Follow us on Twitter @ysgoljohnbright Christmas Term 2013 Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ysgoljohnbright
Welcome from the Headteacher I am delighted to report to parents that the past academic year has been one of the most successful in the history of the school. Examination results have improved for the fifth consecutive year with significant improvements in the key performance indicators at GCSE and A Level. Everyone at the school is delighted with the results but, more importantly, are determined to secure further improvements in the future. The staff and students have worked incredibly hard to achieve such excellent outcomes and should draw great confidence from the success we have achieved. What is unique and distinctive about Ysgol John Bright is that we have achieved such success without losing sight of those other aspects of school life that ensure that the students leave not only with appropriate qualifications, but also as good citizens. We pride ourselves on being an innovative, happy, inclusive and high performing school that provides an outstanding education for its students. The start of the new academic year has been very smooth and the school operates very effectively on a day to day basis. The introduction of the split lunch has been seamless and reduction in the school bells has improved the overall quality of the daily experience for staff and students. We have recruited well, with 148 students returning to Year 12 making the total size of the sixth form 242. This is the largest in the recent history of the school. We have also shared with parents the proposals for a new school uniform for introduction in September 2014 and feel that this is another significant step forward on our journey of improvement. We will be writing to parents in January with more details and further information regarding the new uniform. In the meantime should parents have any concerns or questions regarding the new uniform, then please contact Becky Davies (Business Manager) who would be glad to discuss any issues with you. The new staff have settled well and there is an overarching and tangible positive feel about the school. We continue to raise our expectations and look forward to the rest of the academic year with confidence and a determination to secure greater success for the students and the school. I would like to thank parents for their continued support and would like to wish all families a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year. Graham Davies (Headteacher)
As part of our continued commitment to place student voice at the centre of school life, we have recently launched the Senedd YJB. Reflecting the democratically elected body for the people of Wales, this exciting innovation allowed us to also mirror other aspects of the national election process. This meant that a hard fought and very well publicised mock election was held within school, and all students had the opportunity to vote for representatives within their year group to sit on the Senedd YJB. We are also grateful for the loan of the voting booths and ballot boxes. The Senedd YJB will have a key role in helping shape the future educational experiences of all young people within the school and we look forward to continuing to develop this exciting aspect of school life over the coming months.
Dragons’ Den 2013 The annual Dragons’ Den event for year 12 is always a highlight in the school calendar, and this year was no exception. Thirty-three enterprise teams incorporating every student in year 12 presented their ‘pitches’ to two different panels of ‘Dragons’ drawn from businesses across the region. One of the Dragons on the day, Mark Hemsley (North West Regional Business Manager for Barclays) commented “The business ideas generated by the students were inspiring and the quality of business planning was carried out to an impressively high standard.” Overall winners on the day were ‘Jumble Fridge’ and ‘Paper Twist’ with congratulations to all students for their hard work in preparing for this event.
YJB Geniuses share their knowledge iYJB has been introduced to help the YJB community, students, staff and parents and utilise the available technology within the school on a day to day basis. This also includes personal devices. iJB has two distinct areas: the iJB Genius Bar and the iJB Website. Six students from years 10 to 12 have been recruited to run a Genius Bar on a Monday lunchtime (1pm – 1.25pm) and after school on a Tuesday (3.15 – 4.15). These students use different devices and are specialists in each of the major operating systems (Apple, Android, BlackBerry and Windows). Students, staff and also parents can attend the Genius Bar with any issues with their mobile phones and tablet devices on Tuesdays after school. Although they will not be able to fix problems such as broken screens, they will make it their mission to solve any problems that are software related. On a Tuesday after school, the Geniuses will also be running App workshops so that students, staff and parents can learn how to get the most out of certain Apps such as Keynotes or Google Earth. Appointments can be booked by emailing GeniusBar@johnbright.conwy.sch.uk with a name, date they wish to attend and the problem/workshop to attend. The iJB website provides a wealth of information about educational Apps that can be downloaded across multiple platforms. There is a section that gives tips and tricks about each device so that somebody who has just purchased one can find out how to use it, and also anybody who has owned one for a while can unlock its full potential. There is also a section, where staff members who have used the bank of iPad Minis, can talk about what they have used them for within lessons. One of the main advantages of the iJB website is the ability to leave comments on each of the blogs and ask questions about what has been seen.
‘Nathan’s Got Rhythm’
During the summer Nathan Donnelly, Year 13, attended a summer school at the Institute of Contemporary Music in London as a result of funding awarded by the Conwy Excellence Fund. Already a talented drummer, Nathan received individual and group tuition from specialists within the music industry, and was privileged to attend master classes with world renowned musicians in the field of contemporary music. The week culminated in a final performance by all students involved. After completing his studies at Ysgol John Bright Nathan is keen to pursue a career in the music industry. In June he spent his work experience week at the Cardiff Millennium Centre working with ‘Hairspray’ on its UK tour and he has recently spent time with the touring production of ‘Blood Brothers’.
YJB Students experience WW1 Trench Life
As part of their English curriculum of wartime literature, students at Ysgol John Bright have recreated a World War One trench. The aim was to provide tangible evidence of what conditions were faced by soldiers during the Great War. Students carried out research, creating fact sheets about trench life, as well as polishing up their creative writing skills with letters home to loved ones, personal wartime diaries and appreciations of wartime literature. The trench and a display of the students’ work featured as part of the school’s Open Evening. This gave visiting Year 6 students the chance to learn about the context of the Michael Morpurgo’s ‘Private Peaceful’, which is the first novel studied in Year 7 at Ysgol John Bright. The themed event is very timely as next year is the centenary of the outbreak of war in 1914. The English faculty were helped in this endeavour by 3 Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers in Colwyn Bay, and Kinmel Camp, who provided a vast array of military equipment. The Royal Welsh Fusiliers Museum, Caernarfon, displayed artefacts from the war. Local businesses generously donated the necessary construction materials, Ray Seager Scaffolding, builders’ merchants Travis Perkins, Richard Williams, Jewsons Llandudno, SPL Lighting and B&Q stores. Venue Cymru provided equipment for special effects. Anna’s Florist donated a wreath which has been on display at the school, and laid at the school’s memorial in a service of remembrance on November 11th, Armistice Day.
Do you fancy spending a summer trekking through snow capped Andean peaks, dancing with indigenous tribes and relaxing on a white sandy Caribbean beach? If this sounds like something you want to do, then YJB’s 2015 expedition to Venezuela could be the trip for you. In summer 2015 an intrepid group of students will be visiting one of the most fascinating countries in South America on a trip organised by Outlook Expeditions, during the 28 days the team will be exploring all aspects of this diverse and beautiful country, experiencing the flora and forna and meeting the friendly population of the fantastic country. If you’re interested and you’re in Years 10, 11 or 12, see Mr Littlejohn in CS1 for details.
Fund Raising at YJB
Almost 1000 donations were collected for Conwy Food Share supporting local families in difficulties - thanks to all who made it such a success. Bethan Seaman, Year 7, had her long hair cut off for the charity ‘The Little Princess Trust.’
She is donating her hair for the charity to make wigs for children who have lost their hair to Cancer. The money that she raises will go to Children in Need. She has raised £400.00.
YJB Sixth Form organised another successful non-uniform day, with activities taking place all around the school. Sixth Formers Stacey Lehart, John Beattie and Sophie Davies worked in conjunction with the art department and had an 8 foot Pudsey Bear made where students came to the hall during break and lunchtime to place money on the bear which raised £200. Sixth formers also held a coffee morning for staff where they sold homemade cakes and raised £125 for Children in Need. And the non uniform event raised over £900. A big thank you to everyone for their kindness.
Business and Education Initiative On Thursday 26th September, Ysgol John Bright held the launch of their Business and Education Initiative. The aim of this initiative is to work in partnership with local businesses to seek direct expertise and possible support in designing and running bespoke programmes that will better prepare Ysgol John Bright students for the world of work in the 21st Century. The evening was well-attended by business representatives from the local community and supported by Careers Wales. Jayne Trotman, Director of Publicity at Warner Brothers and a former student of Ysgol John Bright, gave an inspiring and entertaining keynote address.
Llandudno in Bloom
‘The Llandudno in Bloom’ competition is an annual event where students from the school work in conjunction with the town council on a community related project. The competition’s judges come from across the UK. On Friday 11th October, Ysgol John Bright was pleased to welcome the Mayor of Llandudno, Gary Burchett, who presented the winners of the ‘Llandudno in Bloom’ competition with their prizes. The students’ work has been used for the cover design, as well as some of the contents within the ‘Bloom Project Brochure’. These entries have been displayed in Venue Cymru. Having the work displayed in, and appreciated by, the local community, builds confidence and self-esteem and underlines the importance of Art and Design in a work-based setting.
Diversity celebrated in YJB
Year 8 students are to be congratulated for their excellent effort and generosity during the annual Festival and Cultural Celebration days, held during Religious Education lessons. A total of £164 pounds was raised for Ty Gobaith which beat last year’s total of £92. Excellent Year 8! The event encourages students to research and appreciate Christmas customs and festivals from other countries and religions throughout the world. Students participate in games, taste traditional foods and have fun through kinaesthetic learning. The emphasis of the Event is to appreciate the rich cultural background of the students that we have in YJB and how they enrich our vibrant school community.
News from Europe! This year YJB has secured the title of Cilt Cymru Compact School for MFL with the joint aim of increasing students’ awareness of the importance of using languages in the work place and their rights and roles as citizens of Europe. The director of Signature-Leather, Mr Tim Penn, has given an interactive talk to all the students in Year 9 and the GCSE French group. The feedback has been very pleasing with students stating that they had learnt an enormous amount about being a European citizen and their cultural awareness had improved. This theme will be continued throughout the year. A successful trip to Paris once again for Year 11 and Year 13 students who experienced a diverse range of French culture, from sight seeing to museums to french dining. The students’ use of the language is to be highly praised as well as their exemplary behaviour. “Stade de France was the highlight for me. It was huge and really interesting to see behind the scenes”. Nathan Donnelly “I can’t wait to visit Paris again and I even want to live there”. Jenny Hodrien
Buzzing at Broadcasting House for YJB Students Ysgol John Bright students had the privilege of visiting the BBC Broadcasting House as part of the Performing and Expressive Arts Faculty annual trip to London. Having visited the National Opera Studio and attending a performance of ‘Jersey Boys’ in the West End the previous day, they were given an insight into the ‘goings-on’ at one of the most iconic buildings in media history. Charlotte Forfar said ‘The singers were amazing. They gave me more of an insight into the industry that I’d like to go into. It was really good that we could ask questions and ask for tips as to how to improve our singing’. The following morning the students made their way to the BBC Broadcasting House. There was a buzz of excitement as the students got a glimpse of the famous BBC News Room and some students even got a chance to read the news and present the weather themselves – let alone the excitement of seeing Mr Gary Barlow walking past! Having seen what the BBC had to offer, Jordan Cantwell said ‘It was great that we got to take part in some activities and it was an eye-opener that all the news and radio programmes don’t just happen in one day – it’s a very complicated process!’.
December 17th December 19th December 19th December 19th January 7th January 9th January 14th January 14th January 23rd January 30th February 6th February 11th February 21st February 21st
Carol Service Year 7 visit Venue Cymru Pantomime Sixth Form students host Ysgol Gogarth Christmas Party End of term Beginning of term Year 12/13 Mock Examination Results Day Year 11 Mock Examination Results Day External examinations begin Sixth Form Information Evening Year 11 Parents’ Evening Moving Up, Moving On Evening UKMT Maths Challenge Conwy LINC Information Event MFL visit to Paris History visit to Battlefields in Belgium End of term
Half price tickets for under 11s are available from YJB or your child’s primary school.