Mr A. D. Thomas the director of education has written to all parents to stress the importance of good attendance and the support on offer to help improve attendance.

Llythyr ynghylch presenoldeb

Welcome to the final update of 2024!! I would like to thank all pupils, staff, parents and carers and governors for their continued support throughout 2024. I hope whatever you have planned over the next two weeks, you are able to relax and a have a fabulous time.

Just a few reminders:

Monday 6th January is a designated INSET Day for staff so all pupils will return to school on Tuesday 7th January 2025.

Please ensure that pupils attend school as much as possible and are punctual. There have been improvements in both these areas during 2024 which we very much appreciate but attendance remains below pre-COVID figures still. Welsh Government guidance means that any pupil with less than 90% attendance is classed as being a persistent absentee. The school and Education Attendance Service will continue to work closely with pupils and families in 2025. Pupils must also adhere to the school uniform policy which can be accessed via the school website.

I also need to bring to your attention an increase in the price of the set meal from the start of the Spring Term from £2.90 to £3.00. We always endeavour to keep prices as low as possible, however in light of continued increases in food costs, we have had to increase the set meal along with a small increase to menu choice options. These will be available to view via the school website.

LAST WEEK

Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award

On Tuesday 10^th December pupils in year 10 who have completed all their sections for their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award were invited to the Princess Royal Theatre to be presented with their badges and certificates. Pupils have successfully completed 6 months of volunteering, physical activity and developing a skill. The group completed a practice expedition in Margam Park before their final expedition around the Gower in the summer term. Congratulations to everyone on your achievement!

CyberFirst Girls Competition

Four girls from 8JLE took part in the The CyberFirst Girls Competition which aims to inspire girls interested in technology to pursue a career in cyber security. Girls worked together as a team in school as well as at home for 5 days straight. Girls have done really well in the competition scoring over 4500 points! Even though they didn’t make it to the semi-finals, the girls have still learnt plenty of new skills. When the competition concluded, two of the pupils decided to apply for the Digital Leaders recognition within the school with success.  

Top of the Bench Chemistry Competition Swansea University 2024

Two mixed teams of year 8 to year 11 pupils attended Swansea University on Thursday December the 12^th to take part in the prestigious ‘Top of the Bench’ Chemistry Competition. The event involved competing in a Kahoot quiz against pupils in the same year group from other schools. This was followed by a team practical activity in the lab using indicators and titration method. Both teams did fantastically well in the Kahoot’s quizzes! We gained 4 podiums; Samuel Gibbon and Dylan Jarvis each taking 3^rd place, Tanisha Hussain 2^nd place, and Maisie-Kate Rowland gaining 1^st place in year 10 out of 61 teams!

Both teams gained maximum points for safety in the lab, and displayed excellent teamwork and practical skills throughout the lab session!

Students Participate in the National GCHQ Christmas Challenge 2024

This holiday season, students from Year 7 to Year 11 took part in the national GCHQ Christmas Challenge 2024. The competition featured seven tricky puzzles designed to test the students’ problem-solving and teamwork skills. Both students (and some of our staff) enjoyed working together to solve each puzzle, aiming to uncover the final Christmas message. The challenge was a great way for everyone to engage and have fun during the festive period. One of our Year 11 teams stood out by completing all the codes and revealing the message in an impressive time of just 1 hour and 49 minutes! Their quick thinking and collaboration made them the fastest team, achieving something many thought would be near impossible. Congratulations to the Year 11 students for their outstanding performance! Well done to all the participants for their hard work and enthusiasm in making this year’s challenge a success.

Yr Ysgol Ganol/Middle School

Year 7&8 have been working hard in preparation for Christmas. There have been lots of fun activities such as Christmas Jumper day and a 2 km Christmas Fun Run for year 8 in order to raise funds for charity. 6 pupils each from Year 7&8 were invited for their half termly Hot Chocolate with the Headteacher in order to acknowledge the hard work and effort they consistently put in. Well done to those! Finally, as the last week of term approaches, there will be an awards assembly to celebrate a number of achievements across the year groups and many pupils will be invited to watch a Christmas film as a reward for their efforts this term.

Huge well done to year 8 for running their Christmas Charity Run in aid of the eye cancer charity CHECT today, great effort by all in raising money for this deserving cause. 

Christmas Netball

A lot of fun was had in the Christmas Netball competition

THIS WEEK

As far as the last week of term is concerned, throughout the week there are activities planned for different year groups.  When these activities are not going ahead there will be normal timetable with normal lessons as far as possible, but teachers will also be responding to the level of attendance in a class. 

Art Department Non-Examination Assessments

This week our Year 11 pupils who are studying GCSE Art, Photography and or Textiles will be completing their final non examination assessments. This will provide them with the opportunity to complete all work to the highest possible standard before starting the examination Unit in January. The timetable for this is:

Monday Dec 16th	11A Art AJH EA7 8:55 – 14:55 11B Art DNO EA6 8:55 – 14:55
Tuesday Dec 17th	11A Textiles DNO EA6 8:55 – 14:55 11A Photography MLA EA8 8:55 – 14:55
Wednesday Dec 18th	11B Photography MLA EA8 8:55 – 14:55
Thursday Dec 19th	11C Art AJH EA7 8:55 -14:55

Year 9 Options

Please click on the link to access a letter regarding information about the Year 9 Option process at YBB. Letter  Mr Williams has already spoken to pupils in their individual classes.

I will write again to parents and carers later in the week to provide some important information/reminders for the start of the Spring Term 2025. Remember that Monday 6th January is an INSET Day for staff and all pupils will return to school on Tuesday 7th January.

Last Week

Yr Ysgol Ganol/Middle School

The whole school came together to hold a very special Remembrance Service on Tuesday. Our pupils were respectful and dignified in supporting the service and some played significant roles in the event. It was lovely to welcome S4C to the school and there was a fabulous bulletin of our service on Heno Tuesday evening

Blwyddyn 8/Year 8

This week has marked Armistice Day and in order to support the Royal British Legion Mrs Challenger’s form have been busy selling poppies. Pupils and staff have been very giving and we are able to make a generous donation to the charity.

This week’s Seren Yr Wythnos has been awarded to Alana Hughes and Lily Collins both of 8ACH. This is due to their ongoing dedication in promoting the Welsh language across the school! Well done girls. Finally, Year 8 are still busy collecting for our annual Mr X Appeal and we would greatly appreciate any donations of gifts via your child’s form tutor if you are able to.

Huge congratulations to our Criw Cymraeg who won the Neath Port Talbot Schools Dragon’s Den competition. They won a prize of £1000 to spend on developing the use of Welsh across our school and local community. Their bilingual presentation was very professional, highlighting their obvious passion for our language. Many thanks to Miss Holland, Mrs Thomas and all staff for their support to the crew.

Blwyddyn 7

SerenYr Wythnos: Llongyfarchiadau i Livie Davies for her excellent animal cell homework made entirely out of cake and Riley Parker for excellent efforts in History.

Cystadleuaeth Ffotograffiaeth Eisteddfod Y Cymoedd Photography Competition

Huge congratulations to Ceirion in class 7MLA who recently won the Year 7-13 photography competition at the Valleys Eisteddfod in Caerphilly.

12 pupils attended a SEREN event in Bro Dur on Wednesday 13^th November which was a preparation day for the NPT debating competition.  All pupils thoroughly enjoyed and can’t wait to start working on their debating technique in preparation for Januarys competition.   

Children In Need 2024

The whole school came together last Friday to help raise money for the annual Children in Need campaign. There were a variety of activities including wearing non-uniform and stalls and activities at lunchtime. We managed to raise over £1,500 which is a tremendous effort. A big thank you in particular to Miss Jenkins and the Year 11 Leaders who worked so hard to make it a successful day.

YBB Garden

As the seasons change, it is lovely to see the success of the gardening completed over the last few months. We have used the money raised to plant over 200 daffodils and we have had great results from the gardening completed during work experience week. A big thank you to 11JMA and who completed a lot of hard work this autumn and HEAT who fundraised in the summer.

Sports Results (week beginning 11th -15^th Nov)

Tues 12^th – Year 7 Boys rugby development festival – Won 2/Lost 2

                      Year 9 Netball v Maesteg – Won

                      Year 11 Netball v Maesteg -Won

                      Year 8 boys football v St.Josephs – Won

                      Year 10 boys football v St Josephs – Won

                      Year 9/10 Girls Basketball Tournament (Won 2/Lost 1 – County Runners-Up)

Weds 13^th –  Year 7 boys rugby v Llangatwg  – Lost

Thurs 14^th – Year 7 girls rugby festival – Won (Unbeaten)

This Week

On Thursday 21st November, the school’s Christmas Celebration returns!! It will be held in the atrium area between 4-7 p.m. All are welcome.

Sports Fixtures/Training Week beginning 18^th-22^nd Nov)

Mon 18^th – Transition football and Netball competition at YBB 1pm -2.45pm.

Tues 19^th –  Cross-County Championships (Selected pupils in years 7-11, Elba – Gorseinon 12.30 -4pm)

Year 8 Hockey training (lunch)

 Weds 20^th – Mixed year group dry-slope Skiing at Pembrey 

Year 7 Hockey training (lunch)

Year 11 boys football v St Joseph’s (away)

Year 7 girls football v St Joseph’s (home,)

Thurs 21st – Year 10/11 girls Urdd Netball (Cardiff – all day)

Fri 22nd- Year 9/10 Boys basketball competition (YBB – 1pm -3pm)

Last Week

Blwyddyn 7/Year 7

Llongyfarchiadau to our Seren Yr Wythnos Cayden Macey and Dylan Fernandez, awarded to both for their outstanding teamwork and example to others. Congratulations to the Year 7 pupils who have been selected to join our Health Eco Action Team and to those chosen to play a leading part in our Whole School Remembrance Service on Tuesday 12^th November 2024.  

Blwyddyn 8/Year 8

Da iawn to this week’s Seren Yr Wythnos, Naomi Gomedza and Amelia Edwards. This has been awarded for their fantastic contribution to the girls’ basketball team and their sportsmanship, which has seen the team qualify for the Welsh finals! Da iawn merched. This week has also seen Year 8 launch the annual Mr X Christmas Appeal to all year groups across the school. The charity ensures disadvantaged children in the local community receive gifts on Christmas Day! This is always well supported by the YBB School Community and their families. 

Huge congratulations to our year 7&8 girls’ basketball team; Neath and Port Talbot Regional Champions.

This Week

Remembrance Service – 12th November 2024

Sports Fixtures

Fixtures/training week beginning 11th -15^th Nov

Mon 11^th – Year 7/8 Netball training/matches 3-4pm

Tues 12^th – Year 7 Boys rugby development festival (9.30-12pm) at St Josephs Comp.

                     Year 9 and 11 Netball fixture v Maesteg (Home)

                     Year 8 boys football v St.Joseph’s (away)

                     Year 10 boys football v St Josephs (home)

                     Year 9/10 Girls Basketball Tournament (Sports Hall 1-3pm)

                     Year 8/9 Hockey training  (after school)

Weds 13^th – Year 7 Hockey training (lunchtime)

                     Year 7 boys rugby v Llangatwg (home)

Thurs 14^th – Year 7 girls’ rugby festival (Brynteg Comp, Bridgend –  9.30-12pm)

Children In Need

Friday 15th November

Non Uniform Day – £1 donation

Lunchtime fundraising—face painting, stalls, games and activities, raffles (please bring in loose change.)

Achievement Tree at YBB

A big well done to the pupils who have been nominated for September & October for an impressive start to the school year. Focus for November & December now turns to setting a good example to others. Thank you to Mr John (Art) who co-ordinates this initiative. It is an impressive art display and pupils really do enjoy seeing their names up on the wall!!

Charity Fundraising

A big thank you to all who supported our last fund raiser – The Megan Mai Foundation. Megan’s dad, came into school and we presented him with a cheque for £150 for the amazing charity he runs to support seriously ill children and their families, in many ways through their difficult times.

As we approach a well-earned half-term break, I would like to thank all pupils, staff and parents/carers for their continued support since September. There are a couple of things I would like to draw to your attention in readiness for pupils returning to school on Tuesday 5th November (Monday 4th November is an INSET Day).

Attendance

Whilst attendance levels in the primary and secondary phase have increased on this time last year, we are like many schools, still below pre-COVID levels. We have a variety of provisions within school to support attendance and regularly reinforce the importance of good attendance with pupils. If for any reason, a pupil is going to be absent, please contact the school reception so that an appropriate absence code can be applied. The Welsh Government now class a pupil as being a persistent absentee if their attendance is below 90%.

Punctuality

Various changes to protocols for recording and improving punctuality to school introduced in the summer term has seen a reduction in numbers of children arriving late to school.  Can I remind pupils in the secondary phase and parents that registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Please make every effort to be there on time.

Uniform

Thank you again to those parents who are ensuring pupils arrive in school in full school uniform.  We hope our flexible approach to having fewer branded items mean that it is more affordable for parents. Please ensure that when we return to school after the holiday, pupils are in uniform as described on our website. It is not acceptable to arrive in school wearing sporting attire unless it is for a legitimate sporting activity – in which case the PE Department will have communicated this.

Secondary Breakfast Club

We have manged to secure funding to provide free toast and a hot chocolate from 7:45 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. This will be available in the small canteen area every day and there will be staff supervision. We are hoping to secure additional funding in order to be able to continue this initiative in the Spring Term.

Safeguarding

Keeping everybody safe on the school site is a priority. I kindly ask that parents/carers avoid parking their cars on the double yellow lines by main reception. If you are dropping pupils off for breakfast club, nursery etc please park in one of the designated parking bays. Similarly, I would ask that parents remain in their cars with the engine off after school if you are parked in the front car park. The gates are closed between 2:40 p.m. and 3:10 p.m. to minimise the amount of traffic moving on site. This way I can continue to allow people to park on site and ensure pupils leave in a safe manner.

School Production

We are delighted to announce that this year’s school production will be The Wizard of OZ. It will take place 18th-20th February 2025. It is fair to say that excitement levels are rising already!!

I hope everybody has a lovely half-term and we look forward to welcoming the pupils back on Tuesday 5th November.