STANWELL School enjoyed a busy few days of charity challenges, sword fighting and a debating competition last week.

On Saturday, November 8, 14 staff cycled from the school gates to Pontypridd and back in atrocious weather conditions to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Over £1300 has been raised already, before a raffle was drawn last Friday, November 14.

On Remembrance Sunday representatives from Stanwell School attended Penarth War Memorial, where wreaths were laid by the Head Boy and Head Girl to commemorate the fallen. The ceremony was very moving and students and staff members felt that it was an honour to have been present.

On Friday, November 7, a group of 40 students from Year 10 to 13 visited the Wales Millennium Centre to perform extracts from the upcoming production of Aida. Year 13 students Tom Chandler and Rebecca Thompson compered the event, which featured a range of solo and chorus numbers. The performance was highly praised by members of the public and the family and friends who attended the event.

Tickets will be released to the public on Monday, November 24, and will be available from the school priced £10 and £8. Follow @Music2XL for further updates.

A selection of very energetic Year 9 and Year 10 pupils have just returned from an outdoor activity weekend in the Urdd centre in Glan-llyn, North Wales. The pupils took part in many activities on the Lake Tegid and had a fantastic time despite the wet weather over the weekend. The staff at Glan llyn were very impressed with the pupils’ behaviour and attitude towards all aspects of the centre. Miss Anthony and Miss Pollard would also like to thank all the pupils involved for their excellent company and their adventurous spirit.

The student charity committee wishes to thank all those who have donated shoeboxes full of presents for Operation Christmas Child. There has been a fantastic response to the appeal.

Pupils who study further maths were invited to sit the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge on Thursday, November 6.

The challenge is aimed at 16-19 year olds who study and enjoy mathematics.

Fight Choreographer Kev McCurdy (Stage Combat Master at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama) visited the school on Tuesday, November 11, to work with a group of students involved in sword-fighting scenes in the upcoming production of Aida. A school spokesman said: “The realism achieved by the group under Kev’s direction was absolutely jaw-dropping and we are sure the fight sequence will be one of the highlights of the show. All of the students involved thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and we are so proud of their impressive results.”

Year 12 and 13 students Lowri Thomas, Jess Vining, Katie Black, Emma Thorne and Georgina Bartlett competed in the Cardiff heat of the Historical Association Great Debate competition on Thursday, November 13. All students spoke eloquently about the importance of the Magna Carta and the impact it has had on their personal civil liberties. Congratulations to Lowri Thomas of Yearr 12 who won the heat and now gets to compete in the final at the Royal Holloway in London on March 14 next year. She will compete against other regional finalists from across the UK.

Aida tickets will be going on sale from Monday, November 24. They can be purchased from Main Reception and will cost £10 for adults and £8 for concessions.Children In Need day at Stanwell was a hugely enjoyable experience, with pupils and staff entering into the spirit of the event to raise money for charity. There were cake-sales, bake-offs, activity stalls and a superb concert starring pupils and staff with a special highlight being the Brooks twins from the X Factor. The school also held a non-uniform day to mark the occasion and a wonderful day was had by all. By the close of the day, £2937 had been raised with more still to come from sponsorship. Thanks and well done to all pupils and staff.