Newsletter Autumn Term 2008

Message From Mrs Evans, Headteacher

Students came back to school after the long summer holiday looking forward to the new school year with eagerness. We began the year having secured the best GCSE results the school has ever achieved and were named as the most improved school in Wrexham County Borough. 69% of students achieved 5 or more A*-C or equivalent GCSE passes. Students in Years 9 & 10 gained a short course GCSE in Religious Studies . Two students in Year 10, Shannon Tennant and George Smith gained higher grade passes in French (B) and Law (A) respectively.

Year 7 have settled very well and have had an enjoyable start to their secondary schooling. The recent Open Evening for prospective parents and students was very successful and visitors to the school continue to comment on the good manners of our students and the happy atmosphere of the school generally.

Miss Rebecca Phillips has been appointed by the LEA as Ysgol y Grango's 5x60 Officer. This initiative is supported by the Welsh Assembly Government and is designed to offer an enhanced programme of extra curricular physical activity to students.

We have also welcomed Mrs Vicky Barlow as Associate Deputy Headteacher for two days a week and Mr Adrian Goodchild has joined the Science Department as Science Technician.

Parent Teacher Association

PTA Chairperson Retires after 15 Years

"Dear Committee

It is with great sadness that I write this letter, I have been on Ysgol y Grango PTA for 15 years, but feel it is now time for me to hand in my resignation. I have not made this decision lightly, but because I have increasing family commitments and have also taken up more personal study I feel I cannot give 100%.

It is time for someone else to take over as Chairperson, but I will still support the school and the PTA with any help I can give with any future events.

Thank you for all your support.
Carol Cole"

Governors, Staff and Students of Ysgol y Grango wish to thank Mrs Carol Cole for her dedicated service to the PTA over a number of years. Her contributions as chairperson will be sorely missed.

Special PTA Meeting

There will be a Special meeting of the PTA during next half term - date to be confirmed, followed by Cheese and Wine. Everybody Welcome.

Extra Curricular News

Music

50 of our Year Nine students attended a concert at the William Aston Hall, Glyndwr University in Wrexham. The programme was presented by the Welsh Chamber Orchestra and included a diverse collection of works, classical and modern. Also included was an informative talk on musical instruments, followed by an opportunity to discuss the concert, ask questions and meet the players.

Ysgol y Grango Choir

The choir took part in a concert on 17 October at the Stiwt, Rhos, in aid of Wrexham League of Friends, at the Maelor Hospital, Wrexham. Also taking part were Cantorion Rhos and The Llangollen Silver Band. The Choir's contribution was praised by Mr Merfyn Cousins, who was MC for the evening and is also Musical Director of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

The Choir, conducted by Mr Colin Fisher, will be performing at the Stiwt on Saturday 22 November , as part of the Wrexham Music Festival Celebrations.

Wrexham Retail Challenge

On 9 October a group of year 10 students took part in a retail challeng3 held at the Centenary Club, Wrexham., competing against Ysgol Rhiwabon, Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, Ysgol Bryn Alyn. The group had to work through a number of set tasks, in order to develop a company. Each member of the group was assigned a role from Managing Director to Health and Safety Officer. Upon completion of the tasks each group had to deliver a presentation to judges from the retail industry. Ysgol y Grango were awarded first place for the best presentation.

Going for Fairtrade Status!

As part of our work on ESDGC (Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship) Ysgol y Grango has begun its journey to achieve Fairtrade School Status.

There are 5 steps to becoming a Fairtrade School:

Becoming a Fairtrade school is about much more than just getting a badge. The campaign can make a real difference to producers in developing countries. Watch out for more information about Fairtrade in the coming months. If you are interested in being part of the Fairtrade Steering Group, give your name to Mrs Barlow.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme Bronze Practice Expedition : 11/12 October 2008

Fifteen year 11 pupils took part in a Bronze Practice expedition in the area around Valle Crucis Abbey near Llangollen over the weekend of 11 October. They walked 15 miles carrying all their food and equipment and camped overnight at Valle Crucis Abbey. Despite the difficult conditions with very muddy ground and both rain and hot sunshine over the weekend, all participants completed the challenge and are now ready to attempt the final expedition.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme Activity Day : 16 October 2008

Twenty-seven year 9 pupils attended a Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme activity day held at Yale College on 16 October. They participated in a range of activities designed to introduce them to the Award, such as navigation, outdoor cooking, the Fire and Rescue Service, the National Trust, Police horses, rock climbing and abseiling, drug and alcohol education, hip hop and kendo. The event was attended by HRH the Prince Edward, the patron of the Award, who was introduced to Mr Price and a number of Grango pupils, including Steven Bailey, Liam Jones, Jack Harrocks and Keira Hand. All those who attended will be able to apply to join the Award Scheme next year, and work toward their Bronze Award.

School Wildlife Garden

Volunteers have been working hard with Miss Blears setting up the wildlife garden. The area has been hand weeded and is nearly ready for planting. Students have been putting out birdseed to encourage Robins and Finches into the garden. We would like to thank Rhos Community Council for their welcome donation of daffodil bulbs.

School Council

During Democracy week (13-17 October) students from each year group voted for who they would like to represent them on the school council. The Sports Hall was the designated polling station and was set out with three polling booths and a ballot box. Prefects were responsible for ensuring that votes were correctly posted in the ballot box and for counting the votes.

Student Achievements

Stacey Sievewright won two certificates from Wrexham Children's University for helping out at Ty Mawr Country Park.

Frazer Thorne won Bronze in the British Tae Kwon Do Championships in Nottingham.

Robert Evans is having trials to play for the Under 14 All Wales National Football Team.

Emily Brown, has recently represented her country playing ladies football in two tournaments in Sweden and Romania.

Grace Thorne is through to the final of the British Troupe Championships which take place on 2 November 2008. She will dance, sing solos and perform duets in Night Fever, West Side Story and Wicked.

Daniel Williams : Aiming High!

Danny Williams, has been celebrating an inspiring record of success over the last few months on the Athletics track. Danny runs for Wrexham and for North Wales and has been in training now for almost a year. Some of Danny's recent successes include:

Danny's ambition is to represent Team GB at the 2012 Olympics in London.