St John Baptist CIW High School

Year 11 Leaver's Assembly 2012 on PhotoPeach

Last night, I took 8 pupils to see the Natya STEM Dance Kampni in Aberdare Coliseum. The show was being staged by the National Dance Company Wales as they have developed partnerships with STEM Dance Kampni from India.

"STEM Dance Kampni is renowned in India for it's blending of traditional Kathak and contemporary dance styles and has toured internationally to great acclaim. Their performance and choreography style is marked by attention to detail, technical assurance and sensitivity to the potential for dance to communicate both abstract and narrative forms. Allying that with a passion for visual pleasure is also a key part of the Company's artistic success."

The young people thoroughly enjoyed the show. It was a completely different style of dance than they are used to and they came away inspired by what they had seen. I'm sure the girls who are involved in E3+ dance are keen to show off some new dance moves in next week's session!

Following the show, we were lucky enough to be invited back stage to meet the dancers and ask them questions about their performance.

The girls are already planning their next trip to the theatre

Shantelle, Rachel, Joanne, Bryony, Jessica, Bethan, Chloe, Leah and Katie 'Key Worker' Lloyd with the dancers on stage

The Leaders Award for STEM and Airbus are offering the opportunity to meet and interview John Roberts at Farnborough Airshow. John is the Chief Engineer for the Airbus A380 Aircraft responsible for the wing landing gear systems and fuel systems. John was noted for his appearance on 'How to make a super jumbo' shown on the BBC last year.

If you are interested please read the attached document or see Mr. Thomas for more information.

The Welsh Government has allocated 2 INSET days to be taken in the Trinity Term if the school did not close due to snow this academic year.  As a result, the school will be closed

to pupils in Years 7, 8, 9 & 10 on Friday 1^st June 2012 and Monday 11^th June 2012.  These days will be used for staff training.

 

The school will remain open for students who are sitting examinations and hence students who have an examination on these days must attend school.  Transport will be provided.

Over the Easter break 27 pupils took part in their Silver DofE practice expedition in the Brecon Beacons. The 3 day, 2 night expeditions took place between 11-13 and 18-20 April.

Day 1 started out at Blaen Llia Car Park nr Ystradfellte. The groups faced a physically demanding walk up to the summits of Fan Llia and Fan Dringarth, continuing over the hills on the Beacons Way towards their first campsite at the Storey Arms Centre. From the Storey Arms Centre, day 2 of the route saw the group head South towards their second campsite 'Grawen' in Llwyn On, taking part in an orienteering activity in Garwnant on route. Day 3 was all about using their navigational skills to make their way across Cwm Cadlan moors, eventually reaching their destination at Penderyn chapel.

The pupils worked against the elements to complete their practice expedition and I would like to say a huge well done to everyone who took part  They all have lots of memories to take away and experiences to learn from. They made it through heavy rain, big mountains to climb, a boggy campsite to pitch their tents in, lambs bleating through the night in the next field....the list goes on.

Take a look at some of the photos in the right hand column.

For their qualifying expeditions in June and July, the group will be walking in the Wye Valley from Symmonds Yat to Chepstow Castle (only a short walk!!!). Good Luck team

Katie