Education

Young people’s incredible musical talents celebrated at festival

Published

3 years 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

Free school meals to be expanded for secondary pupils in Wales

Published

10 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

£15m investment will support Year 7 and 8 pupils in Universal Credit households from September

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has confirmed an additional £15m investment to begin expanding free school meals for eligible secondary school pupils.

The funding will support plans to extend free school meal entitlement to secondary pupils whose households receive Universal Credit, removing the current household income threshold.

At present, secondary school pupils can only receive free school meals if their family receives Universal Credit and household earnings are below £7,400, excluding benefits.

From September, parents of pupils in Years 7 and 8 are expected to be able to apply under the new scheme, regardless of household income, provided the family receives Universal Credit.

The £15m package forms part of the Welsh Government’s supplementary budget for 2026-27.

It will include £10m in capital funding for school kitchens and dining areas, alongside £5m in revenue funding to help introduce the expanded scheme.

The move follows the previous roll-out of free school meals to all primary school children in Wales, which was delivered as part of the former co-operation agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.

Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Anna Brychan, said the funding marked “the first step” in extending free school meals to more secondary pupils.

She said: “This work is about removing barriers to learning and supporting wellbeing.

“We know that access to nutritious food improves concentration, attainment and overall health.

“Building on the success of universal primary free school meals, we will ensure that as children move into secondary education those who need it most will continue to receive the support they need to thrive.”

First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth said extending eligibility to more families on Universal Credit was part of wider efforts to tackle child poverty.

He said: “Starting this work is a key aspect of our 100 Day Plan and beyond — taking practical action by putting money back into families’ pockets and ensuring every young person has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background.”

Further details on the roll-out are expected to be announced in due course.

Education

High Court warning as council reissues school closure notice in Carmarthenshire

Published

10 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Campaigners say Carmarthenshire must properly consider alternatives after judge’s ruling and last-minute amendment to statutory notice.

A HIGH COURT judge has warned Carmarthenshire County Council that alternative proposals to closing Ysgol Meidrim must be given proper and conscientious consideration before any final decision is made.

The ruling follows a judicial review challenge brought by parent Leia Perry over the council’s decision to consult on the future of the Welsh-medium rural primary school.

Although the High Court did not halt the closure process, campaigners say the judgment raises serious questions about the way the council has handled the matter.

Ysgol Meidrim, near St Clears, currently has around 30 pupils and has been earmarked for closure, with children expected to transfer to other schools from January 2027.

But the school community has mounted a determined campaign to keep it open, arguing that the school remains central to the future of the village, the Welsh language and rural life in the area.

The judgment, handed down by His Honour Judge Jarman KC, found that the challenge should be allowed to proceed, but ultimately dismissed it on the basis that the council still has an opportunity to properly consider alternatives during the ongoing process.

However, the judge made clear that those alternatives must now be considered conscientiously.

Campaigners say this is a significant warning to the council.

Ffred Ffransis, speaking on behalf of Cymdeithas yr Iaith in Carmarthenshire, said the organisation was not a party to the legal action, but understood why a parent of a child with severe medical needs had taken the case.

He said: “The judge criticised the lack of clear communication from the council and that governors had the impression that the council had not yet seriously considered alternatives to closure of Ysgol Meidrim, but found that the evidence did not yet reach the high threshold for legal intervention.

“He has warned the council that they must give conscientious consideration to the alternative proposals drawn up by governors.”

The governors’ proposals include developing the school as part of a wider community hub and exploring federation options rather than closure.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith said the council now had two choices: to press ahead regardless, or to withdraw the closure notice and enter into genuine discussions with governors over their plans.

Mr Ffransis added: “The council must at least demonstrate a new open attitude during the objections period to discussing the alternative proposals.”

The row has deepened after Carmarthenshire County Council was forced to withdraw and reissue its closure notice just three days after it was first published.

According to Cymdeithas yr Iaith, the original notice, issued on June 16, listed nearby Ysgol Bancyfelin as one of three receiving schools. The notice was then withdrawn after it emerged that Ysgol Bancyfelin was already over capacity.

A revised closure notice has now been issued, with the objection period extended until July 17.

The campaign group said this raised further concerns about the way the process was being handled.

Notices have also been placed at the school gates by supporters, making clear that Ysgol Meidrim remains open and encouraging parents to register children there.

One notice states that the judicial review judgment was critical of the council’s handling of the matter and that the future of the school has not yet been decided.

The campaign has attracted wider attention because of the Welsh Government’s presumption against closing rural schools.

Under the School Organisation Code, councils must carefully consider all reasonable alternatives before deciding to close a rural school, including federation and wider community use.

Campaigners argue that Ysgol Meidrim is not simply an education issue, but a question about the survival of Welsh-speaking rural communities.

The council has previously cited low pupil numbers, surplus places, budget pressures and curriculum challenges as reasons for proposing closure.

But opponents say the financial savings are small compared with the impact on the village and its Welsh-medium provision.

Education

Senedd Members walk out after Reform MS’s comments

Published

17 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Ella Groves, ICNN Senedd Reporter

COMMENTS made by a Reform MS led to a walkout in the Senedd during a debate on the Welsh Government’s international spending.

A Reform motion, calling for an end to all Welsh Government international spending, was rejected by Senedd Members on Wednesday June 17.

Wednesday’s plenary opened with Llywydd Huw Irranca-Davies reminding members to mind their language and tone when contributing, following clashes between Reform UK’s Joe Martin and the First Minister in Tuesday’s proceedings.

Mr Irranca-Davies said: “Robust disagreement is part of democratic debate, but it must always be grounded in respect and we must avoid using language that has the potential to inflame debate or to increase tensions.”

The debate was opened by Reform’s shadow minister for finance and government efficiency, Cai Parry-Jones, but it was the contribution made by Caerdydd Penarth MS Joe Martin which sparked the most controversy.

Announcing to his colleagues that he had “good news”, Mr Martin began his statement by sharing that he had “found the £9 million” needed for Plaid’s “childcare idea”.

However, Mr Martin then added that the “bad news” was to get the money the government would have to stop funding “some of the most pointless schemes known to man”.

One example Mr Martin gave of these so-called “pointless schemes” was a beekeeping scheme in Uganda designed to advance gender equality.

The scheme, run by Bees for Development and their partner organisation, The Uganda National Apiculture Development Organisation, aimed to enhance women’s economic empowerment through beekeeping.

It challenged gender norms in the industry, increasing the visibility of women in technical and policy leaderships roles.

Mr Martin then suggested Wales had won the “Who can find the stupidest use of taxpayer money?” competition because of a scheme supporting tree planting in Uganda.

He said: “We actually asked some Ugandan people what they thought about Wales’s scheme to send them money for trees and they said, ‘Why are you sending us money for trees?’

“We then asked the same question to some Welsh students who had been through our underfunded education system, but we didn’t get a reply because we had e-mailed them and they couldn’t read.”

Mr Martin went on to criticise the money spent on mini embassies abroad.

He said: “In India, one of the functions of those mini embassies is to recruit nurses to come and work in our NHS, which is great because it means that the Welsh people who would have otherwise become nurses can instead go on universal credit.”

The Reform MS then added: “I have enquired as to why we can’t just have an enormous pit where we burn all the money, but apparently that’s not compliant with net zero.”

At this point in Mr Martin’s statement Plaid Cymru’s Zaynub Akbar, of Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf, announced she was going to leave the Siambr.

She said: “I don’t accept any of this and I don’t want to be a part of it, so I’ll be leaving the chamber.”

She was followed by numerous other Senedd Members, including Trefnydd and chief whip Heledd Fychan.

Mr Martin was then reminded by the Llywydd of Senedd rules, which mandate respect in the chamber, before he could continue his contribution.

He concluded his speech to the Senedd by saying: “In Westminster, the Tory party doubled foreign aid whilst imposing austerity. There are now only seven of them in this chamber. The same fate awaits any party that insults taxpayers by frittering money overseas on feel-good vanity projects.

“So, I want to encourage the Party of Wales to be nationalist, to put Wales first. Spend your constituents’ money on your constituents. That way, when someone is lying in a hospital corridor and they ask you, ‘are you really the Party of Wales?’, you’ll be able to say ‘yes’.”

At the end of the debate, the Llywydd directly addressed Mr Martin calling for him to “reflect” on his remarks and contributions, noting that it was “not in line with [his] expectations”.

Mr Irranca-Davies described it as “particularly disappointing” given the comments he made at the beginning of plenary.

He said: “Going forward, I think we all need to reflect on this and make sure that we comply with our conduct within this chamber and the way we comport ourselves in light of my remarks.”

Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar expressed his support for the Reform-backed motion, saying it is a debate about where responsibilities lie.

He said: “It’s very clear that foreign relations, international development are matters for the UK Government, not the Welsh Government, and as a result of that, I believe that we respect devolution and can expect respect for devolution back when we respect the boundaries of our legislative competence and the competence of the Welsh Government’s position as well.”

Mr Millar highlighted that his party has continuously argued against the development of “mini embassies” and “overseas offices”.

The Conservative leader did clarify however that he is not “anti-international aid”, and noted the “generous” nature of the people of Wales.

But he added: “I do not believe that when people are dying waiting for ambulances, when we’re at the bottom of the educational tree as far as the league table of the United Kingdom is concerned, and when our road infrastructure isn’t working, our transport infrastructure is creaking, that it’s right to spend those millions of pounds on those things, when the Welsh Government should be focused on the things for which it is responsible.”

Taking an intervention from Labour’s Huw Thomas, Mr Millar was questioned on whether he recognises that the majority of international spending is on economic development for Wales.

Mr Millar once again referred to the role of the UK Government, noting that it is their responsibility to bring inward investment to the UK as a whole.

He said: “We will always want to be an internationalist country, looking out and seeking to influence the world, but we do that as part of the United Kingdom, an integral part of the United Kingdom.

“And I’m proud to be a member not only of the Welsh Conservative Party, but of the Conservative and Unionist Party, and I believe in the union of the United Kingdom, and that these foreign relationships and international development are done better as a United Kingdom as a whole.”

Plaid Cymru’s Gwyn Williams shared a notably different perspective to that of his Conservative and Reform colleagues.

Prior to being elected to the Senedd, Dr Williams was a consultant ophthalmologist specialising in retina care at Swansea Bay University Health Board.

Speaking as someone who has worked within the Welsh NHS Dr Williams said: “Wales has long been a country that looks beyond our own horizons, looking to make a difference in the world and help where we can, but also we rely on help coming in to us as well.

“Many, many healthcare workers, of course, come from abroad, especially here in Wales, and every hospital in the country would crumble if all the international workers went home.”

He continued: “In Singleton Hospital in Swansea, in the eye department, I am the only Welsh-speaking, Welsh-origin consultant there, and much as I like to convince myself that I can do the work of ten people, I cannot, especially now because I am here.

“Chronic shortages in these sectors increase hospital discharge delays, reduce bed availability and create bottlenecks across the healthcare system.

“At a time when the NHS is struggling, we need the support from abroad as well, though we also, of course, need to grow our own ability.”

Concluding his statement Dr Williams said: “This whole debate tries to position international investment and domestic investment as a zero-sum game. It isn’t.

“Looking outwards does not come at the expense of looking inwards. I suggest that such a simplistic outlook condescends to the people of Wales and stymies science.”

Dafydd Trystan Davies, minister for government effectiveness and the constitution

The cabinet minister for government effectiveness, Dafydd Trystan Davies, called for reflection on the tone of the debate, suggesting that the “standard of this debate [had] descended to the level of a public house, not of a national Senedd”.

He said: “My friend the leader of the Welsh Conservatives made a speech, and I disagree with more or less all of it, and yet it was conducted properly and in line with the standing orders and the procedures of this Senedd.

“I think we should all take our duties properly as parliamentarians, whatever views we agree or disagree on.”

Dr Trystan Davies highlighted that international spending makes up just 0.03% of the Welsh Government’s overall budget, which he described as a “small contribution” to “building our prosperity, protecting our public services, strengthening our culture, and promoting our values”.

He said: “Our international work turns that belief into action, creating jobs and investment, exports and partnerships, life-changing experiences for students, new colleagues for our NHS and enabling communities in Wales and beyond to learn from one another.

“When Wales works internationally, Welsh people benefit. Our businesses reach new markets, universities build global partnerships, young people return home with skills and confidence, and Wales’s reputation grows.

“We should be proud of that, not in a narrow way, not with our backs turned to others, but proud to be generous and outward-looking, proud to share, proud to learn – internationalist, not isolationist.”

The motion to end all Welsh Government international spending, tabled in the name of Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni’s Reform MS Llŷr Powell, was rejected by the Senedd with 37 members for and 48 against.

The Siambr then agreed Plaid Cymru minister Heledd Fychan’s amendment, which proposed the Senedd “regrets Reform UK’s isolationist approach to Wales’s place in the world” and “celebrates Wales’ reputation as an internationalist, tolerant and outward-looking nation open for business, which is enhanced by its international engagement, including spending.”

The amended motion was agreed with 48 in favour and 37 against.