Young engineers win F1 in Schools Bloodhound Challenge

Young Engineers Club members, Jack Brennan, Tom Banner and James Newman, who are all in Year 8 at Dyffryn Taf School, travelled to Parc-y-Scarlets at Llanelli to compete against schools from across Carmarthen and Ceredigion in the F1 in Schools Bloodhound Challenge.

Organised by Technology Alliance Wales, the F1 in Schools competition is a multi-disciplinary challenge in which teams of students use CAD/CAM software to design, manufacture and then race miniature gas-powered balsa wood F1 cars.

The challenge inspires students to use ICT to learn about physics, aerodynamics, design, manufacture, branding, graphics, sponsorship, marketing, leadership/teamwork, media skills and financial strategy, and apply them in a practical, imaginative, competitive and exciting way.

After a gruelling day, which included giving a PowerPoint presentation, racing their car and being quizzed by a team of judges - including Dr. Ben Evans from Swansea University, the chief designer for the 1,000 mph Bloodhound Project - the team were rewarded for all their efforts when they scooped awards for the Best Presentation and Best Overall team.

Later this month, young engineers from Dyffryn Taf School will be travelling to Gatwick Airport to compete in the BAA Challenge where they will race an environmentally friendly buggy they have been working on for the past 12 months.

A Week Full of Activities

Week beginning June 29, 70 Year Seven pupils from Dyffryn Taf School attended an outdoor Activity Week at Pendine Camp. A great week was had by all and many activities were experienced, including, climbing and abseiling, high ropes, zip wire, low ropes, X-treme Stream, orienteering, sea kayaking, body boarding and archery. Additional activities took place in the evenings, which included crazy golf, sand sculptures and rounders.

The instructors were excellent and they motivated the pupils to overcome their fears and set new challenges. Many staff attended the week and also got stuck in with all the activities. Pupils thoroughly enjoyed themselves and they learned new practical and personal skills. Teamwork was the word of the week and pupils encourage and helped each other in all activities, from climbing to clearing the dinner plates.

Hannah Williams 7D said: "I thoroughly enjoyed my week at Pendine Camp as there were so many different types of activities. I hope I can go there again."

Gethin Benjamin 7H said: "Fy hoff gwaithgaredd oedd yr 'X-treme Stream' oherwydd roedd yn llawer o hwyl I ymladd yn y bog."

It was a fantastic way of learning about yourself and your strengths in the natural environment and we cannot wait to go back next year.

DANIEL BLAIN

STRIDES TO VICTORY

On Saturday, Daniel Blain, of Dyffryn Taf, became Welsh Schools under-15 80m hurdles champion, running a personal best time of 11.95secs. Daniel won the title at Cardiff's new Leckwith Stadium.

This was an extraordinary achievement, given that this was only his sixth competitive run on the track. The achievement was all the more gratifying for him personally and for the Physical Education Department at the school, as he has only recently started hurdling competitively.

PE teacher Graham Evans said: "He has a refreshing and mature approach to all his sport and this achievement is testimony to him as an individual."

The school is extremely proud of Daniel's achievement. His brother and PE teacher Dylan Blain reacted to his success by saying: "Athletics forms an important part of the Physical Education curriculum at Dyffryn Taf and to uncover a talented individual from the school is extremely satisfying. It is very rewarding for the department who work hard to enthuse all pupils towards the subject whilst also identifying talented individuals and helping them fulfil their potential."

Daniel has now started training with the Carmarthen Harriers Athletics Club as he looks to further develop in the world of track and field athletics.

Junior Production 2009

 

Preparations are coming to an end and the curtain is about to go up at Dyffryn Taf School for their junior school production.

The show planned for this year is an abridged version of William Shakespeare's Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The performance will be on Tuesday, July 14, at 7 pm. Tickets will be on sale at the door at a price of £4 for adults and £3 for children and senior citizens.

Pupils for Years 7, 8 and 9 will be performing two of Shakespeare's most popular plays condensed into 30 minutes each. The combination of tragedy and comedy will provide a great introduction to Shakespeare's work for children.

Charmayne Davies from Year 9 is playing Lady Macbeth and said: "Rehearsals are going well at the moment, the cast are a bit nervous, but really enjoying being part of the show. I'm looking forward to playing the evil Lady Macbeth, but I'm not really evil!"

"We all hope we get a good audience to watch our production, it should be a great show!"

A warm welcome is extended to everyone to go and see the show.