Ysgol Preseli also represented Pembrokeshire among five finalists at an all-Wales green skills competition

A TEAM of Haverfordwest pupils has earned national recognition after developing a range of environmentally friendly cleaning products aimed at hotels and tourism businesses.

The Sustainables, from Haverfordwest High VC School, presented their idea to business leaders, Welsh Government representatives and sustainability experts at the Tomorrow’s Changemakers Hackathon 2026.

The pupils gave a live demonstration of their product and explained how it could be priced and marketed to businesses across the hospitality sector.

Their combination of environmental thinking and commercial awareness impressed the judging panel, which awarded the team a Highly Commended prize.

Pupils from Ysgol Preseli also reached the final, meaning Pembrokeshire was represented by two of the five teams selected from across south and west Wales.

The competition, held at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in Carmarthen, challenged Year 8 pupils to find practical solutions to environmental problems affecting tourism, hospitality and the built environment.

The overall winners were the Green Guardians from Llangatwg Community School in Neath Port Talbot.

Their design for a more sustainable school included an outdoor learning centre which could also operate as a pupil-run garden café.

The hackathon marked the end of a year-long programme in which pupils worked alongside teachers, employers and community organisations to research problems, develop ideas and present their solutions.

More than 1,000 Pembrokeshire pupils have taken part in the Tomorrow’s Changemakers programme since it was introduced in the county in 2023.

The Port of Milford Haven is the programme’s main partner in Pembrokeshire.

Anna Mullarkey, the Port’s stakeholder engagement and communications manager, said: “The creativity and innovation shown by these learners is truly inspiring.

“They transformed their ideas into practical solutions that could help build a more sustainable future.

“We’re proud to support young people in reaching their full potential and delighted to see schools across Pembrokeshire creating environments where ideas and talent can flourish.”

The programme has now worked with more than 3,000 young people across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Neath Port Talbot.

It is due to expand further from September, with Ysgol Harri Tudor and Ysgol Caer Elen joining the Pembrokeshire programme alongside schools in Swansea, Powys and Bridgend.

Cymbrogi Futures founder and chief executive Liza Lort-Phillips said Pembrokeshire remained at the heart of the initiative.

She said: “The county has extraordinary young people with bold ideas about the future of their communities.

“Our job is to give them the space, the tools and the confidence to act on those ideas.”

Ysgol Caer Elen could receive more than £1,000 to help pupils perform as Pembrokeshire hosts Wales’ biggest cultural festival

PUPILS from Ysgol Caer Elen are preparing to perform on one of Wales’ biggest cultural stages after Haverfordwest Town Council backed financial support for their visit to this summer’s National Eisteddfod.

The council’s Personnel, Policy and Finance Committee has recommended awarding the Haverfordwest school £1,065 towards transport and participation costs.

The National Eisteddfod, known this year as Eisteddfod y Garreg Las, will be held at Llantood, near Crymych, from August 1 to 8.

Councillors said the event would provide pupils with an exceptional opportunity to perform at a major national festival while it is being hosted in their home county.

Members also praised the school’s enthusiasm and its efforts to support local fundraising, including a concert and disco held on behalf of the Haverfordwest Eisteddfod Appeals Committee.

The proposed grant was considered to support several of the town council’s priorities, including the promotion of the Welsh language, culture and the arts, as well as creating educational opportunities for young people.

Ysgol Caer Elen provides Welsh-medium education for pupils aged from three to 16 and has played a significant role in the growth of Welsh-language education in Pembrokeshire.

This year’s festival also carries added historical significance, marking 850 years since the first recorded Eisteddfod was held at Cardigan Castle in 1176.

Councillors said the chance for local pupils to participate in such an important event was unlikely to come around again in the foreseeable future.

However, the committee stressed that its recommendation had been made because of the exceptional circumstances surrounding the Eisteddfod’s return to Pembrokeshire.

Members said the award should not be treated as setting a precedent for future applications, which will continue to be considered under the council’s usual grant criteria.

The recommendation must now be approved by the full town council before the funding is formally awarded.

Thousands of visitors are expected to travel to Pembrokeshire during the week-long festival, which will feature music, literature, theatre, visual arts, competitions and activities for families.

The National Eisteddfod is regarded as Europe’s largest travelling festival celebrating the Welsh language and culture.

Inspectors highlighted positive pupil behaviour, effective leadership and strong support for children, while identifying attendance, literacy and curriculum planning as areas for improvement

ROCH COMMUNITY SCHOOL has been praised as a safe, caring and supportive place for children following its latest inspection by Estyn.

The education watchdog said pupils feel valued, behave well and demonstrate positive attitudes towards their learning.

Inspectors described the Pembrokeshire school as a close and caring community where children are confident that adults will listen to them and provide help when needed.

Nearly all pupils were found to be polite and courteous towards staff and one another, helping to create a calm and purposeful atmosphere throughout the school.

The report also praised the quality of teaching, saying lessons are generally well paced and provide pupils with an appropriate level of challenge.

Teachers were found to offer constructive feedback which helps children understand what they have done well and how they can improve their work.

Pupils were also praised for working effectively with partners and in groups, while the school provides meaningful opportunities for children to take on leadership roles and contribute to decisions about school life.

Inspectors highlighted the support available for pupils with additional learning needs.

Targeted literacy programmes and the school’s recently introduced nurture provision were found to be having a positive effect on pupils’ confidence, wellbeing and social development.

The report also said pupils have a strong understanding of online safety and routinely apply safe practices when using computers and other digital devices.

Safeguarding arrangements and the management of the school site gave inspectors no cause for concern.

The school’s leadership also received positive recognition.

The headteacher, who took up the role in September 2024, was praised for working thoughtfully with staff to develop an enthusiastic and increasingly collaborative team.

Estyn said a growing number of staff are contributing effectively to school improvement and professional development.

Governors were described as committed and knowledgeable, with a clear understanding of the school’s strengths and the areas where further progress is required.

County councillor, parent and school governor Nick Neumann welcomed the findings.

He said: “A fantastic Estyn report and a real credit to everyone involved.

“As a governor, parent and county councillor, it’s wonderful to see Estyn recognise the caring ethos, strong teaching and positive attitudes that make Roch Community School such a special place.

“Huge congratulations to the pupils, staff and families. This reflects your hard work, commitment and community spirit.”

Cllr Neumann said the report demonstrated that Roch offered a thriving and supportive environment for children.

He added that the school would be delighted to welcome more pupils and families into its community.

There were 126 pupils on the school roll at the time of the inspection, compared with 144 when the school was previously inspected in 2023.

While the report was broadly positive, inspectors identified three areas where further improvement is required.

The school has been asked to ensure that pupils’ knowledge and skills develop more systematically as they progress through the curriculum.

Estyn also recommended improvements to the teaching of phonics and the opportunities provided for pupils to produce extended pieces of writing.

The third recommendation concerns persistent absence.

Although the school has appropriate systems for monitoring attendance, inspectors said the proportion of pupils who are persistently absent remains too high and has continued to increase.

The school’s overall attendance rate has remained above the Pembrokeshire and Wales averages, suggesting the concern relates to a smaller group of pupils who are missing significant periods of education.

Inspectors also raised concerns about the school’s financial position.

The report said Roch Community School had developed a significant budget deficit over recent years.

While senior leaders and governors were aware of the problem, an agreed plan to reduce the overspend had not been finalised at the time of the inspection.

The report also said some grant funding was not always being used purposefully enough to secure the greatest possible benefit for pupils.

Despite those concerns, the school has not been placed into an enhanced Estyn monitoring category.

It will now prepare an action plan setting out how it intends to respond to the inspection recommendations.

The latest findings indicate progress in several areas since the school’s previous inspection, particularly in relation to safeguarding, classroom challenge, leadership and the effectiveness of governors’ oversight.

Photo caption: Pupils, staff and supporters celebrate outside Roch Community School following the publication of its latest Estyn inspection report.