Education
Young people’s incredible musical talents celebrated at festival
TRUMPETER Carys Wood from Haverfordwest High VC School was the overall winner at this year’s Secondary Schools Valero Music Festival.
The annual festival, which is organised by the Pembrokeshire County Council Music Service and sponsored by Valero, took place at Ysgol Caer Elen on Saturday (November 19th), after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
More than 240 young musicians from each of the County’s eight county secondary schools, Pembrokeshire College and further afield took part in individual and ensemble competitions throughout the day.
Later in the afternoon, an enthusiastic audience enjoyed a ‘Spotlight’ concert showcasing the individual winners and the winners of the instrumental and vocal ensemble competitions.
During the day, every performer who placed first, second and third in their class received a badge in recognition of their achievement.
Philippa Roberts, Head of Pembrokeshire Music Service, said: “I would like to congratulate every young musician who performed and supported one another on Saturday. Also, a heartfelt thank you to Valero, the Friends of Pembrokeshire Young Musicians and the professional and encouraging adjudicating team who continue to support Pembrokeshire Music Service and our pupils.”
Sean O’Neill, ensembles adjudicator, expressed his admiration for the day. “The standard of music making from all the young musicians was outstanding with loads of evidence of talent and potential coming through for the future! It was a great pleasure to be involved.”
Trumpeter Carys Wood, was presented with the overall winners’ cup by brass adjudicator Corey Morris. Earlier in the day, Carys performed Virtuosity by Kenny Baker.
Winner of the Open Woodwind competition was James Townsend from Haverfordwest High VC School, who performed Czardas by Monti.
The Open String competition winner was cellist Isabel Raymond from Ysgol Caer Elen who performed Tarantella by WH Squire.
The Open Jazz winner was Dylan Sanders-Swales from Haverfordwest High VC School who performed his own arrangement of Whirlybird. Dylan was also the winner of the Open Percussion class. He performed a Super Mario Medley which he again arranged himself.
The Open Piano and Harp class was won by Jencyn Corp from Ysgol Bro Preseli who performed his own composition, Yr Afon.
The Open Vocal Competition was won by Rhys Williams from Ysgol Harri Tudur, who sang “It’s hard to speak my heart” from the musical Parade.
The first winner of the new Open Guitar class was Willis Riley from Greenhill, who performed The Trooper by Iron Maiden.
The Open Vocal Ensemble class winners were Haverfordwest High VC School’s upper voices ensemble. They performed an Adele mashup of Rumour has it/Someone like you.
The Open Instrumental Ensemble competition was won by Jencyn Corp and Lefi Dafydd of Ysgol Bro Preseli Deuadd piano, performing Norwegian Dance by Grieg.
The winners of the inaugural Open Rock and pop ensemble were The Messiaens from Haverfordwest High VC School. They performed Superstition by Stevie Wonder.
The hall at Ysgol Caer Elen was packed full as family, friends, and pupils who had performed earlier in the day all stayed to support the open winners.
The invited professional adjudicators – Timothy Angel, vocal; Sean O’Neill, ensemble; Christopher Vale, woodwind; Corey Morris, brass; Karin Jenkins, strings; Bethan Harkin, piano and harp; Ben Richards, instrumental; Nick Baron, percussion, guitar and Jazz – were greatly impressed with the high standard and strength of schools’ music on show from across the County.
County Music Service events coordinator Miranda Morgan thanked the adjudicators, teachers, parents and students for making the Festival such a success.
“We are overwhelmed at the amount of young people who have participated in this year’s festival – we had over double the number taking part this year compared to last year which is wonderful to see. The standard of playing has been impressive throughout and it has been fantastic to extend our classes to include guitar and rock and pop ensembles this year.”
The results of the day were as follows:
WOODWIND
Grade 3 flute
1st – Tilly Laugharne – Ysgol Bro Gwaun
2nd – Mali Jones-Hughes – HHVC
3rd – Erin Dando – MHS
Grade 3 clarinet and saxophone
1st – Sophie Gilmartin – Greenhill
2nd – Emily Dickinson – Greenhill
3rd – Jed Cox – Greenhill
Highly commended – Katherine Jones – Harri Tudur
Grade 4 woodwind
1st – Tom Pounder – MHS
2nd – Ollie Towe – Ysgol Bro Preseli
3rd – Bethan Packard – MHS
Grade 5 woodwind
1st – Ffion Evans – Ysgol Caer Elen
2nd – Catrin Jones – Ysgol Caer Elen
3rd – Ela-Gwennon Jones – Ysgol Caer Elen
Grade 6 woodwind
1st – Noah Jenkins – HHVC
2nd – Gemma Armstrong – Ysgol Bro Preseli
3rd – Alice Hillen – HHVC and Eryn Howlett – MHS
Open woodwind
1st – James Townsend – HHVC
2nd – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli
3rd – Harry Armstrong – MHS
BRASS
Grade 3 & 4 brass
1st – Elwyn Powell – Ysgol Bro Gwaun
2nd – Owain Williams – HHVC
3rd – Harry Thomas – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi
Highly commended – Isabella Tawn – HHVC
Grade 5 brass
1st – Eliza Wood – Greenhill
2nd – Archie Noyce – Greenhill
3rd – Gwilym Jones – Ysgol Bro Preseli
Grade 6 brass
1st – Seren Barrett – Greenhill
2nd – Ioan Bromby – Greenhill and Andrew Johnson – Ysgol Bro Preseli
3rd – Jaap Harris – Ysgol Bro Preseli
Highly commended – Matthew Shaw – Greenhill, Arlo Jones – Greenhill, Kellan Rycroft – Ysgol Bro Preseli
Open brass
1st – Carys Wood – HHVC (and overall 2023 winner)
2nd – Carys Rycroft – Ysgol Bro Preseli
3rd – Filip Middlemist – HHVC
STRINGS
Grade 3
1st – Brooke Patterson – Ysgol Bro Gwaun
2nd – Debora Calocane – HHVC
3rd – Emma Nicholas – Greenhill and Eira Kaill-Franks – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi
Highly commended – Janelle Cabral – HHVC
Grade 4
1st – Ruby Rapi – Ysgol Bro Preseli and Elena Gould
2nd – Sara James – Ysgol Caer Elen
3rd – Kitty Kingsnorth
Highly commended – Grace Tilbury – Harri Tudur
Grade 5
1st – Annabel John – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi
2nd – Cosmo Karenin – Ysgol Bro Gwaun
3rd – Anwen Sims – Ysgol Caer Elen
Grade 6
1st – Seren Barrett – Greenhill and Mia Burnett – HHVC
2nd – Tom Bridger – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi
3rd – Gwenna Kennerley – HHVC
Highly commended – Esyllt Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli
Open strings
1st – Isabel Raymond – Ysgol Caer Elen
2nd – Maria Cabral – HHVC
3rd – Daisy Whitfield – Ysgol Bro Preseli
Highly commended – Freya Prout – Pembrokeshire College and Ella Bromby – Greenhill
PIANO AND HARP
Grade 3 and 4
1st – Harry Thomas – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi
2nd – Anwen Sims – Ysgol Caer Elen
3rd – Steffan James – Ysgol Caer Elen
Highly commended – Martha Bhari – Harri Tudur
Grade 5
1st – Abbie Collinson – Greenhill
2nd – Sara James – Ysgol Caer Elen and Siddha Saini – Ysgol Bro Preseli
3rd – Tom Bridger – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi and Elena Gould (homeschooled)
Grade 6
1st – Cosmo Karenin – Ysgol Bro Gwaun
2nd – Sebastian Semaani-Rodriguez – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi and Megan Evans – Ysgol Caer Elen
3rd – Emily Thomas – Greenhill
Highly commended – Matthew Shaw – Greenhill and Isabel Ramond – Ysgol Caer Elen
Open piano
1st – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli
2nd – Lefi Dafydd – Ysgol Bro Preseli
3rd – Iestyn Barrellie – Greenhill
Highly commended – Jenifer Rees
DRUM KIT/PERCUSSION
Grade 3-6
1st – William Rowe – Penrhyn Dewi
2nd – Sam Berry – Ysgol Bro Gwaun and Jensen Luker – Ysgol Caer Elen
Open drum kit
1st – Dylan Sanders-Swales – HHVC
2nd – Libby Phillips – HHVC
GUITAR
Grade 3-5
1st – Lewis Murray – Ysgol Bro Gwaun
2nd – Steffan James – Ysgol Caer Elen
Open guitar
1st – Willis Riley – Greenhill
JAZZ
Grade 3-5
1st – Tom Pounder – MHS
2nd – Eryn Howlett – MHS
Open jazz
1st – Dylan Sanders-Swales – HHVC
2nd – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli
3rd – Jed Davies – Pembrokeshire College
VOCALS
Popular vocals years 7-9
1st – Bella Carrol – Harri Tudur
2nd – Sophie Jones – Harri Tudur
3rd – Maisie Tennick – Caer Elen
Highly commended – Davinia Foster – Harri Tudur
Popular vocals years 10-13
1st – Millie Evans-Thomas – Greenhill
2nd – Honey Johnston – HHVC, Mia Young – Greenhill and Libby Banner – HHVC
3rd – Lacey-May Mattson – HHVC and Gwenna Kennerley – HHVC
Highly commended – Theo Butland – Harri Tudur
Musical theatre and classical vocals years 7-9
1st – Maya Welton – Ysgol Bro Preseli
2nd – Claire Hooper-Rees – HHVC
3rd – Martha Bhari – Harri Tudur and Rosabelle Chatwin – Ysgol Caer Elen
Highly commended – Caitlyn Sanders-Swales – MHS
Musical theatre and classical vocals years 10-13
1st – Ella Bromby – Greenhill
2nd – Iestyn Finch – HHVC
3rd – Mia Burnett – HHVC and Bella McCare – HHVC
Highly commended – Edie Morris – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi
Open vocals
1st – Rhys Williams – Harri Tudur
2nd – Eliza Jessica Bradbury – Pembrokeshire College
3rd – Megan Lloyd – MHS
Highly commended – Bethan Raymond – HHVC
ENSEMBLES
Instrumental ensemble grade 5-
1st – Ysgol Bro Preseli violin quartet
2nd – Greenhill Clarinet trio
Open instrumental ensemble
1st – Ysgol Bro Preseli deuawd piano
2nd – Ysgol Bro preseli piano a ffliwt
3rd – HHVC violin quartet
Open vocal ensemble
1st – HHVC upper voices ensemble
2nd – HHVC lower voices ensemble
3rd – Harri Tudur vocal ensemble
Rock and pop ensemble grade 5-
1st – Ysgol Caer Elen
2nd – HHVC
3rd – Harri Tudur
Highly commended – HHVC Band 2
Open Rock and pop ensemble
1st – “The Messiaens” – HHVC
2nd – HHVC KS4 band
3rd – Greenhill school band
Highly commended – HHVC Band #1
Ends
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Datganiad i’r wasg: i’w ryddhau ar unwaith
Talentau cerddorol anhygoel pobl ifanc yn cael eu dathlu mewn gŵyl
Y trympedwr Carys Wood o Ysgol Uwchradd WRh Hwlffordd oedd yr enillydd cyffredinol yng Ngŵyl Gerdd Valero Ysgolion Uwchradd eleni.
Cynhaliwyd yr ŵyl flynyddol, a drefnir gan Wasanaeth Cerdd Cyngor Sir Penfro ac a noddir gan Valero, yn Ysgol Caer Elen ddydd Sadwrn (19 Tachwedd), ar ôl seibiant o dair blynedd oherwydd y pandemig.
Bu mwy na 240 o gerddorion ifanc o bob un o wyth ysgol uwchradd sirol y Sir, Coleg Sir Benfro a thu hwnt yn cymryd rhan mewn cystadlaethau unigol ac ensemble trwy gydol y dydd.
Yn ddiweddarach yn y prynhawn, mwynhaodd cynulleidfa frwd gyngerdd yn arddangos yr enillwyr unigol ac enillwyr y cystadlaethau ensemble offerynnol a lleisiol.
Yn ystod y dydd, derbyniodd pob perfformiwr a oedd yn gyntaf, yn ail ac yn drydydd yn eu dosbarth fathodyn i gydnabod eu cyflawniad.
Dywedodd Philippa Roberts, Pennaeth Gwasanaeth Cerdd Sir Benfro: “Hoffwn longyfarch pob cerddor ifanc a fu’n perfformio ac yn cefnogi ei gilydd ddydd Sadwrn.Hefyd, diolch o galon i Valero, Cyfeillion Cerddorion Ifanc Sir Benfro a’r tîm beirniadu proffesiynol a chalonogol sy’n parhau i gefnogi Gwasanaeth Cerdd Sir Benfro a’n disgyblion.”
Mynegodd Sean O’Neill, beirniad yr ensembles, ei edmygedd o’r diwrnod. “Roedd safon y gerddoriaeth gan yr holl gerddorion ifanc yn rhagorol ac mae llwyth o dystiolaeth o dalent a photensial yn dod drwodd ar gyfer y dyfodol! Roedd yn bleser mawr bod yn rhan o’r digwyddiad.”
Cyflwynwyd cwpan yr enillwyr cyffredinol i’r trympedwr Carys Wood gan y beirniad pres Corey Morris.Yn gynharach yn y dydd, perfformiodd Carys Virtuosity gan Kenny Baker.
Enillydd y gystadleuaeth Chwythbrennau Agored oedd James Townsend o Ysgol Uwchradd WRh Hwlffordd, a berfformiodd Czardas gan Monti.
Enillydd y gystadleuaeth Llinynnau Agored oedd y sielydd Isabel Raymond o Ysgol Caer Elen a berfformiodd Tarantella gan WH Squire.
Yr enillydd Jazz Agored oedd Dylan Sanders-Swales o Ysgol Uwchradd WRh Hwlffordd a berfformiodd ei drefniant ei hun o Whirlybird. Dylan hefyd oedd enillydd y dosbarth Offerynnau Taro Agored. Perfformiodd Super Mario Medley a drefnodd ei hun hefyd.
Enillwyd y dosbarth Piano a Thelyn Agored gan Jencyn Corp o Ysgol Bro Preseli a berfformiodd ei gyfansoddiad ei hun, Yr Afon.
Enillwyd y Gystadleuaeth Leisiol Agored gan Rhys Williams o Ysgol Harri Tudur, a ganodd “It’s hard to speak my heart” o’r sioe gerdd, Parade.
Enillydd cyntaf y dosbarth Gitâr Agored newydd oedd Willis Riley o Greenhill, a berfformiodd The Trooper gan Iron Maiden.
Enillwyr y dosbarth Ensemble Lleisiol Agored oedd ensemble lleisiau uchaf Ysgol Uwchradd WRh Hwlffordd. Fe wnaethon nhw berfformio cymysgedd Adele o Rumour has it/Someone like you.
Enillwyd cystadleuaeth yr Ensemble Offerynnol Agored gan Jencyn Corp a Lefi Dafydd o Ysgol Bro Preseli, Deuawd piano, yn perfformio darn gan Grieg.
Enillwyr yr ensemble Roc a Phop Agored cyntaf oedd The Messiaens o Ysgol Uwchradd WRh Hwlffordd. Fe wnaethon nhw berfformio Superstition gan Stevie Wonder.
Roedd neuadd Ysgol Caer Elen dan ei sang wrth i deuluoedd, ffrindiau, a disgyblion oedd wedi perfformio yn gynharach yn y dydd i gyd aros i gefnogi’r enillwyr agored.
Roedd y beirniaid proffesiynol gwadd – Timothy Angel, lleisiol; Sean O’Neill, ensemble; Christopher Vale, chwythbren; Corey Morris, pres; Karin Jenkins, llinynnau; Bethan Harkin, y piano a’r delyn; Ben Richards, offerynnol; Nick Baron, offerynnau taro, gitâr a Jazz – wedi’u plesio’n fawr gan safon uchel a chryfder cerddoriaeth ysgolion ar draws y Sir.
Diolchodd cydlynydd digwyddiadau Gwasanaeth Cerdd y Sir, Miranda Morgan, i’r beirniaid, yr athrawon, y rhieni a’r myfyrwyr am wneud yr Ŵyl yn gymaint o lwyddiant.
“Rydym ni wedi ein syfrdanu gan y nifer o bobl ifanc sydd wedi cymryd rhan yn yr ŵyl eleni – roedd dros ddwbl y nifer yn cymryd rhan eleni o’i gymharu â’r llynedd sy’n wych i’w weld. Mae safon y chwarae wedi bod yn drawiadol drwyddi draw ac mae wedi bod yn wych ehangu ein dosbarthiadau i gynnwys ensembles gitâr a roc a phop eleni.”
Roedd canlyniadau’r diwrnod fel a ganlyn:
CHWYTHBREN
Ffliwt gradd 3
1af – Tilly Laugharne – Ysgol Bro Gwaun
2il – Mali Jones-Hughes – HHVC
3ydd – Erin Dando – MHS
Clarinet a sacsoffon gradd 3
1af – Sophie Gilmartin – Greenhill
2il – Emily Dickinson – Greenhill
3ydd – Jed Cox – Greenhill
Canmoliaeth uchel – Katherine Jones – Harri Tudur
Chwythbren gradd 4
1af – Tom Pounder – MHS
2il – Ollie Towe – Ysgol Bro Preseli
3ydd – Bethan Packard – MHS
Chwythbren gradd 5
1af – Ffion Evans – Ysgol Caer Elen
2il – Catrin Jones – Ysgol Caer Elen
3ydd – Ela-Gwennon Jones – Ysgol Caer Elen
Chwythbren gradd 6
1af – Noah Jenkins – HHVC
2il – Gemma Armstrong – Ysgol Bro Preseli
3ydd – Alice Hillen – HHVC ac Eryn Howlett – MHS
Chwythbren agored
1af – James Townsend – HHVC
2il – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli
3ydd – Harry Armstrong – MHS
PRES
Pres gradd 3 a 4
1af – Elwyn Powell – Ysgol Bro Gwaun
2il – Owain Williams – HHVC
3ydd – Harry Thomas – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi
Canmoliaeth uchel – Isabella Tawn – HHVC
Pres gradd 5
1af – Eliza Wood – Greenhill
2il – Archie Noyce – Greenhill
3ydd – Gwilym Jones – Ysgol Bro Preseli
Pres gradd 6
1af – Seren Barrett – Greenhill
2il – Ioan Bromby – Greenhill ac Andrew Johnson – Ysgol Bro Preseli
3ydd – Jaap Harris – Ysgol Bro Preseli
Canmoliaeth uchel – Matthew Shaw – Greenhill, Arlo Jones – Greenhill, Kellan Rycroft – Ysgol Bro Preseli
Pres agored
1af – Carys Wood – HHVC (ac enillydd cyffredinol 2023)
2il – Carys Rycroft – Ysgol Bro Preseli
3ydd – Filip Middlemist – HHVC
LLINYNNAU
Gradd 3
1af – Brooke Patterson – Ysgol Bro Gwaun
2il – Debora Calocane – HHVC
3ydd – Emma Nicholas – Greenhill ac Eira Kaill-Franks – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi
Canmoliaeth uchel – Janelle Cabral – HHVC
Gradd 4
1af – Ruby Rapi – Ysgol Bro Preseli ac Elena Gould
2il – Sara James – Ysgol Caer Elen
3ydd – Kitty Kingsnorth
Canmoliaeth uchel – Grace Tilbury – Harri Tudur
Gradd 5
1af – Annabel John – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi
2il – Cosmo Karenin – Ysgol Bro Gwaun
3ydd – Anwen Sims – Ysgol Caer Elen
Gradd 6
1af – Seren Barrett – Greenhill a Mia Burnett – HHVC
2il – Tom Bridger – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi
3ydd – Gwenna Kennerley – HHVC
Canmoliaeth uchel – Esyllt Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli
Llinynnau agored
1af – Isabel Raymond – Ysgol Caer Elen
2il – Maria Cabral – HHVC
3ydd – Daisy Whitfield – Ysgol Bro Preseli
Canmoliaeth uchel – Freya Prout – Coleg Sir Benfro ac Ella Bromby – Greenhill
Y PIANO A’R DELYN
Gradd 3 a 4
1af – Harry Thomas – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi
2il – Anwen Sims – Ysgol Caer Elen
3ydd – Steffan James – Ysgol Caer Elen
Canmoliaeth uchel – Martha Bhari – Harri Tudur
Gradd 5
1af – Abbie Collinson – Greenhill
2il – Sara James – Ysgol Caer Elen a Siddha Saini – Ysgol Bro Preseli
3ydd – Tom Bridger – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi ac Elena Gould (addysg gartref)
Gradd 6
1af – Cosmo Karenin – Ysgol Bro Gwaun
2il – Sebastian Semaani-Rodriguez – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi a Megan Evans – Ysgol Caer Elen
3ydd – Emily Thomas – Greenhill
Canmoliaeth uchel – Matthew Shaw – Greenhill ac Isabel Ramond – Ysgol Caer Elen
Piano agored
1af – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli
2il – Lefi Dafydd – Ysgol Bro Preseli
3ydd – Iestyn Barrellie – Greenhill
Canmoliaeth uchel – Jenifer Rees
CIT DRYMIAU/OFFERYNNAU TARO
Gradd 3-6
1af – William Rowe – Penrhyn Dewi
2il – Sam Berry – Ysgol Bro Gwaun a Jensen Luker – Ysgol Caer Elen
Cit Drymiau agored
1af – Dylan Sanders-Swales – HHVC
2il – Libby Phillips – HHVC
GITÂR
Gradd 3-5
1af – Lewis Murray – Ysgol Bro Gwaun
2il – Steffan James – Ysgol Caer Elen
Gitâr agored
1af – Willis Riley – Greenhill
JAZZ
Gradd 3-5
1af – Tom Pounder – MHS
2il – Eryn Howlett – MHS
Jazz agored
1af – Dylan Sanders-Swales – HHVC
2il – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli
3ydd – Jed Davies – Coleg Sir Benfro
CERDDORIAETH LEISIOL
Cerddoriaeth leisiol boblogaidd blynyddoedd 7-9
1af – Bella Carrol – Harri Tudur
2il – Sophie Jones – Harri Tudur
3ydd – Maisie Tennick – Caer Elen
Canmoliaeth uchel – Davinia Foster – Harri Tudur
Cerddoriaeth leisiol boblogaidd blynyddoedd 10-13
1af – Millie Evans-Thomas – Greenhill
2il – Honey Johnston – HHVC, Mia Young – Greenhill a Libby Banner – HHVC
3ydd – Lacey-May Mattson – HHVC a Gwenna Kennerley – HHVC
Canmoliaeth uchel – Theo Butland – Harri Tudur
Theatr gerddorol a cherddoriaeth leisiol glasurol blynyddoedd 7-9
1af – Maya Welton – Ysgol Bro Preseli
2il – Claire Hooper-Rees – HHVC
3ydd – Martha Bhari – Harri Tudur a Rosabelle Chatwin – Ysgol Caer Elen
Canmoliaeth uchel – Caitlyn Sanders-Swales – MHS
Theatr gerddorol a cherddoriaeth leisiol glasurol blynyddoedd 10-13
1af – Ella Bromby – Greenhill
2il – Iestyn Finch – HHVC
3ydd – Mia Burnett – HHVC a Bella McCare – HHVC
Canmoliaeth uchel – Edie Morris – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi
Cerddoriaeth leisiol agored
1af – Rhys Williams – Harri Tudur
2il – Eliza Jessica Bradbury – Coleg Sir Benfro
3ydd – Megan Lloyd – MHS
Canmoliaeth uchel – Bethan Raymond – HHVC
ENSEMBLES
Ensemble offerynnol gradd 5-
1af – Pedwarawd ffidil Ysgol Bro Preseli
2il – Triawd clarinet Greenhill
Ensemble offerynnol agored
1af – Ysgol Bro Preseli deuawd piano
2il – Ysgol Bro Preseli piano a ffliwt
3ydd – Pedwarawd ffidil HHVC
Ensemble lleisiol agored
1af – Ensemble lleisiau uwch HHVC
2il – ensemble lleisiau is HHVC
3ydd – Ensemble lleisiol Harri Tudur
Ensemble roc a phop gradd 5-
1af – Ysgol Caer Elen
2il – HHVC
3ydd – Harri Tudur
Canmoliaeth uchel – HHVC Band 2
Ensemble roc a phop agored
1af – “The Messiaens” – HHVC
2il – HHVC KS4 band
3ydd – Band ysgol Greenhill
Canmoliaeth uchel – HHVC Band #1
Education
Disabled children ‘denied rights to education’
DISABLED children and young people in Wales are being fundamentally let down and denied their right to education, Senedd Members warned.
Buffy Williams, who chairs the children’s committee, led a debate after an inquiry found many disabled children do not have equal access to education and childcare.
The Labour politician raised concerns about the Welsh Government rejecting six of the 32 recommendations emerging from the committee’s 239-page report.
She welcomed recognition that more must be done to uphold children’s rights to education.
But, addressing Welsh ministers, Ms Williams warned: “We do not feel that your response commits to a step change in the pace and scale of the action required to do so.
“Our committee, like the online advisory group, worries that maybe you are not giving these issues the priority they deserve.”
She told the Senedd that families’ distressing experiences left an imprint, with the committee hearing some children are thinking about and attempting suicide due to a lack of support.
Ms Williams said parents, carers and young people on the advisory group believe ministers’ formal response to the report fails to recognise the seriousness of the issues families face.
She warned the Welsh Government appears to have “resigned” itself to a substantial shortfall in inclusive childcare for disabled and neurodivergent children.
Criticising ministers’ decision to rebuff calls for mandatory training on disability for all school staff, she stressed the importance of understanding and meeting children’s needs.
Ms Williams, who represents Rhondda, said the Welsh Government’s response appears to delegate responsibility for equity in childcare and education to councils.
She asked: “What more will it take for the Welsh Government to step in, to give local authorities the support they so clearly need?”
Gareth Davies said support for disabled children is patchy across Wales, with schools lacking funding, staff and expertise to deliver inclusive education.
Mr Davies, the Conservatives’ shadow mental health minister, warned that disabled children disproportionately experience bullying in school as he called for greater safeguards.
Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan described the committee’s inquiry as heartbreaking, with failings having a devastating impact on families.
She told the debating chamber or Siambr that children as young as five or six have been traumatised and failed by the education system.
Carolyn Thomas, a Labour backbencher who chairs the petitions committee, stated the Senedd has received five petitions on Wales’ additional learning needs (ALN) reforms.
“The sheer number of petitions and signatures highlights the strength of feeling,” she said.
South Wales East Laura Anne Jones warned ALN support is one of the most pressing issues facing families, with lower-level needs “falling under the radar”.
She said it is disgraceful that so many teachers and assistants still lack basic neurodiversity training, which leads to disabled children’s behaviour being wrongly labelled disruptive.
Calling for urgent action, the Conservative criticised ministers for failing to accept “crucial” recommendations, saying: “Inclusive education is not a luxury, it is a right.”
Hefin David, whose daughter is autistic, sought to place the debate in historical context as he drew on his own family’s experiences.
He said: “In the 1970s and ’80s, my daughter would have been in an institution for most of her early life, she would have spent the whole time there.”
The Caerphilly Senedd Member recognised that progress is sometimes not fast enough but he emphasised that young people are being treated better today than ever before.
Dr David, who is stepping down from the children’s committee, said: “To take too much of a downbeat note on these things is to devalue the experience of those who suffered.”
The Labour politician described the 32 recommendations as “too many”, warning this is problematic in terms of setting people up to fail with resources spread so thin.
Responding to the debate on November 12, Lynne Neagle apologised to families for their experiences which she said made for distressing and sobering reading.
Wales’ education secretary said: “I am truly sorry … and I say on behalf of the [Welsh] Government that it is not good enough.”
Ms Neagle, whose first job after university was working with parents of disabled children, recognised that families too often feel the need to fight for support.
“It affected me deeply,” she told the Senedd. “And I want to acknowledge that not enough has changed for enough families – we can and we must do better.”
She said: “Rights on their own are not enough, they must be translated into action…. I know too many children and families have been waiting too long for their rights to become action.
“Like them, I am impatient for change. As a government, we will not stop until we get it right for all children and young people in Wales.”
Business
Kurtz addresses Employment and Skills Convention
SENEDD Member Samuel Kurtz kicked off an Employment and Skills Convention at the Cardiff City Stadium recently, organised by the Learning and Skills Institute. The event sought to unite organisations, businesses, and training providers to discuss critical issues surrounding employment and skills development across Wales.
The convention featured a panel of distinguished speakers, including local Samuel Kurtz MS, who is the Shadow Minister for the Economy and Energy; Rhys Morris, Managing Director of The Busy Group; and Megan Hooper, Director for Employment and Skills at Serco. Together, they explored strategies for increasing employment and the positive impacts this can have on individuals, young people, and the broader community.
Following the event, Samuel Kurtz said: “It was a privilege to speak at this convention and to underscore the vital role of collaboration between government and the private sector in aligning skills and training with the evolving needs of our economy.
“By enhancing skills and creating jobs, we can foster a resilient workforce that will not only meet today’s demands but also drive essential green infrastructure projects, ensuring a prosperous future for young people in Wales.
“Welsh Government Ministers must acknowledge their role in addressing high levels of economic inactivity. Introducing employment targets is essential to support people in re-entering the workforce and contributing to Wales’ economic growth.”
Education
Concern over ‘highest-ever’ school bullying rates
RATES of bullying in Welsh schools have reached record levels, with more than one in three children and young people reporting being bullied, the Senedd heard.
Gareth Davies raised concerns about a 6% increase in bullying between 2021 and 2023, according to a survey of more than 130,000 pupils in 200 secondary schools.
The Conservatives’ shadow mental health minister told the Senedd: “These results are higher than ever previously reported in the survey, which is deeply troubling.”
He said the latest survey showed regression on “just about every metric of pupil wellbeing”, including growing social isolation and a rise in behavioural issues.
Mr Davies, who worked in the NHS in north Wales for more than a decade, pointed to a 2021 legal duty to have regard to the mental health of children and young people.
He said: “The mental health of pupils has declined and reports of bullying in schools have only increased, so the Welsh Government have failed in that duty, unfortunately.”
Plaid Cymru’s Cefin Campbell called for an update to 2019 anti-bullying guidance for school governing bodies following a commitment from the Welsh Government eight months ago.
The shadow education secretary focused on the impact of poverty, warning the high cost of school uniforms can cause stress and lead to bullying.
Mr Campbell, a former lecturer, expressed concerns about penalties, such as detention, for pupils over non-compliance with uniform policies.
Raising a report on “horrific” experiences of racism in Welsh schools, he said one pupil was told a classmate did not want to sit next to them due to the colour of their skin.
“That’s entirely unacceptable in our schools,” said Mr Campbell.
Labour’s Carolyn Thomas warned children’s mental health is at an all-time low, pointing to smartphones and social media as major contributing factors.
She said: “They can be used to bully, manipulate and control, sending young people into an isolated world of despair, not thinking they can get out of it or go to somebody for help.”
The North Wales politician highlighted a petition calling for a ban on phones in schools.
Rhys ab Owen, an independent who represents South Wales Central, stressed that bullying can impact people for decades to come after school.
“But it’s an issue that doesn’t affect learners equally,” he said. “In Cardiff, around a third of learners come from ethnically diverse backgrounds.
“And I was staggered to read a survey from 2020, which said that 61.5% of learners had expressed stereotypes over skin colour, religion and nationality.”
In a statement on November 12 to mark anti-bullying week, Lynne Neagle accepted that bullying continues to be an issue in Welsh schools.
Pledging to prioritise the problem, Wales’ education secretary said new statutory anti-bullying guidance will be published for consultation after Christmas.
Ms Neagle pointed to concerning trends, including 42% of girls scoring high or very high in a questionnaire on psychological problems compared with 27% of boys.
She told the Senedd: “I wouldn’t want to be a teenager growing up today.”
Ms Neagle stated the Welsh Government provided more than £800,000 this year for one of the biggest surveys of children and young people in the UK.
She said: “The link between bullying and mental health is well known. At its most extreme, young people have taken their own lives as a result of being bullied. This is a tragedy for the young life lost, for their family and friends and for whole communities.”
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