Pupils at Dyffryn Taf were very busy recently during 'Children in Need' week.
On Monday, November 12, a huge picture of Pudsey Bear was drawn on the school yard and all day pupils were covering him with coins.
A BBC Cymru film crew were in school on Tuesday, November 13, filming 'The Weakest Link' in the school hall.
Members of staff from each department and from the school office competed in front of a large audience of pupils.
Lucy James, Yr 12, was 'Ann Robinson' and those teachers voted off as the weakest link had to pay 50p for each question they had got wrong.
Wednesday, November 14, saw two teachers daring to have their legs waxed. Mr. Chris Skone and Mr. Graham Evans braved all and those pupils who donated the most got to do the honours!
On Thursday, November 15, members of the Sixth Form took part in a 'Blind Date' competition - the prize was a romantic dinner for two in the school canteen!
On Friday, November 16, a non-uniform day was held and pupils each paid 50p. Biscuits, cakes and other delicacies were also on sale at break-time.
It was a very enjoyable and hugely successful week, and many thanks are extended to the charity committee for all their hard work.
Also to everyone who donated money and to the many individuals who organised their own sponsored activities.
The school raised over £1,200 and at the end of a memorable week, Miss Bethan Jones, of the RE Department, travelled to the BBC studios in Cardiff to deliver the cheque to the Children in Need team on behalf of the pupils.
OPEN EVENING
Dyffryn Taf held an open evening on October 18. Parents of pupils were welcomed to the school, where the various departments held demonstrations. The Lower Sixth drama group gave a demonstration of their skills for all to see, and other members of Year 12 aided Lower School pupils in various experiments in the science department.
Members of the Lower Sixth issued newsletters on what was happening at the time. These proved to be very amusing and popular with all concerned.
The 2001 Dyffryn Taf open evening proved to be a complete success and is hoped to make an impact on the minds of future Dyffryn Taf pupils.
With the school inspection over, it was a perfect opportunity to show people the amount of talent and effort that is put in at Dyffryn Taf to ensure pupils reach their targets whatever they may be.
CHEMISTRY QUIZ
Dyffryn Taf just failed to gain the shield in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Olympiad for Schools their year!
Having beaten Ysgol y Preseli, Christ College, Brecon, and Ysgol Bro Myrddin in earlier rounds, Dyffryn Taf lost in the semi-finals to Ysgol St. Clare's, Porthcawl. St. Clare's went on to win the Olympiad.
Team members were Carwyn Davies, Yr 11, Lloyd Wells, Yr,10, Kim Hawkins, Yr 9 and Martin Perkins Yr 8.
UN CONFERENCE
Twelve Year 12 students from Dyffryn Taf took part in a lively UN conference at the County Hall, Carmarthen, organised by the Council for Education in World Citizenship (CEWC).
In all, 108 students from 14 schools and colleges took part. The event was opened by Alun Davies and presided over by Steven Thomas.
There were two issues debated; they were Urban poverty, and Afghan refugees, with all the political 'horse trading' enacted before the final votes.
Dyffryn Taf students represented the views of Sweden, Indonesia and the Christian Aid organisation; the school also provided the UN secretariat for the day.
All involved greatly enjoyed the day's events, and found it tremendously informative as to how the UN works.
Our thanks go to CEWC for organising the event and Carmarthen County Council for their generous sponsorship.
HELPING OTHERS
Students at Dyffryn Taf have been working very hard recently to help others less fortunate than themselves.
On the 15th, Ms Sarah Cornelius, of the Joshua Foundation, visited school to talk to students in Year 11 about the newly-established charity.
The Josha Foundation was set up four years ago by Ms Cornelius on the death of her child from leukaemia to raise money for terminally ill youngsters who, because of their family circumstances, are unable to experience the joys of travel.
The foundation helps them to enjoy holidays, often abroad, and this year's highlight will be a trip to Lapland to see Santa Claus.
The charity raised money by encouraging young people to visit foreign countries to carry out conservation work.
This year's visit will be to Australia and a large number of students from Dyffryn Taf have applied.
So, to all parents and friends, sponsor these kids for a trip of a lifetime!
HOCKEY SUCCESSES
Congratulations to the following girls who have been selected for the West Wales Hockey Squad. Chloe Edwards, Yr 13, Rachel Codd, Lucy Higgon, Yr 11, and Catherine Scourfield, Yr 12.
CAREERS NEWS
Year 11 students recently visited Haverfordwest Showground to take part in a careers convention. It proved to be a very worthwhile experience with displays on show for a huge range of further education opportunities, local industries and the armed services.
The day was enjoyed by all and the positive feedback received should ensure the future of the venture.
PARENTS' MEETING
A very successful parents' meeting was held recently for students in Year 11. All subject teachers were available to discuss with students and their parents the progress students have made and offer advice and support as they approach mock examinations and the final stage of their GCSE and COEA courses. The careers adviser was also available.
The next parents' meeting will be for students in Year 12.
MUSEUM VISIT
On Friday, November 23, 45 Year 10 art students went to the National Museum for Wales, Cardiff, to look at the permanent collection. Some students made studies of the Celtic stone carvings, others looking at the excellent collection of Impressionist and Post Impressionist paintings, including Monet, Cezanne and Van Gogh. For many of the students this was their first visit to a major gallery and the visit was a success.
SIXTH FORM SHOW
For four days next week, the Sixth Form will be presenting the show 'Annie Get Your Gun'.
Performances are on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, December 11, 12, 13 and 14, commencing at 7 pm.
Tickets are priced £4 for adults, £3 for children under 16 and OAPs. Tel. 01994 242100 for information