Day 2 – Thurs 16th Feb: the Secret Lagoon, Gulfoss, Geysir, Thingvellir National Park.

We set out for the Secret Lagoon first thing after a breakfast of cereal, waffles and juices. We spent an hour bathing in the geothermally heated waters. Parts of it were very, very warm so we had to pick our bathing spots carefully. Nearly everyone tried some ‘snow bathing’ too for the true Icelandic experience; getting really, really cold before submerging themselves in the warm water.

Next we drove to Gulfoss, a huge waterfall where thousands of litres tumble over two-tiers into a narrow canyon. In the past British investors planned to divert the river for energy production but were unsuccessful after a protest by a local farmer’s daughter, Sigridur Tomasdottir, who walked to Reykjavík bare foot to draw attention to the issue. Also en route was a pool used to drown suspected witches in

A few miles further we stopped at Geysir, another geothermal area with bubbling springs and geysers. We walked a short distance, past a number of steaming fumaroles that bubbled away with a smell of rotten eggs. We then reached Strokkur, the most impressive geyser in the area which constantly bubbles away then blasts water 20m in the air every 5 minutes or so. We saw a series of four or five steam eruptions, each more impressive than the last. Pupils then had time to buy souvenirs and extra food in the shopping area nearby.

Our last visit of the day was to Thingvellir National Park. We stopped at at a number of viewing platforms with impressive panoramas over the rift valley that runs south-west to north-East through Iceland. We then walked about a mile through the Rift Valley alongside the edge of the North American Plate which towered to our right hand side. Looking east we could see braided streams running into Lake Thingvellirvatn and volcanoes framing the horizon. En route Stephen stopped us at Logberg ‘the law rock’. Here Iceland’s Viking leaders formed the world’s first democratic parliament and would meet annually to recite existing laws and resolve judicial matters. We also stopped along the way at a footbridge to admire the gurgling water below. But this was the Drekkingarhylur (Drowning Pool) a place where, between 1602 and 1750, at least 18 women were executed for suspected witchcraft.

Evening meal of bbq chicken, rice and chips followed by apple crumble.

MCS Geography: Iceland Fieldtrip blog

Day 1 – Weds 15th Feb: MCS – Hotel Vatnsholt, SW Iceland

An early start this morning – 4.30am outside the school gates! Feelings of eagerness, anticipation (and slight angst among the teachers) could be felt as we waited for the coach, which arrived 10 minutes behind schedule. However, a smooth journey got us to Heathrow promptly and we navigated check in and security without mishap. Pupils enjoyed airport breakfast while others partook in some plane-spotting. Our tour guide, Stephen, met us and introduced himself before we boarded the flight.

On arriving in Iceland, we were greeted with heavy snowfall and sharp, chilling winds – a true baptism to Icelandic conditions. Waiting for us was our rather stern and bus-proud driver, Bernstein, who oversaw a strict and well-rehearsed luggage-packing-protocol, before delivering the ‘ground rules of transit on Bernstein’s bus’. From Keflavik airport we drove across the lava fields of the south-west to the ‘bridge between the continents’ and walked over the fissure that has opened as the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates have split apart. Snowball fights ensued as we clambered down into the fault line.

Our next stop was Brimketill, an extraordinary geological feature on the coast near Staðarberg. Here the lava rock of the coastline has been rounded into what looks like a big man-made bath tub due to the constant beating of the Atlantic waves. A raised metal walkway led us to a coastal viewing platform where enormous waves crashed beneath us and covered us in spray. An unfortunate group of year 10 pupils had an early shower. Before re-boarding the coach Bernstein conducted a thorough boot inspection to prevent any sand being deposited on board.

From here we had a long drive to Hotel Vatnsholt. En route Stephen described recent volcanic activity in the area and pointed out new lava flows which had melted the thick snow from sections of some hillsides. We arrived at Hotel Vatnsholt at 7.30pm, all feeling very hungry and worn out from a long day of travel. Rooms were allocated before we shared spaghetti bolognese followed by ice cream for our evening meal. We invited Bernstein to join us, hoping to mellow him for the coming days. Before bed, pupils enjoyed the games room, some TV or followed the Swans in their 2-1 win victory against Blackpool.

The Welsh Government has just published an update for schools on Covid 19. Learners are no longer obliged to test themselves. If they have symptoms and are ill, like any other virus, they are advised to stay at home from school until they feel better.

However, if they choose to test and the result is positive, they are should self-isolate for 5 days minimum. They should then test again twice, to get two negative results before they return to school. On the tenth day they can return to school regardless of the result.

WG Update: Guidance for people with symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19 | GOV.WALES

GCSE and A Level Art & Photography pupils attended a visit to the Tate Modern Gallery London on 2nd December 2022 to gather reference images and experience first-hand artist resources from many of the great artists of the 20th and 21st century.

An excellent day to enrich their studies with some great experiences had by all. Pupils should be commended for the way they conducted themselves in a busy city. Well done all!

GCSE Results day – Thursday 25th August 2022

Morriston Comprehensive School will be open to pupils to collect their results from 9.00am.

Results will be available to collect from the “HWB” area in the school.

Pupils need to collect their own results.

For results to be collected on behalf of a pupil, a letter of authorisation and proof of ID of the person collecting will be required. Results will not be given without this information.

We are very pleased to share how successful our Year 13 students have been in this year’s A level and BTEC awards.  These students have faced external exams for the first time in their education and we are very proud of the way in which they conducted themselves in rising to this challenge.

We are delighted that nearly all of our students have gained the university placement, work placement or apprenticeship of choice and we were surrounded with many smiling, happy faces on results day.  Of particular note, and huge congratulations go to:

• Mackenzie Hopkins with A*, A*, A, A who embarks on a gap year before deciding on her university major
• Kallum Doyle with A*, A,  and Distinction who starts at Swansea University to study Software Engineering.
• Abby Willimer-Scott with A*, A, A who will go on to Swansea University to study Psychology.
• Sam Church with A,  A,  and Distinction who will start his Civil Engineering Apprenticeship in Sept.
• Freya Jones with A*,A, A, B who will start studying Psychology in Swansea.
• Lewis Morgan with A*, Distinction, B, C who will now go on to Cardiff Met to study Product Design.

Best wishes to our outgoing Head Boy Isaac Batty who leaves to study Criminology and Policing at the University of West London and also to our outgoing Head Girl Charlotte Howells who is travelling to Exeter University to study Geography.

Dear Parent / carer of Year 11 students,

Following a request from Year 11 students to bring the year group event forward from the original date (22nd June) , we have decided to now hold a short celebration event on Friday June 10.th from 11.00 am in the central hub area. We have chosen this date as there are no GCSE examinations in the afternoon.

We will provide refreshments and cake and give students the opportunity to enjoy some time with their year group and sign shirts if they want.

We would remind Year 11 that they will need to be in school uniform for all their GCSE examinations and would need to have a spare shirt if they want to have them signed. Year 11 will be allowed to leave at lunch time if they do not have a lesson in the afternoon.

Apologies if you inadvertently received information about this Friday, but this date is not possible as there is a Computing examination in the afternoon.

Thank you in advance for your support

Regards
Martin Franklin
Headteacher

Dear Parents and Carers of year 12,

How does the university application process work? Can we afford it? What financial support is available? What are the alternatives to university? Is it worth it?

If these are questions that you have pondered, then please join us at an in-person talk about all things university on June 23rd between 6 and 7pm in our Theatre.

We will aim to give you a complete outline of the UCAS university application process and how you can be better informed to help your child navigate the choices presented to them post 18.

We will also outline the support and guidance that we will be providing in school for the whole of year 12 and how you can help them keep on track through the summer of year 12 after their AS exams and into starting year 13 A level courses.

The talk will be led by Miss Richmond, our Deputy Headteacher who will also share contact details of our Careers advisor, Mr R. Anderson to answer any wider questions you may have.