HAVERFORDWEST’S Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary School has welcomed a recent Estyn report praising the work of the school.

Headteacher Sarah Mansfield took up her position in November 2021 and inspectors found that the school is well led by a dynamic and committed headteacher.

Estyn’s report notes that “she has worked with parents, staff and pupils to create a vision that is specific and appropriate to the needs of the school” and works tirelessly with the staff to improve pupil outcomes and well-being.”

Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary School has a wonderfully caring and nurturing ethos underpinned by strong values and virtues, inspectors found, along with a distinct focus on equity of opportunity for all.

The report highlights that a broad range of engaging and interesting activities are planned by teachers across the curriculum with a good pace of learning, development of understanding and promotion of thinking skills on the whole.

Recommendations made by Estyn were to ensure that outdoor learning develops pupils’ skills effectively and provides a suitable level of challenge for all pupils and to ensure that feedback from teachers targets the next steps in pupils’ learning.

Cabinet member for Education and the Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham said: “This is a fantastic report from Estyn and staff and pupils at Mary Immaculate Catholic School should be extremely proud of their hard work.”

Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary School Headteacher Sarah Mansfield said: “It’s pleasing to see everyone’s hard work recognised. I am very proud of everyone in our school community and would like to thank our wonderful pupils and staff for their desire to make Mary Immaculate the best it can be.”

Also highlighted was the prominent role that children at the school play in improving aspects of school life for all pupils, such as in their roles as members of Y Senedd and its sub committees.

Two of the school’s Pupil Leadership Team, Kayla Kplomedo and Leah Thomas, said: “We are really pleased to see our Senedd work highlighted in the report as it is such a massive part of our school. Rydyn ni’n y llais, we are the voice.

“Even though we will take our voices to the high school, we are confident that the new pupil leadership team will ensure that all pupils are heard and taken seriously. We know this as we will train the next First Ministers and Faith Ambassadors before we leave.

“They have looked up to so many before them and understand the importance of their roles including their responsibility to support the continued improvement of our school.

“The future is bright for the pupils at Mary Immaculate.”

HAVERFORDWEST High VC School students have made their mark on the town’s Western Quayside regeneration scheme, leaving behind a gift for future generations. Year 7 pupils enthusiastically participated in a time capsule project, showcasing their lives in 2023. The capsule was buried on-site at the former Ocky White store, marking a significant milestone in the town’s development.

The initiative, led by John Weaver (Contractors) Ltd, the development contractors, not only allowed the students to connect with their town but also provided an opportunity to appreciate the archaeological discoveries made during the construction process.

Victoria Hooper, Humanities Teacher at Haverfordwest High VC School, expressed the students’ sense of privilege in being part of this historic time capsule project. She shared, “Pupils at Haverfordwest High VC School felt privileged to be making history as part of the time capsule project. They enjoyed discussing ideas, writing about life and events in 2023, and filling the time capsule with photographs, coins, a stamp, a school tie, and even an old mobile phone.”

Anthony Hayward, Construction Team Manager at Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC), expressed the council’s delight in supporting the time capsule project alongside John Weaver Contractors at Haverfordwest’s transformative development, Western Quayside. He welcomed the enthusiastic participation of the students, who actively contributed as a group in burying the capsule on-site.

Given the historical significance of the development site and its archaeological findings, it was deemed fitting to link the time capsule burial with the future of the area. Haydyn Boyce, Project Manager for John Weaver Contractors, provided the students with an informative tour of the site, which is set to be handed over in late September. He showcased the three levels of the building, offering insights into the construction challenges and how they have been successfully overcome through close collaboration with PCC and the design team.

Joan Tamlyn, Business Development Manager at John Weaver Contractors, has been working closely with Mrs. Hooper and her class since January, supporting them in developing ideas for the time capsule project. Reflecting on the students’ engagement, she shared, “The enthusiasm and excitement from the pupils has been amazing and a real pleasure to see. They’ve had such good ideas for the time capsule project, and it’s been rewarding to show them the construction of this wonderful development in their hometown.”

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place, the Region, and Climate Change, Cllr Paul Miller, expressed his delight at the progress made at Western Quayside, emphasizing the positive impact it will have on the youth of Haverfordwest High VC School and the town’s overall regeneration. He stated, “It is fantastic to see work progressing well at Western Quayside and for the young people of Haverfordwest High VC School to have a chance to be involved in the regeneration of the town, which can only benefit their futures too.”

As the time capsule rests beneath the ground, it serves as a testament to the aspirations and creativity of Haverfordwest’s young generation, embodying their connection to both the past and the promising future that lies ahead for their vibrant town.

PEMBROKESHIRE Agricultural Society’s Student Bursary Award 2023 is now open for applications. Anyone from the county who is currently studying, or has been accepted to start their studies, can apply for this financial support to assist with their chosen college or career path.

The £1,000 bursary is open to all qualifying students studying agriculture, veterinary science, agricultural engineering, food technology, forestry or other subjects clearly allied to agriculture.

The bursary is tax free and will be awarded to the student who, in the opinion of a panel of judges, has submitted the best dissertation on how the bursary will assist them to complete their course of study.

Last year’s winner of the award was Rebecca Roberts from Camrose, Haverfordwest. Rebecca studied at Harper Adams University between 2019 and 2021 and is currently studying at Harper & Keele Veterinary School. Whilst at University she has worked on a local beef and sheep farm between her studies where they lamb 300 ewes and she regularly fed the calves. Rebecca is a member of Keyston YFC.

Brian Jones, President of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, said, “I would urge all Pembrokeshire students who study subjects that are clearly aligned to agriculture to apply for this bursary as it won’t only assist with your studies but will also give you great experiences such as undertaking an interview which is a key employment skill. It will also assist in your future career within the agriculture industry.”

Qualifying students must not have won the student bursary on a previous occasion, the applicant must be studying or has been accepted to study agriculture or allied subjects at a UK college or university at A-Level or higher and the applicants’ family home must be in Pembrokeshire.

Will James, Chairman of the Society’s Bursary Committee said, “A panel of independent judges, chaired by a representative of the society, will draw up a short list of candidates who will be interviewed and the winning candidate will be asked to give a short presentation at a future meeting of the society’s show council.

“The standard of applications has always been exceptional which gives a lot of heart that there are a lot of very talented young people in our community. We are very much looking forward to receiving applications for this year’s bursary and hearing from the younger generation.”

To enter, students must submit a dissertation of 1,000 words entitled ‘How the bursary will assist my career progression.’

Further details and the entry form can be found online: Student Bursary Award | Pembrokeshire County Show | Pembs Agricultural Society (pembsshow.org) or by calling the show office: 01437 764331. The closing date for applications is Saturday, 1 July 2023.