Here’s a spread that has featured in the latest (August) Elim Direction Magazine... 

In a follow-up note, he praised the work. “The Sporting Marvels workers have become   a familiar sight in our schools; their sterling work appreciated by pupils and staff alike”,

He said. “The Head Teachers sing their praises and it’s clear the Marvels are having      a very positive influence for good. They are excellent role models and Rhondda’s children and young people are responding to their special brand of fun, education and firmness.

The Mighty Marvels programme running in our primary schools has two main objectives - to teach and sow goodness and good values into young lives and to better prepare our youngsters prior to their transition to the  Comprehensive School.

Every year, we ask the heads to complete an Appraisal form sharing their thoughts on a variety of topics from lesson content, delivery practice and the Marvels themselves.

It’s that time of year where there’s a lot happening on the people front. Here’s a few quick updates.  

American Marvel Sarah - left - from Oklahoma, will be part of an all-girl missions team from the Gatehouse Church(led by Jenny) that will visit Tanzania next month.

“I’ve always wanted to go to Africa ever since I was a little girl; making a visit has always been a life-long dream of mine,” she said. 

Moving home, relocating to another area, is never easy. But for a ten or eleven year-old it can be especially difficult. 

Rebecca Rollings was one of our girls, close to Angelo her Mighty Marvels school worker. Her family’s just moved and before she went she gave  Angelo a card.

In September, sixth form pupils at Tonypany Community College will be able to choose the Sporting Marvels Leadership Academy as a subject option within the school’s curriculum!!

The option will include eight lessons a fortnight that will involve both practical and theory lessons taught completely and independently by resident Marvels, Becky and Ricardo.

This coming September will also see an expansion of Musical Marvels that will see work begin at Tonypandy Community College.

“With Sporting Marvels playing such a key, high-profile role at Tonypandy, we’ve been keen to introduce Musical Marvels to the school for some time now”, Phil said.

In July of 2003, Tonypandy became the first Rhondda School to embrace Sporting Marvels when headteacher Stephen Parry, told Phil that “Tonypandy wanted to be Sporting Marvels’ pioneer school”.

Mr. Parry may have been succeeded by his former Deputy, Helen O’Sullivan, but our partnership with the school continues to develop at an ever-increasing speed.   

As we enter the final weeks of term, we bring to a close Sporting Marvels sixth year in the schools of Rhondda.

Phil said, “We’ve known since late last year that this September will, one way or another, usher in a new era. We don’t know what form that will take yet of course, but we continue to lay tracks into our future. Clive and I are very happy with our team and while  any team changes this summer will take place in the shadow of our problems with the UK Border Agency, we expect to hit the ground running!”