Bro Myrddin Welsh Comprehensive School

Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin (English: Bro Myrddin Welsh Comprehensive school) is a Welsh-medium school in Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is situated near the village of Croesyceiliog, about 114 miles (2 km) south of Carmarthen. Myrddin, the Welsh name of the legendary figure Merlin, is traditionally associated with the town of Carmarthen (Caerfyrddin: Myrddin's fort), and Bro Myrddin means "Myrddin's country (or vale)".

Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin
Location
Map
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SA32 8DN

Information
TypeState school
MottoHeb Ddysg Heb Ddeall (Without learning there is no understanding)
Established1978
Local authorityCarmarthenshire County Council
Chairman of GovernorsParchedig Beti-Wyn James
HeadteacherLlinos Jones
GenderMale/Female/Non-Binary
Age11 to 19
Enrolment950
LanguageWelsh
HousesHengwrt , Hergest , Llwydiarth and Peniarth
Colour(s)   Lilac and black
Websitehttps://www.yggbm.org/
Bro Myrddin from Alltycnap Hill
Annual School Eisteddfod, 2009
The Entrance Sign

Approximately 79% of pupils come from Welsh-speaking homes; in 2022 all pupils could speak Welsh to first-language standard.[1]

History

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The School was founded in 1978,[2] on the premises of the former Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School for Boys, Carmarthen. In 1996 the school was moved to its current purpose-built campus at Croesyceiliog. Its first Pennaeth (Headteacher) was Mr Gareth Evans, who was succeeded upon his retirement in 1997 by Mr Eric Jones, and then by Mr Dorian Williams, in 2006. The latest Headteacher is Dr Llinos Jones, who took Mr Williams' place at his retirement in 2014.

Category change

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In September 2016 the school was changed to a Category CC school, which means that it is a designated Welsh school. Bro Myrddin was first in the county to become a MW school. Furthermore, all National Curriculum subjects are taught in Welsh (except for English), from year 7 in 2016 and for every subsequent year.[3][4] There were many consultations and discussions with Parents future, past and present, pupils past and present, members of staff and the local community. There were some concerns raised, the main concern was studying in Universities where the Mathematics and Science training is through the medium of English after following a Welsh course at the school, some thought that this would be a disadvantage. On the other hand, there were numerous benefits of this change including that it will encourage the Welsh ethos outside the classroom and reduce the workload of the teachers who currently have to produce bilingual resources.[5]

Ethos

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The school's motto is 'Heb Ddysg Heb Ddeall', which translates as 'Without learning there is no understanding'. The school colours are lilac and black.

Houses

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The school has four houses (which are referred to using the Welsh 'Llys'): Hengwrt (house colour: green), Hergest (red), Llwydiarth (black) and Peniarth (blue). The four houses annually compete in the school's own version of the Eisteddfod, in which there is a day of singing, playing instruments, reciting and numerous other events – held on the nearest Friday to St David’s day, and a sports day held in the summer term. Numerous other events are held during the year.

Musical

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Approximately every 3 years a musical is performed in the local theatre. The 2016 musical was called 'Chwarae Cuddio' ('Hide and Seek' in Welsh).[6] The 2019 musical 'Rhif 1 Heol Penlan' was staged at the Lyric Theatre between the 20th to the 22nd of November. This original musical was about the lively history of the Carmarthen Union Workhouse in 1837.[7][8]

Results

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[4]

2007: 82.8% of 15-year-old pupils achieved 5 or more A* – C grades at GCSE or equivalent

2007: 81.9% of 17-year-old pupils achieved 2 or more A – C grades at A/AS level or equivalent

2015: 81.7% of 15-year-old pupils achieved 5 or more A* – C grades at GCSE

2016: 88.0% of 15-year-old pupils achieved 5 or more A* – G grades at GCSE

Curriculum

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  • Core: Welsh, Maths, English and Science
  • Humanities: History, Geography, and Religious Studies
  • Creative subjects: Drama, Art and Design, and Music
  • Technology: ICT, Resistant Materials, Catering, Health and Social Care, Textiles, Furniture *Manufacture and Graphic products
  • Foreign languages: French or Spanish

Other: Business Studies, Government and Politics, Health and Social Care

Notable alumni

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Politics

Arts

Sports

References

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  1. ^ "Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin | Estyn". www.estyn.gov.wales. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  2. ^ "Prif dudalen".
  3. ^ "Carmarthen school to become county's first Welsh-medium secondary". 2 September 2015.
  4. ^ a b http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/9941ea_11a4f9067c1548e697911c28cfbfdf01.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  5. ^ https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/media/4180/consultation-report-ysgol-gyfun-gymraeg-bro-myrddin-english-v2.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  6. ^ "Chwarae Cuddio". Archived from the original on 14 November 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  7. ^ "Rhif 1 Heol Penlan". Theatrau Sir Gâr. Archived from the original on 8 December 2019.
  8. ^ "The Workhouse in Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire". www.workhouses.org.uk. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  9. ^ a b "Ospreys' Bowen on the challenges and joys of physio life".
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