Education
Planning for a greener future at Pembroke Dock Community School
LEARNERS at Pembroke Dock Community School are being inspired to think of a future in renewable energy as they found out more about how the energy sector is changing in Pembrokeshire.
The whole school focused on the topic and discovered more about wind turbines, energy testing areas, combating climate change, solar power, and more, in a number of engaging and practical workshops.
Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum and the Darwin Centre brought the subject to life and learners enjoyed getting involved in researching and testing their work.
Some groups designed and built model floating platforms for offshore wind turbines as well as model turbines, children learnt all about how renewable energy is generated and used in modern life, as well as storage energy, while others went on a visit to Dragon LNG in Waterston to see a solar power farm.
Science, maths, problem solving and key thinking skills were all incorporated into the projects.
Pembroke Dock Community School Headteacher Michele Thomas said: “The work of the school this term has been inspired by the exciting opportunities in net-zero careers in Pembrokeshire, as Wales heads towards being net-zero by 2050.
“We want our learners to be knowledgeable about renewable energy across many levels, and to experience what it would be like to be a scientist or an engineer in the field. We have also strived to empower our learners to take social action on matters that are important to them and their lives, as well as on local decisions that impact on the global population.
“The staff have been hugely creative in their curriculum design, which has in turn engaged and inspired all of the learners right across all school.”
Education
Pupils wear wellies to back farmers: Council says schools can’t promote protest
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has denied trying to stop pupils from wearing Wellington boots to school in support of local farmers.
However, following a request, the Council refused to promote the wearing of the boots on its website or to allow schools to do so on theirs.
The Council communicated its decision on Monday, November 18, ahead of the national farmers’ protest in London on Tuesday, November 19.
Regardless, pupils across Pembrokeshire wore Wellington boots to school on Tuesday to show their support.
At Ysgol Bro Preseli many pupils had wellies on, and three older pupils reportedly drove to school in tractors.
A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “The Education Act 1996 clearly prohibits practitioners from promoting partisan political views, and therefore, our schools are not permitted to promote the farmers’ protest taking place in London today.”
Dyfed-Powys Neighbourhood Watch said: “It’s is very upsetting to learn that Pembrokeshire County Council has pressured all schools across Pembrokeshire to withdraw their communications to parents and guardians, showing support to farmers regarding wellies day.
“Farmers are the cornerstone of our country. If there are no farmers, there is no food. If there is no food, there is no way to survive, meaning no Future. It really is as simple as that. Farmers deserve to be recognised.”
A local farmer was unimpressed: “Of course, Pembrokeshire County Council would roll over for their Labour paymasters in London.
“They’ve been rolling over for Labour in Cardiff Bay for years.
“It’s as if the Council doesn’t understand just how important agriculture is to the county’s economy, our identity, and our culture.
“Regardless of your political persuasion, a serious threat looms over the industry, and a show of solidarity would’ve been gratefully received by Pembrokeshire’s farmers.”
Another said: “The support for farmers is wide-ranging, and we owe much to those in London exercising their democratic right to represent rural Britain.
“It felt like a real community in London, and I’m proud to be a part of it.
“Even Londoners supported the farmers and loved the good-natured atmosphere: they said it was so much different than the usual protests they have there.”
(Image: File)
Education
Haverfordwest High VC School raise £12,775 for Children in Need
THIS week students at Haverfordwest High VC School have raised a record breaking £12,775 for Children in Need. The week has been led by an incredible group of Senior Prefects and their Year 12 and 13 Children in Need Army. The Sixth Form events have consisted of:
- 150 students taking a Big Dip at Broadhaven Beach.
- Bushtucker Trial – where students went up against HHVCS staff to eat some gruelly delights.
- Buffee and Barnes’ Wednesday Night Takeaway – a quiz night held at Haverfordwest RFC.
- A carwash – where staff, pupils and brave members of the public had their cars washed.
- Our Head Boy Harry shaved and dyed his hair. Closely followed by Year 12 Oscar and Kayden shaving their heads in front of the entire Sixth Form Block
- Senior Prefects Katie and Ffion conducted a half marathon around Haverfordwest and were joined by Head Boy Harry and Deputy Head Boy Finn.
- Year 12 Libby and Year 13 Molly held a sponsored silence – it was a lovely day!
- Netball and football matches
- A bake sale
- Sweet shop led by Year 12 Leah, Queenie and Chloe.
- Cyclathon – where students cycled all day outside the Sixth Form Block on spin bikes.
- Leg waxing – Brave Year 12 and 13 boys had their legs waxed in front of the whole school.
- Fun Run – which involved pupils from across the whole school.
- Teddy and Pudsey ears sale.
- The younger year groups also played a huge part in the fundraising efforts with Achievement Leaders planning a range of events including:
- Year 7 danceathon – where students danced all day to some disco classics. Led by Senior Prefect Lucy and her sidekicks Brianna and Carys.
- Year 8 Awesome Auction – hosted by Year 8
- Year 9 Quiz
- Year 10 and 11 football and bingo
The week was topped off with a whole school fancy dress. We couldn’t be more proud of what our pupils and staff have achieved. This amount of money will make a huge difference to children in need.
Community
Save Lampeter University petition hits 2,600 in two days
A 2,600-STRONG petition has been launched calling for a sustainable future for Wales’ oldest university, Lampeter, after fears all undergraduate teaching is to end.
The change.org petition, by John Jennings, was started on November 13 and, to date, has gained 2,579 signatures
It says: “The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has announced a plan to end all undergraduate teaching at its Lampeter campus by September 2025, a decision that would sever nearly 200 years of Lampeter’s role as a centre of higher education and devastate the local community.
“As alumni, students, and supporters, we call upon UWTSD and the Welsh Government to protect Lampeter’s legacy and commit to a sustainable future for this historic campus.”
It adds: “Lampeter is not only Wales’s oldest university institution but a pillar of its educational and cultural history. By allowing undergraduate teaching to end, UWTSD would undermine the very essence of Lampeter’s mission, weaken the local economy, and sever its historic role as a centre of learning. The town of Lampeter, the alumni community, and the people of Wales deserve better.
“We urge UWTSD and the Welsh Government to halt the planned end of undergraduate teaching at Lampeter and instead work with all stakeholders to create a viable, sustainable plan for the campus. This must include a serious investment in new courses, marketing, and student recruitment efforts to ensure Lampeter’s relevance and appeal for future generations.”
The petition has three demands.
It calls for a “deep and transparent consultation,” saying: “UWTSD must engage meaningfully with all stakeholders, including current students, staff, alumni, and the local community, to ensure that any decision regarding the campus’s future is fully informed by those who care most deeply about its heritage and potential.”
It also asks for a “Commitment to Sustainable Solutions,” saying: “Rather than abandoning Lampeter’s undergraduate provision, UWTSD should commit to a strategy that revitalises the campus, leverages the unique academic and cultural appeal that Lampeter has held for nearly two centuries, and makes use of the considerable skills, knowledge, and dedication of its alumni.”
It finishes: “As outlined in UWTSD’s Royal Charter, the university has a constitutional responsibility to maintain ‘a significant physical University presence’ at Lampeter. Closing undergraduate provision would effectively hollow out the campus, eroding its educational mission and violating the university’s own mandate to uphold Lampeter’s historic role within Welsh higher education.”
A spokesperson for UWTSD said: “The university is aware of the petition. We held a very helpful and extensive meeting with our students on Wednesday afternoon in which we listened to a range of opinions and concerns which we will be carefully considering as we develop the initial proposals further.
“We are early in the process and as well as our students we are discussing the best way forward with staff and representatives of other key stakeholders.”
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