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Ymgyrch Mr X Campaign 2024

WAW! Am ymateb i’n hymgyrch Mr X 2024. Diolch o galon i bawb sydd wedi cyfrannu eleni, mae’r nifer o anrhegion yn anhygoel. Mae ein cymuned ysgol wedi bod yn garedig iawn wrth ddarparu’r anrhegion i rhai sydd angen dros yr ardal. Llongyfarchiadau enfawr i’n cyd-lynydd Miss Preedy am ymgyrch hynod o lwyddiannus unwaith eto eleni! What a response to our Mr X 2024 appeal. Heartfelt thanks to all who contributed, the number of presents is amazing. Our school community have been extremely generous in providing these presents to those in need across the area. Huge congratulations to our co-ordinator, Miss Preedy, on a hugely successful campaign once again this year!

Ymweliad AS Aberfan David Rees Visit of Aberafan AM David Rees

Braf iawn oedd croesawu AS Aberafan David Rees i’r ysgol heddiw am sesiwn holi ac ateb gyda grwp o ddisgyblion blwyddyn 7,8,9 a 10. Roedd ein disgyblion yn wych wrth ofyn cwestiynau aeddfed a phwysig. It was lovely to welcome AM for Aberafan David Rees to school today for a Q&A session with group of our year 7,8,9 and 10 pupils. Our pupils were great, asking important and mature questions.

Ein Harweinydd Digidol Our Digital Leaders 2024

Diolch yn fawr i Mr Wallace am gynnal proses detholi ardderchog ar gyfer ein Harweinydd Digidol newydd. Edrychwn ymlaen yn fawr at weld y grwp yn datblygu sgiliau TGCh disgyblion, staff a rhieni. Huge thanks to Mr Wallace for holding an excellent selection process for our new Digital Leaders. We are looking forward to seeing the group developing the ICT skills of pupils, staff and parents.

Gwobr Arian Siarter Iaith Silver Award

Rydym hynod o falch ar ol derbyn y Wobr Arian Siarter Iaith heddiw! Llongyfarchiadau enfawr i’n disgyblion, staff, corff llywodraethu, rhieni a’n partneriaid cymunedol, diolch yn fawr i Mr Rhys Locke am ei ymweliad dilysu hynod o gadarnhaol. We are exceptionally proud after receiving the Welsh Language Charter Silver Award today. Huge congratulations to our pupils, staff. parents and community partners. Diolch yn fawr to Mr Rhys Locke for his extremely positive validation visit.

Gwyl Shakespeare yn Neuadd Gwyn/Shakespeare Festival at the Gwyn Hall

Hyfryd iawn oedd gweld disgyblion a chyn ddisgyblion Ysgol Bae Baglan yn serennu yng Ngwyl Shakespeare yn Neuadd Gwyn, Castell Nedd ar y penwythnos. Da iawn i Mrs Helen John am ei gwaith anhygoel gyda’r grwp. It was lovely to see past and present Ysgol Bae Baglan pupils starring in the Shakespeare Festival at the Gwyn Hall, Neath on the weekend. Well done to Mrs John on her amazing work with the group.  

Headteacher’s Update – 18th November 2024

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

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.

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 13th 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.   

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.

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.

Tues 12th – 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 13th –  Year 7 boys rugby v Llangatwg  – Lost

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

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

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

Year 8 Hockey training (lunch)

 Weds 20th – 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)

Headteacher’s Update- 11th November 2024

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 12th November 2024.  

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.

Fixtures/training week beginning 11th -15th Nov

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

Tues 12th – 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 13th – Year 7 Hockey training (lunchtime)

                     Year 7 boys rugby v Llangatwg (home)

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

Non Uniform Day – £1 donation

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

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!!

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.

Headteacher’s Update – 25th October 2024

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).

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%.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Headteacher’s Update – 14th October 2024

Year 11 Geography pupils visited Mumbles as part of their GCSE Fieldwork studying change over time in the local area.  They had a hugely successful day, which included asking the public questionnaires, filling in land use maps and re-photographing the area.

The team held their first full meeting this week, lots of great discussions including plans for a second-hand toy stall to help the community with the cost of Christmas and reduce the amount of toys that get thrown away. They decided to spend some of the £102 they raised in the Welsh Festival in July on brand new uniform items for our female sanitary product cupboard to support both pupils and visitors to the school site. Applications from year 7 pupils to join the team will also be open next week – pupils can see their registration teacher for details.

Year 11 leaders delivered an assembly on Leadership and Role Models to the rest of the year groups this week. 

KS3 Drama Club are busy rehearsing for the BANG project transition event. 

A letter has gone regarding an overnight Photography trip to London and Bristol. I have sent it to year 9’s and they have until Friday 18th October to express an interest in the trip.

We have launched an NSPCC related kindness challenge for the month of October. We will be completing a range of thoughtful tasks to promote kindness and “make it the norm”. We have started creating a display with our handprints, each containing positive comments from other pupils, recognising our unique qualities and what each of us has to offer.  We will be completing a kindness bingo card and creating targets on what attributes are important to us, how we maintain our kind and respectful reputation as a year group, and how we can be good role models to others in our school.

Our role models and Seren yr Wythnos this week are Lilly Rae Davies and Phebee Stachera. We would also like to recognise Brandon Doyle and Harri Purchase Davies for winning our Gwobr Cymreictod. 

Special mention this week to our amazing Head of Art, Mr John, and his form class 7AJH, for creating the wonderful Welsh mural as part of our Wal Gymru in school. 

Congratulations to our Seren yr Wythnos winners this week, Elena Roberts and Jake Bailey, recognised for their consistently excellent attitudes to learning and cheerfulness to all aspects of school life.

Year 8 were joined in assembly this week by our new Year 11 pupil leaders. We were delighted to listen to their plans and congratulate them on their recent appointments. The assembly certainly inspired year 8 and provided role models for their own aspirations in the future.

Year 8 have also been busy as part of our Eisteddfod group and will be  competing at Eisteddfod Y Cymoedd in Ysgol Cwm Rhymni on Friday 18th October 2024.

As part of Neath Libraries ‘Children’s Literature Festival’, the oral storyteller, Ceri Phillips, worked with our Seren pupils in year 8 on the tradition of oral storytelling in Wales linked to their work in English on the concept of Fear. Pupils have given themselves Bardic names, heard an urban myth about a traveller and contributed creatively to complete the end of the story.

Rygbi/Rugby

Tues 8th – Year 9 boys Ospreys Cup v Cefn Saeson  (a) – Won

                  Year 8 boys v Dwr Y Felin (h) – lost

Thurs 9th  – Year 7 boys v Bro Dur (h) – Won

Pêl-rwyd/Netball

Thurs 10th – Year 7A v Birchgrove  (a) – Won

                      Year 7B v Birchgrove  (a) – Won

Congratulations to the Year 11 netball team who retained their crown as County Champions in thrilling matches v Olchfa and Bishopston.

Pêl-droed/Football

Mon 7TH – Year 7 football festival V Bro Dur held at YBB. Over 50 pupils involved!

Weds 9th – Year 6 played Carreg Hir (a) – Drew

On Thursday 10th October, 38 GCSE PE pupils attended Neath Port Talbot College, Llandarcy campus to carry out fitness testing as part of their ‘Personal Fitness Programme’ evaluation. The pupils enjoyed using state of the art equipment and it was lovely to see past pupils who had chosen to follow a sport course at the college running the tests. The visit also gave them an insight into the type of courses available at Llandarcy.

During the annual AGM held on Wednesday we said farewell to a number of longstanding governors who are either retiring or whose terms of office have come to an end. Four of the retiring governors had served on the Governing Body for ten years, initially on the interim Governing Body and then on the Full Governing Body when the school opened in September 2016. We would like to thank them for their dedication and commitment to the school and wish them all the best in the future.

Linda Roberts receiving a commemorative slate from Councillor Ted Latham (Chair of Governors) which were kindly produced by Mrs Jayne Lewis from our Technology Department

Flu vaccinations on Tuesday 15th.

Parents Evening on Wednesday 16th and 17th. Parents have been encouraged to book an appointment and to pop along for a cup of tea/coffee and a chat with Mr Davies and Governors. A film will be on in one of the classrooms for parents to leave children whilst they meet with class teachers (supervised by staff).

Year 11 Parents’ Evening is being held on Monday 14th October

Tuesday, 15th October, is Diwrnod Shwmae across Wales. Diolch yn fawr to our Welsh and Art staff, along with our Criw Cymraeg for organising some fun activities on the day. Diolch yn fawr in advance also to Mr Davies’ form class 8GDA who will be delivering assemblies on the event to year 7&8 on Monday and Tuesday respectively. All pupils and staff are kindly requested to wear a red, white or green top on the day to celebrate our Cymreictod (Welshness). Letters have been sent on satchel one and the website for pupils regarding this, please note the expectation is full uniform on the bottom half; trousers/skirts/tights and shoes.

Dydd Llun/Monday 14h

Year 7 boys rugby training (lunch)

Year 8 netball training (3-3.45)

Dry Slope skiing session at Pembrey Ski Centre

Dydd Mawrth/Tuesday 15th

Year 7 girls rugby training (lunch)

Year 9 boys rugby development festival at Cenfig School

Year 8/9 Hockey training (after school)

Year 7/8 netball v St Josephs (h)

Cross Country race at Elba, Gorseinon for selected boys and girls in Years 7-11.

Dydd Mercher/Wednesday 16th

Year 5/6 Netball primary tournament (Ysgol Bro-Dur – 9.30am-2pm)

Year 8/9 boys rugby training (lunch)

Year 7 hockey training (lunch)

Year 7 and 9 football match v Cwm Brombil (away- after school)

Year 9/10/11 netball training (after school)

Year 10 boys rugby – Ospreys cup v Cefn Saeson (a)

Dydd Iau/Thursday 17th

Year 7  boys rugby v Cwm Brombil (a)

Year 11 boys football v Cwm Brombil (a)

Mae cefnogaeth cwricwlwm ychwanegol ar gael yn ôl yr amserlen isod:

The following timetable of additional curriculum support is available:

Dydd Mawrth/Tuesday 3pm – 4pm

History Revision Germany and exam technique – HU11

French LC5

Drama EA2

Dydd Mercher/Wednesday 3pm – 4pm

Art EA8

Business Hu9

Engineering TE4

Maths Intermediate Ma5

Skills Challenge Hu1

Dydd Iau/Thursday 3pm – 4pm

Geography Hu10

Art EA6

Skills Challenge Ma2

Amser cinio/Lunchtime

Business Hu9 Mon and Fri

Digital Technology Hu7 Mon, Wed and Fri

Engineering TE4 daily

GCSE PE Personal fitness programme/catch-up session in HU15 – Thurs

Skills Challenge Hu1 daily

Welsh LC9 Wed and Thurs

Headteacher’s Update – 13th September 2024

It is hard to beleive that we have been back in school a fortnight already!! I want to say a huge well done to all the pupils who have made a really positive start to the new academic year. We appreciate that getting back into routines after the summer holiday can be difficult, but I have been impressed with the attendance, punctuality and adherence to uniform so far. Assemblies have focussed on the school’s expectations and importance of mutual respect in the school community. I have been particularly impressed with how well our new pupils have settled. Our Nursery and Reception pupils have settled in well and it was a pleasure to attend the primary phase celebration assembly this morning and take an active part in a rendition of “The Grand Old Duke of York” led by Mr Davies (Head of Lower School) on the piano!! Likewise, Year 7 have made an excellent start to their secondary journey. They have acquainted themselves quickly with the school and impressed staff with their maturity and positive attitude. Da iawn all!!

I know that a number of clubs have started again including the numerous sports clubs which we run. I would encourage as many pupils as possible to make use of the opportunities on offer. Excitement is already building for expressive arts activities planned for this term as well as plans for a whole school production in the Spring Term but more about that in a future update.

I will keep it relatively brief this week but please remember to check our website, social media channels and Satchel One for regular communication updates. Let’s hope we all get to enjoy some September sunshine this weekend – the weather has certainly not been kind to us recently that’s for sure.

Thank you for your continued support.

Richard Rees

Prifathro/Headteacher

Headteacher’s Update – 19th July 2024

The Summer Term is dominated by GCSE Exam season and both Year 10 and Year 11 conducted themselves extremely well during the exams. We await the results in August and hope that Year 11 have a relaxing summer and get the results that allow them to access whatever route they have planned from September. On that note, GCSE Results Day is on Thursday 22nd August. Arrangements for collection have been issued by Mr Williams and can be found on the school website. It was also nice to see so many Year 11 pupils join us for the Leavers Assembly recently and Celebration Evening in The Manor Park. We have also held a Nursery Graduation as well as a Year 6 Leavers’ Assembly in recent weeks. Pupils across all phases have enjoyed a variety of school trips in recent weeks as well as wellbeing events. Many people from within the community and further afield have commented positively on how well behaved and respectful the pupils have been, which is really nice to hear. This was also the case with our Year 10 pupils who recently undertook a week of work experience. Pupils did themselves and the school proud with some pupils even securing part-time jobs!!

I would like to highlight a few things in readiness for September:

Return to School

Autumn Term begins on Monday 2nd September. This will be an INSET Day as usual.

All pupils will return to school on Tuesday 3rd September (except for Nursery pupils)

School Timings

Foundation Phase

7:50 -8:30 a.m.Breakfast Club (No entry after 8:10 a.m.)
8:30-8:50 a.m.Registration
8:50-10:20 a.m.Session 1
10:20-10:40 a.m.Break
10:40-12:00 p.m.Session 2
12:00-12:50 p.m.Lunch
12:50-3:00 p.m.Session 3
3:00-4:00 p.m.Enrichment

Key Stage 2

7:50 -8:30 a.m.Breakfast Club (No entry after 8:10 a.m.)
8:30-8:50 a.m.Registration
8:50-10:40 a.m.Session 1
10:40-11:00 a.m.Break
11:00-12:30 p.m.Session 2
12:30-1:20 p.m.Lunch
1:20-3:00 p.m.Session 3
3:00-4:00 p.m.Enrichment

Secondary Phase (Year 7-11)

8:00 -8:30 a.m.Breakfast Club
8:30-8:55 a.m.Registration
8:55-9:55 a.m.Lesson 1
9:555-10:55 a.m.Lesson 2
10:55-11:10 a.m.Break
11:10-12:10 p.m.Lesson 3
12:10-1:10 p.m.Lesson 4
1:10-1:55 p.m.Lunchtime
1:55-2:55 p.m.Lesson 5
2:55-3:55 p.m.Enrichment

Attendance & Punctuality

It is really important that pupils attend school as much as possible. If for any reason, they are unable to attend school please contact school to report absence. As highlighted above, the school day in secondary phase starts at 8:30 with registration. This is an important part of the day and I would urge pupils to be on time.

Uniform

I have communicated several times throughout the year the importance of school uniform. Pupils will be expected to wear uniform in line with the school’s Uniform Policy in September. PE kit should not be worn unless instructed by the Headteacher.

Mobile Phones

We recognise that mobile phones are an important tool for parents to help safeguard their children.  However, we have a very clear message to pupils that mobile phones must not be used during the school day in classrooms or corridors, and nowhere in school during lesson times.  At breaktime and lunchtime pupils may use their mobile phones in the yard or atrium.  Please do not call your children during lesson times as our “Not Seen, Not Heard, Not Taken” message will be confused if they are expected to take or make calls to parents during learning time.  We will continue to confiscate mobile phones until the end of the school day if pupils use them at restricted times or places.

Safeguarding:

The Local Authority will be erecting a fence around the school’s playing fields adjacent to Western Avenue over the summer holiday. This will ensure that pupils continue to have a safe and healthy environment when undertaking PE lessons and matches etc.

Staff Leaving

It is that time of the year when we say farewell to some members of staff. After long and distinguished careers, the following staff members are retiring:

  • Mrs Kath Palmer (Head of Lower School)
  • Mr Anthony Marchant (Head of Middle School)
  • Mrs Madeline Richards (Nursery)
  • Mr David Clarke (English)
  • Mrs Jodie Jones (English)
  • Mrs Julie Peachey (Science)
  • Mrs Debra Clarke (MFL)
  • Mrs Jaqueline Dorr (RE)

I am sure you will join me in wishing them all the best in their retirement. In addition, Miss Josie Perkins (Art Department) is leaving to take up a Head of Art post. Again, we wish her all the best in her new venture. Mr Michael Larkman will be returning to the Art Department from September. I would also like to wish Mr Robert Hayward (Science) all the best having done cover for us for some time as well as the following support staff who are leaving:

  • Mr Caleb Watkins
  • Ms Abbie Gough
  • Ms Beth Kennedy
  • Ms Emma Freeman
  • Ms Megan Masters
  • Mrs Donna Jones

I would like to thank parents and carers again for their continued support of the school and to wish you all a relaxing summer holiday. We look forward to welcoming all our pupils back in September.

Diolch yn fawr iawn

Mr Rees

Headteacher