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Education

Young people’s incredible musical talents celebrated at festival

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TRUMPETER Carys Wood from Haverfordwest High VC School was the overall winner at this year’s Secondary Schools Valero Music Festival.

The annual festival, which is organised by the Pembrokeshire County Council Music Service and sponsored by Valero, took place at Ysgol Caer Elen on Saturday (November 19th), after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

More than 240 young musicians from each of the County’s eight county secondary schools, Pembrokeshire College and further afield took part in individual and ensemble competitions throughout the day.

Later in the afternoon, an enthusiastic audience enjoyed a ‘Spotlight’ concert showcasing the individual winners and the winners of the instrumental and vocal ensemble competitions.

During the day, every performer who placed first, second and third in their class received a badge in recognition of their achievement.

Philippa Roberts, Head of Pembrokeshire Music Service, said: “I would like to congratulate every young musician who performed and supported one another on Saturday. Also, a heartfelt thank you to Valero, the Friends of Pembrokeshire Young Musicians and the professional and encouraging adjudicating team who continue to support Pembrokeshire Music Service and our pupils.”

Sean O’Neill, ensembles adjudicator, expressed his admiration for the day. “The standard of music making from all the young musicians was outstanding with loads of evidence of talent and potential coming through for the future! It was a great pleasure to be involved.”

Trumpeter Carys Wood, was presented with the overall winners’ cup by brass adjudicator Corey Morris. Earlier in the day, Carys performed Virtuosity by Kenny Baker.

Winner of the Open Woodwind competition was James Townsend from Haverfordwest High VC School, who performed Czardas by Monti.

The Open String competition winner was cellist Isabel Raymond from Ysgol Caer Elen who performed Tarantella by WH Squire.

The Open Jazz winner was Dylan Sanders-Swales from Haverfordwest High VC School who performed his own arrangement of Whirlybird. Dylan was also the winner of the Open Percussion class. He performed a Super Mario Medley which he again arranged himself.

The Open Piano and Harp class was won by Jencyn Corp from Ysgol Bro Preseli who performed his own composition, Yr Afon.

The Open Vocal Competition was won by Rhys Williams from Ysgol Harri Tudur, who sang “It’s hard to speak my heart” from the musical Parade.

The first winner of the new Open Guitar class was Willis Riley from Greenhill, who performed The Trooper by Iron Maiden.

The Open Vocal Ensemble class winners were Haverfordwest High VC School’s upper voices ensemble. They performed an Adele mashup of Rumour has it/Someone like you.

The Open Instrumental Ensemble competition was won by Jencyn Corp and Lefi Dafydd of Ysgol Bro Preseli Deuadd piano, performing Norwegian Dance by Grieg.

The winners of the inaugural Open Rock and pop ensemble were The Messiaens from Haverfordwest High VC School. They performed Superstition by Stevie Wonder.

The hall at Ysgol Caer Elen was packed full as family, friends, and pupils who had performed earlier in the day all stayed to support the open winners.

The invited professional adjudicators – Timothy Angel, vocal; Sean O’Neill, ensemble; Christopher Vale, woodwind; Corey Morris, brass; Karin Jenkins, strings; Bethan Harkin, piano and harp; Ben Richards, instrumental; Nick Baron, percussion, guitar and Jazz – were greatly impressed with the high standard and strength of schools’ music on show from across the County.

County Music Service events coordinator Miranda Morgan thanked the adjudicators, teachers, parents and students for making the Festival such a success.

“We are overwhelmed at the amount of young people who have participated in this year’s festival – we had over double the number taking part this year compared to last year which is wonderful to see. The standard of playing has been impressive throughout and it has been fantastic to extend our classes to include guitar and rock and pop ensembles this year.”

The results of the day were as follows:

WOODWIND

Grade 3 flute

1st – Tilly Laugharne – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2nd – Mali Jones-Hughes – HHVC

3rd – Erin Dando – MHS

Grade 3 clarinet and saxophone

1st – Sophie Gilmartin – Greenhill

2nd – Emily Dickinson – Greenhill

3rd – Jed Cox – Greenhill

Highly commended – Katherine Jones – Harri Tudur

Grade 4 woodwind

1st – Tom Pounder – MHS

2nd – Ollie Towe – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3rd – Bethan Packard – MHS

Grade 5 woodwind

1st – Ffion Evans – Ysgol Caer Elen

2nd – Catrin Jones – Ysgol Caer Elen

3rd – Ela-Gwennon Jones – Ysgol Caer Elen

Grade 6 woodwind

1st – Noah Jenkins – HHVC

2nd – Gemma Armstrong – Ysgol Bro Preseli

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

Open woodwind

1st – James Townsend – HHVC

2nd – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3rd – Harry Armstrong – MHS

BRASS

Grade 3 & 4 brass

1st – Elwyn Powell – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2nd – Owain Williams – HHVC

3rd – Harry Thomas – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

Highly commended – Isabella Tawn – HHVC

Grade 5 brass

1st – Eliza Wood – Greenhill

2nd – Archie Noyce – Greenhill

3rd – Gwilym Jones – Ysgol Bro Preseli

Grade 6 brass

1st – Seren Barrett – Greenhill

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

3rd – Jaap Harris – Ysgol Bro Preseli

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

Open brass

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

2nd – Carys Rycroft – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3rd – Filip Middlemist – HHVC

STRINGS

Grade 3

1st – Brooke Patterson – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2nd – Debora Calocane – HHVC

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

Highly commended – Janelle Cabral – HHVC

Grade 4

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

2nd – Sara James – Ysgol Caer Elen

3rd – Kitty Kingsnorth

Highly commended – Grace Tilbury – Harri Tudur

Grade 5

1st – Annabel John – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

2nd – Cosmo Karenin – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

3rd – Anwen Sims – Ysgol Caer Elen

Grade 6

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

2nd – Tom Bridger – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

3rd – Gwenna Kennerley – HHVC

Highly commended – Esyllt Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

Open strings

1st – Isabel Raymond – Ysgol Caer Elen

2nd – Maria Cabral – HHVC

3rd – Daisy Whitfield – Ysgol Bro Preseli

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

PIANO AND HARP

Grade 3 and 4

1st – Harry Thomas – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

2nd – Anwen Sims – Ysgol Caer Elen

3rd – Steffan James – Ysgol Caer Elen

Highly commended – Martha Bhari – Harri Tudur

Grade 5

1st – Abbie Collinson – Greenhill

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

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

Grade 6

1st – Cosmo Karenin – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

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

3rd – Emily Thomas – Greenhill

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

Open piano

1st – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

2nd – Lefi Dafydd – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3rd – Iestyn Barrellie – Greenhill

Highly commended – Jenifer Rees

DRUM KIT/PERCUSSION

Grade 3-6

1st – William Rowe – Penrhyn Dewi

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

Open drum kit

1st – Dylan Sanders-Swales – HHVC

2nd – Libby Phillips – HHVC

GUITAR

Grade 3-5

1st – Lewis Murray – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2nd – Steffan James – Ysgol Caer Elen

Open guitar

1st – Willis Riley – Greenhill

JAZZ

Grade 3-5

1st – Tom Pounder – MHS

2nd – Eryn Howlett – MHS

Open jazz

1st – Dylan Sanders-Swales – HHVC

2nd – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3rd – Jed Davies – Pembrokeshire College

VOCALS

Popular vocals years 7-9

1st – Bella Carrol – Harri Tudur

2nd – Sophie Jones – Harri Tudur

3rd – Maisie Tennick – Caer Elen

Highly commended – Davinia Foster – Harri Tudur

Popular vocals years 10-13

1st – Millie Evans-Thomas – Greenhill

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

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

Highly commended – Theo Butland – Harri Tudur

Musical theatre and classical vocals years 7-9

1st – Maya Welton – Ysgol Bro Preseli

2nd – Claire Hooper-Rees – HHVC

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

Highly commended – Caitlyn Sanders-Swales – MHS

Musical theatre and classical vocals years 10-13

1st – Ella Bromby – Greenhill

2nd – Iestyn Finch – HHVC

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

Highly commended – Edie Morris – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

Open vocals

1st – Rhys Williams – Harri Tudur

2nd – Eliza Jessica Bradbury – Pembrokeshire College

3rd – Megan Lloyd – MHS

Highly commended – Bethan Raymond – HHVC

ENSEMBLES

Instrumental ensemble grade 5-

1st – Ysgol Bro Preseli violin quartet

2nd – Greenhill Clarinet trio

Open instrumental ensemble

1st – Ysgol Bro Preseli deuawd piano

2nd – Ysgol Bro preseli piano a ffliwt

3rd – HHVC violin quartet

Open vocal ensemble

1st – HHVC upper voices ensemble

2nd – HHVC lower voices ensemble

3rd – Harri Tudur vocal ensemble

Rock and pop ensemble grade 5-

1st – Ysgol Caer Elen

2nd – HHVC

3rd – Harri Tudur

Highly commended – HHVC Band 2

Open Rock and pop ensemble

1st – “The Messiaens” – HHVC

2nd – HHVC KS4 band

3rd – Greenhill school band

Highly commended – HHVC Band #1

Ends

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

1af – Tilly Laugharne – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2il – Mali Jones-Hughes – HHVC

3ydd – Erin Dando – MHS

Clarinet a sacsoffon gradd 3

1af – Sophie Gilmartin – Greenhill

2il – Emily Dickinson – Greenhill

3ydd – Jed Cox – Greenhill

Canmoliaeth uchel – Katherine Jones – Harri Tudur

Chwythbren gradd 4

1af – Tom Pounder – MHS

2il – Ollie Towe – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3ydd – Bethan Packard – MHS

Chwythbren gradd 5

1af – Ffion Evans – Ysgol Caer Elen

2il – Catrin Jones – Ysgol Caer Elen

3ydd – Ela-Gwennon Jones – Ysgol Caer Elen

Chwythbren gradd 6

1af – Noah Jenkins – HHVC

2il – Gemma Armstrong – Ysgol Bro Preseli

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

Chwythbren agored

1af – James Townsend – HHVC

2il – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3ydd – Harry Armstrong – MHS

PRES

Pres gradd 3 a 4

1af – Elwyn Powell – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2il – Owain Williams – HHVC

3ydd – Harry Thomas – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

Canmoliaeth uchel – Isabella Tawn – HHVC

Pres gradd 5

1af – Eliza Wood – Greenhill

2il – Archie Noyce – Greenhill

3ydd – Gwilym Jones – Ysgol Bro Preseli

Pres gradd 6

1af – Seren Barrett – Greenhill

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

3ydd – Jaap Harris – Ysgol Bro Preseli

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

Pres agored

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

2il – Carys Rycroft – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3ydd – Filip Middlemist – HHVC

LLINYNNAU

Gradd 3

1af – Brooke Patterson – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2il – Debora Calocane – HHVC

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

Canmoliaeth uchel – Janelle Cabral – HHVC

Gradd 4

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

2il – Sara James – Ysgol Caer Elen

3ydd – Kitty Kingsnorth

Canmoliaeth uchel – Grace Tilbury – Harri Tudur

Gradd 5

1af – Annabel John – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

2il – Cosmo Karenin – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

3ydd – Anwen Sims – Ysgol Caer Elen

Gradd 6

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

2il – Tom Bridger – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

3ydd – Gwenna Kennerley – HHVC

Canmoliaeth uchel – Esyllt Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

Llinynnau agored

1af – Isabel Raymond – Ysgol Caer Elen

2il – Maria Cabral – HHVC

3ydd – Daisy Whitfield – Ysgol Bro Preseli

Canmoliaeth uchel – Freya Prout – Coleg Sir Benfro ac Ella Bromby – Greenhill

Y PIANO A’R DELYN

Gradd 3 a 4

1af – Harry Thomas – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

2il – Anwen Sims – Ysgol Caer Elen

3ydd – Steffan James – Ysgol Caer Elen

Canmoliaeth uchel – Martha Bhari – Harri Tudur

Gradd 5

1af – Abbie Collinson – Greenhill

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

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

Gradd 6

1af – Cosmo Karenin – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

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

3ydd – Emily Thomas – Greenhill

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

Piano agored

1af – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

2il – Lefi Dafydd – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3ydd – Iestyn Barrellie – Greenhill

Canmoliaeth uchel – Jenifer Rees

CIT DRYMIAU/OFFERYNNAU TARO

Gradd 3-6

1af – William Rowe – Penrhyn Dewi

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

Cit Drymiau agored

1af – Dylan Sanders-Swales – HHVC

2il – Libby Phillips – HHVC

GITÂR

Gradd 3-5

1af – Lewis Murray – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2il – Steffan James – Ysgol Caer Elen

Gitâr agored

1af – Willis Riley – Greenhill

JAZZ

Gradd 3-5

1af – Tom Pounder – MHS

2il – Eryn Howlett – MHS

Jazz agored

1af – Dylan Sanders-Swales – HHVC

2il – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3ydd – Jed Davies – Coleg Sir Benfro

CERDDORIAETH LEISIOL

Cerddoriaeth leisiol boblogaidd blynyddoedd 7-9

1af – Bella Carrol – Harri Tudur

2il – Sophie Jones – Harri Tudur

3ydd – Maisie Tennick – Caer Elen

Canmoliaeth uchel – Davinia Foster – Harri Tudur

Cerddoriaeth leisiol boblogaidd blynyddoedd 10-13

1af – Millie Evans-Thomas – Greenhill

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

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

Canmoliaeth uchel – Theo Butland – Harri Tudur

Theatr gerddorol a cherddoriaeth leisiol glasurol blynyddoedd 7-9

1af – Maya Welton – Ysgol Bro Preseli

2il – Claire Hooper-Rees – HHVC

3ydd – Martha Bhari – Harri Tudur a Rosabelle Chatwin – Ysgol Caer Elen

Canmoliaeth uchel – Caitlyn Sanders-Swales – MHS

Theatr gerddorol a cherddoriaeth leisiol glasurol blynyddoedd 10-13

1af – Ella Bromby – Greenhill

2il – Iestyn Finch – HHVC

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

Canmoliaeth uchel – Edie Morris – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

Cerddoriaeth leisiol agored

1af – Rhys Williams – Harri Tudur

2il – Eliza Jessica Bradbury – Coleg Sir Benfro

3ydd – Megan Lloyd – MHS

Canmoliaeth uchel – Bethan Raymond – HHVC

ENSEMBLES

Ensemble offerynnol gradd 5-

1af – Pedwarawd ffidil Ysgol Bro Preseli

2il – Triawd clarinet Greenhill

Ensemble offerynnol agored

1af – Ysgol Bro Preseli deuawd piano

2il – Ysgol Bro Preseli piano a ffliwt

3ydd – Pedwarawd ffidil HHVC

Ensemble lleisiol agored

1af – Ensemble lleisiau uwch HHVC

2il – ensemble lleisiau is HHVC

3ydd – Ensemble lleisiol Harri Tudur

Ensemble roc a phop gradd 5-

1af – Ysgol Caer Elen

2il – HHVC

3ydd – Harri Tudur

Canmoliaeth uchel – HHVC Band 2

Ensemble roc a phop agored

1af – “The Messiaens” – HHVC

2il – HHVC KS4 band

3ydd – Band ysgol Greenhill

Canmoliaeth uchel – HHVC Band #1

Community

Pleas to save fire-ravaged Manorbier school site heard

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A PLEA for councillors to not act as “judge, jury and executioner” when the potential closure of fire-ravaged Manorbier is decided upon next year was heard at full council.

At the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, members received a petition opposing the potential closure of Manorbier School.

Manorbier Church in Wales VC School and its adjoining schoolhouse was severely damaged by a fire on October 11, 2022, which broke out in the school roof space.

After that, a ‘school from school’ was set up in Jameston Village Hall.

It had been hoped the school would be rebuilt, but earlier this year members of Pembrokeshire County Council backed a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which, amongst other recommendations, included a statutory consultation on proposals to discontinue Manorbier Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School.

The decision attracted strong local opposition, with more than 1,500 people signing a petition on the council’s own website calling for the school to be rebuilt, meaning it passed the threshold for a formal hearing by members of the council.

The formal consultation for the discontinuation of Manorbier closes in just a few days on December 19.

Manorbier community councillor Richard Hughes

However, many of the council’s figures, especially on the level of surplus places at the school, have been strongly disputed.

Speaking at the December meeting, Richard Hughes, of Manorbier Community Council, said the council consultation was “deeply flawed and unlawful,” the quoted capacity figures after the fire damaged the original building “null and void,” with a true surplus of some 21 per cent.

“The school is clearly thriving under less-than-ideal conditions, your report claims 59 per cent [surplus], it’s misleading and artificial.”

He said the council was acting as “judge, jury and executioner” in its “deeply flawed” consultation.

Cllr Phil Kidney

Local member Cllr Phil Kidney said the staff, parents and pupils had been “living this process for three years,” adding: “At worst light we were misled for three years, living under this shadow, it’s not fair.

“We’ve been promised all along ‘we will rebuild this school; no matter what we do we will have to spend on this school, we have to hand it back in [a useable] condition.

“How members of staff have worked under these conditions for three years is amazing, the service they are providing in that school is fantastic.”

He criticised the consultation wording, feeling it painted Manorbier in an unfair light, saying it was stacked heavily in favour of St Florence school in a submitted question heard later at the meeting.

“We do feel there’s a hidden agenda, nothing more than a boost for St Florence school; we were led to believe was all about the positives and the negatives for the school; we have lost the trust in the director of education, we still feel we’re not been listened to.”

He said it was important councillors, when a final vote on Manorbier’s future, expected in March, keep an open mind “not just going along with the narrative: ‘We can’t afford it, and the figures are going down’.”

He went on to say: “We want to get the right vote, the moral vote, and get the school rebuilt.”

Cllr Guy Woodham

Cabinet member for education Cllr Guy Woodham praised the work at the school following the fire, saying he intended to “set the facts out” when it came to a final decision.

Leader of the independent group Cllr Huw Murphy said: “It just doesn’t sit right with me to close a school that has burned to the ground. Yes, we will respect the decision in March, however we haven’t handled the decision well. We need to do what’s right, and we haven’t done what’s right for Manorbier.”

Members agreed to note receipt of the petition prior to the final report before council in 2026.

Later in the meeting, Cllr Woodham disputed Cllr Kidney’s submitted question claim, Cllr Kidney telling Cllr Woodham: “We’ve put a lot of trust and faith in you on this consultation to make sure it’s fair and transparent. St Florence was referenced more times than our school, for a consultation I think it’s misleading.”

Cllr Woodham responded: “I will do my utmost to give a balanced report when I bring it back to full council.”

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Community

Plea to save Tegryn Ysgol Clydau school heard by councillors

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A PLEA to not “pluck the heart out of a community” by closing a Pembrokeshire village school was heard by councillors just days after a consultation into its future was launched.

At the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, members received a petition opposing the potential closure of Ysgol Clydau, Tegryn, which had generated 648 responses on the council’s own website, meaning it crossed the threshold to be heard at full council.

A council statement accompanying the launch of the consultation said: “At its meeting on May 8, Pembrokeshire County Council considered a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which outlined the findings of a review of education provision in the Preseli area.

“In particular the review considered the extent of surplus school places in the area, set against a significant decline in the pupil population.”

The Ysgol Clydau petition states: “We demand that Pembrokeshire County Council reconsider its decision to close Ysgol Clydau and instead prioritise the needs of our community by keeping the school open. We oppose the closure of Ysgol Clydau and call for full public scrutiny before any decision is made.

“We urge you to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the community, listen to our concerns, and work with us to find alternative solutions that support the needs of our children and families.”

Sarah Farnden

Speaking at the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, Sarah Farnden, in an emotive plea, said the school was “not just a school but a sanctuary, a nurturing environment,” which offered “warmth, belonging and safety”.

“A village without a school becomes a village without families, a village without families becomes a village without a future,” she told members, adding: “Ysgol Clydau is not in debt, it’s not overspent, we’ve done everything asked of us, so why are we being punished?

“There has been a school on this site for 145 years, if you close Ysgol Clydau you are not closing a building you are closing a heritage; we are not here to fight you, we are here to beg you.”

Cllr Iwan Ward

Local member Cllr Iwan Ward said: “The decision of Pembrokeshire County Council to release this consultation on the closure a few days before Christmas is extremely disappointing, a time of year families should be concentrating on being together, not a time to have to face the threat of losing the heart of our community.”

To applause from the gallery, he added: “It’s not a matter of numbers on a paper, it’s a moral matter; the school is much more than four walls, it’s a safe place for children to grow and a cornerstone of community spirit.

“Closing a school like this rips the heart out of rural life, to threaten a school that isn’t failing is an action I cannot, and am not willing to, take quietly.

“I will stand with the staff, the governors, and the children also.”

Members heard the consultation had been expected to launch back in September but had been delayed due to staffing issues; its 42-day period due to now end in late January.

Members agreed to note the petition ahead of the consultation end, recommendations on the school’s future expected to be decided in March.

The final word went to Sarah Farnden, who said: “We’re not asking for special treatment, we’re asking for fairness and compassion; do not pluck the heart out of the community.”

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Education

School leaders deliver Christmas cards to Senedd calling for fair funding

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SCHOOL leaders from across Wales are delivering Christmas cards to the Senedd today in a symbolic call for fair funding for schools.

The cards, one for every Senedd member, are being delivered by school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru, urging politicians to give children in Wales what it describes as the “best Christmas gift” – a fully and fairly funded education.

NAHT Cymru national secretary Laura Doel and president Kerina Hanson are gathering outside the Senedd at 1:00pm today before handing the cards in at the Senedd reception.

The action follows the union’s warning last week that while £339m came to the Welsh Government as a result of increased education spending in England for the 2026/27 draft budget, only £39m has so far been allocated to core school budgets in Wales.

Earlier this week, an additional £112.8m was allocated to local government following a budget agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru, with some of that funding expected to reach schools.

However, NAHT Cymru says the additional money will fall well short of what is needed. The Welsh Local Government Association has predicted a £137m shortfall in school budgets in Wales for the next financial year, while local authorities are also facing a £200m deficit in social care funding.

The union has also raised concerns that the First Minister has declined to explain how the £339m of additional education funding has been allocated, prompting calls for urgent and transparent scrutiny of the budget.

Speaking ahead of the card delivery, Laura Doel said: “Christmas is a time of giving, and we’re urging the Welsh Government to give schools in Wales the funding they rightfully deserve.

“The money that comes to Wales for education should be spent on education, yet we know much of it has never reached schools. We urgently need clarity on where this money has gone and to see greater investment going directly to pupils.

“The system is at breaking point, and without action we are facing an incredibly bleak new year for schools across Wales.

“We’re calling on every member of the Senedd to act this Christmas and give children in Wales the best possible gift – a fully and fairly funded education.”

The Welsh Government says education remains a priority, pointing to additional funding agreed with Plaid Cymru for local government, some of which is expected to support schools.

However, teaching unions and local authorities continue to warn that funding pressures remain severe.

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