Latest Information

Joint Communication From All Secondary Schools in Carmarthenshire:

Coronavirus Risk Assessment

Please find below the latest Local Authority risk assessment, adapted to the Dyffryn Taf site, approved by the Chair of Governors, Mrs. Jo Kind.

We are delighted to share with you the work of one of our Year 13 students, Holly Murcott. Holly is a member of our Senior Prefect Team and a talented artist. She took time during lockdown to design and illustrate a children's book explaining Covid-19 for primary age pupils in a colourful and imaginative way. We are sure you will agree that it strikes the balance of being fun and engaging but with the right tone and enough seriousness to get messages across. Great work Holly! 

Catering at Dyffryn Taf

The school is aware of concerns raised by some parents on social media, regarding the quality of food provision at lunchtimes.  As you will know, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Catering Service runs our dinner hall and is responsible for the break and lunchtime offer.  The service has asked that all concerns be directed to CEContactCentre@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

We will hold discussions with the service to ensure that our pupils can access a high quality of provision at break and lunchtime.

Mr J G Kennedy, Headteacher

Message for Parents and Carers in Year 11

We have arranged for Year 11 pupils who completed the January English Literature exam to collect their results during registration tomorrow (Thursday).  As this will be, for many pupils, their first external examination result we know there will be a lot of excitement and maybe some concern.  Therefore, English teachers will be available to offer support if needed.  Additionally, Year 11 pupils will be allowed to use their phones to call or message home tomorrow, during registration and in the English block only.  We very much hope they will be sharing good news with you.

Please see below a survey from Carmarthenshire County Council's school Governor Unit and Welsh Government, regarding changes to the school term currently being considered by Welsh Government. Please note that, if you choose to take part in the survey, your views will go to Welsh Government not to us at Dyffryn Taf. 


Annwyl bawb

 

Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ystyried opsiynau o amgylch strwythur y diwrnod ysgol a'r flwyddyn ysgol.

 

Mae Parentkind a'r Grŵp Gweithredu ar Dlodi Plant wedi cydweithio i greu arolwg byr i rieni er mwyn rhoi cyfle iddynt rannu eu barn ar ddiwygio'r diwrnod ysgol a'r flwyddyn ysgol yng Nghymru.

 

Byddem yn gwerthfawrogi pe gallech rannu'r ddolen i'r arolwg er mwyn annog rhieni i gymryd rhan. Y dyddiad cau yw Ionawr 23ain.

 

CPAG & Parentkind Diwygio'r diwrnod ysgol a'r flwyddyn ysgol yng Nghymru (smartsurvey.co.uk)

 


Dear all

 

The Welsh Government is exploring options around the structure of the school day and the school year.

 

Parentkind and the Child Poverty Action Group have worked together to create a short survey for parents to give them the chance to share their views on reforming the school day and school year in Wales.

 

We would appreciate if you could share the link to the survey to encourage parents to take part. The closing date is January 23rd.

 

CPAG & Parentkind Reforming the school day and school year in Wales poll (smartsurvey.co.uk)

Parent Governor Vacancy


Gwahoddir ceisiadau am Riant-lywodraethwr ar gyfer yr ysgol o blith rhieni gyda phlentyn/plant ar gofrestr yr ysgol er mwyn llanw 1 swydd wag ar y Corff Llywodraethol o 3ydd Ebrill.

 

Os derbynnir mwy nag 1 cais, cynhelir etholiad yn ystod y tymor ymhlith rhieni gyda phlant ar gofrestr yr ysgol.

 

Mae’r ffurflen gais, ynghŷd â’r cyfyngiadau ar gymhwyster pobl i fod yn llywodraethwyr, wedi atodi a dylid eu hanfon yn ôl at llywodraethu@sirgar.gov.uk erbyn 10 o’r gloch y bore ar ddydd Gwener, 21 Ionawr 2022.

 

Bydd y rhiant-lywodraethwr llwyddiannus yn gwasanaethu am gyfnod o 4 blynedd ac NI fydd rhaid iddo/iddi ymddiswyddo os bydd ei p(h)lentyn/p(h)lant yn gadael yr ysgol.

 


Dear Parent / Carer


Applications are invited for a Parent Governor at the school from parents with a child/children registered at the school in order to fill 1 vacancy on the Governing Body from 3rd April.

 

In the event of the receipt of more than 1 application, an election will be conducted during the term involving parents of pupils registered at the school.

 

Application papers, together with the limitation provisions on people’s eligibility to be governors, are attached and should be returned to governance@carmarthenshire.gov.uk by 10 a.m. on Friday, 21 January 2022.

 

The successful Parent Governor will serve for a period of 4 years and will NOT be required to cease to hold office when his/her children leave the school.


Nomination Form

Carol Service

Dyffryn Taf is proud to present this year's online carol service. Filmed recently at the beautiful St. Martin's church in Laugharne, the film showcases the musical talent of choirs, group ensembles, solo singers and instrumentalists.  My thanks again to all the staff and pupils, with the support of their families, who rehearsed for many weeks - it may look effortless, but it certainly was not! Please take the opportunity to share the film with friends and family as a part of what I hope will be a peaceful Christmas and New Year for us all.  Nadolig Llawen and Blwyddyn Newydd Dda. 

Carol Service

Community Facilities


Councillor Sue Allen is working hard to improve facilities in the local community.  She has circulated a parent and carer survey on local play facilities.


If you have the time to complete a survey she would be very grateful.

Dweud eich dweud ar gynllun iaith Gymraeg y Cyngor ar gyfer ysgolion 

 

Mynnwch gael dweud eich dweud am ddyfodol addysg ddwyieithog yn Sir Gaerfyrddin am y 10 mlynedd nesaf. 

 

Mae Cyngor Sir Caerfyrddin wedi lansio ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus i gasglu barn pobl am ei Gynllun Strategol Cymraeg mewn Addysg (WESP) drafft. 

 

Mae'n ofynnol yn ôl y gyfraith i bob awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru gael cynllun o'r fath, ac mae'n nodi gweledigaeth y Cyngor ar sut byddwn yn datblygu'r ddarpariaeth Gymraeg yn ein hysgolion o 2022-2032, yn seiliedig ar ganlyniadau a thargedau a bennwyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru.  

 

Dysgwch fwy a rhowch eich barn i ni https://www.sirgar.llyw.cymru/cartref/gwasanaethaur-cyngor/addysg-ac-ysgolion/addysg-ddwyieithog/cynllun-strategol-cymraeg-mewn-addysg-csga/  


Daw'r ymgynghoriad i ben ar 29 Tachwedd.

 

Have your say on council’s Welsh language plan for schools 

 

Have your say on the future of bilingual education in Carmarthenshire for the next 10 years. 

 

Carmarthenshire County Council has launched a public consultation to gather views on its draft Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP). 

 

The plan, which is required by law for all local authorities in Wales, sets out the council’s vision on how we will develop Welsh language provision in our schools from 2022-2032, based on outcomes and targets set by Welsh Government. 

 

Find out more and give your views https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/home/council-services/education-schools/bilingual-education/welsh-in-education-strategic-plan-wesp/ 

 

The consultation closes on November 29.

Spare Seats on School Transport


Following a Risk Assessment, the Authority is now able to reintroduce the “spare seat” policy for learners living within the walking distance of their catchment or nearest school to be able to travel on school buses where there is spare capacity.

 

The cut off for receipt of applications for this year has therefore been extended to 29th October 2021, after which applications will be processed in accordance with the stipulated eligibility criteria and awards will be made during mid November. Those who have already applied during the course of the current year do not need to re-apply.

 

Applications can be made online at carmarthenshire.gov.wales/schooltransport - remember to choose the “spare seat” option in the application form.



Yn dilyn Asesiad Risg, mae'r Awdurdod bellach yn gallu ailgyflwyno'r polisi “sedd sbâr” i ddysgwyr sy'n byw o fewn pellter cerdded eu dalgylch neu'r ysgol agosaf allu teithio ar fysiau ysgol lle mae lle sbâr.

 

Felly mae'r terfyn ar gyfer derbyn ceisiadau ar gyfer eleni wedi'i ymestyn i 29 Hydref 2021, ac ar ôl hynny bydd ceisiadau'n cael eu prosesu yn unol â'r meini prawf cymhwysedd a bennir a rhoddir dyfarniadau yng nghanol mis Tachwedd. Nid oes angen i'r rhai sydd eisoes wedi gwneud cais yn ystod y flwyddyn gyfredol ail-ymgeisio.

 

Gellir gwneud ceisiadau ar-lein yn sirgar.llyw.cymru/cludiantysgol  - cofiwch ddewis yr opsiwn “sedd sbâr” ar y ffurflen gais.

Summer 2021 Results

Years 12 and 13

Everyone at Dyffryn Taf welcomes confirmation of the Centre Assessed Grades for students in Years 12 and 13. All the learners have worked incredibly hard and shown real resilience in succeeding against a backdrop of uncertainty and disruption. Credit too to the staff of the school, who have worked tirelessly to prepare young people for unique assessments and in an environment very different to the norm. Many thanks also to all our families and to the Governing Body for their support. 

Given the unique nature of this year’s assessment process, the school will not, at this stage, be publishing an overall analysis of performance. We are proud of everyone’s achievements. However, the performance of certain individuals are of particular note:


Year 13

Year 12


Year 11


Following confirmation of the school's Centre Determined Grades for Year 11 and Year 10 Cymraeg students, everyone at Dyffryn Taf would like to celebrate the achievements of our pupils. They have worked hard all year in extremely difficult circumstances and deserve credit for their resilience and positivity. We would also like to thank all staff for their hard work and dedication, along with the superb support given by families and the Governing Body.


We will not at this stage be providing an analysis of overall performance or highlighting the grades of individuals. Students have performed very well at all ability ranges and across all subjects. We are proud of each one of them. Our highest achieving students achieved 8 A* and 2 A grades. That group, and other students achieving the highest grades, will now undertake the Seren programme alongside their Level 3 studies. 


We wish all our students well as they continue their learning in our Sixth Form or elsewhere. 

Collection of GCSE and A-Level Certificates Summer 2020


Certificates can be collected from school on Monday, 7th June 2021 between 9am and 1.30pm.  


Please telephone the school on Monday on 01994 242100 to arrange a time to collect them - PLEASE DO NOT TURN UP WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT.

Further dates will be arranged for collection of certificates if you are unable to attend on Monday. 

They can be collected by parents/carers/students etc and must be signed for.  We are unable to post ceritifcates out due to the cost of issuing replacements.

If you have any queries please contact the school from Monday of next week. The school office is closed this week due to the half-term holidays.

Vacancy for parent/carer Governor at Dyffryn Taf


A vacancy has arisen for a parent/carer Governor at the school.  Any parent or carer interested in being considered for the role should review the information below, provided by the Local Authority, and submit a nomination in line with its requirements. Should a ballot be required, further details will be circulated to all parents and carers at the school.



Applications are invited for a Parent/Carer Governor at the school from parents/carers with a child/children registered at the school in order to fill 1 vacancy on the Governing Body from 26 June.

 

In the event of the receipt of more than 1 application, an election will be conducted during the term involving parents of pupils registered at the school.

 

Application papers, together with the limitation provisions on people’s eligibility to be governors, are below and should be returned to governance@carmarthenshire.gov.uk by 10 a.m. on Friday, 30 April 2021.

 

The successful Parent/Carer Governor will serve for a period of 4 years and will NOT be required to cease to hold office when his/her children leave the school.




Gwahoddir ceisiadau am Riant/Gofalwr lywodraethwr ar gyfer yr ysgol o blith rhieni/gofalwyr gyda phlentyn/plant ar gofrestr yr ysgol er mwyn llanw 1 swydd wag ar y Corff Llywodraethol o 26 Mehefin.

 

Os derbynnir mwy nag 1 cais, cynhelir etholiad yn ystod y tymor ymhlith rhieni gyda phlant ar gofrestr yr ysgol.

 

Mae’r ffurflen gais, ynghŷd â’r cyfyngiadau ar gymhwyster pobl i fod yn llywodraethwyr, isod a dylid eu hanfon yn ôl at llywodraethu@sirgar.gov.uk erbyn 10 o’r gloch y bore ar ddydd Gwener, 30 Ebrill 2021.

 

Bydd y rhiant/gofalwr lywodraethwr llwyddiannus yn gwasanaethu am gyfnod o 4 blynedd ac NI fydd rhaid iddo/iddi ymddiswyddo os bydd ei p(h)lentyn/p(h)lant yn gadael yr ysgol.



Nomination Form - PDF


Nomination Form - Word

Latest update 22/1/21

Update for parents and carers with children eligible for Free School Meals - Wednesday, 24th February 2021

Free School Meals Letter 24/2/21

Llythyr Prydau Ysgol am Ddim 24/2/21

Parents/Carers of Pupils in Year 9: 

The Learning Pathway for Year 10 2021-22.

Your child is asked to complete their Option Choices form and submit it by February 26th. 

The link to the Form can be found in their Year 9 Form Google Classroom.

Proposed New School Bus Bays


Carmarthenshire County Council has submitted a planning application for new bus bays for the school. These would be located beyond the red gravel hockey pitch with a pathway to enter the school grounds. We are strongly in favour of the building of these new bus bays which will considerably improve pupil safety and ease congestion on North Road. 


If you would like to comment on the planning application you may do so by:

or

Carmarthenshire County Council "10 Towns" Plan


Carmarthenshire County Council is developing a strategic plan for towns in more rural parts of the county.  They would welcome your views by following the link below and completing the comments section.  As a school we will certainly be drawing attention to the need for a new build for Dyffryn Taf and the opportunity that such a strategic plan represents. 


Calling all KS3 pupils from Ysgol Dyffryn Taf


Live PE sessions will be taking place from Monday (8th of February) via your PE Classrooms.


Year 7: Monday at 2.25pm

Year 8: Wednesday at 2.25pm

Year 9: Friday at 2.25pm


Make sure you have returned your live-stream agreement via your Welsh Classroom so you can join in the fun. 


Look forward to seeing you there.

AS A SCHOOL WE HAVE ENTERED AN 'ACTIVE MINUTES CHALLENGE' WHICH HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE CARMARTHENSHIRE 'ACTIF' DEPARTMENT. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK.

National Survey for Children and Young People - Friday, 22nd January 2021


Today, we received the information below from the Children's Commissioner for Wales' Team regarding a National Survey for Children and Young People. It is a follow up Survey from the one that was shared during the first lockdown.  We apologise in advance for the short notice given as the deadline for Survey submission is the 29th of January. If possible, please ask your children to read the information below and to complete the survey. 

   

The Children's Commissioner for Wales, the Youth Parliament and Children in Wales have been working with the Welsh Government, to make sure that they hear and listen to what you have to say. All of those people want to make sure they are doing their best for all children and young people in Wales. They want to make sure that they are giving you the information and support you need to feel as happy as possible during this time and afterwards. 

  

The survey should take you around 15 minutes. 

  

The survey closes on 29 January 2021. 

  

Please share your views.  Click here for the survey 



Mae pobl sydd am wneud gwahaniaeth yn eich bywyd eisiau clywed gennych chi ynglyn â sut mae bywyd wedi bod i chi dros yr wythnosau diwethaf. 

  

Mae'r Comisiynydd Plant, y Senedd Ieuenctid, a Phlant yng Nghymru wedi bod yn gweithio gyda Llywodraeth Cymru er mwyn gwneud yn siwr eu bod nhw’n gwrando ac yn clywed beth sydd gyda chi i’w ddweud. Mae'r pobl yma eisiau gwneud yn siwr eu bod nhw'n gwneud eu gorau ar gyfer holl blant a phobl ifanc yng Nghymru. Maen nhw eisiau sicrhau eu bod nhw’n rhoi’r wybodaeth a’r cefnogaeth sydd angen arnoch chi i deimlo mor hapus a phosib yn ystod a thu hwnt y cyfnod yma. 

  

Dylai’r arolwg gymryd tua 15 munud. 

  

Mae’n cau ar 29ain o Ionawr 2021. 

  

Cliciwch yma i rhannu eich barn

Update from the Headteacher on External Assessment Arrangements - Wednesday, 20th January 2021


The Education Minister this afternoon confirmed that schools in Wales will be moving to a Centre Assessed Grade model for external assessments for Years 11-13 for Summer 2021. Please see below a letter for all parents or carers and learners in those year groups. Please be assured that I will ensure that the process at Dyffryn Taf will be thorough and fair, in the interests of all our learners. We expect further guidance and training to follow over the next few weeks and will issue further updates as needed. 


Qualifications Wales Letter 20/1/21


Llythyr Cymwysterau Cymru 20/1/21

Letter for learners in Years 11-13 from Qualifications Wales

Please see below a letter from Qualifications Wales regarding the decision to cancel the planned internally set and assessed units, which would have taken place in the Spring term.  We appreciate the anxiety that the uncertainty around assessment arrangements may cause some pupils.  When we have more information, we will share it with you. Pupils should continue to complete all tasks set by their teachers while we await further updates.

Update on Childcare Arrangements - Thursday, 7th January 2021

Carmarthenshire County Council has reviewed its policy on childcare arrangements in the current lockdown. A broader group of parents and carers is now eligible to be considered for childcare, although for secondary schools that group remains restricted to pupils in Year 7. (Pupils with particular vulnerability will be considered separately).  Please read the below letter from Mr. Gareth Morgans, Director of Education and Children's Services. Should you wish your child to be considered for childcare at Dyffryn Taf during the period whilst school sites are not open to pupils, please contact Mrs Catrin Cole via office@dyffryntaf.org.uk or phone the school on 01994 242100.

Update on return of pupils on site - January 2021

The Welsh Government has announced that pupils in Wales will not return to on site teaching until Monday, January 18th at the earliest.

A blended learning programme supported by staff will begin on Thursday, January 7th.

Please click on "Headteacher Updates" above for further details.

Information from Carmarthenshire County Council - January 2021 

Please see below two letters from Carmarthenshire County Council regarding school closures and direct payments for families eligible for free school meals. If you have any queries arising from this information, please contact the school on 01994 242100 or via the office@dyffryntaf.org.uk email address.

Change to INSET schedule

Many of you will be aware that Monday January 4th 2021 has been scheduled as a county-wide INSET day. We had originally planned not to hold an INSET on that date in order to maximise time with Year 11 students who would have been sitting an English Literature external examination unit that week. With that unit now cancelled and with an uncertain picture of how the Covid-19 situation will develop over the Christmas period we have decided that we will now hold an INSET day in line with rest of Carmarthenshire.

Monday January 4th 2021 will now be designated as an INSET day. The school will be closed to pupils who will now be expected to return on Tuesday January 5th 2021.  We will review the use of the remaining scheduled INSET days during the Spring Term. At this stage it is most likely that we will not hold an INSET day on the last day of the Summer term in July. We will confirm those arrangements nearer to the time. 

Apologies for any inconvenience that this may cause. However, given current circumstances, this is the most common-sense course of action to take.

Urgent update on emergency heating repairs from the Headteacher - Monday, 7th December 2020

YEAR 7 & 8 PUPILS ONLY IN SCHOOL FROM TUESDAY, 8th DECEMBER

YEAR 9-13 PUPILS ARE REQUIRED TO LEARN FROM HOME FROM TUESDAY, 8th DECEMBER

As you will know, we are having to carry out emergency repairs to the school heating system. The initial investigation today has identified the source of the problem as being in the area of the Main Entrance to school. That poses additional problems for us. That area contains asbestos which will need to be managed safely. It also means that the canteen will not be accessible other than through a single fire door. We have a small number of classrooms, such as those in the Maths Block, which are heated separately to the main boiler. However, we do not have enough to maintain a full service in a way which is safe for pupils and staff.

I have therefore reluctantly taken the decision to partially close the school this week. From tomorrow, Tuesday December 8th, the school site will only be open to Years 7 and 8. Those pupils will follow their normal timetable but will be taught in different rooms to usual. All pupils in Years 7 and 8, with the exception of those eligible for Free School Meals, will need to bring a packed lunch all week. Pupils eligible for Free School Meals will be provided with a meal in school. The rationale for selecting those two year groups is that they are the pupils least likely to be able to be left independently during the working day. We do not wish to add to the inconvenience by asking parents and carers to organise child-care at short notice. 

All pupils in Years 9-13 are required to learn from home for the remainder of this week. A blended learning programme will be put in place, as during the recent circuit-breaker. However, due to the limited number of classrooms available for safe use, we cannot guarantee that teaching staff will be available for live responses via email etc. 

The situation will be reviewed at the end of the week and a decision will be taken regarding arrangements for next week. May I apologise for any inconvenience arising from a situation beyond anybody's control. I very much hope to be able to welcome all pupils back on site on Monday December 14th. Please continue to check the website for further updates. 

Parents/Carers Letter 7/12/20

Urgent Heating Repairs - w/c 7th December 2020

We need to carry out urgent repairs to a damaged heating pipe at the school this week. We would normally schedule work like this for school holidays. Unfortunately, that will not be possible over the Christmas holiday. We have been advised that we risk damaging the main boiler if we wait until February Half Term. The impact is that many classrooms will be heated using temporary heaters from Tuesday onwards. 

We will not know until the work begins what the impact will be, both in terms of the length of time the repair will take and the temperature we will be able to bring classrooms to. We will be reviewing the situation continually and hope to be able to keep the site open for all pupils. We will issue a further update on Monday December 7th. 

School Transport Arrangements - 30th November 2020

As part of the ongoing review of health and safety at the school we are making some changes to the bus dropping off and picking up points on the school site. These changes will not affect the points where pupils get on the bus at the start of their morning journey, or where they are dropped off at the end of their return journey in the evening. 

We have worked with the bus companies, Carmarthenshire County Council and Councillor Sue Allen to improve the bus bay area in the car park and address the congestion on North Road. Overgrown foliage has been cut back and the bus bays marker lines have been repainted.  From Tuesday December 1st 2020, the following routes will set pupils down and pick up after school from the bottom bus bay near the Sports Hall:

Taf Valley Coaches

Routes 

737 - Maenclochog

738 - Narberth

740 - Mynachlogddu

741 - Robeston Wathen 

742 - Llanteg 

749 - Ludchurch

Jones Login

DT06 Blaenwaun will drop off and pick up at the Sports Hall bus bays. 

D10 will drop off and pick up at the bus bays at the front of school (this replaces a large coach in the congested area with a smaller one). 

All pupils on affected routes will be told of the new arrangements on the bus tomorrow.

To help us manage the safety of your sons and daughters we would appreciate the following support:

Please do not park in the bus bays at the front of the school or in the bottom car park.

If you are dropping of or collecting pupils from the school, please do not use either of the bus bay areas as dropping off points. 

If you are using the bottom car park, which is a public facility, please be aware of the coaches needing to enter and exit safely, including reversing. 

We are still working with Carmarthenshire County Council to try to have new bus bays built which will remove the need for buses to enter North Road to drop off and collect pupils. Until that point, your support in using the existing bays safely would be much appreciated. 

Collection of GCSE and A-Level Certificates Summer 2020


Certificates can be collected from school on Monday, 7th June 2021 between 9am and 1.30pm.  


Please telephone the school on Monday on 01994 242100 to arrange a time to collect them - PLEASE DO NOT TURN UP WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT.

Further dates will be arranged for collection of certificates if you are unable to attend on Monday. 

They can be collected by parents/carers/students etc and must be signed for.  We are unable to post ceritifcates out due to the cost of issuing replacements.

If you have any queries please contact the school from Monday of next week. The school office is closed this week due to the half-term holidays.