YSGOL GYFUN TREDEGAR COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL's spring newsletter

A message from our Headteacher

This year marks the 50th anniversary since the opening of Ysgol Gyfun Tredegar Comprehensive School on its current site, and it is in this celebratory year, that our school will undergo significant change as we embrace our new extension and internal remodelling works. For those of you who are former pupils or previous visitors to our school, undoubtedly some aspects will look very different, but we also know that some things will definitely remain the same. Our school, regardless of its exciting facelift, will retain its rich history and wonderful memories. Our culture of aspiration and belief will continue to permeate through all our corridors and in every classroom, and our ethos of belonging and working together for success will be as strong as ever! Over the forthcoming months, we will take pleasure in watching and sharing the transformation as our school evolves into an even greater establishment, ready to take our future generations through their next 50 years! Happy Easter everyone and we will look forward to seeing you all on Monday 13th April.

ENGLISh

Year 7

 After working hard with their year 7 reading skills in the Autumn term, Year 7 have been touring the UK in their English lessons, exploring a range of dialects and colloquial language. Pupils have had the opportunity to explore language and its roots to Lartin and Greek origins. Creating their own Harry Potter spells, pupils have discovered the fascinating etymological links to a range of words that we hear on a daily basis. Bravo, Year 7. 

Year 8

Year 8 have embarked on their voyage throughout the world of Shakespeare with a study of The Tempest. Wrangling the waves of iambic pentameter and Shakespearean English, year 8 have produced a range of exciting work from descriptive writing to analytical explorations on characters such as Prospero and Miranda. Students are pushing themselves to see the multiple layers of analysis buried within Shakespearean text, and effectively explore their implied meanings and impact on the reader. Gwaith da, year 8. 

Year 9

Entering the Digital World, our year 9 learners have handled a range of ambitious text types from essays to guides on how to stay safe online. This term has provided opportunities for our learners to deeply consider their approach to writing tasks, carefully using language and devices to construct effective purpose and tone. Pupils have considered the Big Question of ‘Technology has vastly improved the lives of everyone’ and have been encouraged to craft a thoughtful and well-considered response. We have been mightily impressed with their efforts. 

Year 10

Year 10 have had yet another busy term as they have completed their fourth Non-Examination Assessment. This term has been focused on Unit 3: Influence and Power, meaning that there has been a focus on how writers influence their reader through language and structural choices. Pupils have completed their Group Discussion Task and their Non-Creative Writing Task. As we move into the next term, pupils will return their attention to the Unit 1 examination: Context and Meaning in which they will have studied a range of poetry and writing style. We would like to thank parents with their support regarding attendance so far this year, and wish to continue the push for learners to be in attendance for all lessons in order for them to fully access all learning and preparation opportunities. 

Year 11

Year 11 continue to work hard in preparation for their examinations with a real focus on written accuracy and writing styles for this half term. Students have been equipped with a WAGOLLs booklet which will provide excellent support during revision sessions and in classroom settings. Year 11 English Language revision sessions continue to take place every in J3 and attendance in encouraged for all pupils. Keep pushing year 11. Gwaith da.

Science and engineering

It has been a busy and successful term, with pupils across all year groups showing great effort, curiosity, and resilience.

Year 7 – Exploring Science

Year 7 pupils have made a strong start, studying:

• Cells
• Sound
• Light & Vision

During British Science Week, they also took part in a Medical Mavericks visit, linking science to real healthcare careers.

Year 8 – Making Connections

Year 8 pupils have explored:

• Species & Classification
• Series and parallel circuits

They also visited the South Wales Aviation Museum (SWAM), learning about flight, aerodynamics, and careers in aviation. This was a joint STEM experience funded by the GEM Museum Visit Bursary Scheme - GEM We are extremely grateful for the support.

Year 9 – Preparing for GCSE

Year 9 pupils have studied:

• Cell structure and function
• Matter
• Energy, heat transfer & efficiency

There has been a strong focus on exam-style questions to build GCSE readiness.

Year 10 & 11 - Exam Preparation

Year 10 pupils have completed their PPE mock exams, helping them understand exam expectations, identify improvements, and practise exam technique. Year 11 pupils are preparing well for their GCSE exams in May through:

• After-school revision sessions
• Targeted intervention
• Revision packs and past papers

Well done to Year 10 and 11 pupils for completing around 300 practical assessments, worth 10% of their final GCSE qualification. Excellent effort and resilience shown throughout.

Engineering

Year 10 and 11 Engineering pupils have performed strongly in their Unit 1 exam and are now working hard on coursework, developing skills in design, problem solving, and practical application.

Final Message

Pupils have worked hard, engaged well, and shown resilience throughout the term — we are very proud of them all. A special message to Year 10 and Year 11 — best of luck in your upcoming exams. Your hard work will pay off. Stay focused and believe in yourselves. “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”

Team Tred Science & Engineering

CYMRAEG

Newyddion Mawr yn yr Adran Gymraeg y tymor hwn! Big news in the Welsh Department this term! Mae Clwb yr Urdd sy’n cwrdd bob pnawn Llun yn B11 wedi bod ar drip i Fae Caerdydd am wyliau, yn mwynhau ymweld a lleoedd diddorol a hanesyddol Caerdydd.  Tasech chi’n hoffi ymuno gyda’r clwb, ewch i weld Miss Morris ar ôl gwyliau’r Pasg am rhagor o fanylion. The Urdd Club which meets every Monday afternoon in B11 has been on a residential trip to Cardiff Bay, enjoying the interesting and historic sites of Cardiff.  If you would like to join the club, go and see Miss Morris after the Easter holidays for more details. Mae’r Criw Cymraeg wedi bod yn brysur yn hyrwyddo’r iaith ar draws yr ysgol, gan enwebu staff am ddefnyddio’r Gymraeg gyda nhw bob wythnos.  Tasech chi’n hoffi helpu Miss Morris gyda datblygu’r defnydd o Gymraeg ar draws yr ysgol, beth am ymuno â’r Criw Cymraeg? Siaradwch gyda hi ar ôl Pasg am fwy o wybodaeth am sut bydd yr ysgol yn anelu at gyrraedd Gwobr Aur y Siarter Iaith dros y misoedd nesaf. The Criw Cymraeg have been very busy promoting the use of Welsh across the school, voting for the teachers who use the most Welsh with them every week among other things.  If you would like to help Miss Morris with developing the use of Welsh across the school, what about joining the Criw Cymraeg? Speak to her after Easter for more details about how we will be aiming to achieve the Gold Award ‘Siarter iaith’ in the coming months. Llongyfarchiadau i flwyddyn 11 sy wedi gorffen eu hasesiadau siarad am eu cymhwysterau TGAU yn barod eleni.  Hanner ffordd ‘na erbyn hyn gyda 50% o’u marciau yn y bag!  Da iawn chi!! Dim ond 2 bapur darllen ac ysgrifennu i fynd ar Fai 13eg 2026 a Mehefin 2ail 2026 – pob lwc! Congratu;ations to year 11 who have finished their speaking assessments for their GCSE already this year.  Halfway there with 50% of their marks in the bag!  Da iawn chi!!  Only 2 reading and writing papers to go on may 13th 2026 and June 2nd 2026 – pob lwc! ‘Beth amdanoch chi?’ dw i’n clywed chi’n gofyn. ‘What about you?’ I hear you ask. Wel, mae llawer o gyfleoedd newydd ar gael i chi yn nhymor yr haf. Well, there are lots of new opportunities available for you in the summer term. Hoffech chi ddod ar drip gyda ni yn nhymor yr haf? Would you like to come on a trip with us in the summer term? Pleidleisiwch am ble i fynd: Vote for where to go: San Ffagan neu Glan Llyn? Beth am ffeindio mas mwy ar eu gwefannau cyn pleidleisio? What about finding out more on their websites before voting? Beth am ddod draw i’r Clwb Cymraeg yr Urdd yn B11 bob pnawn Llun am 2.45-3.30? What about coming across to the Urdd Welsh Club in B11 every Monday afternoon at 2.45-3.30? Ymunwch yn yr hwyl a sbri wrth chwarae gemau a chloncan yn Gymraeg. Join in the fun and laughter whilst playing games and chatting in Welsh. Ac wrth gwrs, peidiwch ag anghofio ymuno â’r Criw Cymraeg!! And of course, don’t forget to join the Criw Cymraeg!

pe

It has been another extremely busy and successful term for our PE department, with pupils across all year groups representing the school with pride, commitment and excellent sportsmanship. We are incredibly proud of the effort shown by our students both in lessons and in extra-curricular sport, and it has been fantastic to see so many pupils involved in competitive opportunities.

Football

Our Year 7, 8, 9 and 11 football teams have all taken part in a number of competitive fixtures this term, including Welsh Cup matches. Although we unfortunately bowed out of the Welsh Cup in the early rounds, the teams gained valuable experience competing at a high level and showed great determination throughout. More importantly, we have continued to provide regular competitive opportunities for our students and have enjoyed a number of strong performances and positive results against local schools. It has also been great to see our KS3 girls’ football team back in action this term. The girls have represented the school brilliantly in their fixtures and continue to grow in confidence and teamwork every time they play. We are really looking forward to entering them into a number of summer tournaments where they can continue to develop and enjoy their football.

Rugby

It has been an outstanding term for our rugby teams. Our U14 girls reached the quarter-finals at the prestigious Rosslyn Park 7s, narrowly missing out on a place in the semi-finals after a fantastic performance against Rugby School. The girls also took part in a recent tournament in Brynmawr where they finished undefeated – a fantastic achievement and something they should be very proud of. Our boys’ teams have also had a very successful term. The Year 7 team have reached the Plate Final against Abertillery, the Year 8 team are in the Cup Final against King Henry, the Year 9 team are in the Plate Final, and the Year 11 team are also in the Plate Final. All of these finals will take place after Easter, and we wish every team the very best of luck. In addition to this, it has been brilliant to see several of our Year 9 and 10 boys successfully complete their WRU refereeing qualifications. This is a fantastic achievement and shows real dedication to the sport.

Netball

This term, our Year 7, 8 and 9 netball teams have been outstanding, demonstrating fantastic commitment, teamwork and enthusiasm throughout. Their hard work has truly paid off, with excellent performances across fixtures and tournaments, including a joint 1st place finish for Year 7 in the group stages of their most recent competition. The girls have consistently shown a positive attitude, regularly attending training sessions to develop their skills and strengthen their teamwork. A special mention must go to Florence D’A and Lowri P, who have both been selected to represent the U13s Wales Regional Academy Netball Squad – an incredible accomplishment and a testament to their dedication and talent. We are extremely proud of all the players and look forward to seeing their continued success.

House Sports

We have recently completed our latest House Sports event, where pupils competed against each other to earn points for their houses. This time the focus was on rugby, and the level of effort, teamwork and school spirit on display was excellent. Well done to Red in Year 7, Green in Year 8, and Green again in Year 9 for coming out on top in their year groups. These events continue to be a real highlight of the school year and it is fantastic to see so many pupils getting involved.

Individual Sporting Success

We would also like to celebrate some incredible individual achievements this term. Rosie R has recently set a UK record in weightlifting for her weight class, while also representing Wales in gymnastics and playing for the girls’ rugby team at Rosslyn Park. Rosie is an outstanding role model and a fantastic ambassador for our school.

Alex G has recently played for the Swansea U21 and U19 sides, as well as representing his county at U19 level. This is a huge achievement and a real inspiration to students across the school.

Neve P has once again been selected for the Girls and Boys Club of Wales – a fantastic achievement and we wish her the very best of luck moving forward. Phoebe L will soon be jetting off to represent Wales in football in a special World Cup-linked event in Mexico. More information about this amazing achievement will be shared soon, but we would all like to wish Phoebe the very best of luck and we cannot wait to hear all about the experience when she returns! Finally, a huge congratulations to Thomas B, who recently represented his swimming club at a competition in Denmark. Competing internationally is an incredible achievement and a testament to his hard work and dedication. Tom has been on a real journey through PE at Tredegar, and to see him achieve this level of success has been a real highlight of the year. His family should be incredibly proud.

We look forward to another exciting term after Easter and continued success across all sports.

RVE

As the spring term draws to a close, it’s been wonderful to see pupils across the school continue to engage so positively with their learning in RVE. Throughout the term, they have explored a range of challenging and relevant topics, showing increasing confidence in sharing ideas, asking thoughtful questions, and considering different viewpoints with respect. Below is an overview of what each year group has been focusing on this term.

Year 7

Year 7 pupils have been exploring the theme ‘Who am I?’ throughout this term. As part of this, they have been introduced to key beliefs in Christianity, Islam and Sikhism, focusing on what followers believe about God and how these beliefs are expressed through places of worship. Pupils have also taken part in virtual tours of churches, mosques and gurdwaras, allowing them to explore these sacred spaces in an engaging and immersive way. Through discussion, reflection and structured activities, learners have developed their understanding of religious identity and the role belief plays in shaping people’s lives.

Year 8

Year 8 pupils have been exploring the events of 9/11 and the impact of Islamophobia. Throughout the unit, learners have examined issues such as stereotyping, bias and discrimination, and have considered how these can affect individuals and communities. They have also critically assessed the role of the media, exploring whether media reporting has contributed to the rise in Islamophobia. Through discussion, source analysis and reflective activities, pupils have developed their critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the importance of respect, tolerance and challenging prejudice.

Year 9

This term, Year 9 pupils have been studying Buddhism. They have explored the key events in the life of the Buddha, developing an understanding of his journey to enlightenment. Pupils have also examined key teachings and the concept of Dharma, with a particular focus on Buddhist teachings about suffering. Through discussion, guided tasks and reflective activities, learners have developed their understanding of how beliefs influence the way Buddhists live their lives, as well as strengthening their ability to explain and apply religious teachings.

Year 10

Year 10 pupils have now completed their Christianity content in preparation for the GCSE exam and have also finished their NEA work on Religion and Relationships. They are now beginning their study of Buddhism, marking the start of their next exam unit. Pupils have shown increasing confidence in applying their knowledge to GCSE-style questions, and this strong progress is setting them up well as they continue their course. Revision sessions are held every Wednesday after school. Learners should now be preparing and revising for their upcoming exam on the 20th of May.

Year 11

Year 11 pupils have now completed their GCSE topics on Human Rights, Christianity, and Relationships, and are currently finishing their final unit on Judaism. As they approach their exams, revision sessions are taking place every Thursday to support their preparation. Learners should now be beginning their own independent revision in readiness for their first exam on 1st June.

HISTORY

We have had a wonderful Spring Term in the History Department!

Year 7

Year 7 have fully embraced their ‘Humanities’ themed lessons as part of their “Who Am I?” theme. All pupils thoroughly enjoyed this topic area and also being taught the same topic in all 3 subject areas as they were able to gain a much deeper knowledge and understanding of the topic and also how the three disciplines link together. We began our study with pupils learning the rich history of our town, Tredegar and how this industrial town developed and grew. The teaching of this theme has enabled pupils to gain an appreciation of their identity, heritage and cynefin which has influenced our learners emotionally and spiritually, and helped them build their sense of self and of belonging. Pupils have also had the opportunity to take part in MACE-style debating focusing on the motion “This house believes that the NHS should be free and accessible for all.” This has enabled learners the opportunity to develop their collaboration skills working as part of a team, think critically analysing a problem, speak confidently and listen carefully and interpret information quickly. Pupils will be taking part in an extra-curricular visit as part of this theme to Blaenavon ironworks and Big Pit, which will bring what they have been learning about to life! 

Year 8

Year 8 were taught the theme ‘Conflict’ in their History, Geography and RVE lessons where they looked at the big question of how has and is conflict shaping the world, using the 9/11 terror attacks as our example of conflict the focus of this topic was to explore the historical key concept of causation and effect. There has been an emphasis on this term focusing on creating ‘ethically informed citizens’ as part of our Curriculum for Wales model as pupils now have a developed understanding of why this event happened in the first place, who orchestrated it and what the main consequences of this have been, namely a 15 year ‘war on terror’ in Afghanistan and Iraq and consequently a rise in extremist groups such as ISIS which has led to an increase in refugees fleeing these war torn countries in the Middle East but also unfortunately given rise to Islamophobia. 

Year 9

Year 9 have been looking at crime and punishment from c.1500 to present day as part of their ‘Change and Continuity’ Humanities theme. Pupils have engaged with various different crimes over the centuries such as the crime of Heresy and Witchcraft especially in the early modern period as well as Treason through the case study of the Gunpowder Plot giving learners a greater understanding of the significance and history behind the celebration of Bonfire Night.

ear 9 have thoroughly enjoyed this topic and are looking forward to the summer term when we look at our final Humanities topic which will be ‘Authority and Governance’ focusing on Hitler’s rise and consolidation of power before analysing the overarching question of whether or not Hitler improved the lives of the German people. 

Year 10

Year 10 have also had a very busy term preparing for both their Unit 2 and 3 studies in preparation for their GCSE examinations on these units this June. They have all worked very hard this year and have completed a lot of past papers and undertaken revision for regular class tests on past paper questions. We are confident that they will all reap the rewards in their results this summer with grades they can be very proud of and will repeat this same work ethic as we begin our next unit of work in Year 11 on Hitler’s Nazi Germany. Keep up your excellent attitude and hard work Year 10!

Year 11

As a department we would like to take this opportunity to thank our year 11 GCSE History classes. They have been an absolute joy to teach for the last 5 years. Their love for History and the current world around them is fantastic! Their knowledge about current affairs and the links they are able to make with the past in these situations has led to many great debates in the classroom that we have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of! 

We would like to wish every one of them every success in their futures as I know you are all going to do great and wonderful things - “Dream big, aim high, continue to work very hard at all times and you are going to go far!”

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Year 7

Our year 7 pupils have recently completed the CSI topic. Pupils spent some time looking at a range of encryption techniques along with their application over time. Pupils used the skills learned to encrypt and decrypt a number of challenges. This topic culminated in us looking at the impact and contribution of Alan Turing on World War 2 and the wider computer science landscape including the Turing Test, AI and the rise of general purpose computing.

Year 8

Year 8 have been introduced to key programming fundamentals via the medium of Scratch. Our Dying, Surviving Thriving topic has allowed pupils to understand and investigate the uses of simulations in real world applications by focussing on the spread of a virus. Pupils have had the opportunity to make their base simulations better reflect the real world by improving their code or adding additional features. Year 8 also created their own Fake newspaper reports, creating suitable imagery with the assistance of AI to help promote the illusion of truth. We are now moving on to our Tomorrows World topic as we venture into the Summer term.

Year 9

In the run up to selecting their options year 9 looked at the world of work incorporating real world applicable skills linked to Computer Science and Digital based jobs. Pupils are now starting the topic of Cyber Security where we will be building upon some of the key threats and safety considerations that we have introduced in previous years. This topic will expand on our current knowledge of cyber threats and introduce a wide range of key considerations from how a DDoS attack works to the role of social manipulation in a cyber attack.

Year 10

Year 10 Digital Technology classes are currently developing their animations for the NEA. Pupils will hopefully create an interesting animation that will be added to their websites for their Unit 2 work. Year 10 Computer Science are getting to grips with the python programming language - where they are currently developing their own text based choose your own adventure game.

Year 11

Year 11 should now be well on their way with practicing for their Unit 2 examination as well as revising for their Unit 1 written exam. All pupils have been provided with a past paper and mark scheme pack to support their revisions at home for both Unit 1 and 2. Please remember there is revision after school every Wednesday in S2.5.

BASE

Base Update – A Busy and Exciting Term! It has been a wonderfully busy and engaging time for learners in the Base, with a range of enriching experiences both in and out of school. One of the highlights this term was attending the trip to the aviation museum, where learners explored a range of fascinating exhibits and developed their understanding of flight and engineering.  Learners have also taken an important step in planning for their futures by attending the school’s Options Evening. This has been further supported through thoughtful discussions within the Base, helping pupils to make informed choices and begin thinking about their post-16 pathways. Back in the classroom, learners have enjoyed getting creative by baking a selection of Easter cakes and treats. This provided a fantastic opportunity to develop life skills, teamwork and independence – with some delicious results! We have also made the most of the recent good weather, with trips to the park where learners enjoyed outdoor activities and shared lunch together. These experiences are invaluable in supporting social development and wellbeing. We would also like to take this opportunity to wish Mrs Cridland all the very best as she retires. She has been a valued member of the team and we hope she enjoys a well-earned retirement in Spain. Looking ahead, we are excited to be developing new links with Coleg Gwent, where learners will take part in enrichment sessions next term. We will also be working alongside Ebbw Fawr Base, creating further opportunities for collaboration and shared experiences. It has been a fantastic term, and we are very proud of all that our learners have achieved.

Year 8

Year 8 is passing by incredibly quickly, and it has already been a busy and exciting year filled with a wide range of events and initiatives.

Attendance

All pupils should continue to strive for a minimum of 95% attendance. Our assemblies have continued to reinforce the importance of excellent attendance, and there is a real sense of rivalry and pride as forms compete for the weekly Attendance Cup. At the time of writing, 8T are leading the way as the best attending form in Year 8, although many other forms are making strong progress in the overall school Improvement League.

Throughout the 2025–2026 academic year, the school has launched several initiatives to support and encourage improved attendance. These include “Keep it Green” and “Not in, Miss out”, alongside whole-school monthly prize draws. This term, pupils were challenged to attend every day throughout January to be entered into a prize draw. An impressive 77 pupils achieved 100% attendance for the month and were entered into the draw. Congratulations to Gethyn and Jaymie, who were our voucher winners.

Well done to all pupils who achieved 100% and to those whose names were drawn—an excellent effort!

100% Attenders

A special congratulations to the following pupils who have achieved 100% attendance: Liam D, Taha F, Seren J, Rosie R, Ashton R, Harri R, Fynley T, Seren W and Destiny W. This is an outstanding achievement—keep aiming high! Maintaining excellent attendance is vital for all pupils to reach their full potential and achieve their goals. Parents and carers are kindly reminded to support the school’s attendance procedures, including contacting the school daily if a pupil is absent.

Pride Points and Badge Holders

Year 8 pupils have shown great enthusiasm in collecting Pride Points and working towards their achievement badges.

• 148 pupils have achieved their Bronze badge
• 38 pupils have been awarded a Silver badge
• 6 pupils have achieved a Gold badge: Faith W, Kailum Jay H, Zak S, Jamie O, Destiny W and Kieran B

An exceptional 3 pupils have reached the highest award of a Platinum badge. A special mention goes to Kieran B, who was the first in Year 8 to achieve this milestone (see photo), closely followed by Faith W and Zac S. A fantastic achievement—well done to all!

Pupil of the Month

Each month, two pupils are recognised as Pupils of the Month for demonstrating outstanding commitment as DRICE learners. As a reward, they are invited to enjoy hot chocolate with the Headteacher. Below are a list of pupils who were recognised in the Spring Term:

Well done to all of our deserving recipients. There are many talented Year 8 pupils excelling in sport, singing, and performance. It has been a pleasure to see pupils thrive in their practical lessons, and Year 8 have already enjoyed notable sporting success since September. We have some very strong teams developing for the future.

It is also fantastic to see so many pupils taking part in extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, both within school and in the wider community. I am extremely proud of you all! Thank You I would like to take this opportunity to thank all parents and carers for your continued support. It is greatly appreciated, and I look forward to working with you throughout the rest of the year.

yEAR 10

I would like to thank you for your ongoing support since I joined you as Head of Year 10 in November. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know your children and am pleased to share that our focus of improving attendance is on track! We are therefore especially proud to celebrate those students demonstrating exceptional commitment:

• 9 pupils have maintained 100% attendance since September.
• 57 pupils currently have attendance of 95% or above.

These are fantastic achievements and set a strong example for others to follow.

The Brilliant Club

Alongside our daily activities, we have had some really exciting things going on across Year 10. Our Brilliant Club pupils recently attended their graduation at Bristol University, where they celebrated the successful completion of their programme. As part of the experience, students were fortunate to take part in a tour of the university campus, giving them a valuable insight into higher education and student life. It was a fantastic opportunity, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements.

Duke of Edinburgh

This week, 26 pupils successfully completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. The walking element was challenging enough, but the camping experience was made even tougher by some very poor weather conditions. Despite this, all pupils showed resilience, determination, and teamwork throughout, and they should be extremely proud of what they have achieved. With achievement in mind, 88 of our pupils have achieved their Bronze Pride Points certificates and badges and one pupil has been in receipt of the Silver Badge. It’s lovely to see such excellent commitment, consistency and dedication from our pupils.

Careers

We have also had a strong focus on careers this term. Students were visited by a representative from Big Ideas Wales and had the opportunity to meet Bethany Lamb, our careers advisor. These sessions have helped pupils begin thinking about their post-16 options, raising aspirations and encouraging them to consider future pathways, including further education, apprenticeships, and training opportunities alongside the world of work.

GCSES

GCSE courses are now well underway, and pupils are actively engaging with their studies. Many are currently working on Non-Exam Assessments (NEAs) alongside completing mock exams. These are important steps in preparing thoroughly for next year, helping students build confidence, develop key skills, and understand the expectations of their final examinations. Revision already needs to be underway in preparation. Please make sure revision sessions over Easter are attended. It is vital that we maintain this momentum. Our message remains clear: “Not In, Miss Out.” Every lesson matters and even a small amount of absence can have a significant impact on progress, confidence, and overall achievement. Regular attendance not only supports academic success but also helps students build strong routines, maintain friendships, and feel fully part of the school community. As we move further into this important academic year, consistent attendance will play a key role in preparing pupils for their upcoming assessments and, ultimately, their GCSE outcomes.

Attendance

We ask for your continued support in:

• Ensuring your child attends school every day, on time and in full uniform
• Avoiding unnecessary absences during term time
• Communicating with us promptly if there are any barriers to attendance

By working together, we can ensure every student has the best possible opportunity to succeed.

  Thank you for your ongoing support. Enjoy a relaxing Easter break!

MAt

Exeter University

On Tuesday 27th January, we were lucky enough to host Aaron Pardo from the University of Exeter who presented an extremely informative session on university life, career pathways and the benefits of going to university. An inspiring afternoon, it was a superb chance for all of our year 10 learners to pose their questions to a friendly and knowledgeable expert. Post the session, pupils cited that they felt better informed about a life at university and had started to consider applying to university. Thank you, Aaron!

The Brilliant Club Year 10

This term saw 14 of our exceptional year 10 students graduating from The Brilliant Club at the University of Bristol. This year, our cohort had the privilege of working with Dr Daniel Chesse, whose course, Terrorism: Shadows, Fear and Lies, invited students into a complex and demanding field of study. This was not a simplified introduction. It was university-level scholarship. Our learners explored the political, moral and historical dimensions of terrorism. They interrogated narratives of fear and power. They examined case studies, evaluated competing interpretations, and wrestled with difficult questions about state response, ideology and conflict. They were asked not simply to learn, but to analyse. Not simply to agree, but to critique. The culmination of their work was a 2,000-word university-style essay; a formidable challenge for students of their age. The title required them to take a clear position, construct a sustained argument, engage with academic theory, and write with precision and clarity. We are incredibly proud to share that all fourteen students successfully completed the programme, achieving grades of 2:2 and 2:1outcomes that demonstrate not only ability but determination and intellectual maturity. Pupils graduated from the programme at University of Bristol and we were also fortunate enough to bring the celebrations back to Tredegar with an afternoon at Bedwellty House. Congratulations to all.

The Brilliant Club Year 9

We are thrilled to now have a new cohort of year 9 learners about to embark upon their Brilliant Club journey with Professor Alderson. We have no doubt that they will take as much from this experience as their year 10 predecessors and wish them all the best for their participation in this extremely exciting opportunity. Good luck to all involved!

attendance

Attendance Matters

Not in, Miss Out!

For those pupils who regularly attend school we believe it is important to recognise and reward those pupils for their efforts. As well as collecting Pride Points for attending school, there have been lots of other incentives and rewards for pupils to enjoy…just for regularly attending school! Our whole school attendance league means that pupils have to work collectively as a form class to ensure that they meet the target of 95% to make it to the premier league. Every form class has been striving with their form tutors and Heads of Year to ensure that form classes make the premier or championship leagues as no one wants the shame of being in leagues 1 or 2! Every week the form class who has made the most improvement is rewarded and every fortnight the best attending form class in each year group are also rewarded for their efforts. Raffle tickets are distributed weekly by form tutors to enter into a prize draw. This term prizes have included Vue cinema vouchers, Amazon Vouchers, ear pods and a Spotify voucher. There has been some fierce competition between the form classes across the school however 7R remain at the top of the Premier League. Well done to Team 7R!!! This term we have also challenged our learners with our Club 100. Those pupils who attended for just 20 days during the month of January were automatically entered into a prize draw. We had 10 lucky winners in each year group for both incentives and it was fantastic to see so many pupils with 100%. Our Club 100 winners were Lucy T and Zak B (Year 7), Jaymie D and Gethyn D (Year 8), Alfie H and Beau L (Year 9), Ryan D and Dylan J (Year 10), Ava G and Harrison H (Year 11). Our school works very closely with Blaenau Gwent’s Education Welfare Service to promote the importance of regular school attendance. We were delighted that our school was chosen to be part of the Local Authority’s media campaign to promote attendance. 

As parents and carers, you have a legal responsibility to ensure your child attends school.  As part of our whole school attendance strategy, we continue to monitor and address patterns of school attendance through the ‘traffic lights’ scheme.  The 3 different attendance zones are:

Unauthorised absences

• Parents / carers must inform the school on each day of your child’s absence and provide a reason why your child is missing school. To safeguard pupils, we will notify the Education Welfare Officer and/or Children’s Services if we do not receive information about pupil absence.Following 10 sessions of unauthorised absence (the equivalent to 5 days) the school will require medical evidence from parents / carers to support a child’s absence from school. This can be a letter from your child’s GP or medical professional, a prescription or medication etc.
• If your child’s absence falls below 95%, parents / carers will be expected to attend an Attendance Improvement Meeting with your child’s Head of Year, the Attendance Officer and/or Assistant Headteacher and Education Welfare Officer. Further deterioration in attendance will result in a referral to the Education Welfare Service. This could result in a fixed penalty notice or prosecution.

Holidays

• Holidays taken during term time will not be authorised by the school unless there is an extraordinary circumstance and the Headteacher approves the holiday. Parents / carers must request an ‘unauthorised absence’ form from the school’s attendance team located at Pupil Services or by request by emailing attendnace@tredegarschool.cymru. The form must be completed and returned to the school. Unauthorised holidays over 10 sessions will count towards your child’s overall attendance figure. There are a total of 175 non-school days every year to take holidays and arrange other family visits and activities so families are asked to book holidays during school holidays only. 

How Parents and Carers can help

• Ensure your child attends every day to ensure the positive habit and structured routine of attending school is maintained.
• Contact the school before 8.30am each morning of your child’s absence. You can contact school by calling 01495 713000 and speaking with the school Attendance Team or you can email attendance@tredegarschool.cymru
• Make every effort to arrange medical appointments outside of school hours.
• If your child’s medical appointment falls during the school day, please notify the school of your child’s collection time. Make every effort to ensure your child attends school prior to and after their appointment where feasible.
• Support the school in ensuring that your child arrives promptly at school each morning.
• Contact the school to discuss any problems or emerging issues with your child.
• Book family holidays during school holidays
• Praise and reward your child’s achievements at school.