News

Protest in support of Rhys

Published

11 years ago

October 4, 2013

Tom Sinclair

Hundreds of pupils refused to attend classes in support of Rhys Jonson

HUNDREDS of schoolchildren protested outside Milford Haven Comprehensive School on Friday morning in support of a pupil who they feel has been unfairly treated. As reported in last weeks Herald, Rhys Johnson shaved his head for charity recently in support of his auntie who has recently diagnosed with cancer. Also part of the fund raising action was Tesni Dockerty, a pupil from Tasker Milward School. Rhys was warned by the headteacher of the Milford school that if he went ahead with the fundraising event he would disciplinary action. But Rhys defied the school saying: I cant see anything in the school rules that say I cannot shave my head. We raised a lot of money by doing it, over £700. In my opinion it was totally worth it.
On his return to school Rhys found that he was placed in the head of year room, isolated from the rest of the school.
Commenting at the protest on Friday morning, Rhys said: “I think it’s pathetic that I raised a lot of money for such a good cause, but yet I am isolated from everybody else. I’m not learning much! I want to learn and I want to be back in my lessons. I want my normal education and I want my normal life back. My friend who did it with me is being praised”.

Milford Haven School has issued the following statement to The Herald at 1500HRS Friday:

“The pupil in question and his mother were informed of the consequences of breaking the uniform and appearance rules prior to doing so.

“When the rules were broken an appropriate sanction was enforced, namely supervised study.

“This was a short-term measure which was clearly communicated and a return to the pupil’s normal timetable would have been effective once he complied with the school’s ruling.

“At Milford Haven School we believe it is important to maintain high standards in every aspect of school, life, including uniform and appearance.

“The reason for such policies is that there is a clear link between maintaining high standards in school behaviour and academic achievement.

“And to be fair to all our pupils, these rules must be consistently applied.

“Pupils and parents are frequently reminded of this and the vast majority are fully supportive.

“This issue has not arisen as a result of raising funds. It has arisen because of a clear breach of school rules.

“Pupils at Milford Haven School are widely praised for the work they do together in raising funds for many charities. However, this work is carried out within the boundaries of the school rules.

“While this morning’s demonstration by some pupils was disappointing and ill-advised, lessons for the vast majority of pupils continued as normal.”

The Herald understands that numbers of pupils in the protest did not go into school on Friday.

News

Grieving family’s aim to protect young drivers in memory of daughter

Published

3 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S Road Safety Team have worked in partnership with the family of a young woman killed in a road traffic collision to launch an intervention for young drivers in our County and beyond.

Ella Bee’s Story aims to prevent further deaths on the road, particularly among the 17 to 25-year-old age group, and concentrates on the Fatal 5, peer pressure, driver behaviour and how to reduce the risks both as a driver and passenger.

Twenty-one year-old Ella Smith was killed in a road traffic collision on the Broad Haven road in 2021 and her family are bravely telling their story of the night it happened and the aftermath of losing Ella.

Two drivers involved in the collision were jailed for ten years each having been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The intervention was launched recently and will be available to all schools and young peoples’ groups in the County, along with Pembrokeshire College.

The Road Safety Team worked closely with the family to put together the intervention which includes the production of two videos that can help educate all young drivers, and any adults with young drivers in the family.

Following the launch Ella’s mother Maria said: “We as a family and Ella’s best friends have worked tirelessly with Pembrokeshire County Council to produce a presentation on road safety to be delivered to schools, colleges and youth groups to educate young drivers on the devastating impact that losing Ella has had on us all.

“Ella your legacy will live on and you will forever be remembered for helping others even now.”

Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett added: “The launch of Ella Bee’s Story was incredible moving. Ella’s family has been incredibly brave in their determination to ensure her tragic death is not in vain and this project will help other young drivers stay safe on our roads.”

For further information about how your school or youth group can access Ella Bee’s Story please email [email protected]

News

Storage container fire in Newcastle Emlyn

Published

3 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

AT11:48am on Friday (Jan 24), Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Llandysul and Carmarthen fire stations were called to a fire in Capel Iwan, Newcastle Emlyn.

The fire involved a 40-foot by 8-foot storage container and was confined to a generator inside. Firefighters used a hose reel jet, two breathing apparatus sets, a thermal imaging camera, and a positive pressure ventilation fan to extinguish the blaze.

Crews remained on site to dampen down the area before departing at 12:57pm.

Crime

Pembrokeshire man accused of assault and perverting justice remanded in custody

Published

3 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man accused of assaulting a woman has been remanded in custody after allegedly offering her money to drop the charges.

Lohan Chapman, 19, of Primrose Close, Neyland, is accused of intentionally strangling a female during an alleged incident in Milford Haven on August 1, 2024, and of assaulting her by beating. He denies both charges.

This week, Haverfordwest Magistrates Court heard that Chapman was remanded in custody on January 18 after being accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice by offering his alleged victim an undisclosed sum of money to withdraw the charges.

District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction in all three matters.