May 2001 Newsletter

We at the school were delighted at the continued support that you as parents give us. The Year 9 Options/Parents' Evening which took place in March produced an excellent turnout by parents and resulted in a most successful evening.
Your support was also appreciated at the National Records of Achievement presentation evening for Year 11. The students' records were presented by Mr. Keith Sanderson, who retired as Head of Rhyl High School in 1988. We were entertained by musical items performed by Year 11 pupils. The presentation was a most enjoyable event.
This year's school production of Oliver at the Pavilion Theatre was also an outstanding success, with an audience total of 2,800 over 3 nights. We must thank Mr. Rhys Harrison, Miss Vicki Bulgin and the army of helpers and volunteers who gave up their time so freely to ensure the success of the show. You may have read the review in the Daily Post written by Ian Skidmore, which compared our production favourably to professional shows.
Our financial prudence has been rewarded by the decision to appoint extra teaching staff from September and further good news is that we have received an extra Ł20,000 grant from the Welsh Assembly.
At the end of this term Mrs. Julie Danson will be moving to Ysgol Brynhyfryd and Ms. Nell Doust to a new post at Ysgol Aberconwy. Mr. Rhys Harrison will be retiring at the end of term and Miss Ceinwen Evans, our Examinations Officer will be leaving us at half term to take up an appointment at Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy. Mrs Cathy Scott will be retiring.
Following interviews, Miss Juliet Williams' post of Acting Head of Maths has now been made permanent. Mr. Peter Jones, Miss Emma Howson and Mr. Peter Russell have been newly appointed as Teachers of Maths.
Mr. Dan Street and Mr. Dave Jennings have been appointed as Examinations Officer and Deputy respectively.
Mr. Tim Redgrave has been appointed as Head of Drama to replace Mr. Harrison.
Miss Josephine Corcoran, Miss Katherine Roberts and Miss Katy Sumner have been newly appointed as Teachers of French.
Yours sincerely,
M. WILLIAMS

Sixth form A-level Design and Technology students have again taken part in the Engineering in Education Scheme for Wales. The Exhibition and Award ceremony took place in March at British Aerospace, Broughton. We came first, with the school receiving Ł250 and each student Ł50. The successful students were Chantel Holmes, Vicky Williams, Jody Bird, Ian Wynne-Williams and Gareth Nuttall.

We continue to develop links with Higher Education. Sixth form students Chantel Holmes, Vicky Williams and Natalie Rippingale have been successful in gaining places at the Aberystwyth University Summer school. It is a six week intensive course that will help to prepare them for university life. Upon completion of the course the university will make the students a guaranteed offer to study at Aberystwyth in the following academic year.

We have been fortunate to be able to purchase a new grand piano thanks to a grant from the New Opportunities Fund, which we added to profits made from recent school productions. It was christened in "grand" fashion by student Judith Bruns in the A-level and AS-level Music recital in the presence of the A-level Examiner and an invited audience.

As we prepare to say farewell to the students of Year 11 and 13, who are currently involved in external exams, we also make preparations for our new intake in September. The Taster Days for current Year 5 pupils take place on 20th June and Induction Day for pupils in Year 6 takes place on 5th July.

The Year 10 Works Experience programme takes place in June. Mr. John Edwards confidently expects to find placements for all pupils requiring them although he would welcome any offer of a placement from local businesses. If you can help please contact him at the school.

Our sporting commitments have been greatly reduced by the Foot and Mouth situation but highlights include:

Soccer – The Year 7 team reached the last 8 in the Welsh Cup competition, losing 3-2 to Darland.
Swimming – Sarah Gunning, a member of the Great Britain Development Squad continues to produce excellent results. She set five new records recently and is now ranked 5th in the U.K. at 50m Backstroke in her age group.
Hockey – Six pupils in year 9 have been selected for the Centre of Excellence Scheme.
Netball – Four pupils have been selected for County Squads for next season.
Golf –Four boys have been selected for the N.E. Wales Team. Ben Derbyshire won the Gold Medal at the N.E. Wales Schools Championships.

Dates for your diary

May 2001

Monday 21st - A/AS/GCSE Examinations begin
Friday 25th - School closes for half term holiday

June

Monday 4th - School re-opens
Thursday 14th - Year 8 Parents' Evening 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Tuesday 26th - Year 10 Parents' Evening 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Friday 29th - A/AS/GCSE Examinations end

July

Thursday 5th – Induction Evening for parents of next year's Year 7 pupils, 6.00 p.m.
Monday 9th - Staff Training Day
Tuesday 10th - Year 7 Parents' Evening 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Friday 20th - School closes for Summer holiday

August

Thursday 16th - A and AS level results published; school open 9.30 a.m.
Thursday 23rd - GCSE results published; school open 9.30 a.m.; Sixth Form consultation meeting in Block 6 6.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

2001/2002 dates

In order to accommodate the Queen's Golden Jubilee Bank Holiday in 2002, Denbighshire, in common with the LEAs across North Wales, has changed our holiday dates as follows:

School opens for Autumn term Tuesday 4th September.
School closes for half term Friday 19th October, reopens Tuesday 30th October.
School closes for Christmas Friday 21st December, reopens Monday 7th January.
School closes for half term Thursday 7th February, reopens Monday 18th February.
School closes for Easter Friday 22nd March, reopens Tuesday 9th April.
School closed on Monday 6th May (Bank Holiday)
School closes for half term Friday 31st May, reopens Monday 10th June.
School closed Monday 8th July (Training Day)
School closes for Summer Friday 19th July.

Details of school term dates for the academic year 2002/3 and beyond can be obtained by contacting the LEA by phone (01824 706777) or on the Internet at www.denbighshire.gov.uk