News

Council clears STP consultation

Published

9 years ago

July 9, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Unhappy reader: Cllr Sue Perkins

AN INVESTIGATION into the conduct of the council’s controversial consultation on the future of secondary education has found no evidence that pupils were pressurised into providing set responses by teaching staff.

The investigation arose from a single complaint.

Instead of allowing the school to carry out its own investigation into the complaint, as is the procedure with other grievances concerning teaching staff, the Council launched its own investigation. When we asked why the council was carrying out the investigation, we were told: “The complaint was in relation to a consultation exercise that the council is running, and Sir Thomas Picton is a school maintained by Pembrokeshire County Council. We are entitled to investigate just as we would investigate a complaint about any other institution or service that the Council is responsible for.”

The council sent out 108 questionnaires to pupils at STP, but only 25 were returned. The subsequent statement regarding the investigation said: “The complaint was that at a school assembly, pupils were given a partial and one-sided presentation on the education review by pupils from the Joint School Councils, after which they were told to fill in the consultation form. No specific members of staff were named in the complaint.”

Extrapolating the figures the council has depended on in reaching its conclusions from the miniscule number of responses received, 6 pupils thought teachers had not given a balanced view of the options, 8 indicated some concern about the process, 10 said they were told they had to fill out the form (a voluntary action) and only 1 pupil said they were not left to fill in the consultation as they wanted.

Sir Thomas Picton has 1,250 pupils.

The council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Safeguarding, Councillor Sue Perkins, said: “We are satisfied that whatever may, or may not, have happened in the school, pupils have responded to the consultation as they wished. Consequently the investigation will go no further, and the consultation forms from the pupils at Sir Thomas Picton School will be analysed in the normal way as part of the Council’s response to the consultation. The council is committed to ensuring that all points of view are heard in the debate on the future of secondary education in the county and to treating different points of view with respect.”

She added that using the lessons learnt from the matter, the CYPRO will be issuing guidance to all schools in the county on best practice in engaging pupils in any future consultation exercises.

However, The Herald has been told by a well-placed source, on condition of anonymity: ‘STP wanted to issue a joint Statement with PCC. However, as the wording could not be agreed PCC went ahead anyway with their statement and THEN informed STP it had been done’.

Cllr Perkins has also responded angrily to a Herald article. In an email sent to other councillors, Cllr Perkins claims The Pembrokeshire Herald said she had ‘lied’ to councillors. We are happy to clarify, as we did in our original article, which it appears Cllr Perkins has not read from the content of her email to fellow councillors, that: ‘An error in information provided to Cabinet member Sue Perkins, the IPPG’s spokesperson on education, meant that she INADVERTENTLY (emphasis added to assist Cllr Perkins) misled councillors at a key meeting that discussed the council’s plans for education in Pembrokeshire’.

We are happy to clarify this matter for Cllr Perkins and invite her in the future to contact us directly with any observations or complaints she has about The Herald’s coverage of her role in the reorganisation of secondary education in Pembrokeshire.

News

Milford Haven School celebrates U14 Pembrokeshire Hockey Championship victory

Published

11 mins ago

November 12, 2024

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL’S Under-14 girls’ hockey team has been crowned Pembrokeshire Champions, delivering an outstanding performance and securing their title after a series of intense matches.

The team, consisting of 14 talented players, demonstrated impressive skill, resilience, and teamwork throughout the competition. Under the guidance of Miss Griffiths, they evolved their strategy and showcased their capabilities with each game.

A Day of Victories

The team’s first game against YBP was a close battle, with Milford Haven securing a narrow 1-0 win.

Goal Scorer: Lola P
Players’ Player: Annabelle G
Coaches’ Player: Lilly J

In their second match, they faced Haverfordwest High and dominated with a strong midfield play and clinical finishes, achieving a 6-0 victory.

Goals Scored: Olivia D (3), Ruby D, Lola P, Ameila C
Players’ Player: Olivia D
Coaches’ Player: Ruby D

After a brief interval, Milford Haven went on to face YHT, focusing on using the field’s width, which led them to a 4-0 win.

Goals Scored: Lola P (2), Annabelle G, Olivia D
Players’ Player: Annabelle G
Coaches’ Players: Lola P and Macy B

In their final game of the day, the team played YGB, finishing with a decisive 7-0 win and showing relentless energy.

Goals Scored: Ellie M (2), Olivia D (2), Annabelle G, Lilly J, Ruby D
Players’ Player: Annabelle G
Coaches’ Players: Lacey N and Ellie M

Miss Griffiths expressed her pride in the team’s achievements and her excitement for their future development: “It’s been fantastic to watch the team grow today, and I can’t wait to see how they progress.”

Thanks were also extended to Evans Coaches for sponsoring the team’s kit and ensuring safe travel throughout the competition.

News

St Katharine Church launches ‘Come and Make Angels’ challenge

Published

17 mins ago

November 12, 2024

Tom Sinclair

As part of an ambitious “Come and Make Angels” challenge, the church has set a target to fill its sacred space with over 6,500 angels. Community members of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to participate by making and decorating their own angels. These creations will contribute to a record-breaking display that celebrates hope, unity, and the joy of the Advent season.

Workshops are being held every Saturday from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the St Katharine’s Church Hall, where participants can come together for a “creative Christmas cuppa” and join in this festive project. Free activities and refreshments will be provided, making it a wonderful opportunity for families and friends to create lasting holiday memories. Those under 14 are asked to attend with an adult or older sibling.

For those wanting to take part from home, the church has provided angel templates, along with simple instructions to cut, decorate, and assemble. Once completed, these angels can be brought to the church and added to the display, which will officially be unveiled on December 14.

The community is invited to visit and witness the spectacle of thousands of angels “flying” within the church, symbolising peace and goodwill.

In addition to the angel-making challenge, the Advent and Christmas calendar at St Katharine and St Peter’s is packed with events designed to bring joy and reflection during the festive season. All are welcome to attend and share in the warmth and spirit of Christmas.

For more information about the “Come and Make Angels” challenge, or other Advent and Christmas activities at the church, please visit the Roose Local Ministry Area Facebook page or contact Rev. Nicola Davies at 07508 915 432.

The church is also preparing to light up the Christmas season with its much-loved Annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, set to take place on Sunday, December 15, at 7:00pm.

And of course, the event promises to be even more magical this year, with a unique display of thousands of handmade angels crafted by members of the community.

Community

Bishop Joins Street Pastors on Pembroke Outreach

Published

1 hour ago

November 12, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE’S Street Pastors received a visit from Bishop Dorrien over the weekend as he joined their outreach efforts to witness their work within the local community.

The Street Pastors, active in both Pembroke and Haverfordwest, provide pastoral and practical support to people using the town’s pubs and clubs. Their assistance ranges from offering water to the dehydrated, tissues to those in distress, and even flat shoes to help patrons make a safe journey home. Most importantly, they offer a compassionate ear, comfort, and prayers to those in need.

Supported by a dedicated prayer team, the Street Pastors take breaks to pray and gather strength, reflecting on their encounters with the community. Bishop Dorrien praised their work, describing it as a witness to Christ’s command to love our neighbours.

The Bishop noted the warm reception the team received during their rounds and the affection the community holds for their ministry. He blessed their ongoing service, acknowledging its positive impact on the lives of many.