English and Languages - Introduction

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The English department have been busy developing new schemes of work for the revised GCSE specifications this year. Students will now undertake 5 Controlled Assessments which take the place of the old coursework system.

The new specification will see students taught some new and innovative texts alongside classic novels from our literary heritage. Texts include John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” and “Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha” by Roddy Doyle. Students will be studying spoken language for the first time next ins September 2010 and will look at the way language and the way we speak changes for purpose and audience. As poetry will play a big part in the new format for GCSE; Mrs Jacqueline Jones is currently preparing resources for the teaching of Siegfried Sassoon`s poem “Dulce Et Decorum Est” The powerful poem written in the First World War will be linked to Shakespeare`s Macbeth. Students will look at the themes of Brutality and Conflict in the two pieces of literature.

DULCE ET DECORUM EST1
Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares2 we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest3 began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots4
Of tired, outstripped5 Five-Nines6 that dropped behind.
Gas!7 Gas! Quick, boys! – An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets8 just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling,
And flound’ring like a man in fire or lime9 . . .
Dim, through the misty panes10 and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.
In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering,11 choking, drowning.
If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud12
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest13
To children ardent14 for some desperate glory,
The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est
Pro patria mori.15
8 October 1917 – March, 1918

Mrs Owen has enjoyed taking students on a variety of theatre trips including The Tempest directed by Sam Mendes at The Old Vic in London. The Department strives to offer students the highest quality theatrical experiences of the plays they are studying. An E3 group aimed at allowing students access to a variety of literature has helped to allow students to take part in the numerous trips to London to see plays.

Lisa Morgan the school librarian continues to play an important role in supporting the English department. She and Mrs Owen have this term set up a Year 12 and 13 fiction reading section aimed not just at students taking AS and A level Literature but all students in the 6th form to broaden their literary horizons!

Miss Jenna Smith, the Learning Coach for English has had a great impact in supporting and extending learning opportunities for students in year 10 and 11 and now in year 12 and 13. Students have the opportunity to take part in one to one and small group sessions with Miss Smith after school and at lunchtimes every day. Miss Smith helps students work on coursework and runs sessions on set texts and essay titles for post 16 students.

Mrs Rebecca Leyshon has been developing the Communication Levels 1 -3 qualifications to students across the college. Students have had the opportunity to discuss Welsh issues and cultural topics in a series of visits and lesson that will lead to the accreditation of a Communication Key skill award. Students develop their ability to share information and communicate it effectively.

Student Work
For Key Stage 3 English work click here
For past papers click here
For GCSE click here
For Year 11 Work click here
For Year 12 LT1 work click here
For Year 12 LT1 Completed Toolkit click here
ForYear 12 Poem work click here
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English and Languages - Latest Information

KS3 Work for Snow Day 30 November 2010

Year 7: Learn 50 words for spelling bee competition.
Year 8: Create PowerPoint presentation for speaking assessment on town.
Year 9: Learn questions and answers about past holiday in preparation for speaking assessment next week.

European Day of Languages 2010

European day of languages was celebrated in the College on Monday 27^th September.

All key stages discussed the theme of the week ‘languages,’ during form period and took part in a quiz, guessing greetings in different languages.

During the lunchtime the canteen served up a variety of different foods from France, Italy and the UK, with students having to guess which country that particular food came from. The canteen was decorated with flags from various European countries and menus in French, Spanish and Welsh were displayed. Year 7 also took part in a taster session with food from around Europe. Year 7 students thoroughly enjoyed trying to guess where the food was from with many brave students tasting olives, houmous, pitta bread, cheeses, pizza, and sausages.

The Languages Department took on a German and Spanish theme for the day with students from all year groups joining in the celebration. All Key Stage 3 students learnt various topics of Spanish and German taught through interactive resources. All students were very enthusiastic and enjoyed the day.

Miss T Mein

MOODLE

To visit our MOODLE page please click here

French trip to Amiens.

42 students from Years 8, 9 and 11 have just returned from a weekend in Rue, Amiens in the North of France. Students had the opportunity to experience French culture and to practise their French, whilst staying in a Chateau built for Louis XIV around 1714.

During their stay students made mayonnaise with a French chef, learnt how to make goats cheese, tasted chocolate at the chocolate factory and ate the local delicacies, including frogs legs and snails. Students also conducted surveys, using their French at the market and visited the cathedral and city of Amiens.

A great time was had by all students and staff and we are looking forward to returning to the chateau next year!

Llangrannog May 2010

On the 7th May-9th May 2010, Year 7 students attended a 2 day residential course at the Urdd Centre, Llangrannog, along with 6 members of staff and 13 Key Stage 4 students as Prefects or ‘SWOGS’. The purpose of the trip was to improve upon Welsh studied at Key Stage 3. The trip was a success with students participating in activities such as Trampolines, Skiing, Rope Course, Tobogganing, Go-Karts and Horse riding. Students were also involved in raising the profile of Sophie Evans in ‘Over The Rainbow’ by handing out fliers and putting up posters encouraging other schools to vote Sophie!

A big ‘Diolch’ to all staff involved in the trip and well done to the Key Stage 4 students who were very helpful at all times. An extra ‘Da Iawn’ to Chelsea Price of Year 11 who has achieved a certificate for ‘NO1 SWOG’ after all of her help with the Key Stage 3 Llangrannog trips over the last 2 years.

KS2 Assessment Website

Tonypandy Cluster is very proud to launch its new KS2 Assessment website. This project is the result of a lot of hard work by all the Primary Schools in the Tonypandy Cluster and Tonypandy Community College. Working together, staff have agreed a benchmark for assessment levels across the core subjects, including Welsh, and standardised the assessment process across the cluster. This means that standards for all students will be improved; learning and teaching has been developed through the sharing of good practice; and the Tonypandy Cluster is now stronger than ever with partnership and collaborative working. The Headteachers of the Tonypandy Cluster would like to thank all their staff for their hard work and resilience in bringing this project to fruition.

Our secure website can be accessed by logging onto Tonypandy Cluster

Llangrannog

On the 20th April, Year 10 students attended a 2 day residential course at the Urdd Centre, Llangrannog, along with 10 members of staff. The purpose of the trip was to improve upon Welsh studied at Key Stage 3 as part of their Short Course Welsh provision. The trip was a success with students participating in activities such as Trampolines, Skiing, Rope Course, Team building, Tobogganing and Go-Karts. Students also attended revision sessions in Maths and Science during their stay.

The college was praised by Llangrannog staff for the excellent behaviour and politeness of students at all times. Although a fire alarm was set off accidently at 2am, which did not impress Mr Cruikshank who is obviously very fond of his sleep!

A big Thank You to all staff involved in the trip and well done to Year 10 students!

Students from Years 7,8 and 9 have also attended the Urdd centre at Llangrannog on weekend residential stays to take part in activities and improve their Welsh.

Welsh Department Ice Hockey Trip

16 Year 8 Students and 5 Year 10 students went to watch an Ice Hockey Match at Planet Ice, Cardiff Bay on Wednesday 25th November. The trip was arranged by Welsh Department through the Devils Community Foundation adopt a school programme. The match was between Cardiff Devils and Newcastle Vipers.
Students were perfectly behaved and their support for the Cardiff Devils was brilliant. Students thoroughly enjoyed the evening and have been invited back by the Devils Community Foundation.
A highlight of the evening was their photograph taken with the Devils Mascot ‘Lucy-Fur’! Four students were awarded with their own Ice Hockey pucs for their excellent behaviour and support for the team, Lewis Owen, Jack Luker, Dai Harries (Year and Sam Baker (Year 10). Well Done!!
A Brilliant evening ended extremely well with a 8-3 Win for the Devils!

Miss Cope would like to thank Miss Musgrove, Mr Dell, Mr Evans and Mr Cruickshank for giving up their evening to take the students with her.

Coleg Cymunedol Tonypandy Eisteddfod 2010-03-03

Tonypandy Community College celebrated St David’s Day by holding a traditional Eisteddfod for Key Stage 3 Students. The Eisteddfod took place all day and a variety of acts were seen including, Drama, Musical Instruments, Dancing and Singing.

Each student that took part was competing to gain points for their house. The winners were as follows:

Dancing: Tŷ Porffor – Katie Crichton and Aylish Simmonds
Singing: Tŷ Melyn – Eve Tudbull and Stephanie Morgan
Acting: Tŷ Coch – Dewi Harris, Brandon Tudbull, Zoe Arundell, Lauren James and Mitchel Richards
Musical Item: Tŷ Llwyd – Ryan Jones and Thomas Miles

Students were also spoken to by the Fire Service who came along to promote their new project on preventing Grass Fires. More information can be found at www.bernie.uk.com

A big ‘Da Iawn’ to all students that took part on the day and also students who took part in the subject specific competitions that took place on the run up to the Eisteddfod, who also earned points for their relevant houses.

The day ended in an exciting finale which included the announcement of the results and the National Anthem. The final winning house was Tŷ Coch, followed closely by Tŷ Oren in 2nd place and Tŷ Llwyd in 3rd place!

A huge thanks to all staff that took part in organising an extremely successful Eisteddfod 2010. Diolch!

Miss L Cope
Head Of Welsh

English GCSE Coursework

Any Year 11 students who have yet to hand in all their English coursework: Final deadline
This must be made a priority, there will be no excuses for not meeting the final deadline which will be the first day that the college reopens. Any English coursework that is still to be submitted is already late and failure to meet this deadline will have a detrimental impact upon final grades All material eg. essay structures and preparation work have been given to the students. This is not a new task, those who have not handed it in are late