Learning life skills at St Illtyd’s
Students at St Illtyd’s Catholic High School have been enjoying many different experiences as they continue to develop many life skills.
Food Tech Visit to Miller & Carter
Pupils studying GCSE Food and Nutrition took part in a visit to Miller and Carter Steakhouse to learn about jobs in catering & hospitality this term. During their visit, the learners made fruity mocktails while they also seasoned and cooked their own steaks. The experience has had a great impact on their learning as they were able to ask and answer questions surrounding demonstrations as well as showcase their knowledge and skills.
The learners have a food preparation task coming up in the new year where they will be expected to plan and produce a three-course meal around the topic of ‘Eggs’ or ‘Popular Multicultural Foods’ in Wales.
Their visit has given the learners an insight into the food Industry and has helped to inspire them with ideas for their practical exams. The host was very complimentary about our pupils and even put the spotlight on those whose skills stood out!
Beth Pask-Williams, Teacher of Food Technology
British Interactive Media Association (BIMA) Digital Day
St. Illtyd’s Catholic High School took part in the annual digital event - BIMA Digital Day 2023. This event took place in school on Wednesday the 8th of November and was an exciting opportunity for learners to experience and learn about digital careers and expand their digital skills.
The event is an opportunity for schools to work alongside digital companies to complete digital challenges set by the British Interactive Media Association (BIMA). This year St. Illtyd’s Catholic High School was partnered with Spin Dogs – a Cardiff based marketing company that currently works with companies like Sony, Triumph, and Harley Davidson.
Spin Dogs and BIMA provided information about careers in the ever-expanding digital sector. Learners submitted an entry, competing against other schools, to a digital challenge set by Vue Cinemas.
Lloyd Griffiths, Head of Design Technology and DCF Co-ordinator
Welsh Youth Parliament - My School Day Event
Back in September a small group of Year 10 pupils had the opportunity to attend a Welsh Youth Parliament event at Siambr Hywel in the Ty Hywel building (the location of the old Senedd) in Cardiff Bay alongside other schools from South Wales.
The purpose of the day was for pupils to learn about the work of the Welsh Youth Parliament, in particular the work of the Education and School Curriculum Committee and to give their opinions on the Welsh Government’s proposal of extending the school day by five hours to provide more time for wellbeing activities. Our pupils enjoyed working in the focus groups and providing their opinions on this important topic.
In the afternoon, pupils put questions to two Members of the Senedd as part of a panel discussion- Vikki Howells MS and Heledd Fychan MS. The day ended with a tour of the Senedd building.
Our pupils thoroughly enjoyed this experience, so much so that one of our pupils is considering applying for the Welsh Youth Parliament.
Luisa May, Community Focused Schools Co-ordinator
Rights Fest Event
In October, 13 students and I went on a Rights Fest trip to the Cardiff City stadium. While we were there, we were welcomed by a lady called Jeslin, who then introduced us to a number of different organisations and charity groups. They talked about what they do as an organisation, what they are trying to achieve and the work they have already accomplished.
These groups included Milk Honey Bees, Plan Internation UK and Office of the Children's Commissioner. After learning about each one, our group of girls went to a workshop with Milk Honey Bees where we made mind maps about what we as women wanted to say, and then powerfully spoke about our mind maps to everyone in our group.
It was really nice to feel like our voices were being heard for once, and to let all our opinions, feelings and thoughts out to everyone in our group. Us girls loved the workshop as it really made us realise what it was like to be a woman.
We then went upstairs to the Premium Lounge where there were a number of different women's rights organisations. A campaign that we all were specifically interested in was “Love your period campaign" where we were informed about period poverty and the effects of it. It was really interesting. Most of the girls, including me, got period products from the campaign for free, including reusable ones.
Finally, the day ended in a fun way with us girls engaging in many different activities. Overall, the day was filled with lots of new things for us girls to learn and we were grateful to have the massive opportunity to be part of such a great organisation.
Millie Gold - Year 11 Senior Prefect