We wanted to create a way of engaging our Year 7 and Year 8 learners and staff during this extended lockdown and motivate them to take regular breaks from the increase in screen-time online learning invariably brings to keep fit and active within the current guidelines.
“With Children’s Mental Health Week this week in mind, the link between a young person’s physical and mental well-being has never been more important. Our students have a range of home learning environments, but through this initiative, our young people can connect with other students and schools in a common goal. We also feel we are supporting the boys competing in the Six Nations in some way while not being able to attend matches in person.”
CCYD hub officer Chris Dicomidis added, “Many of the pupils usually take part in sport, both for school teams and outside school, so they are missing that social and competitive element at the moment.
“We are getting everyone’s data from their fitness apps and it’s created a real buzz amongst pupils and staff too. It’s something pupils can do safely from their homes and families can get involved too. I know it’s motivating me to get out and put the miles in and I can see the difference getting out and active has on my own children sat at home all day. It’s vital for us all to stay active for our physical and mental health.”
Who knows, perhaps other schools around Wales or further afield will try to beat the final totals these schools clock up by the end of next week and maybe virtually travel all the way to Paris in time for Wales’ final Six Nations game on Super Saturday!
Information taken from this link / Liz Jones / community.wru.wales
Dear Parent/Carer
You will be aware that the local authority is constantly reviewing on-site provision for the children of critical workers in schools.
As part of this process, we have today published an online survey for parents/carers in order to inform the provision of additional in-school support. Please find a link to the online survey below:
Parents/carers are advised that the survey will close at 12 noon on Friday 12 February.
Please find below a letter and application form for Critical workers of children in years 7 & 8 ONLY.
Congratulations to CCYD on achieving the FairAware Award! CCYD supports Fairtrade in our school, we are part of a global movement where young people learn that, whatever their age, they have the power to make a difference in the world.
Learner Voice Surveys have been placed in your Child’s Google Classroom to complete.
Digital Parenting Support: free online support for parents with children of all ages. This includes a “chat” facility with parenting coaches who offer professional advice and support.
Within this service there is also on line information for mental health, parenting, dealing with parental conflict, what I need to know about the Covid 19 situation and practical home learning and activity ideas.
For parents and carers who access the hub provision, unfortunately due to further snow fall and freezing conditions the school site will not be open today and the hub provision will be cancelled.
I am pleased to see that Eco-Schools is still running effectively in CCYD even in these challenging times and that the school has continued to progress with new projects and ideas.
I am delighted to confirm that you have retained your platinum Eco-Schools status and wish you every success with this year’s projects. It was great to hear how you are engaging the whole school through Goggle classrooms and please let me know how it develops through the rest of this school year.
Being awarded Eco-Schools Platinum status is a fantastic achievement. The school, staff and pupils should feel proud of their hard work and commitment.
Congratulations once again!
Kind regards,
Matthew Bunt
(Education Officer for Keep Wales Tidy)
CCYD learner Megan Roberts received a “Highly Commended” Certificate for her entry to the Oxplore ocean themed essay competition. Congratulations to Megan on her achievement, we are all very proud.
Oxplore (www.oxplore.org) is running an ocean-themed essay competition for secondary school students in Wales and the South West of England. This is inspired by our latest Big Question: Should we put our ocean first?
The competition was open to all learners in years 7-13 to write a 750-word response to one of the following essay titles:
Was an ‘Age of Exploration’ a positive development in world history?
Should we prioritise ocean over space exploration?
Should individuals take more responsibility for protecting the ocean?
Some excellent news at CCYD, Sue Davies (Lead -Investors in Families) has awarded the school the Diamond Investors in Families Award. This is the highest level that can be awarded. Congratulations to all those involved.
Unfortunately we have a positive case in year 8, Can all Year 8 Parents please collect your children ASAP. (Excluding the MLD learners).
Many thanks for your participation,The Eco Committee.
Could we please inform parents / carers that CCYD has an inset day planned on Friday 18th December so no online learning will take place on this day.
Connecting Carers can offer support directly to any parent/carers by drawing on our knowledge and experience of bringing people together to find their own solutions woven into local communities. This could be by providing training to effectively communicate using technology, assisting people with decision-making and planning for hosting regular social activities, or forming new groups to deliver evening or weekend options that aren’t currently available but are preferred by carers and those they care for.
URGENT YEAR 8 MESSAGE: WE HAVE A POSITIVE COVID CASE AND ALL YEAR 8 WILL NEED TO STAY HOME TODAY.
YEAR 12/13 URGENT MESSAGE: Unfortunately we have had a positive Covid case in the 6th form. Unless you receive a phone call this afternoon your child will need to self isolate until the 16th December. Work will be set online. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Year 12 learner Eeva Salo has made us all very proud by playing The Last Post at Bridgend Train Station for the Great Western Railway Poppy trains to mark Remembrance.
A flawless display was welcomed by those present, well done Eeva.
Please see the leaflet to support your child making decisions about their future. Year 9 will be starting their option choices on the 19th November.
PANTRIES
Are you or is someone you know struggling to afford a weekly shop?
Any live lessons that are conducted during the fire break lockdown will be led by the teacher using Google Meet. The following learner guide outlines how to join a Google Meet live lesson along with tips and expectations.
Please find attached a letter for Year 10 parents who did not receive a phone call today.
Unfortunately we have just received news of a positive Covid case in year 10. ALL year 10 need to stay home and isolate tomorrow (Tuesday 20th) please. We will update you with information of contacts as soon as possible tomorrow. Thank you again for your support in these very difficult times.
All learners can return to school tomorrow (Tuesday 20th October) unless they have had a phone call or answer phone message to self-isolate.
Wales will go into a “short, sharp” national lockdown from Friday until Monday, 9 November.
People will be told to stay at home, while pubs, restaurants, hotels and non-essential shops will shut.
Primary schools will reopen after the half-term break, but only Years 7 and 8 in secondary schools will return at that time under new “firebreak” rules.
Gatherings indoors and outdoors with people not in your household will also be banned.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said the “time-limited ‘firebreak'” will be “a short, sharp, shock to turn back the clock, slow down the virus and buy us more time”.
Due to a positive Covid case. All learners who use the 2 Bettws buses will need to leave school shortly and isolate. More information to follow. Please arrange to collect your child. There is emergency transport available if needed.
Unfortunately due to a positive Covid case. All learners will need to leave school shortly and isolate. Please arrange to collect your child if they use school transport. Emergency transport is available if needed. More info to follow.
Unfortunately due to a positive Covid case. All learners will need to leave school shortly and isolate. Please arrange to collect your child if they use school transport. Emergency transport is available if needed. More info to follow.
Unfortunately we have had a positive Covid case in year 11. All learners will need to go home now and isolate with the exception of the 76 who were not in school last week.
For anyone with children in year 6 moving to secondary school in September. Online Applications open today (MONDAY 19th October 10am).
Apply online, make sure your ready to go when applications open by
Further information
Hwb’s new look #KeepingSafeOnline area contains guidance and resources tailored for children & young people, parents & carers, practitioners & professionals, governors and more – https://hwb.gov.wales
• Lunch time will be reduced by 10minutes, school will end at 2:40pm Monday to Thursday this week.
• Inset day on Friday / Start of half term.
Raising awareness of our on-going Traineeship Engagement Programme with NPTC Pathways. The aim as always is to Engage and Inspire our learners onto their next steps, whatever they wish to do.
We will continue the positive work by helping a number of 16 – 18 year olds to realise the opportunities they have while developing key employability skills.
Please find attached a letter to Year 8 parents who were NOT contacted today by the school.
YEAR 8 PARENTS (POTENTIAL CONTACTS) ONLY:
We have identified 47 potential contacts that will need to self isolate. They have all been contacted by telephone this morning. If you have NOT had a phone call/answer phone message this morning, your child can return to school tomorrow.
Unfortunately we have just found out that a learner in year 8 has tested positive for Covid. As a result ALL year 8 will need to stay home and isolate tomorrow, Thursday 15th October. More information will follow when we have had time to investigate potential contacts. Where possible, we will try our best to narrow down the number of learners that need to isolate. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Year 11 Maths Mocks Dates
All pupils have been given a revision list and the revision list has been emailed to all Google Classrooms so learners can access them. Please find the dates below.
Any problems please email your maths teacher.
Unfortunately we have had a confirmed Covid case in year 11.
76 learners have been identified as contacts and their parents have been informed. After taking guidance from Public Health Wales they will need to self isolate and return to school on Thursday October 15th. The rest of the year group will remain in school and have been given letters to take home explaining the situation. Learners that are isolating will need to check their Google Classroom for their work.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Please read the important PDF letter below, it is crucial that we have your correct contact details so that we can notify you straight away if we have a case of Covid-19 at the school and your child is identified as a contact. It is the parents responsibility to arrange transport to collect your son/daughter once notified.
Whilst many of us feel we’re carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders during these unprecedented times, for our latest CCYD employee Mark Jeanes this has been his passion for the last 10 years.
Mark Jeanes is a 4 x Wales Strongest Man and holds the current world record for lifting a 200kg atlas stone onto his shoulder as well as breaking numerous world records in other strong man events including teaming up with fellow Welshman Gavin Bilton to flip a full size car 14 times!. Staff are already making sure they don’t park in his space.
Just 3 weeks ago Mark won the Wales qualifiers to earn his place at the 2020 Ultimate UK’s Strongest Man held in Ireland. We wish him all the best in this event and know he will make us proud. Mark is also looking to break another world record before the end of the year and fingers crossed gain entry to the famous Guinness Book of records.
Mark will be an inspiration to both learners and staff at the school. At only 32 he has achieved so much in the sport of Strongman and his commitment, mental strength and positivity are a real asset to the school. With articles like this and the numerous Youtube videos of Mark we hope our learners will adopt that positive mental attitude, resilience, hard work and commitment that will allow them to strive in whatever career path, job or sport they choose in life.
Mark joins our site management team at CCYD and has already settled into the role always keen to learn and willing to help.
Please click the links below to see Mark in action at Wales Ultimate Strongest Man
Please refer to further information for parents/carers in respect of the local restrictions in Bridgend below:
https://gov.wales/bridgend-lockdown-frequently-asked-questions
Lindsay Iorwerth Harvey (Mr)
Corporate Director – Education and Family Support
Bridgend County Borough Council
Phone: (01656) 642616
Email: lindsay.harvey@bridgend.gov.uk
Website: www.bridgend.gov.uk
Happy to communicate in Welsh or English
Please can you support us to ensure that your child has everything they need before they leave for school in the morning. We are not allowed to have visitors to school, but reception are still having lots of forgotten items delivered during the day. Thank you for you help with this.
YEAR 9 MESSAGE: HPV Vaccinations tomorrow and Thursday. Please encourage your child to have breakfast. If long sleeved shirts are worn, wear a top underneath. Thanks
Please can all learners that borrowed laptops over lockdown return them asap. They are desperately needed in school as some subjects use them in lessons. Thank you.
The NHS has asked us to share this post regarding Type 1 diabetes in children…
At The start of 2020, SeaQuest contacted the primary and secondary schools in Bridgend to ask if they would be interested in creating an 8 foot by 4 foot mural, to be displayed around the building site of their new facility at the harbour quarter in Porthcawl marina.
The eco-committee and art department jumped at the chance to get involved and collaborated effectively to create the beautiful mural pictured below. A dedicated and talented group of students from year 8 and 9 came up with their own thought provoking slogan, to encourage people to appreciate and protect our coastal environment. After applying a layer of emulsion paint to the wooden board, the learners used acrylic paint pens to create the detailed images. The sea creatures featured in the mural are all native to our coastline.
The Mayor was present to unveil the mural, which looks stunning in situ.
REMINDER: Dinner accounts must be loaded with money online only. If you do not know your child’s account number please phone the school.
Will the school day change?
CCYD will be open for the normal school hours of 8:30am to 2:50pm. Learners are asked not to arrive before 8:20am. They should go straight to their first lesson when they arrive.
Will after school clubs be running?
Unfortunately, after school clubs will not be running. All learners will be expected to leave the school site at 2:50pm. They should not congregate outside the school building.
Are there any changes to school uniform?
Normal school uniform is expected for all learners.
Should my child wear a face mask or face covering in school?
The NEW guidance this week from BCBC recommends that all secondary school age pupils wear face coverings in communal areas, toilets and in corridors. There is no recommendation for learners to wear face coverings in classrooms/teaching spaces.
Please note that the use of face coverings by learners with some additional needs is not recommended. The ALN department will work with our learners that meet this requirement.
What type of face mask is required?
BCBC will provide us with washable face masks that meet World Health Organisation specifications. Each learner can request five face coverings and a safe storage bag for the academic year. Face coverings should be stored securely in the storage bag when not in use.
What arrangements are in place for school buses?
BCBC have recommended that face coverings should be worn on school transport. They have asked us to create a seating plan for each bus to ensure that learners sit with their year group ‘bubble’. Learners will be expected to sit in this plan from now on.
What hand washing is expected?
Learners should wash/sanitise their hands regularly including:
Does my child need to bring hand sanitizer to school?
We have hand sanitizer stations on the entrances to the school building and all classrooms.
If they would like to bring their own sanitiser they can.
Will the water fountains be working?
Water fountains will be switched on during break and lunchtimes only. Learners are expected to wash their hands before using the fountain and they will be supervised when using it. They can only use the fountains to fill water bottles. They are not permitted to drink directly from it. We would prefer learners to bring their own bottled water from home.
Will my child move around the school from one lesson to another?
There will be restricted movement for the majority of learners. Timetables have been changed to allow year group ‘bubbles’ to be taught in the same area for the majority of learners. However, where possible we have accommodated KS4 and KS5 specialist lessons such as D&T and Art.
Will the canteen be open?
The school canteen will be serving hot food but we are recommending that learners bring a packed lunch where possible. The menu will be reduced and items will be served in disposable packaging rather than using plates/dishes. In order to keep year groups in ‘bubbles’ they will be given a time slot when they are allowed to go and buy lunch. Please note that the canteen will not accept cash.
How can I add money to my childs dinner account?
Money can only be added using the BCBC online system. The money machines are not working in school and the canteen cannot accept any cash. Please contact the school for details if you do not have access to the online account. Account information for new year 7 learners has been sent to parents this week. Year 7 learners will be able to ‘loan’ money on their account at the start of term until parents are able to access the online account.
How will break and lunch be organised?
Breaktimes will be staggered so that half the school will be in form period when the other half are having break. There will be an early start to lunch for year 7 and 8 learners. We will be asking all learners to use the outdoor space at break and lunchtime as much as possible. Each year group ‘bubble’ will be told which outdoor space they need to use. They are expected to stay in this area and not mix with another year group. If the weather is poor we have different areas inside for each year group ‘bubble’ also.
Will breakfast be available?
The canteen will provide a limited amount of toast only each morning for learners to purchase. No hot drinks will be available.
Will my child have PE lessons?
Until the 14th September PE lessons will be based in classrooms. This will give the PE department time to plan how they will manage physical PE lessons. From the 14th September there will be limited changing room use. The PE department will communicate details with you at a later date.
Can my child bring a pencil case and bag to school?
All learners are expected to bring a bag with their own pens and pencils every day. Learners should not share equipment. Items brought to school should be kept to a minimum. If you have difficulty providing your child with stationary please contact the school.
What about behaviour?
The school behaviour policy has been amended in line with the Covid guidance. We will expect all learners to follow the rules including staying in their year group ‘bubble’.
Can I bring my child to school?
Yes, you can drive your child to school but you should not exit the vehicle while on site. Use the drop off point to let your child leave the car.
Can I come into the school building?
Unfortunately, we are not allowed visitors on the school site. If you have a query we will do our best to support you via the telephone in the first instance.
Will school trips take place?
Unfortunately, school trips will not take place for the time being.
Will after school buses run?
After school buses will only run for KS5 learners attending collaboration schools, Year 11 Junior Apprenticeship learners and learners attending after school detention.
If you have any other questions or concerns please contact the school
A new youth mayor and deputy youth mayor of Bridgend Youth Council have been elected.
Following an online election, the new youth mayor for Bridgend is Megan Stone from Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen and the new youth deputy mayor is Tino Kaseke from Archbishop McGrath High School.
Megan who is also the UK Youth MP for Bridgend said: “In these difficult times I hope to help the youth of Bridgend to bring some normality back to their lives. I plan to bring the youth’s voice forward to the council and act on my main priorities – sustainability for the future, education on democracy and UK Politics, and tackling youth violence in Bridgend through educational prevention.”
Tino said his three main priorities for the term involve youth mental health awareness, bringing an end to racial injustice through education, and LGBTQ+ rights.
He said: “People don’t understand how much of an impact that they can have on other people so we should leave a positive impact on each other.”
Designed to give young people in Bridgend county borough a voice and help them to have their say on local issues, the youth council is a separate organisation to Bridgend County Borough Council. Set up and run by local young people with support from the local authority, it features a mayor, cabinet members and a number of youth councillors.
Bridgend County Borough Council mayor Stuart Baldwin said: “Congratulations to both our new youth mayor and deputy youth mayor.
“It’s encouraging to see young people take an active interest in local democracy and contributing to their local communities in this way.”
For more details on the youth council, its work or information on how to join email youthcouncil@bridgend.gov.uk
Learners will be in their form groups when they come back to school. These are the rooms they need to go to when they arrive. New timetables will be given out during the first lesson.
Congratulations to Year 11. We appreciate what a difficult time this has been for you. However, we are still immensely proud of what you have achieved.
Like Year 13 you missed out on quite a few important milestones and then had your examinations cancelled.
All of CCYD had great faith in you and this is testament to the results you have achieved today. Even though you have had to pick up your results in a different manner, we were so pleased to see you and share in your fantastic achievements.
Good luck for the future. We know that many of you are returning to our sixth form and we look forward to seeing you in September. For those who are not returning we wish you all the best.
Remember these words: ‘What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.’
Congratulations to all of our learners. We are so proud of you. This has been a very difficult and unsettling time for you. You had your final year cut short and missed out on quite a few milestones. Your examinations were cancelled and you had to pick up your results whilst adhering to social distancing.
You have been a fantastic year group and have played a vital and active role in CCYD including the fight to Save Our Sixth form. All of you who applied to University have been accepted and so you begin your new journey. To those of you who are not going to university good luck on your chosen path.
Remember you will always be a part of CCYD and you will be missed.
BCBC have temporarily suspended the use of school bus passes. There is no need to apply for them prior to September. Further details will be released when the scheme is reintroduced.
