Issuu

The Breconian SUMMER 2026

Editor’s Note

Leading the Way Heads of School 2026-27

As another eventful school year comes to a close, there is much to reflect on as a school community . This edition celebrates the energy, talent and determination that have made this year so memorable. Within these pages, you will find highlights from a term filled with academic success, sporting accomplishment and artistic expression. I would like to extend a sincere thank you to every pupil and member of staff, whose enthusiasm and commitment have brought these pages to life and helped to create a lasting record of another exceptional year. Recognition also goes to our prefect team, whose leadership, dedication and unwavering commitment have played a vital role in supporting our school community throughout the year. Their positive example and willingness to serve others have made a lasting impact.

Ella

Congratulations to Mabli and Seniru, our new Heads of School for 2026/27

Congratulations to Seniru and Mabli, our new Heads of School for the 2026/27 academic year! Both Mr Pearson and Mr Wallace met with Seniru and Mabli and agreed that they would lead by example and continue to be valued members of the school community, working alongside our new senior prefect team in the year ahead. “I am incredibly honoured to have been appointed as the Head of School for the next academic year, and it is an absolute privilege to have the opportunity to give back to the community that has shaped me since I joined in Year 7. I will look to fulfil the role with pride and responsibility and build on the legacies of previous Heads of School. I am looking forward to working alongside Mr Wallace in his first year at the school, Mabli as my fellow Head of School, the prefect body, the pupils, and staff to cultivate an even stronger school community. I am very excited for what is to come in my final year at Christ College Brecon, and will endeavour to serve the school and the CCB community to the best of my ability, making a positive and lasting contribution.” Seniru “It is an honour to be appointed Head of School after being a part of this wonderful community since joining in Year 4. I hope to build on the warm and driven culture here, while supporting both pupils and staff in any way I can. I look forward to representing Christ College Brecon with pride.” Mabli

Prize Day 2026 ‘Believe to Achieve’ is the inspirational phrase used on many Christ College communications, from headed paper to the school website and social media hashtags. It embodies the determination, talent and skill at the heart of the year’s accomplishments, many of which are celebrated on Prize Day. In fact, the phrase is a modern version of a translation of the Latin school motto introduced to Christ College by the Revd Daniel Lewis Lloyd (Headmaster 1878-1890) and inscribed on the school’s armorial bearings: possunt quia posse videntur. It is usually translated as variations on “they achieve because they believe they can” or “They are able because they are seen to be able”. At first glance, the words seem to celebrate self-belief and individual ambition, but the original meaning of the Latin motto tells a more collective story. Taken from Book V of Virgil’s Aeneid, the line appears during a description of an intensely fought rowing race between two competing crews. As one of the teams begins to flag, the roar of the crowd encourages the exhausted rowers to believe they are capable of more, spurring them on to achieve what had seemed out of reach. In Virgil’s epic poem, the spectators become part of the victory itself; the race is transformed from a test of isolated endurance into a shared achievement. The rowers are not driven by personal conviction; the whole crew is lifted to victory by the energy and encouragement of the crowd surrounding them. The story of the motto, and therefore of ‘Believe to Achieve’, reframes success not as an individual pursuit but as something strengthened by community. Though talent, preparation, and determination will always matter, Virgil’s line is a reminder that encouragement, teamwork and collective belief is just as powerful.

A Fond Farewell to Mr Pearson “We’ve been lucky enough to work very closely with Mr Pearson in our last year at school, it has been an honour to witness his dedication, passion and care for everything and everyone at CCB first hand. A true highlight has been our weekly Saturday morning meetings, in which we’ve learnt so much, whether that be on sword drill, the phases of the moon or on how to lead and look after ourselves. We always left these meetings with a smile on our faces, and we are very grateful to Mr Pearson for his constant support, and words of advice over the last year. While we are sad for the school to be losing such an integral part of what makes it so great, we are very excited for Mr Pearson for his new chapter and we wish him the best of luck!”

Mr Pearson with Henry at the top of Pen Y Fan during the CCB Mountain Challenge!

Freddie and Hannah, Heads of School 2025/26 “With best wishes and thanks for everything that you did for the Class of 2025. We won't forget the hilarious openers to prefect meetings or the way you say good morning in Welsh!”

Ben, Head of School 2024/25 “Dear Mr Pearson, CCB will be sad to see you go. It is difficult to put into words the impact you have had on the school and on so many of us individually. Under your leadership, the school has continued to grow in ambition, reputation, and reach, not only within our community but on a national and global level. What I will remember most is the personal impact you had on us. You always put in the time and effort to know pupils as individuals, share your warmth, and to make everyone feel valued, rarely missing an opportunity to stop and speak to us as you cycled through the grounds in typical Mr Pearson fashion. I will also fondly cherish the memories of our Saturday morning meetings over a cup of tea. A more recent highlight will no doubt be taking to the field alongside you in the COBS vs 1st XI cricket match.

Awarding prizes during a Prep School assembly

Thank you for everything you have done. As you begin your next chapter, I wish you every happiness and fulfilment, and the very best of luck for the future."

Rusiru, Head of School 2023/24

Mr Pearson taking part in the 1541 laps challenge with our Prep School pupils

Prep School How time has flown! We cannot quite believe we are in the final term of the academic year. However, there is no winding down in CCB Prep and we have been as busy as ever!

Trips Pupils in Years 2, 3 and 4 visited Dan Yr Ogof Showcases in line with their science studies this term.

Year 5 and 6 Residential From Wednesday 1st June - Friday 5th June, Years 5 and 6 enjoyed an exciting and action-packed residential trip to Llain Activity Centre in West Wales. They undertook a host of activities including a coastal walk, coasteering, kayaking and dolphin boat trip.

Enjoying the beach in West Wales!

A great time was had by all!

During the visit, they learnt about cave formation as well as fossils and ancient animals.

Learning how to steer and move through the water

Enjoying a boat trip and finding exciting things!

He’s behind you!

Great teamwork shown on the assault course!

needed Hard hats

es ng the cav

for explori

Don’t get too close

All the safety kit on and ready to get out on the water

Great teamwork shown by all pupils in Year 5 and Year 6!

All smiles as they enjoyed the assault course in the mud!

Sport

Sports Day

Our attention changed to cricket and athletics in the summer term. Many thanks to our Director of Cricket, Mr Bradley, and the Sports Department for their efforts with the pupils.

On Friday 19th June, we held our Prep School Sports Day. The event brought together pupils, staff and families in true Christ College Brecon spirit.

There have been boys’ and girls’ cricket fixtures against schools such as Moor Park, Hereford Cathedral and several Cricket Wales county teams. Our pupils also enjoyed taking part in a local primary schools netball festival!

As always, the pupils impressed with their sportsmanship, effort and determination. It was lovely to see them cheering, encouraging and applauding each other across the finish line. Many thanks to the CCB Friends and Senior pupils who supported the event. Congratulations to Team Wye who were this year’s champions! Communication and coordination skills were needed for our Prep School Sports Day!

Congratulations to Team Wye, this year’s champions!

Pupils in Team Taf standing proudly in green!

Pupils in Team Usk proudly showing oﬀ their banner

A quick icecream break and a chat for the girls

A big thumbs up for the icecreams!

Prep School Continued... Year 3 and 4 Adventure Day On Tuesday 9th June, Year 3 and 4 had their adventure day at the Black Mountain Activity Centre. Conquering their fear of heights, they completed various rope challenges 30ft up in the air! Following this, the pupils aimed their bows and tried to hit the bullseye in archery.

Enjoying the archery at Black Mountain Activity Centre

Ancient Greeks and Athenians Pupils in Year 5 and 6 have been enjoying learning about the Ancient Greeks through topic workshops, arts and crafts and classroom study. They had great fun learning more about life as an Ancient Greek in their workshop and acted out different stories of the Greek Gods. They also got creative by making Ancient Greek theatrical masks and Athenian Shields!

Year 3-6 Production- ‘Sir David Hat and Scarf’ On Thursday 21st May, this year’s St Nicholas House production of ‘Sir David Hat and Scarf’ took place. The show followed a group of children who discovered a magical explorer’s hat which took them on a global adventure. Along the way, they learned about different countries, wildlife and the importance of protecting the environment. The pupils’ commitment and enjoyment were evident throughout, and they should be very proud of their efforts in delivering a polished and entertaining production!

Our pupils Ancient Greek theatrical masks were brilliant!

Prize Giving On Friday 3rd July, our Prep School Prize Day took place. The event started with a service in the school chapel and was followed by a prize-giving ceremony in the Neuadd Auditorium. The Guest of Honour, Dr Grahame Davies, presented awards to pupils across various categories, including Academic Excellence, Outstanding Effort, Sport and Creative Arts.

A great way to celebrate Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday!

Our pupils enjoyed lots of singing and dancing in this year’s production!

Congratulations to all pupils for their performance, it was clear to see the time and dedication spent on learning their songs and lines ready for the show!

The event also presented the opportunity to formally recognise Mr Pearson’s contributions to the Prep School in his time at Christ College.

Thank you to Dr Grahame Davies for being with us to present prizes.

Drama Alway Production: Into the Woods Jr It has been an exceptionally busy and exciting Summer Term in Drama, with our main focus being the highly successful Alway school production of Into the Woods. With two talented casts sharing the principal roles, we were delighted to present four performances to school audiences, family and friends, and members of the public. The production showcased the incredible depth of talent at CCB, with memorable performances from characters including the Baker and Baker’s Wife, the Witch, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, the Wolf, and the Princes. Having two complete casts allowed even more pupils to shine on stage and demonstrated the remarkable standard of performance within our school community. Behind the scenes, our dedicated senior technical team worked tirelessly to bring the magical world of Into the Woods to life. Their creativity and hard work resulted in an impressive set featuring a towering beanstalk, Rapunzel’s tower, and a beautifully enhanced enchanted forest. The team also played vital roles in lighting operation, stage management, backstage support, and makeup, ensuring every performance ran smoothly and professionally. We were fortunate to work with several outstanding theatre suppliers who helped elevate the production. Costumes hired from Thespis Costume Hire, a stunning forest backdrop from Scenic Projects, and a range of high-quality props from Celtic Prop Hire all contributed to creating a truly professional theatrical experience. Into the Woods was a wonderful celebration of creativity, teamwork, and performance. We are immensely proud of everyone involved and grateful for the commitment, enthusiasm, and talent shown by both casts and the technical crew. It was a fitting finale to a fantastic year in Drama and Performing Arts.

“And I know things now! Many valuable things, that I hadn’t known before.” Little Red Riding Hood

Sport The Summer Term has been a success in many ways. It has been great to see cricket flourish for boys and girls this term, with over 100 girls and over 120 boys representing the school. Nearly 120 fixtures were played across the term, it has been a hive of activity every day. The seeds have also been planted for a golf and tennis programme to take place in the summer term, and I look forward to seeing it grow over the next couple of years. This term is about finding balance between sport / physical activity and public examinations, the research suggests that physical activity can complement and enhance academic achievement. I look forward to seeing the developments play out in the future.

Hockey It has been another successful year for Christ College Brecon on the Hockey field, with pupils achieving success at both school and representative level. A standout achievement was our U12 Boys being crowned National Champions. They won all three matches at the National Finals and, remarkably, did not concede a goal throughout either the Regional Qualifiers or National Finals. A phenomenal group performance from a very talented and hard-working group! Several pupils continue to represent their regions, while seven of our U13 players have been selected for the South Wales Dragons squads competing at the UK Lions Regional Hockey Championships in Nottingham this summer. We wish them every success. Congratulations, also to Tilly and Sam C, who are currently pushing for selection to the Welsh Schools Games Squad for the National Finals at Loughborough University in September. We wish you both the very best in your upcoming trials and commend your continued dedication and hard work. Our Tour Squad has been working hard in getting the rust off in preparation for our upcoming tour to Argentina. Excitement continues to build as the trip approaches. Finally, thank you to all our parents, players, staff, and sponsors for their continued support throughout the year. We look forward to another successful hockey season in 2026/27!

Sam Hewick, Director of Sport

Athletics Several of our pupils took part in the Powys Track and Field Championships on 21st May at the track in Brecon. Huge congratulations to: •

George - 1st U14 Hurdles & 1st U14 200m

•

Grace - 1st U14 High Jump & 2nd U14 200m

•

Sam - 1st U16 Javelin

•

Archie - 1st U18 400m

•

Flo - 1st U18 Shot Put

Congratulation to our U12 boys, our National Champions!

Some fantastic results all round, well done to everyone involved! We wish George, Grace and Anna the best of luck as they head to the Welsh Schools Athletics Finals very soon! Good luck to Tilly and Sam in their upcoming trials

Congratulations to the pupils representing their regions and the South Wales Dragons!

Cricket It’s been a record-breaking summer of cricket at Christ College, definitely one to remember! Pupils have achieved remarkable success across all age groups and have been setting records that will be remembered for years to come. This season, 12 boys' and girls' teams played an incredible 112 matches, showcasing the depth of talent and enthusiasm for cricket throughout the school. One of the highlights came at the start of May against Llandovery College, when Jack (214*) and Dylan (61*) produced a world-record opening partnership of 321 runs in a UK schools T20 match. Their extraordinary stand helped Christ College secure victory by an astonishing 260 runs. Impressively, the 1st XI boys won 6 out of 7 matches in the CCB Cricket Festival, playing against some strong teams from across England and Wales.

In St Nicks, the U11 team played seven fixtures and the U9 side competed in two matches. The U11 season concluded in dramatic fashion with a thrilling last-ball victory against Brecon Cricket Club. There was more last-ball excitement for the Boys' 1st XI, who defeated South Wales Hunt CC thanks to Henry, who smashed a 4 to the long on boundry to win the match. The season also featured many outstanding individual performances: •

•

Will claimed 5 wickets for just 18 runs against King's Worcester and was top of the boys bowling averages with 15.89. Tess took 5 wickets for 21 runs against Taunton School, finishing with one of the top girls bowling averages of 6.29.

•

Raife bowled 41 overs during the season at an average of 24.18.

•

Angharad took 8 wickets from only 13 overs, finishing with a remarkable average of 3.75.

Several batters also enjoyed exceptional seasons: •

Jack surpassed 1,000 runs during his two Sixth Form years at Christ College. He also topped the batting averages with an impressive 70.70!

•

Ted scored three half-centuries and averaged 57.17 at just 12 years of age. Ted's bowling average from 46 overs was an outstanding 8.2.

Congratulations to Jack and Dylan on a record breaking partnership!

The Girls' 1st XI enjoyed an excellent season, reaching the last 16 of the National T20 Cup. The U13 Girls won 9 of their 12 matches and tournaments, while the U14 Girls lost just one match all season.

•

George contributed superbly in the field, taking 10 catches and one run out.

Representative Honours The success of the programme is reflected in the number of pupils selected for regional and county pathways. Five pupils represented Glamorgan county age-group teams: • • • •

Tess and Sam – U18 Freya – U15 Jack– U18 Ted – U12

Two pupils represented Cricket Wales regional teams: Mishika – U15 Leo – U14 In addition, Mathilda and Phoebe are members of the Glamorgan Emerging Player Programme.

MCC Fixture Celebrates 60 Years A special highlight of the summer was the visit of the Marleybone Cricket Club to play the Boys' 1st XI. This historic fixture was first played in 1966 and marked its 60th anniversary this year. The match produced over 500 runs and was a fitting celebration of a long-standing tradition. Our sincere thanks go to all the MCC members who took part and helped make the occasion so memorable. What a year it has been for cricket at Christ College Brecon—full of records, representative honours, thrilling victories and unforgettable performances. The future of cricket at the school has never looked brighter.

Sophie was top of the girls averages with a score of 33.14!

Another record-breaking moment came at King's Worcester, where Sophie and Tess shared an opening partnership of 140 runs, both girls were not out at the end of the innings.

Congratulations to the 1st XI girls who have had an impressive season!

Celebrating 60 years of the MCC v CCB cricket fixture

Academic News

Reading Beyond the Syllabus

Anthea Bell Translation Competition (The Queen’s College, Oxford University)

Many thanks indeed to the MFL Department for providing the opportunity for our CCB linguists to enter the prestigious, annual Anthea Bell Translation Competition run by Queen’s College, Oxford. Over 25,000 students participated in the competition in 2026, and the external judges marked over 5,400 entries. The judges commented on the very high standard of entries this year and remarked that it was extremely hard to choose winners and commendations. Many congratulations to the following pupils on receiving commendations for their entries in the following categories: • •

French – Welsh: Helisent Spanish – English: Stella

Special congratulations go to the following pupils on achieving the status of ‘Area Winners’ for Wales in this year’s competition – a fantastic achievement! • •

Well done to Year 9 pupil Freddie for a high level of engagement in History with an article exploring different perspectives related to the East India Company! Despite the pressure of imminent internal exams, we were delighted with Freddie’s willingness to engage with further reading and extend his understanding of syllabus topics. Thank you to the History department for providing opportunities for pupils to go beyond the curriculum, to extend and enrich their study of the past.

French – English Level 1: Freya French – English Level 3: Nesta

International A Level Success

French - Welsh Helisent

Spanish - English Stella

Well done to L6th pupil Hiroto on completing 12 (!) International A Level papers during the first half of term ahead of his return to Japan at the end of the academic year. Hiroto has approached his exams with dedication and resilience with many of the papers scheduled for a challenging 7am start time!

French - English Nesta

French - English Freya

We look forward to learning the outcome of Hiroto’s hard work across the year and wish him all the very best.

Christ College Archive – Pop Up Exhibition A group of Year 7 historians were wowed by the fantastic exhibition currently on display in the Clive Richards Room.

Mapping Workshop with the British Cartographical Society

The pupils were challenged to discover three facts from the exhibits that they didn’t already know about Christ College and came back with a super range of responses! Team photographs through the ages, an array of school ties and reflections on CCB’s co-educational journey proved a real hit with the pupils. The exhibits evidently made the pupils feel part of our rich, shared history and made for a distinctive, memorable moment of engagement with CCB’s rich history. Special thanks to our Archivist, Ms Kilpatrick, for her work in setting up this vibrant, hugely informative pop up display.

In May, we were delighted to welcome Richard, from the British Cartographical Society who came to Christ College from Dartmoor to run a disaster relief mapping workshop for our Year 9 and 10 geographers. In groups of five, pupils took on roles of humanitarian aid search and rescue, military and medical aid in a disaster relief scenario, mimicking work done by the UN, producing maps to support aid workers.

A Level Results A Level results will be published on Thursday 13th August. Academic staff will be at school from 8am if you would prefer to collect them in person. They will be on hand to offer advice or to simply wish you well as you begin your next step in your journey.

GCSE Results GCSE results will be published on Thursday 20th August. Academic staff will be at school from 8am if you would prefer to collect your results in person. They will be on hand to offer advice and to help with any questions you have about sixth form options. We hope to see many of you on results day!

Brain Day 2026: Exploring the Mind with Dr Guy Sutton The Psychology and Biology departments were delighted to host an inspiring Brain Day on Friday 19th June, led by neuroscientist Dr Guy Sutton. The event offered our Year 12 pupils a fast‑paced, university‑style introduction to the workings of the human brain, blending cutting‑edge research with hands‑on exploration. Our Psychology pupils consolidated their understanding of brain anatomy, neuroplasticity and synaptic communication, while Dr Sutton linked these foundations to the latest findings on how sleep, diet and trauma shape neural development. Pupils were particularly struck by emerging research on the impact of smartphones, vaping and recreational drugs on the structure and function of the adolescent brain. A highlight of the day was the sheep brain dissection, which allowed pupils to

examine structures such as the cortex, cerebellum and corpus callosum first‑hand. Seeing real neuroanatomy brought classroom learning to life, especially when paired with demonstrations of modern imaging techniques and new technologies that may one day redefine our understanding of consciousness, end‑of‑life brain activity and even the use of AI and neural signals to communicate thoughts. The morning session concluded with a thrilling insight into the neurobiology of conditions such as schizophrenia, dementia, PTSD and criminality, brought vividly to life through engaging case studies which I am sure will have a lasting impact on how our pupils view the world and behaviour. Our Biology pupils also had the opportunity to tackle degree‑level content on synaptic transmission, before looking ahead to the future of neuroscience: brain‑computer interfaces, neural implants and the ethical questions

that accompany rapid advances in neuroscience with the extraordinary rise of cerebral organoids: tiny lab‑grown brain tissues that are transforming research. This rich blend of lecture, discussion and practical investigation made Brain Day an unforgettable experience. Pupils left with a deeper appreciation of the complexity of the human brain and an exciting glimpse into the future of medicine, psychology and biotechnology.

Internal Exams Summary

Theatre Trip: An Ideal Husband

Many congratulations to our pupils in Alway, Year 9, Year 10 and the Lower Sixth on successful completion of their internal mock examinations this term. A significant portion of the Summer Term is devoted to timed assessment to prepare our pupils for the challenges of external examinations in future years and this term, once again, CCB pupils rose admirably to the challenge.

The English department cannot resist a theatre trip, and we were treated to a joyful production of 'An Ideal Husband' at the Bristol Old Vic.

Utilising the light, airy space of Big School as an examination space has worked well to enable our external examinations to continue undisturbed in the Sports Hall this term. Special thanks to our Exams Officer, Ms Golding for her superb work in preparing our external exam cohorts for the challenges of the term. Thanks also to Mrs Thomas and Mr Howells for running a seamless, complex series of internal assessments during the second half of term. Well done to the pupils on their conduct throughout – there’s no doubt that this experience will serve you well in future years. We look forward to the publication of external exam results in August and wish those pupils receiving their grades the very best of luck at this important moment of their educational journey.

A play that is not performed often, it was a treat for our Lower Sixth A Level pupils to see one of their set texts on stage. A co-production from the Lyric Hammersmith and Bristol Old Vic, the all-black cast placed this Victorian play in contemporary Britain and showed that its theme of the secret corruption of seemingly morally upright politicians is as relevant today as in Wilde's London. The pupils enjoyed the use of dance and R&B music to evoke the anarchic spirit that lies at the play's heart. There was much to discuss in our lesson the next day and it proved the perfect introduction to our study of the play.

Well done to the top performers in Year 7 and Year 8, who did so well in their internal examinations.

Congratulations to our Year 9 pupils who performed exceptionally well in their internal examinations

"I always pass on good advice. It is the only thing to do with it. It is never of any use to oneself." Well done to our Year 10 pupils who achieved an outstanding set of results in their mock GCSEs

Oscar Wilde

Hidden Talents Behind the Curtain with Mr Thompson Any memorable moments on stage? There are many! Pantomime always brings a few unexpected moments - missed cues, improvisation - but that’s part of the charm. It keeps you on your toes!

Does your theatrical work influence your role in school? Absolutely. Confidence, communication, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone are all things that carry across. When I first started, I recall speaking to the Orchard boys about stepping outside of one’s comfort zone and their irony of asking that of them every day as learners, but it being harrowing for someone approaching middle-age! Theatre also reminds you not to take yourself too seriously. Many readers will know Mr Thompson in his role as Orchard Housemaster or Head of Economics & Business, or most recently as Senior Master, but fewer may be aware of his involvement in local theatre. In 2021, he revived his long-dormant stage-life by joining The Westenders, regularly performing in pantomimes. We caught up with him to find out more…

How did your involvement with theatre begin? I loved drama at school (my best GCSE grade!), but it rather ceased to be part of my life for many years, until a few chances to be involved in drama productions fell my way whilst teaching at my previous schools. It became a more significant commitment in 2021 when I took the leap to attend an audition for a Westenders pantomime. It was a chance to get involved in something creative and completely different from school life.

What do you enjoy most about performing? It’s the energy of it all - working as part of a cast, the rehearsals, and ultimately the buzz of a live audience. It’s terrific fun - that’s what first attracted me to audition - it was so apparent from watching that the cast were having such a good time!

Pantomime is a big part of what you do - what makes it unique? Pantomime is great fun because it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Panto is so energetic, interactive, and full of humour. Although I was initially petrified of the thought of it, I love the singing and dancing! It’s also quite demanding - I added up close to 90 hours of rehearsals in preparation for the January ’26 Goldilocks run, plus tech-week and 11 shows…probably close to 150 hours (of great fun!).

What would you say to someone thinking of trying theatre? Just go for it. You don’t need experience - just enthusiasm. It’s a fantastic way to meet people and try something new. It’s also a chance to ‘give back’. I currently Chair The Westenders committee where our focus is on ensuring a thriving society can offer theatrical opportunities to as many people as possible, including recently adding Theatr Wildcats to our community after this long-standing group who offer performing opportunities to adults with learning disabilities faced closure.

Did you know? Dr Evans plays the drums...

Mr Thomas is taking on the Welsh three peaks! “Many years ago I cycled around Iceland and I would like to do that again , but this time unsupported. I’ve also got my eye on cycling the length of Portugal. I would also like to complete the London Marathon again. I have run it 12 times!” But this July, Christ College Brecon Physics teacher, Mr Clive Thomas, will be taking on another extraordinary personal challenge. At the age of 67, Clive will attempt his own version of the UK Three Peaks Challenge — climbing Yr Wyddfa (Cymru), Scafell Pike (England) and Ben Nevis (Scotland), while cycling the approximately 500 miles between each mountain!

“I first picked up the sticks at the age of 13 and quickly became obsessed. I went on to complete Grade 8 at 17 (just 2% shy of a distinction, though I’m not at all bitter about that). At school, I played in a big band jazz group and was fortunate enough to tour Europe several times, before an ultimately unsuccessful foray into the punk rock scene in my early twenties. After a 16-year hiatus, I’ve recently rediscovered my enjoyment of playing, most notably with the Sixth Form band, and at home, where I’m currently learning pieces from the jazz-inspired film Whiplash.”

...and Ms Hopkin plays the harp! “I first started playing the harp when I was seven years old. My older sister had already begun learning, and I was inspired to follow in her footsteps. From the very beginning, I fell in love with the instrument and have enjoyed playing it ever since. Over the years, I have been fortunate to perform at the Eisteddfod, with the National Children’s Orchestra, and at many weddings, each providing wonderful opportunities to share my love of music. My favourite composers include Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Shostakovich, whose music sounds particularly beautiful on the harp. I simply love the unique sound of the harp—it is both elegant and expressive, and I find playing it incredibly calming and therapeutic. It has been a very special part of my life, and I hope it always will be.”

Having already completed the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats journey twice in recent years, Clive is no stranger to endurance challenges. However, this solo, unsupported adventure promises to be his toughest yet. Clive is undertaking this remarkable challenge to raise funds for two causes close to his heart. You can follow the links below to sponsor Clive and make a donation: •

The Brain Tumour Charity www.justgiving.com/page/clivethomas

•

Christ College Brecon Foundation www.ccbcommunity.co.uk/ccbfoundation

We wish Clive the very best as he prepares for this incredible test of determination, resilience and spirit. Please join us in supporting his journey and these worthy causes.

CCB Adventure Alway House Climing Cup

The Beacon Course

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Summer term started with the annual Alway House Climbing Cup and what a competition it was! We really are fortunate to have such a strong cohort of young climbers, who will ensure the future of climbing at CCB will continue to go from strength to strength.

Then came the big one for our Year 9’s. The Beacon Course was met with trepidation, excitement and a good deal of commitment. We caved, gorge walked, hill navigated and reflected upon the awesome activities undertaken. Our pupils received tips on Self Defence and an inspirational talk from our very own Everest summiteer – Tori James.

Next on the Adventure calendar was the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh expedition. A weekend of navigating the surrounding hills and a soggy evening camping at a friendly farmer’s field near Llanfrynach.

Twelve nervous, but excited Alway pupils, participated in a multi-discipline climbing competition which comprised of three bouldering problems and two climbing routes on the auto belay wall. Competition was fierce, with some real talent on display, particularly Oliver and Ben for the boys and Coco and Felicity for the girls. Wye House were crowned champions with the aforementioned pupils taking the individual honours.

The course was rounded off with group presentations, where pupils articulated excellently what they found most challenging and enjoyable about the course. Growth mindset on display from start to finish, our Year 9’s should be very proud of themselves. Adventure Days

Our participants crossed the finish line, exhausted but delighted at having achieved a Pass for this element of their award – now to forge on and get the rest of the sections completed! Further participation in DofE occurred in June, with our Goldies heading out to Bannau Brycheiniog for their practice expedition. Early navigation errors were quickly rectified and some important lessons learned for the main expedition in September.

St Nicks have been busy too, with Year 5 and 6 attending their Adventure Residential in Llain and Year 2, 3 and 4 enjoying a fun and challenging day at Black Mountain Adventures in Glasbury. We end this term with our annual July adventure days, Alway climb and cave at Llangattock and Years 10 and 12 enjoy water activities on Pontsticill Reservoir.

A Fond Farewell Can I take the opportunity, for my last entry in the Breconian, to thank all our pupils for the manner in which they have met all challenges presented by the Adventure programme during my six years here and a special thank you to all the members of staff, who have tirelessly supported me in the delivery of the programme.

Combined Cadet Force Gaza Platoon

Cadets put principles into practice at Dering Lines

For Gaza Platoon (Yr 9) the main focus during the first part of the term was preparing to take part in Exercise First Dragon which, once again, took part at the Cadet Training Centre at Cwrt Y Gollen, near Crickhowell. This allowed the cadets to put into practice the skills they had been taught during previous sessions in school, such as putting up a basha, and cooking in the field. After a night under the stars, the second day saw the cadets taking part in a number of activities at various sites around the training area.

The end of the term saw the Army Cadets attending a shooting day at the IBS at Dering Lines. After learning about the principles of good marksmanship they were able to put them into practice on the DCCT (dismounted, close combat trainer) range – a computerised indoor simulation, allowing them to fire in a safe, weather-free environment. Exploring RAF Museum, Cosford The RAF Cadets visited the RAF Museum at Cosford where they were able to see at first-hand many famous aircraft types used by the world’s air forces.

CCF Summer Camp At the beginning of the summer holidays a number of cadets will be attending a joint camp with cadets from Llandovery College, which will see them walking and climbing a number of peaks in North Wales, including Yr Wydda. Rorkes Drift Platoon The Yr 10 pupils (Rorkes Drift Platoon) have also been very busy throughout the term. Many cadets are taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and so the beginning of May saw them taking part in their Bronze expedition. The first day’s walking culminated in the groups camping near Pencelli. Some ‘interesting’ navigation skills resulted in some groups walking considerably further than others on day two, but eventually everyone made it back to CCB with nothing more than a few blisters to show for their exertions. A number of the activities undertaken by the Rorkes Drift Platoon over the course of the year have been organised competitively, with sections being awarded points. The final parade of the term saw the winners being announced and a representative from that section, Josh G, receiving the cup from the Contingent Commander.

Best of luck Mr Kerr! At the end of term we said goodbye to our SSI, Major Chris Kerr, who has been at CCB for the last six years, and who has been so instrumental in re-establishing the school’s CCF following the Covid pandemic. We wish him all the best as he moves to his new role; the first time he will not be in military uniform since he was 16 years of age!

Development and Foundation Christ College Brecon Mountain Challenge On Saturday 6th June we hosted our annual Mountain Challenge. As with previous years, the goal of this event was to raise vital funds for Brecon Mountain Rescue and the Christ College Foundation. Over 100 walkers embarked on either a 10-mile, 13-mile or 26-mile course and battled tricky conditions throughout the day. The weather certainly didn’t dampen spirits and the gleaming medal at the end made the walk all the more worthwhile. Thanks to Mountain Rescue and our members of staff who manned key checkpoints the event ran smoothly and safely. We would like to extend our thanks to Pearce Transport and Velocity Fitness for their sponsorship of this event. If you are interested in potentially sponsoring next year’s event, please get in touch by emailing: martyn.thomas@christcollegebrecon.com The 2027 Mountain Challenge will take place on Saturday 22 May. We look forward to seeing many of you at the start line! nd

A huge thank you to the team at Brecon Mountain Rescue for their support

Chapel and Heritage Fund Our historic 1864 chapel doors have been returned after a visit to Venables Oak, Venables Brothers Ltd in Shropshire. Chuck and his team of specialist restorers have been working closely with our Development Team, our Estates Team and CADW to make sure we do all the right things in the right order for these much-loved Grade I Listed doors. This work is another project that has been made possible by the generosity of donors to the Chapel and Heritage Fund, the fund that exists solely for the purpose of looking after the school’s heritage. To find out about other successful Chapel and Heritage Fund projects visit: https://ccbcommunity.co.uk/ pages/heritage-fund We think you’ll agree that they look fantastic and ready to stand proud for many more years to come!

Music With external academic exams ever earlier into the Summer Term, there is inevitably a reduced musical performance programme at this time, though weekly informal lunchtime concerts on Tuesdays have remained, with an ever-growing audience, often with the whole of St Nick’s coming along to support their friends! We have also continued to prepare for events closer to the end of term in our weekly lunchtime rehearsals. Sadly, our annual OB Recital Series event, due to feature Clementine Lovell (OB) and her Folk band, was cancelled due to illness. We plan to reschedule this early in the Michaelmas Term. It is always good to celebrate the achievements of those who have gone on to successful creative careers after leaving CCB.

As well as the department’s involvement in the Alway production of ‘Into the Woods’, we also celebrated the talents of our Upper Sixth Leavers in the End of Year Concert on Thursday 2nd July, with several solo performances from Kurumi (violin), Moriaki (piano) and Louisa (voice), as well as items from the Wind Ensemble, Piano Trio and Chamber Choir. On Prize Day itself, our Chapel Choir led the singing admirably at the Cathedral, with the Chamber Choir entertaining the assembled audience at the Prize Giving ceremony. It has been wonderful to think back on a very busy year of activity, with many brave performers taking to the stage, and many inspiring and thought-provoking performances to enjoy. We look forward to what next year will bring, starting, as always with the excitement and intense focus surrounding the annual House Music Competition in October!

Christ College Gig On Friday 1st May we held our annual Gig, a pupil led event that showcased the exceptional talent we have here at Christ College, whilst raising money for their chosen charity. This year, our pupils chose to rasie money for Prostate Cancer UK and raised a fantastic total of £160! Congratulations to all pupils who took part and helped to organise the event, and thank you to all pupils and staff who came along to support and donate!

Lasts, not firsts: a leavers pers We asked the Class of 2026 for words that sum up their time at CCB:

Friendship

Tradition

Class o

Memories Growth Laughter Togetherness

Confid

Ambition Achievement Resilience

Belonging

spective

Home from home Loyalty

Family

Supported

of 2026

Everything is connected Gratitude Unforgettable

dence

ourage

Legacy

Milestones Adventure

Marking 40 Years of Co-Educ In this year’s #40yearsofcoed social media posts, we've been following the story of the transformation of the once all-male Christ College into a fully inclusive school. As we near the end of our year of celebration of 40 years of co-education, our Archivist Mrs Kilpatrick reflects on thoughts shared during the year by our current pupils and by some of the pioneers who helped to shape the school we know today.

Looking back across a year of celebration It’s only been co-ed for 40 years It wasn’t that long ago There was only one girl at the start: 1:300! There were so few female teachers How quickly people adapted How the girls managed to integrate into a school full of boys How small the first girls’ boarding house was compared to the boys’ boarding house That there were so few girls in comparison to boys for so many years How much has changed How normal it is now These are just some of the answers given by our current pupils when asked what surprised them most about the early days of co-education. Their contemporary perspective emphasises that the step into the unknown forty years ago has become so deeply embedded in the school’s identity that it is now simply taken for granted. What struck pupils most was the bravery and resilience needed to negotiate the gradual shifts that took place in the early years. On International Women’s Day they chose to celebrate the young women whose courage paved the way for successive generations to gain opportunity, confidence and belonging at Christ College.

The pioneers who first walked through the gates of Christ College all those years ago are most definitely at the very heart of the story. But they tell us that only looking back do they realise they were trailblazers and they aren’t too sure about the idea of courage. There was little sense at the time of history being made or barriers being broken down; they were too busy making the most of every opportunity the school offered. They say they simply “got on with it” – and had a lot of fun along the way. Their standout memories are surprisingly familiar: chatting in the common room, House parties, watching TV together, eating endless slices of toast between lessons and activities. That’s not to say the pioneering years were easy. The girls often felt under scrutiny in whatever they did because there were so few of them. Personal resolve and sheer grit were often much needed by all concerned, especially when facing the few peers and teachers who were finding it hard to adjust to a changing society, a changing school, a changing world. In the face of adversity, pioneers say it was often the smallest moments that got them through: rousing team talks before sporting fixtures; encouragement when facing an almost exclusively male audience; kind words when it all seemed too much. Some of their strongest memories come from the friendships and House spirit that grew out of the most challenging experiences – whether it was taking on the boys at Sports Day or surpassing all expectations in House competitions. Decades later, many of those friendships are still going strong.

“Though most of us had come from co-ed schools to join the Sixth Form, we knew we were doing something different. That was all too obvious day-to-day because there weren’t very many of us. Even so, I don’t think we ever thought we were making history. I am sure it must have been difficult at times, but what I remember most is the way we supported each other and the fun we had. The friendships I made at school are the ones I most value today.”

cation: A Year in Review Thank you to the trailblazers!

The first few years were packed with ‘firsts’. The chronology takes us just to the Summer Term of 1989. Such is their lasting impact, not one of them seems exceptional today.

On this side of a different century, it’s been illuminating to see our current pupils discover the way the pioneers’ natural engagement and involvement helped shape the school we know today. Pupils’ genuine interest in our story of co-education was expertly summarised by the Editor, Ella, in the Lent edition of The Breconian. Her concluding words are worth repeating here.

“Ultimately, the story of co-education at our school isn’t just about numbers or timelines. It’s about the people, those who took the first step, those who adapted, and those who helped shape the environment we benefit so much from today. Their experiences remind us that the school we know now didn’t just happen; it was built through courage, openness, and a willingness for change.” The chapters on Sally (the first girl), de Winton (the first girls’ house), Bannau (the first middle school girls), Alway (the first girls in Alway) and Donaldson’s (the second girls’ house) bring one part of our story to a close. But the story is far from over. Sally Stewart’s arrival forty years ago wasn’t just a milestone; thanks to the pioneers who followed her, it was the beginning of a legacy that continues to define the school today and will do so for generations to come. And that really is worth celebrating. Read our ‘Celebrating 40 Years of co-education’ posts on the Community Hub: https://ccbcommunity.co.uk/news/celebrating-40-yearsof-co-education

First day girl First female boarders First girls join the Choir First female cadets in CCF First female House Prefects First female School Prefect First girls take part in Sports Day First girls enter House Music First Netball VI First girls Hockey XI First girls Cross-country team First girls Tennis VI First female Editor of ‘The Breconian’ First girls enter House Drama First girls take part in House Debating First County selections (Netball and Hockey) First girls Badminton VI First girls Athletics team First female DoE candidates

Society of Friends:

Building Community at Christ College The Society of Friends has enjoyed a wonderfully busy and productive time recently, and we are delighted to introduce our newly elected committee.

We were also excited to be involved in a number of other events, including the Alway production and Prize Day. A real highlight was treating pupils at the end of term with an inflatable extravaganza — a fun way to celebrate the close of another busy school year. We hope you all enjoyed!

More recently, we have also begun expanding our sports equipment offering through the shop. If families have outgrown items such as cricket bats, pads or helmets that are still in good condition, we would be delighted to receive them and help pass them on to others within the school community.

Ready, steady, go!

Since the formation of the new committee, the Society of Friends has already had the pleasure of supporting several memorable school events. At the Christ College v Llandovery cricket match, we served hot dogs and burgers while enjoying an afternoon of outstanding cricket. We were also delighted to support Senior Sports Day, where refreshments, snacks and a much-enjoyed Pimms tent helped keep spirits high throughout the day. Easts Burgers joined us too, proving hugely popular and offering fantastic support to the school community. Junior Sports Day was equally special, with refreshments flowing and an icecream van providing a well-earned treat for our young athletes. It was a joy to see so many smiling faces and to share in the enthusiasm and energy of the day.

As we plan for the months ahead, one of our key aims is to create even more opportunities for parents, staff and pupils to come together, enjoy one another’s company and celebrate the strong sense of community that makes Christ College such a special place. Alongside our presence at major school events — complete with our ever-popular raﬄe hampers — we are also developing ideas for a range of enjoyable social occasions throughout the year. Another important focus for us is the continued growth of the “Pass It On” Shop. We are keen to encourage families to make use of the excellent selection of pre-loved uniform available, and we are always very happy to arrange personal appointments for anyone who would like to browse outside of advertised opening times. We are equally grateful for donations of good-quality uniform, which can be dropped off at Reception.

As one chapter closes, we would also like to take this opportunity to wish the Pearson family every happiness as they move on from Christ College. We thank Mr Pearson for his inspiring leadership and contribution to school life, and we hope the family will always feel a warm welcome when returning to visit. At the same time, we are very pleased to welcome Mr Wallace and his family to the Christ College community, and we look forward to working closely with them in the years ahead. Finally, we would like to wish all staff, pupils and parents a restful and happy summer. The Society of Friends will be ready and waiting in September, looking forward to another year of supporting the school and connecting with as many members of our community as possible. All the best, Jayne & Jo.