Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf |
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Main entrance to reception
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| Address | |
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Bridge Road
, CF14 2JL
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| Coordinates | 51°30′04″N 3°13′34″W / 51.50120°N 3.22605°W |
| Information | |
| Type | State school |
| Motto | 'Coron Gwlad Ei Mamiaith' ('A Country's Crown is Her Mother Tongue') |
| Established | 1978 |
| Department for Education URN | 401885 Tables |
| Head Teacher | Matthew Evans |
| Gender | All |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrolment | 1,407 (2022) |
| Houses | Dewi, Dyfrig, Illtud, Teilo |
| Colour(s) | Light and dark blue |
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf is a secondary school in Llandaff North, a part of Cardiff, Wales. It is a Welsh-medium school, which means most lessons are taught in Welsh. Both boys and girls attend this school. It is the largest Welsh-medium secondary school in Wales.
Glantaf was the first Welsh-medium secondary school to open in Cardiff. The other two are Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern. In 2017, about 36% of the students came from homes where Welsh was spoken.
Contents
School History
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf opened its doors in 1978. At first, it shared a building with an English-language school called Glantaf High School. Over time, Ysgol Glantaf grew and eventually took over the whole building.
The first headteacher was J E Malcolm Thomas. Later headteachers included Huw S Thomas and Rhiannon Lloyd. In 2010, Alun Davies became the headteacher. The current headteacher, Matthew Evans, joined the school in September 2020.
In the mid-1980s, the school became very popular, and student numbers grew a lot. Because of this, a part of the school for younger students (Years 7 and 8) was set up in another building in Fairwater. This was called Ysgol Isaf, or "Lower School." This arrangement continued until 1998. When Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr, another Welsh-medium school, opened, all of Glantaf's students could go back to the main Llandaff North site.
Welsh Language Learning
Education in Wales has some differences from other parts of the United Kingdom. Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf is a Welsh-medium school. This means that almost all lessons, except for English language and literature, are taught in Welsh.
Students are also encouraged to speak Welsh outside of lessons. This helps them become fluent and confident in using the language every day. Older students at Ysgol Glantaf can also take the Welsh Baccalaureate exam.
School Spirit and Motto
The school's motto is Coron Gwlad Ei Mamiaith. This means 'A Country's Crown is Her Mother Tongue'. This motto shows how important the Welsh language is to the school. The school colours are light blue and dark blue.
School Houses
The school has four houses, named after famous Welsh saints. These houses are:
- Dewi (house colour: yellow)
- Dyfrig (house colour: green)
- Illtud (house colour: red)
- Teilo (house colour: blue)
Each year, the houses compete in an event called "Gŵyl Glantaf" (Glantaf Festival). This festival includes a day of sports. There is also a day for creative events, like singing, playing musical instruments, and reciting poems. These events are similar to the traditional Welsh Eisteddfod festival.
Student Achievements
Ysgol Glantaf students often achieve good results in their exams. For example, in 2008, many students (76%) earned five or more top grades (A*-C) in their GCSE exams. Also, 76% of older students achieved good grades (A-C) in their A/AS level exams.
Awards and Recognition
In 2019, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf received a special award. It was named the Welsh Secondary School of the Year by the Sunday Times newspaper.
Famous Former Students
Many people who went to Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf have become well-known in different fields.
Arts and Media
- Gareth Bonello, a musician
- Huw Bunford, a musician from the band Super Furry Animals
- Siân Grigg, a Hollywood make-up artist
- Ioan Gruffudd, an actor
- Ffion Hague, a broadcaster and author
- Mali Harries, an actress
- Gethin Jones, a television presenter
- Paul Carey Jones, an opera singer
- Llwyd Owen, a Welsh-language author
- Owen Powell, a musician from the band Catatonia
- Guto Pryce, a musician from the band Super Furry Animals
- Iwan Rheon, an actor
- Matthew Rhys, an actor
- Huw Stephens, a radio presenter and DJ
- Jeremy Huw Williams, an opera singer
- Rhodri Williams, a sports journalist and TV presenter
- Dyfed Wyn-Evans, an opera singer
Sports
- Ioan Lloyd, Rugby Union player for Scarlets and Wales
- Theo Cabango, Rugby Union player for Cardiff Rugby
- Seb Davies, Rugby Union player for Cardiff Rugby and Wales
- Tom Isaacs, Rugby Union player for Ospreys and Cardiff Blues
- Darius Jokarzadeh, an Olympic weightlifter
- Manon Johnes, women's Rugby Union player for Bristol Bears and Wales
- Max Llewellyn, Rugby Union player for Gloucester and Wales
- Jamie Roberts, Rugby Union player for Cardiff Blues and Wales
- Jamie Robinson, Rugby Union player for Cardiff Blues and Wales
- Nicky Robinson, Rugby Union player for Cardiff Blues and Wales
- Lee Thomas, Rugby Union player for Cardiff Blues
- Teddy Williams (rugby union), Rugby Union player for Cardiff Rugby and Wales
Politics
- Rhys ab Owen, a Member of the Senedd (Welsh Parliament)
- Eluned Morgan, a Member of the Senedd and a Welsh Government Minister
See also
- Emyr Currie-Jones, who helped start the school as Chairman of the Education Committee
