It’s been a busy term at Ty Afon with a plethora of activities taking place.

Students in year 11 completed their Oracy Assessment in English Language and their Task Based Assessment in Science which contributes to their final GCSE grades in the summer term.

Students and staff visited the Big Pit Colliery in Blaenavon to explore the formation and extraction of coal, in order to compliment classroom-based learning in Science that focused on how Earth’s resources are utilised by man.

The kitchen has been extremely busy over the term with students learning how to make Victoria Sponge Cake, Gingerbread Men, Lemon Curd, Rock Cakes, Chocolate Brownies and Cookies. In addition, they had the opportunity to plan and create healthy meals as part of their Prince’s Trust qualification.
Students visited the Careers Fayre in Merthyr where they had an opportunity to talk with colleges and other further education organisations to consider their options for post 16 education. The students had the opportunity to hold a python snake and stroke a skunk when they visited the Animal Rescue stall.  They also paid a visit to Coleg Gwent at the Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone in Ebbw Vale where they were able to talk to staff about the various courses on offer and explore the sites facilities. 

On the build up to Remembrance Sunday, students created messages and poems and took them to the Cenotaph to pay their respect to all those service personnel that had sacrificed their lives. A moment of reflection was observed by all, and although quite an emotional and sombre experience, it offered students a valuable lesson in the importance of showing respect.

Ty Afon had its inaugural coffee afternoon where parents were invited in to talk with staff and look at their child’s work. This was a resounding success with many parents attending to reflect on the progress students are making at Ty Afon.

Students of Ty Afon were invited to celebrate the build up to Christmas by visiting the Primary campus to enjoy the younger students’ interpretation of the Nativity. Primary students put on a first-class performance that ended in all members of the audience singing along to some classic Christmas songs, leaving students with a festive feeling as they returned to the Ty Afon campus.

Finally, at the end of a busy term staff cooked Ty Afon students a Christmas lunch with all the trimmings on the Wednesday prior to the Christmas break. Students were part of this process as they were given the onerous task of preparing the vegetables. With a little bit of teamwork, staff and students were treated to a King’s banquet and there was a strong feeling of togetherness as everyone sat down and ate together and enjoy the festivities.