THE English Faculty at Bryn Hafren has been looking on the past academic year with pride. “I am so proud of everything the girls have achieved in lessons, and during extra-curricular clubs and trips,” says Miss Banks, head of English.

Through the year there have been many accomplishments worth noting. September saw pupils (and some brave staff) dress up as their favourite Roald Dahl characters to celebrate Dahlicious Day and raise money for charity. Year 13 visited the New Theatre to watch an excellent production of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap (but no more can be revealed about it as they were sworn to secrecy before leaving the theatre).

World Book Day in March was another excuse for fancy dress as pupils and staff came to school dressed as literary characters. The Year 7 ‘Smarties’ group had their poems published in the Young Writers ‘Poetopia’ book.

Additionally, the Year 8 Creative Writing club’s short stories were entered into various competitions, including the Radio 2, 500 words contest, and did very well.

Year 12 (along with some aspirational younger students) visited Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare, to watch an RSC production of Othello in preparation for their Year 13 studies. They even squeezed in a boat trip on the canal.

More recently, heats have been held to choose a team for the Kids’ Lit Quiz to be held in the autumn term at Howells School in Cardiff. The team was announced last week. Congratulations to Ellie Jones, Ina Lalik, Joscelin Hall, Isobel Stevens, Harrie Dutton and Amy Blake.

Finally, the Bryn Hafren’s Eisteddfod witnessed the chairing of the youngest Bard in recent memory. Joscelin Hall, of Year 7, won the prestigious competition with an enigmatic, profound poem entitled ‘Time’. The English team loved its use of metaphor.

Miss Banks looks back on a very successful year and says, “The girls of Bryn Hafren never cease to amaze me. Their enthusiasm for and commitment to English is incredible. We’re hoping for another improved set of GCSE results this summer, which will complement the upward trajectory of the past two years. As an alumna of Bryn Hafren myself, the school and its pupils make me proud every day.”