Dear Parents,

Year 11 Pupils have returned from a wonderful trip to Toulouse. We have been keeping tabs on their progress through the Mfl ‘ning' website and it is clear that everyone had a brilliant time. There is nothing better for learning about language and culture than visiting the country. I would like to thank all the staff and pupils involved especially Mrs Holton for leading the trip and also our colleagues and pupils in France. I am sure that further news will follow both on the website and in the newsletter.

The Mexican day on Wednesday was a great success and I would like to thank all those pupils and staff who took the time and effort over their costumes, they were brilliant. I know that the radio group took photographs and interviewed people. Thank you to the canteen staff for the wonderful Mexican food they served and for their tremendous costumes (the fake moustaches were an excellent touch!).

Important Notice
The cashless system in the Canteen will ‘go live' on Thursday 5th November. On Monday and Tuesday of that week pupils will be registering on the system.

I wish you all a lovely and safe break (Year 11's don't forget to revise for your exams!).

Simeon Molloy
Headteacher

Year 10 Engineering (New Course)
I would like to say what a successful first half term my Engineers have had. Already this term, the pupils have wired a plug and started making a chain de-linker at Deeside College. In school we have disassembled and rebuilt bikes.
For the Welsh Baccalaureate part of the course pupils are planning projects with other local schools.
I am very pleased with the progress pupils have made so far and the maturity shown at college and in school .
A great start to a new exciting course! Well done!
Mrs R. Griffin

** Girls Football will restart the second week after half-term **

FOOTBALLS!
If you wish to play football at lunchtimes, you must bring your own footballs! The P.E. Department have lent out many that have been lost or not returned.

Year 9 Hockey Playnight
This is on Monday 9th November.
Those wishing to play must attend practices.

Year 11
Don't forget to revise during the holidays for your GCSE exams after half-term. Maths paper 1 is on Thursday 5th November.

My Maths Password
This has now changed. All students in Years 8 - 11 should know the new password. If you don't know it, see your Maths teacher.

Mynydd Isa Youth Club - will be open next week during half-term as usual - Monday & Wednesday 7.00 - 9.30pm.
There will be a Youth Club Open Evening on Wednesday November 4th in the Youth Wing, for parents and children to meet the Youth Club staff and see the club in action.
All years are welcome, especially years 7, 8 & 9.
Dave Butler - Mynydd Isa Youth Club

Youth Speaks
This Monday evening at the Beaufort Hotel, the finals of the Flintshire Rotary Club Public Speaking Competition took place. Teams had the daunting task of addressing a large, mainly adult audience. The Intermediate Team, who spoke movingly on the topic of gratitude will not proceed further, but the Senior Team who discussed the teaching of Shakespeare in our schools, were the Flintshire winners. They now proceed to the North Wales and Merseyside Finals.
Hope Lloyd, Katie Deyes, Shaun Dumbill, Kieron Collings, Jacob Bragg, Dominic Cawdell and Tom Blomfield were all a credit to the school.

Visiting Author
On Tuesday morning, the 3rd of November, the school is fortunate to have a second author, Dan Freedman, visiting the school. He will speak to all of Year 7 and 8 about his writing and his career as a sports journalist. Probably there will be an opportunity to buy some of his novels.

It was a delight to see so many prospective parents and pupils at our open evening last Tuesday. There was an immensely positive atmosphere generated by the staff and Argoed pupils and it was a brilliant showcase for the school. The comments we received from the many visitors were universally positive. Every single person I spoke to mentioned how impressed they were with the staff and pupils, especially their attitude, enthusiasm and how proud they were of the school. I cannot thank staff and pupils enough for making this such a successful evening. I would also like to say a big thank you to all those people who took the time to come and see our school.

There is another opportunity to see our school on Tuesday 20th October during the daytime. Anyone wishing to come along should ring the school office to arrange an appointment.

Year 7 pupils visited Chester Zoo as part of their science curriculum on Thursday this week. All reports back say that it was an excellent trip and a great time was had by all.
Thank you to the staff and pupils involved.

On Wednesday 21st October we are having a Mexican Theme day including Mexican food in the canteen. This is a non-uniform day with a Mexican twist.

If you are wearing non-uniform please make sure you bring in your £1.

Simeon Molloy
Headteacher

Chester Zoo

Year 7 enjoyed their Science trip to Chester Zoo yesterday. They were all well behaved and a credit to the school! Whilst at the Zoo, pupils found information on endangered species. Over half term they will complete a science project on an endangered animal of their choice.
Many thanks to all staff who helped with the tours around the Zoo - it is very much appreciated.
H. Goodson

Lost Property
There will be a lost property day on Thursday 22nd October. Items will be placed in the Dining Room for collection.
Any unclaimed items will be sent to charities.

Music
Please forward all outstanding payments for instrumental lessons to Mrs. Sant as soon as possible.

Year 11 Leavers Hoodies - If you would like to place an order, please bring £19 into school - PLUS £7 if you would like a nickname across the back. Give the money to your House Captain along with your size requirements and the nickname you would like printed.

Dinner Credits
Dinner credits will not be available next week.
All outstanding dinner credits are to be repaid immediately.

Bicycles
All students are reminded that bikes are not to be ridden inside the school grounds at any time. Once inside the gates, students must dismount and walk with their bikes to where they leave them.
This is a health and safety issue.

Art Club
Art Club will be held every Monday 3.15 - 4.00pm for years 7, 8 & 9.
If you would like to join, please see Ms Tong as places are strictly limited.

Congratulations to the Year 7, 8 & 9 Girls Football Squad who won all but one game in their Playnight this week!

Argoed Netball v Connahs Quay Year 8 lost 25 - 2 this week to an excellent Connahs Quay squad. Year 9 drew 10 - 10 in a nail biting match!
Well done!

Street Dance will start on Wednesday November 4th in the Gym

Library News - Come to the Halloween Quiz in the Library at Lunchtime on Thursday 22nd October. Prizes for the winners of each year group.

 OPEN EVENING

TUESDAY 13TH OCTOBER 

6.30PM

Dear Parents and Friends,

Our Key Stage 4 pupils had a super series of activities on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, aiding team building and leadership. All the students that I spoke to enjoyed this set of challenging experiences. Thank you to all the staff and pupils involved and also to the Army and Young Enterprise for their support.

Unfortunately our Key Stage 3 Moel Fammau Trip was postponed due to weather. Understandably pupils were disappointed but hopefully we will arrange an alternative event for them again.

Our Youth Speaks Intermediate and Senior Teams successfully won through to the next round of the competition this week. The standard and talent of the young people taking part in this competition has to be seen to be believed. Congratulations to the both teams and Mrs Tibbett on their quality performances.

We have some very exciting events coming up this week.

On Tuesday it is the Open Evening where we celebrate and showcase our school. I am really looking forward to meeting prospective parents and pupils on this evening as making the correct decision about your children's education is one of the key factors in their success. I appreciate the time and effort parents put into attending our open evening. Thank you.

Simeon Molloy
Headteacher

Harvest Festival Assembly Tuesday 13th October
Please bring into school food donations which will be given to Plas Bellin, which is locally situated in nearby Northop.
Plas Bellin provides shelter for homeless families and desperately needs any dried and tinned food donations.
Please bring any items to Mrs Robins (Room 2)
Many thanks for your support. Mrs Robins

Youth Speaks
Congratulations to both the Intermediate and Senior public-speaking teams, who have won places at the district finals on the evening of Monday, the 19th October at ‘The Beaufort Park Hotel'. Both teams were a credit to the school, especially as the Senior Team, consisting of Yr 10 pupils, had to compete against sixth-formers. Well done!
M Tibbett

French Educational Visit to Toulouse
A reminder for pupils that there is a meeting for all pupils going on the trip, on Monday 12th October at 12.30 in room 4. Please bring your E111 European Health Insurance Card with you. Mrs Holton & Mrs Kelsall

Library News
The winners of the Fictional Character Drawing Competition were:
Yr 7: 1st - Daniel Pearce 7SW, Runner up - Bethan Williams 7KR
Yr 8: 1st - Josh Palmer 8JKe,
Yr 9: 1st - Jack Messiter 9DT, Runner up - Izzie Ramsey 9DT
Yr 10: 1st - Mathilda Hardstone 10KH, Runner up - Symmone Hyde 10KH
Well done! There were many wonderful entries which are now displayed in the Library. Come and have a look!

Book Club News: Book Club on Tuesday is now for Years 8, 9 & 10 only. Year 7 Book Club will be on Thursdays 3.10 - 4pm.
Monday Book Club is now full.

Year 8 Netball
Congratulations to the Yr 8 Netball Squad who played inn the County Playnight this week. They played 6 matches, winning 4 of them, drawing 1 & losing only 1
game! Well done! Miss Gilsenan
D of E The practice expedition is drawing near. All participants to attend on Monday to ensure they receive any kit that they need to borrow.

Halloween Quiz
There will be a Halloween Quiz in the Library at Lunchtime on Thursday 22nd October 2009.
Prizes for the winners of each year group!

Argoed Radio Club
Hi there all you budding radio clubbers!!!
If there is anyone who thinks they may have the right skills to be a:-
                  DJ, Broadcaster 
                  Photographer, Cameraperson
                  Interviewer,  Journalist,  Editor
Or you may have an interest of what goes on in our school?
Then we are the right club for you! Everyone welcome!
Diolch - Miss N. Matthews