Ysgol Bodhyfryd Photo Memories by Paul Gibson

Y s g ol

B odh y f ry d Lluniau

a c at g o f i o n

pictures and memories

ÂŁ5.00

1951

2011

YSGOL BODHYFRYD

Croeso

Dyma’r gyfrol wedi cyrraedd. Cyfrol sydd wedi ei chyhoeddi i ddathlu penblwydd Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bodhyfryd yn chwe deg oed! Ym mis Tachwedd 1951, yn sgil llawer o ymgyrchu, agorwyd drysau Ysgol Bodhyfryd am y tro cyntaf, a hynny gyda nifer fechan iawn o ddisgyblion. Cafwyd yr enw gan fod yr ysgol wreiddiol wedi ei lleoli yng Nghoedlan y Parc, gerllaw’r ardal o Wrecsam adnabyddir fel ‘Bodhyfryd.’ Symudodd yr ysgol i hen adeiladau gwasanaeth penseiri Sir Ddinbych, ym mhen draw Ffordd Brynycabanau yn ystod 1975, ac yma mae’r ysgol o hyd. Fe dyfodd ac fe dyfodd yn ystod y blynyddoedd nesaf. Pan agorwyd Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Plas Coch yn Ionawr 1993, roedd dros 600 o ddisgyblion ym Modhyfryd. Ail fodelwyd yr adeilad, gan gael gwared ar y pentref cabannau yn ystod 1997, a bellach mae gennym adeilad braf sy’n addas iawn ar gyfer darparu addysg yn yr unfed ganrif ar hugain. Mae mwyafrif llethol o ddisgyblion yr ysgol yn dod o gartrefi lle mae’r Gymraeg yn ail iaith, ond mae’r plant, eu rhieni a’r teulu ehangach yn cydnabod pwysigrwydd yr iaith. Maent yn gweld yr iaith yn arf pwysig sydd yn eu paratoi ar gyfer bywyd yng Nghymru. Mae’r ysgol yn gymuned hapus, ofalgar, Gymreig, lle mae’r disgyblion a’r staff yn mwynhau gweithio gyda’i gilydd. Yn wir, mae’r arwyddair sydd i ’w weld ar grysau’r ysgol yn crynhoi’n hagwedd yn syml ond effeithiol; ‘Gyda’n gilydd.’

Geraint Jones – Pennaeth

Welcome

It’s finally arrived. A book published to celebrate Ysgol Bodhyfryd’s 60th birthday. In November 1951, following a great deal of effort, Ysgol Bodhyfryd, Wrexham’s first Welsh medium primary school opened it’s doors for the first time. At the beginning there were very few childr en at Bodhyfryd. The school was situated on Park Avenue, near ‘Bodhyfryd’, the area of Wrexham from which the school took it’s nam e. The school moved to it’s current site, ori ginally Denbighshire Architects Off ices, in 1975. The school grew and grew dur ing the next few years. When Ysgol Plas Coch opened in January 1993, Bodhyfryd had grown to over 600 pupils. The building was remodelled, with the village of mobile classrooms being replaced by a modern buildi ng which is perfect to deliver o varied curriculum in the twenty first century. The vast majority of the pup ils come from homes where Welsh is the second language, but the children, their parents and the whole family unders tand the importance of the language. They see the language as an important ele ment of the children’s lives as they gro w up in Wales. The school is a happy, caring community with a strong Welsh ethos, where the pupils and staff enjoy working tog ether. Indeed the motto on school clothing sums up our attitude simply but effective ly; ‘Gyda’n gilydd.’

Geraint Jones - Headteacher

Englyn Gwilym R Tilsley

achlysur dathlu penblwydd Bodhyfryd yn Dyma i chi englyn a lunwyd gan Gwilym R Tilsley ar Tilsley yn fardd enwog ac yn daid i ddeg ar hugain oed yn ystod tymor yr Hydref 1981. Roedd ddau o fechgyn Bodhyfryd, sef, Geraint a Rhodri. a ninnau’n dathlu ein penblwydd yn 60 oed Cyfle euraid i roi cyfle i’r gerdd weld golau dydd eto, yn ystod Mis Tachwedd 2011! Ysgol enwog Bodhyfryd! Mor dda ac o! mor ddiwyd – y rhoddir Addysg ym Modhyfryd; Ysgol sy’n gartref hefyd I rai bach yn dechrau byd. Gwilym R Tilsley, to celebrate Bodhyfryd’s This poem was written by a very well known Welsh poet, sons at Bodhyfryd, Geraint and Rhodri. thirtieth birthday in November 1981. Tilsley had two grand light of day again as we celebrate our This is a golden opportunity for the poem to see the sixtieth birthday during November 2011.

YSGOL BODHYFRYD

Cyflwyniad_llyfr_dathlu - Sion Aled Owen

I beth mae ysgol yn dda? I addysgu plant fyddai ateb y rhan fwyaf o bobl, mae’n siwr – ond beth yw “addysgu”? Cofiaf yn dda fy mhrifathro innau yn yr ysgol gynradd yn egluro mai ystyr gwreiddiau Lladin y gair yw “arwain allan”. Felly mae addysgu plant yn golygu llawer mwy na dysgu sgiliau iddynt a’u bwydo â ffeithiau, mwy hyd yn oed na’u galluogi i feddwl drostynt eu hunain am y byd a’i bethau. Mae’n golygu eu “harwain allan” i brofi’r byd hwnnw ac i ymwneud mewn ffordd greadigol ag eraill, gan gychwyn gyda’u cymuned eu hunain ond gan ymestyn y tu hwnt i hynny a phrofi rhywbeth o amrywiaeth y byd o safbwynt diwylliant, syniadaeth a chredo. Mae’n golygu eu paratoi i fod yn bobl a all gyfrannu’n gadarnhaol tuag at ddyfodol Cymru fel cenedl – ond i fod yn ddinasyddion y byd hefyd. Er gwaethaf agwedd oleuedig y prifathro hwnnw yn ôl yn y chwedegau ym Mangor, annifyr gan fwyaf fy mhrofiad innau’n bersonol o ysgolion gyda symud ysgol yn rhy aml a cholli ffrindiau ac ennill ambell fwli yn y broses. Felly digon cymysg oedd fy nisgwyliadau pan ddaeth hi’n amser i’m mab fy hun gychwyn yn y dosbarth meithrin yn Ysgol Bodhyfryd yn 2001. Ond bu ei brofiad yntau o ddyddiau ysgol hyd yma’n wahanol iawn i’m rhai innau – oherwydd iddo fwynhau ei flynyddoedd ym Modhyfryd wrth dderbyn addysg gyflawn ynddo. Cafodd ein hysgol arolwg llwyddiannus iawn gan Estyn yn ddiweddar a gallwn brofi’r llwyddiant hwnnw drwy restru sylwadau ynghylch cyrhaeddiad disgyblion mewn gwahanol feysydd. Ond un o’r pethau a gafodd argraff arbennig ar yr arolygwyr oedd yr awyrgylch hapus a’r ymdeimlad o ofal pawb dros ein gilydd yn yr ysgol. Mae hynny i mi’n sylfaen anhepgor ar gyfer cynnig addysg yn yr ystyr eang a nodais uchod. Os nad ydych chi’n hapus ac yn ymwybodol o’ch hunanwerth lle yr ydych chi, y perygl yw mai encilio yn hytrach nag edrych allan a wnewch. “Gyda’n gilydd” medd arwyddair Ysgol Bodhyfryd, ond gwneud beth “gyda’n gilydd”? Fy ngobaith innau yw y byddwn yn parhau gyda’n gilydd i ddysgu gwerthfawrogi trysorau’n cymunedau, ein hiaith a’n cenedl ein hunain fwyfwy tra byddwn ar yr un pryd yn barod am antur cael ein harwain allan i gyfarfod a dathlu amrywiaeth y byd. A gallwn ninnau rieni, llywodraethwyr a staff yr ysgol rannu yn yr antur honno gyda’r plant. Yn sicr, dyna fu fy mhrofiad a’m braint innau yn gyntaf fel rhiant ac yna fel llywodraethwr a Chadeirydd y Corff Llywodraethu ers 2006. What is school for? Most people would no doubt answer that it is to educate children – but what does “educate” mean? I well remember my headmaster at primary school explaining that the Latin roots of the word mean to “lead out”. So educating children means far more than teaching them skills and feeding them facts, more even than enabling them to think for themselves about the wider world. It means “leading them out” to experience that world and to engage creatively with others beginning with their own community but extending beyond that to experience something of the diversity of the world in terms of culture, ideas and belief. It means preparing them to be people who can contribute positively to the future of Wales as a nation – but to be citizens of the world as well. Despite the enlightened attitude of that headmaster back in the nineteen sixties in Bangor, my experiences of school were dismal for the most part as I moved school too often, losing friends and gaining a few bullies in the process. So my expectations were pretty mixed when it became time for my own son to join the nursery class at Ysgol Bodhyfryd in 2001. Yet his experience of school hereto has been very different to mine – because he enjoyed his years at Bodhyfryd as he received a full education there. Our school was recently inspected by Estyn with very successful results which I could demonstrate by listing comments about pupils’ attainments in various fields. But one of the things which particularly impressed the inspectors was the happy atmosphere and the sense of our care for each other at the school. That to me is an essential foundation if we are to offer education in the broad sense which I described above. If you’re not happy and conscious of your self-worth where you are you will be in danger of turning in on yourself rather than looking outwards. Ysgol Bodhyfryd’s motto is “gyda’n gilydd” – “together”. But doing what “together”? My hope is that we will continue to learn together to value more and more the treasures of our own communities, language and nation while at the same time being ready for the adventure of being led out to encounter and to celebrate the diversity of the world. And we as parents, governors and staff of the school can share in that adventure with the children. That has certainly been my privilege and experience firstly as a parent and then as a governor and subsequently Chair of the Governing Body since 2006.

Siôn Aled Owen

YSGOL BODHYFRYD

The memories of Arwel Gwynn Jones - Headteacher 1975-1993. September 1975 was the time for moving home from the Vale of Clwyd back to my roots in Rhosllannerchrugog. In addition, I was moving from Ysgol Pentrecelyn, ( 103 pupils) to Ysgol Bodhyfryd, Wrexham. ( 105 pupils.) Bodhyfryd had been established in cabins on Park Avenue. My challenge was following in the footsteps of Miss Mary Jane Davies. I received a very warm welcome from the staff, the parents and the pupils. It was wonderful to be in a completely Welsh environment, despite being in the middle of the anglicised town of Wrexham. I became aware of all the hard work and enthusiasm which had gone into establishing a Welsh medium school in the town. It was great credit to the Headmistress and her staff for developing such a successful school. It was the start of a new period for the school from 1975. Following some early happy months in post I realised that the majority of the pupils came from professional families. Only pupils whose parents spoke Welsh could be admitted to the school. Some parents, had been refused a place at the school because they weren’t both Welsh speaking. I found this very sad and I worried about the future. In addition, the cabins at Park Avenue were full to overflowing. During that first year, one of our pupils, Sian Eynon won an essay writing competition organised by the Western Mail. T Llew Jones came along to school to present Sian with her prize. As a Governing Body we decided to look for a new site for the school. We were fortunate to receive an offer very quickly, and in 1977 the school moved to it’s current site on Brynycabanau Road in Hightown. Although the Education Authority were against many of our ideas about developing the school and opening the door to all pupils, Welsh speakers, non Welsh speakers and pupils from different linguistic backgrounds, I decided not to worry about the Authority’s view and move on regardless. That was my challenge and I was determined to succeed. Having opened the doors to all pupils, I had great support from my

Governing Body, from my staff and the parents throughout my eighteen years at Bodhyfryd, although there was some concern amongst my colleagues in English medium schools as Bodhyfryd grew to over 700 at the time of my retirement. In 1990, it was decided that the school was getting too big even though we had made use of an old air raid shelter to accommodate the Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin on the site! In a meeting in Wrexham, as we discussed the Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin in 1977, Gerald Latter, a gentleman who was highly regarded across Wales, said that there were only two black spots on the map of Wales as far as Welsh medium pre school provision was concerned. Those two areas were Wrexham and Llanelli. With the help and support of parents meetings were held in the villages around Wrexham to establish new groups eg Marchwiel, Gresford, Gwersyllt and so on. More and more pupils were admitted to Bodhyfryd following these developments, especially from the Hightown and Queen’s Park areas. I always felt that the teachers were supportive and they were always there to help with the process. One outcome of this was that many of them were appointed Head Teachers within the area: Gwyn Jones – Head Teacher Ysgol Plas Coch Geraint Jones Head Teacher Ysgol Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant and Bodhyfryd Jennifer Eynon – Head Teacher Ysgol y Ponciau Gwyn Griffiths – Head Teacher Ysgol Terrig John Kerfoot - Jones Head Teacher Ysgol Croes Atti Dafydd Ifans - Head Teacher Ysgol Min y Ddol J Lynn Davies - Head Teacher Ysgol y Felinheli Iola Owen - Head Teacher Ysgol Gwenffrwd These days it’s wonderful to sit back and enjoy the huge change which has taken place in Wrexham, the growth in the primary schools, the increased numbers, and the fact that Ysgol Morgan Llwyd is nearing capacity and within a couple of years a new Welsh medium secondary school will be needed. Ysgol Hardd, fu’n hyrwyddo

YSGOL BODHYFRYD

Talent plant i flaguro. Dal mewn bri mae brethyn bro A’r heniaith heb heneiddio. A beautiful school, which has promoted And nurtured children’s talents to flourish. The best traditions are still strong, And the ancient language remains young.

As I wonder around the area today it thrills me to meet some of the non Welsh speaking parents taking great pride in their children’s achievements, with absolutely no regrets about opting for Welsh medium education. Long may this success continue.

1975 – 1993 - Atgofion Arwel Gwynn Jones Pennaeth Mis Medi 1975 ‘roedd hi’n amser symud cartref o Ddyff ryn Clwyd yn ôl i’n hen gynefin yn Rhosllannerchrugog. Yn ogystal â hyn, symud o Ysgol Pentrecelyn (103 o blant) i Ysgol Bodhyfryd, Wrecsam (105 o blant). Roedd Ysgol Bodhy fryd wedi ei sefydlu mewn cabannau yn ymyl Rhodfa’r Parc. Dilyn Miss Mary Jane Davie s fel Prifathro oedd y sialens ger fy mron. Rhaid dweud yn y lle cyntaf i mi gael croeso arben nig gan yr athrawon y rhieni a’r plant. Braf oedd cael fy hun mewn sefyllfa gwbl Gymreig, a hyn yng nghanol tref Saesnigaidd iawn. Sylweddolais fod y gorffennol wedi ymdrech a brwydr fawr i sefydlu a pharhau i gefnogi’r ysgol. Clod arbennig i’r brifa thrawes a’r athrawon am lwyddo i sefydlu ysgol mor llwyddiannus. Cyfnod newydd i’r ysgol o Fedi 1975 ymlaen. Wedi rhai misoedd hapus yn y swydd sylweddolais fod y mwyafrif o’r plant yn dod o deulu oedd proffesiynol. Yn ôl pob gofyn hefyd roedd rhaid i’r rhieni fod yn Gymry Cymraeg eu hiaith. Roedd cyfarfod rhieni yn y dref oedd wedi cael gwrthod mynediad i’w plant oherwydd nad oeddynt ill dau yn siarad Cymraeg yn drist iawn ac yn peri i mi boeni am y dyfodol. Yn ogystal â hyn, doedd dim lle i fwy o blant yn y cabannau. Yn ystod y flwyddyn gyntaf gwelwyd disgybl o’r ysgol sef Siân Eynon yn ennill cysta dleuaeth genedlaethol y Western Mail am ysgrifennu traethawd gyda T Llew Jones yn dod i’r ysgol i gyflwyno’r wobr. Penderfynais ynghyd a’r Llywodraethwyr chwilio am safle newydd. Daeth ateb sydyn iawn i’r cais, ac yn 1977 cafwyd safle ac adeilad mwy ar ffordd Brynycabannau yn Hightown. Er i’r Awdurdod Addysg wrthwynebu llawer o’n synia dau ynglyn ag ehangu a derbyn nifer fwy o blant, ac agor y drws i bawb, y Cymry Cymraeg, y Di-Gymraeg, a llawer o blant o wledydd Tramor, penderfynais anwybyddu’r Awdurdod a symud ymlaen. Dyna’r sialens oedd yn fy wynebu. Roeddwn yn bende rfynol o lwyddo. Rhaid dweud drwy agor y drws i bawb beth bynnag eu cefndir dros y ddeunaw mlynedd i mi gael cefnogaeth arbennig gan y Llywodraethwyr, yr athrawon a’r rhieni, er i lawer o ysgolion Saesneg fynegi eu gwrthwynebiad wrth i Bodhyfryd dyfu a chyrraedd y rhif o dros 700 pan oeddwn yn ymddeol. Yn 1990 penderfynwyd bod yr ysgol yn mynd yn rhy fawr a diffyg lle i’r plant er i mi ddefnyddio’r ‘Air Raid Shelter’ oedd ar y safle i gefnogi’r Mudiad Meithrin. Mewn cyfarfod yn Wrecsam, wrth i ni drafod y Mudia d Meithrin yn 1977 dywedodd Gerald Latter, gwˆr a oedd yn fawr ei barch drwy Gymru gyfan, mai dau smotyn du oedd ar fap Cymru, cyn belled âr nifer o gylchoedd Meithrin Cymraeg oedd ar gael (Llanelli a Wrecsam). Gyda chymorth yr athrawon a’r rhieni pende rfynwyd cynnal cyfarfodydd yn y pentrefi o gwmpas Wrecsam i sefydlu cylchoedd newydd e.e. Marchwiail, Gresffordd, Gwersyllt ac yn y blaen. Daeth mwy a mwy o blant i Bodhyfryd yn sgil hyn, yn enwedig o ardal Hightown a Queen’s Park. Teimlais ar hyd y daith fod yr athrawon yn gefnogol i mi ac yn barod pob amser i gynorthwyo. Canlyniad yr agwedd yma oedd i nifer fawr ohonynt gael ei dyrchafu fel prifathrawon yn yr ardal :

YSGOL BODHYFRYD ymlaen ryw ddwy flynedd eto bydd rhaid sefydlu Ysgol Uwchradd Gymraeg arall yn y Sir.

Gwyn Jones – Prifathro Ysgol Plas Coch Geraint Jones - Prifathro Ysgol Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant a Bodhyfryd (presennol) Jennifer Eynon – Prifathrawes Ysgol y Ponciau Gwyn Griffiths – Prifathro Ysgol Terrig John Kerfoot Jones – Prifathro Ysgol Croes Atti Dafydd Ifans – Prifathro Min y Ddol Lynn Davies – Prifathro Ysgol y Felinheli Iola Owens – Prifathrawes Ysgol Gwenffrwd Peth braf erbyn hyn yw cael eistedd yn ôl, a sylweddoli y newid mawr sydd wedi digwydd yn Wrecsam, sef y tyfiant yn yr ysgolion Cynradd, mewn niferoedd, mwy na hyn mae Ysgol Morgan Llwyd yn gorlifo erbyn hyn, ac wrth edrych

Ysgol hardd, fu’n hyrwyddo Talent plant i flaguro. Dal mewn bri mae brethyn bro A’r heniaith heb heneiddio. Wrth grwydro drwy’r ardal heddiw mae’n rhoi gwefr i mi gael cyfarfod rhai o’r rhieni DiGymraeg sy’n ymffrostio yn llwyddiant eu plant, heb edifar o gwbl bod eu plant wedi cael y fath gyfle mewn Ysgol Gymraeg. Boed i’r llwyddiant yma barhau.

Tric y pry pric! Un o bleserau addysgu plant bach yw ceisio deffro eu diddordeb a’u chwilfrydedd ym myd natur. Byddai bwrdd natur yn siwr o fod ym mhob dosbarth a’r plantos yn cael eu hannog i ddod a phethau yn ymwneud â byd natur i’w harddangos ar y bwrdd hwnnw. Rydw i’n cofio un bore pan ddaeth un eneth fach a’i mam i’r dosbarth yn cario pot gwydr a’i osod ar y bwrdd natur. Yn y potyn roedd brigyn o ddail gwyrddion a phry pric yn llechu yn eu canol. Roedd cryn gynnwrf a diddordeb ymysg y plant, a rhaid cyfaddef ynof fi a Ceinwen ( Mrs Brown i’r plant) hefyd. Bu Ceinwen yn cyd weithio â mi am flynyddoedd lawer. Roeddwn i a’r plant yn meddwl y byd ohonni. Penderfynwyd enwi’r pry yn Pyrsi Pric. Roedd yn un digon di drafferth – prin y byddem yn gallu ei weld yn symud o gwbl!! Roedd gofalu bod ganddo ddail ffres yn ei gadw’n hapus. Wedi peth amser diflannodd Pyrsi o’r pot. Nid oedd i’w weld yn unman yn fyw nac yn farw er i Ceinwen a minnau chwilio’n ddyfal amdano. O diar, byddai’n rhaid torri’r newydd drwg i’r plant yn y bore. Es i wisgo fy nghôt a hel fy mhaciau a chychwyn am adre’ ac yn wir wrth i mi ymestyn fy mraich allan i agor drws y car, beth a welwn yn glynu wrth lawes fy nghot werdd ond Pyrsi Pric!! Cafodd ei gario’n ofalus yn ôl i’r pot gwydr dan orfole ddu! Sut ar y ddaear y bu iddo chwarae tric fel yna tybed? Chawn ni byth wybod. Digwyddodd yr helynt oddeutu ugain mlynedd yn ol bellac h. Hoffwn ddymuno’n dda i Mr Geraint Jones, y staff a disgyb lion yr ysgol. Daliwch i fwynhau addysgu a dysgu drwy gyfrwng yr iaith Gymraeg. Penblw ydd hapus Ysgol Bodhyfryd – Hip Hip hwre!

Rona Williams

The stick insect’s trick!

the opportunity to introduce them to the One of the pleasures of teaching young children is almost every class, with the children wonders of nature. There would be a nature table in encouraged to bring in items to be displayed on the table. brought in a glass pot and placed it I remember one morning when a little girl and her mum leaves and lurking in the middle was on the nature table. In the pot were some twigs and green our new friend, and I must admit that a stick insect! The children were all very excited about very interested in the new addition to Ceinwen ( Mrs Ceinwen Brown to the children) and I were

our class! I thought the world of her. It was I worked with Ceinwen for many years. The children and much work involved in looking after him, decided to christen the stick insect Percy. There wasn’t as he had a plentiful supply of fresh he didn’t seem to move very much. He was happy as long was nowhere to be seen despite all our green leaves. After some time, Percy disappeared! He news to the children in the morning. best efforts to find him. We would have to break the bad off for the car. As I stretched out I went to put on my coat and collect my bags and set

YSGOL BODHYFRYD the arm of my coat but Percy! I carried him my hand to open the car door, what did I see stuck on How on earth had he played such a carefully back to the pot, so glad that he had been found! trick on me I wonder? We’ll never know! This episode happened about twenty years ago. all the very best for their I would like to wish Mr Geraint Jones, the staff and pupils ng through the Welsh language. celebrations. Carry on enjoying teaching and learni Happy birthday Bodhyfryd - hip hip hooray!

Rona Williams

The Welsh School was my first school and Miss Beryl Sivell was the Head. On the first Yr Ysgol Gymraeg oedd fy ysgol gyntaf a Miss day, there were 6 boys and 5 girls with me Beryl Sivell oedd y Pennaeth. Ar y diwrnod in the “younger children’s” class and 2 cynta’ roedd 6 o fechgyn a 5 o ferched gyda girls and 3 boys in the class for the “older mi yn nosbarth “y Plant Lleiaf” a 2 ferch a 3 children”. My father had built the pre-fab bachgen yn nosbarth “y Plant Mwyaf”. Fy nhad school and 5 years later my mother, Mrs Berwyn oedd wedi adeiladu’r ysgol a bum mlynedd Davies, began teaching tables and reading to yn ddiweddarach dechreuodd mam, Mrs Berwyn generations of pupils in Wrexham. Davies, ddysgu cyfri a darllen i genedlaethau A visit to Wright’s Corner was essential o Gymry Wrecsam. to buy a new uniform – a grey blazer with Rhaid oedd mynd i Wright’s Corner i brynu red edging, a cap, tie and short trousers. I gwisg ysgol newydd – blazer llwyd a rhimyn rememb er a happy school and a variety of coch, cap, tei a throwsus byr. Dw i’n cofio ysgol educat ional activities, singing and band hapus a chael amrywiaeth o weithgareddau practice – Gareth Wyn and I on the drums – addysgol, canu ac ymarfer band taro bob bore before the “camp beds” were put up for the – Gareth Wyn a fi ar y drymiau - cyn i’r “camp young er children to sleep after lunch. I was beds” gael eu gosod i’r plant lleiaf fynd i never a sportsman but I did play football gysgu ar ôl cinio. Doeddwn i fawr o athletwr for the school team! The school field was on ond mi fues i’n chwarae pêl droed i dîm yr a slope and the tactics were to play downysgol! Roedd cae’r ysgol ar lechwedd a’r tictacs hill in the first half to tire our opponents. oedd chwarae i lawr yr allt yn yr hanner Enjoying listening to a story read by our cynta’ i flino’r tîm arall. Mwynhau gwrando ar teache r every Friday afternoon lead to stori yn cael ei darllen gan ein hathrawes bob an anticipation of the next chapter the p’nawn Gwener ac roedden ni’n edrych ymlaen following week. Another different experience at glywed y bennod nesa’r wythnos wedyn. to improve our English was an elocution Profiad gwahanol arall i wella’n Saesneg oedd lesson now and then, given by a posh lady cael gwersi cynanu gan ryw ddynes posh o from Rhostyllen – and after practising Rostyllen – ac ar ôl ymarfer cyfarch buwch greeting a brown cow, listening to stories frown, gwrando ar stori fel Winnie the Pooh! such as Winnie the Pooh! Roedd cystadlu yn eisteddfodau’r Urdd yn Competing in the Urdd eisteddfod was bwysig a chafodd yr ysgol lwyddiant mawr important and brought success to the school dros y blynyddoedd a’r plant yn ennill over the years, the pupils gaining confidence hyder cyhoeddus i ddal eu tir mewn ysgolion in public to hold their own in English uwchradd Saesneg, cymdeithasau a chapeli secondary schools, and local societies and lleol. Cawsom gyfle a her, cyfeillgarwch ac chapels. We had opportunities and challenges, awyrgylch gartrefol yn yr ysgol. friendship and support at school. Tyfodd addysg Gymraeg yn yr ardal. Agorwyd Welsh medium education grew in the area. ysgolion Cymraeg newydd, newidiwyd enw’r New Welsh schools opened causing The Welsh Ysgol Gymraeg i Ysgol Bodhyfryd, oherwydd ei School to change its name to Ysgol Bodhyfryd, lleoliad gwreiddiol. Ddiwedd yr wythdegau, after its original location. In the eightees, cefais y fraint o fod yn Gadeirydd y I was proud to be the Chair of Governors at Llywodraethwyr yn Ysgol Bodhyfryd wrth iddi Ysgol Bodhyfryd as the school grew. dyfu. Ysgol Morgan Llwyd opened too late for Agorodd Ysgol Morgan Llwyd yn rhy hwyr i us the 1st pupils, but it’s good to see the call ni’r plant cynta’, ond braf ydi gweld y galw for Welsh education increasing and the need am addysg Gymraeg yn parhau a’r angen am to create a second Welsh secondary school is a sefydlu ail ysgol uwchradd Gymraeg yn realistic challenge for this decade. sialens gwirioneddol o fewn y degawd nesa’. Dr Philip Davies Dr Philip Davies

YSGOL BODHYFRYD

yn yr ha ul! Da u yn m wyn ha u su n! H av in g fu n in th e

1975 oed d y flwyd dy n. Th e year wa s 1975.

d d rh a in? Pa f lwy d dy n oe s it? W hich y ea r wa

Rh ai o griw 1972. So me of th e cla ss of â&#x20AC;&#x2122;72.

ai n! Criw ce rd do ro l oedd y rh ou p! ( 1975) Th es e we re a m us ica l gr

Ga eaf yn niwed d yr 80au. Wint er tim e, lat e 80 s.

YSGOL BODHYFRYD

80a u. Ga eaf yn niwed d yr 80 s. Winte r ti m e, late

Lly fra u AB C yn ’76. Learn ing to rea d in ’76.

Ar ddiwed d cyfn od Rhodfa ’r Parc yn 76. At the end of the Park Ave nue day s in ’76.

Beth oed d yr achly su r? W hat wa s th e eve nt?

W recsa m Ti m pe l droed Y sg ol Gy mrae g yn nh ym or 62/63. football Tea m du rin g Th e Y sg ol Gy mrae g W recsa m 10 th e 62/63 sea son.

Tydyn nh w’n ed rych yn sm art! Do n’t the y loo k sm art 7

YSGOL BODHYFRYD

d nh w? Ydych chi’n eu ad na bo Do you re cogn ise th em?

A r y safle gw re id d io l yn y dyd dia u cy nn a r. At th e orig in al scho ol sit e, in th e ea rly d a ys.

Tim Pe l droed yr ysg ol Gy mrae g yn nh ym or 68/9. Ydych chi’n ad na bod y rhe olw r? Th e 68/9 Y sg ol Gy mrae g footba ll tea m. Do you recog nis e the ma na ge r? 15

M wy nh au ar y ca ea u! Fu n on the fie ld!

l. Pa flwyd dyn? R ha i o st af f yr ys go but w hich yea r ? f, af st ol ho sc e th So m e of

St af f yr ys go l yn 1991. School st af f in 1991.

YSGOL BODHYFRYD

. Pa wb yn mwyn ha u Na do lig ’88 Enjoy ing Ch rist ma s in ’88.

U n o dd os ba rthia da u M eit hrin 1991. On e of th e N urse ry cl as se s in 1991.

Blwy ddyn 6 yn 1995. Y ea r 6 in 1995.

88/9. En illwyr Ta ria n yr Eisted dfod yn 9. Th e Eisted dfod wi nn ers in 88/8

Co r yr ysg ol ym 1995. School Ch oir fro m 1995.

Dy dd Gwyl De wi 89/90. 23

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Criw Ca n Actol 1995. 5. Th e Actio n So ng group fro m 199

Can olbwyntioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;n berf fait h. Perfect con cent ratio n.

St eilia u dify r 1974/5. /5. Inte re sti ng sty le s of 1974

Ti m Gy mn ast eg 1995. Th e 1995 Gy m Tea m.

.. Gwne ud ca nwyllb re nn au M akin g ca nd el ab ra .

St af f 1972. Th e st af f in 1972.

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l ne wy dd ym Y n fu an ar ol cy rra ed d yr ys go M ryn ycaban au. sch ool Soon aft er co mi ng to th e ne w 31 at Bryn ycaban au.

Llu n dos bart h, ond pa ddo sba rth. A class photo but which class.

Dy dd Gwyl De wi: Alwe na Jon es, No n Eva ns, Betha n Da vie s,Ja nice Kathe rin e Jon es, Ele ri Jon es, Ly n Ed wa rds. 33

Pa rti Na do lig 1967. Th e Ch rist ma s pa rty, 1967.

Pa flwy ddy n oed d hon tybed. Which yea r was this?

Blwyddyn 6 yn 1989? Y ear 6 in 1989? 35

YSGOL BODHYFRYD

Ti m ‘68/9. Th e ‘68/9 football tea m.

Ti m 62/3. Th e 62/3 tea m

wre iddiol ym Ai ag ori ad yr ysg ol Gy mrae g 1951 syd d ym a? w sch ool in 1951? Is thi s at the ope nin g of the ne

Pla nt ba ch an nwyl 1960 -61. Th e plea sa nt loo ki ng gr ou p fro m 1960-61. 41

Do sba rth ar yr he n saf le. A cla ss on the old sit e.

eu ha dn abod nh w? Y go rne l dd arlle n. Ydych chi’n nis e an yo ne? Th e rea din g corne r. Do you recog 12

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hy fry d erioed. Bu ’r Urdd yn bwysig ym M od rta nt at Th e Urdd ha s alway s be en im po Bodh yfryd.\

Ffa ir yr ysg ol/ Th e sch ool Fai r. Telyn ore s/Ha rpi st) Miss V BrowMiss L Owen ( Head mi stress Y sg ol Ge neth od n (Pe nn aeth/ Gly n Da vie s ( Cy farwy dd wr Ad Grove Pa rk) M r T dy Di rector of Ed ucation, De nbigh sg Sir Ddinbych/ shi re) Da vie s Prifath rawes/Head mi strMiss MJ ess, M r Roy No rri s ( LLywyd d y Gy md eit ha s Ri en i/ Presi de nt PTA) Sister IE Roge rs ( Be irn iad y sioe ba bis/Judge of ba by show)

Ai ar achly su r se fydlu’ r Y sg ol Gy mrae g yn W recsa m oed d hy n? Was thi s to sig nify est ablishing a ne w Wels h sch ool in W rex ha m? 45

ai 1956. Ch wa rae ar y bu art h ym Mis M M ay 1956. Pl aying on th e sch ool ya erd in

yd dy n oed d hi a Dathl u Dy dd Gwyl De wi. Pa flw St Da vid’s da y, ing ph wy oed d y me rch ed? Ce leb rat wa s th e year? but wh o we re th ey an d wh at

Dathl u Dy dd Gwyl De wi. Pa flw yd dy n oed d hi a ph wy oed d y me rch ed? Ce leb rat ing St Da vid’s da y, but wh o we re th ey an d wh at wa s th e year? 13

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Re cordio ‘Sa in, Ce rdd a Ch an ’ yn

. Pwy yw’r siopwyr? A Siop fach yn y dy ddiau cy nn ar ho are th e shoppers? litt le shop in th e ea rly da ys. W

Bu dd ug wy r Eisted dfod yr Urdd , Mis M aw rth 1979. Th e Urdd wi nn ers fro m 1979.

1974. Re cordin g ‘Sa in, Ce rdd a Ch an ’ in 1974. 50

shi eld, 1975. Ta ria n yr Urdd 1975. Th e Urdd 52

n? Pwy ydych chi’n ad na bod yn hw e? W ho do you kn ow fro m this on

A beth a m hwn? Pwy oed d M air a Jos eff ? An d wh at about thi s on e? W ho we re M ary an d Jos eff.

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Aros Am Sio n Co rn! Wait ing for Sio n Co rn!

1972 oed d y flwyd dy n. Th e year

Staff 1968- 9. Th e staff in 1969.

wa s 1972.

Pl ant 1958 gy da ’u coe sa u’n da clu s! 1958 pu pils wit h tidy leg s!

r Pa rc. Ar y safle gw rei ddiol yn Rh odfa’ e. On th e origin al Pa rk Aven ue sit

Staff 1968- 9. Th e staff in 1969.

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iny dd ym M r T Gly n Da vie s ar yr uche lse ma bo lga mpau 1976. peak er in 1976. M r T Gly n Da vie s on th e lou ds

M rs Olwen Da vie s, Miss M ary Ja ne Da vie s, a M rs M arg aret Willi a ms yn 197 6. 62

Blwy ddyn 5 ym 1991. Y ea r 5 fro m 1991.

Pwy ydiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;r pla nt ba ch de l ym a ty bed? W ho are th ese litt le cut ies?

1978. Gwe rs g it a r y m fro m 1978. A g u it a r le ss on

Dwy ferch bry dfe rth Gy mreig o 1976. Two beautif ul Wels h ladies fro m 1976.

YSGOL BODHYFRYD 67

m a o 1986? y o g is d r y sw bod y d a wn a n d a n f ro m 1986? i’ h rs c e c n a d Y dy ch o dis c g n is e t h e s e o c re u o y o D

Blwy d dy n 3

o 2001/2.

Pe rkins (1986) H an es ym dd eo lia d na in Ab by fro m 1986. Ab by Pe rkins’ na in’ s ret ire me nt Dio lch i Pet er Me urig Jon es, tai d Cat rin Jon es, Blwyddyn 3, a m gyf ran nu y ma p 69

sg ol. n sio g werin y r y w a d u a im d o Un lk d a n ce g rou p s. fo l’s oo h sc e th On e of

Tim da wn sio gweri n o’r go rffe nn ol / A folk da nce tea m fro m the pa st.

YSGOL BODHYFRYD

dw’r ysg ol yn lan Be ryl a Jen, rha i o’r tim fu’ n ca Jen, pa rt of th e d dro s y bly ny dd oed d. / Be ryl an sch ool clean ove r th e tea m wh o ha s alway s ke pt th e years.

Ti m yr ysg ol yn y 70au. Th e sch ool Tea m fro m th e 70 s.

Llu nia u ym dd eoliad M r Arwe l Gwyn n Jon es. /M rs Arwe l Gwyn n Jon es’ ret ire me nt pictu res.

l Gwyn n Jon es. /M rs Llu nia u ym dd eoliad M r Arwe pictu res. 76 Arwe l Gwyn n Jon es’ ret ire me nt

Staff yr ysgol ym 1991. Schoo l staff from 1991. 18

YSGOL BODHYFRYD 77 78

L lyth yr dd erby nwyd ga n Dafyd d Iwan ym 1981! A lett er re ce ived fro m Dafyd d Iwan in 1981!

Eva ns at ddisg yblion Wele lyt hyr yrrwyd ga n Gwynfor pen blwydd yr ysg ol yn Blwyddyn 6 ar achly sur dathlu ed fro m Gwynfor Eva ns 30ain oed ym 1981. A lett er receiv birthd ay in 1981. as the sch ool celebrat ed it’s 30th

80 79

Llythy r ga n Dr J Philip Da vie s ym 1981. A letter received fro m Dr J Philip Da vie s in 1981.

yd ga n Gwily m R Tilsley En gly n arbe nn ig a lu nw lwyd d yn 30 oed ym nb ar achly su r dathlu ’r pe ( poem) wa s co m po sed n gly en l ia 1981. This spec th e school ce leb rat erd it’s as ey by Gwily m R Tilsl 30th bi rth da y in 1981.

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Sioe Al ad din Blwy ddyn 2 1995. Y ea r Twoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pe rfo rm an ce of Al ad din 1995.

n Owen Ed wa rd s. R oedd Llyt hy r dd erby nwyd ga S4 C dd echrau da rlled u I n cy ss oe fis g di hy yc hy n A lette r re ce ived fro m . 82 19 ym af nt cy tro am y onth s be fo re S4 C m w fe a s wa is Th s. rd Owen Ed wa th e first ti m e in 1982. be ga n broa dcastin g fo r

/ Grwp da wn sio gweri n tu a 1989 Folk da nce group circa 1989. Y mweli ad Blwy ddyn 2 a ma es awyr M an cei nio n 2003. Y ea r 2 at M an ch est er Ai rpo rt in 2003.

Sioe by ped au Cw mn i Co rty n. n. A pu ppet sh ow by Cw mn i Co rty

Cy flwyn o sie c i Ty Go ba ith 2001. Prese nti ng a ch eque to Hope Ho us e in

2001.

YSGOL BODHYFRYD

Y mweli ad a Pili Pa las 2001. A vis it to Pili Pa las in 2001.

Mini M aratho n Qu ee nsway gy da ’r M ae r. With th e M ay or at Qu ee en sw ay Mini M aratho n.

Ffa ir Haf – sto ndin Dr Ga ret h a M rs M av is Willi a ms. Dr Ga ret h an d M rs M av is Willi a ms sta ll at th e su mm er fai r.

Bu ge ilia id y Do lig ( 1988) Ch rist ma s she ph erd s ( 1988)

Dy dd Gwyl De wi 1998. St Da vid

’s da y 1998.

Gwers i cornet gy da M r F ish er. Co rnet lesson s wit h M r F ish er in 1988

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Y mweli ad ag Erd dig. Du rin g a vis it to Erd dig.

95 94

Blwy ddyn 2 yn my nd a m dro. Y ea r 2 going for a wa lk.

Y r ysg ol yn g ng ha no l ca el ei ha il fod elu yn 1997. Th e sch ool du rin g the rem od elli ng proce ss in 1997.

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101

100

103

102

104

105

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NEWID A HER Nid rhan o’r cynllun mawr oedd cuddio ond byddai angen Sat Nav i fy ffeindio ymysg y bocsys a’r meinciau mewn beth oedd i fod yn swyddfa’r pennaeth. Roedd yr ysgol yn cael ei hailfodelu, portacabins ymhobman, adeiladwyr ymhob twll a chongl ac arolwg cyntaf Estyn ar y gweill. Oedd, yr oedd hi’n gyfnod mawr o newid a her. Wrth gyrraedd Bodhyfryd roedd y plant a’r staff i’w gweld yn cael amser caled ohoni. Roedd adeilad newydd Plas Coch wedi ei gorffen gyda chyfleusterau a chyffiniau ysblennydd. Roeddem ni’n edrych braidd yn ddiflas mewn hen bortacabins a chyfleusterau o’r arch. Gwn er nad yw adeiladau newydd yn gwneud ysgolion da, roedden nhw’n sicr yn helpu i godi hunan barch ac i greu amgylchedd addas i ddysgu. Gosododd trafodaeth gynnar â Chadeirydd y Llywodraethwyr ein golwg yn gadarn ar wella’r cyfleusterau. Nodwyd bod arian grant gan y Swyddfa Gymreig ar gael i gefnogi ysgolion poblogaidd. Er nad oeddem ni’n cwrdd â’r gofynion yn llwyr, aethom ati i dderbyn ein cyfran ar gyfer plant Bodhyfryd. Tramwyais i holl asiantaethau tai Wrecsam i gael yr holl gynlluniau ar gyfer ystadau tai arfaethedig. Roedd prawf gennym y byddai’r ysgol yn tyfu. Teithiodd Cadeirydd y Llywodraethwyr a minnau i Gaerdydd i gwrdd â swyddogion y Swyddfa Gymreig a buodd bawb yn lobïo’r awdurdod lleol. Roedd fandaliaeth yn dal i fod yn gyffredin yr adeg hynny, yn aml byddai pobl yn torri i mewn neu’n trio cynnau tân i’r ysgol, roedd yr ysgol i bob pwrpas yn gasgliad o gytiau, ac wrth gwrs roedd arolwg yn dal i fod ar y gweill. Unwaith eto, y Cadeirydd ddaeth i’r adwy. Trwy ei gysylltiadau, llwyddwyd gohirio’r arolwg am gyfnod byr. Fel y gwyddoch, cawsom lwyddiant yn ein cais am arian a chytunwyd ar gynllun cynhwysfawr i ailddatblygu’r ysgol, diolch i bawb oedd yn gysylltiedig. Roedd yr ystafelloedd dosbarth braidd yn fach a ches i sawl sgarmes â’r pensaer. Ond gwellodd yr ardal allanol i’r dim, roedd y neuadd yn wych a sicrhaodd yr amgylchedd tu fewn fod y cyntedd hir wedi ei rannu’n ardaloedd astudio priodol. Yn y pendraw cwblhawyd y gwaith adeiladu a chafwyd llwyddiant yn yr arolwg. Wrth edrych yn ôl, buodd hi’n gyfnod o newid mawr. Roedd cwricwlwm cenedlaethol newydd, trefniadau arolygu newydd, adeilad newydd, ac wrth gwrs pennaeth newydd. Cafwyd nifer o heriau yn y blynyddoedd byr y bues i ym Modhyfryd, ond hefyd llawer o adegau hapus. Edrychaf yn ôl yn annwyl ar y cyfnod hwnnw pan newidiodd Bodhyfryd ei hamgylchedd a dechrau newid ei ffordd o weithio. Roedd y plant i’w gweld yn hapusach ac yn fwy cysurus ac roeddem ni’n sicr yn dechrau canolbwyntio ar feysydd allweddol dysgu ac addysgu. Nawr, pan fyddaf i’n gyrru heibio’r ysgol bob hyn a hyn, rydw i’n diolch i’r tîm helaeth o bobl, athrawon, staff cefnogi, llywodraethwyr, swyddogion yr awdurdod lleol a rhieni a newidiodd Bodhyfryd ar y cyd er gwell. Cytunwyd ar logo newydd ‘Gyda’n Gilydd’. Yn sicr dyna welodd ni trwy’r cyfnodau heriol hynny yn y nawdegau. Dymuniadau gorau cynnes i’r staff, llywodraethwyr, rhieni a disgyblion am ddyfodol llwyddiannus parhaus.

Dafydd Roberts

YSGOL BODHYFRYD

CHANGE AND CHALLENGE It wasn’t part of a grand master plan to hide, but certainly you might have needed a Sat Nav to find me amongst the boxes and benches of what was supposed to be the headteacher’s office. The school was being remodelled, portacabins everywhere, builders around every corner and a first Estyn inspection imminent. Yes it was a time of change and challenge. As I arrived at Bodhyfryd it appeared as though the children and staff were having a raw deal. A newly built Plas Coch was up and running with excellent facilities and grounds. We looked rather jaded in old portacabins and out of date facilities. I knew whilst new buildings don’t make good schools, they certainly help to raise self esteem and create an environment fit for learning. An early discussion with the Chair of Governors set our minds firmly on improving the facilities. We noted that a Welsh Office grant was available to support popular schools. Whilst we did not fully meet requirements we certainly put the wheels in motion to get our share for the children at Bodhyfryd. I trawled the estate agents of Wrexham and got all the plans for future housing predictions. We could prove that the school would expand. The Chair of Governors and myself travelled to Cardiff to meet officials of the Welsh Office and everyone lobbied the local authority. Vandalism was still rife in those days, we regularly had break-ins and attempts to set the place on fire, the school was basically a collection of huts and of course we still had inspection on the horizon. Again the Chair came up trumps. Through his contacts we managed to postpone the inspection a short while. As you all know we were successful in our request for funding and a comprehensive plan to redevelop the school was agreed, thanks to all concerned. The classrooms were rather small and I had many a tussle with the architect. But the outside grounds improved immensely, the hall was superb and the inside environment ensured that the long corridor was broken up into appropriate study areas. The building work was eventually completed and the inspection passed successfully. With the benefit of hindsight it was a period of immense change. There was a new national curriculum, new inspection arrangements, a new building and of course a new headteacher. We had many a challenge in the short years I was at Bodhyfryd but also many happy moments. I look back fondly to that time as a period when Bodhyfryd changed its environment and also began to change its ways of working. The children appeared happier and more content and certainly we were eventually beginning to concentrate on the key areas of teaching and learning. When no-one knows I occasionally drive past the school and give thanks to the vast team of people, teachers, support staff, governors, local authority officers and parents who together helped change Bodhyfryd for the better. We agreed a new logo Gyda’n Gilydd (Together). It certainly saw us through those challenging times in the ninetees. My sincere best wishes to staff, governors, parents and pupils for a continuing successful future.

Dafydd Roberts

YSGOL BODHYFRYD

1959-1979 The memories of J Lynn Davies.

1959-1979 yn Ysgol Gymraeg Bodhyfryd, Wrecsam. Atgofion J Lynn Davies. Braint, anrhydedd a llawenydd mawr i mi oedd cael fy mhenodi yn athro yn syth o’r coleg i’r ysgol yn Rhodfa’r Parc, Wrecsam. Deallais yn fuan mai fi fyddai’r dyn cyntaf i gael ei benodi, gan mai Prifathrawes ac athrawesau oedd y gweddill, a’r staff domestig hefyd yn fenywaidd – dyna i chi nefoedd i edrych ymlaen ato! Hefyd, gan y byddwn yn iau na’r lleill byddwn a gofal llwyr o addysg gorfforol yn yr Adran Iau, - gwersi wrth fy modd a phleser mawr i’r plant, gan anelu at lwyddiant ar bob achlysur, ac weithiau’n cyrraedd y nod! Yn academiadd yn y dosbarth y gwersi radio a theledu, a llyfrau a barddoniaeth T Llew Jones oedd y ffefrynnau. Gan fy mod yn dod o’r un ardal â T Llew yng Ngheredigion pleser mawr oedd gofyn iddo ymweld â’r plant, a daeth atom i aros ar fwy nag un achlysur. Roedd Adran Urdd Gobaith Cymru hefyd yn cael lle amlwg yn yr ysgol, a phleser oedd mynychu’r Aelwyd oedd â’i phencadlys yn yr Ysgol Gymraeg, a chymryd rhan amlwg yn y gwahanol weithgareddau sy’n ymwneud â’r mudiad pwysig hwn i blant a phobl ifanc. Roedd llawer o’r aelodau hynny wedi dod o wahanol rannau o Gymru i ennill eu bywoliaeth mewn gwahanol ysgolion a swyddi eraill yn Wrecsam. I orffen fy nghyfraniad i’r llyfr dathlu, y byddaf yn edrych ymlaen i’w brynu, rhaid i mi sôn mai yn yr ysgol y cefais y fraint o gyfarfod a’m diweddar wraig, Mair, o Glyn Ceiriog, ac yn Wrecsam y ganwyd ein hunig blentyn, Gwawr, sydd ei hunan yn athrawes yng Nghaerdydd. Mae’n siwr eich bod wedi dod i’r casgliad erbyn hyn, fod gennyf gant a mil o atgofion difyr a dwys am yr ugain mlynedd yma, heb yn fwriadol enwi neb, ond wrth orffen rhaid i mi longyfarch pawb sy’n ymwneud a’r cyhoeddiad hwn, a mynegi cymaint o foddhad yw clywed am gynnydd addysg Gymraeg bro Wrecsam a Chlwyd.

It was a real honour and a joy to be appointed straight from College to the school in Park Avenue, Wrexham. I soon realised that I would be the first male teacher to be appointed to the school, as the Headmistress, the other teachers and all the domestic staff were all female that looked like heaven to me! Also, as I was younger than the others, I would have sole responsibility for Physical Education in the Juniors, lessons which I enjoyed and the children loved, aiming for success on every occasion, and sometimes achieving it! Academically in the class the children enjoyed radio and TV programmes, and also the stories and poetry of T Llew Jones. As I came from the same area as T Llew in Ceredigion, it was a pleasure to invite him to visit the children in school, and he came to stay with us on more than one occasion. The Urdd Adran also played an important role in school life, and attending the Aelwyd which had it’s headquarters in school was always a great pleasure. I enjoyed taking part in the wide variety of activities which it provided for young people in the area. To complete my contribution to this book of celebration which I look forward to buying, I must mention that it was at the school that I had the honour of meeting my late wife, Mair, from Glyn Ceiriog. Our daughter Gwawr was born in Wrecsam, and she is now a teacher herself in Cardiff. You have probably realised by now that I have very many varied memories of my twenty years at the school. Without naming anyone, I must congratulate everyone involved with this publication, and express my satisfaction on hearing of the way Welsh medium education in Wrexham continues to develop.

YSGOL BODHYFRYD

The memories of Mrs Heulwen Harris

Atgofion Mrs Heulwen Harris

Pan glywais i gyntaf fod Ysgol Bodhyfryd yn dathlu ei phenblwydd yn chwedeg oed, meddyliais yn sydyn ‘mod i bron yn un oed pan agorodd ym 1951. Ychydig mwy na babi oeddwn i pan agorodd yr ysgol ei drysau am y tro cyntaf. Doeddwn i ddim i wybod ar y pryd y buasai addysg Gymraeg ac agwedd pobl at addysg Gymraeg yn newid cymaint yn ystod y chwedeg mlynedd nesaf. Doeddwn i ddim i wybod chwaith ar y pryd y deuai’r ysgol honno yn rhan bwysig iawn o fy mywyd i a gweddill y teulu. Croeso ddigon oeraidd gawson ni gan y tywydd beth bynnag, ar y bore cyntaf hwnnw ym Mis Ionawr 1986. Roedd wedi bwrw eira yn drwm yn ystod y nos a bu raid cerdded i’r ysgol. Doedd dim posib symud y car. Trwy lwc roedd croeso’r Prifathro, yr athrawon a’r plant yn wahanol iawn i’r tywydd a dyna ddechrau ar gyfnod hapus iawn yn Ysgol Bodhyfryd. Bu raid cerdded ambell waith yn ystod y blynyddoedd dilynol oherwydd yr eira. Un tro roedd wedi bwrw cymaint fel bod y giat fawr ar flaen yr ysgol o’r golwg dan eira a roedd rhaid cau’r ysgol am y diwrnod. Tra’n dysgu yn yr ysgol gwelais tipyn o newidiadau, o ran Prifathrawon, syniadau am ddulliau dysgu, a chynnwys y cwricwlwm. Ond un newid mawr iawn a gafodd effaith ar bawb, oedd yr ail fodelu. O’r diwedd roedd yr amser wedi dod i gael gwared ar yr holl gabannau a’r cytiau cefn oedd wedi bod yn rhan o’r ysgol i mi, ers cyrraedd y diwrnod

When I first heard that Ysgol Bodhyfryd was celebrating it’s 60th birthday, I realised that I was only a few months old when the school opened for the first time in 1951. I was only a babe in arms. I didn’t imagine the changes which would happen to people’s attitudes to Welsh medium education during the next sixty years. Nor did I realise at the time what a major part the school would play in my family’s life. It was a frosty welcome which I received when I started at the school in January 1986. It had snowed heavily and I had to walk to school. Moving the car was impossible. Fortunately the welcome I received from the Headmaster, the staff and the children was a very warm one, completely different to the weather. This was the beginning of a very happy association with Ysgol Bodhyfryd. There were a few occasions during the subsequent years when I had to walk to school because of snow. Once it had snowed so heavily that you couldn’t see the gate at the main entrance! Whilst teaching at the school I saw numerous changes. Headteachers changed, as did ideas about teaching and learning and curriculum content. One aspect which affected everyone was the re modelling of the school in 1997. At last we could be rid of the numerous mobile classrooms which had been a part of the school to me, since I arrived on that first snowy day. I had some very happy years at Bodhyfryd. It’s great that there’s another Welsh medium school on the horizon. Welsh medium education is very successful! Numbers within Welsh medium have obviously increased, but the real successes are to be seen and heard on the streets of Wrexham and the surrounding area. I often hear ‘ Mrs Harris, sut wyt ti?’ It’ll be a former pupil who started at Bodhyfryd without a word of Welsh, now fluent, who has already decided to send their own child to Bodhyfryd because they appreciate the value of being bilingual. This continues to give me a real feeling of achievement. It makes me realise that all our hard work over many years has proved successful! That’s the success of Welsh medium education! A very happy birthday to the school, and every success for the future.

cyntaf hwnnw. Cefais flynyddoedd hapus iawn ym Modhyfryd, a braf yw clywed fod ysgol Gymraeg arall ar y gorwel erbyn hyn. Mae ‘Addysg Gymraeg,’ yn bendant yn llwyddo! Er bod nifer y plant sy’n mynychu ysgolion Cymraeg yn amlwg wedi cynyddu, mae’r llwyddiant go iawn i’w weld ar y strydoedd. Yn aml, mi glywaf lais yn galw ‘ Mrs Harris, sut wyt ti?’. A pwy fydd yno ond cyn ddisgybl ddaeth i Fodhyfryd heb air o Gymraeg, yn dal i siarad Cymraeg yn rhugl, a mwy na hynny yn gwerthfawrogi addysg Gymraeg ddigon i yrru ei phlant ei hun i Fodhyfryd! Mae hyn yn rhoi teimlad o foddhad i mi. Mae’n gwneud i mi deimlo fod gwaith yr ysgol dros y blynyddoedd wedi dwyn ffrwyth! Dyna ydi llwyddiant addysg Gymraeg! Penblwydd hapus i’r ysgol a phob llwyddiant ar gyfer y dyfodol.

YSGOL BODHYFRYD

Atgofion Mr Bilo Davies.

y mab yn saith, a Meleri y ferch yn bum Pan symudon ni o Surrey i Wrecsam ym 1967 roedd Iestyn iawn o hynny i ni oedd y bydde cyfle mlwydd oed. Roeddem am ddod yn ol i Gymru, a rhan bwysig ynnodd y ddau yn yr Ysgol Gymraeg gychw i’r plant gael eu haddysg trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Pan bod allan o’r ysgol yn dilyn cwrs ei er s, yn Rhodfa’r Parc, Mary Jane Davies oedd y Brifathrawe ein plesio gan mai bach oedd y Cawsom . pellach, a’r Prifathro gweithredol oedd Mr J Lynn Davies dosbarthiadau, gyda’r plant yn cael sylw arbennig. gynta’ yn 1976, a buan iawn wedi Ddes i’n aelod o Gorff LLywodraethol Ysgol Morgan Llwyd dd fy nghefndir proffesiynnol, Oherwy l. hynny fe ddes i’n aelod o’r Bwrdd ym Modhyfryd yn ogysta gyfrannu at y maes hwnnw. i edd gyfleo s roedd gen i ddiddordeb mawr mewn adeiladau a chefai Gadeirydd ar y Bwrdd i’n ddes Fe s. Gadeirydd y Bwrdd ar y pryd hwnnw oedd Mr John Hughe wedi tyfu’n enfawr ysgol yr Roedd 1993. Llywodraethol ar adeg ymddeoliad Mr Arwel Jones ym ygiad cadarnhaol a ddatbl yn 1993 niwedd erbyn hyn, gydag agoriad Ysgol Gymraeg Plas Coch yn chyffrous iawn. i ystyried cyflwr yr adeilad. Doedd Ynghyd a’r Pennaeth newydd, Dafydd Roberts, aethom ati gwyr, gwelwyd fod angen atgywirio arbeni dim amheuaeth fod angen gwaith arno. Gyda chefnogaeth at ddarparu addysg effeithiol a addas yn sylweddol iawn ar yr adeilad er mwyn sicrhau ei fod haeddu adeilad priodol, safonol. yn staff a’r llawn i’r disgyblion. Yn fwy na hynny, roedd y plant llawer o waith trwyadl a sgil yn , diwedd Cafwyd ambell i gyfarfod eitha stormus, ond yn y maen i’r wal. Ail fodelwyd a’r fynd i wyd digon manwl ar adegau, a llythyru di ben draw, llwydd m a’i swyddogion, mae Wrecsa d newyd Lleol yr adeilad yn gyfangwbl, a gyda chefnogaeth Awdurdod gredaf mai oddeutu Mi hyn. erbyn gael ar ffrwyth y gwaith i’w weld yn yr adeilad hyfryd sydd ar y gwaith yn wario ei wedi filiwn i h £350 000 oedd y rhagfynegiad gwreiddiol, er fod yn agosac iad! dymun y diwedd! Ac mi gafwyd neuadd fawr, braf, yn ol ein yn sicr mae adeilad teilwng yn Nid yw hen adeilad yn golygu ysgol wael wrth gwrs, ond lion. gymorth sylweddol iawn i ddatblygiad ysgol a’i disgyb , Bethan a Tomos ym Modhyfryd. Diwedd fy nghyfnod a’m cyswllt a’r ysgol oedd gweld Gareth dd y Brifysgol. Ar benodiad cyrrae wedi Cafodd y tri amser arbennig, gyda’r ddau hynaf eisoes th i’r Parch Trefor Jones yddiae Gadeir au’r Geraint, y Pennaeth presennol, mi drosglwyddais awenn wn. Morris, fu’n parhau’n effeithiol iawn gyda’r gwaith, mi llwyddiant i’r ysgol, y plant, y staff a’r Wrth edrych yn ôl, rhaid edrych ymlaen. Dymunaf bob rhieni at y dyfodol. Penblwydd hapus, Bodhyfryd!

The memories of Mr Bilo Davies.

When we moved to Wrexham from Surrey in 1967, Iestyn our son was seven, and his sister Meleri was five. We were very keen to move back to Wales, and wanted the children to attend a Welsh medium school. When the two started in yr Ysgol Gymra eg, on Park Avenue, the Headmistress was Miss Mary Jane Davies, although she was away from school for a while on secondment, and the Acting Headmaster was Mr J Lynn Davies. We were please d with the small classes and the excellent attention which the children received. I joined Ysgol Morgan Llwyd’s Governing Body first in 1976, and soon after became a member of the Bodhyfryd Board of Governors also. Due to my profes sional background, I took a keen interest in the school buildings and I had the opport unity to contribute to that aspect of school development. The Chair of the Governing Body at the time was Mr John Hughes. I became Chair of Governors when Mr Arwel Jones retired in 1993. The school had grown and grown by this time, with the establishing of Ysgol Plas Coch being a very positi ve and exciting development. Alongside the new Headteacher, Mr Dafydd Roberts, we began to look in detail at the state of the building. There was no doubt that it needed work. With the support of Professional experts in the field, we found that the building required signif icant improvement to ensure that it was suitable to offer a full and effective education for it’s pupils. Moreover, the children and staff deserved a building of suitable quality. There followed some quite turbulent meetings, but in the end, following a great deal of thorough and quite detailed work and much letter writin g, we achieved our goal. The building was completely remodelled, and with support from the new Wrexham Local Authority and its officers,

YSGOL BODHYFRYD we achieved the wonderful result which can be seen today. I seem to remember that the original estimate of works was roughly £350,000, although the final costs were close to a million pounds! And we managed to secure a large, useful hall, as we had hoped! A poor building doesn’t mean a poor school of course, but there’s no doubt that a fit for purpose building makes a very significant contribution to pupils’ school experience. The latter stages of my links with the school were when our three grandchildren, Gareth, Bethan and Tomos attended the school. The three had wonderful experiences at Bodhyfryd. The two eldest have already reached university. When Geraint, the present Headteacher was appointed in 1999, the responsibility of leading the Governing Body was transferred to the Rev. Trefor Jones Morris, who I know was very successful in the role. Whilst looking back, we must look forward. I wish the school, the pupils and staff every success for the future. Happy Birthday, Bodhyfryd!.

Atgofion Trefor Jones Morris lwyddiant yw bod yn y lle iawn ar yr adeg Mae nhw’n dweud mai un o’r pethau sy’n sail i unrhyw Bodhyfryd fel olynydd i Bilo Davies ac yn iawn. Fe ddos yn Gadeirydd Bwrdd Llywodraethol Ysgol throsglwyddo o ddwylo Dafydd Roberts i y cyfnod pan oedd arweinyddiaeth yr ysgol yn cael ei amser iawn i ymgymryd a rôl Cadeirydd. ddwylo Geraint Jones. O safbwynt amseru dyma’n sicr yr ail fodelu’r ysgol oedd, fwy neu lai, wedi Roedd na waith mawr wedi’ wneud dan arweiniad Bilo yn y Pennaeth, Dafydd, wedi ail strwythuro’r rhoi adeilad newydd yn ei le. Ac ar yr un pryd roedd iawn yma. Roedd hi’n hawdd cymryd at y ysgol ac wedi llwyddo i greu ethos a threfn arbennig wedyn ond yn barhad a datblygiad o’r hyn Gadeiryddiaeth, ac roedd penodi Geraint fel Pennaeth oedd eisoes yn ei le, adeiladu ar sail gadarn a sicr. dwf ac o lwyddiant. Roedd arweinyddiaeth Ac fe fu’r cyfnod oedd i ddilyn yn un o ddatblygiad, o Mae ei frwdfrydedd yn heintus a’i Geraint yn arbennig iawn, ac mae’n parhau i fod felly. bod yn Gadeirydd. Ar yr un pryd fe oedd mi i iawn ymroddiad yn ddiflino a gwaith didrafferth peth anoddaf oedd penodi pobl newydd fu cryn dipyn o newid ymhlith y staff ac efallai mai’r ei adlewyrchu wedyn yn ansawdd y dysgu gan fod safon yr ymgeiswyr mor uchel. Mae hyn yn cael a’r ysgol yn mynd o nerth i nerth. a’r addysgu sydd wedi bod ym Modhyfryd dros y blynyddoedd fu ar y Bwrdd Llywodraethol dros y a rheiny ’r Ac ychwanegwch wedyn safon, eiddgarwch a doniau ac yn gyfrifoldeb mawr bod ynGadeirydd, cyfnod ac mae popeth yn syrthio i’w le. Roedd hi’n fraint a phleserus. ond o ystyried y bobl oedd o fy nghwmpas, yn waith hawdd

Memories of Bodhyfryd – By Trefor Jones Morris They say that one thing which contributes to success is being in the right place at the right time. I became Chair of Governors at Bodhyfryd as succes sor to Bilo Davies at the point when leading the school was being passed from Dafydd Robert s to Geraint Jones. It was a good time to be taking on the role. A huge amount of work had been done under Bilo’s leadership. The school had been re modelled, and we had, to all intent s and purposes, a new school. At the same time, Dafydd, the Headteacher, had restructured the school and had succeeded in creating a very special ethos. Taking on the role was a smooth proces s, and appointing Geraint as Headteacher was part of that smooth development process, building upon firm foundations. The next years were a time of further development, growth and succes s. Geraint’s leadership was very effective, and continues to be so. His tireless commitment and enthus iasm made my job all the easier. At the same time there were considerable changes amongst staff. One of the more challenging aspects when appointing new staff was deciding between high calibre applicants. This has been reflected in the high quality teaching and learning experiences provided for the pupils over the years, with the school going from strength to strength. Add to this the quality, talent and commitment of the members of the Governing Body, and you can see how things fell naturally into place. Being Chair was a great responsibility, and a great honou r. However the people around me me made it a great pleasure too.

YSGOL BODHYFRYD

Atofion Mrs Margaret Williams.

pan awgrymodd Mrs Margaret Williams y ( Daeth y syniad o lunio ‘Llyfr y dathlu’ i fodolaeth ydd Ysgol Bodhyfryd yn chwedeg. Diolch syniad o greu llyfryn i nodi achlysur dathlu penblw GWJ Gorffennaf 2011. am y syniad Margaret, a diolch am gyfrannu at y llyfr) Ysgol Gymraeg fel yr oedd yn cael ei Mae gennyf atgofion melys iawn o Ysgol Bodhyfryd, neu’r 1951, sef y flwyddyn yr agorwyd ym f gynta hadnabod yn wreiddiol. Cychwynnodd fy nghysylltiad yng Nghinmeirch, rhwng aeadr Llanrh yr ysgol. Roeddwn i’n gweithio fel athrawes yn ysgol yn honno, roedd yn llawn flwydd Y . Sivell Rhuthun a Dinbych. Enw’r Prifathro ar y pryd oedd Mr fod ysgol Gymraeg i’w sef m, Wrecsa yn o hanes digwyddiad addysgol cyffrous oedd ar y gweill , oedd wedi ei phenodi’n Sivell Miss , sefydlu yno yn ystod tymor yr Hydref 1951, ac mai ei chwaer o’r athrawon llanw un mai yw hefyd Brifathrawes cyntaf ar y sefydliad newydd. Difyr iawn sydd yn nain i Mr Jones, Roger Elen oedd arferai ddod atom i Ysgol Llanrhaeadr yr adeg honno Rhodri Roger Jones, Dirprwy Bennaeth yr ysgol. yn byw oherwydd gwaith Ifan, y gwr, Yn sgil cyfnod yn Warrington ac yn Sir Benfro, lle buom gen i ac Ifan y gw^ r ddau fab Roedd 1957. fe symudom yn ôl i Gymru, ac i Wrecsam, ar Awst y 1af ddau yn ddisgyblion i’r Ysgol y ddaeth erbyn hy^ n. Ganwyd Osian yn 1954 a Gethin yn 1955, ac fe Gymraeg yn Rhodfa’r Parc. gyfnod hir i geisio sefydlu Roedd aelodau’r capeli lleol wedi ymdrechu’n ddiwyd dros Jeriwsalem, Ebeneser, Seion a fel ardal ysgol Gymraeg. Mae’r diolch yn fawr i aelodau capeli’r y diwedd at sefydlu’r ysgol yn iodd chapel Pen y Bryn am eu brwdfrydedd a’u hymdrech arwein gyfer y plant ieuengaf. ar in Meithr newydd ym 1951. Roedd ymgyrchu hefyd am ddarpariaeth yn 1959, cefais weithio n Egerto Stryd Pan sefydlwyd Cylch Meithrin yn Festri Capel Seion yn gan ddyfodiad yr achosi ei wedi yno yn dysgu’r plant bach bob bore. Mi gofiaf fod bwrlwm eg yn sgil hynny. Gymra Ysgol yr edd Eisteddfod Genedlaethol ym 1961, gyda chynnydd yn nifero r can mlynedd yn hanne tebyg hiau effeit Hyderwn y bydd y bwrlwm sy’n bodoli eleni yn cael sgil ddiweddarach yn 2011. yd Mr J Lynn Davies yn athro Mi gofiaf y bwrlwm oedd ymysg y disgyblion pan benodw melys iawn o gyd weithio gyda holl staff gwrywaidd cyntaf i’r ysgol ym 1959. Mae gen i atgofion eu plith. Cefais gyfleoedd rheolaidd yr ysgol, gyda Mrs Olwen Davies a Mr Richard Jones yn di i weithio’n llawn amser yn Ysgol i weithio fel athrawes llanw, ond ym 1970 cefais fy mheno n golli Ifan, gw^ r a thad tyner ym 1969. Bodyfryd. Roedd hwnw yn gyfnod anodd gan i mi a’r bechgy bach a rhai hyn. Yn sgil ymddeoliad rhai Roeddwn i wrth fy modd yng nghanol bwrlwm plant, cynnydd sylweddol yn y cafwyd Miss Mary Jane Davies yn 1975 a phenodiad Mr Arwel Jones, dau presennol yn Ffordd adeila i’r wyd niferoedd o ddisgyblion oedd yn mynychu’r ysgol. Symud Mr Arwel Jones tybed y holi gan offer Brynycabanau ym 1976. Dwi’n cofio gwneud archebion am gewch chi dair!’ mi ‘ ateb ’n yntau ag cawn i delyn i hwyluso dysgu cerddoriaeth i’r plant, gyda chlamp o Hooson Ffordd yn ni Mi gofiai Miss Mary Jane Davies yn galw yn ein ty^ cyntaf i ni fedru tro Y Coch.’ Ci ‘Y adrodd beiriant recordydd tap! Roedd wedi recordio Osian yn dosbarth erbyn mhob ym n iaduro Cyfrif fyd! recordio plentyn ar dap! Dyna i chi newydd ddaeth ar hyn! nt yn gefnogol iawn bob amser Roedd gennym griw o rieni ardderchog ym Modhyfryd. Roedde 1973 gyda nifer o’r aelodau a ym Ffin ac yn dod yn ffrindiau i ni’r staff. Cychwynnodd Parti’r yr Urdd ran bwysig iawn ym mudiad aeodd chysylltiadau agos iawn gydag Ysgol Bodhyfryd. Chwar Eisteddfodau yn lleol, mewn u gystal am mywyd yr ysgol hefyd. Mae gennyf atgofion melys iawn bod yn ffodus iawn wedi fryd Bodhy Mae . ac o gyrraedd Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd droeon ol faesydd, ac yn wahan o nifer mewn og dros y blynydoedd o gael nifer fawr o blant hynod dalent parhau felly, mi wn! ddaeth fy wyrion, Rhys a Dafydd Peth hyfryd i mi oedd bod yn athrawes yn yr ysgol pan barti hyfryd ar achlysur fy Cefais yn ddisgyblion i Fodhyfryd ar ddechrau’r wythdegau. fod pob dosbarth, a phob un (er ymddeoliad o’r ysgol ym 1986. Dosbarth arbennig oedd hwnnw plentyn yn arbennig yn ei ffordd ei hun cofiwch!) ac mi hoffwn ddymuno pob Mae gennyf atgofion hapus iawn o’m cyfnod ym Modhyfryd ysgol am ei chyfraniad i fywyd i’r Diolch llwyddiant ar gyfer y dyfodol i’r athrawon a’r plant. ar y map! Dymuniadau da i’r m Wrecsa Wrecsam a’r cylch dros chwedeg o flynyddoedd, ac am roi plant ar gyfer y dyfodol.

Margaret Williams. 30

YSGOL BODHYFRYD

Memories of Bodhyfryd – By Margaret Williams.

(The original idea for a ‘book of celebration’ to commem orate the school’s sixtieth birthday came from Mrs Margaret Williams. Many thanks for the idea Margaret, and thanks for your contribution to the book.) I have very fond memories of Bodhyfryd, or ‘Yr Ysgol Gymra eg’ as it was known originally. My first experience of the school came in 1951, the year the school was established. I was working as a young teacher at Ysgol Llanrhaeadr Yng Nghinmeirch , between Rhuthun and Denbigh. The Headmaster’s name was Mr Sivell. That year he would tell us about an exciting development which was about to happen in Wrexham. A new Welsh medium school was being established, and the first Headmistress was his sister, Miss Sivell. Another intere sting fact was that one of the supply teachers who would visit us at Llanrhaeadr was Elen Roger Jones, the Grandmother of Rhodri Roger Jones, who is currently Deputy Headteacher at the school. My husband Ifan’s work took us to live for short period s in Warrington and Pembrokeshire, but we eventually settled in Wrexham on August the 1st 1957.Ifan and I had two sons by this time. Osian had arrived in 1954 and Gethin in 1955, and both became pupils at ‘Yr Ysgol GYmraeg ‘ in Park Avenue.

Members of local chapels had been working hard for some considerable time to establish a Welsh school in Wrexham. Members at Jeriwsalem, Ebenes er, Seion and Pen y Bryn chapel worked hard to ensure that the efforts proved successful. There had also been the need for provison for the very youngest children. When a nursery was started in the vestry of Seion Chapel in 1959, I had the opportunity to work there in the mornin gs. I remember the excitement caused by the National Eisteddfod coming to the area in 1961, and the positive impact it had on demand for places in the school. Hopefully the National Eisted dfod coming to Wrexham again will have similar positive effects some fifty years later. I remember the excitement amongst the pupils when Mr J Lynn Davies was appointed as the first male teacher in 1959. I have very fond memories of working alongside all the staff at the school, with Mrs Olwen Davies and Mr Richard Jones among st them. I had regular opportunities to work as a supply teacher at the school, but was appoin ted to the staff full time in 1970. This was a particularly difficult time as the boys and I had recently suffered that sad loss of Ifan, a loving husband and caring father. I loved being with the children, the younger ones and the older ones. Following Miss Mary Jane Davies’ retirement in 1975, and the appointment of Mr Arwel Jones, the school numbers started to increase. We moved to the current site on Brynycabana u Road in 1976. I remember filling in the requisition and not appealing to Mr Arwel Jones could we buy a harp to help with our music lessons, and his response would always be ‘ you can have three!’ I remember Miss Mary Jane Davies coming to our house at Ffordd Hooson with a huge tape recording machine! She had recorded Osian reciting ‘ Y Ci Coch.’ The first time we had recorded a child on tape! That shows you how things have chang ed! Computers in every class these days! We had an excellent body of parents at Bodhyfryd. They were always very supportive and became good friends with the staff. Parti’r Ffin starte d in 1973 and had very close links with the school. The Urdd played a very important role within the school. I have very fond memories of children taking part in local and national eisted dfodau. Bodhyfryd has always been very fortunate in having extremely talented children in so many different fields, and remains so, I know! It was special for me to be a teacher at the school when my two grandsons, Rhys and Dafydd attended the school during the 80s. I received a wonder ful send off on my retirement in 1986. That was a special class, my last class (although they’r e all special in their own way, of course!) I have very happy memories of my time at Bodhyfryd and I would like to wish the staff and children every success for the future. Thanks to the school for it’s contribution to Wrexham and the surrounding area for sixty years, and for puttin g Wrexham on the map. Best wishes for the future.

Margaret Williams.

YSGOL BODHYFRYD

Mary Jane Davies, Prifathrawes Ysgol Bodhyfryd Wrecsam Dau gwta dymor y bu o yno dan ei gofal. Dod i ‘nabod plant y fro oedd y bwriad cyn mynd i’r Ysgol Fawr. Cafodd flas ar y wlad drwyddi hi. Gwrthododd ganu yn ei chôr hi un diwrnod am fod hwiangerddi yn gwneud iddo grio. Dysgodd am ganhwyllau brwyn a sgwennodd iddi storïau am yr eiddew yn cripian dros y byd a theyrnasu arno’n llwyr. Tua diwedd ei hoes roedd ei lun o yn dal ganddi ar y silff ben tân, yn hogyn a ddaeth o lan y môr i ganol y dref fawr yn ddeg oed. Rhaid ei bod hi wedi ei guddio pan gafodd awr o’i chwmni eto cyn Eisteddfod y Foel. Dim ond ar ôl ei marw, ar hap, y clywodd ei fod o’n un o ddau ar y rhestr fer i gynnal ei hangladd yng nghôl ei Maldwyn. Ninnau’n tyrru allan o’r ysgol gynradd, crio wrth y giât y diwrnod olaf hwnnw. Gadawodd hi i’r rhai a oedd yn mynd ymlaen i’r ysgol uwchradd Gymraeg adael cyn y lleill y prynhawn olaf hwnnw. Yr unig ffafriaeth a ddangosodd erioed. Cofnododd hi bob sensitifrwydd. Aeth o drwy’i oes heb wybod fod ei lun wedi aros ar ei silff ben tân.

Aled Lewis Evans

YSGOL BODHYFRYD

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Ysgol enwog Bodhyfryd! Mor dda ac o! mor ddiwyd – y rhoddir Addysg ym Modhyfryd; Ysgol sy’n gartref hefyd I rai bach yn dechrau byd. G w i ly m R T i l s l e y

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