Year 8
Pupils have now settled into life at Coedcae School and are familiar with the range of subjects that they study and where to find them within the school. Students have made new friendships within the nine mixed tutor and teaching groups, and have responded well to the changes since year 7.
A new team of staff are looking after the year group led by Ms Rhiannon Roberts and supported by Mrs Keeley Spriggs.
The tutors are:
8AB Mr Andy Bartlett (Maths)
8AML Mrs Angela Lawson (French)
8DMH Miss Dawn Harries (Technology)
8DE Mr David Evans (Music)
8GC Mrs Gaynor Churchill (Cookery)
8GP Mr Graham Pike (Science)
8JM Mr Jamie Mansel (PE)
8KSR Miss Kelly Rees (Maths)
Mr David Williams (Technology)
8MW Mrs Marian Williams (Maths)
Mrs Nicola Davies (English)
We hope to continue to support the year group for the next four years, so if you have any concerns, do not hesitate in getting in touch with us.
We held a ‘Learning for Life’ Day on the 11th October and year 8 pupils had an opportunity to work with Staff from the Nat West Bank looking at personal finance and business. All groups delivered presentations of their ideas either on the day or during assembly the following morning. We are looking forward to a visit to the Welsh Folk Museum at St Fagans with the Art and Welsh departments next, a day on Well Being – looking at Sex Education, Drugs & Alcohol and Relationships, St David’s Day celebrations, a Multicultural day and Sports Day later on during the year.
We were invited to take part in an anti smoking promotion with Public Health Wales, and the pupils themselves voted for 30 peers to attend the training sessions at the Stradey Park Hotel on November 1st – 2nd. They will be acting as peer mentors to fellow pupils sharing the information they have learnt and discouraging pupils from smoking.
27 pupils have also been selected to work with James Purdue to learn restorative justice techniques to support others resolve conflict within the year group. This will take place later in the year.
Our team of four – Shannon Dunne, Brandon Curwood, Brett John & Ifan Barber and one reserve – Callum Evans entered the National Crime Prevention Quiz. The first round was held on November 18th. Our team did exceptionally well coming 4th from 12 schools taking part. We are very proud of them
10 pupils have been working with the Youth Service and are completing a Youth Challenge Activities Award. We are hoping to provide ten pupils with this opportunity every half term.
6 pupils have also been working with the Youth Service to gain a Key Steps Award. As with the Youth Challenge, we hope to provide a further six pupils with this opportunity every half term too.
SPORT
Year 8 pupils are invited to attend training on the following evenings between 3 – 4pm.
Netball & Rugby – Monday
Hockey – Tuesday
Football – Wednesday
There are some sporting successes to celebrate too, and we are extremely proud of these pupils:
• Shaun Thomas & Shaun Roberts are members of the Cardiff City Football Squad.
• Shaun Lee has achieved amazing success in becoming a double Welsh Champion in the under 13 discus and shot put.
• Nathan James is the under 13 Welsh Javalin Champion.
• Ryan Evans - Plays for the County Cricket Team
• Rhys Davies - Plays rugby for West Wales and The Scarlets.
• Elisha Williams – member of the Welsh Gymnastics Squad
• Simone Butchers is a member of the Mode Dancing Group that won the Welsh & UK Hip Hop Dancing Championship.
• Lily Richards is a member of the County Swimming Team.
• Lucy Davies was Welsh mini masters golf champion in 2010 and plays for the county
• Kelsie Rees is a member of the Welsh squad & training for the British Swimming Championships 2012 in Sheffield.
• Jessica Williams is the Welsh & English 12 yrs & under Judo Champion.
The school has been involved in supporting Operation Christmas Child, and pupils in year 8 have done a great job. 62 boxes have been filled and sent to children far less fortunate than ourselves across the world. A special congratulations and thanks to 8JM who filled 13 boxes – Well done indeed!