On Thursday January 16th Mark Williams from Limb Art  Mark@Limb-art.com visited Prestatyn High School Year 9.
Mark described his journey from that of a Paralympic swimmer to running a successful business.

LIMB-art is a British design and manufacturing company based in the heart of beautiful North Wales dedicated to producing cool prosthetic leg covers.

Mark Williams said: “Our covers restore balance to the silhouette, without trying to blend in or hide, and can be instrumental in raising confidence and self-esteem.”

Founded in 2018 by former Paralympic swimmer and medalist, Mark Williams and his wife Rachael, LIMB-art was born out of an overwhelming desire to help other prosthetic users raise their confidence, be proud of what they have and very simply, but equally importantly have fun showing off whilst doing so!

Mark Williams said: “Prostheses have, over recent years, come on in leaps and bounds functionally. However, aesthetics seem to be generally overlooked. Our covers aim to change this.”

Designed for all users of above and below knee prostheses, LIMB-Art leg covers combine superior quality material and construction with cutting edge design and technology to provide robust, affordable and above all… cool… leg covers.

On 24th March 2020 Prestatyn High School will be holding it’s annual awards evening. This event is to highlight the achievements of our amazing pupils who work hard day in day out to achieve their potential. Nominations from departments and Heads of Year will take place during the coming half term, so there is plenty of opportunity for your son/daughter to work hard over the next few weeks and be recognised for their achievements.

Awards are handed out for engagement and effort as well as going above and beyond for the school or the community. If you know of a pupil who works above and beyond for the good of the community of Prestatyn, or the wider area and would like to nominate them for the community award we would love to hear from you. Please contact me at the school by the end of January 2020.

This event is sure to be one of the highlights of the school year. Tickets will be allocated for those people who have been shortlisted for awards closer to the time and details will be available then.

In support of the Welsh Archery Association Junior Academy.

Airbus invites students currently studying GCSE’s who are interested in finding out more about our Craft and Technical apprenticeships to join us at our Craft Apprenticeships Open Evening at Coleg Cambria. Representatives from Airbus and Coleg Cambria will be available to speak to you about the opportunities on offer.

Presentations will take place at 17:40 and 18:40.

Thursday 23 January 2020 17.30-19.30 Engineering Coleg Cambria Kelsterton Road, Connah’s Quay, Deeside, CH5 4BR

Launch your career airbus.com/careers

Airbus invites students currently studying A-Levels to find out more about our Degree Apprenticeships in Engineering, Business and IT. Representatives from Airbus will be available to speak to you about the opportunities on offer.

Presentations will take place at 17:30 and 18:30.

Thursday 30 January 2020 17.00-19.00

Deeside Sixth Form Centre Kelsterton Road, Connah’s Quay, Deeside, Flintshire CH5 4BR

Launch your career airbus.com/careers

The ‘Creative Arts Dept’ annual carol service took place on Monday 16th December at Prestatyn Parish Church. We had around 50 talented musicians and drama students who participated in this event.
The concert was a mixture of instrumental, choral, drama and solo items prepared through enrichment sessions held throughout the term. Thank you to all our wonderful young performers.

Congratulations also go to Ethan Gordon, who received the ‘Joe Irving Young Musician’ award for his exceptional musical skills!

We are fast approaching the end of another busy and successful year for Prestatyn High School. Once again we were delighted with our exam results with our Year 11s and 13s achieving our best ever results. The percentage of pupils achieving high grade passes of a C grade or above including English and maths at GCSE increased by 10%. Our A level results improved for the 3rd year in a row, and our results place us in the top 25% of schools in Wales and England. We are exceptionally proud of all pupils and staff and these amazing results reinforce our belief that what we are doing day to day is the right thing to do and that the high standards we hold are having an impact.

As a reward for everyone’s hard work I’m pleased to announce the school will be closing early at 12.20pm on Friday 20th December. This will allow pupils and their families a little extra time together to prepare for Christmas and enjoy a different routine on a Friday afternoon.

However, I am keen to stress that I do not expect to see a dip in attendance just because it is a shortened day. Pupils are expected to attend school and lessons as normal. The school has made all the necessary arrangements for school buses/taxis to be at school early to transport pupils home.

The last day of term will be a non-uniform day for pupils. Pupils wearing their own clothes are expected to make a £1 donation which will be shared between Yr Urdd, who are hosting the Eisteddfod in Denbigh during summer 2020 and Hand in Hand, a charity building a school for orphans in Kenya – for further information follow this link: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/phshandinhand

School re-opens for new term: The school re-opens for students on Monday 6th January; there is no staff training day.

I’d like to wish everyone a lovely break, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

GCSE English Language: Oracy Assessments

As part of the GCSE English Language qualification, all Year 11 students are required to complete a group discussion. The assessment contributes to 10% of their final grade.

All students will be sitting the non-examination assessment during the week beginning the 9^th of December. Due to the importance of this assessment, it is vital that all students attend school every day. To ensure that students are fully prepared, we will be completing vital preparation during English lessons. In addition, we will be offering extra intervention time in the lead-up to these assessments.

As part of the regulations linked to the qualification, it is compulsory for all students to be recorded. They must attend school on Thursday, 12^th December and Friday, 13^th December. If your son or daughter is absent from school during this time, they will have a significant impact on their own progress, as well as the progress of their fellow students. We will need a doctor’s note to verify any absences.

If you have any concerns regarding the above, please contact a member of the English Department. Alternatively, please contact Mrs. Baker (Head of Year) or Miss Jones (Assistant Head of Year).

Thank you for your support.

GCSE English Literature: Set Texts

As part of the GCSE English Literature qualification, Year 10 students are required to use copies of their set texts to support their revision.

All students will be sitting the GCSE English Literature Unit 1 examination on Wednesday, 8^th January.

Due to the cost of the set texts, and the fact that a number of students failed to return their books in previous years, we are asking parents and carers to pay a deposit of £10 via ParentPay. Providing the deposit is paid, students will be allowed to take books home. Once books are returned to the department, the deposit will be refunded.

If you have any concerns regarding the above, please contact a member of the English Department.

Thank you for your support.