News

Positive Estyn report for Monkton School

Published

9 years ago

July 19, 2016

monk PUPILS at Monkton Priory CP School are benefiting from an ‘inclusive, caring and welcoming environment’ according to a recent Estyn report.

The report, published following an inspection in April, said the School’s current performance is ‘Good’ and the prospects for improvement are also ‘Good’.

A ‘Good’ judgement by Estyn describes the school as having “much strength and no important areas requiring significant improvement.”

The inspection focused on three key questions:

How good are the outcomes?
How good is provision?
How good are leadership and management?

The school answered ‘Good’ in all of them.

A summary of Estyn’s report found that:

Most pupils make strong progress, show high levels of motivation and interest in their work and make valuable contributions during lessons
Most pupils develop their literacy and numeracy skills well during their time at the school, including those on intervention programmes
There is a wide range of stimulating and engaging learning experiences, including an extensive range of extra-curricular activities of high quality that engage nearly all pupils effectively
Staff manage pupils’ behaviour skilfully and sensitively and, as a result, the behaviour of nearly all pupils is exemplary in classes and around the school
There is an extremely inclusive, caring and welcoming environment for pupils, staff, parents and the wider community

However, the report did find that standards in Welsh could be improved along with pupil’s ability to write at length.

The school is drawing up an action plan to show how it will address these recommendations.

The report believes prospects for improvement are good because:

The headteacher provides clear and dynamic leadership to the school and communicates high expectations to pupils, staff and parents very effectively
There is a very strong teamwork across the school, which has a positive impact on pupils’ attainment and aspirations
Leaders have a thorough understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for improvement
There is a clear focus on improving pupil attainment and implementing school improvement targets
The school has developed an outstanding range of highly effective partnerships that contribute significantly to raising standards of pupil attainment, attendance and wellbeing
The school’s strategies for using the pupil deprivation grant are highly effective and focus very well on raising standards for vulnerable pupils

One of the key findings of the report highlighted how many pupils enter the school with skills and knowledge at a level below that expected of their age, however they make good progress in their learning as they move through school.

Headteacher Mrs Shelley Morris said she was proud of that assessment:

“We work hard to provide an inclusive and stimulating environment and this ensures the children enjoy their learning.

“We use real life experiences to enhance learning such our teachers in the learning resource class arranging for pupils to meet and adopt an owl. This engaged pupils and they produced some fantastic work because of that.

“We also encourage a wide range of extra-curricular activities such as golf, surfing and horse riding. This has helped with our attendance and this opens their imaginations for learning.

“We aim to provide stimulating lessons that engage with pupils’ interests and the report suggests this is what we do.

“We can be very proud of that.”

Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor David Lloyd says everyone is benefitting from the way the school interacts with the community. “The report states that the ‘school is a beacon for lifelong learning in the community’ and that is definitely the case.

“They have established fantastic links with the Gypsy and Traveller Community trough the Unity Project and offer a range of lifelong courses including degree courses and this has brought the community into the school. There are role models for pupils to look up to

“Estyn has recognised them as being examples of best practice for ‘Creating an engaging learning environment’ and Supporting adult learning and skills acquisition’.

“Because of this, I believe that everyone wants to learn and through strong leadership and the teachers’ innovative and skilful methods of teaching, the school is going from strength to strength.”

Estyn’s report on Monkton Priory School can be found on www.estyn.gov.wales

Community

Crowds line streets as tractor run hailed a festive success

Published

3 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CROWDS lined streets and pavements across Pembrokeshire on Saturday evening (Dec 20) as Clarbeston Road AFC’s illuminated Christmas tractor run was hailed a resounding success.

More than 200 tractors took part in the event, travelling through villages and towns including Newmoat, Maenclochog, Llys-y-frân, Walton East, Clarbeston Road, Wiston, Newbridge, Poyston Cross, Crundale and Haverfordwest, where large crowds gathered to watch the festive convoy pass through.

Families, children and residents wrapped up against the cold to enjoy the sight of tractors decorated with Christmas lights and festive displays, with applause and waves greeting drivers as they made their way through built-up areas and rural roads alike.

The convoy set off from the Clarbeston Road AFC Knock Playing Fields at 5:30pm and concluded at the County Showground in Haverfordwest later in the evening. At the end of the run, refreshments were available and the raffle draw took place at the Park House building, which was open to the public.

Organisers said the turnout from both drivers and spectators exceeded expectations, with the event once again bringing communities together while raising funds for local causes, including The Catrin Vaughan Foundation, In It With Isaac, and Wales Air Ambulance.

Clarbeston Road AFC thanked tractor drivers, volunteers, sponsors and members of the public for their support, as well as residents and road users for their patience while the convoy passed through.

The illuminated tractor run has become a firm fixture in the local festive calendar, with Friday night’s event described by many spectators as one of the best yet.

Community

Charity tractor and car run set to raise funds for Macmillan and Paul Sartori

Published

4 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A CHARITY tractor and car run in memory of Charles Rees is set to take place in Pembrokeshire later this month, with funds raised supporting Macmillan Cancer Support and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

The Charles Rees Tractor & Car Run will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, starting and finishing at Dudwell Farm in Camrose.

Participants are being invited to “start their engines” in aid of the two charities, with gates opening at 9:00am and the convoy leaving promptly at 10:30am. Organisers have confirmed that the run will operate with no halfway stops, returning to Dudwell Farm at the end of the route.

The event will begin and finish at Dudwell Farm, Camrose (SA62 6HJ), and is open to tractors and cars. Registration and cash payment will take place on the day, with the price to be confirmed nearer the event.

Additional donations can also be made locally in the run-up to the event at Camrose Country Hardware and Croesgoch Stores.

The run has been organised to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides vital care and assistance to people living with cancer, and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which supports patients and families across Pembrokeshire during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

Organisers say more information will be released closer to the event and are encouraging the local community to support the run, whether by taking part, donating, or lining the route to show support.

The event is expected to attract strong local interest, continuing Pembrokeshire’s tradition of community-led fundraising in support of much-valued charities.

News

Late Griffiths strike caps dramatic Clarby fightback in nine-goal thriller

Published

5 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Herald Sport

CLARBESTON ROAD staged a remarkable comeback to edge out Pennar Robins in a breathless Division One contest that delivered nine goals, wild swings of momentum and a hat-trick that ultimately counted for nothing.

Despite falling behind on three separate occasions, Clarby showed resilience and attacking intent to secure a 5–4 victory, sealed late on by Emyr Griffiths after the hosts had earlier trailed 3–1 in the first half.

For Pennar, the result was a bitter one. Jack Jones struck three times and the Robins led at 1–0, 3–1 and 4–3, but each advantage slipped away as Clarby refused to lie down.

The opening exchanges hinted at little of what was to come. Ben ‘Rocky’ John tested Pennar goalkeeper Ryeley Clark early on, while Tom Davies dragged an effort wide at the other end. The game burst into life after nine minutes when Pennar opened the scoring following a slick team move. Nicholas Willis drove forward down the right, combined neatly with Kieran Smith and Noah Davison, and was tripped inside the box. Jack Jones made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Clarby responded almost immediately. Player-manager Matthew Ellis, keen to atone for conceding the penalty, rose to head home Travis Jones’ corner at the near post just two minutes later.

Pennar regained control midway through the half. Tom Grimwood’s curling corner was met by Jones, who nodded in at the back post, and moments later the same duo combined again as Jones completed his hat-trick, finishing from close range after Grimwood beat his marker and cut the ball back.

Crucially, Clarby struck back before the break. Matthew Bowen delivered an inviting cross from the left and John powered a header past Clark to give the hosts renewed belief heading into half-time.

With the wind at their backs, Clarby came out flying after the restart. John levelled matters by cutting inside and firing low into the corner, before sustained pressure saw Matthew Davies have a goal ruled out for offside and substitute Josh Woods flash a shot across goal.

Against the run of play, Pennar edged back in front on 69 minutes when substitutes combined — Adam Phillips delivering a cross that Conner Phillips met unmarked to head home.

Once again, Clarby refused to fold. Jack Ashman drove forward from the edge of the area and thundered a high finish into the net to make it 4–4, before the decisive moment arrived 12 minutes from time. Griffiths broke through the Pennar back line and showed composure to lift the ball beyond Clark, completing a stunning turnaround.

Clarby managed the closing stages well to see out a vital win ahead of the Christmas break.

Man of the match: Jack Jones
Despite ending on the losing side, Jones’ clinical finishing and constant threat were impossible to ignore. Kieran Smith and Noah Davison were also influential in Pennar’s first-half dominance, while Ben John was central to Clarby’s revival before limping off with a knee issue.

Clarby player-manager Matthew Ellis said: “It’s a huge three points. After nine goals your head’s spinning a bit, but you’ll take it when you’re on the right side of the result. Pennar caused us problems early on, but we really turned it around after the break.”

Pennar manager Craig Butland said: “The second half wasn’t good enough. Individual errors are hurting us and conceding just before half-time changed the momentum. We’ve got to see games out better.”

Clarbeston Road: Rhys Mansell, Matthew Bowen, Greg Brown, Matthew Griffiths, Samuel Hurton, Jack Ashman, Emyr Griffiths, Matthew Davies (capt), Matthew Ellis, Ben John (Jake Wesley 62), Travis Jones. Sub not used: Joseph Jones.

Pennar Robins: Ryeley Clark, Nick Willis (Ryan Walters 80), Alex Wheeler (Adam Phillips 53), Ethan Ball, Bobby Jones (Conner Willis 53), Connor Roberts, Tom Grimwood, Kieran Smith (capt), Noah Davison, Jack Jones, Toby Davies.

Referee: Stefan Jenkins.