News
Milford Haven: Primary schools consider shutting at 12:15pm on Fridays
PARENTS with pupils in many primary schools in Milford Haven have been told that a consultation is underway to see schools shut at 12:15pm on Fridays.
Already, parents have voiced concerns about the plans, which will see break times and lunch times shortened and lessons crammed into a longer school day on Monday to Thursday, with classes starting ten minutes earlier in the mornings.
One mother has told this newspaper that the earlier start and shorter rest times could affect children’s concentration and ability to learn in the afternoons.
A letter sent to parents in St Francis RC Primary School on Monday (Feb 18) states that the new timings are “an exciting time of change, and the shape of the New Curriculum for Wales.
The school says that the earlier finish time of a Friday “would enable pupils, parents and staff to benefit from improved wellbeing through increased family time”.
The school added that there would also be opportunities to benefit from long weekends to spend time with friends, or to engage in sport, hobbies or informal learning. It would also “further support parents who work in and run local businesses and mirror the flexibility in shift patterns shown by major employers in the local area e.g. the nine-day fortnight.”
But Tim Pratt, Director of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Cymru says that it is an insufficiency of funding to Welsh schools is “likely to cause situations where some schools may decide to close early.”
There is currently a funding crisis in primary education in Wales and it is hard to think that a lack of money is not the reason for this change.
The proposed changes mean that staff training or inset time would increase from 23 hours per year to 61 hours a year.
Due to reduced play time and lunch breaks children’s teaching time would not be reduced.
SOUTH PEMBROKESHIRE
Pembroke Dock Community School and Ysgol Harri Tudur have both started closing early on Friday afternoons.
Ysgol Harr Tudur, a high school with around 1,500 pupils in Pembroke Dock, is open from 8.40am to 3.15pm Monday to Thursday. On Friday it shuts early with school running from 8.40am and stopping “formal learning” at 1.30pm.
It says on its website: “Our new school day includes an early finish on Fridays to allow for an extensive programme of pupil enrichment activities, whilst also enabling professional development time to support teachers.”
Pembroke Dock Community School opens at 08:45 on Fridays and shuts at 12:15pm on Fridays or 12:45pm for pupils staying for lunch.
The rest of the week it opens 8.45am with the school day ending at 3.15pm for early years and reception, 3.20pm for years one and two and 3.25pm for years three and up.
THE LEGAL ASPECT
Schools wanting to change opening and closing times must abide with the Changing of School Session Times (Wales) Regulations 2009, which includes a full consultation with, amongst others, staff, parents and the local authority.
Pembroke Dock Community School, consulted on shutting early in spring 2018. The local education authority said the main reason it gave at the time was: “To allow for additional time for staff training.”
The school added in its consultation letter: “This additional training time for staff would allow us to further upskill all staff in order to develop them into the best skilled workforce, with the aim to further improve teaching and learning for all the pupils…
“…an earlier finish time on a Friday would also enable pupils, parents and staff to benefit from improved wellbeing through increased family time. There would also be opportunities to benefit from long weekends to spend time with friends or engage with sport, hobbies and informal learning.
“It would further support our parents who run and work in local businesses and mirror the flexibility in shift patterns shown by major employers in the local area”.
There is no reference to cost saving in any of the school’s consultation correspondence but the time away from formal teaching would mean teachers had statutory time away from their classes in the week to prepare lessons. Otherwise this time out is funded by teaching assistants covering their lessons.
A Pembrokeshire County Councils spokesman told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “We are aware that similar proposals are being considered elsewhere in Pembrokeshire, notably in the Milford Haven area.
“On the basis of consultation correspondence received to date, cost savings do not appear as reasons for the proposed changes.”
Tim Pratt, Director of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Cymru, said he could not comment on schools shutting early in Pembrokeshire: “It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the decision of an individual school to close early because we don’t know the circumstances.
“However, in general, the insufficiency of funding to Welsh schools is likely to cause situations where some schools may decide to close early.
“This saves a small amount of money in terms of keeping premises open, and it means that with constrained staffing levels, schools are still able to allocate time for planning, preparation and assessment.
“The public can rest assured that schools will always take decisions in the best interests of their students and staff despite the very difficult funding conditions. But it is absolutely vital that the level of funding is improved as a matter of urgency.”
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “This is a decision for schools and governing bodies.
“Schools must fully consult before making any changes, ensuring that the number of teaching hours are not being compromised and that the curriculum is being delivered in its entirety.”
Business
Pembrokeshire Pet Bakery celebrates opening of second shop in Narberth
A LOCAL pet treat business has celebrated a major milestone after opening its second shop on Narberth High Street.
The Pembrokeshire Pet Bakery welcomed customers through the doors of its new Narberth store on Saturday, marking the latest stage in the growth of the independent business founded by Ali and Kelly.
Despite the hot weather, the opening attracted a strong turnout, with customers visiting to explore the bakery’s range of nutritious and colourful treats for dogs, cats and other much-loved pets.
The new premises joins the company’s established Haverfordwest store, allowing the team to serve customers from two Pembrokeshire town centres.
Ali and Kelly said the opening had been the result of years of hard work, determination and belief in their business.
They said: “What started as a big dream is now a reality, and seeing everyone flock through the doors on Saturday, despite the heat, has been one of our proudest moments to date.
“We are still pinching ourselves, to be honest, and it probably won’t sink in for a while yet.”
The pair also thanked residents and neighbouring businesses for the warm welcome they had received since arriving in Narberth.
They added: “The response and support from our friends, followers, customers and visitors has been absolutely incredible.
“Thank you doesn’t seem to cut it, but thank you all so very much. We are a little overwhelmed.”
The Pembrokeshire Pet Bakery specialises in fun and nutritious handmade treats, with products available for a range of animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, birds and small pets.
The owners said they were now looking forward to building on the success of the opening weekend and continuing to serve customers in both Narberth and Haverfordwest.
The new shop adds another independent name to Narberth’s busy High Street, which is widely known for its mix of locally owned shops, cafés and specialist businesses.
Picture caption: Ali and Kelly outside the new Pembrokeshire Pet Bakery shop on Narberth High Street.
News
Sea Sunday service at St Davids honours those with lives shaped by the sea
SEAFARERS, lifeboat crews and all those whose lives and livelihoods depend upon the sea were remembered during a special service at St Davids Cathedral on Sunday (July 12).
The annual Sea Sunday service, known in Welsh as Sul y Môr, brought worshippers and representatives of the wider community together to recognise the contribution made by seafarers and to pray for their safety and wellbeing.
The service was held at 11am and sung by St Davids Cathedral Choir, with the sermon delivered by the Revd Dr Jonathon Wright, Priest-in-Charge within the Greater Dewisland Ministry Area.
Among those attending were the Bishop of St Davids, the Rt Revd Dorrien Davies, the Dean of St Davids, the Very Revd Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, Deputy Lieutenant Roger Smith and the High Sheriff of Dyfed, Andrew Phillips.

Sea Sunday is marked by churches and maritime communities around the world each July. It provides an opportunity to remember the people who work at sea, often spending long periods away from their homes and families while facing isolation, dangerous conditions and unpredictable weather.
It also recognises the vital role played by those working in merchant shipping, fishing, rescue services and ports.
The Mission to Seafarers has chosen “Harbours of Hope: The Church Alongside Seafarers” as its theme for Sea Sunday 2026, highlighting the practical and pastoral support offered to crews in ports around the world.
More than 90 per cent of the goods used in everyday life are transported by sea, making the work of seafarers essential to communities and economies across the globe.
That connection has particular meaning in Pembrokeshire, where the sea remains central to the county’s identity.
The coastline supports commercial shipping, fishing, tourism and watersports, while RNLI volunteers and other emergency services regularly respond when people get into difficulty around the coast.
St Davids RNLI had encouraged members of the community to attend Sunday’s Cathedral service, which offered a moment to give thanks for all those who work on or beside the water.
Bishop joins the dancing
Following the service, the occasion took a more light-hearted turn when Bishop Dorrien and Canon Sheridan joined visiting members of Whitchurch Morris outside the Cathedral.
The Diocese of St Davids jokingly described the moment as “dance-bombing”, as the Bishop and Canon enthusiastically waved handkerchiefs and attempted the traditional steps alongside the dancers.
A video of the performance quickly attracted a warm response online.
Margaret Nock commented: “Not all bishops would do that! Da iawn.”
Helen McDermott added: “Fantastic! Aren’t we a lucky Diocese.”
Others praised the Bishop’s dancing, while several people said they wished they had been at the Cathedral to see the performance.
Whitchurch Morris were visiting Pembrokeshire as part of a planned weekend of traditional dancing with Wessex Morris Men and Treacle Eater Clog.
Their appearance provided a colourful conclusion to a service which combined prayer, music and reflection with a celebration of the communities whose lives remain closely connected to the sea.
WATCH Bishop Dorrien and Canon Sheridan join the Morris dancers in the video below.
Business
Iconic Tenby music shop Dales opens new branch in Carmarthen
ONE of west Wales’ most recognisable independent music retailers has expanded into Carmarthen with the opening of a brand-new Dales Music Store.
The family-run business, which first opened in Tenby in 1947, has become a favourite destination for generations of music lovers, known for its extensive range of vinyl records, musical instruments, guitars, music accessories and merchandise.
Now, after almost 80 years in business, Dales has opened a second branch on Blue Street in Carmarthen, bringing its distinctive yellow-and-blue branding and passion for music to the county town.
The new store offers a wide selection of new and pre-owned vinyl, guitars, musical instruments, equipment, accessories, gifts and official band merchandise, catering for everyone from experienced musicians to collectors and casual music fans.
The expansion represents a significant milestone for the long-established business, which has evolved from its roots as a piano retailer into one of Wales’ best-known independent music stores while remaining family owned.
Owners say they are excited to welcome customers through the doors of the new Carmarthen branch and hope it will become a hub for the local music community, offering the same friendly service and specialist knowledge that has made the Tenby store a trusted name for decades.
The arrival of Dales also provides a welcome boost to Carmarthen’s independent retail scene, giving shoppers another reason to visit the town centre and supporting the area’s growing reputation as a destination for independent businesses.
Photo caption: The Dales team outside the new Carmarthen store on Blue Street, marking the opening of the iconic Tenby music retailer’s second branch.
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