Education
Local AM accuses Plaid of xenophobia
ASSEMBLY MEMBER, and Shadow Education spokesperson, Angela Burns, has accused Plaid Cymru of a xenophobic policy to
provide more support for ‘Welsh’ students.
Her criticism came as a result of comments made by Plaid AM, Simon Thomas, who said:
“I have always fought for free undergraduate tuition. As an MP previously, I opposed the introduction of tuition fees and warned that they would open the door to marketisation in education. We in Wales can do some things to protect against that marketisation. We would target groups and those studying subjects vital to the Welsh economy and public goals so they would pay lower or even no tuition fees in Wales. This can deal with a real shortage in those studying medicine, science and technology and students from particularly challenging backgrounds.
“We need to end a brain drain out of Wales of our youngest and brightest undergraduates, of whatever background, and ensure the Welsh Government continues to invest in our universities. Strong, adequately funded universities and colleges are essential for our economy and cultural life. We want to make it clear at a time of a Westminster election held against the backdrop of the breaking of a key pledge on tuition fees by a Coalition party, that Plaid Cymru will have credible and sustainable policies in Wales for the 2016 Assembly elections.
“The further education sector has seen savage cuts in next year’s budget which will narrow severely the opportunities for adults to study further and improve their education. An over-reliance on tuition fee policy set to reward English universities will lead to a similar limiting of resources for Welsh universities”.
In response to Mr Thomas’s comments, Angela Burns said: “We need Welsh students to be given every opportunity to develop into robust individuals able to choose the best course for them. Therefore I would be very concerned by any move by Plaid Cymru to force Welsh students to only study at Welsh universities. It takes choice and empowerment away from our young people and has the potential to make the country seem very inward looking and unwilling to engage with opportunities elsewhere.
“Xenophobia is an unwelcome trait and one we should not encourage. The real trick is to persuade our young people to return having spread their wings and to bring the richness and depth of their experiences back to Wales to add to our collective knowledge and to enrich their lives.”
A spokesperson for Education Minister Huw Lewis, stated: “As a party we are proud that we have created one of the most sustainable systems of Higher Education finance anywhere in the UK. Funding to Welsh Higher Education in 2013/14 increased by over 13% and in 2014/15 it rose by over 11%. The latest reports suggest income to our Welsh universities is forecast to continue to increase until at least the end of this Government.
“We have also protected the student. Over the course of a three year undergraduate degree a student from Wales is around £17,000 better off than a student from England. There is a cross-party review, chaired by Professor Sir Ian Diamond, currently looking at these future funding issues in detail and Plaid Cymru have a nominee on that panel. It is due to publish an interim report later this year.”
Community
Willhome Farm Barn attraction refusal expected next week
A PEMBROKESHIRE farm barn attraction, which gained a 3,500-strong petition of support to keep it running after previously being refused by planning officers, is now recommended to be turned down by councillors next week.
Late last year, Stuart Williams of Home Farm, Leweston, near Camrose, was refused retrospective permission by planning officers to retain the Willhome Farm Barn farm park – and ancillary buildings – built in June 2022.
The site – whose facilities were used by the council’s own educational providers and parents of children with learning difficulties – is home to rabbits, llamas, donkeys, poultry, owls, goats, ponies and pigs, along with a café building, public conveniences, a children’s play area, and parking.
It was refused due to highway safety concerns and fears it would generate additional foul water flows which are likely to result in an increase in phosphate levels in the Cleddau River.
Since the refusal by planners, a change.org petition, Grant Planning Permission for Willhome Farm Barn in Pembrokeshire, was set up by Hook-based Jessica Austin, which has attracted more than 3,500 signatures to date.
Jessica’s petition said: “This decision not only affects this resilient family but also impacts schools attended with over 6,000 pupils, by adults from local wellbeing centres and families with children who have autism or learning difficulties like mine.
“It’s important to note that there are no apparent issues with existing amenities. Roads or waterways. The refusal of planning permission seems unjustified and is causing unnecessary distress within our community.”
Earlier this year, the applicant submitted a fresh call – supported by local community council Camrose – for permission to be granted, which was again due to be decided by planning officers.
At the request of local county councillor, and former council leader, Cllr Jamie Adams, a special meeting was held in July to discuss whether a decision could be made by councillors rather than officers, which was unanimously supported.
The application was due to be heard at the October meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, with a recommendation of refusal, reasons including those given for the previous application.
At the start of the October meeting, members heard the scheme had been temporarily withdrawn to allow the applicant’s agent more time to address concerns, with the plans now returning to the December 3 planning committee.
The application is recommended to be refused on the basis officers say it is in an unsustainable location and would have a negative environmental impact through additional traffic movements, highways issues, and “it has not been established that the proposed development would not generate additional foul water flows which would result in an increase in phosphate levels in the Cleddau River catchment adversely affecting the Cleddau Rivers Special Area of Conservation”.
Education
Call to end dogs in Pembrokeshire schools to be discussed
A CALL to end the ‘fad’ of permanent ‘school dogs’ in Pembrokeshire for their benefit and the befit of the schools, instead using visiting ‘therapy dogs’ is to be further discussed by councillors.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of November 28 considered a public submission by Robert Thomas – who works with therapy dogs through Cariad Pet Therapy – on the subject of school dogs.
The submission read: “My definition of a school dog is one that spends long periods in the school and is managed and owned by school employees not outside assessed and insured visiting therapy dogs who stay for an hour with a competent handler.
“The welfare of many dogs in schools in Pembrokeshire has been compromised over the last few years and we are concerned that the rise in the popularity of school-owned or teacher-owned dogs is an animal welfare issue.
“I can think of several school dogs in Pembrokeshire where it has gone wrong for the animal.”
He cited examples of ‘school dogs’ the county, where he says they have had to be removed, with the animals being unsettled, barking and even nipping on occasions, showing “a lack of understanding of animal welfare”.
His submission added: “We have done some work with the Animal Welfare team at the Welsh Government around licensing this field, a consultation was completed in March 2023, currently awaiting the outcome.
“It has become a fad across the country and many dogs spend all day in schools supported by staff members who have another job to do. It feels like PCC does not have a policy overarching animal welfare policy in schools to protect dogs from being seen as staff members and there purely for human benefit, not the dogs.
“Dogs need to rest and sleep during the day and not in school. The visiting therapy dog model works best as the impact is greatest and the welfare of the dog is managed externally. If the dog is there all the time that can diminish the impact, and the novelty can wear off for the pupils.
“In my experience schools should concentrate on teaching and leave the therapy dog introduction to those that have the expertise in animal welfare.”
At the November 28 meeting, Mr Thomas said both the Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club were against full-time school dogs due to welfare concerns, adding, in Pembrokeshire’s case, there had been animal and pupil welfare issues.
Calling for either a halt to school dogs, or the creation of a special welfare officer post, he said there was a “real concern the dog is there for the school and not the school there for the dog,” adding: “Animal welfare is not just about basic need but about emotional needs too.”
Members were told by officers that all such dogs in Pembrokeshire’s case were “safe and well,” and decisions on having school dogs came under the schools, and was “not the case the local authority has encouraged them to get dogs,” but “lessons had been learned” about a possible “too hard and too fast” move to having them in schools.
Following a proposal by Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall members agreed to hold a special seminar to look at the issue in more depth before any recommendation was made.
Education
Young musicians delight at Valero Secondary Schools’ Music festival
MORE than 400 secondary age musicians took part in a variety of individual and ensemble competitions at the Pembrokeshire Valero Secondary Schools’ Music Festival held at Ysgol Caer Elen.
Musicians from the County’s Secondary Schools, Pembrokeshire College and further afield took part at the event on November 16th.
Head of Pembrokeshire Music Service Philippa Roberts said: “Heartfelt congratulations to all the pupils who participated in the festival. It has been truly inspiring to see students enthusiastically sharing their musical talents in a supportive and encouraging environment.”
Mared Phillips from Ysgol Bro Preseli, was announced as overall winner of this year’s festival.
Earlier in the day Mared had sung ‘Le Colibri’ by Ernest Chausson. She was also the winner of the Open Woodwind competition, performing the Second movement of Saint-Saens oboe sonata.
The Open String competition winner was cellist Seren Barrett from Greenhill. She performed ‘Tarantella’ by WH Squire.
Open Jazz was won by pianist Iestyn Barellie, also from Greenhill. He performed ‘Sturdy build’ by Christopher Norton. Another double winner, Iestyn also won the Open Guitar competition, performing ‘Sir Duke’ by Stevie Wonder.
Libby Phillips of Haverfordwest High VC School was the winner of the Open percussion class, performing ‘Toccata’ by David Glynne.
Trombonist Ianto Evans of Ysgol Bro Gwaun won the Open Brass competition, playing ‘Thoughts of Love’ by Arthur Prior.
The Open Piano competition was won by Loti Makepeace of Ysgol Bro Preseli. She performed ‘Jingo’ by Christopher Norton.
The Open Vocal Ensemble class winners were a vocal trio from Haverfordwest High VC School – Mia Burnett, Honey Johnston and Briana Havard – who performed ‘Close to you’ by Burt Bacharach.
A piano and harp duo from Jenifer Rees and Eliza Bradbury, Pembrokeshire College, won the open Ensemble category. They performed ‘Preseli Skies’ by Monica Stadler.
The final performers of the afternoon were the Haverfordwest High VC expressive arts band, who performed ‘I’m still standing’ by Elton John. They were winners of the Rock and Pop ensemble competition.
The invited professional adjudicators – Timothy Angel, vocal; Matthew Jenkins, ensemble; Catherine Hare, woodwind; Robin Hackett, brass; Karin Jenkins, strings; Bethan Harkin, piano/harp and jazz; Ben Richards, instrumental; Philip Davies, percussion and rock and pop – were greatly impressed with the high standard and strength of schools’ music on show from across the County.
Timothy Angel, vocal adjudicator, expressed his admiration for the day: “The wealth of musical talent within Pembrokeshire Music Service is evident to see and made my job both very rewarding and difficult.”
The results of the competitions held during the day were as follows:
WOODWIND
Grade 3 flute
1st – Imogen Holloway, YPD
2nd – Ruby Bunston, YBG
3rd – Saphire Cook, MHS
HC – Angharad Chin & Caitlyn Sanders-Swales, MHS
Grade 3 clarinet & sax
1st – Holly Smith, HHVC
2nd – Katherine Jones, Henry Tudor
3rd – Jed Cox, Greenhill
HC – Felicity Betteridge, MHS; Sasha Aulehla-Atkin, Caer Elen
Grade 4 woodwind
1st – Catrin Jones, Caer Elen
2nd – Erin Dando, MHS
3rd – Mali Jones-Hughes, HHVC
Grade 5 woodwind
1st – Ela-Gwennon Jones, Bro Preseli
2nd – Tom Pounder, MHS
3rd – Emily Dickinson, Greenhill
Grade 6 woodwind
1st – Eryn Howlett, MHS
2nd – Teri Aulehla-Atkin, HHVC
3rd – Eva Rees, MHS
Open Woodwind
1st – Mared Phillips, Bro Preseli
2nd – Libby Phillips, HHVC
3rd – Gemma Armstrong, Bro Preseli & Harry Armstrong, Pembrokeshire College
BRASS
Grade 3 Brass
1st – Eliza Wood, Greenhill
2nd – Tristan George, HHVC
3rd – Logan Rowe-Davies, HHVC
Grade 4 brass
1st – Eilidh Frazer, Greenhill
2nd – Teilo Corp, Bro Preseli
3rd – Bronwen Corp, Bro Preseli
HC – Luca Talbot-English, YBG
Grade 5 Brass
1st – Harry Thomas, YPD
2nd – Owain Williams, HHVC
3rd – Idris Leeming-Hicks, Caer Elen & Cornelia Harries, Bro Preseli
Grade 6 Brass
1st – Eliza Wood, Greenhill
2nd – Archie Noyce, Greenhill
3rd – Jaap Harries, Bro Preseli
HC – Gwilym Jones, Bro Preseli
Open Brass
1st – Ianto Evans, YBG
2nd – Marilla Evans, Bro Preseli
3rd – Carys Rycroft, Bro Preseli
HC – Ifan Evans, Bro Preseli & Morgan Price, Pembrokeshire College
STRINGS
Grade 3 strings
1st – Sybilla Couzens
2nd – Chloe Jenkins-Sims, Bro Preseli
3rd – Benny Brett, HHVC
HC – Nel Freeman, Henry Tudor & Lily Kingaby, YBG
Grade 4 strings
1st – Eloise Barry, HHVC
2nd – Janelle Cabral, HHVC & Brooke Paterson, YBG
3rd – Rosie Basford-Leslie, HHVC
HC – Izaac Frazer, Greenhill & Eira Kaill-Franks, YPD
Grade 5 strings
1st – Ruby Rapi, Bro Preseli
2nd – Nina Powell & Elena Gould
3rd – Cosmo Karenin, HHVC
HC – Claudia Couzens, Redhill
Grade 6 strings
1st – Annabel John, YPD
2nd – Gwenna Kennerley, HHVC
Open strings
1st – Seren Barrett, Greenhill
2nd – Mia Burnett, HHVC
3rd – Maria Cabral, HHVC
HC – Tom Bridger, YPD, Esyllt Corp, Bro Preseli & Sebastian Semaani, YPD
PIANO & HARP
Grade 3 & 4 piano & harp
1st – Hywel Davies, Bro Preseli
2nd – Dev Saini, Bro Preseli & Eva Corr, Redhill
3rd – Elizabeth Evans, HHVC
HC – Toby Slowgrove
Grade 5 piano & harp
1st – Ruby Kleinjans
2nd – Roberta Gale, YPD & Elena Gould
3rd – Amber O’Connor, Bro Preseli & Mischa Orford
Grade 6 piano & harp
1st – Tom Bridger, YPD
2nd – Toby Hounsell, Henry Tudor
3rd – Siddha Saini, Bro Preseli
HC – Gabriel Blackwell & Nikita Vajrala
Open piano & harp
1st – Loti Makepeace, Bro Preseli
2nd – Cosmo Karenin, HHVC
3rd – Ianto Evans, YBG & Sebastian Semaani, YPD
HC – Iestyn Barrellie, Greenhill
PERCUSSION
Drum kit grade 3-6
1st – Poppy Delaney, HHVC
2nd – Teilo Kite, YPD
3rd – Regan Phillips, MHS
HC – Haydon Straviniders, MHS
Overall Open percussion
Libby Phillips, xylophone, HHVC
Open tuned percussion
1st Libby Phillips, HHVC
Open drum kit
1st – Osian Ridgway, Henry Tudor
2nd – Libby Phillips, HHVC
3rd – Ryan Block, Bro Preseli
HC – Sam Berry, YBG & Will Rowe, HHVC
JAZZ
Jazz grade 3-5
1st – Matthew Picton, MHS
Open Jazz
1st – Iestyn Barrellie, Greenhill
2nd – Matthew Shaw, Greenhill
3rd – Harry Armstrong, MHS
HC – Tom Pounder, MHS
GUITAR
Open guitar
1st – Iestyn Barrellie, Greenhill
2nd – George Penney, MHS
3rd – Willis Riley, Greenhill
HC – Lewis Murray, YBG, Steffan James, Caer Elen & Leo Argent, Henry Tudor
VOCALS
Musical Theatre & classical vocals years 7-9
1st – Pixie Coast, HHVC
2nd – Toby Armstrong, Bro Preseli
3rd – Hollie Draper, YPD
HC – Ruby Sunderland, HHVC & Benny Brett, HHVC
Pop vocals years 7-9
1st – Sophia Jones, Henry Tudor
2nd – Brodie Chalmers, HHVC
3rd – Izzy Roberts, MHS & Caitlyn Sanders-Swales, MHS
HC – Martha Bhari, Henry Tudor
Musical Theatre & classical vocals years 10-13
1st – Sara Gwilliam, HHVC
2nd – Lily Davies, HHVC
3rd – Saoirse Whitehead, HHVC
HC – Esyllt Corp, Bro Preseli & Arianna Lister, Caer Elen
Pop vocals years 10-13
1st – Beca Phillips, Greenhill
2nd – Maisie Tennick, Caer Elen
3rd – Lacey Mattsen, HHVC
HC – Gwenna Kennerley, HHVC & Mia Young, Greenhill
Open vocals
1st – Mared Phillips, Bro Preseli
2nd – Corey Hooper-Rees, HHVC
3rd – Micah Bealby, Pembrokeshire College
HC – Ruby Panesar, HHVC & Nyah McKee, HHVC
ENSEMBLES
Instrumental ensembles grade 5-
1st – Roberta Gale, YPD & Eva Corr, Redhill – piano duet
2nd – Gemma Armstrong, Ollie Towe & Anna Dafydd – Bro Preseli flute trio
3rd – Toby Hounsell & Isla Hounsell – Henry Tudor piano duet
Open instrumental ensemble
1st – Pembrokeshire College harp & piano duet
2nd – HHVC flute ensemble
3rd – HHVC String quartet
Open vocal ensemble
1st – HHVC vocal trio
2nd – Pembrokeshire College vocal ensemble
3rd – Haverfordwest High Six
Open rock and pop ensemble
1st – HHVC Expressive arts band
2nd – YBG folk band
3rd – The Monarchs, MHS
HC – Caer Elen “Band 2” & MHS Rock Band
Photos: 1. Overall winner Mared Phillips, Ysgol Bro Preseli 2. Open solo class winners l-r Mared Phillips, Loti Makepeace, Ianto Evans, Seren Barrett, Iestyn Barrellie, Libby Phillips with Head of Pembrokeshire Music Service Philippa Roberts, Stephen Thornton of Valero, Miranda Morgan, Music coordinator. 3. Winners of the open ensemble classes – harp & piano duo, HHVC Expressive Arts Band, HHVC vocal trio).
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