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2004 AND BEFORE YEAR
ARCHIVE...
Corsica
Expedition 2004
 Twenty
Breconians, led by Lynne Webber and David Grant
and with the help from five staff members of The
Expedition Company, Taunton, spent three and a half
weeks of their summer holiday 2004 having the time
of their lives in Corsica. The expedition
consisted if a coast-to-coast
 trek,
mountain climbing,
canoeing, snorkelling
and scuba-diving; the hairiest experience, without
doubt, crossing a 160 metre gorge on a zip wire over
a 260 metre drop.
Some of the group were keen enough to climb Mount
Cintu, the highest, at something
over 2700 metres, of over 100 2000+m peaks on the
island - on a designated rest day! Every
member of the group let the party
at one time or another, and many of them achieved
diving certificates. In addition to meeting
all these physical challenges
they were able to see some magnificent mountain and
coastal scenery,
to get regular sightings of wild boars
and other fauna, and to appreciate through the
island's wide range of ancient buildings something
of its distinctly turbulent history. Mrs
Webber commended them all for their courage and
determination, as well as for their success in
gelling as a group.
Lets
get Physical!
 More
than £50,000 on a state of the art fitness centre -
officially opened by
former Wales and Lions rugby legend, Gerald Davies
on 10 March 2004.
The two-storey centre contains a wide range of state
of the art fitness equipment, including exercise
cycles, treadmills, steppers, rowing machines and
resistance machines.
The fitness suite comes at a time when physical
activity is high on the public agenda. Health
Challenge Wales, launched by the First Minister,
Rhodri Morgan, in February provided a new
and inclusive national
focus on everyone’s responsibility for health.
Chris Webber, Head of PE at Christ College said:
“Traditional PE activities are being replaced with a
session in the gym, which we are finding is very
popular. Recent figures suggest more than a million
children under 16 in the UK are now classified as
obese and health experts blame a couch potato
mentality for the growing weight problems, which are
leading to an increase in childhood diseases such as
asthma and diabetes. If we can encourage and provide
our pupils with the facilities to take up exercise
at a young age, it will hopefully inspire a
generation of healthy children who understand the
benefits of keeping fit.”
As well as using the gym as an alternative to
traditional PE lessons, students and staff are being
encouraged to use the facilities in their spare
time, with a personal consultation and fitness plan
available to anyone using the facilities.
Headmaster, Phillip Jones, commented: “This recent
investment demonstrates the school’s commitment to
providing the best facilities to its pupils. It also
forms part of wider programme to encourage more
young people to take part in sports activities and
to use sport to increase pupils’ motivation and
achievements. We are thrilled with our new
facilities.”
Value
for Money
Two interesting statistics:
Most teachers and Headmasters have a deep scepticism
and mistrust of league tables in any form, but just
occasionally they make interesting reading. The
first statistic is that a Sunday Times survey in
2003 declared Christ College to have the lowest
boarding fees in the UK of any independent school
unsupported by a Livery Company, or similar,
financial backing.
A second statistic, published by the Financial
Times, places Christ College in the top ten schools
in Great Britain in terms of value for money. This
assessment was based on a combination of school fees
and academic results.
These are two remarkable achievements by the School.
All Weather Surface for Christ College
 Saturday
6th September 2003 was a milestone in Christ
College’s sporting history when the school’s new
Astroturf all-weather playing surface was opened.
Throughout the summer the laser-guided machinery of
the top company specialising in all-weather
surfaces, Charles Lawrence, toiled to produce an
exceptionally true playing surface. The official
opening of the pitch, which will be known as
“Hazell’s” was conducted by Martyn Hazell an old boy
of the school and was marked by a match between the
girls 1st XI and a President’s XI from the Welsh
Hockey Association whose President, Ann Ellis was
also present. Earlier in the day the pupils from
primary schools in and around Brecon had been
invited for a hockey coaching session on the new
pitch.
Master in charge of Hockey, Tim Trumper, said, “This
is a fantastic facility to have on the school
campus. Christ College has always had a good
reputation for its Hockey which, now that we will be
more immune to Brecon’s weather we hope to advance
considerably by being able to play in almost all
conditions. The floodlights will help our games
programme in the darker days of winter as well. It
is so exciting for the girls and boys.”
Equally pleased was Headmaster, Phillip Jones, who
in thanking all those who had made the new
all-weather surface possible commented that not only
school Hockey would benefit but also 5-a-side Soccer
and Tennis during the summer.
Martyn Hazell OB
officially opens "Hazell's" Martyn
Hazell OB and Captain of the Welsh
Astroturf at CCB
Hockey Association's President's XI bully off
Royal Visit to Christ College
 The
Prince of Wales visited the pupils of Christ
College, Brecon, (28 January 2002) to mark the
formal launch of the College Foundation. This was
the Prince of Wales’ first visit since he became
Patron of the Foundation last year.
The Prince of Wales spent an afternoon at the school
where he had the opportunity to speak to pupils,
staff members and people who have promised to make
significant donations to the Foundation.
The Christ College Foundation has been established,
under the Prince’s Patronage, as a continuous
fundraising programme. It will give scholarships and
bursaries to deserving students and ensure the
school is equipped with the most up-to-date
facilities.
During his visit to the school, His Royal Highness
attended an evensong service at the chapel where the
choir, which competed at an international choir
festival in Malta, lead the anthems. He then
unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit and was
presented with a school tie and shield as an
honorary Old Breconian, by the head boy
 and
head girl.
As he left Christ College, a leading co-educational
school set in the heart of the Brecon Beacons in Mid
Wales, headmaster Phillip Jones presented him with
fishing flies which he had tied himself.
The headmaster said: “The College Foundation is
delighted to receive The Prince of Wales’ support.
With his backing, we can strive to offer more
scholarships and better facilities for our pupils.
The Foundation is committed to helping as many young
people as possible attend Christ College, even when
finances prevent them doing so.”
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