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Year 11 Revision Classes Timetable
Again this year the school are providing dedicated timetabled revision lessons.
Extra Early Bus (no bus pass needed to travel of this bus)
The bus will be leaving Abercynon clock at 7.15am on Monday 20th May 2013, then onto Carnetown, Ynysboeth, Tynte, Penrhiwceiber, Mount Pleasant pub in Miskin then the last pickup will be Mountain Ash Town Centre.
Bus Time for these classes. (no bus pass needed to travel of this bus)
The first stop is Abercynon clock at 07.30. the first 3 stops in for 07.30 and the rest for 07.35. That will make sure that the children are on each stop on time as the driver will not stop at any bus stop if there is no person there.
Then on to:
Ynysboeth
Tynte
Penrhiwceiber
Mount Pleasant Pub in Miskin
Mountain Ash Town Centre
Well Done Year 11
Well done to year 11 on a great set of maths results, 47% of year 11 have now achieved a pass at C and above and the majority of pupils met their targets which is an all time high for the school, and is already 15% up from last year. I’m sure this will give everybody confidence for the summer exams, and is just reward for all the hard work by pupils and staff.. Very well done to everyone.
Success at Cooking Competition
Well done to four students in Year 8 and Year 11 who competed in an E3 Cooking Competition at Treorchy Comprehensive School and won. Read the full report Success at Cooking Competition.
Former Student makes the news
Former student Greg Dash who built his own digital fish-eye camera to save money has taken orders for almost 300 of them from around the world. Greg Dash, 25, from Mountain Ash, created the device from old camera parts and soon found it in demand from other photography fans. The 12 megapixel camera is around 4cm (1.5in) long and 2cm (0.8in) high with no LCD screen but shoots HD video.
Fish-eye digital camera built by Greg Dash from old parts
He is selling the cameras for £65 and has taken an order for 50 from Taiwan. Greg Dash, who did his degree in Swansea and was a postgraduate in Cardiff, said he was driven to create the camera because he could not afford to buy a fish-eye lens for his film camera.
He said: “I’ve always been a fan of photography from a young age, but only ever used film cameras. ”A friend bought me an SLR [single lens reflex] camera a few years ago, and I wanted to get a fish eye lens for it. ”However, as they cost hundreds of pounds and me being a student I had virtually given up on the idea. ”But then I thought instead to make my own using old camera parts.” Unlike most digital cameras, his creation has no viewfinder or screen to view photos.
Mr Dash, currently studying for a doctorate in renewable energy and eco-tourism at Aberystwyth University, said this element reminds him of the way people work with film cameras. ”One of the things I first loved about it is that it doesn’t have an LCD screen to preview images – so you have that element of surprise when you come to look at the photos you have taken for the first time. ”That’s something I love about using film cameras, but being a hard-up student I couldn’t always afford to develop rolls. ”So that’s where the idea about making it digital came in.”
Extreme sports
Mr Dash began fundraising in February via a business support website to put the camera into production run of 500. He said he has had a lot of interest from aeroplane enthusiasts and extreme sports fans keen to put the device to work. ”Since taking pre-orders a month ago, 290 people have put their money down. ”I’ve even taken one order of a batch of 50 from Taiwan, which is amazing considering the camera has only been promoted via word of mouth.” He said the income from the orders had almost cleared his seven-year student debts.
Prize Night 2013
Thanks to Mr Andrew James , Headteacher at Perthcelyn for his contribution as guest speaker at our prize evening last night. We all enjoyed his inspirational messages and his anecdotes from his time as a pupil here at Mountain Ash. I would also like to congratulate our pupils who received awards and to the pupils who provided the entertainment and technical support with lighting and sound. Many thanks also to all staff who helped make the awards evening such a success. In response to a request from parent governors I have posted my own speech and Mr James’ speech on to the heads messages section of our website.
Miskin Primary
Welcome to years 4, 5 and 6 Miskin Primary School. I would like to assure all parents that we have worked quickly to ensure that the children will be taught within one area of the school with full access to toilets. The primary children will have their break and lunch at different times to the Comprehensive children and so their safety will be guaranteed at all times. Lunch will be served in Caffi MACS at 12.00 and we have brought in extra catering staff to ensure that the children are served the highest quality food.
Pupils achieve Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award
Pupils (14) received their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award last week at the RCT Annual Presentation. Hannah Barnes, Megan Bunney, Nicola Houlton, Joshua Jones, Shannon Juliff, Sophie Juliff, Corey Mead, Kelsey Morgan, Abigail O’Driscoll, Natalia Powell, Rebecca Stone, Alex Thomas, Grant Prince and Beth Willis. 
The group underwent their practice expedition in the North Pembrokeshire area during last summer, where they had fantastic weather and the pupils were able to photograph some breathtaking views around the Pembrokeshire coastline. Unfortunately the weather was not as kind to them during their qualifying expedition in the Gower. The group endured torrential rain and foggy conditions which did dampen their spirits, but through excellent team work and great will power both groups completed their qualifying expedition.
All individuals also completed the skill, volunteering and physical section of the award in their own time. The group then shared their experiences to a Year 10 assembly and have attracted more young people to undergo the award this year.
I am also very pleased to see that 4 pupils of ‘MACS’ have also started to complete their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award, which is a first for the school.
Congratulations to all the pupils, it just goes to prove that hard work and a lot of determination pays off in the end.
Response to recent press release
Mountain Ash Comprehensive School has moved to reassure parents, carers and staff in the wake of the sentencing of one of its former staff members for sexual offences against a young female in Dyfed Powys.
Brian Daniel Lewis, 54, of Mountain Ash, was jailed Monday for five years and 10 months at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court after admitting a total of 10 sexual offences that were committed in Dyfed Powys, all involving the same young female.
Lewis was immediately suspended following his arrest last year and the school, and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council as education authority have worked closely with Dyfed Powys and South Wales Police throughout the course of the investigation.
All involved wish to make it clear that all of the offences Lewis admitted to – and was sentenced for on Monday – involved one female relative, directly associated to him in the Dyfed Powys area.
The school also wishes to reassure all parents and staff that is has robust, well-established child protection measures and plans in place.
Following sentencing on Monday, the agreed internal proceedings will now be followed to address Mr. Lewis’ position at the School. In line with those procedures, he remains suspended and the matter will also be raised with the General Teaching Council for Wales.
New Caffi MACS menu
Our new Winter 2013 menue has now been added to the Caffi MACS Menu Page – why not take a look to see what’s on offer.
Prospectus
School Prospectus is now avaiable as an animated booklet, to turn the pages either simply double click the corner of the page or turn the page with the mouse cursor. Also for non-flash devices you can download a .pdf version here:
Back to the 80′s
On December 19th MACS staff and pupils held a day long rehearsal for the upcoming production of Back to the 80′s. The Primary School children worked hard throughout the day and pulled off some very successful performances of some 80′s classics.
Mrs Allen and Mr Powell would like to thanks all MACS choreographers for helping out with the 127 primary school pupils.
Tickets are now on sale for the show and are available from all 9 feeder Primary schools and from Mrs C Jones @ MACS.
The show will be performed on February 5th, 6th and 7th 2013 – we hope to see you there!
Visit to the Real Radio Studio
On Wednesday 19th December six lucky pupils got to visit the Real Radio studio. Iwan Jones, Evan Thomas, Kurtis Davies, Dafydd Thomas, Hannah McKeown and Sophie Nelson entered a writing competition the prize being to sit in on Jagger and Woody’s breakfast show.
Our six pupils worked in pairs and wrote a one minute opening script for the show. Our six winners were picked from a wonderful selection of entries.
We had an early start as Jagger and Woody wanted us at the station by 8am! However we all agreed it was well worth getting up early for.
Thanks to Jagger, Woody and their producer EJ we had an excellent time learning how a radio show is put together and run. We would like to thank them for their hospitality.
Secondary School Banding
As you are probably aware all secondary schools were placed in to 1 of 5 bands for the second time yesterday. Mountain Ash Comprehensive School is in Band 3 on the cusp of Band 2. Although we are disappointed to slip from Band 2 to Band 3 we are still pleased to note that we are the 5th best performing school in RCT and are equal or better in performance to our neighbouring schools. We have also put in many improvement strategies this year and our aim is to become a Band 1 school in 2013.
Mountain Ash Comprehensive School – Band 3
Aberdare Girls School – Band 3
St John Baptist – Band 3
Blaengwawr Comprehensive – Band 4
Aberdare High School – Band 5
Pontypridd High – Band 5
Rhydywaun – Band 5
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Health and Well Being Day
On Wednesday 19th September 280 Year 6 and Year 7 students took part in an action packed day. Our focus for the day was to raise awareness of the importance of health and well-being.
This was the second time such an event had been held at the school and Mrs J Grashoff, who organised the event was very pleased with the enthusiasm shown by all who took part.
It was a new venture to invite year 6 pupils from the local primary schools and proved to be an excellent way for the children to see the school and get to know staff and other pupils in a fun and informal way.
Pupils had the opportunity to take part in a taster of activities run by E3, 5×60, and PE department. These included
- Zumba
- Break Dancing
- Team building games
- Boxing
Pupils also enjoyed the Taste Buddies and Vegan cooking demonstration. Both emphasised the importance of 5 fruit and veg a day and encouraged pupils to try new foods Including a gorgeous vegetarian stir-fry and Bolognese Wraps. Some pupils made Apple crumbles with a member of Macs staff, Miss Jones which they took home for tea.
Other pupils took part in a Health and Well Being Workshop, led by our School Nurse, Mrs L Perkins and Judith Sandry detached youth worker for RCT.
The finale of the day was a Theatre group from London who
performed to Year 6 and 7 a lively show covering all aspects of Health and Well Being.
Thanks to all who helped in making sure the day was a success.
Breeze’s Elite Sports Programme
Mountain Ash Comprehensive School is pleased to announce it’s involvement with Breeze’s Elite Sports Programme. A new initiative that provides talented young athletes from year 7 through to year 13 with the opportunity to develop their all round sporting ability. The programme has already gained backing and support from Sport RCT and the 5×60 programme to fund a pilot term starting in the new year.
Selection on to the programme is based on sporting merit, potential and commitment from the young athletes. Those successful will be invited to attend a series of generic workshops focussed around developing the athlete as a whole. Sessions will be held three times per half term and will cover areas such as; Nutrition and fuelling the body to optimise performances. Psychology, which will cover aspects such as annual planning, goal setting, reflective practice and coping under pressure. Recovery strategies, an area often neglected, here athletes will be taught a variety of methods to assist with recovery from training to maximise training adaptations. Young athletes will have an opportunity to access Breeze’s Gym at a reduced rate to seek expert guidance with strength and conditioning training from Champion weightlifter, Michaela Breeze (MBE).
This exciting new initiative is being led by Michaela Breeze and Sinead Kelly, who previously established and worked on the programme for 3 years in Devon. Michaela is Britains most successful female weightlifter, having represented Team GB at 2 Olympic Games, has won medals for Wales at the last 3 Commonwealth Games, Captained Team Wales at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealths and has 11 years teaching experience. Sinead played netball for Northern Ireland winning a silver medal at the FENA U21 Championships in 2008 and has a First Class Honours Degree in Applied Psychology BSc. Michaela and Sinead are co founders of Breeze’s, a new gym (due to open in November) in Aberdare which provides a means by which our youngsters are able to remain engaged in physical activity post school.
In addition to Breeze’s Elite Sports Programme, students at Mountain Ash will have an opportunity to take part in a weightlifting talent identification programme under the safe and watchful eye of the successful Michaela Breeze and managed by Sinead Kelly.
