The boys unfortunately lost out on the shining silverware after an excellent season. Treorchy’s Senior team dominated most of the game, only for small lapses in concentration and small periods of superb football from their opponents allowed Bryn Celyonnog to achieve the victory.
The boys were 2-0 down at half time, but this scoreline could have been the other way around if Treorchy had capitalised on their early opportunities in the first half. Unfortunately a penalty was also directed wide of the target.
A late surge from the team in the second half showed how much character and appetite the boys had for the game. An excellent goal was scored by Josh Wozencroft after Jack Bethell had made a spectacular run down the flanks to provide him with the quality ball. This goal was cancelled out late on with another goal from Bryn Celynnog.
Although the game looked as though the boys could pull it back, it was too little, too late as the final whistle went to leave them the 3-1 deficit and the runners-up position in the competition. A big thank you to all the team for such a great season. Also a personal thanks to all the boys who will be leaving us this year for their efforts in the school extra-curricular teams:
Maths Trust Team Challenge Regional Final
On 23rd April Mr Howson took a team of 4 pupils to compete in the UK Maths Trust Team Challenge Regional Final held this year at Cardiff University Great Hall. The team consisted of David Evans, Kenneth Dasalla (Year 9) and Liam Nagle Cocco, Josh Wilson (Year 8) and they were competing against the elite pupils from 24 of the top schools from across the West, South and East of Wales as well as the South West of England.
The team had a slow start in round one where the pupils had to solve 10 problems as a group. In round two they had to solve the across and down clues of a maths crossword independently in pairs and on this challenge they excelled, almost completing the puzzle and clawing their way back into contention. Round three was a difficult low scoring round for all the teams where pupils solved consecutive problems in pairs, with each subsequent answer dependent on the previous solution. In round four pupils ran around the hall, in relay working in pairs solving problems and again in this enjoyable round the team excelled answering almost all of the questions.
The pupils enjoyed the day and were a credit to the school with their commitment and enthusiasm, against very tough competition, with the team achieving the best position attained by the school in the three years that the competition has run. Well done!
Year 11 Pupils Bid a Fond Farewell
The air was filled with the sweet smell of success on May 13th 2010 as 250 Year 11 pupils received their Record of Achievement Files at a ceremony attended by a large number of parents. Pupils were delighted to welcome the guest speakers Mr Phil Morgan, EBP Compact and Mentoring Manager, and Mr Garin Jenkins, the former Welsh Rugby International who is the coach of the under 20s Ospreys team (pictured with some of our Year 11 rugby team)
The ceremony celebrated the vast array of pupils’ academic achievements as well as sporting and musical triumphs and the many extra curricular activities undertaken by the year group. The audience was also entertained with outstanding musical performances from many of the Year 11 pupils. Special mention must go to Sophie Gregory, Ceri Stoddart and Amie Roberts, who each received awards for 100% attendance during their five years as pupils at Treorchy Comprehensive. Sophie Gregory, who was the best all round ‘Compact Graduate’, also received the Compact Cup for 2010. Congratulations to all those involved. We wish them good luck for their forthcoming examination results and look forward to welcoming them to the Sixth Form in September.
Treorchy Comprehensive School win Rhondda Schools ‘Sevens’ Tournament
The Treorchy Comprehensive School Year 7 rugby team have shown all season that they have the talent to become a successful team in future years. However, their potential was demonstrated at the Rhondda Schools ‘Sevens’ Tournament where not only did they win every game in the tournament, but they also did not concede a single try throughout.
In the pool stages, they defeated Tonypandy, Ferndale and Tonyrefail, where good performances from Jonah Cannon, Max Hendy, Aaron Clarke, Shaun Jones and Evan Turner saw them through some tough opposition. However, top scorer Declan Williams showed his class in attack and defence and was the difference in a few of the matches.
The final was between the two top teams in the Rhondda, Cymer and Treorchy, and this promised to be a tough encounter. Man of the Match in the final was scrum half Corey Shepherd, who scored three tries and set up two others for Kurt Hodges and Declan Williams.
It must be noted that Treorchy fielded a ‘B’ team in the same tournament and they gained some good results, players such as Callum Evans, Ashton Kinsey, Robert Jones and Jack Owen performing well.
This result caps an excellent first year for the young team, and they have laid the foundations for the potential for further success in the future.
Dancing Divas Dazzle at the V Factor
A fun and exciting evening was had by all at this year’s V Factor. In what was arguably the most hotly contested category, our dance group, Divas, gave a brilliant, energetic performance at the Park and Dare Theatre. Special guest judges from stage and screen, including Richard Mylan (ITV’s Where the Heart Is) and Siwan Morris (E4’s Skins), commended the girls for their commitment and enthusiasm as well as Miss Peerbux’s fantastic Bollywood inspired choreography.
Alas, the girls didn’t take home the trophy, but they thoroughly enjoyed hanging out backstage with Sky One’s ‘Got to Dance’ finalists, Jukebox Juniors and ‘X Factor’ Finalist, Lloyd Daniels. Congratulations to everyone who was involved in putting on such a spectacular show.
A Day at the Opera
A group of Yr 9 pupils were given the unique opportunity of working with the Welsh National Opera to compose an original song. The pupils were invited to be a part of the WNO’s ‘Street Songs’ project to create a piece which they will perform as an overture to the WNO’s performance of new oratorio, ‘The Journey’, at the Park and Dare.
Taking ‘Journeys’ as a theme, the young people produced poetry which perfectly captured the sights and sounds of Treorchy. Their words were then transformed into a song with the help of composer Stacey Blythe.
Under the guidance of WNO soloist Jenny Walker, the young people perfected their song during an afternoon of relentless rehearsal. We look forward to seeing the performance in late June.
Sbort a Sbri yn ‘Steddfod
The competitors at this year’s National Urdd Eisteddfod had an excellent time in Aberaeron. The girls’ chamber choir who competed in the Côr Merched category and our second language Grŵp Llefaru, unfortunately missed out on a staged place, but thoroughly enjoyed their experience of performing in the preliminary round.
The Senior Brass Band also had a terrific time and beat fierce competition to achieve a 3rd place for their rendition of traditional Welsh piece ‘Bugeilio’r Gwenith Gwyn’ and a medley of tunes from Hollywood blockbuster ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. Their hard work in rehearsals obviously paid off in an outstanding performance. Llongyfarchiadau i bawb!
Year 7 and 8 Pupils Meet the Challenge in Maths!
Recently Year 7 and Year 8 pupils took part in the Junior Maths Challenge organised by the UK Mathematics Trust and administered from the Mathematics Department at Leeds University.
Over a quarter of a million pupils from nearly four thousand schools across the UK take part in the Maths Challenges each year. The Challenge encourages Mathematical reasoning, thinking clearly and using basic Mathematical techniques to solve interesting problems.
Well done to all pupils who took part and special congratulations to those who gained Gold, Silver and Bronze awards.
Rhonnda Leader 'In Touch' Column - May 20th
Wales Number 1 and 7th best in UK!
On Saturday 8th May Tasia Stephens from Treorchy Comprehensive School competed in the South East Championship at Leckwith Stadium in Cardiff and became the regional champion in the javelin. Two of her three throws were personal bests, with her third throw travelling an amazing 30m 07cm! This colossal throw also gave her a championship best record in the u/15g category which had previously been set two years ago. Tasia is now ranked Number 1 in Wales and 7th in the whole of the UK! Well done!
Under 15’s Rhondda & Ponty Cup Football Final
Treorchy Comprehensive School’s Year 10 Boys football team were runners-up in the final of the Rhondda and Ponty cup after a valiant performance in the University Playing Fields at Glamorgan.
Treorchy’s starting team were looking very strong, dominating possession and their style was thrilling to watch. After many incomplete chances and counter attacks, a lapse in concentration led to an unexpected 1st goal from Hawthorn’s striker.
At the turn of the half, the boys were still searching for their opening goal. Another unexpected threat from Hawthorn was not cleared effectively, which left the opposition’s striker another clear opportunity on goal to put them 2-0 up.
The boys could have allowed the flood gates to open from here, but the boys fought back and a late surge saw Liam Shephard open Treorchy’s account with a fantastic individual effort to make it 2-1.
Some great team-play made Treorchy look as though they were going to take the game into extra time, unfortunately it was too little, too late as the game ended when the momentum was swinging in Treorchy’s favour.
Year 6 Mathematics Masterclass – 14th May 2010
On Friday 14th May, 32 Year 6 pupils from Williamstown Primary, Pentre Priamary, Gelli Primary, Treorchy Primary, Penyrenglyn Primary, Penpych Primary, Parc Primary and Bodrinallt Primary Schools attended a Mathematics Masterclass at Treorchy Comprehensive School. Led by Miss Irvine, Mrs Roache and Mrs Emanuel, the pupils worked at solving challenging Mathematics problems, took an enthusiastic part in a number of Mathematical games and learned about how enlargement is used in advertising spaces. They tackled the activities by working in groups and in pairs, and demonstrated impressive thinking and communication skills and understanding of a variety of Mathematical concepts.
The pupils enjoyed the day, feeling that they had learned how to use Mathematics in new ways, and benefiting from meeting and working with pupils from other schools. At the end of the day, pupils were asked to write comments about what they had learned and which activity they had enjoyed the most.
They are all looking forward to continuing their Mathematics in Year 7 next year.
Year 11 Record of Achievement Assembly
The air was filled with success on May 13th 2010 as 250 Year 11 pupils received their Record of Achievement Files at a ceremony attended by a large number of parents. Pupils were delighted to welcome the guest speakers Mr Phil Morgan EBP Compact and Mentoring Manager and Mr Garin Jenkins former Welsh Rugby International, who now coaches the under 20s Ospreys team.
The ceremony celebrated the vast array of pupils’ achievements from academic, sport, and music through to the many other extra curricular activities undertaken by the Year group. The audience were also entertained with outstanding musical performances from many of the Year 11 pupils. Special mention however must go to 3 pupils in particular who each received awards for 100% attendance during their five years as pupils at Treorchy. These were: Sophie Gregory, Ceri Stoddart and Amie Roberts. Sophie as the best all round ‘Compact Graduate’ also received the Compact Cup for 2010. Congratulations to all those involved. We wish them all the very best for their forthcoming examinations!
Rhonnda Leader 'In Touch' Column - Apr 22nd
Cardiff Blues U16 Contact Rugby Tournament
On Friday 16th April, our U16 girl’s rugby team took part in the Cardiff Blues U16 Contact Rugby Tournament, held at the University of Glamorgan. In the first round the girls took on Radyr, coming away with a 21-12 victory. Tries were scored by Laura Orgill and Alexi Clayton. The next game was against John Beddoe school of Brecon, our girls came away with a convincing win of 39-0. Tries were scored by Gemma Evans, Laura Orgill, Alicia Davies and Alexi Clayton. Our next challenge was Pen-y-dre, and again our girls rose to the challenge, winning 35-0. The final game of the day was the tournament decider against St Johns. St Johns took the early lead and at half time were winning 7-0, our girls came back after the break to win the match 19-14. Tries were scored and converted by Gemma Evans.
The girls will now go on to represent Treorchy Comprehensive School and Cardiff Blues in the Finals, due to be held at Llandovery College on Thursday 29th April. Good luck!!!
e3+ Movie Makers Success
e3+ participants have been showing off their movie-making skills recently and have scooped a top award at the Zoom Young Filmmakers Festival 2010.The young people have been busy over the last few months working with LilyPad Films, who run the e3+ Movie-Making workshops at Treorchy, to create their own movies.
The budding movie-makers named their film ‘The Message’ and won the Best Film (age 8-13) Award at the ceremony in March. The film had previously won Best UK Short at the International Youth Film Festival in 2009 which was showcased to various Assembly Members at the Senedd last month, including Leighton Andrews, AM for the Rhondda and Minister for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning
Another film produced as part of the e3+ movie-making workshops, ‘Two Girls One Boy’, is also tipped to scoop an award at the Swansea Bay Film Festival later this year.
Explore E3+
Our Explore E3+ Transition Club provides an opportunity for Year 6 children from the local Primary schools to participate in activities which take place at Treorchy Comprehensive School outside of normal school hours.
As well as this, over 40 Year 6 children from across the schools enjoyed a fun filled day during the Easter holidays packed with activities from the e3+ Programme at Treorchy Comprehensive School.
The e3+ Programme provides free transport for the children from their individual schools to Treorchy Comprehensive School to enable them to participate in activities. These have included, Theatrical Make-Up, Magic, Pyrography and Circus Skills, all of which will be available to them when they make the transition to Year 7 in September.
The e3+ Programme provides the opportunity for young children to indulge in new experiences and gain skills and qualifications which will raise aspirations and broaden horizons, through a wide range of FREE, exciting and fulfilling activities.
Fund Raising for South America
Ten students from Treorchy Comprehensive School have been working really hard over the Easter vacation fund raising for their expedition to South America in July. They have cleaved off a mammoth £14,000 in just nine months, but still have a way to go before reaching their target of £25,000. You may have seen them face painting outside the Co-operative Superstore in Treorchy or bag packing at a local supermarkets in the area. Profitable cake sales and car washes in school have also helped the group on their way. Future events include a sponsored abseil in Crickhowell and conquering the Welsh Three Peaks 24 hour Challenge!
e3+ Gets Green Fingers
Members of the e3+ Green Gym at Treorchy Comprehensive School had a very busy Easter as they tirelessly tended to the gardens of Bronllwyn Resource Centre and Bronllwyn Care Home.
The young people worked side by side with the elderly day residents of the Resource Centre to improve the condition of the Centre’s grounds by cultivating the land and planting hundreds of flowers that will be enjoyed by the residents and staff.
Thanks to the project, the horticultural skills and knowledge of the young people have increased enormously, and will continue to develop during the summer term under the guidance of the Green Gym tutors, Dave and Jamie from David Lofthouse Landscape Consultants.
Treorchy Dancers train with the Jukebox Juniors Coach
Year 7 & 8 dance club pupils had the opportunity to train with Liara Williams , the Jukebox Juniors Hip Hop and streetdance group from Cardiff. The Juke box Juniors recently became finalists on Sky 1’s hit show ‘Got to Dance’ hosted by Davina Mcall and judged by reknown dance artists Kimberley Wyatt from the Pussycat Dolls, Musical Theatre legend Adam Garcia and lead dancer Ashley Banjo from Diversity the winners of last year’s Britain’s Got Talent competition.
As part of the Zoom film festival the pupils participated in a Dance workshop delivered by Liara Williams where they learned new moves in the style of poppin, lockin and new school hip hop. All pupils thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were very excited meeting and working with Liara.
After working up a sweat, the pupils settled down to watch the classic Dance film ‘ You got served’.
A brilliant evening of entertainment thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Treorchy Dancers Experience a ‘Fitness Fiesta’
Year 12 and 13 BTEC Dance students attended a ‘Fitness Fiesta’ weekend at Brean Sands in Weston Super Mare on March 5th. The weekend was an opportunity for the students to experience a variety of fitness and dance workshops delivered by international instructors.
Classes such as Body attack, Baila Baila a Carrabean workout, back to Broadway , Latin Fever and Jazztastic are examples of some of the sessions that the students tried out and even joined the instructors on stage in front of over 200 people.
Sore muscles and aching bodies could not stop the senior dancers from enjoying the evening entertainment from ‘Strike’ the martial arts Duo who were last year’s runners up on Britain’s Got Talent and lots of dancing until the early hours of the morning.
The whole weekend was great fun and thoroughly enjoyed by staff and students.
Rhonnda Leader 'In Touch' Column - September 24th
Treorchy Cadets win Silver at first attempt
Competing for the 1st time in the Cadet Cambrian Patrol Competition, held on the 18th & 19th September, the Treorchy Comprehensive School CCF team were awarded a silver medal.
The competition is open to cadets from all over Wales, and is a true test of physical and mental endurance. The cadets work as a team to navigate a route of approximately 22 km, via a series of checkpoints, where they are tested on various aspects of the Cadet syllabus, including 1st Aid, field craft and map reading.
The Treorchy Comprehensive School team were the highest scoring junior team from a CCF, beating more established CCF’s in private schools. The patrol commander was Cadet Sgt Catherine Lumby, who despite sustaining an injury early into the competition continued to lead her team, knowing that if she dropped out the team would lose points.
The whole team were extremely tired at the prize giving on Sunday afternoon, but can be very proud of their efforts and the Silver medals that they were awarded.
Uncovering Chemical Secrets
On Wednesday the 15th of September a number of our Chemistry A level class attended a course at the University of Wales, Cardiff. The title of the course was ‘Uncovering chemical secrets’ and the pupils certainly did this! The day consisted of a morning lecture on chemical synthesis, an opportunity to complete a number of exciting experiments in the university laboratory and a tour of the Chemistry department where a number of expensive analytical machines and techniques were explained in detail.
The students thoroughly enjoyed the day and found it extremely useful as it covered a number of topics that they will be examined on in January as part of their A level qualification. It also gave the students a taste of university life, which hopefully they will experience next year when they leave Treorchy Comprehensive and embark on their future careers!
Outstanding Performances by our Dancers
Congratulations to the dancers from Year 9, 10, 11,12 & 13 for giving outstanding and professional performances at the Skills Cymru Conference held at the Millennium Stadium on the 16th & 17th September. All groups were invited to perform to an audience of students, teachers and exhibiters from across Wales and thoroughly enjoyed the day. Each performance was shown on the large screens in the Stadium throughout the day and footage was later shown on the ITV news.
Rhonnda Leader 'In Touch' Column - Apr 29th
Young Writers
26 Year 8 pupils were selected to have their work published in the 'Young Writers' creative writing anthology. Their task was to write a mini-saga in no more than 50 words (harder than it sounds!). They could write an original piece or re-create a famous story. Original titles included "Blood Rush", "The Book", "The Mammal" and "The Stairs" whilst some pupils re-imagined famous stories like "Romeo and Juliet" and "Humpty Dumpty".
The anthology will be published later this year and will be kept at the British Library and further libraries across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Welsh Youth Eco-Forum 2010
Representatives from the school's Eco Committee recently attended a Welsh Youth Eco-Forum held at Siambr Hywel, the National Assembly for Wales’ Youth Debating Chamber in Cardiff. Along with young people from comprehensive schools across Wales, the focus of the day was to look at positive environmental achievements that have been made by individuals and countries across the world. Speakers, workshops and case studies addressed the question ‘can one person make a difference?’ The message was clear, yes they can.
The forum provided many ideas which our representatives will be using within the school to make us and our school more environmentally friendly.
Year 7 & 8 Hockey V Blaengwawr (H) 19.4.10
Our Year 7 & 8 Girls Hockey team took on Blaengwawr Comprehensive at home on Monday 19th April. The first half saw no goals for both sides. Early in the second half Blaengwawr took the early lead. Our girls had all of the pressure but seemed unable to capitalise until Stacey Symons broke through the midfield to score a well deserved goal. The game ended 1-1.
Both teams played well, and will meet again on Friday 23rd April at Blaengwawr Comprehensive in the annual RCT tournament. Good Luck!!
Rhonnda Leader 'In Touch' Column - Feb 11th
British Schools’ Modern Biathlon Championships
Heidi Redwood and Morgan Jones from Treorchy Comprehensive School have been successful in reaching the finals of the British Schools’ Modern Biathlon Championships in Crystal Palace National Sports Centre on Sunday 21st March 2010. The two Year 9 pupils had to go through a series of 12 qualifying competitions so have done extremely well.
More Success for Treorchy and UK Number 1
Tasia Stephens recently represented Aberdare Valley AAC in the javelin at the Midland Counties AA’s in Birmingham. Even though Tasia, aged 13, should have been entered in the Under 15 category, she ended up competing in the Under 17 category and despite battling it out against girls three years older than her, came 3rd and recorded a personal best throw of 27m 10cm with a 600grm javelin. Tasia is currently the UK Under 15 Number 1, following on from last year when she was the UK Under 13 Number 1 throwing 32m 36cm with a 400 grm javelin.
Tasia is the current holder of the Aberdare Valley AAC best club athlete for the 2009 season and she hopes to compete at the Welsh Schools Championships in Brecon in July which will lead to a Welsh Schools Vest if successful. We wish her the very best in what promises to be a glittering career in athletics.
RCT Futsal Tournament
Two u16 girl’s teams from Treorchy played in the inaugural RCT Futsal tournament held at the Futsal arena in Llanishen Cardiff last Tuesday. Treorchy were matched against strong teams from Cymmer, Tonypandy, Aberdare girls, Pontypridd High and Llanhari schools in a round robin tournament. Both teams were outstanding and didn’t lose a single game! Treorchy B team won every game and only conceded 2 goals! This resulted in a comprehensive victory for the girls, with the A team finishing runners up having drawn 2 games. It would be unfair to single out individual performances as all the players involved were fantastic. The tournament officials were massively impressed with the Treorchy girls and couldn’t believe how high their skill level was throughout the day. Congratulations to all team members.
Martha Coleman and Emily Jones from year 7 played for a joint All Stars team in the year 7 and 8 tournament and did very well. Well done girls!
Hockey Leaders Course
On Thursday 4th February, thirteen girls from years 9, 10 & 11 completed their Hockey Leaders Course. This qualification enables them to help in local clubs and lead small groups through Hockey based activities. The course was held at Treorchy Comprehensive School, with Judith Powell the Hockey development officer leading the evening. The girls enjoyed the course and represented the school very well the school well. Hopefully the girls will get to use this valuable qualification in the near future, with discussions being held about a possible Hockey Club to be held at Treorchy. The girls were: Gemma Evans (Year 9); Alexie Clayton, Fran Wallerus, Alicia Davies, Angharad Chown, Leah Newman and Chloe Evans (Year 10); Laura Orgill, Zara Wines, Ashleigh Griffiths and Naomi Williams (Year 11)
Engineering Challenge
On 28th January 40 pupils from Year 9 took part in an Engineering Challenge run by GE Engineering.
The pupils were split into small groups and were expected to think creatively as well as methodically in order to complete a series of demanding challenges. These included aerodynamics and forces and the pupils took to them brilliantly.
The engineering team from GE commented on how well the pupils behaved and said that there were definitely some future engineers among them.
The team which eventually won the competition consisted of Kenneth Dasalla, Luke Davies, Lewis Leach, James Griffiths. These four boys will have the honour of representing Treorchy Comprehensive School in the Regional Finals sometime in June. Hopefully they will repeat their impressive performances and bring home the trophy. Well done boys!
