Education

Pembrokeshire student celebrates DofE gold at Buckingham Palace

Published

10 months ago

May 26, 2025

WHEN it comes to endurance, Pembrokeshire schoolgirl Carys Rycroft ranks up there with the elite after becoming one of the youngest people in the UK to earn the highly prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

Completing it when she was aged just 17, Carys’ achievement was acknowledged this week when she attended a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace in the presence of Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Speaking with Carys, it soon becomes apparent that her motivation levels are exemplary. At six o-clock that morning, she told me that she’d ridden Dewi, the Arab thoroughbred gelding, along a section of the Pembrokeshire Coast path as part of a training schedule for next month’s Man versus Horse’ endurance race where riders have to cover up to 24 miles of tough terrain, predominantly in the hills around Llanwrtyd Wells, and complete the ride within six hours. Last year Carys galloped her way through 60 riders to finish 15th.

**Carys: With a big smile on her face at last year’s Man Versus Horse race**

To achieve the DofE Gold Award, Carys also had to spend four nights and five days on a residential expedition, which had to be carried out with people she had never previously met. She decided to join a yacht crew and sail from Hayling Island in Plymouth, to Cowes, where she learnt the intricacies of sailing and worked cohesively with her crew.

Hand-in-hand with these extreme challenges, Carys was preparing for her A’ levels in physics, chemistry, biology and art after achieving 13 A*s and one A in her GCSEs at Ysgol y Preseli in 2023.

What makes her accomplishments even more pronounced is the fact that she has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

“Because I’ve always loved being outdoors, doing the Duke of Edinburgh Award and training for events like the Man versus Horse endurance race is a perfectly natural thing to do,” Carys told The Herald.

“In many ways, I found travelling up to London and going to Buckingham Palace in smart clothes far more scary.

“Yes, having ASD means that mixing socially with people can sometimes be difficult, so sailing with a crew of people I’d never met before was nerve-wracking. But it was as if I’d known them for years and they made the whole experience so easy. In fact the skipper said that it was one of the closest and most fun groups he’d ever had.

“I loved learning how to sail, and I definitely want to do some sailing races, but because of my A levels, this has had to be put temporarily on my to-do list.”

Like so many students as they enter Year 10, Carys promptly signed up for the bronze DofE, choosing music as her skill, (she’s a dedicated euphonium player who plays with the Goodwick Senior Brass Band the South Wales Youth Band and the Pembrokeshire Youth Brass Band), horse riding as her physical requirement and litter picking and helping out at Fishguard Cinema for volunteering.

“Watching Carys arrive back from those walking expeditions, when she was doing the bronze and the silver DofE Awards, always made us laugh because there was Carys, skipping or running down the hill, while everyone else was exhausted,” laughed her mother, Sharon Jenkins.

“But this is so typical of her energy levels. Last year she hiked all the way across Wales for her Gold, and now she wants to walk the entire Welsh coastal path for her own personal challenge.

“She really is an incredibly strong person who’s achieving so much, but also being so determined to do all these new challenges. Her ASD specialist recently told me that if she hadn’t been given the opportunity to take part in all these different things from a very young age, she’d probably be unable to cope with her day to day life.”

Meanwhile Carys is preparing for her next academic venture, with a view to studying medicine and forensic pathology.

“I’m still not sure which universities to apply for, but wherever I end up, I’ll most definitely be carrying on with my horse riding and sailing,” she said. “I’m also trying to find out which universities have brass bands in their area.

“The DofE has been a brilliant way for me to expand on interests I already had, as well as giving me the chance to try out new ones, such as sailing. But most importantly, it’s helped me see that once I set my mind to achieve something, dedication and determination will always help me succeed.”

Education

Prendergast School achieves gold award for Armed Forces support

Published

19 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Top honour recognises commitment to Service children and families

PRENDERGAST CP School in Haverfordwest has been awarded the highest possible recognition for its support of Armed Forces families.

The school has secured Gold Armed Forces Friendly School Cymru status, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing work to support pupils from Service backgrounds.

Headteacher Louise John said the achievement reflects a strong, whole-school commitment to ensuring Service children feel supported and able to succeed.

She said: “We are committed to ensuring Service pupils feel welcomed, understood and able to thrive.

“We recognise the unique experiences of children from Service families and have worked hard to embed that understanding across the school.

“Our approach focuses on early identification, strong communication with families, and consistent pastoral support.

“Achieving Gold status recognises the dedication of our staff and the inclusive practices already in place, while reinforcing our ongoing commitment to supporting Service children’s wellbeing, sense of belonging, and educational success.”

The Gold award, delivered through Supporting Service Children in Education Cymru (SSCE Cymru), requires schools to demonstrate strong and sustained support for Service children. This includes creating a positive environment where pupils can share their experiences and strengthening links with the wider Armed Forces community.

Prendergast CP School previously achieved both Bronze and Silver awards before progressing to the top level.

Cllr Simon Hancock, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Armed Forces Champion, praised the achievement.

He said: “I would like to congratulate Prendergast School on achieving the coveted Gold Armed Forces Friendly School Cymru status.

“From my visits, it is clear the school actively engages with the Armed Forces community and provides a positive and supportive environment for Service children.”

Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, added: “This is fantastic recognition of the ongoing work at Prendergast School.

“It highlights the importance of supporting Armed Forces families and sets a strong example of best practice. Well done to everyone involved.”

Education

4 Essential Cyber Security Tips to Protect Your Data

Published

24 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Staff Writer

Protecting your personal data and financial information is crucial. With scammers and hijackers getting more and more sophisticated, you need to implement proper cyber security systems in order to keep yourself protected.

With that in mind, here are four cybersecurity tips to help you stay safe online.

Use Strong Passwords

A strong password is a basic security essential. A password that’s difficult to guess makes it harder for unauthorised users to gain access.

When creating a password, consider these guidelines:

Length – the longer the better, as there’s more opportunity to get it wrong
Character variation – use a combination of upper and lower case, symbols, and numbers
Avoid personal information – birthdays or other important dates, names, streets etc.
Keep passwords unique – don’t use the same password on different sites

It’s also a good idea to set up two-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security, should your password be compromised.

Most people use simple passwords so they’re easy to remember, but this can be risky. If you struggle to remember complex passwords, consider using a password manager such as NordPass to securely store your passwords.

Remain Vigilant

It’s important to remain vigilant of scams or phishing attempts. They usually come through as emails or text messages and there are a few clear signs of malicious intent:

Misspellings – particularly in the email address itself
Pressure to take action – scammers often aim to create a sense or urgency to get you to take action without thinking
Asking for sensitive information – legitimate companies don’t typically ask for passwords or financial details via text or email. Never give personal information away without verifying the legitimacy of the site and the correspondence
Suspicious links – don’t click links that you’re unsure of or ones where the URL destination is completely different to the hyperlinked text (you can hover over links without clicking to see this)

Keep Your Software Up to Date

Keeping your software up-to-date ensures that you remain protected. Software updates are often designed to bridge security gaps and protect against new threats, plus new systems are typically better equipped to resist malware. Consider turning on automatic updates so you don’t miss any.

Remove Malware Immediately

If you notice that your device is slower than usual, apps that you don’t recognise have been installed, or pop-up ads are appearing everywhere, you may have malware on your device.

It’s important to run a scan to detect malware if you suspect your device has been affected, and remove it promptly. There is plenty of step-by-step help out there that can help you remove malware from your device.

Safeguard Your Data

By using strong passwords, remaining vigilant of scams and phishing attempts, keeping your software and devices up to date, and removing malware as soon as possible, you can help ensure your personal and financial information remains secure.

Education

Milford Haven school plans unveiled but funding not yet secured

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PLANS for a new £100 million school in Milford Haven have been unveiled, but the project has not yet secured full approval and remains subject to further funding decisions.

Pembrokeshire County Council this week released details of the proposed development, alongside a professionally produced video featuring First Minister Eluned Morgan, senior council figures and school leaders outlining the vision for a modern, state-of-the-art school.

The announcement comes just seven weeks before the Senedd election.

The proposed scheme would see the development of a new, purpose-built school designed to provide modern learning environments for pupils across Milford Haven and the surrounding area. Plans include specialist teaching facilities, improved accessibility throughout the site, and enhanced outdoor learning and play areas.

Council officials say the project will also place a strong emphasis on sustainability, incorporating energy-efficient systems and modern building standards aimed at reducing long-term environmental impact and running costs.

Outline stage only

Despite the high-profile launch, the project is currently at Strategic Outline Case (SOC) stage — an early stage in the public sector approval process.

SOC approval means the scheme has been accepted in principle, but key elements — including final costs, detailed design and overall value for money — have not yet been fully assessed.

Crucially, no final funding commitment has yet been made.

Before the project can proceed to construction, it must pass through the full business case (FBC) process. This stage requires detailed financial modelling, technical planning and formal sign-off from funding bodies, including the Welsh Government.

Only if that process is successfully completed will funding be formally approved and delivery authorised.

Political and funding context

Major school developments in Wales are typically delivered through joint funding arrangements between local authorities and the Welsh Government, often under long-term investment programmes aimed at modernising the education estate.

While both council leaders and Welsh Government representatives have expressed support for the Milford Haven project, schemes at SOC stage can still be subject to revision, delay or, in some cases, may not proceed if funding or value-for-money criteria are not met.

Large infrastructure announcements are often made at this stage to outline ambition and begin public engagement, ahead of final decisions on funding and delivery.

Long-running campaign

Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education, said he had been working towards securing a new school for several years.

He said: “I have been Cabinet Member for Education since 2019 and I have been fighting for a new school for Milford all that time.

“This project represents a major investment in our children’s future and will provide a safe, modern and inclusive environment where pupils can thrive.”

The Welsh Government has also welcomed the plans, describing them as part of its wider programme to improve school facilities across Wales.

Community involvement

The council has confirmed that the next phase of the project will involve consultation and engagement with pupils, staff, parents and local residents.

This process is expected to help shape the detailed design of the school before a full business case is submitted.

Not yet a confirmed build

While the plans have been presented as a significant step forward for education in Milford Haven, the project remains a proposal rather than a confirmed construction scheme.

At this stage, timelines for delivery have not been finalised, and progression will depend on the outcome of the business case process and the availability of funding.

For now, the new school remains an ambition backed in principle — but not yet a guaranteed build.

Cover image:

Delighted with announcement: First Minister, Eluned Morgan MS