Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg
Encyclopedia
Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen is a Welsh
Medium comprehensive school in the village of Church Village
near Pontypridd
, in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales
. It was the first Welsh language comprehensive school in the south of Wales.
Attention was brought upon the school recently with the revival of a campaign to retain the name of Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen over the local council's decision to rename the school Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg, for reasons of historical significance.
differs in certain respects from the systems used elsewhere in the United Kingdom
. As Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen is a Welsh medium
school, all subjects apart from English are taught in the Welsh language, with pupils encouraged to speak Welsh with one another outside of lessons.
Gwilym Humphreys was the first Headmaster of Rhydfelen. He was born in Wallasey
, England, the son of a Presbyterian Minister and raised in the mining village of Rhosllannerchrugog, Denbighshire.
As the school grew a house system
was developed to group the children. In Welsh they were called llysoedd (plural; llys singular). Up to 1973 there were three Houses: Dinefwr (dark blue), Ifor Hael (red) and Sycharth (yellow).
In 1973, when the school had grown to nearly 1,000 pupils, the number of llysoedd was increased to six. They were named Dafydd (dark blue), Gruffydd (light blue), Hywel (yellow), Iolo (red), Llywelyn (purple), and Owain (orange).
The school had its own magazine called Na Nog, which was published annually.
The buildings were grouped roughly into three blocks and named after the Welsh kingdoms of Gwent, Powys and Dyfed
.
The buildings in Gwent were the oldest and dated from the Second World War. Extensive use was made of portable cabins (portacabins) as school rooms and these were mainly in the Gwent block of the school. Powys was a three-storey building with classrooms a canteen (called y ffreutur) a staffroom a swimming pool and it also housed the 6th form area the main staffroom, the school reception and the headmasters office. Dyfed was a two-storey building with classrooms a large hall and it also housed the school library. The school gymnasium burned down and was replaced by a new gymnasium in approximately 1977. This gymnasium survived intact until 2007, when the school site was demolished. The old school site also had a large on-site Rugby Field, and tennis courts.
In 2006, the school moved to a new site as part of the Gartholwg Community Campus complex in Church Village
, which consists of Ysgol Gynradd Garth Olwg Welsh medium primary school, Church Village library, Garth Olwg nursery, Garth Olwg Lifelong Learning Centre and the replacement building for Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen.
Today approximately 1000 students are on the school roll, including 160 students studying at sixth form. About ninety-two percent of pupils come from homes where the main language is English as against eight percent from homes where Welsh is the main language. A new school magazine, Bytholwyrdd, has been published every quarter since 2006.
The school itself consists of five blocks: Berthlwyd, Celyn, Drysgoed, Maendy and Pentwyn.
The school currently has six feeder primary schools. They are:
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Castellau (Beddau), Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Evan James (Pontypridd), Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Garth Olwg (Church Village), Ysgol Gynradd Heol-y-celyn, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Gwaelod y Garth, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pont Sion Norton.(Pontypridd)
stated that a name change, to Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg, was logical. However, this change was met with opposition from pupils, parents, former pupils, and staff at the school, who wished to retain the old name, Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen, in order to retain the identity of the school and the historical associations that its name held.
Some pupils expressed strong opinions on the matter, with letters published in local newspapers, including plans to boycott the school uniform if it contained the new name of the school, demonstrating the strength of opinion amongst the pupils.
The petitions committee of the Welsh Assembly heard a petition, presented by the acting head teacher Dr. Philip Ellis, in October and November 2007.
On the 16 March 2009, a letter was released, from the chairman of the Governing body, informing the school's parents and pupils of the recent decision by the Governing Body in relation to the name of the School. In a meeting of the Governing Body with representatives of the Local Authority in the Autumn Term of 2008 (with no pupil representation), it was pressed upon the Governors that the legal name of the school was Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg and that it was required to recognise this. Realising that it had no real choice in the matter, the Governing Body voted to recognise Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg as the Official and Legal name of the school.
Although the name of the school continued to be Garth Olwg officially, events at the start of 2009 meant that the school’s name be re-considered, again. Certain Rhondda Cynon Taf councillors supported the continuation of Rhydfelen, including Jane Davidson
(AM) and Dr Kim Howells
(MP). Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
considered the issue in a meeting held on the 22 April 2009.
The matter was once again voted upon and a final verdict of not reverting the school name back to Rhydfelen was agreed. The school name was due to Ms T Anne Morris. She believed that changing the name was for the best, however the Rhydfelen spirit still lives on.
Although the school’s name changed to Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg in 2008, the school badge retained the name Rhydfelen until the 2008-2009 term. There was a competition held during April 2009 to create a new badge for the school. The competition was open to every pupil and also the pupils in the final year of the feeding primary schools. The chosen design enabled the winning pupil to follow her design from conception to seeing the final product. The School believes this will give a fresh new look to Garth Olwg.
The old school badge depicted a coal tip or a mountain of coal which was once a common sight in the locality and the green is the grass growing down below. It was supposed to symbolise that the Welsh language will one day grow over the people like the grass will one day grow over the mountain of coal.
The new badge depicts a mountain range in the shape of a 'G', for Garth Olwg and Gymraeg. The "Gymraeg" justification is extremely tenuous, since "Cymraeg" is the de facto name of the language, and "Gymraeg" a mutation, normally prefixed by 'Y'. The mountain is, of course the Garth Mountain, where the school derives its name.
The School uniform was re-launched during the Autumn term of 2009. It consists of a black jumper with the new school badge, white shirt, green and gray striped tie, black trousers/skirt and black shoes.
At A-Level, in 2007, the percentage of students gaining at least two grades A-C was 77%, compared to 68% nationally.
Actors include Richard Harrington, Jeremi Cockram
, Daniel Evans
, Richard Lynch
, Lisa Palfrey
, Gareth Potter, Maria Pride
, Ieuan Rhys
, and Geraint Todd
.
Computer scientist Rob Hartill
who is best known for his work on the Internet Movie Database
website and the Apache web server. Notable for playing a key role in the initial growth of the World Wide Web.
Engineers include Matthew Edwards, part of the Swansea University
's efforts with the Bloodhound SSC
rocket car.
Entertainers include Martyn Geraint, children's entertainer, Geraint Benney, and TV cook Dudley Newbury.
Entrepreneur: Ian Jindal, former Head of Online Operations (1998–2000) at the BBC
.
Broadcasters and Journalists include Magi Dodd, presenter on BBC Radio Cymru
's C2
show; Catrin Beard, former presenter of S4C's "Hel Straeon" (sister of Emyr Lewis, Chaired and Crowned poet), BBC television and radio broadcaster Alun Thomas and BBC political reporter and presenter Ciaran Jenkins, (brother of Bethan Jenkins
AM), Dudley Newbury, presenter of cookery programmes on S4C
Politicians include Jon Owen Jones
MP, Bethan Jenkins
AM, Delyth Evans
former AM, and Dafydd Trystan Davies, former Chief Executive of Plaid Cymru
.
Sports-players include footballer Owain Warlow
, Welsh international rugby player Kevin Morgan and Welsh international netball player Carys Rowlands who is now a teacher at the school. Mr Wales 2011 body builder Nathan Rose
Writers and poets include Gwyneth Lewis
first National Poet for Wales
, Emyr Lewis, Chaired and Crowned poet of the Welsh National Eisteddfod, dramatist Ian Rowlands, Gwyn Morgan (writer)
, writer Richard Harris author of "Closets are for clothes"
, novelist Nia Williams and Gavin Courtney, author of the New York Times Bestseller "How Asian are you?".
guitarist in the rock band, Super Furry Animals
was former Head of Art at the school.
Peter Griffiths, former headteacher of Rhydfelen from 2003 onwards and before that, Ysgol Gyfun Llanhari
. He is father to the well known Hollywood actor, Ioan Gruffudd
who's featured in such films as "Fantastic Four
" and "Wilde
". He retired in 2007, after one year at the new Campus.
John Owen
, creator of the Welsh Television children's series. Pam Fi Duw? and author of the series of books of the same name, was a Drama teacher at the school. He committed suicide in 2001 after having been arrested and charged with serious criminal offences against children.
. Clywch is the Welsh word for listen.
The Report highlighted serious failings within the school and Education Authority which allowed the teacher John Owen to abuse
pupils over a number of years. Complaints about John Owen dated back to 1983/4 but were ignored.
After the publication of the Clywch Report, nine former pupils of the school brought a legal action to claim damages for the injuries caused to them. All nine cases were settled before trial by December 2008.
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
Medium comprehensive school in the village of Church Village
Church Village
Church Village is a large village in the historic parish and community of Llantwit Fardre, located within the Taff Ely district of the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf in Wales...
near Pontypridd
Pontypridd
Pontypridd is both a community and a principal town of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales and is situated 12 miles/19 km north of the Welsh capital city of Cardiff...
, in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. It was the first Welsh language comprehensive school in the south of Wales.
Attention was brought upon the school recently with the revival of a campaign to retain the name of Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen over the local council's decision to rename the school Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg, for reasons of historical significance.
Welsh medium education
Education in WalesEducation in Wales
Education in Wales differs in certain respects from education elsewhere in the United Kingdom. For example, a significant number of students all over Wales are educated either wholly or largely through the medium of Welsh: in 2008/09, 22 per cent of classes in maintained primary schools used Welsh...
differs in certain respects from the systems used elsewhere in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. As Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen is a Welsh medium
Welsh medium education
Education delivered through the medium of the Welsh language is known as Welsh medium education .Welsh medium education should be distinguished from the teaching of Welsh as an academic subject. Welsh as a subject is taught as first language in Welsh medium schools...
school, all subjects apart from English are taught in the Welsh language, with pupils encouraged to speak Welsh with one another outside of lessons.
Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen (1962 - Present day)
Rhydfelen was established in 1962 in the village of Rhydyfelin near Pontypridd. It was the first Welsh language comprehensive school in the south of Wales and the second to be established in the country. In the first year 80 pupils were on the school roll.Gwilym Humphreys was the first Headmaster of Rhydfelen. He was born in Wallasey
Wallasey
Wallasey is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, in Merseyside, England, on the mouth of the River Mersey, at the northeastern corner of the Wirral Peninsula...
, England, the son of a Presbyterian Minister and raised in the mining village of Rhosllannerchrugog, Denbighshire.
As the school grew a house system
House system
The house system is a traditional feature of British schools, and schools in the Commonwealth. Historically, it was associated with established public schools, where a 'house' refers to a boarding house or dormitory of a boarding school...
was developed to group the children. In Welsh they were called llysoedd (plural; llys singular). Up to 1973 there were three Houses: Dinefwr (dark blue), Ifor Hael (red) and Sycharth (yellow).
In 1973, when the school had grown to nearly 1,000 pupils, the number of llysoedd was increased to six. They were named Dafydd (dark blue), Gruffydd (light blue), Hywel (yellow), Iolo (red), Llywelyn (purple), and Owain (orange).
The school had its own magazine called Na Nog, which was published annually.
The buildings were grouped roughly into three blocks and named after the Welsh kingdoms of Gwent, Powys and Dyfed
Kingdom of Dyfed
The Kingdom of Dyfed is one of several Welsh petty kingdoms that emerged in 5th-century post-Roman Britain in south-west Wales, based on the former Irish tribal lands of the Déisi from c 350 until it was subsumed into Deheubarth in 920. In Latin, the country of the Déisi was Demetae, eventually to...
.
The buildings in Gwent were the oldest and dated from the Second World War. Extensive use was made of portable cabins (portacabins) as school rooms and these were mainly in the Gwent block of the school. Powys was a three-storey building with classrooms a canteen (called y ffreutur) a staffroom a swimming pool and it also housed the 6th form area the main staffroom, the school reception and the headmasters office. Dyfed was a two-storey building with classrooms a large hall and it also housed the school library. The school gymnasium burned down and was replaced by a new gymnasium in approximately 1977. This gymnasium survived intact until 2007, when the school site was demolished. The old school site also had a large on-site Rugby Field, and tennis courts.
Church Village
Church Village is a large village in the historic parish and community of Llantwit Fardre, located within the Taff Ely district of the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf in Wales...
, which consists of Ysgol Gynradd Garth Olwg Welsh medium primary school, Church Village library, Garth Olwg nursery, Garth Olwg Lifelong Learning Centre and the replacement building for Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen.
Today approximately 1000 students are on the school roll, including 160 students studying at sixth form. About ninety-two percent of pupils come from homes where the main language is English as against eight percent from homes where Welsh is the main language. A new school magazine, Bytholwyrdd, has been published every quarter since 2006.
The school itself consists of five blocks: Berthlwyd, Celyn, Drysgoed, Maendy and Pentwyn.
The school currently has six feeder primary schools. They are:
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Castellau (Beddau), Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Evan James (Pontypridd), Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Garth Olwg (Church Village), Ysgol Gynradd Heol-y-celyn, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Gwaelod y Garth, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pont Sion Norton.(Pontypridd)
School Name
When the school re-located to the Garth Olwg campus in 2006, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough CouncilRhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is the governing body for Rhondda Cynon Taf, one of the Principal Areas of Wales. The council headquarters are located in the town of Tonypandy.- Current composition :- Historic results :...
stated that a name change, to Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg, was logical. However, this change was met with opposition from pupils, parents, former pupils, and staff at the school, who wished to retain the old name, Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen, in order to retain the identity of the school and the historical associations that its name held.
Some pupils expressed strong opinions on the matter, with letters published in local newspapers, including plans to boycott the school uniform if it contained the new name of the school, demonstrating the strength of opinion amongst the pupils.
The petitions committee of the Welsh Assembly heard a petition, presented by the acting head teacher Dr. Philip Ellis, in October and November 2007.
On the 16 March 2009, a letter was released, from the chairman of the Governing body, informing the school's parents and pupils of the recent decision by the Governing Body in relation to the name of the School. In a meeting of the Governing Body with representatives of the Local Authority in the Autumn Term of 2008 (with no pupil representation), it was pressed upon the Governors that the legal name of the school was Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg and that it was required to recognise this. Realising that it had no real choice in the matter, the Governing Body voted to recognise Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg as the Official and Legal name of the school.
Although the name of the school continued to be Garth Olwg officially, events at the start of 2009 meant that the school’s name be re-considered, again. Certain Rhondda Cynon Taf councillors supported the continuation of Rhydfelen, including Jane Davidson
Jane Davidson
Jane Davidson, AM was the Labour Assembly Member for Pontypridd and the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing in the Welsh Assembly Government. She lives in Gwaelod-y-Garth with her husband and three children...
(AM) and Dr Kim Howells
Kim Howells
Kim Scott Howells is a British Labour Party politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Pontypridd from 1989 to 2010, and held a number of ministerial positions within the Government.-Biography:...
(MP). Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is the governing body for Rhondda Cynon Taf, one of the Principal Areas of Wales. The council headquarters are located in the town of Tonypandy.- Current composition :- Historic results :...
considered the issue in a meeting held on the 22 April 2009.
The matter was once again voted upon and a final verdict of not reverting the school name back to Rhydfelen was agreed. The school name was due to Ms T Anne Morris. She believed that changing the name was for the best, however the Rhydfelen spirit still lives on.
School badge
The old school badge depicted a coal tip or a mountain of coal which was once a common sight in the locality and the green is the grass growing down below. It was supposed to symbolise that the Welsh language will one day grow over the people like the grass will one day grow over the mountain of coal.
The new badge depicts a mountain range in the shape of a 'G', for Garth Olwg and Gymraeg. The "Gymraeg" justification is extremely tenuous, since "Cymraeg" is the de facto name of the language, and "Gymraeg" a mutation, normally prefixed by 'Y'. The mountain is, of course the Garth Mountain, where the school derives its name.
The School uniform was re-launched during the Autumn term of 2009. It consists of a black jumper with the new school badge, white shirt, green and gray striped tie, black trousers/skirt and black shoes.
Examination results
At GCSE, the percentage of pupils gaining at least five grades A*-C is 69%. The figure of 69% is above the latest national comparator of 52% and the local average of 60%.At A-Level, in 2007, the percentage of students gaining at least two grades A-C was 77%, compared to 68% nationally.
Notable former pupils
The notable alumni in the following list attended 'Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen' pre 2006:Actors include Richard Harrington, Jeremi Cockram
Jeremi Cockram
Jeremi Cockram is a Welsh television actor best known for playing the character of Sion White in the Welsh soap Pobol y Cwm.He attended Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen, a Welsh language secondary school near Pontypridd.-References:...
, Daniel Evans
Daniel Evans (actor)
-Background:Evans started acting early in life, going to the Urdd Eisteddfod, and beginning to compete there from the age of 5 or 6, as well as going to many amateur productions. He realised it was what he wanted to do aged 8, and aged 17, he won the Richard Burton Memorial Prize at the National...
, Richard Lynch
Richard Lynch (Welsh actor)
Richard Lynch is a Southern Welsh television and film actor best known for playing the character of Garry Monkin S4C's long-running Welsh-language soap Pobol y Cwm....
, Lisa Palfrey
Lisa Palfrey
Lisa Palfrey is a Welsh television actress best known for playing the character of "Rhiannedd Frost" in the Welsh soap Pobol y Cwm. She has also appeared in the British film Maybe Baby alongside Hugh Laurie and Joely Richardson and starred in the cult film House of America.She attended Ysgol Gyfun...
, Gareth Potter, Maria Pride
Maria Pride
Maria Pride is a Welsh television actress who plays the recurring character of Debbie Jones in the Welsh Language soap opera Pobol y Cwm.She is a former pupil of Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen, near Pontypridd....
, Ieuan Rhys
Ieuan Rhys
Ieuan Rhys is an actor. He attended Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Aberdar primary school, and Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen secondary school near Pontypridd, both Welsh language schools. His father, Gethin Evans, was a music teacher at the nearby comprehensive school...
, and Geraint Todd
Geraint Todd
Geraint Wyn Todd is a Welsh actor from Pontypridd in the South Wales Valleys who has played several major roles in Welsh dramas and comedies, and most notable for his role in Cowbois ac Injans in 2006.-Biography:...
.
Computer scientist Rob Hartill
Rob Hartill
Robert Hartill is a computer programmer and web designer best known for his work on the Internet Movie Database website and the Apache web server...
who is best known for his work on the Internet Movie Database
Internet Movie Database
Internet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
website and the Apache web server. Notable for playing a key role in the initial growth of the World Wide Web.
Engineers include Matthew Edwards, part of the Swansea University
Swansea University
Swansea University is a university located in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom. Swansea University was chartered as University College of Swansea in 1920, as the fourth college of the University of Wales. In 1996, it changed its name to the University of Wales Swansea following structural changes...
's efforts with the Bloodhound SSC
Bloodhound SSC
Bloodhound SSC is the name of a project aiming to break the land speed record with a pencil-shaped car powered by a jet engine and a rocket designed to reach approximately...
rocket car.
Entertainers include Martyn Geraint, children's entertainer, Geraint Benney, and TV cook Dudley Newbury.
Entrepreneur: Ian Jindal, former Head of Online Operations (1998–2000) at the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
.
Broadcasters and Journalists include Magi Dodd, presenter on BBC Radio Cymru
BBC Radio Cymru
BBC Radio Cymru is BBC Cymru's Welsh-language radio station, broadcasting throughout Wales from studios in Cardiff, Bangor, and Aberystwyth on FM since 1977. At the time of its launch it was one of the few FM-only radio services in the UK...
's C2
C2
-Biology:* C2 domain, a protein structural domain* C2 regulatory sequence for the insulin gene* Apolipoprotein C2, a human apolipoprotein* In human anatomy, C2 may refer to:** Cervical vertebra 2, the axis, one of the cervical vertebrae of the vertebral column...
show; Catrin Beard, former presenter of S4C's "Hel Straeon" (sister of Emyr Lewis, Chaired and Crowned poet), BBC television and radio broadcaster Alun Thomas and BBC political reporter and presenter Ciaran Jenkins, (brother of Bethan Jenkins
Bethan Jenkins
Bethan Jenkins AM , is a Welsh politician, born in Aberdare, Wales, who has represented the South Wales West Region for Plaid Cymru as a Member of the National Assembly for Wales since 2007.-Background:...
AM), Dudley Newbury, presenter of cookery programmes on S4C
Politicians include Jon Owen Jones
Jon Owen Jones
Jon Owen Jones is a Welsh politician. He was Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Cardiff Central from 1992 to 2005.-Early life:...
MP, Bethan Jenkins
Bethan Jenkins
Bethan Jenkins AM , is a Welsh politician, born in Aberdare, Wales, who has represented the South Wales West Region for Plaid Cymru as a Member of the National Assembly for Wales since 2007.-Background:...
AM, Delyth Evans
Delyth Evans
Delyth Evans born 17 March 1958, Cardiff was the Labour National Assembly for Wales member for Mid and West Wales 2000-03.-Education:She attended Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen and the University of Wales, Aberystwyth...
former AM, and Dafydd Trystan Davies, former Chief Executive of Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru
' is a political party in Wales. It advocates the establishment of an independent Welsh state within the European Union. was formed in 1925 and won its first seat in 1966...
.
Sports-players include footballer Owain Warlow
Owain Warlow
Owain James Warlow is a Welsh footballer who plays as a defender and midfielder for Conference North side Gainsborough Trinity...
, Welsh international rugby player Kevin Morgan and Welsh international netball player Carys Rowlands who is now a teacher at the school. Mr Wales 2011 body builder Nathan Rose
Writers and poets include Gwyneth Lewis
Gwyneth Lewis
Gwyneth Lewis is a Welsh poet, and was the first National Poet for Wales.-Biography:Born into a Welsh speaking family, Lewis's father started teaching her English when her mother went into hospital to give birth to her sister....
first National Poet for Wales
National Poet for Wales
The post of National Poet of Wales was established in May 2005 by Academi – the Welsh National Literature Promotion Agency and Society for Writers. The post is supported by the Arts Council of Wales’ Lottery fund....
, Emyr Lewis, Chaired and Crowned poet of the Welsh National Eisteddfod, dramatist Ian Rowlands, Gwyn Morgan (writer)
Gwyn Morgan (writer)
Gwyn Morgan is a Welsh-language author.-Background and career:Born and raised in Trecynon near Aberdare, as the only son of Gilbert and Margaret Morgan....
, writer Richard Harris author of "Closets are for clothes"
, novelist Nia Williams and Gavin Courtney, author of the New York Times Bestseller "How Asian are you?".
Notable former members of staff
Huw BunfordHuw Bunford
Huw "Bunf" Bunford is the guitarist in the rock band, Super Furry Animals.-Biography:...
guitarist in the rock band, Super Furry Animals
Super Furry Animals
Super Furry Animals are a Welsh rock band that lean towards psychedelic rock and electronic experimentation. Since their formation in Cardiff, Wales in 1993, the band has consisted of Gruff Rhys , Huw Bunford , Guto Pryce , Cian Ciaran and Dafydd Ieuan Super Furry Animals are a Welsh rock band...
was former Head of Art at the school.
Peter Griffiths, former headteacher of Rhydfelen from 2003 onwards and before that, Ysgol Gyfun Llanhari
Ysgol Gyfun Llanhari
Ysgol Gyfun Llanhari is a Welsh medium comprehensive school for 11-18 year olds situated in the village of Llanharry, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales.-Welsh medium education:...
. He is father to the well known Hollywood actor, Ioan Gruffudd
Ioan Gruffudd
Ioan Gruffudd is a Welsh actor.Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he started off in Welsh language film productions, then came to international attention as Fifth Officer Harold Lowe in the film Titanic , and as Lt. John Beales in Black Hawk Down...
who's featured in such films as "Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four (film)
Fantastic Four is a 2005 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics comic Fantastic Four. It was directed by Tim Story, and released by 20th Century Fox. It is the second live-action Fantastic Four film to be filmed. The previous attempt, a B-movie produced by Roger Corman only for the...
" and "Wilde
Wilde (film)
Wilde is a 1997 British biographical film directed by Brian Gilbert with Stephen Fry in the title role. The screenplay by Julian Mitchell is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1987 biography of Oscar Wilde by Richard Ellmann.-Plot:...
". He retired in 2007, after one year at the new Campus.
John Owen
John Owen (author)
John Owen was a children's author and director and is best known for his Welsh teen television drama “Pam fi Duw” , a series of books and TV programs which he wrote and directed...
, creator of the Welsh Television children's series. Pam Fi Duw? and author of the series of books of the same name, was a Drama teacher at the school. He committed suicide in 2001 after having been arrested and charged with serious criminal offences against children.
Clywch Report on Child Abuse
The Clywch Report on allegations of [child sex abuse] at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen was published in June 2004 following a Public Inquiry chaired by the late Peter Clarke , Children's Commissioner for WalesChildren's Commissioner for Wales
The Children's Commissioner for Wales is a publicly funded post in Wales, with responsibility for protecting children's rights as set out in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Peter Clarke was the Commissioner from its introduction in 2001 until his death in 2007. The job interview process...
. Clywch is the Welsh word for listen.
The Report highlighted serious failings within the school and Education Authority which allowed the teacher John Owen to abuse
Abuse
Abuse is the improper usage or treatment for a bad purpose, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as: physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, sexual assault, violation, rape, unjust practices; wrongful practice or custom; offense; crime, or otherwise...
pupils over a number of years. Complaints about John Owen dated back to 1983/4 but were ignored.
After the publication of the Clywch Report, nine former pupils of the school brought a legal action to claim damages for the injuries caused to them. All nine cases were settled before trial by December 2008.