Spring Term 2012

23rd January:  Yet another addition to the school's trophy cabinet as Ysgol Maesydderwen students were successful in last week's Swansea Valley Rotary Club Youth Speaks and Quiz competitions.  The evening was a great success and judges complimented students from all schools on the high standard.  It was a great evening for Ysgol Maesydderwen with Molly Carr winning best Chairperson, Lauren Donnelly achieving best Speaker, Stephen Ellerby getting the joint best score in the quiz and Ysgol Maesydderwen winning the overall competition. Ysgol Maesydderwen’s Youth Speaks team comprised of Molly Carr (Chairperson), Lauren Donnelly (Speaker) and Stephen Ellerby (Vote of Thanks).  Annabel Davies, Leandra Criane, Catrin Walsh and Stephen Ellerby made up the Quiz team.   

17th January: We have gained funding from Communities First to build a sculpture at the front of the new school building.  The project will run over the next few months and will be lead by the head of our Art department, Miss Katy Gullam and Ceramics Sculptor Rebecca Buck.  More information on the project, including details of how you can get involved, are on our Art Department page, where we will also keep you updated with the latest developments as they happen.

Autumn Term 2011

8th December: We held a Christmas Carol Service at St. Cynog's Church in Ystradgynlais.  Entry was free and mince pies and mulled wine were provided courtesy of the Friends of Ysgol Maesydderwen.  Many thanks to everyone who took part or supported the event.

2nd December:  Year 8 pupils have won a national competition that challenged youth groups and schools to produce a road safety DVD or video about the dangers of drinking and driving.

The competition was run as part of the Wales-wide anti drink-driving campaign being enforced by the four Welsh police forces and supported by the Welsh Government and local authorities across Wales.

On 1st December, the pupils involved in the creation of the film - entitled 'News for Numpties' - went to the Congress Theatre in Cwmbrân for the official launch of the anti drink-drive campaign where the winning films from each police force area were shown.

Click on the link below to view the award winning video!

News for Numpties

11th November: We held our annual Remembrance Day service in the school hall.  Later, pupils and staff from the school joined a service held at Ystradgynlais Cross.

4th November: The school's Charity Week has raised over £2,000!  Our activities culminated in a Charity Concert compered by Maesydderwen's answer to Ant and Dec - Sam and Jethro.  (Though in fairness to Mr. Donnelly, he's probably a good foot taller than Jethro...)  There was a variety of singing, dancing and music and Naiomi also entertained with some stand-up comedy.  Many thanks to everyone who participated throughout the week, whether it was in the concert, on the charity stalls or in many of the sponsored events that have taken place.  Some photos from the concert and the stalls can be seen below.

3rd November: The school's Charity Week continues, with today's lunchtime event being a 400 metre race between Pupil Support Officer Mr. Huw 'Shakey' Thomas and Year 11 pupil Ceri-Wyn Donovan.  With an eleven stone weight advantage, Ceri-Wyn was the race winner.  The winning time was 1 minute 35 seconds. Michael Johnson will no doubt be shaking in his golden boots.

Tomorrow, the week draws to a close with our Charity Concert.  Pupils may dress in mufti for a donation of £1, or push the boat out and wear fancy dress for a donation of £2.  This year's chosen charity is Cancer Research.

13th October:  In a busy night for the school, the Friends of Ysgol Maesydderwen put on a successful fashion show at the Ystradgynlais Welfare Hall and the school's Quiz Team won the Glantawe Lions' Rotary Quiz held at Birchgrove school.  Some photos from the fashion show can be seen below. 

27th September: A Remembrance Service was held in the School Hall to commemorate the life of Squadron Leader Cedric Watcyn Williams.  Cedric was a former pupil at Maesydderwen who lost his life in the Battle of Britain in 1940.  Many guests attended the service, including Cedric's brother who, at the age of 97, gave a speech that mesmerised the pupils.

11th September:  A sixth form disco was held at the school, as we welcomed our new Year 12 group back to Maesydderwen.

Summer Term 2011

12th February 2011:

Mr Rees accompanied Jessica Connick, Tyler Evans, Eve Marsh and Ariannne Davies (all from Y10) on a visit to the set of 'Coronation Street' as part of their Media competition win.

Ysgol Maesydderwen students in the Media Studies department have come first in a national competition in conjunction with Coronation Street's 50th birthday celebrations.. The students created a new character for the much loved Soap Opera, coming up with a back story and links to current Corrie characters. The work captured the imagination of the script writers at ITV who judged the competition.

The winning pupils travelled up to Manchester for a VIP visit to the studios, where they met the stars of the programme, watched filming and had a guided tour of the studios. Their teacher, Mr Rees, even had the chance to appear as an extra in the programme!As a follow up, two of the top Coronation Street script writers and Michelle Keegan who plays Tina in the programme will visit the school for a workshop with the pupils.

Mr Rees said, "This was a fantastic opportunity for Maesydderwen pupils to get an insight into the behind the scenes workings of a top TV programme. Many thanks to ITV for the fantastic prizes."