We had a great day today at GE Healthcare's Maynard Centre in Cardiff. We all became scientists, wearing laboratory coats and safety goggles, working at stations, using scientific apparatus and following strict health and safety requirements. Firstly, we followed precise instructions to create a chromatography testing strip out of filter paper. Then we marked it at intervals with four different colours and attached it to a bridge over a beaker, where it came into contact with the water at a specific height. So far, so good - our listening skills had been put to good use. Then we needed our observation and concentration skills to study the changes in the colours as the water caused each colour to separate into different colours, except for the blue, which is a primary colour and therefore stayed blue. Our thinking skills came into play when we were required to write a conclusion. We decided that chromatography is a reliable and easy method to separate mixtures. For the second part of the morning we were based in a computer suite where we navigated our way through fun and interesting science activities relating to the science curriculum. A big thank you to Julie, our science teacher for the morning. What a fun day of learning!
Photographs to follow

We are performing our assembly for members of the school on Tuesday, December 13th. Pupils may either wear their WW2 costumes or school uniform.
Thank you and Merry Christmas.

As part of the 'Following the Flame' exhibition we have been working with the Active Young People's Department participating in physical activities related to the Olympics, both here at school and at Bridgend Recreation Centre. The activities in school focused on sequencing, balance and hand/eye coordination, and at the Recreation Centre - team-work and health and safety. At the centre we were given t.shirts to wear and had our photographs taken on the podium wearing medals. The exhibition itself showed images and gave information about Welsh Olympians through the ages. We also had an opportunity to hold the Olympic torch from the Atlanta Games. We learned a huge amount about local people that we never knew about and really enjoyed the whole experience.

'Tray and Display' afternoon for Class 6ST is tomorrow Tuesday 4th October between 3.40 and 6p.m.

Wednesday 5th October, 6 p.m - Open evening for parents/carers of pupils attending Bryntirion Comprehensive School next September.

Swimming lessons will re-commence next Thursday 13th October. The second p.e lesson of the week is still on a Friday when children need their indoor and outdoor kits.

Our class have been working with a design and technology student to design and make a cake/biscuit storage box based on the theme of World War 11. The boxes will be used to store food products made from WW11 recipes.

On Wednesday 14th September we will travel to Swansea to see Theatr na n'Og perform a play called, 'The Sinking of the Arandora Star' at the Dylan Thomas Theatre.

When Italy entered World War Two in the summer of 1940, Italians living in the UK - including those whose families lived in the South Wales Valleys - were branded as enemies by the authorities.

The play follows the story of Lina, who witnesses her father being arrested and dragged from their cafe. He was taken along with seven hundred Italians to board The Arandora Star bound for an internment camp in Canada.

On the 1st July 1940, The Arandora Star, mistaken for a troop ship, was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland, and sunk with 446 Italian men's lives lost.

The play is based on this true story and looks at the lives of immigrants living and working in Wales during a time of war, and follows Lina's quest for the truth and for her father.

The visit also includes visits to The National Waterfront and Swansea Museums where we will discover the world of the Italian communities living in Wales.

As part of Sports Week, children participated in a range of activities including gymnastics and ball skills. A thoroughly enjoyable time was had by all and all learnt new skills. Here is a sample of the work undertaken.

As part of Sports Week, children participated in a range of activities including gymnastics and ball skills. A thoroughly enjoyable time was had by all and all learnt new skills. Here is a sample of the work undertaken.

The Year 6 visit to Wild Spirit Bushcraft and Survival at Merthyr Mawr was an amazing experience for all the children. They had the opportunity to experience survival techniques in remote locations and learnt how to use nature to survive. Activities included - Shelter building, making fire from flint and steel and making rope from plants.

A big thank you to all the staff at Wild Spirit Bushcraft for a wonderful experience. We will develop the knowledge and skills we have learnt back in the class-room and school grounds as part of our 'Castaway' topic this term.

BRYNTIRION COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL
PUPILS
Pupils attending Bryntirion Comprehensive School will spend the day there on Monday 4th July. They will not need to come to Maes yr Haul. Parents/Guardians will need to make the arrangements for their child/children to be taken and collected directly to/from Bryntirion (times to be confirmed). Pupils will wear Maes yr Haul uniform.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS
An Open Evening has been arranged for Tuesday 5th July (times to be confirmed).

BRYNTEG COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL
PUPILS
Pupils attending Brynteg Comprehensive School will spend part of the day there on Thursday 7th July (times to be confirmed). Pupils will wear Maes yr Haul uniform.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS
An Open Evening has been arranged for Thursday 14th July (times to be confirmed).

GENERAL INFORMATION
During the Summer Term, teachers and past pupils will come to visit Year 6 pupils. These days offer the opportunity for pupils to ask the teachers and past pupils questions about transition. Pupils will also receive booklets containing all the information they will need for a smooth transition to secondary school.

Parents/Guardians of pupils attending secondary schools other than Brynteg or Bryntirion are advised to contact the secondary school directly as we may not receive detailed information about transition days.

Tuesday 10th May – Visit to ‘Crucial Crew’ Treforest (This educational event aims to educate children in life skills. Organisations such as First Aiders, Consumer Protection, Life guards, Forest Safety and the Police will be in attendance to give advice.
Wednesday 11th May – Trip to the New Theatre, Cardiff
Tuesday 24th May – Trip to ‘Wildspirit Bushcraft’ in Merthyr Mawr.

Mrs Lloyd, one of our grand-parents, has, once again, kindly volunteered her time to come to work with the children. They have been taught quilting skills which they put to good use when designing and creating pin cushions. The cushions have been attached to a background with a calender, thus serving two purposes - they can be removed at the end of the year and used accordingly.

Mrs Lloyd will be continuing to work with us next year on our topic 'Time Lord'. The children will be given an insight into how people managed to make clothes and household goods during war-time when rations were in force and material was scare.

Thank-you very much Mrs Lloyd. Diolch yn fawr Mrs Lloyd.

On 23rd September pupils took part in an Election Day. During the previous weeks they had been campaigning for votes and today was Polling Day. The hall was set up as a polling station, the children cast their votes and posted them into a ballot box. Votes were counted and members duly elected. The winners became our School Council representatives. Well done to all candidates and congratulations to the elected members.

The children watched a superb performance of 'The Butterfly Hunter' based on the life of explorer Alfred Russel Wallace. We then visited Swansea Museum where the children participated in a range of activities related to the play. The children have also enjoyed completing further activities throughout the term.