Hello Everyone
I hope that you are all well. At last the sun has reached the Costa del Cardiff and the evenings are long and bright. It has been a busy half term once again, with numerous activities, and the long-awaited exams for the school’s oldest pupils. The way in which our pupils have undertaken their exams without fuss has been extremely praiseworthy. I know very well that many of them have been busy revising and attending sessions with their teachers.
Once again, revision sessions will be held this week for some exams that take place after the holidays. Here is a summary of the arrangements:
There will also be a GCSE revision session on South Africa for year 11 History with Miss Bevan and Mrs Cooper in D1 and D2 at 9am on the morning of 7 June before the afternoon exam.
Years 7 and 8 have also responded well to their recent assessments. These assessments should be considered early preparation for what’s to come! The next step for the school’s youngest pupils will be the annual national tests – in Welsh, English and Numeracy for year 7, 8 and 9 pupils. These are now online, so all pupils will need to access the tests through their Chromebook. Like any other day, all Chromebooks need to be at school, fully charged. If the Chromebook is with the technician, we will have an alternate plan for these pupils. A letter with the exact dates will follow after the holidays.
Year 10 pupils should have received their full reports on ClassCharts before the holidays. Year 9 reports, with the end of Key Stage 3 results, will follow soon, as these pupils start their GCSE courses.
Attendance
Attendance until the end of the year remains crucial for all pupils. So many important things happen at this time of year, including English speaking exams for all year 10 pupils (which count in year 11), Welsh Bac tasks that also count, coursework and practical work that count, as well as national tests for year 7,8 and 9. A new timetable starts for everyone immediately after half term, and year 9 pupils start their GCSE courses. Besides that, the external WJEC exams for years 10, 11, 12 and 13 continue.
The School Day
Following our consultation blog and the subsequent results, which were published in the last blog, the changes to the Bro Edern school day have now received full approval from our governors. As you know from the last blog, 93.9% of respondents were in support of the proposed changes. In order to action the changes for September, we have contacted various people, including the bus company and the county’s catering department.
This means that our school day will look like this from September 2023 onwards:
| Before 08:30 | Arrival |
| 08:30 – 08:50 | Registration |
| 08:50 – 09:50 | Lesson 1 |
| 09:50 – 10:50 | Lesson 2 |
| 10:50 – 11:10 | Break |
| 11:10 – 12:10 | Lesson 3 |
| 12:10 – 13:10 | Lesson 4 |
| 13:10 – 14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00 – 15:00 | Lesson 5 |
We believe that there are significant benefits to the proposed changes, especially following the effects of the pandemic and the increasing emphasis on wellbeing, and as we introduce the new Curriculum for Wales. Full details of the results’ data can be found in our Easter blog.
School Uniform
We are aware of the recent announcement by the Welsh Government about school uniform arrangements in Wales. We are currently discussing Bro Edern’s uniform arrangements with the governors, to see how we can facilitate our arrangements for parents and families. We will update you before the summer.
Most importantly for us at Bro Edern, our successful Swap Shop is available to help our parents, and there is a large stock of clothes available, thanks to the Cyfeillion and Mrs Frost. It was great to see the Swap Shop receiving recognition as best practice at the time of the government announcement, with pictures of Mrs Frost and the famous cupboard in the report. Mrs Frost was also interviewed on Radio Cymru to discuss this pressing matter. Please remember that there is a stock of Prom clothes also available from the Cyfeillion.
The next Swap Shop will be held at school from 3:30 until 4:15pm on Wednesday 7 June. It is usually held on the first Wednesday of the month.
Eisteddfod yr Urdd
We are extremely proud of the pupils who have reached the National Urdd Eisteddfod in Llanymddyfri (Llandovery). A huge thanks goes to them for their dedication and to the staff who have been helping them. Thanks also to Jake, our brilliant former pupil, now studying at the Music Department in Cardiff University, for all his work accompanying the musical competitions. For those of you heading for Carmarthenshire (or watching S4C at home) here are the details of our pupils’ competitions:
Friday 2 June
Green Pavilion
9:20am Theatric Performance from a Script Year 10 and under 19 – Alys and Ramiro
12:20pm Individual Theatric Performance Year 10 and under 19 – Alys Jones
1:35pm Individual Theatric Performance of a Song from a Musical Year 10 and under 19 – Alys Jones
Red Pavilion
2:40pm Individual Recitation Year 10 and under 19 – Ramiro Asby
Gŵyl Triban Festival at the Eisteddfod
4:00pm Dadleoli will be performing
Saturday 3 June
Green Pavilion
9:00am Theatric Performance from an Ensemble Year 10 and under 25 – Betsan and Maddie & Ramiro and Alys
Yr Adlen
11:30am Stand Up Comedy under 25 – Alys Jones
The Urdd Eisteddfod app (red and white logo) can be updated to list this year’s competitions and competitors, and you can save any relevant competitions:
After the Urdd Eisteddfod, practices will resume for our next big performance – in the first instance, pupils will learn new chorus songs. Exciting!
After Whitsun
Year 9 will start their GCSE courses immediately after the holidays, which means that the whole school, both pupils and staff, will receive a new timetable via ClassCharts. The new timetable should sync by Monday morning.
Following the holidays, it will be back to basics, to those small things which are essential to the smooth running of any school. The pupils have seen this slide before the holidays, so they should be aware of what is in store. Please help us ensure that your child follows the appropriate rules.
Translation of above slide:
Green ticks: Speaking Welsh / Punctuality / Courtesy and Respect / School Uniform / Equipment
Red crosses: Mobile phones / Earphones / Jewellery / Make up / Nails
Please note that the only earrings allowed in school are one pair of the ones in the bottom left hand side of the photo, either in gold or silver.
Everyone should return to school in full and smart school uniform, including school shoes and should leave any jewellery at home, or it will need to be collected in by staff. We need to avoid any unnecessary falling out over issues that draw our attention away from our pupils’ education, and parental co-operation is key in this regard. Thank you in advance for your help.
Mobile phones and AirPods are appearing ever more regularly than before, and these are disrupting our pupils’ education. Pupils need to be free from the grip of social media and any web-related peer pressure during the day, in order for them to benefit fully from their time at school. Therefore, it is essential that these devices are switched off, and at the bottom of the bag all day.
Canteen
As you know, the canteen is a business run by the county, and the kitchen staff are employed by the county to offer us a catering service. It is essential that any canteen debts are cleared in full. Please do so urgently. Any longstanding debts leave the school in a difficult position with the county.
If your child has morning and afternoon exams on the same day, the canteen is available to them at 12:30pm, because the afternoon exams start at 1pm.
Staff
We would like to welcome Mrs Tirion Barrett-Jones back to the English Department after her maternity leave. Thanks to Miss Ffion Williams for all her work during Mrs Barrett-Jones’s absence, and I am pleased to note that Miss Williams will be staying with us at Bro Edern as an additional member of staff. Miss Bethany Randall has also joined us recently, having completed her teaching practice with us last year. Miss Randall has been very active with the Drama Department and it has been great to welcome her back permanently. Many congratulations also to Mrs Lindsay Lewis on her appointment as our Examinations Officer. Mrs Lewis has been working closely with the Sixth Form for a few months, and everyone is delighted to hear that Mrs Lewis will be staying at Bro Edern in her new capacity.
Welsh Language Bulletin
The Welsh language within the school continues to be a priority for us at Bro Edern. Our aim is to ensure that our pupils leave the school as confident, bilingual young people. Thanks to Mrs Furci for putting all the relevant details together for parents in our latest Bulletin.
Yr Elain
Many thanks also to Miss Elin Lloyd, who has been leading the team of young journalists writing Yr Elain, which is our pupils’ magazine. The editorial team has been extremely busy. The latest edition is available here:
Visits
There are many opportunities planned for our lucky pupils over the next weeks and months:
Theatr na nÓg Drama Visit 8 June
A group of year 8 pupils has been chosen to take part in a drama workshop on 8 June. If your child is one of these pupils, there is a letter waiting for you on ClassCharts, and you need to grant permission via ClassCharts, as soon as possible.
Water course – Outdoor Learning, every Wednesday
The pupils who have chosen the Outdoor Learning course as a GCSE option will be going every Wednesday to the International White Water Centre at Cardiff Bay for a while. They leave school at 8:35 and return by 11:30. Each week, pupils will need a swimsuit, a towel and £1 for the locker.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
Two expeditions will be held soon:
Silver Award 3-5 July, Bannau Brycheiniog (formerly known as Brecon Beacons)
Bronze Award 6-7 July, Gower
Pupils are really looking forward to these expeditions. Full details will follow in a letter.
Grünstadt Exchange 1-8 July
Year 8 and 9 pupils are also really looking forward to returning to their exchange partners in Germany after a successful week here in Cardiff. Year 12 AS German pupils are also looking forward to their week of work experience in Germany. The ferry has now been confirmed. We will be crossing from Dover to Calais at 10:40pm on the Saturday night. Therefore, we will leave Bro Edern around lunchtime on the first. A meeting will be held for all exchange parents and pupils, in order to go through all the arrangements, on Wednesday 14 June at 6pm in the hall. Please make every effort to attend.
History Visit to Shepton Mallet 11 July 2023
For year 10 pupils who have chosen GCSE History, as part of their Crime and Punishment course. This trip will be to Shepton Mallet Prison. A letter will follow immediately after the holidays.
History Visit to Liverpool 12 July 2023
For year 8 pupils to visit the Liverpool Slavery and Maritime Museum. There is room for only 50 pupils on the bus – first come, first served. A letter will follow immediately after the holidays.
Mabolgampau, Sports’ Day, Leckwith 14 July
Our Mabolgampau will be held once again this year at the Leckwith Athletics Stadium on Friday 14 July. The buses will go straight there, and a part of the stand will be set aside for parents to spectate.
Storey Arms Visit, Bannau Brycheiniog 8-10 September 2023
For the current year 8 pupils. ParentPay will go live at 6pm this Friday 2 June. There is room for only 40 pupils – first come, first served. A letter has been distributed on paper with all the details.
Visit to Urdd Camp, Glan-llyn 4-6 October 2023
For the current year 7 pupils. ParentPay will go live at 6pm on the first Monday after half term. There is a limited number of places – first come, first served. A letter has been distributed with all the details – there is a copy on ClassCharts from Miss Elin Lloyd.
Skiing Trip to Kitzbühel, Austria 22-29 March 2024
The 44 places filled within 30 minutes when the trip went live on ParentPay. Before half term, one place had become free – you will need to check ParentPay to see if the place is still available now. The letter with all the details is on ClassCharts, and a waiting list is available if needed.
Bro Edern Cluster Cultural Evening
As part of Dathlu Deg, to mark a decade since the opening of Bro Edern, a cultural evening will be held at the school for all cluster pupils and parents, on Thursday 13 July 2023. There will be numerous events involving cluster pupils in different locations across the school. Please keep the date free. Many of our pupils will be involved in the evening, and you will have the opportunity to see all kinds of performances, as well as seeing the exhibitions of our pupils’ Art and Technology work. It promises to be a memorable evening. Please note the date in your diaries now, in order to be able to join us.
Cyfeillion Bro Edern (PTA)
The next Cyfeillion meeting will be held on Wednesday 7 June at 5pm in the school’s meeting room. Parents old and new are welcome to join this enthusiastic crew who are actively raising money, organising the Swap Shop and assisting the school in a number of ways. The main topic of discussion at the next meeting will be the cultural evening. We are very grateful to the Cyfeillion for all their work. Please join them if you can.
Tafwyl
Straight after the cultural evening, it will be time for the Tafwyl weekend. The festival will be held at Bute Park this year, not inside the castle.
Every year we encourage our families to attend Tafwyl, so a quick word to check if everyone has put the date in their diary? 15 and 16 July are the important dates this year. Please keep the weekend clear! Once again, this fantastic festival will have free entry for all, and the festival will be bigger and better than ever, as it will be held in Bute Park, behind the castle. The festival is now too large to be held inside the castle. As explained in the last blog, Year 9 pupils need to complete research work at Tafwyl, and many pupils will be performing, as usual. The school’s slot is at 2:45pm on the Saturday afternoon. We expect to see all our pupils attending the festival at some point over the weekend. Please go as a family and enjoy!
HPV Vaccine
A team of nurses will be at school on the afternoon of 7 June in order to give year 8 and 9 pupils another opportunity to have the HPV vaccine. The deadline has passed, but if there is any question about the vaccine, or to check if your child is on the list this time, you must contact the immunisation team on 02920 907661 / 02920 907664. The team of nurses are responsible for the list, not the school.
Sixth Form News
Returning to school after the AS exams
Monday, 12th of June – All year 12 students will need to be in the hall punctually at the beginning of lesson 1. We will be conducting an extended assembly to begin the journey into year 13.
Year 12 Partnership lessons during the final half term
Due to a range of activities across the three schools, it has been agreed that partnership lessons will take place only during certain weeks of the final half term.
Partnership lessons will take place during the following weeks:
- 12 June
- 19 June
- 3 July
- 10 July
Year 12 UCAS Arrangements
During the final summer half term, students will need to seriously consider their future plans. This journey has already begun when year 12 students attended the UCAS Fayre in April. Some students will plan on attending university following their time at Bro Edern, while others will consider an apprenticeship, working, or go on a gap year to travel or volunteer. It is a big and daunting decision to make, and we will do our best to support all students as they consider all of the possible options. For all students hoping to attend university, an application must be made through UCAS. All relevant information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com
To start the UCAS process, students must complete an application form. All students must begin the process together at the same time, to ensure that all applications are linked correctly to Bro Edern. We will do this by attending an introduction to UCAS session at the Universty of South Wales, Cardiff. Here students will be taken through the process, step by step, in order to complete the form correctly and they will be given time to begin their applications. This day is compulsory for all year 12 students, even if a student does not wish to attend university, because a lot of the information provided on the day will be relevant to other application forms. Advice is also given on personal statements, which can be useful when writing a supporting statement for jobs or apprenticeships. More information about the day can be found below:
Wednesday 14 June:
Post Year 13 Pathways – UCAS registration. Meet outside The Atrium at 9:45am
The Atrium, University of South Wales, 86-88 Adam St, Cardiff CF24 2FN
Year 12 Work Experience
To support university, job or apprenticeship applications, we provide year 12 students with a week to gain valuable work experience. Some university courses ask that prospective students spend a set number of hours gaining experience in the field as a mandatory entry requirement.
Year 12 Work Experience dates – last week of term 17-21 July 2023
Students may spend the week at one location, or may prefer to arrange several placements during the week to gain experience in a range of fields. Students, with the help of their parents/guardians are responsible for arranging their placements. Details of the placements for the week must be provided to school when students return from the exam period. We will attempt to visit as many as possible on placement. Students in previous years have found the work experience week an extremely valuable experience. Placements can promote drive and ambition or give learners a better idea if a career path is for them or not, however if placements are not arranged in line with the individual’s interests, they can be unproductive. We will discuss this further with all students on their return, and the Sixth Form team is available to provide advice when needed.
Glantaf and Plasmawr Sixth Formers will be on work experience during the same week, therefore it will be first come, first served in arranging the most popular placements across the city!
Year 12 – Supporting Transition Days and Sports’ Day
Year 12 students are expected to support our Transition Days and Sports’ Day during the final half term. We are lucky that our Sixth Formers always make a valuable contribution at this time of year and we are hopeful that this year’s year 12 will also work hard to make a positive contribution. These extra curricular activities provide useful contributions to personal statements and Prefect applications. Dates can be found on the calendar below.
Reading days / Preparation for the future days / Additional work experience days
To allow for the transition of year 11 into the Sixth Form, there will be NO LESSONS for Year 12 on Wednesday 21st of June and Thursday 22nd of June. This means that there will be an opportunity to complete the above options in the title – reading / preparation / additional work experience.
Goodbye Year 13
An enjoyable last day was had by all when we said goodbye to Year 13 on 19 May. A memorable assembly at school was followed by year 13 and some staff members spending the afternoon at Pizza Express in Cardiff Bay. The behaviour of all Year 13 pupils was exemplary, as always. The very clear message from the assembly was that the door is always open at Bro Edern for our past pupils. We sincerely hope that our departing Year 13 will keep in touch with their teachers who are always willing to offer help and advice. We look forward to hearing of their great success in the future.
Year 13 – UCAS – Important!
It is essential that all students who have made an UCAS application make their final choices by the beginning of June. One firm and one insurance place at university must be selected. More information can be found below.
Results
Here are the arrangements for releasing exam results over the summer:
Sixth Form: Thursday 17 August
- 8am onwards Year 13
- 9:30am onwards Year 12
GCSE: Thursday 24 August
- 8am onwards Year 11
- 9:30am onwards Year 10
On both Fridays following the results, namely 18 August (Sixth Form) and 25 August (Year 11), we will be holding a Support Clinic for year 11, 12 and 13 pupils who would like to or need to discuss their results with school staff, and discuss their next steps. Our Support Clinic will be held from 9am to 11am and pupils will be able to arrange a slot on the day of the results. Year 10 pupils will have the opportunity to discuss their results with staff at the start of term.
In order to receive results: All canteen debts on ParentPay must be cleared, the school’s iPad and cable must be returned, as well as all the school’s books (novels, text books etc). Various departments have lent our pupils lots of books, and we need them back for next year e.g. the English Department needs the following back:
- Of Mice and Men
- An Inspector Calls
- Lord of the Flies
- Heroes
- A View from the Bridge
Also, if your child is finishing at Bro Edern, or changing into Sixth Form uniform and they do not have younger siblings, please would you consider giving their uniform to the Swap Shop? Thank you for all your co-operation in helping us with this.
If you are going to be on holiday on the day of the results, please e-mail Mrs Lindsay Lewis, our new Examinations’ Officer on LLewis@ysgolbroedern.cardiff.sch.uk
There are two options: she will be able to e-mail the results, or in your e-mail you can nominate someone else to collect the results on behalf of your child. If you want the results by e-mail, you need to state clearly in your e-mail to Mrs Lewis which e-mail address should be used for the results.
Amazing Performance
One group of pupils who have long since finished their exams at Bro Edern are Lauren, Bedwyr and Tiger, three pupils from our first year in 2012. All three are graduating from the College of Music and Drama this summer, therefore a group of staff went to see their final performance. As expected, the three were amazing, and everyone enjoyed the fantastic bilingual performance, based on the tricky life of Cardiff youth. Congratulations to all three on a great performance and all the best for the future.
Hay Festival
Last week, a lucky group of pupils went to the Hay Festival. It was an unforgettable experience for all as they took part in a workshop with author Laura Dockrill. The title of the workshop was “You Are a Story” and it was an inspiration for everyone. Many thanks to Miss Megan Rose from the English Department for organising the visit.
UK Maths Challenge
Huge congratulations to our year 7 and 8 pupils who have been taking part in the UK Maths Challenge. As the name suggests, it is an extremely challenging mathematical competition. After an extremely difficult one hour test in the hall, the results were received, with Gruff, Megan, Mathew and Luke from year 8 receiving medals and Josh, Rhian and Celyn from year 7 also receiving medals. Gruff was the year 8 winner, and Josh came top in year 7. Congratulations to them all and thanks to Mr Wood for all the organisation.
New Debating Club
At 1pm on the first Thursday after the holidays, the first meeting of our new English Debating Club will be held for year 7 pupils who are interested in debating, discussions, public speaking and current affairs. Mr Donovan will responsible for the Club and will release the relevant information and resources weekly through a special Google Classroom. Pupils who are interested should go and see Mr Donovan, in order to arrange access to the Google Classroom and an early lunch.
Important Dates
- 27 May – 4 June Half Term and Urdd Eisteddfod
- 5 June – Everyone back in school
- 7 June – HPV Vaccines (for pupils who missed the first slot)
- 12 June – Year 7-10 Athletics: Cardiff and Vale Cup
- 14 June – Grünstadt Exchange meeting for pupils and parents 6pm
- 20 June – Year 7-10 Athletics: Cardiff and Vale Cup (if successful in previous round)
- 21 June – Sixth Form Taster Lessons for Year 11
- 22 June – Partnership Course Taster Lessons for Year 11
- 26 June – Year 7 Athletics: Boys
- 27 June – Year 7 Athletics: Girls
- 28 June – Year 6 Transition Day
- 29 June – Year 6 Transition Day
- 29 June 5:30pm – Transition Meeting for Year 6 Parents
- 1-8 July – Grünstadt Exchange Years 8, 9 and 12
- 3-5 July – Duke of Edinburgh Silver Expedition Years 12 and 13
- 6/7 July – Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expedition Year 10
- 10-13 July – Year 10 Individual English Speaking Exams
- 11 July – Year 10 History Visit to Shepton Mallet
- 12 July – Year 8 History Visit to Liverpool
- 13 July – Cluster Cultural Evening to celebrate our ten year anniversary
- 14 July – Mabolgampau / Sports’ Day, Leckwith
- 15/16 July – Tafwyl in Bute Park, behind the castle (not in the castle this year)
- 17-21 July – Year 12 Work Experience
- 21 July – End of year for everyone
- 24 July – Inset Day – no school
- 17 August – A Level results
- 18 August – Sixth Form Support Clinic
- 24 August – GCSE Results
- 25 August – Year 11 Support Clinic
- 4 September – Inset Day for staff, no school for pupils
- 5 September – Inset Day for staff, no school for pupils
- 6 September – Years 7 and 12 return to school
- 7 September – All other years return to school
- 8-10 September – Year 9 Storey Arms visit
- 4-6 October – Year 8 Glan-llyn visit
- 13 October – Cluster Inset Day, no school for pupils in all cluster schools
- 28 October – 5 November – Half Term
- 20 November – Cydag Inset Day, no school for pupils
That’s it for now. I hope that you can enjoy half term and some sun.
Thanks to you all for your continued support of Bro Edern.
Best wishes
Iwan Pritchard
Headteacher
Blog Clwstwr Bro Edern 