The new badge depicts a mountain range in the shape of a 'G', for Garth Olwg and Gymraeg ("Cymraeg" meaning the Welsh language, with a soft mutation).

[citation needed] The buildings were grouped roughly into three blocks and named after the Welsh kingdoms of Gwent, Powys and Dyfed.

[citation needed] The Ysgol Rhydfelen buildings were opened for the last time on 8 July 2006 for ex-pupils, teachers and parents to pay a final visit.

In a meeting of the governing body with representatives of the local authority in the autumn term of 2008 (with no pupil representation), it was pressed upon the governors that the legal name of the school was Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg and that it was required to recognise this.

[citation needed] Realising that it had no real choice in the matter, the governing body voted to recognise Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg as the name of the school.

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council considered the issue in a meeting held on 22 April 2009, deciding not to change the name back to Rhydfelen.

[4] The report of the Clywch enquiry on allegations of [child sex abuse] at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen was published in June 2004 following a Public Inquiry chaired by Peter Clarke, Children's Commissioner for Wales.

The report highlighted serious failings within the school and Education Authority which allowed the drama teacher John Owen to abuse pupils over a number of years.

[13] After the publication of the Clywch Report, nine former pupils of the school brought a legal action to claim damages for the injuries caused to them.

Computer scientist Rob Hartill who is best known for his work on the Internet Movie Database website and the Apache web server.

Politicians: Jon Owen Jones MP, Bethan Jenkins AM, Delyth Evans former AM, and Dafydd Trystan Davies, former Chief Executive of Plaid Cymru.

Sports-players include footballers Owain Warlow who played for Welsh League Club Llanelli, Matthew Maksimovic who earned 5 Wales Veterans Caps and also played for Pontypridd Town and Merthyr Tydfil FC, and Welsh international rugby player Kevin Morgan.