Brecon bulletin
Welcome from the Head It gives me great pleasure to introduce this end of term newsletter that showcases all that has been achieved at CCB this term in addition to the delivery of academic lessons. All aspects of school had to be re-designed in light of COVID and although lessons have been learnt, our systems and processes have stood up incredibly well, in no small part thanks to the support of pupils and parents – thank you. We have missed sharing school-life with you the parents, be it at school productions, on touch lines, or Friends events. It has made me appreciate just how integral the parent body are to the completeness of the CCB community. I very much look forward to re-connecting with you all in 2021. The pupils have responded to the considerable challenges presented by COVID brilliantly, I am very proud of them all; a snow flake generation they are not! I hope you have a fabulous Christmas break together as a family, I suspect we may all appreciate quality time with our loved ones more this year than ever. Merry Christmas and Warmest Best Wishes
Gareth
Christ College Brecon, Brecon, Powys LD3 8AF 01874 615440 enquiries@christcollegebrecon.com www.christcollegebrecon.com
CHRISTMAS
CAPERS In their ‘social bubbles’, pupils have enjoyed a Santa Dash around the campus, raising money for our nominated charities Papyrus and Oddballs Foundation, a junior disco and House Christmas socials. An extra special treat were the Roller Disco sessions held for Years 3-Year 9 throughout the day in our Sports Hall. Lots of fun had by all - an enjoyable way to end the term.
Some of the pictures used in this publication were taken pre-Covid 19 restrictions.
OXBRIDGE IN THEIR SIGHTS Mr Bush and Mrs Hope have been working with our Upper Sixth pupils on their university applications to Oxford and Cambridge. We are delighted to announce that out of 12 applications, 7 pupils have been called for interview so far – 3 to Cambridge to study English, Land Economy and History and 4 to Oxford to study Physics, PPE, Medicine and Music. They have been busy having mock interviews in preparation. We wish them the very best of luck with their interviews and hope to hear some good news in the New Year.
HOGWARTS DAY
Pupils at our junior section, St Nicholas House, enjoyed a magical Hogwarts inspired day earlier in the term. All dressed as characters from the famous Harry Potter series, the fun started with a sorting hat ceremony followed by a series of magical lessons including potion making, care of magical creatures, horcrux hunting and mythical beast report writing. After making some very creative and natural magical wands, it was over to the sports pitch for a hotly contested Quidditch tournament – who would catch the Golden Snitch first? A fantastical day was had by all – staff and pupils alike!
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THE SHOW MUST GO ON! At this time of year, we would have normally had a Senior Production on the events calendar. There would also be lots of rehearsals happening across the school, in readiness for the Christmas Carol Service at Brecon Cathedral, which signals the end of term and the countdown to Christmas. Pupils were disappointed that the covid restrictions meant that the usual festive events weren’t possible this year but our Performing Arts and Music departments were determined to give the enthusiastic pupils an opportunity to perform and get everyone into the festive spirit. The Medley of Musicals concept was born and keen performers in Year 11- Year 13 took to the stage to perform ‘songs from the shows’ in their social bubbles. All performances were recorded and edited into one video and streamed on the school’s virtual event platform. The Music Department also launched its Twelve Days of Christmas Series to give musicians and singers the opportunity to perform their favourite festive music. The pupils’ performances were posted each day on Facebook. The finale was the Virtual Carol which included contributions from house bubbles from Juniors right through to Sixth Form. We are extremely grateful to C.O.B.R.A. Music Studios of Newport for professionally recording all the performances for us. Medley of Musicals Showreel: https://youtu.be/fZzCOzbg9rk Virtual Carol: https://youtu.be/I8bE0Ldg3FE
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE Professor Jonathan Shepherd CBE, Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Professor at the University's Crime and Security Research Institute, Cardiff University delivered a fascinating session to Sixth Form pupils on protection from facial injuries, his insights on violence prevention and how he has a ‘never give up’ attitude to life.
ADMISSIONS We are still unable to offer traditional open days due to covid 19 restrictions but we are continuing to offer socially distanced ‘visits to the school in the meantime and skype/video calls with the Head. Email: admissions@christcollegebrecon.com
DIARY MARKERS VISIT DAY 9th January 2021 (by appointment only)
11+, 13+ SCHOLARSHIP DAY
SURPRISE ALPACAS VISIT
23rd January 2021
VISIT DAY 27th February 2021 (by appointment only)
6TH FORM SCHOLARSHIP DAY 13th March 2021
OPEN DAY 23rd April 2021
JUNIOR SCHOOL ENTRANCE ASSESSMENT DAY 23rd April 2021
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Six alpacas from local business Alpaca My Boots visited the school ahead of the half term holiday surprising twenty-three year 7 pupils during their personal and social education (PSE) lesson. Extensive research has shown the value of bringing gentle animals into schools to work with children and the docile nature of alpacas make them exceptional therapy animals. During the wellbeing afternoon at Christ College Brecon, pupils were able to pet the friendly alpacas and lead them around the school field. https://www.christcollegebrecon.com/news/latest-news/surprise-alpaca-visitdelights-pupils/
BBC 1 MORNING WORSHIP FOR ADVENT SUNDAY The programme was transmitted on Sunday 29 November from Brecon Cathedral. Year 12 pupil, Tafadzwa Gandidzanwa, delivered a reading during the service. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode /m000pzl4/sunday-worship-first-sunday-ofadvent
THE SECOND CURRICULUM UPDATE
MUSIC
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC - JONATHAN LING This term the department has been able to offer a full programme of instrumental lessons and pupils and teachers have enjoyed getting back to the familiarity of this rewarding activity.
ARMED FORCES CAREERS The Sixth Form enjoyed an interesting session on career opportunities in the armed forces delivered by the Army Engagement Team as part of the Curriculum for Life programme.
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Several year group ensembles have been meeting in weekly rehearsals this term: Year 11 Cellos, Year 9 Percussion, St Nicholas Strings, Sixth Form Woodwind Duets and Trios and Alway House Wind Ensemble. The creation of Social bubbles has led to lots of year group practice sessions in the Music school too. Pupils were busy with the ABRSM Practical and Theory exams, at the latter part of term. Undertaken both face-to-face and virtual – all pupils passed, with 7 Distinctions, 5 Merits and 1 Pass awarded. Next term we are planning solo instrumental and singing competitions These will be externally adjudicated and recorded for streaming online. We aim for these to be very inclusive, involving as many pupils as possible who are currently learning an instrument, with the preliminary round and final held in March. We have over 90% of our junior (St Nicholas House) pupils learning a musical instrument and we look forward to working with them next term in a newly formed Junior Orchestra.
Goods School Guide Earlier this year, the GSG review team visited Christ College to update our review. We are pleased that they liked what they saw:
“One of the best value schools in the UK, where the fees comprise almost everything and extras are limited” “Again and again we heard the words ‘family’ and ‘community’ This is a small school that caters for everyone.” Good Schools Guide 2020
Tatler Schools Guide 2021 We are proud to make it into Tatler’s ‘Schools Guide 2021 the top prep and public schools in the UK’
PERFORMING ARTS
DIRECTOR OF PERFORMING ARTS - LUCY RICHARDS
Country Life CCB featured in the article ‘The schools that give children room to breathe’ as our school site has 40 acres of land as well as the Brecon Beacons National park on its doorstep.
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During this half term pupils have been busy undertaking their practical assessments and LAMDA examinations. Pupils have also found time to concentrate on their Medley of Musicals performance in readiness for the recording sessions. It was a treat to have a visit from a touring theatre company too which gave added inspiration. Our Dance classes continue to be extremely popular with a waiting list in operation. It has been great to see the marked progress in all classes during the term. Next term we will be getting preparations underway for a middle school production, with 20 pupils already expressing an interest to take part. Further details will be circulated when we return in January.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY
DIRECTOR OF OUTDOOR EDUCATION - CHRIS KERR This term, pupils have been involved in a variety of outdoor activities including Team games, communication exercises, leaderless tasks and initiative exercises. Pupils have worked with ropes, blindfolds, crates and the outdoors to create activities to stimulate, challenge and enjoy. As the weather and light has deteriorated we have delivered a number of thought provoking films ‘David Attenborough - Life on our Planet’ and ‘Jesse Dufton - Climbing Blind’ The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) has started back with Year 10’s commencing Foot Drill and Weapon Handling training. Year 9 have been issued their CCF uniforms and a number of senior cadets have attended a Method of Instruction course, which has prepared them to deliver training to the new cadets (Yr 9) after Christmas. The Army Engagement Team delivered a session to Sixth Form pupils on Friday 4th Dec as part of the Curriculum for Life programme. We have enrolled 28 pupils in the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh programme, who will begin their efforts of achieving their Voluntary, Skills, Sport and Expedition sections in the New Year. Next term Year 9 will undertake their CCF basic training programme. Year 10’s will undergo training in weapon handling leading to a live firing practice before the end of the school year and will also be trained in field-craft involving overnight stays in the field under shelters. We will be sending a number of cadets to summer camp this year and are planning to get individual senior cadets places on outdoor pursuit courses in North Wales.
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SPORT
DIRECTOR OF SPORT - JOHN PATTERSON The inter-house sports challenge saw fierce competition in a number of sports and activities including rugby, hockey, football, rounders and team ‘capture the flag’. The final standings in the junior competition saw Usk house crowned champions with Wye and Taf in second and third. In the senior girls competition de Winton house finished in first place, closely followed by Donaldson’s in second and St Davids in third. However, St Davids fared much better in the senior boys competition finishing first, followed my School House and then Orchard. Other developments:
Hockey has now restarted and is following all National Governing Body guidelines and advice on a safe return to play.
We are pleased to start working with University of South Wales Sports Coaching students to provide specialist coaching to our pupils.
On the 2nd of December our elite boys and girls Cross Country team took part in the Welsh Athletics Cross Country Challenge a superb effort and really good pace set.
COMING SOON It looks like contact Rugby is coming back. We are hopeful that fixtures will be back on the calendar early by February.
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DEVELOPING RUGBY TALENT We have strengthened our partnership with Cardiff Blues to develop rugby talent regardless of age or gender. The enhanced partnership provides a direct link to coaching expertise, strength and conditioning programmes, performance analysis and player welfare support for the
school’s first XV. Working closely with Cardiff Blues, we will also expand our rugby provision with specialised coaching available to all pupils through timetabled lessons and extracurricular activities, with a focus on providing development opportunities for junior year groups upwards and girls rugby.
https://www.christcollegebrecon.com/ news/latest-news/christ-college-uniteswith-cardiff-blues-for-inclusive-rugbypartnership/