Education

Young people’s incredible musical talents celebrated at festival

Published

5 months ago

November 23, 2023

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 19^th), 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 thirdin 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

1^st – Tilly Laugharne – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2^nd – Mali Jones-Hughes – HHVC

3^rd – Erin Dando – MHS

Grade 3 clarinet and saxophone

1^st – Sophie Gilmartin – Greenhill

2^nd – Emily Dickinson – Greenhill

3^rd – Jed Cox – Greenhill

Highly commended – Katherine Jones – Harri Tudur

Grade 4 woodwind

1^st – Tom Pounder – MHS

2^nd – Ollie Towe – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^rd – Bethan Packard – MHS

Grade 5 woodwind

1^st – Ffion Evans – Ysgol Caer Elen

2^nd – Catrin Jones – Ysgol Caer Elen

3^rd – Ela-Gwennon Jones – Ysgol Caer Elen

Grade 6 woodwind

1^st – Noah Jenkins – HHVC

2^nd – Gemma Armstrong – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^rd – Alice Hillen – HHVC and Eryn Howlett – MHS

Open woodwind

1^st – James Townsend – HHVC

2^nd – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^rd – Harry Armstrong – MHS

BRASS

Grade 3 & 4 brass

1^st – Elwyn Powell – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2^nd – Owain Williams – HHVC

3^rd – Harry Thomas – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

Highly commended – Isabella Tawn – HHVC

Grade 5 brass

1^st – Eliza Wood – Greenhill

2^nd – Archie Noyce – Greenhill

3^rd – Gwilym Jones – Ysgol Bro Preseli

Grade 6 brass

1^st – Seren Barrett – Greenhill

2^nd – Ioan Bromby – Greenhill and Andrew Johnson – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^rd – Jaap Harris – Ysgol Bro Preseli

Highly commended – Matthew Shaw – Greenhill, Arlo Jones – Greenhill, Kellan Rycroft – Ysgol Bro Preseli

Open brass

1^st – Carys Wood – HHVC (and overall 2023 winner)

2^nd – Carys Rycroft – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^rd – Filip Middlemist – HHVC

STRINGS

Grade 3

1^st – Brooke Patterson – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2^nd – Debora Calocane – HHVC

3^rd – Emma Nicholas – Greenhill and Eira Kaill-Franks – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

Highly commended – Janelle Cabral – HHVC

Grade 4

1^st – Ruby Rapi – Ysgol Bro Preseli and Elena Gould

2^nd – Sara James – Ysgol Caer Elen

3^rd – Kitty Kingsnorth

Highly commended – Grace Tilbury – Harri Tudur

Grade 5

1^st – Annabel John – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

2^nd – Cosmo Karenin – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

3^rd – Anwen Sims – Ysgol Caer Elen

Grade 6

1^st – Seren Barrett – Greenhill and Mia Burnett – HHVC

2^nd – Tom Bridger – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

3^rd – Gwenna Kennerley – HHVC

Highly commended – Esyllt Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

Open strings

1^st – Isabel Raymond – Ysgol Caer Elen

2^nd – Maria Cabral – HHVC

3^rd – Daisy Whitfield – Ysgol Bro Preseli

Highly commended – Freya Prout – Pembrokeshire College and Ella Bromby – Greenhill

PIANO AND HARP

Grade 3 and 4

1^st – Harry Thomas – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

2^nd – Anwen Sims – Ysgol Caer Elen

3^rd – Steffan James – Ysgol Caer Elen

Highly commended – Martha Bhari – Harri Tudur

Grade 5

1^st – Abbie Collinson – Greenhill

2^nd – Sara James – Ysgol Caer Elen and Siddha Saini – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^rd – Tom Bridger – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi and Elena Gould (homeschooled)

Grade 6

1^st – Cosmo Karenin – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2^nd – Sebastian Semaani-Rodriguez – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi and Megan Evans – Ysgol Caer Elen

3^rd – Emily Thomas – Greenhill

Highly commended – Matthew Shaw – Greenhill and Isabel Ramond – Ysgol Caer Elen

Open piano

1^st – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

2^nd – Lefi Dafydd – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^rd – Iestyn Barrellie – Greenhill

Highly commended – Jenifer Rees

DRUM KIT/PERCUSSION

Grade 3-6

1^st – William Rowe – Penrhyn Dewi

2^nd – Sam Berry – Ysgol Bro Gwaun and Jensen Luker – Ysgol Caer Elen

Open drum kit

1^st – Dylan Sanders-Swales – HHVC

2^nd – Libby Phillips – HHVC

GUITAR

Grade 3-5

1^st – Lewis Murray – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2^nd – Steffan James – Ysgol Caer Elen

Open guitar

1^st – Willis Riley – Greenhill

JAZZ

Grade 3-5

1^st – Tom Pounder – MHS

2^nd – Eryn Howlett – MHS

Open jazz

1^st – Dylan Sanders-Swales – HHVC

2^nd – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^rd – Jed Davies – Pembrokeshire College

VOCALS

Popular vocals years 7-9

1^st – Bella Carrol – Harri Tudur

2^nd – Sophie Jones – Harri Tudur

3^rd – Maisie Tennick – Caer Elen

Highly commended – Davinia Foster – Harri Tudur

Popular vocals years 10-13

1^st – Millie Evans-Thomas – Greenhill

2^nd – Honey Johnston – HHVC, Mia Young – Greenhill and Libby Banner – HHVC

3^rd – Lacey-May Mattson – HHVC and Gwenna Kennerley – HHVC

Highly commended – Theo Butland – Harri Tudur

Musical theatre and classical vocals years 7-9

1^st – Maya Welton – Ysgol Bro Preseli

2^nd – Claire Hooper-Rees – HHVC

3^rd – Martha Bhari – Harri Tudur and Rosabelle Chatwin – Ysgol Caer Elen

Highly commended – Caitlyn Sanders-Swales – MHS

Musical theatre and classical vocals years 10-13

1^st – Ella Bromby – Greenhill

2^nd – Iestyn Finch – HHVC

3^rd – Mia Burnett – HHVC and Bella McCare – HHVC

Highly commended – Edie Morris – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

Open vocals

1^st – Rhys Williams – Harri Tudur

2^nd – Eliza Jessica Bradbury – Pembrokeshire College

3^rd – Megan Lloyd – MHS

Highly commended – Bethan Raymond – HHVC

ENSEMBLES

Instrumental ensemble grade 5-

1^st – Ysgol Bro Preseli violin quartet

2^nd – Greenhill Clarinet trio

Open instrumental ensemble

1st – Ysgol Bro Preseli deuawd piano

2^nd – Ysgol Bro preseli piano a ffliwt

3^rd – HHVC violin quartet

Open vocal ensemble

1^st – HHVC upper voices ensemble

2^nd – HHVC lower voices ensemble

3^rd – Harri Tudur vocal ensemble

Rock and pop ensemble grade 5-

1^st – Ysgol Caer Elen

2^nd – HHVC

3^rd – Harri Tudur

Highly commended – HHVC Band 2

Open Rock and pop ensemble

1^st – “The Messiaens” – HHVC

2^nd – HHVC KS4 band

3^rd – Greenhill school band

Highly commended – HHVC Band #1

Ends

Contact:

Katy Jenkins

Communications

Email: [email protected]

The Council’s press releases are also available on the Authority’s Newsroom

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

1^af – Tilly Laugharne – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2^il – Mali Jones-Hughes – HHVC

3^ydd – Erin Dando – MHS

Clarinet a sacsoffon gradd 3

1^af – Sophie Gilmartin – Greenhill

2^il – Emily Dickinson – Greenhill

3^ydd – Jed Cox – Greenhill

Canmoliaeth uchel – Katherine Jones – Harri Tudur

Chwythbren gradd 4

1^af – Tom Pounder – MHS

2^il – Ollie Towe – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^ydd – Bethan Packard – MHS

Chwythbren gradd 5

1^af – Ffion Evans – Ysgol Caer Elen

2^il – Catrin Jones – Ysgol Caer Elen

3^ydd – Ela-Gwennon Jones – Ysgol Caer Elen

Chwythbren gradd 6

1^af – Noah Jenkins – HHVC

2^il – Gemma Armstrong – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^ydd – Alice Hillen – HHVC ac Eryn Howlett – MHS

Chwythbren agored

1^af – James Townsend – HHVC

2^il – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^ydd – Harry Armstrong – MHS

PRES

Pres gradd 3 a 4

1^af – Elwyn Powell – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2^il – Owain Williams – HHVC

3^ydd – Harry Thomas – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

Canmoliaeth uchel – Isabella Tawn – HHVC

Pres gradd 5

1^af – Eliza Wood – Greenhill

2^il – Archie Noyce – Greenhill

3^ydd – Gwilym Jones – Ysgol Bro Preseli

Pres gradd 6

1^af – Seren Barrett – Greenhill

2^il – Ioan Bromby – Greenhill ac Andrew Johnson – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^ydd – Jaap Harris – Ysgol Bro Preseli

Canmoliaeth uchel – Matthew Shaw – Greenhill, Arlo Jones – Greenhill, Kellan Rycroft – Ysgol Bro Preseli

Pres agored

1^af – Carys Wood – HHVC (ac enillydd cyffredinol 2023)

2^il – Carys Rycroft – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^ydd – Filip Middlemist – HHVC

LLINYNNAU

Gradd 3

1^af – Brooke Patterson – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2^il – Debora Calocane – HHVC

3^ydd – Emma Nicholas – Greenhill ac Eira Kaill-Franks – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

Canmoliaeth uchel – Janelle Cabral – HHVC

Gradd 4

1^af – Ruby Rapi – Ysgol Bro Preseli ac Elena Gould

2^il – Sara James – Ysgol Caer Elen

3^ydd – Kitty Kingsnorth

Canmoliaeth uchel – Grace Tilbury – Harri Tudur

Gradd 5

1^af – Annabel John – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

2^il – Cosmo Karenin – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

3^ydd – Anwen Sims – Ysgol Caer Elen

Gradd 6

1^af – Seren Barrett – Greenhill a Mia Burnett – HHVC

2^il – Tom Bridger – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

3^ydd – Gwenna Kennerley – HHVC

Canmoliaeth uchel – Esyllt Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

Llinynnau agored

1^af – Isabel Raymond – Ysgol Caer Elen

2^il – Maria Cabral – HHVC

3^ydd – 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

1^af – Harry Thomas – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

2^il – Anwen Sims – Ysgol Caer Elen

3^ydd – Steffan James – Ysgol Caer Elen

Canmoliaeth uchel – Martha Bhari – Harri Tudur

Gradd 5

1^af – Abbie Collinson – Greenhill

2^il – Sara James – Ysgol Caer Elen a Siddha Saini – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^ydd – Tom Bridger – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi ac Elena Gould (addysg gartref)

Gradd 6

1^af – Cosmo Karenin – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2^il – Sebastian Semaani-Rodriguez – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi a Megan Evans – Ysgol Caer Elen

3^ydd – Emily Thomas – Greenhill

Canmoliaeth uchel – Matthew Shaw – Greenhill ac Isabel Ramond – Ysgol Caer Elen

Piano agored

1^af – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

2^il – Lefi Dafydd – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^ydd – Iestyn Barrellie – Greenhill

Canmoliaeth uchel – Jenifer Rees

CIT DRYMIAU/OFFERYNNAU TARO

Gradd 3-6

1^af – William Rowe – Penrhyn Dewi

2^il – Sam Berry – Ysgol Bro Gwaun a Jensen Luker – Ysgol Caer Elen

Cit Drymiau agored

1^af – Dylan Sanders-Swales – HHVC

2^il – Libby Phillips – HHVC

GITÂR

Gradd 3-5

1^af – Lewis Murray – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2^il – Steffan James – Ysgol Caer Elen

Gitâr agored

1^af – Willis Riley – Greenhill

JAZZ

Gradd 3-5

1^af – Tom Pounder – MHS

2^il – Eryn Howlett – MHS

Jazz agored

1^af – Dylan Sanders-Swales – HHVC

2^il – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^ydd – Jed Davies – Coleg Sir Benfro

CERDDORIAETH LEISIOL

Cerddoriaeth leisiol boblogaidd blynyddoedd 7-9

1^af – Bella Carrol – Harri Tudur

2^il – Sophie Jones – Harri Tudur

3^ydd – Maisie Tennick – Caer Elen

Canmoliaeth uchel – Davinia Foster – Harri Tudur

Cerddoriaeth leisiol boblogaidd blynyddoedd 10-13

1^af – Millie Evans-Thomas – Greenhill

2^il – Honey Johnston – HHVC, Mia Young – Greenhill a Libby Banner – HHVC

3^ydd – Lacey-May Mattson – HHVC a Gwenna Kennerley – HHVC

Canmoliaeth uchel – Theo Butland – Harri Tudur

Theatr gerddorol a cherddoriaeth leisiol glasurol blynyddoedd 7-9

1^af – Maya Welton – Ysgol Bro Preseli

2^il – Claire Hooper-Rees – HHVC

3^ydd – 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

1^af – Ella Bromby – Greenhill

2^il – Iestyn Finch – HHVC

3^ydd – Mia Burnett – HHVC a Bella McCare – HHVC

Canmoliaeth uchel – Edie Morris – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

Cerddoriaeth leisiol agored

1^af – Rhys Williams – Harri Tudur

2^il – Eliza Jessica Bradbury – Coleg Sir Benfro

3^ydd – Megan Lloyd – MHS

Canmoliaeth uchel – Bethan Raymond – HHVC

ENSEMBLES

Ensemble offerynnol gradd 5-

1^af – Pedwarawd ffidil Ysgol Bro Preseli

2^il – Triawd clarinet Greenhill

Ensemble offerynnol agored

1^af – Ysgol Bro Preseli deuawd piano

2^il – Ysgol Bro Preseli piano a ffliwt

3^ydd – Pedwarawd ffidil HHVC

Ensemble lleisiol agored

1^af – Ensemble lleisiau uwch HHVC

2^il – ensemble lleisiau is HHVC

3^ydd – Ensemble lleisiol Harri Tudur

Ensemble roc a phop gradd 5-

1^af – Ysgol Caer Elen

2^il – HHVC

3^ydd – Harri Tudur

Canmoliaeth uchel – HHVC Band 2

Ensemble roc a phop agored

1^af – “The Messiaens” – HHVC

2^il – HHVC KS4 band

3^ydd – Band ysgol Greenhill

Canmoliaeth uchel – HHVC Band #1

Education

Lib Dem leader meets student union after scrapping of teacher training

Published

21 hours ago

April 29, 2024

Tom Sinclair

Last week, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds visited Aberystwyth University to meet students following the announcement that the University will be scrapping their Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) program.

The announcement comes after the publication of an Estyn inspection report last year, which found that the institution had “been too slow” when it came to prioritising student support.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have now called for the University to produce and implement an action plan that will enable the reintroduction of this course at the earliest opportunity, as well as for the Uni to rectify any similar shortcomings in other training programs.

Commenting, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said:

“Aberystwyth university has long been seen as a cornerstone of education here in Wales, and its role in shaping the future of Welsh-medium education is pivotal.

However, the decision by the Education Workforce Council to withdraw accreditation for their teacher training program now puts this at risk.

The report published by Estyn rightfully identified several flaws in the Uni’s approach to supporting student teachers, along with requiring the University to make significant improvement.

The decision of the EWC suggest that these improvements have not been made.

We are now calling on the University to get their act together, fix the shortcomings in this program and begin plans to reintroduce the course as soon as possible.

Commenting, a spokesperson for the Welsh Young Liberals said: “There was an overwhelming lack of support, especially for Disabled Students, which has been consistent since 2020.

Previous lecturers were always late, and assignments were marked late and inconsistently.

As a joint honours student my timetable is very erratic, and this has an adverse effect on my wellbeing.

This does not however, mean that the course should be cut, Aberystwyth university should be looking to improve the course and help deliver the next generation of teachers.”

Commenting, the Welsh Liberal Democrat PPC for Ceredigion Mark Williams said: “The reputation of Aberystwyth University as a well-respected centre of education is rightfully a source of pride for many residents here in Ceredigion.

This is why it is so dis-heartening to hear that the Uni have failed to take the recommendations in the 2023 Estyn report seriously, leading them into the embarrassing position of losing their accreditation which risks delivering a severe blow to the future of Welsh-medium education.

The lack of foresight from the Uni in this regard is deeply worrying and I hope that, for the sake of both the students and the wider community, they take all the steps needed to restart the course at the earliest opportunity.”

Education

Vaughan Gething that says too many children are in care

Published

2 days ago

April 28, 2024

Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter

TOO MANY children are being taken from their families, the First Minister admitted, with more than one child in every 100 in Wales now living in care.

Vaughan Gething also warned far too many children and young people do not have a good experience of the care system as he gave evidence to a Senedd scrutiny committee.

John Griffiths raised concerns about an 83% increase in the number of children in care over the past two decades between 2003 and 2022.

The Labour MS for Newport East warned care rates are significantly higher than in England, with “massive, unexplained” variation within Wales.

Mr Gething said: “The picture is still broadly one where too many children are taken into care,” adding that “some people get decent outcomes” but “far too many don’t.”

The First Minister stressed that solving the problem is not as straightforward as the Welsh Government declaring “you cannot take children into the care system”.

Pressed about how he will reverse the trend, Mr Gething said the aim is not only to reduce numbers but to work with, and for, looked-after children to deliver better outcomes.

Alistair Davey, the Welsh Government’s deputy director of social services, told committee members that 25% of children in care are placed outside their home county.

Jenny Rathbone, the Labour MS for Cardiff Central, criticised the pace of change, raising concerns about “constant slippage” in the Welsh Government meeting milestones.

Warning that Wales is an outlier, with the high number of children in care an endemic problem, Ms Rathbone said councils are facing “huge” costs and potential bankruptcy.

“We haven’t got time on our side and children’s lives are being affected,” she stressed.

Urged to get a grip, Mr Gething acknowledged the need for urgency but cautioned that there is not a switch to flick that will change outcomes for children and young people.

Mr Griffiths also raised concerns about educational outcomes for looked-after children, with only 17% getting five GCSEs at ‘C’ or above compared with 54% for pupils generally.

James Evans, the Tory MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, highlighted that looked-after children face significant additional challenges such as moving just before exams.

Recognising that such disruption has a very real impact, Mr Gething said GCSE results for looked-after children reflect the challenges in their lives rather than their ability.

He was not convinced about the need for a specific strategy, echoing Carwyn Jones’ concerns about the Welsh Government becoming a “strategy factory”.

Ms Rathbone pressed the First Minister about concerns the Welsh Government’s “woolly” child poverty strategy lacks ambition and focuses too much on levers outside its control.

She said the children’s commissioner, Audit Wales, the Bevan Foundation and many others are among a chorus calling for clear targets on reducing child poverty.

Mr Gething stressed that poverty will be a key priority for his government, which will refocus on investing in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.

He said delivering the objectives of the child poverty strategy would make a radical difference to the lives of children and young people.

Warning that the private sector does not deliver the right quality of care and outcomes, the First Minister set out plans to remove profit from the care of looked-after children.

He explained that Dawn Bowden, the newly-appointed social care minister, will bring forward a bill in the week beginning May 20 before the Senedd’s Whitsun recess.

Mark Isherwood, who represents North Wales, stressed that there is no guarantee a non-profit model will prevent money leaving the sector.

The Conservative warned public sector provision could ultimately cost more and deliver less.

Mr Gething said the reforms are not simply about profit motive, but delivering improved outcomes and making better use of the money.

Warning of a crisis in the social care workforce, James Evans raised concerns about an over-reliance on agency staff with high costs “crippling” councils.

The former councillor said social workers face unmanageable workloads, with as many as 40 cases at a time, as he called for a legal maximum on the number of cases.

Mr Gething rejected the suggestion, saying: “What do you do if you reach a limit and you are not legally allowed to take on any extra work if you have another child who needs support?

“Do you say ‘the inn is full, take your luck in the stable’ or do you say ‘actually, we’ve got to find a way to try to manage with the resources we’ve got’?”

Labour’s Jack Sargeant focused on corporate parenting, warning that more than 25% of children moved care placements twice or more in the year to March.

Mr Sargeant, who represents Alyn and Deeside, backed the “bold and brave” decision to proceed with a basic income pilot for care leavers and asked if it could be extended.

Mr Gething would not give a hard-and-fast commitment, saying an evaluation of the project by Cardiff University will report in 2027 which is beyond the next Senedd election.

However, the First Minister told MSs he would be surprised if Labour was not interested in taking the pilot forward with a manifesto commitment in 2026.

“I certainly hope the evidence allows us to do that,” he told the meeting on April 26.

Asked where care-experienced children sit on his list of priorities, Mr Gething stressed that the government’s commitment to a radical reform summit’s declaration is undimmed.

Education

Conservative calls for academies and free schools rejected by Senedd

Published

5 days ago

April 25, 2024

Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter

THE SENEDD has rejected calls to introduce free schools and academies after a report found major challenges in Wales’ education system.

Tom Giffard led a Conservative debate on educational attainment, warning that Wales is consistently at the bottom of UK-wide league tables.

The party’s new shadow education secretary pointed to an Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) report on education in Wales which found low outcomes and high levels of inequality.

Mr Giffard told the Senedd the IFS report highlights the pitfalls of the Welsh Government putting all its eggs in the basket of a skills-based approach.

Criticising a failure to measure skills inequalities and pupil progress, he stressed that Wales’ lower performance is due to policy and approach rather than funding or the pandemic.

He said: “It seems the Welsh Government relies on Pisa results to tell the story but then, when those same results are all too disappointing, they are dismissed in equal measure.”

Mr Giffard, who previously worked in a primary school, said declines in Pisa results can be observed in almost every country that has adopted a skills-based approach.

Raising concerns about disappointing Pisa results, the South Wales West MS pointed out that Wales saw the lowest scores in the UK for every subject.

Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru’s shadow education secretary, warned that Wales’ schools are understaffed and facing difficult decisions due to budgets being at breaking point.

She criticised implementation of the Welsh Government’s additional learning needs (ALN) reforms, saying schools cannot realise the aims without the budget to bring them to life.

Ms Fychan said Plaid Cymru agreed with much of the Tory motion but her party would not support calls for free schools and academies.

Sam Rowlands described the IFS report as damning, warning that the Welsh Government’s education reforms have been disastrous and have widened inequality.

The Tory MS claimed the reforms are systematically holding back disadvantaged children, saying: “The most remarkable fact is that the performance of disadvantaged children in England is either above or similar to the average for all children in Wales.”

Mr Rowlands added: “The poorest in England’s schools are doing the same or better than the Welsh average, thanks to ambition, the academies and free schools.”

Samuel Kurtz, a fellow Tory, said free schools and academies have driven up standards in England as he argued a Wales roll-out provides an opportunity to improve outcomes.

James Evans, the Conservative MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, highlighted the party’s pledge to get 5,000 more teachers into Wales’ classrooms.

Buffy Williams, the newly elected chair of the Senedd’s education committee, said Wales is undergoing a profound transformation propelled by ALN and curriculum reforms.

The Labour MS for Rhondda stressed the importance of listening to teachers and allowing ample time for the reforms to take root in classrooms across Wales.

Altaf Hussain recounted a conversation he had this week with a headteacher at one of the largest schools in his South Wales West region.

The Conservative said: “The major improvements they have been delivering to attainment and addressing behavioural issues are all at risk because of cuts to funding.

“Vital work undertaken to improve the lives of young people with additional needs could be halted because they cannot afford to continue employing the support workers.”

Lynne Neagle recognised the scale and seriousness of work still ahead to improve Wales’ education system, stressing: “I am not, in any way, complacent about that task.”

Wales’ newly appointed education secretary, who takes over from Jeremy Miles, said sustained improvement in attainment will be among her top priorities.

She told the chamber: “My early focus has been to listen closely to schools and where it is clear that schools seek more scaffolding.”

Ms Neagle said the Welsh Government will work with trade unions and employers to reduce workload and eliminate unnecessary red tape.

The Conservative motion was voted down, 14-35, following the debate on April 24. The motion as amended by the Welsh Government was agreed, 26-23.