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Portfield School gains prestigious ICT Mark

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Screen Shot 2016-03-14 at 12.57.05CHILDREN at Portfield School in Haverfordwest are at the forefront of using technology to enhance their work – and that’s official.

Following an extensive external assessment, the school has been awarded the prestigious ICT Mark.

The award recognises the school’s success in developing the strategic use of technology in both administration and across the curriculum.

Portfield School is also a Digital Pioneer school and rated ‘green’ by ERW (Education through Regional Working)

The school is leading a group of special schools in the development of the new Digital Competence framework, working with the Welsh Government and other pioneer primary and secondary schools.

The draft framework will be developed in readiness to share with all schools in Wales for September 2016.

Portfield School use a range of technology to support pupils access the curriculum and communicate such as eye gaze technology and tablet computers. Pupils use technology in many lessons and learn about E-safety.

The ICT mark assessor was impressed by the way teaching enables pupils to develop and use their digital capability with confidence through a wide range of appropriate contexts and challenging experiences.

Headteacher, Sue Painter, believes that technology has had a huge impact on access and communication and enables young people to have a voice and develop skills for life.

The school was also visited recently by the ERW challenge adviser, Heidi Brenton, who identified the school as ‘green’ in relation to the Welsh Government’s national category of support based on the strengths in pupil standards and leadership.

She identified the school provision as highly effective with nearly all pupils making very good progress towards their IEP targets and an improving trend in outcomes in all key stages. She also noted that the headteacher and senior leadership team have a very clear vision and strategy to secure improvement.

The professional development of all staff is a high priority and meticulously planned for. The school monitors all aspects of the schools work and has very rigorous selfevaluation procedures.

The school is highly effective in its use of data at individual pupil level, has innovative bespoke systems for tracking progress and is a lead school in exemplary moderation activities along with special schools across ERW and Wales.

Teachers’ expertise to plan provision and provide opportunities for pupils to apply their skills in real life situations is very good. The school has developed a very effective Performance Management cycle rooted in school improvement, linking pupil targets, individual IEPs and termly reviews with whole school development planning and CPD.

The headteacher and senior leadership team share good practice throughout the local authority and beyond through an effective outreach programme providing support and expertise in other mainstream schools.

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Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

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MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

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Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

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Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

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Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

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Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).

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