News
Taskers to be put into special measures
HER MAJESTY’S INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS have recommended that a Haverfordwest secondary school should be put into special measures. The school has not improved since a visit last year in which certain improvements were directed,
A report which has just been published on the Estyn website says: “Tasker-Milward V.C. School is judged to have made insufficient progress in relation to the recommendations following the core inspection in March 2013. As a result, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales is increasing the level of follow-up activity.”
The report goes on to say:”In accordance with the Education Act 2005, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector is of the opinion that special measures are required in relation to this school. The school will draw up an action plan, which shows how it is going to address the recommendations. ”
Estyn have told The Herald that inspectors will re-visit the school in about three months’ time to inspect progress against the recommendations.
You can view the report by clicking here:
COMMUNITIES gathered in Milford Haven on Saturday (Jun 6) to mark the 82nd anniversary of D-Day.
The service, held at The Rath, brought together veterans, standard bearers, councillors, local church representatives, members of the Royal British Legion Milford Haven Branch, and residents for a solemn act of remembrance overlooking the waterway.
Wreaths were laid at the town’s war memorials, including the Cenotaph on Hamilton Terrace, as tribute was paid to the thousands of Allied servicemen who crossed the Channel on June 6, 1944.
D-Day marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation and remains one of the most significant military operations in history.
Milford Haven’s own wartime role gave the commemoration added meaning. During the Second World War, the Haven was home to a major US Navy Advanced Amphibious Base, where landing craft were prepared, maintained and repaired ahead of Allied operations.
The town’s harbour and maritime workforce formed part of the huge logistical effort that made the Normandy landings possible.
One of the most striking moments of Saturday’s commemoration came from the waterway itself, where Port of Milford Haven tugs staged a moving water salute.
As the service took place, the tugs sent great arcs of water into the air, creating a powerful visual tribute linking the town’s seafaring identity with its wartime service.
Those attending stood in quiet reflection as the community remembered not only those who landed on the beaches of Normandy, but also the men and women at home whose work supported the invasion.
With the number of surviving D-Day veterans now sadly dwindling, events such as Milford Haven’s commemoration carry growing importance.
They ensure that younger generations understand the courage, sacrifice and shared effort behind the events of June 1944.
In Milford Haven, the service at The Rath, the laying of wreaths, and the dramatic tug salute combined to create a fitting tribute from a town with a proud place in the story of D-Day.
The message of the day was simple and enduring: lest we forget.
£600 RAISED FOR MEGAN’S STARR FOUNDATION AS COMMUNITY SPIRIT SHINES THROUGH
A CHARITY football match at the Ogi Bridge Meadow brought together players, businesses, volunteers and supporters from across Pembrokeshire on Friday night, raising more than £600 for a local charity supporting young people and families.
The match saw a Pembrokeshire Select XI take on a Valero Pembroke Refinery XI under the lights at Haverfordwest County AFC’s home ground, with the Select side comfortably winning on the pitch — but organisers said the real victory was the community effort behind the event.
By the end of the evening, an impressive £605.28 had been raised for Megan’s Starr Foundation, a Pembrokeshire charity which supports young people and families facing difficult circumstances.
For Nicola Harteveld and the Megan’s Starr team, the evening was about far more than football.
Speaking after the match, Nicola said: “As the final whistle blew, the score almost became irrelevant.
“Last night was about community, kindness, generosity and what can happen when people come together to support local young people and families.”
She added: “Last night showed the very best of our county. We are incredibly grateful, incredibly proud and above all proud to be Pembrokeshire.”
The charity thanked Valero Pembroke Refinery for nominating Megan’s Starr as the supported cause and fielding a team led by Steve Parks, while also recognising the refinery’s volunteers who helped behind the scenes.
Credit was also paid to Chris “Sully” O’Sullivan and everyone involved with the Pembrokeshire Select XI for organising the county side, along with players from clubs across Pembrokeshire who gave up their time during the close season to take part.
Haverfordwest County AFC opened the Ogi Bridge Meadow for the match, while Pure West Radio helped create the atmosphere and promote the event across the county.
Darth Marty Media captured the evening’s action, while officials from the Pembrokeshire Referees Association volunteered their time to ensure the match was played in the right spirit.
On the field, spectators were treated to an entertaining encounter featuring quality football from both sides despite the summer break.
Jimmy Wilkes proved the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick to earn Man of the Match honours for the Pembrokeshire Select XI.
However, organisers stressed that the event highlighted something far bigger than football — the willingness of Pembrokeshire people to rally together when it matters.
Megan’s Starr Foundation said it receives no core funding and relies heavily on the generosity of local people, businesses and volunteers to continue its work.
Photos: Darth Marty Media / Megan’s Starr Foundation
A COMMUNITY appeal has been issued in Pendine after a serious emergency incident prompted a large response from the emergency services.
The incident happened in the Carmarthenshire coastal village on Saturday, with witnesses reporting that a casualty was transferred from an ambulance to a helicopter in view of the beachfront.
Pendine Community Council has now urged residents and visitors not to share photographs, videos or unverified information online.
Council chair Andrew Shaw said: “Following the emergency incident within the village today, I would like to respectfully ask members of our community to refrain from sharing photographs, videos, or unverified information on social media.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected, along with their families, friends, and everyone involved in responding to the incident.
“At a time like this, privacy, compassion, and respect are especially important.”
Mr Shaw added that people should consider the impact online posts may have on those directly affected, and allow the relevant authorities to provide information where appropriate.
The appeal was echoed by local business owner Julia Rea, of Bistro on the Bay, who said she had witnessed the emergency response from the beachfront.
She said: “Whilst we appreciate people are concerned and interested, what I can’t understand is filming, photos etc.
“I witnessed a large public interest where the injured person was transferred from the ambulance to the helicopter.
“The amount of people filming and photographing what was so sensitive, life-altering and hopefully not final moments of an individual, someone’s family, was awful.
“I hope and pray that sensibility and privacy prevails and nothing is shared online.”
No official details about the nature of the incident, or the condition of the person involved, have yet been released.
The council’s appeal has been widely shared locally, with many residents supporting the call for restraint.
Pendine Sands is a popular visitor destination, and emergency service responses in the area can quickly draw public attention because of the open beachfront and busy public spaces.
The Herald understands the appeal is not intended to restrict legitimate concern, but to remind people that those involved in emergency incidents are entitled to dignity and privacy at one of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Residents are being asked to avoid speculation and wait for any updates from official sources.
Our thoughts are with the person involved, their family, and all emergency personnel who responded.
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Heidi Moseley
July 24, 2014 at 1:29 pm
Told u there was major problems at that school
Steve
July 24, 2014 at 1:36 pm
Not good news, but before everyone jumps on the Pembrokeshire band wagon, dont judge all the pupils at the school as the same. Yes they may have a minorty of pupils who are dragging it down and making it diffcult for others, but there are those who are doing well. Comments like your Heidi do nothing for their confidence. What the education authority need to do is get rid of the wasters who dont want to learn and let the rest get on with it. As for the so called adults who seem to think it acceptable to look at anyone in a Taskers uniform as a lower form of life well maybe they need to go back to school.
Not surprised!
July 24, 2014 at 3:17 pm
The problem does not lie with the pupils, but with the poor standard of teaching and management. There are pupils in Swansea living in areas that are considered so poor they receive European area 1 funding. Pembrokeshire does not have that problem apparently, but our schools are performing to a lesser standard than in those areas! Until the teaching standard is raised and the management is held to account for their failures then the school should remain in special measures, or be closed! It’s time for action.
Sam
July 24, 2014 at 3:23 pm
I have to say my daughter went there from the start of her school career till this January (year 10) when I took her out. Initially I thought it was a good school however I discovered this not to be the case. There is good and bad in every school but I found from personal experience books not checked or written in for guidence (only 1 teacher had bothered from every subject), no feedback from the school if the pupil hadn’t done homework set and my major problem is that the teachers seem to be more concerned with what the children were wearing to the point of ridiculousness. Yes I totally agree with uniform and so on but complaining and threatening a child to confiscate their coat in -7 degree weather just because it was black and white and not black is well and truly over the top. The school needs major input!!!
Steve
July 24, 2014 at 3:50 pm
nice to see the concensus that the vast majority of the children want to learn and are well behaved. Agree Estyn need to give a big push here to help these children out so they dont feel they are losing out. as for those who cant be bothered, fine, but dont drag my child down with you
Tomos
July 24, 2014 at 5:34 pm
Surely it’s PCC that needs to be put in special measures.
If you have an ache in your arm because you’re having a heart attack you treat the heart attack not the bad arm.
Rhys
July 24, 2014 at 9:46 pm
Shameful! As a former pupil I find it difficult to accept that the school has deteriorated so much in such a short space of time. The demographics of the children entering the school has not changed in the last ten years, only the teaching staff and the head teacher.
Ms Haines became the head in my final year, and it was obvious that she was not a suitable candidate for the job (the school council voted overwhelmingly AGAINST her appointment). Her methods were not suitable for the school, and her general behaviour was unacceptable. I have heard horror stories of her turning up to parents evenings in flip-flops with wet hair!
When I was a pupil we had 1200 kids attending the school, now there is just over 800! Obviously parents have had their concerns for a long time and have taken their children elsewhere. Why has it taken so long for anything to be done? How many bright and talented youngsters have been failed by the school and the local authority? This is my main concern, the youngsters who needed pointing in the right direction, but have now left with poor grades and a terrible alma mata on their CV’s. What future do they have?
The first thing I noticed at university was the superior schooling that our counterparts in England receive (I am not talking about fee paying schools, but comprehensive and grammar schools); for a rural area we should not have such poor attainment and teaching standards.
Why did we change the uniform from smart blazers and ties to a horrendous red polo shirt? Why did many of the best teachers leave? Why?… In short, Ms Haines and Pembs Couty Council.
steve
July 24, 2014 at 10:19 pm
@ Rhys
Thankfully Ms Haines is no more. I hope in 3 months at next inspection the new regime have started to make improvement, there are signs. There still are pupils doing well, getting their heads down and doing their best to ignore the trouble element that need addressing. What I find sad is the manner in which the “grapevine” start calling the school (face book this evening) and by default damage the pupils confidence and self worth. Lets remember it’s not their fault the management has been poor, the vast majority want to learn and be proud of themselves and correctly so. What is not needed is parents from other schools in the vicinity assuming that ALL kids in Taskers must be trouble, wrong! It also does not make children or parents of “other” schools any better. I think we need to be adult about this , get measures in place to support and drive forward, stop the name calling and if you have nothing constructive to offer help wise, say nothing because ultimately it’s the kids that are being let down and hurt by the name calling.
steve
July 25, 2014 at 3:22 pm
Greenhill estyn report last week – ranked school as Adequate (could be Excellent, Good, Adequate, or unsatisfactory). The report for Whitland earlier this year also said Adequate. And Taskers is also Adequate and in special measures. Not exactly a glowing review of the local schools (i think Bush in 2012 was also deemed adequate – sorry havent looked at others).
im not in education – but a parent. I am concerned that on national and local level our schools are inferior to those elsewhere.
Friends who work in education in England comment that the generally held view (in England) is that welsh education is pretty poor, let down by a poor assemby decisions, a poor review body (estyn rather than ofsted), a lack of Sats, and opportunity cost for fixating on welsh language as compulsory in terms of impacts for both pupils and teachers when there are more crucial issues to address.
i appreciate this doesnt provide any answers…just concerns.
Jayne
July 26, 2014 at 9:04 am
Totally agree with Rhys. There are two measures of achievement in inspection performance (results) and capacity to improve (leadership/management). Pembroke School is the only Pembrokeshire School to date to gain a “good” from Estyn for the second measure. It should also be noted that it was students that were not educated on site at Pembroke that dragged the first measure down. Greenhill had the title of most improved school in Wales following results last year yet Estyn were not impressed…what do they want? Unfortunately there seems to be a lack of guidance filtering down from County (where lets face it has been a jobs for the boys club when it comes to appointing advisors). I feel for the teachers in all theses schools as it is them on whom the criticism will be levelled and they are already working at full effort with ZERO incentive to change due to lack of support and respect from the leaders.