To start off the day we were taken to the South Wales Argus in a Jaguar.  We discussed what the Argus does and is about and we spoke to the Editor.  He told us that they hold fundraising events and try to make the newspapers interesting.  We realised that they don’t just want money, they want to help people.

We then visited the Civic Centre where the Mayor spends a lot of his time.  We were then taken on a tour around before having lunch.  At the end of the day we sat in on a Citizenship Ceremony where people from outside of the UK border finally become a British Citizen.  This was a very interesting and wonderful experience.

The Mayor is a very funny person.  He told us about ways he is trying to improve Newport.  He is also very upset but happy to hand over his place as Mayor in about 10 weeks.

We really enjoyed the day and had great pleasure in meeting the Mayor and Mayoress.

Jermaine Boksh and Katarina Donovan

Chloe Smith and Paige Thomas asked me at the start of term if they could do the Level 2 BTEC Hair and Beauty course over at the college. Myself and Mr Ellaway were able to design a timetable for them to accommodate this. It is obvious that they both have a flair, passion and potential for this subject. Building blocks to a good career are being put in place by both girls. Well done to you both! Mr Smith, Year 12 Form Tutor.

Mr Tim Harrison, MRSC, MRSSAf, Director of Outreach at the University of Bristol, visited the school on 31st January to give pupils information about gases in the air and how they react. He did this via several exciting demonstrations. He showed us hydrogen exploding, which was really loud and he had liquid nitrogen which was cold enough to freeze your fingers off! He made oxygen by splitting up hydrogen peroxide - it made a huge amount of foam and he burned methanol in a water cooler bottle which made an enormous blue flame.

Click here to view images from the event.

Our new Sixth Form facilities have recently been opened with an official ceremony to commemorate the school's £1 million redevelopment.  The event was attended by staff and governors, along with students and their parents.

The refurbished Sixth Form Common Room is part of the school's ongoing £1 million redevelopment.  It has transformed the school with features that include separate study and social areas for students and office space for the Sixth Form team.

The study area has computer facilities and private study areas, while the social area has both comfortable seating and a cafeteria.

The opening was followed by the school's annual awards ceremony which celebrated both academic and extra-curricular successes, led by Mr Jeff Ellaway, Director of Post 16 studies.

Students played a big part in the redevelopment work, choosing everything from the flooring to the furniture and even the colour schemes in the toilets, following consultations with architects and members of the senior leadership team.

Headteacher Mrs Alyson Mills said: "We know these beautifully refurbished facilities will enhance our sixth form provision and will be enjoyed by our students for many years to come.

It is exactly what they deserve and they have waited very patiently for these new facilities
.
"I would like to thank them for their patience and their contribution in making these rooms look so modern and exciting.

"If the first part of our redevelopment looks as good as this, we can't wait to see what the rest will look like.

"The School is changing, and we would love you to come and see it for yourself when we celebrate both the opening of the next phase and also our 40th birthday in the spring."

The next phase of redevelopment will include new performing arts facilities, including drama and dance studios with sprung flooring, and a recording studio.

The school will also have new music rooms, including the provision for a state-of-the-art "Jampod" together with remodelled and fully refurbished changing rooms for PE and performing arts, all scheduled to open in early 2014.

Click here to view images from the event.