Yn ystod yr wythnosau diwethaf rwyf wedi ymweld â Tsieina a Fietnam ar ymgyrch recriwtio myfyrwyr rhyngwladol a phenderfynwyd ar bartneriaethau gydag ysgol yn Ho Chi Minh City yn Fietnam a thri choleg yn Chongqing yn Tsieina. Mae pob un o’r partneriaethau’n cynnwys hyfforddi staff a datblygu rhaglenni ar y cyd.

Ar y 7fed o Hydref, roedd y coleg yn falch o gynnal dau ddigwyddiad i ddynodi agoriad Canolfan Ddysgu’r Bae a Chweched y Rhyl. Roedd y ddwy fenter yn cynrychioli ymateb pwysig i’r fenter trawsffurfio a buddsoddiad sylweddol mewn isadeiledd dysgu.

Yn ystod y bore agorwyd Canolfan Ddysgu’r Bae ym Mae Colwyn yn swyddogol gan Lesley Griffiths AC, Y Dirprwy Weinidog dros Wyddoniaeth, Arloesi a Sgiliau.


Agorwyd Canolfan Ddysgu’r Bae ym Mae Colwyn i fyfyrwyr cynharach yn y flwyddyn ac mae’n cynnwys swît Astudiaethau Byddardod pwrpasol a chyfleusterau TG blaengar. Ystyrir datblygiad Canolfan Ddysgu’r Bae, sy’n cael ei gydnabod fel prosiect blaenllaw yn Ardal Adfywio Strategol Arfordirol Gogledd Cymru (SRA), yn ganolog yn y broses o adfywio Bae Colwyn. Mae’r ganolfan yn cynnig cyngor, gwybodaeth, cefnogaeth ac addysg i’r rheini sy’n economaidd anweithgar, di-waith, wedi colli eu gwaith yn ddiweddar neu’n dymuno symud ymlaen o gyflogaeth sgil isel. Mae’r ganolfan yn cynnig amrywiaeth o gyrsiau yn cynnwys cynorthwywyr dosbarth, Astudiaeth Byddardod, TG a chyrsiau cyn-alwedigaethol eraill. Bwriedir yr olaf o’r rhain i helpu pobl ddatblygu eu hannibyniaeth bersonol a’u paratoi ar gyfer gwaith. Mae Coleg Llandrillo Cymru wedi datblygu’r ganolfan mewn partneriaeth â Chymunedau’n Gyntaf a’r Gwasanaeth Ieuenctid gyda chefnogaeth APADGOS (Yr Adran Plant, Addysg, Dysgu Gydol Oes a Sgiliau) a Menter Bywyd y Bae. Dyma ‘Cronfa Adfywio Strategol’ Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru yn cyfrannu £1 miliwn tuag at y broses o drawsnewid yr adeilad.

Hwyrach yn y dydd roedd hi’n bleser croesawu Leighton Andrews AC, y Gweinidog dros Blant, Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes i agor cyfleuster Chweched y Rhyl sydd ar Gampws coleg y Rhyl. Dyma lawer o bobl yn mynychu’r digwyddiad ac roedd yn gyfle i’r Gweinidog a’r gwesteion gwrdd â’r dysgwyr a chael taith o amgylch y cyfleuster.

Mae Chweched y Rhyl yn bartneriaeth chweched dosbarth sy’n cynnig gwell cyfleoedd dysgu a hyfforddi i bobl ifanc y Rhyl a’r ardaloedd cyfagos. O ganlyniad i ganolfan bwrpasol Chweched y Rhyl gellir cynnig y dewis ehangaf o bynciau Lefel AS/A a Galwedigaethol yn Sir Ddinbych. Rydym yn rhagweld y bydd cyfnod pellach o ddatblygiad a fydd yn cynnwys partneriaeth estynedig gydag Ysgol Uwchradd Prestatyn, sy’n cynrychioli datblygiad sylweddol ar gyfer ardaloedd arfordirol Sir Ddinbych.

Yng nghanol mis Hydref gofynnwyd i Louise Jowett fel Cyfarwyddwr Strategaeth Rhyngwladol y Coleg, a minnau, i wneud cyflwyniad ar ddatblygiadau rhyngwladol y coleg yn y Barbican yn Llundain. Dyma’r digwyddiad yn rhoi’r cyfle i ni ddathlu’r Cyrhaeddiad Beacon AOC yn y categori yma ac i ddisgrifio pwysigrwydd strategol o fyfyrwyr tramor i ddatblygiad y coleg.

Mae’r tymor yma wedi gweld cychwyn adolygiad Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru o wasanaethau rheng flaen ac adolygiad o’r drefn llywodraethu mewn colegau. Mae’r adolygiadau yn cyflwyno llawer o gyfleoedd i golegau a sefydliadau awdurdodau lleol, ac rydym yn edrych ymlaen am yr heriau a ddaw o ganlyniad i’r rhain. Fel rhan o’r ymarfer yma rwyf wedi bod yn cyfathrebu gydag aelodau o sefydliad byd-eang PIN i bwyso a mesur y cyfeiriad ar hyn o bryd sef teithio byd-eang mewn colegau tebyg. Mae Byrddau bychain sydd â’u ffocws ar fusnes yn dueddol o fynd i’r cyfeiriad teithio, drwy adlewyrchu annibyniaeth a rhyddid o weithredu gyda phwyslais ar leihau biwrocratiaeth.

Mae mis Tachwedd bron â dod i’w ddiwedd ac mae’r myfyrwyr yn ymgynefino’n dda. Rwyf wedi cael y cyfle’r wythnos hon i dreulio amser ar Gampws Glynllifon, profiad y byddaf bob tro’n ei fwynhau ac mae cynlluniau cyffrous ar y gweill a chanlyniad y rhain fydd strategaeth seiliedig ar y tir unedig i Ogledd Cymru mewn partneriaeth â champws Llysfasi yng Ngholeg Glannau Dyfrdwy. Mae’r fenter yma’n elfen bwysig o fewn y Gynghrair Strategol ddiweddar a gytunwyd arno gyda Glannau Dyfrdwy a bydd yn cael effaith gadarnhaol ar addysg dysgwyr yr ardal.

Over the last few weeks I visited China and Vietnam on an international student recruitment drive and partnerships have been agreed with a school in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and three colleges in Chongqing in China. All partnerships involve staff training and the development of joint programmes.

On 7th October, the college was delighted to hold two events to mark the openings of its Bay Learning Centre and the Rhyl Sixth. Both initiatives represented an important response to the transformation initiative and a significant investment in learning infrastructure.

During the morning, Lesley Griffiths AM, the Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills officially opened the Bay Learning Centre in Colwyn Bay.


The Bay Learning Centre, which is located on Conway Road, opened to students earlier this year and includes a custom-built Deaf Studies suite and state-of-the-art IT facilities. The development of the Bay Learning Centre, identified as a flagship project in the North Wales Coastal Strategic Regeneration Area (SRA) Action Plan, is considered pivotal in the regeneration of Colwyn Bay. The centre provides advice, information, support and learning to those who are economically inactive, unemployed, have been recently made redundant or wish to progress from low skill employment. The centre offers a range of courses including learndirect, Classroom Assistants, Deaf Studies, IT and other pre-vocational courses. The latter are intended to help people develop their personal independence and prepare them for work. The centre has been developed by Coleg Llandrillo Cymru in partnership with Communities First and the Youth Service supported by DCELLS (Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills) and the Bay Life Initiative. The funding to convert the building was supported by the Welsh Assembly Government’s Strategic Regeneration Funds to the tune of £1 million.

Later that the day it was a pleasure to welcome the Minister for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning, Leighton Andrews AM to open the Rhyl Sixth facility based at the college’s Rhyl Campus. The event was very well attended and culminated in the Minister and guests being able to meet learners and tour the facility.

The Rhyl Sixth is a partnership sixth form developed to offer enhanced learning and training opportunities for young people in Rhyl and surrounding areas. Through its purpose built centre the Rhyl Sixth offers the widest choice of AS/A Level and Vocational subject options in Denbighshire. It is envisaged that a follow up phase of the development will include an extended partnership with Prestatyn High School, which represents a significant development for the coastal areas of Denbighshire.

In mid-October I was asked, together with Louise Jowett as Director of International Strategy at the college to provide a presentation on the college’s international developments at the Barbican in London. The event provided us with the opportunity to celebrate the AOC Beacon Achievement in this category and to describe the strategic importance of overseas students to the college development.

This term has seen the start of the Welsh Assembly Governments review of frontline services and the review of FE governance in colleges. The reviews present many opportunities for colleges and local authority organisations and we are looking forward to the challenges these will provide. As part of this exercise I have been communicating with members of the PIN organisation worldwide to gauge the current direction of travel globally for similar colleges. Small, business focussed Boards seem to be the direction of travel, reflecting independence and freedom of operation with an emphasis on reducing bureaucracy.

November is now fast disappearing and students are now settling well into the term. I have had the opportunity this week to spend some time on the Glynllifon Campus, which I always enjoy and exciting plans are beginning to evolve which will result in a unified land based strategy for North Wales in partnership with the Llysfasi campus of Deeside College. This initiative is an important element within the recent Strategic Alliance agreed with Deeside will have a positive effect on the learners of the area.

Post Update September 29th 2010

The college has again settled to the rigours of the teaching year. Students who only a few weeks ago appeared uncertain have again found their feet and are participating in all aspects of college life. As I write, a small group of our higher education students are preparing to be questioned by the QAA as part of the review of the University of Wales provision which is currently offered by the college. Increasingly students at college are expected to work in partnership and need to be included at all levels of decision making. This is clearly reflected in the new quality assurance regimes, be it for higher or further education.

A very warm welcome is extended to Bethan Roberts, the new Student Union President, who is currently a student at our Dolgellau Campus. She will be expected to play an important part in ensuring the seamlessness of the recent merger, whilst ensuring that the needs and expectations of all our students are recognised, regardless of campus location. The Students’ Union is an important stakeholder in responding effectively to the need for an enhanced presence for the learner voice.

In the context of stakeholders, an independent Governance review has recently been announced by the Welsh Assembly Government. This review will consider whether the current arrangements for further education institutions, as set out in the Instruments and Articles of Government remain relevant for the challenges and expectations that face the sector.

These challenges and expectations will of course be shaped by the forthcoming ‘Public Spending Review’ and the outcomes of the ‘transformation process’ which will impact on all parts of Wales.
These changes will inevitably demand a response which will involve developing new ways of working and the potential development of new Governance models.

The college has already successfully engaged with the transformation agenda which indirectly has led to the following:

- The Coleg Llandrillo / Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor merger.
- The reorganisation of post 16 education in Rhyl and the creation of the Rhyl 6th.
- New Learning Partnerships across the three counties covered by the college.
- New work based consortia, aimed at modernising the delivery of work based activities.
- The potential for dual sector operations in North West Wales, involving both HE and FE to improve progression and responsiveness.

The above initiatives are all at different stages of maturity but all represent new ways of working which will eventually demand new structures and new skills sets.
The challenge faced by colleges in all parts of the UK is indeed complex. On the one hand we need to become strategic bodes with the critical mass to invest in infrastructure and our staff, whilst on the other hand remaining close to our communities, and most importantly close to the student group.
The college is clearly responding to these new challenges and is already preparing for the forecasted financial downturn. The long term success will however be judged by our students, what they achieve and how they contribute to society. This must be at the core of all our activities and integral to future success.

The first day of term

This is the first day at college for our first year students. The college suddenly feels different, corridors are busy and common areas are a hive of activity. It’s also really good to see the new areas which have been commissioned for student use beginning to be utilised. The college certainly feels full and that’s without second years, part time students and our higher education contingent. This is a message that’s percolating through from all campuses. It’s certainly going to be a challenge for this college to match its intake with its funding. The demand for further education is currently unprecedented.

Over the last few weeks major capital programmes have been reaching the final stages of their

implementation. This includes the new Institute of Health on the Rhos campus, the Rhyl Sixth which is integral to Coleg Llandrillo Rhyl and the extension to the student heartspace referred to earlier at Rhos. It was also a pleasure to be involved last week in cutting the first turf ceremony at our Glynlllifon Campus to create the ‘learning village’. The completion of these projects will transform what is possible for the Glynllifon Campus enabling world class land based activities to be delivered for the site.

Last week again saw the annual round of whole college staff meetings. This year, for the first time, these were organised by county, covering the three counties where the college is operational. The Gwynedd meeting was held in Porthmadog, the Conwy meeting in Rhos on Sea and the Denbighshire meeting in Rhyl. Well over six hundred staff attended these meetings which provided the opportunity to focus on the following themes:

• College performance: student and financial.
• Future quality assessment regimes.
• The learner imperative.
• Delivering more with less money.
• Welsh Assembly Government priorities.
• Potential Public Sector cuts.
• Creating new learning systems.
• Welsh language strategy.

The main planning priorities of the college build upon these themes and are translated into seven key themes which have been widely consulted upon. These seven themes will be operational until 2012, by which time I am sure that new funding priorities will demand further change.

At these meetings the importance of looking forwards, not backwards was stressed. This is particularly important for the college as it builds on the success of the recent merger and begins to look at new ways of operating which fully take into account the technology available, the expectations of learners and the importance of new partnerships.

The FE sector has never avoided change and currently the demands to embrace change are greater than ever. Coleg Llandrillo has always positioned itself to take full advantage of change. I have always drawn comfort from the fact that staff have always responded positively to such challenges which can be contributed greatly to the strength of the college today.

The coming months will see change manifest itself in different ways. Of particular note will be the response of our higher education provision to future capping arrangements.

The realignment of work based provision to meet new tendering expectations and our response to the forecast downturn in public sector funding.

Today is however a good day, a new generation of students, new expectations and the college buzzing again.

Diwrnod cyntaf y tymor

Dyma ddiwrnod cyntaf yn y coleg i rai o’n myfyrwyr yn y flwyddyn gyntaf. Yn sydyn mae’r coleg yn teimlo’n wahanol, mae’r coridorau’n brysur ac mae’r ardaloedd cyffredin yn llawn bwrlwm. Mae hi hefyd yn braf gweld yr ardaloedd newydd a gomisiynwyd ar gyfer y myfyrwyr yn cael eu defnyddio. Mae’r coleg yn teimlo’n llawn, ac mae hynny cyn i fyfyrwyr yr ail flwyddyn, rhai rhan-amser a’r rhai addysg uwch gychwyn. Mae hon yn neges sy’n gyffredin i bob campws. Mae hi’n bendant yn mynd i fod yn sialens i’r coleg i uno ei mewnlif â’r arian. Ni welwyd y fath alw am addysg bellach o’r blaen.

Dros yr wythnosau diwethaf mae prosiectau cyfalaf mawr wedi dod tuag at eu terfyn. Mae hyn yn cynnwys Sefydliad Iechyd ar gampws Rhos, Chweched y Rhyl sydd yn integrol i Goleg Llandrillo y Rhyl ac estyniad i fan canolog y myfyrwyr yn Rhos. Roedd hi hefyd yn bleser yr wythnos ddiwethaf i fod yn y seremoni i glustnodi’r achlysur ar Gampws Glynllifon i greu’r ‘pentref addysg’. Bydd cwblhau’r prosiectau hyn yn trawsffurfio Campws Glynllifon gan alluogi i weithgareddau tir o’r radd flaenaf gael eu cyflwyno ar y safle.
Yr wythnos ddiwethaf cynhaliwyd yr arfer blynyddol o gynnal cyfarfodydd staff i’r coleg cyfan. Eleni, am y tro cyntaf, cawsant eu trefnu yn ôl sir, gan gael eu cynnal yn y tair sir ble mae’r coleg yn weithredol. Cynhaliwyd cyfarfod Gwynedd ym Mhorthmadog, cyfarfod Conwy yn Llandrillo-yn-rhos a chyfarfod Sir Ddinbych yn Y Rhyl. Mynychodd dros chwe chant o staff y cyfarfodydd, a rhoddodd y cyfarfod y cyfle i ganolbwyntio ar y themâu canlynol:

Perfformiad y coleg: myfyrwyr ac yn ariannol.
Trefn asesu ansawdd yn y dyfodol.
Hanfod y dysgwr.
Darparu mwy â llai o arian.
Blaenoriaethau Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru.
Toriadau posibl yn y Sector Gyhoeddus.
Creu systemau dysgu newydd.
Strategaeth yr iaith Gymraeg.

Mae prif flaenoriaethau cynllunio’r coleg yn adeiladu ar y themâu hyn a chânt eu trosi i saith thema allweddol sydd wedi cael eu hymgynghori’n barod. Bydd y saith thema yma’n weithredol tan 2012, ac erbyn hynny rwy’n siŵr y bydd blaenoriaethau ariannu newydd yn gofyn am newid pellach.

Yn y cyfarfodydd hyn, pwysleisiwyd y pwysigrwydd o edrych tua’r dyfodol ac nid i’r gorffennol. Mae hyn yn arbennig o bwysig i’r coleg wrth adeiladu ar lwyddiant yr uno diweddar ac yn cychwyn edrych ar ffyrdd newydd o weithio sy’n cymryd i ystyriaeth y dechnoleg sydd ar gael, disgwyliadau’r dysgwyr a phwysigrwydd partneriaethau newydd.

Tydi’r sector AB erioed wedi osgoi newid ac yn bresennol mae’r galw i groesawu newid yn fwy nag erioed. Mae Coleg Llandrillo wedi lleoli ei hun i gymryd mantais lawn o newid. Rwy’n cael cysur o wybod fod staff wedi ymateb yn gadarnhaol i sialensiau fel rhain a gall hyn gyfrannu’n fawr tuag at gryfder y coleg heddiw.
Bydd llawer o newid dros y misoedd nesaf mewn sawl ffordd. Yn benodol fydd ymateb ein darpariaeth addysg uwch i drefniadau capio yn y dyfodol.
Aildrefniant o ddarpariaeth yn seiliedig ar waith i gwrdd â disgwyliadau tendro newydd a’n hymateb i’r dirywiad economaidd yng nghronfa’r sector gyhoeddus sy’n cael ei ddarogan.

Mae heddiw fodd bynnag yn ddiwrnod da, cenhedlaeth newydd o fyfyrwyr, disgwyliadau newydd a’r coleg yn byrlymu eto.

July 2010

The last few months have possibly been the busiest and most demanding of my professional career, taking me back to the period of seeking incorporation back in the early 90s. Consequently my normal practice of posting a blog on a regular basis has been seriously compromised – my apologies.

Following an intense period of negotiations and discussion, the college formally merged on April 1^st with Coleg Meirion Dwyfor. The merger has resulted in an extended Coleg Llandrillo which operates from ten sites located across the counties of Denbighshire, Conwy and Gwynedd. The enhanced critical mass £46,000,000 will allow the extended college to provide an enhanced service to learners in this part of North Wales. It also provides for some comfort at a time of proposed public sector cutbacks, that the college is operating from a sustainable base and is capable of adapting to change.

Clearly the formal date of merger represents only the beginning of the challenge to develop a unified college approach. As I write initiatives are planned to bring staff together to identify priorities and plan the investment strategy for the future. Policies are being aligned and systems are being introduced which will facilitate the integration whilst respecting what is best from all parties. The decision has also been undertaken to review all developments in a year’s time to fully assess the impact of the merger, the effectiveness of the new structures and the balance of local accountability to the revised corporate culture.

This is also a time in Wales when a focus has been brought to bear on the HE sector, with particular reference to an evolving regional agenda, employer engagement and partnership working with FE. The college supports the direction of travel and as an institution which aims to be the first in Wales to achieve Foundation Degree awarding powers and is already directly funded for HE can only see the benefit to the proposed reforms. Meetings are taking place in the near future to review working models and establish priorities for the region.

The modernisation and development of the college campus continues unabated. Last month saw the formal opening of the £9million Marine and Built and Environment Centre at the Rhos on Sea site, by the college’s Honorary President Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas. Over 100 guests were present to mark the occasion, and the facilities are exceptional representing new developments in Renewables and Marine Technology, whilst reorganising leading edge practice in the Built Environment.

The Rhyl 6^th project is now nearing completion and is on programme to open to the new intake from September 2010. This state of the art facility will initially provide for an additional 100+ A/AS students in the Rhyl Campus and represents a step change in the provision that is available in the Rhyl area.

On the Glynllifon Campus (Caernaerfon) tenders were opened recently to commence work on a major capital programme to create the ‘Pentre Addysg’ on the site. This project has the potential of significantly enhancing the capacity of the campus and allowing the site to work with other partners in regenerating the area.

This is also a time of change for many college staff. Last week presentations were made to staff who were retiring or leaving the college at the end of term. Many of these staff have been a part of the college for a very long time and their contribution has been greatly valued. Not least my Deputy, Jean Smith, who is leaving the college following 22 years of committed service. My best wishes are extended to all who are leaving us this summer.

As I write some early results are beginning to emerge. We have recently been informed that two of our International Baccalaureate students have gained places at Oxford, continuing the high performance of the course. Success is apparent from across the college and below some of the most notable achievements are described in outline.

Awards and announcements

The college won two out of the seven awards it was shortlisted for at the recent Colegau Cymru Awards. The remaining five were runners up. Colegau Cymru is the national organisation representing all 21 further education (FE) colleges and institutions in Wales.

The winners were ‘College Engagement with Employers' Award’ and ‘Effective Use of the Tribal Benchmarking Tool Award’. The runners up included ‘Learner of the Year’, ‘Teacher of the Year’, ‘Outstanding Use of Technology’, ‘Excellence in Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship (ESDGC)’ and ‘Returning to and Widening the Scope of Learning’. This is a fantastic achievement for the College and all staff and teams involved have been congratulated for their work. The judging panels were very impressed, noting that the colleges had “raised the bar” this year.

The ‘College Engagement with Employers' Award’ is based around the work of Business Point/Pwynt Busnes (BP), Coleg Llandrillo Cymru’s main employer engagement interface. The focus is on employer engagement activity/practices, effective communication, meeting specific employer needs and the development of high quality, flexible programmes and services.

The ‘Effective Use of the Tribal Benchmarking Tool Award’ was won by the College for its implementation of an all-inclusive benchmarking tool that improves the overall student experience.

At the regional heat of Skillbuild held last month at Coleg Menai the college students were successful in the following categories:

John Seed - Carpentry & Joinery (gold medal)

Lisa Faulkner - Painting & Decorating (gold medal senior)

Danny Jones - Painting & Decorating (silver medal senior)

Richard Jones - Painting & Decorating (bronze medal senior)

Gavin Roberts - Painting & Decorating (silver medal junior)

Michael Shanks - Painting & Decorating (bronze medal junior)

Shaniel Bashar - Brickwork (bronze medal senior)

Sean Davies - Brickwork (silver medal junior)

Three of the gold medallists were awarded gifts from local companies at the recent MBEC opening to mark their success in the competitions.

Urdd - A number of successes were achieved at the Pwllheli Urdd Eisteddfod in literary, music and the arts.

Sheep Shearingathon - On 16th / 17th June a 24 hour sheep shearing event took place at Glynllifon with over 1600 sheep being sheared. The students and staff fully entered into the spirit of the shearathon and the college received very positive coverage on Ffermio. Congratulations to all involved in the exercise which was well received by the students and provided excellent promotional material.

Soloman Launch - On 16^th June I attended the launch of the Soloman Rib (rigid inflatable boat). The Soloman was constructed as a Reaching Wider initiative and was presented to Communities First in Pwllheli.

Glynlllifon Prizegiving - I was delighted to attend in mid June annual Glynllifon prize giving event where over 150 students attended with their families.

Technology Innovation Centre Invention - A local inventor recently worked with the college’s Ian Thompson of the College’s Technology Innovation Centre, to win an international award for their telescope design. Peter Wise from Abergele, and the college won a gold medal at the Geneva Inventors' Fair. Peter worked with the college to design what is said to be a low price, high quality, lightweight telescope, which has already won interest from the surveillance and birdwatching markets. The Inventions Geneva fair is amongst one of the foremost exhibitions in the world for

Niace Awards - On Thursday 13 May, a number of college learners were presented with awards at the Inspire Learner of the Year Awards in Cardiff. Stephen Glyn Cockin from Rhos site was awarded the Conwy County Learner of the Year Award, whilst John Foulkes from Denbigh, received the Denbighshire County Learner of the Year Award. Donna Howard (Glasdir) received a Highly Commended Award. From Dolgellau, Zoe Smith, won the NIACE Adult Vocational Learner of the Year Award. The College is very pleased of its learners’ success in this area.

World Skills Success / Regional Heats - Construction and Electrical

From Coleg Meirion Dwyfor Dolgellau, three Construction students (14 -16 programme) took part in the regional Skills Competition Wales and gained a gold, silver and bronze award. The three then took part in the recent final in Bridgend College where Ben Owen from Ysgol y Gader, Dolgellau won the Silver Award.

During the Wales region of the Skills M&E event recently held at Bridgend College, Chris Wray of Rhos site, gained the gold medal in the SkillPlumb event. David Parkes gained a bronze medal in the SkillElectric event. The college can now state that it has the best apprentice plumber in Wales. Chris Wray will now proceed to compete in the national finals to be held between the 5th and the 7th October 2010.

Motor Vehicle During the Easter break three industrial students from Motor Vehicle at Rhyl participated at the World Skills regional event at Openshaw College, Manchester. Unfortunately they weren’t successful in the top prized at the competitions, but the college and the students’ employers involved (Airbus/STTS and AM Richards, Llangollen), were very pleased with the commitment and enthusiasm the student demonstrated. The students were however awarded formal certificates of their achievements.

Hairdressing & Beauty On Friday 6th May, three ambitious level 2 NVQ hairdressing students, travelled to London for the World Skills Hairdressing Competition in London. Amy and Jade from Rhyl & Rhos respectively achieved the tremendous achievement of first place and second place.

At the end of April, students studying ‘Nails’ at Rhyl won a first and a third at NEC in Birmingham heats of the competitions which it is hoped will enable the first place winner to proceed to a later stage.

Restaurant As reported in April, Channon Morris a Hospitality Student at the Rhos site scooped the UK Champion award at the UK Skills Restaurant Service Award in Bournemouth last month. She now moves onto represent the UK in the World Skills Olympics.

Congratulations to all staff and students, these are all tremendous achievements. Best wishes to the students as they progress to the next phases.

Further Student and Staff Success - Megan Llyn (Pwllheli Campus) was recently selected for both the National Youth Theatre of Wales and the National Youth Theatre (GB). As she will not be able to be part of both schemes she has opted for the National Youth Theatre with whom she will attend a summer course in London.

Four students (three from Dolgellau and one from Pwllheli) have been selected for the National Youth Choir of Wales. They too will attend a summer course as part of their selection.

Twenty two students have been successful in gaining Scholarships to Bangor and Aberystwyth University - the total value of the Scholarship amounts to £40,000.

Abergele Campus held its annual awards evening to celebrate its learners’ success last month. Students from across Denbighshire and Conwy were presented with awards for Achiever of the Year and Tutor Recognition Awards.

UK Industrial Electronics World Skills Competition Swansea - Two of the college’s learners, Llewellyn Evans and Jamie Harper, were successful in the recent UK Industrial Electronics WorldSkills Competition held in Swansea. They now progress to the UK Finals later in the month in Motherwell.

Automotive students in UK finals - From over 600 applicants Phil Roberts, Central Garage Llanrwst and third year Automotive Engineering student at Coleg Llandrillo Rhyl will compete as one of the six finalist in the Skillauto Vehicle Technician UK finals at the BMW Academy, Reading on June 22nd & 23^rd.

Matthew Marubbi, of AN Richards, Llangollen and third year Vehicle Body Repair student at Coleg Llandrillo Rhyl will take part in the Skillauto Autobody Repair UK finals at the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre, Thatcham, England on 16th & 17th June.

The top performers in each final will go through to the World Skills international competition being held in London next year.

In addition Daniel Evans, Smithy Garage, Dyffryn, Ardudwy, Gwynedd and third year Vehicle Body Repair student will compete in the UK Senior Panel Technicians of the Year finals at Thatcham, Berks, in late June.

World Skills Success / Regional Heats - Construction and Electrical

From Coleg Meirion Dwyfor Dolgellau, three Construction students (14 -16 programme) took part in the regional Skills Competition Wales and gained a gold, silver and bronze award. The three then took part in the recent final in Bridgend College where Ben Owen from Ysgol y Gader, Dolgellau won the Silver Award.

During the Wales region of the Skills M&E event recently held at Bridgend College, Chris Wray of Rhos site, gained the gold medal in the SkillPlumb event. David Parkes gained a bronze medal in the SkillElectric event. The college can now state that it has the best apprentice plumber in Wales. Chris Wray will now proceed to compete in the national finals to be held between the 5th and the 7th October 2010.

Motor Vehicle - During the Easter break three industrial students from Motor Vehicle at Rhyl participated at the World Skills regional event at Openshaw College, Manchester. Unfortunately they weren’t successful in the top prized at the competitions, but the college and the students’ employers involved (Airbus/STTS and AM Richards, Llangollen), were very pleased with the commitment and enthusiasm the student demonstrated. The students were however awarded formal certificates of their achievements.

Hairdressing & Beauty - On Friday 6th May, three ambitious level 2 NVQ hairdressing students, travelled to London for the World Skills Hairdressing Competition in London. Amy and Jade from Rhyl & Rhos respectively achieved the tremendous achievement of first place and second place.

At the end of April, students studying ‘Nails’ at Rhyl won a first and a third at NEC in Birmingham heats of the competitions which it is hoped will enable the first place winner to proceed to a later stage.

Restaurant - In April, Channon Morris a Hospitality Student at the Rhos site scooped the UK Champion award at the UK Skills Restaurant Service Award in Bournemouth last month. She now moves onto represent the UK in the World Skills Olympics.

Congratulations to all staff and students, these are all tremendous achievements. Best wishes to the students as they progress to the next phases.

Further Student and Staff Success - Megan Llyn (Pwllheli Campus) was recently selected for both the National Youth Theatre of Wales and the National Youth Theatre (GB). As she will not be able to be part of both schemes she has opted for the National Youth Theatre with whom she will attend a summer course in London.

Four students (three from Dolgellau and one from Pwllheli) have been selected for the National Youth Choir of Wales. They too will attend a summer course as part of their selection.

Twenty two students have been successful in gaining Scholarships to Bangor and Aberystwyth University - the total value of the Scholarship amounts to £40,000.

Overall this has been a very demanding year for the college and its staff. I am especially proud of the achievement of the college’s students this year and thank all the staff for making this possible.

Mae’n debyg mai’r misoedd diwethaf yw rhai mwyaf prysur a heriol yn ystod fy ngyrfa broffesiynol, gan fy atgoffa o’r cyfnod pan oeddem yn ceisio cael ymgorfforiad yn fuan yn y 1990au. O ganlyniad mae’r arfer o gyhoeddi blog yn rheolaidd wedi cael ei esgeuluso – dwi’n ymddiheuro.

Yn dilyn cyfnod dwys o drafodaethau, fe unodd y coleg yn ffurfiol â Choleg Meirion-Dwyfor ar Ebrill 1af. Mae’r uno’n golygu fod Coleg Llandrillo yn un estynedig sy’n gweithio o ddeg safle ar draws Siroedd Dinbych, Conwy a Gwynedd. Bydd y mas critigol mwy, £46,000,000 yn galluogi’r coleg estynedig i ddarparu gwasanaeth gwell i ddysgwyr yn y rhan yma o Ogledd Cymru. Mae hefyd yn darparu rhywfaint o gysur mewn cyfnod o doriadau yn y sector gyhoeddus fod y coleg yn gweithredu o sylfaen gynaliadwy ac yn gallu addasu i newid.

Yn amlwg, dim ond dechrau’r sialens yw dyddiad yr uno ffurfiol er mwyn datblygu dull o fynd ati sy’n unedig. Wrth i mi ysgrifennu hwn, mae mentrau’n cael eu trefnu i ddod â staff at ei gilydd er mwyn nodi blaenoriaethau a chynllunio’r strategaeth buddsoddiad ar gyfer y dyfodol. Mae polisïau’n cael eu hunioni ac mae systemau’n cael eu cyflwyno a fydd yn hwyluso’r integreiddiad wrth barchu beth sydd orau o bob ochr. Penderfynwyd hefyd i adolygu pob datblygiad mewn blwyddyn er mwyn asesu effaith yr uno, effeithiolrwydd y strwythurau newydd a chydbwysedd atebolrwydd lleol i’w diwylliant corfforedig diwygiedig.

Dyma gyfnod pan roddwyd ffocws ar y sector AU yng Nghymru, gyda chyfeiriad penodol i agenda rhanbarthol esblygol, ymrwymiad cyflogwr a gweithio mewn partneriaid ag AB. Mae’r coleg yn cefnogi’r cyfeiriad hwn, ac fel sefydliad sy’n anelu i fod y cyntaf yng Nghymru i ennill pwerau dyfarnu Gradd Sylfaenol ac sy’n cael ein hariannu’n uniongyrchol ar gyfer AU, dim ond y fantais i’r diwygiadau arfaethedig yma allwn ni eu gweld. Caiff cyfarfodydd eu cynnal yn y dyfodol er mwyn adolygu’r modeli gweithio a sefydlu blaenoriaethau ar gyfer y rhanbarth.

Mae’r gwaith o foderneiddio a datblygu campws y coleg yn parhau yn ddi-dor. Fis diwethaf, agorwyd Canolfan Forwrol ac Amgylchedd Adeiledig newydd gwerth £9miliwn ar safle Llandrillo-yn-Rhos, gan Lywydd Anrhydeddus y coleg Arglwydd Dafydd Elis-Thomas. Roedd dros 100 o westeion yn bresennol i nodi’r achlysur, ac mae’r cyfleusterau eithriadol, gan gynrychioli datblygiadau newydd yn Nhechnoleg Adnewyddadwy a Morwrol, tra’n ad-drefnu arfer blaengar yn yr Amgylchedd Adeiledig.

Mae prosiect 6ed y Rhyl bron a chael ei orffen a dylai fod yn barod i dderbyn myfyrwyr newydd ym mis Medi 2010. I gychwyn, bydd y cyfleuster modern yn darparu addysg i 100+ o fyfyrwyr Lefel A/AS ychwanegol ar Gampws y Rhyl ac mae’n cynrychioli newid mawr yn y ddarpariaeth sydd ar gael yn ardal y Rhyl.

Yn ddiweddar agorwyd tendrau ar Gampws Glynllifon (Caernarfon) i gychwyn gweithio ar raglen cyfalaf fawr i greu ‘Pentre Addysg’ ar y safle. Mae potensial yn y prosiect hwn i wella gallu’r campws yn arwyddocaol ac mae’n galluogi’r safle i weithio gyda phartneriaid eraill i adfywio’r ardal.
Mae hi hefyd yn amser o newid i nifer o staff y coleg. Yr wythnos ddiwethaf cafwyd cyflwyniadau i staff sy’n ymddeol neu’n gadael y coleg ar ddiwedd y tymor. Mae nifer o’r staff wedi bod yn y coleg ers amser maith ac fe werthfawrogir eu cyfraniad yn fawr. Heb anghofio, fy Nirprwy, Jean Smith, sy’n gadael y coleg ar ôl 22 mlynedd o wasanaeth ymroddedig. Rwy’n dymuno’r gorau i bawb sy’n ein gadael dros yr haf.

Wrth i mi ysgrifennu, mae canlyniadau cynnar yn dechrau cael eu cyhoeddi. Yn ddiweddar cawsom wybod fod dau o’n myfyrwyr Bagloriaeth Cymru wedi ennill llefydd yn Rhydychen, gan barhau â pherfformiad llwyddiannus y cwrs. Mae llwyddiant yn amlwg ar draws y coleg, ac isod mae disgrifiadau o rai o’r cyraeddiadau mwyaf nodedig.

Gwobrau a chyhoeddiadau
Cyrhaeddodd y coleg rhestr fer Gwobrau Colegau Cymru ar gyfer saith o wobrau gan ddod yn fuddugol mewn dau ohonynt. Daeth y pump oedd yn weddill yn ail. Colegau Cymru yw’r sefydliad cenedlaethol sy’n cynrychioli’r holl golegau a sefydliadau addysg bellach (AB) yng Nghymru.

Y rhai buddugol oedd ‘Gwobr Cysylltiad y Coleg â Chyflogwr’ a ‘Gwobr Defnydd Effeithiol o Declyn Meincnodi Tribal’. Daeth y coleg yn ail yn y gwobrau canlynol: ‘Dysgwr y Flwyddyn, ‘Athro y Flwyddyn, ‘Defnydd Rhagorol o Dechnoleg’, ‘Rhagoriaeth mewn Addysg ar gyfer Datblygu Cynaliadwy a Dinasyddiaeth Fyd-Eang (ESDGC)’ a ‘Dychwelyd i Ddysgu ac Ehangu ei Gwmpas’. Dyma gyrhaeddiad rhagorol i’r Coleg ac rydym wedi llongyfarch yr holl dimau a staff a fu ynghlwm â’r gwaith. Roedd y paneli beirniadu yn llawn edmygedd gan nodi fod y colegau wedi “codi’r safon” eleni.

Mae’r ‘Wobr Cysylltiad y Coleg â’r Cyflogwr’ yn seiliedig ar waith y Pwynt Busnes (PB) sef prif ryngwyneb Coleg Llandrillo Cymru ar gyfer ymrwymo cyflogwyr. Canolbwyntir ar weithgaredd/ymarferion ymrwymo cyflogwyr, cyfathrebu effeithiol, cwrdd ag anghenion penodol cyflogwr a datblygu rhaglenni a gwasanaethau hyblyg ac o safon uchel.

Enillodd y Coleg ‘Wobr Defnydd Effeithiol o Declyn Meincnodi Tribal’ am weithredu teclyn meincnodi hollgynhwysfawr sy’n gwella profiad y myfyrwyr at ei gilydd.

Yn rownd ranbarthol cystadleuaeth Skillbuild a gynhaliwyd fis diwethaf yng Ngholeg Menai, bu myfyrwyr y coleg yn llwyddiannus yn y categorïau canlynol:
John Seed – Gwaith Saer ac Asiedydd (medal aur)
Lisa Faulkner - Paentio ac Addurno (medal aur hŷn)
Danny Jones – Paentio ac Addurno (medal arian hŷn)
Richard Jones - Paentio ac Addurno (medal efydd hŷn)
Gavin Roberts - Paentio ac Addurno (medal arian iau)
Michael Shanks - Paentio ac Addurno (medal efydd iau)
Shaniel Bashar – Gwaith Brics (medal efydd hŷn)
Sean Davies – Gwaith Brics (medal arian iau)

Derbyniodd tri o enillwyr y fedal aur eu gwobrau gan gwmnïau lleol yn agoriad diweddar yr MBEC er mwyn nodi eu llwyddiant yn y cystadlaethau.

Urdd – Cyflawnwyd nifer o lwyddiannau yn Eisteddfod yr Urdd Pwllheli mewn llenyddiaeth, cerddoriaeth a’r celfyddydau.

Digwyddiad Cneifio Defaid – Cynhaliwyd achlysur cneifio defaid mewn 24 awr yng Nglynllifon ar 16eg / 17eg o Fehefin, a chafodd dros 1600 o ddefaid eu cneifio. Dyma’r myfyrwyr a’r staff yn mwynhau’r digwyddiad yn fawr a chafwyd sylw hynod gadarnhaol ar y rhaglen Ffermio. Llongyfarchiadau i bawb oedd ynghlwm â’r digwyddiad a bu hefyd yn ddeunydd hyrwyddo gwych.

Lansiad Soloman – Mynychais lansiad ‘Cwch Gwynt Anhyblyg’ Soloman ar yr 16eg o Fehefin . Cafodd y Soloman ei adeiladu fel rhan o’r fenter ‘Ymestyn yn Ehangach’ a’i gyflwyno i Gymunedau’n Gyntaf ym Mhwllheli.

Gwobrau Glynllifon – Roedd hi’n bleser gen i fynychu digwyddiad gwobrwyo flynyddol Glynllifon yng nghanol mis Mehefin ble y mynychodd dros 150 o fyfyrwyr gyda’u teuluoedd.

Dyfais gan y Ganolfan Dechnoleg Arloesol - Bu dyfeisiwr lleol yn cydweithio â Ian Thompson o Ganolfan Dechnoleg Arloesol y Coleg yn ddiweddar gan ennill gwobr ryngwladol am eu dyluniad o delesgop. Dyma Peter Wise o Abergele, ynghyd â’r Coleg, yn ennill medal aur yn Ffair Ddyfeisiadau Geneva. Bu Peter yn cydweithio â’r coleg i ddylunio telesgop ysgafn o safon uchel ac am bris rhesymol. Mae’r telesgop wedi denu diddordeb yn barod gan farchnadoedd gwyliadwriaeth a gwylio adar. Mae Ffair Ddyfeisiadau Geneva ymysg y brif arddangosfa yn y byd i ddyfeiswyr o ran rhagoriaeth uchel.

Gwobrau Niace – Ar ddydd Iau 13 Mai, derbyniodd nifer o ddysgwyr y coleg wobrau yng Ngwobrau Inspire Dysgwr y Flwyddyn yng Nghaerdydd. Derbyniodd Stephen Glyn Cockin o safle Rhos Wobr Dysgwr y Flwyddyn o Sir Conwy, tra y derbyniodd John Foulkes o Ddinbych Wobr Dysgwr y Flwyddyn o Sir Ddinbych. Derbyniodd Donna Howard (Glasdir) Wobr Cymeradwyedig o Ddolgellau, derbyniodd Zoe Smith Wobr Dysgwr Galwedigaethol NIACE y Flwyddyn. Mae’r Coleg yn falch o lwyddiant pob dysgwr yn y maes hwn. On Thursday 13 May, a number of college learners were presented with awards at the Inspire Learner of the Year Awards in Cardiff. Stephen Glyn Cockin from Rhos site was awarded the Conwy County Learner of the Year Award, whilst John Foulkes from Denbigh, received the Denbighshire County Learner of the Year Award. Donna Howard (Glasdir) received a Highly Commended Award. From Dolgellau, Zoe Smith, won the NIACE Adult Vocational Learner of the Year Award. The College is very pleased of its learners’ success in this area.

Llwyddiant World Skills/ Rowndiau Rhanbarthol
Adeiladwaith a Thrydanol

O Goleg Meirion Dwyfor Dolgellau, bu tri myfyriwr Adeiladwaith (rhaglen 14-16) yn cymryd rhan yng Nghystadleuaeth Sgiliau rhanbarthol Cymru, gan ennill gwobr aur, arian ac efydd. Yna bu’r tri yn cymryd rhan yn y rownd derfynol ddiweddar yng Ngholeg Penybont ble yr enillodd Ben Owen o Ysgol y Gader, Dolgellau y Wobr Arian. From Coleg Meirion Dwyfor Dolgellau, three Construction students (14 -16 programme) took part in the regional Skills Competition Wales and gained a gold, silver and bronze award. The three then took part in the recent final in Bridgend College where Ben Owen from Ysgol y Gader, Dolgellau won the Silver Award.
Yn ystod digwyddiad rhanbarthol Cymru o Skills M&E a gynhaliwyd yng Ngholeg Penybont enillodd Chris Wray o safle Rhos y fedal aur yn nigwyddiad SkillPlumb. Enillodd David Parkes y fedal efydd yn nigwyddiad SkillElectric. Nawr, gall y coleg ddweud mai ganddi hi mae’r prentis plymio gorau yng Nghymru. Bydd Chris Wray nawr yn datblygu i gystadlu yn y rowndiau terfynol cenedlaethol a gynhelir rhwng 5ed a 7fed Hydref 2010.
Cerbyd Modur Yn ystod gwyliau’r Pasg bu tri myfyrwyr diwydiannol o Gerbyd Modur yn y Rhyl yn cymryd rhan yn nigwyddiad rhanbarthol World Skills yng Ngholeg Openshaw, Manceinion. Yn anffodus, ni fuont yn llwyddiannus yng nghystadlaethau’r prif wobrau, ond roedd y coleg a chyflogwyr y myfyrwyr a fu’n cymryd rhan (Airbus/STTS ac AM Richards, Llangollen), yn hapus iawn â’r ymrwymiad a brwdfrydedd a ddangoswyd gan y myfyrwyr. Er hynny, derbyniodd y myfyrwyr dystysgrifau ffurfiol am eu cyraeddiadau.

Trin Gwallt a Harddwch Ar ddydd Gwener 6ed Mai, teithiodd tair myfyrwraig trin gwallt NVQ lefel 2 uchelgeisiol i Lundain i Gystadleuaeth Trin Gwallt World Skills. Daeth Amy a Jade o’r Rhyl a Rhos yn gyntaf ac ail, mae hyn yn gyrhaeddiad aruthrol.

Ar ddiwedd mis Ebrill, daeth myfyrwyr sy’n astudio ‘Ewinedd’ yn y Rhyl yn gyntaf a thrydydd yn nghanolfan NEC ym Mirmingham yn rowndiau cyntaf cystadlaethau ble y gobeithir y bydd yr enillydd yn datblygu i gam pellach.

Bwyty Fel y dywedwyd ym mis Ebrill, enillodd Channon Morris myfyrwraig Lletygarwch ar safle Rhos wobr Pencampwr y DU yng Ngwobrau Gwasanaeth Bwyty UK Skills yn Bournemouth fis diwethaf. Mae hi nawr yn mynd i gynrychioli’r DU yn Sgiliau Olympaidd y Byd.

Llongyfarchiadau i’r holl staff a myfyrwyr, mae’r rhain yn gyraeddiadau aruthrol. Cofion gorau i’r myfyrwyr wrth iddynt ddatblygu i’r camau nesaf.

Llwyddiannau pellach gan Fyfyrwyr a Staff - Yn ddiweddar dewiswyd Megan Llyn (Campws Pwllheli) ar gyfer Theatr Ieuenctid Cenedlaethol Cymru a’r Theatr Ieuenctid Genedlaethol (GB). Gan na fydd modd iddi fynychu’r ddau mae hi wedi dewis y Theatr Ieuenctid Genedlaethol a bydd hi’n mynychu cwrs haf â nhw yn Llundain.

Mae pedwar myfyrwyr (tri o Ddolgellau ac un Bwllheli) wedi cael eu dewis ar gyfer Côr Cenedlaethol Ieuenctid Cymru. Byddant yn mynychu cwrs haf fel rhan o’u detholiad.
Bu dau fyfyriwr ar hugain yn llwyddiannus yn ennill Ysgoloriaethau i Brifysgolion Bangor ac Aberystwyth – cyfanswm yr ysgoloriaethau yw £40,000.

Cynhaliwyd noson wobrwyo flynyddol Campws Abergele i ddathlu llwyddiant y dysgwyr fis diwethaf. Cyflwynwyd myfyrwyr o ar draws Sir Ddinbych a Chonwy â’u gwobrau am Gyflwynydd y Flwyddyn a Gwobrau Cydnabyddiaeth Tiwtor.

Roedd dau o ddysgwyr y coleg sef Llewellyn Evans a Jamie Harper yn llwyddiannus yng Nghystadleuaeth Sgiliau’r Byd Prydain mewn Electroneg Diwydiannol a gynhaliwyd yn Abertawe yn ddiweddar. Maent nawr yn symud ymlaen i Rownd Derfynol Prydain a gynhelir hwyrach ymlaen yn y mis yn Motherwell.
Myfyrwyr Moduro yn rowndiau terfynol Prydain - Wedi ei ddewis allan o fwy na 600 o ymgeiswyr, bydd Phil Roberts sy’n gweithio yng Ngarej Central yn Llanrwst ac yn fyfyriwr Peirianneg Moduro yn ei drydedd flwyddyn yng Ngholeg Llandrillo y Rhyl yn cystadlu fel un o chwech unigolyn sydd wedi cyrraedd rownd derfynol cystadleuaeth Technegydd Cerbyd Skillauto Prydain yn Academi BMW, Reading ar Fehefin 22ain a’r 23ain.
Bydd Matthew Marubbi sy’n gweithio i AN Richards yn Llangollen ac sy’n fyfyriwr yn ei drydedd flwyddyn ar gwrs Atgyweirio Corff Cerbyd yng Ngholeg Llandrillo y Rhyl, yn cymryd rhan yn rownd derfynol Prydain o Atgyweirio Corff Cerbyd Skillauto yn y Ganolfan Yswiriant Modur mewn Ymchwil Atgyweirio, Thatcham, Lloegr ar 16eg a 17eg o Fehefin.
Bydd y perfformwyr gorau ymhob rownd derfynol yn mynd ymlaen i gystadlu yng nghystadleuaeth ryngwladol Sgiliau’r Byd a gynhelir yn Llundain flwyddyn nesaf.
Yn ogystal bydd Daniel Evans o Garej Smithy, Dyffryn, Ardudwy, Gwynedd ac sy’n ei drydedd flwyddyn fel myfyriwr Atgyweirio Corff Cerbyd yn cystadlu ddiwedd mis Mehefin yn rownd derfynol Prydain o Uwch Banel Technegwyr y Flwyddyn yn Thatcham, Berks.
Ar y cyfan, bu hon yn flwyddyn heriol iawn i’r coleg a’i staff. Rydw i’n arbennig o falch o gyraeddiadau’r myfyrwyr y coleg eleni a diolch i’r holl staff am ei wneud yn bosibl.

I am very pleased to report that the Merger with Coleg Meirion Dwyfor is now complete. Please see the college website for further information by clicking here.

Y gaeaf yma (2009-10) yw un o’r caletaf y gallaf ei gofio yn y Coleg. Yn fuan ym mis Ionawr, fe gaeom bob safle’n swyddogol am ddiwrnod o achos amodau tywydd garw. Dyma’r tro cyntaf y gallaf gofio orfod cau’r Coleg am y rheswm yma mewn dros ddeng mlynedd!
Hyd yn hyn mae’r rhan fwyaf o’r flwyddyn wedi bod yn brysur wrth lywio’r uno gyda Choleg Meirion Dwyfor, a pharatoi’r Coleg i weithio mewn ffordd ychydig yn wahanol. Y pwyslais ar gyfer y dyfodol yw canolbwyntio ar wasanaeth lleol ac atebolrwydd lleol o fewn diwylliant corfforedig unedig, gan adlewyrchu ar werthoedd y ddau sefydliad. Bydd y canolbwynt ar ansawdd, y dysgwr a macsimeiddio dewis yn parhau, gan barchu ac ymateb yn gadarnhaol i flaenoriaethau ieithyddol.

Bydd cyfleoedd newydd ar gael i staff a myfyrwyr a bydd llwyddiant parhaus y coleg a’i allu i ail-fuddsoddi yn y rhwydwaith dysgu yn sicrhau dyfodol cynaliadwy. Yn bresennol y dyddiad ar gyfer uno yw Ebrill 1af 2010, a bydd unrhyw oedi i’r dyddiad hwnnw ddim o achos diffygion paratoi gan fod pob targed wedi cael eu cyrraedd hyd yn hyn.

Fel y bydd y rhan fwyaf yn gwybod, mae prosiect 6ed y Rhyl nawr yn datblygu’n dda a disgwylir i’r rhaglen adeiladu gael ei gwblhau erbyn mis Awst 2010. Mae’r trefniadau ar gyfer y flwyddyn drawsnewidiol wedi bod yn heriol ac mae ymrwymiad y staff wedi bod yn ardderchog wrth oresgyn yr anawsterau ymarferol o ddysgu myfyrwyr o ar draws sefydliadau gwahanol. O fis Medi 2010, caiff y manteision eu gwireddu wrth i’r ganolfan newydd agor.

Mae gwaith yn parhau ar gampws Llandrillo-yn-Rhos, gan gymryd mantais lawn o’r arian cyfalaf a enillwyd yn llwyddiannus dros y ddwy flynedd diwethaf. Erbyn mis Medi 2010, bydd gwaith ar Sefydliad Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol, a mwy o gyfleusterau i staff a myfyrwyr wedi eu cwblhau. Hefyd, bwriedir i ailddatblygu’r ardal chwarae ar gefn y campws i ddarparu mwy o wasanaethau pob tywydd priodol i gefnogi ein rhaglen chwaraeon sy’n tyfu. Yn benodol, mae gwaith yn parhau i ddatblygu Academi Rygbi URC mewn partneriaeth gyda datblygiad chwaraeon newydd Parc Eirias.

Yn ystod mis Chwefror, cafodd carreg filltir bwysig arall ei gyrraedd, pan gyrhaeddodd y 100fed myfyriwr rhyngwladol i’r Swyddfa Ryngwladol am y flwyddyn academaidd. Hynod o briodol felly, ydyw fod y gefnogaeth ar roddir i’n myfyrwyr rhyngwladol wedi cael ei gydnabod gan Wobr Beacon AOC UK yn ystod yr un mis. Dyma gydnabyddiaeth sydd wedi cael ei gyrraedd eleni mewn cystadleuaeth yn erbyn rhai o golegau mwyaf sefydledig yn Lloegr a’r Alban gyda rhai o fintai tramor mwyaf.

Wrth i mi ysgrifennu, mae’r coleg yn paratoi hanes byr am dyfiant y sefydliad. Cafodd y "Coleg Technegol Llandrillo" gwreiddiol ei greu yn y 1960au o uniad rhwng Ysgol Westy ac Arlwyo Llandudno a Sefydliad Technegol Bae Colwyn. Bydd yr uno sydd i ddod unwaith eto’n cynrychioli cyfod pwysig gan gymryd y coleg i gam nesaf y datblygiad fel rhan integrol o drawsnewidiad darpariaeth dysgu yng Nghymru.
Gallaf ond edrych ymlaen o flaen llaw at y cyfleoedd sydd o’n blaenau wrth gydnabod beth sydd wedi cael ei gyflawni hyd yn hyn gyda synnwyr o foddhad.


This winter (2009-10) is one of the harshest that I can remember at the College. Early in January, we officially closed all sites for one day due to the adverse weather conditions. This is the first time that I can remember having to close the College for this reason in over ten years!
Much of the year to date has been taken up on steering the merger with Coleg Meirion Dwyfor, and preparing the College to work in a slightly different way. The emphasis for the future has clearly to focus on developing a local service and local accountability within a unified corporate culture, reflecting the values of both organisations. The focus on quality, the learner and maximising choice will continue, respecting and responding positively to linguistic priorities.
New opportunities will be made available to staff and students and the continuing success of the college and its ability to reinvest in the learning infrastructure will ensure a sustainable future. Currently the merger date is set for April 1st 2010, and any delay to that date will not be as a result of our lack of preparation as all targets have been achieved to date.

As most will know, the Rhyl 6th project is now well advanced and the build programme is on target to complete by August 2010. Arrangements for the transition year have proved to be challenging and the commitment of staff has been excellent in overcoming the practical difficulties of teaching students across different institutions. From September 2010, with the opening of the new centre the benefits will soon be realised.

Work continues in the main Rhos-on-Sea campus, taking full advantage of the capital money which has been successfully acquired over the last two years. By September 2010, the work on the Institute of Health and Social Care, and enhanced staff and student accommodation will be completed. It is also planned to redevelop the playing area to the rear of the campus to provide more appropriate all weather surfaces to support our growing sports programme. Of particular note, work is currently ongoing to develop a WRU Rugby Academy in partnership with the new Eirias Park sports development.

During the month of February, another important milestone was reached, when the International Office crossed the 100 student recruitment mark for the academic year. It seems so appropriate that the support given to our international students was recognised with an AOC UK Beacon Award during the same month. This is recognition indeed which this year has been achieved in competition against some of the more established colleges in England and Scotland with some of the largest overseas cohorts.

As I write, the college is preparing a brief history of the growth of the institution. The original "Llandrillo Technical College" was created in the 1960’s from a merger between the Llandudno Hotel and Catering School and the Colwyn Bay Technical Institute. The forthcoming merger will again represent a watershed taking the college to its next phase of development as an integral part of the transformation of learning provision in Wales.

I can only look forward in anticipation to the opportunities which lie ahead whilst recognising with a sense of satisfaction what has been achieved to date.

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda - Happy New Year

Gobeithio fod pawb wedi mwynhau’r gwyliau. Er bod y coleg wedi cau am wythnos, parhau wnaeth y coleg i fod yn le prysur cyn ac ar ôl y Nadolig. Ond yn fwy amlwg na dim arall, a dwi’n siŵr bydd y rhan fwyaf ohonoch yn cytuno, yw’r aflonyddwch sydd wedi bod â’r tywydd. Pan mae’n bosib ceisiwn gadw ein safleoedd ar agor, cyn belled â’i fod yn ddiogel i ni wneud hynny. Pe bai’r coleg yn penderfynu cau am unrhyw reswm, byddwn yn diweddaru gwefan y coleg yn ogystal â’r holl orsafoedd radio.
Rwy’n gobeithio y gallwn osgoi unrhyw amhariad i’r myfyrwyr sy’n sefyll eu harholiadau yr wythnos hon.
Roedd mis Rhagfyr, cyn gwyliau’r Nadolig, yn llawn o gyfarfodydd ac yn nghyfarfod Bwrdd y coleg fe gymeradwywyd i ni fynd ymlaen a chyflwyno cais i’r Cynulliad ar gyfer yr uniad â Choleg Meirion Dwyfor. Dyma gyfnod cyffrous iawn i’r ddau goleg ac rydym yn disgwyl am y canlyniad.
Yn gymdeithasol, cafodd y coleg barti Nadolig gwych, ac ymddangosai fod pawb wedi mwynhau eu hunain yn fawr..........
Felly ymlaen i 2010, gan obeithio cawn flwyddyn gadarnhaol ac edrychwn ymlaen yn fawr i’r heriau newydd a ddaw.
I hope people have had an enjoyable break. The college despite closing for a week, remained a busy place leading up to and immediately after Christmas. Most of all, as many readers will I am sure agree, the last week has been the disrupted by the weather. Wherever possible we try to keep all our sites open, as long as it is safe to do so. Should the college decide to close for any reason we keep the college website, and all local radio stations updated.

I hope we can try and ensure our students who are sitting exams this week are not disrupted in any way.

December, prior to the Christmas break was full of meetings and in particular our Board meeting, when it was approved that the college could proceed to submit an application to the Assembly to merge with Coleg Meirion Dwyfor. This is an exciting time for both colleges and we await the outcome.

Socially, the college had an excellent Christmas party, where it seems a good time was had by all………..

So on to 2010, which I hope will be a very positive year and we very much look forward to the new challenges it brings.