Governors' Report to Parents

External exams: Again a successful year with all of our A-C statistics being well above the National average.

• - GCSE ART and DESIGN - all 34 pupils entered with 97% A-C grades. Thanks to the efforts of Pupils, Teachers, Classroom Assistants, Parents etc.
• - GCSE ART TEXTILES - first year of examination - all 18 pupils entered with an excellent 100% A-C pass rate. Congratulations to the pupils and to Miss Games, as this was her first examination group to go through the Art Department on this endorsed Textiles course.
• - AS Art and Design - 90% A - D pass rate.
• - A Level - 100% A-D with 83.3% achieving A-C grades.
• - A Level Art Textiles - 100% A-B grades.

It is most pleasing to note the confidence the pupils have in the department as well as their clear enjoyment of the subject with a very big group of 22 pupils returning to follow the Art and Design AS course and 8 following the Art Textiles course. We therefore now have 30 going through the Art Department in Year12 - the majority of the biggest schools in Carmarthenshire, even Wales could not boast such a figure!

Summer Art and Technology Show

• - This year started by a presentation to all year 9 pupils for their participation in the Physicians of Myddfai project. Each pupil received a commemorative mug with an image of their tile on it; a certificate for their progress files and a pack of herbal chocolates made by Lara Bernays, Miss Jenkins and a group of Year 9 pupils. Hywel Pygh, Lara Bernays, Gill Wright and Elin Forsyth outlined the aims and achievements of the project. Visitors commented favourably on the ceramic tiles, appreciating their bilingual nature as well as their herbal remedies!
• - The work of all pupils entered for Art and Design and Art Textiles courses were on display as well as an impressive display by a selection of Technology candidates.
• - All promotional leaflets, invites etc were created ‘in house' this year - funded in part by a community grant.
• - Catering - Miss Jenkins organised the drinks assisted by a team of willing Yr 9 pupils. Ice Cream was sold by a local producer - a percentage of the profits being donated to our charity this year - Neville Hall Children's Art Therapy Departments.
• - Show visited by several of the Rhys Prichard Classes as well as many pupils from Llangadog during the following week.
• - Entertainment - 2 school bands entertained our guests out in the sunshine - we later heard reports that the people of Llandovery were deliberately having BBQ's so that they could join in on the atmosphere! Many thanks to all involved.
• - A highly successful show once again making all the hard work worthwhile - a real team effort by a group of staff volunteering to help us as a department to stage the show once again! A true celebration of the efforts of all of our pupils and so encouraging noting the number of pupils returning to our sixth from, eager for more!

Looking Forward to the Summer Show 2008 - If you have any suggestions as to how we can improve/develop this celebratory evening then we would be very grateful for your comments. In addition, with so many candidates this year we are already having to discuss the logistics of this event. Any offers of help in any way shape or form would be gratefully received and so please do not hesitate to contact us as soon as possible.

DELLS/WJEC - Key Stage 3 Moderation scheme - Pre-pilot and pilot involvement by the department. (1 of approx 20 in Wales)

Digital portfolio evidence of the characteristics typical of certain levels, were provided to DELLS/ACCAC as part of these pilots. Useful involvement keeping us one step ahead prior to a variation of the scheme being statutory from Sept 2008.

Having worked through these processes at extremely busy times of the year in terms of external examinations we were very pleased to receive the subject report which confirms our accurate understanding of levels as well as confirming the appropriateness of our curriculum delivery in providing our pupils with the opportunities that they need in order to achieve their highest possible level.

We are involved with the pilot again this year however as a department we have decided to set our deadline dates independently of the WJEC so as not to impact on our time so heavily at external examination time.

Mrs Forsyth also 1 of the 7 moderators in Wales for the Dells/WJEC moderation of Year 9.

Extra Curricular Activities during 2006/2007

• - Display Cabinet in Staff Room - we decided to display the 3D work of pupils in the staff room as a ‘reward' to pupils and also hopefully to show staff what some of our pupils are capable of achieving.
• - Urdd Eisteddfod - Congratulations to James Thistlewood for winning 1^st prize for his ceramic Mask.
• - Carmarthenshire Competition - ‘Spring in Wales' - 1^st - Suzanne Lander, (Prize - digital Camera) 2^nd Nicholas Goolding (Prize - voucher and album); 3^rd Hannah Morgan ( Prize - voucher and album).

Llangadog winners were presented with their prizes during their visit to the Art Exhibition.

• - Rotary Art Competition.
• - Art in Action - trip to Oxfordshire Art event for the sixth form.
• - Lara Bernays - ceramic artist in residence worked with Year 9 pupils.
• - Art in the Parc - Penpont - Brecon - Yr 9 to view the sculptural work of other artists.
• - Mid Wales Art Tour - for sixth from pupils.
• - Art and Technology day for Yr 5 pupils and staff from our Family of Schools - ceramic masks made.
• - Involvement with Yr 6 during their induction days.
• - Emma Chapman organising the Three Counties Art Exhibition - Carmarthen Library - Pantycelyn work on display.
• - Regular after school and lunch time clubs to support the development of work.

What's to come during 2007/2008 - so far!

• - Cwm Rhaeder Woods - Yr 10 to create their own sculptures using natural materials.
• - Mid Wales Art Gallery tour for sixth form pupils.
• - Knitting and stitching show for Art Textiles candidates.
• - Year 11 to Pitt Rivers Gallery in Oxford
• - Urdd Art Competitions on the theme of Communication.

Summary of Key issues for development this year.

• - Upgrading of ICT facilities within the Art department. Looking closer at Adobe and introducing Illustrator and Animation packages.
• - Sewing Machines need upgrading working eventually towards a class set which will aid continuity etc.
• - Organisation of sixth Form - with such high numbers of candidates, each developing their work in their own individual ways the monitoring of their progression is paramount especially when taking into account the logistical problems encountered so far, (port folio development)
• - Storage of resources and paperwork within the art room.
• - Support for Tessa Games who is now teaching Year 9 Art and Design - technical skills will have to be developed as the course progresses. Elin Forsyth to monitor.
• - Sharing of the KS3 Moderation process and a practical understanding of levels for the pupils.
• - Development of level folio with family of schools.
• - ‘Housing' the summer show - where?

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