Education

Young people’s incredible musical talents celebrated at festival

Published

6 months ago

November 23, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The results of the day were as follows:

WOODWIND

Grade 3 flute

1^st – Tilly Laugharne – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2^nd – Mali Jones-Hughes – HHVC

3^rd – Erin Dando – MHS

Grade 3 clarinet and saxophone

1^st – Sophie Gilmartin – Greenhill

2^nd – Emily Dickinson – Greenhill

3^rd – Jed Cox – Greenhill

Highly commended – Katherine Jones – Harri Tudur

Grade 4 woodwind

1^st – Tom Pounder – MHS

2^nd – Ollie Towe – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^rd – Bethan Packard – MHS

Grade 5 woodwind

1^st – Ffion Evans – Ysgol Caer Elen

2^nd – Catrin Jones – Ysgol Caer Elen

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

Grade 6 woodwind

1^st – Noah Jenkins – HHVC

2^nd – Gemma Armstrong – Ysgol Bro Preseli

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

Open woodwind

1^st – James Townsend – HHVC

2^nd – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^rd – Harry Armstrong – MHS

BRASS

Grade 3 & 4 brass

1^st – Elwyn Powell – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2^nd – Owain Williams – HHVC

3^rd – Harry Thomas – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

Highly commended – Isabella Tawn – HHVC

Grade 5 brass

1^st – Eliza Wood – Greenhill

2^nd – Archie Noyce – Greenhill

3^rd – Gwilym Jones – Ysgol Bro Preseli

Grade 6 brass

1^st – Seren Barrett – Greenhill

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

3^rd – Jaap Harris – Ysgol Bro Preseli

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

Open brass

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

2^nd – Carys Rycroft – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^rd – Filip Middlemist – HHVC

STRINGS

Grade 3

1^st – Brooke Patterson – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2^nd – Debora Calocane – HHVC

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

Highly commended – Janelle Cabral – HHVC

Grade 4

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

2^nd – Sara James – Ysgol Caer Elen

3^rd – Kitty Kingsnorth

Highly commended – Grace Tilbury – Harri Tudur

Grade 5

1^st – Annabel John – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

2^nd – Cosmo Karenin – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

3^rd – Anwen Sims – Ysgol Caer Elen

Grade 6

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

2^nd – Tom Bridger – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

3^rd – Gwenna Kennerley – HHVC

Highly commended – Esyllt Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

Open strings

1^st – Isabel Raymond – Ysgol Caer Elen

2^nd – Maria Cabral – HHVC

3^rd – Daisy Whitfield – Ysgol Bro Preseli

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

PIANO AND HARP

Grade 3 and 4

1^st – Harry Thomas – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

2^nd – Anwen Sims – Ysgol Caer Elen

3^rd – Steffan James – Ysgol Caer Elen

Highly commended – Martha Bhari – Harri Tudur

Grade 5

1^st – Abbie Collinson – Greenhill

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

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

Grade 6

1^st – Cosmo Karenin – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

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

3^rd – Emily Thomas – Greenhill

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

Open piano

1^st – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

2^nd – Lefi Dafydd – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^rd – Iestyn Barrellie – Greenhill

Highly commended – Jenifer Rees

DRUM KIT/PERCUSSION

Grade 3-6

1^st – William Rowe – Penrhyn Dewi

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

Open drum kit

1^st – Dylan Sanders-Swales – HHVC

2^nd – Libby Phillips – HHVC

GUITAR

Grade 3-5

1^st – Lewis Murray – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2^nd – Steffan James – Ysgol Caer Elen

Open guitar

1^st – Willis Riley – Greenhill

JAZZ

Grade 3-5

1^st – Tom Pounder – MHS

2^nd – Eryn Howlett – MHS

Open jazz

1^st – Dylan Sanders-Swales – HHVC

2^nd – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^rd – Jed Davies – Pembrokeshire College

VOCALS

Popular vocals years 7-9

1^st – Bella Carrol – Harri Tudur

2^nd – Sophie Jones – Harri Tudur

3^rd – Maisie Tennick – Caer Elen

Highly commended – Davinia Foster – Harri Tudur

Popular vocals years 10-13

1^st – Millie Evans-Thomas – Greenhill

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

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

Highly commended – Theo Butland – Harri Tudur

Musical theatre and classical vocals years 7-9

1^st – Maya Welton – Ysgol Bro Preseli

2^nd – Claire Hooper-Rees – HHVC

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

Highly commended – Caitlyn Sanders-Swales – MHS

Musical theatre and classical vocals years 10-13

1^st – Ella Bromby – Greenhill

2^nd – Iestyn Finch – HHVC

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

Highly commended – Edie Morris – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

Open vocals

1^st – Rhys Williams – Harri Tudur

2^nd – Eliza Jessica Bradbury – Pembrokeshire College

3^rd – Megan Lloyd – MHS

Highly commended – Bethan Raymond – HHVC

ENSEMBLES

Instrumental ensemble grade 5-

1^st – Ysgol Bro Preseli violin quartet

2^nd – Greenhill Clarinet trio

Open instrumental ensemble

1st – Ysgol Bro Preseli deuawd piano

2^nd – Ysgol Bro preseli piano a ffliwt

3^rd – HHVC violin quartet

Open vocal ensemble

1^st – HHVC upper voices ensemble

2^nd – HHVC lower voices ensemble

3^rd – Harri Tudur vocal ensemble

Rock and pop ensemble grade 5-

1^st – Ysgol Caer Elen

2^nd – HHVC

3^rd – Harri Tudur

Highly commended – HHVC Band 2

Open Rock and pop ensemble

1^st – “The Messiaens” – HHVC

2^nd – HHVC KS4 band

3^rd – Greenhill school band

Highly commended – HHVC Band #1

Ends

Contact:

Katy Jenkins

Communications

Email: [email protected]

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

Datganiad i’r wasg: i’w ryddhau ar unwaith

Talentau cerddorol anhygoel pobl ifanc yn cael eu dathlu mewn gŵyl

Y trympedwr Carys Wood o Ysgol Uwchradd WRh Hwlffordd oedd yr enillydd cyffredinol yng Ngŵyl Gerdd Valero Ysgolion Uwchradd eleni.

Cynhaliwyd yr ŵyl flynyddol, a drefnir gan Wasanaeth Cerdd Cyngor Sir Penfro ac a noddir gan Valero, yn Ysgol Caer Elen ddydd Sadwrn (19 Tachwedd), ar ôl seibiant o dair blynedd oherwydd y pandemig.

Bu mwy na 240 o gerddorion ifanc o bob un o wyth ysgol uwchradd sirol y Sir, Coleg Sir Benfro a thu hwnt yn cymryd rhan mewn cystadlaethau unigol ac ensemble trwy gydol y dydd.

Yn ddiweddarach yn y prynhawn, mwynhaodd cynulleidfa frwd gyngerdd yn arddangos yr enillwyr unigol ac enillwyr y cystadlaethau ensemble offerynnol a lleisiol.

Yn ystod y dydd, derbyniodd pob perfformiwr a oedd yn gyntaf, yn ail ac yn drydydd yn eu dosbarth fathodyn i gydnabod eu cyflawniad.

Dywedodd Philippa Roberts, Pennaeth Gwasanaeth Cerdd Sir Benfro: “Hoffwn longyfarch pob cerddor ifanc a fu’n perfformio ac yn cefnogi ei gilydd ddydd Sadwrn.Hefyd, diolch o galon i Valero, Cyfeillion Cerddorion Ifanc Sir Benfro a’r tîm beirniadu proffesiynol a chalonogol sy’n parhau i gefnogi Gwasanaeth Cerdd Sir Benfro a’n disgyblion.”

Mynegodd Sean O’Neill, beirniad yr ensembles, ei edmygedd o’r diwrnod. “Roedd safon y gerddoriaeth gan yr holl gerddorion ifanc yn rhagorol ac mae llwyth o dystiolaeth o dalent a photensial yn dod drwodd ar gyfer y dyfodol! Roedd yn bleser mawr bod yn rhan o’r digwyddiad.”

Cyflwynwyd cwpan yr enillwyr cyffredinol i’r trympedwr Carys Wood gan y beirniad pres Corey Morris.Yn gynharach yn y dydd, perfformiodd Carys Virtuosity gan Kenny Baker.

Enillydd y gystadleuaeth Chwythbrennau Agored oedd James Townsend o Ysgol Uwchradd WRh Hwlffordd, a berfformiodd Czardas gan Monti.

Enillydd y gystadleuaeth Llinynnau Agored oedd y sielydd Isabel Raymond o Ysgol Caer Elen a berfformiodd Tarantella gan WH Squire.

Yr enillydd Jazz Agored oedd Dylan Sanders-Swales o Ysgol Uwchradd WRh Hwlffordd a berfformiodd ei drefniant ei hun o Whirlybird. Dylan hefyd oedd enillydd y dosbarth Offerynnau Taro Agored. Perfformiodd Super Mario Medley a drefnodd ei hun hefyd.

Enillwyd y dosbarth Piano a Thelyn Agored gan Jencyn Corp o Ysgol Bro Preseli a berfformiodd ei gyfansoddiad ei hun, Yr Afon.

Enillwyd y Gystadleuaeth Leisiol Agored gan Rhys Williams o Ysgol Harri Tudur, a ganodd “It’s hard to speak my heart” o’r sioe gerdd, Parade.

Enillydd cyntaf y dosbarth Gitâr Agored newydd oedd Willis Riley o Greenhill, a berfformiodd The Trooper gan Iron Maiden.

Enillwyr y dosbarth Ensemble Lleisiol Agored oedd ensemble lleisiau uchaf Ysgol Uwchradd WRh Hwlffordd. Fe wnaethon nhw berfformio cymysgedd Adele o Rumour has it/Someone like you.

Enillwyd cystadleuaeth yr Ensemble Offerynnol Agored gan Jencyn Corp a Lefi Dafydd o Ysgol Bro Preseli, Deuawd piano, yn perfformio darn gan Grieg.

Enillwyr yr ensemble Roc a Phop Agored cyntaf oedd The Messiaens o Ysgol Uwchradd WRh Hwlffordd. Fe wnaethon nhw berfformio Superstition gan Stevie Wonder.

Roedd neuadd Ysgol Caer Elen dan ei sang wrth i deuluoedd, ffrindiau, a disgyblion oedd wedi perfformio yn gynharach yn y dydd i gyd aros i gefnogi’r enillwyr agored.

Roedd y beirniaid proffesiynol gwadd – Timothy Angel, lleisiol; Sean O’Neill, ensemble; Christopher Vale, chwythbren; Corey Morris, pres; Karin Jenkins, llinynnau; Bethan Harkin, y piano a’r delyn; Ben Richards, offerynnol; Nick Baron, offerynnau taro, gitâr a Jazz – wedi’u plesio’n fawr gan safon uchel a chryfder cerddoriaeth ysgolion ar draws y Sir.

Diolchodd cydlynydd digwyddiadau Gwasanaeth Cerdd y Sir, Miranda Morgan, i’r beirniaid, yr athrawon, y rhieni a’r myfyrwyr am wneud yr Ŵyl yn gymaint o lwyddiant.

“Rydym ni wedi ein syfrdanu gan y nifer o bobl ifanc sydd wedi cymryd rhan yn yr ŵyl eleni – roedd dros ddwbl y nifer yn cymryd rhan eleni o’i gymharu â’r llynedd sy’n wych i’w weld. Mae safon y chwarae wedi bod yn drawiadol drwyddi draw ac mae wedi bod yn wych ehangu ein dosbarthiadau i gynnwys ensembles gitâr a roc a phop eleni.”

Roedd canlyniadau’r diwrnod fel a ganlyn:

CHWYTHBREN

Ffliwt gradd 3

1^af – Tilly Laugharne – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2^il – Mali Jones-Hughes – HHVC

3^ydd – Erin Dando – MHS

Clarinet a sacsoffon gradd 3

1^af – Sophie Gilmartin – Greenhill

2^il – Emily Dickinson – Greenhill

3^ydd – Jed Cox – Greenhill

Canmoliaeth uchel – Katherine Jones – Harri Tudur

Chwythbren gradd 4

1^af – Tom Pounder – MHS

2^il – Ollie Towe – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^ydd – Bethan Packard – MHS

Chwythbren gradd 5

1^af – Ffion Evans – Ysgol Caer Elen

2^il – Catrin Jones – Ysgol Caer Elen

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

Chwythbren gradd 6

1^af – Noah Jenkins – HHVC

2^il – Gemma Armstrong – Ysgol Bro Preseli

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

Chwythbren agored

1^af – James Townsend – HHVC

2^il – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^ydd – Harry Armstrong – MHS

PRES

Pres gradd 3 a 4

1^af – Elwyn Powell – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2^il – Owain Williams – HHVC

3^ydd – Harry Thomas – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

Canmoliaeth uchel – Isabella Tawn – HHVC

Pres gradd 5

1^af – Eliza Wood – Greenhill

2^il – Archie Noyce – Greenhill

3^ydd – Gwilym Jones – Ysgol Bro Preseli

Pres gradd 6

1^af – Seren Barrett – Greenhill

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

3^ydd – Jaap Harris – Ysgol Bro Preseli

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

Pres agored

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

2^il – Carys Rycroft – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^ydd – Filip Middlemist – HHVC

LLINYNNAU

Gradd 3

1^af – Brooke Patterson – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2^il – Debora Calocane – HHVC

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

Canmoliaeth uchel – Janelle Cabral – HHVC

Gradd 4

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

2^il – Sara James – Ysgol Caer Elen

3^ydd – Kitty Kingsnorth

Canmoliaeth uchel – Grace Tilbury – Harri Tudur

Gradd 5

1^af – Annabel John – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

2^il – Cosmo Karenin – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

3^ydd – Anwen Sims – Ysgol Caer Elen

Gradd 6

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

2^il – Tom Bridger – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

3^ydd – Gwenna Kennerley – HHVC

Canmoliaeth uchel – Esyllt Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

Llinynnau agored

1^af – Isabel Raymond – Ysgol Caer Elen

2^il – Maria Cabral – HHVC

3^ydd – Daisy Whitfield – Ysgol Bro Preseli

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

Y PIANO A’R DELYN

Gradd 3 a 4

1^af – Harry Thomas – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

2^il – Anwen Sims – Ysgol Caer Elen

3^ydd – Steffan James – Ysgol Caer Elen

Canmoliaeth uchel – Martha Bhari – Harri Tudur

Gradd 5

1^af – Abbie Collinson – Greenhill

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

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

Gradd 6

1^af – Cosmo Karenin – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

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

3^ydd – Emily Thomas – Greenhill

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

Piano agored

1^af – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

2^il – Lefi Dafydd – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^ydd – Iestyn Barrellie – Greenhill

Canmoliaeth uchel – Jenifer Rees

CIT DRYMIAU/OFFERYNNAU TARO

Gradd 3-6

1^af – William Rowe – Penrhyn Dewi

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

Cit Drymiau agored

1^af – Dylan Sanders-Swales – HHVC

2^il – Libby Phillips – HHVC

GITÂR

Gradd 3-5

1^af – Lewis Murray – Ysgol Bro Gwaun

2^il – Steffan James – Ysgol Caer Elen

Gitâr agored

1^af – Willis Riley – Greenhill

JAZZ

Gradd 3-5

1^af – Tom Pounder – MHS

2^il – Eryn Howlett – MHS

Jazz agored

1^af – Dylan Sanders-Swales – HHVC

2^il – Jencyn Corp – Ysgol Bro Preseli

3^ydd – Jed Davies – Coleg Sir Benfro

CERDDORIAETH LEISIOL

Cerddoriaeth leisiol boblogaidd blynyddoedd 7-9

1^af – Bella Carrol – Harri Tudur

2^il – Sophie Jones – Harri Tudur

3^ydd – Maisie Tennick – Caer Elen

Canmoliaeth uchel – Davinia Foster – Harri Tudur

Cerddoriaeth leisiol boblogaidd blynyddoedd 10-13

1^af – Millie Evans-Thomas – Greenhill

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

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

Canmoliaeth uchel – Theo Butland – Harri Tudur

Theatr gerddorol a cherddoriaeth leisiol glasurol blynyddoedd 7-9

1^af – Maya Welton – Ysgol Bro Preseli

2^il – Claire Hooper-Rees – HHVC

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

Canmoliaeth uchel – Caitlyn Sanders-Swales – MHS

Theatr gerddorol a cherddoriaeth leisiol glasurol blynyddoedd 10-13

1^af – Ella Bromby – Greenhill

2^il – Iestyn Finch – HHVC

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

Canmoliaeth uchel – Edie Morris – Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi

Cerddoriaeth leisiol agored

1^af – Rhys Williams – Harri Tudur

2^il – Eliza Jessica Bradbury – Coleg Sir Benfro

3^ydd – Megan Lloyd – MHS

Canmoliaeth uchel – Bethan Raymond – HHVC

ENSEMBLES

Ensemble offerynnol gradd 5-

1^af – Pedwarawd ffidil Ysgol Bro Preseli

2^il – Triawd clarinet Greenhill

Ensemble offerynnol agored

1^af – Ysgol Bro Preseli deuawd piano

2^il – Ysgol Bro Preseli piano a ffliwt

3^ydd – Pedwarawd ffidil HHVC

Ensemble lleisiol agored

1^af – Ensemble lleisiau uwch HHVC

2^il – ensemble lleisiau is HHVC

3^ydd – Ensemble lleisiol Harri Tudur

Ensemble roc a phop gradd 5-

1^af – Ysgol Caer Elen

2^il – HHVC

3^ydd – Harri Tudur

Canmoliaeth uchel – HHVC Band 2

Ensemble roc a phop agored

1^af – “The Messiaens” – HHVC

2^il – HHVC KS4 band

3^ydd – Band ysgol Greenhill

Canmoliaeth uchel – HHVC Band #1

Education

Relationships and Sexuality Education curriculum discussed at County Hall

Published

2 days ago

May 15, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for Pembrokeshire County Council to provide assurance that RSE education in the county was “both age appropriate and does not constitute grooming” was heard at County Hall last week.

In late 2022 a legal challenge against the teaching of young children about gender identity and sex in primary schools across Wales was lost.

Campaigners had launched a judicial review in the High Court against the Welsh Government’s new Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) curriculum.

The curriculum was launched that September, seeing the mandatory teaching of relationships and sexuality education to children from the age of seven.

In a submitted question heard at the May 9 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, member of the public Valerie Sutherland had asked: “Given the legal challenge to the RSE curriculum by concerned parents against Welsh Government, can you confirm the council’s safeguarding team are happy that the RSE education provided is both age appropriate and does not constitute grooming?

“Secondly, given that a number of parents are unhappy about the content of the new curriculum and the loss of their right to withdraw children from classes, particularly in light of the Cass Review, how are you ensuring that parents’ values are respected and that trust in schools is not eroded?”

Responding, Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham said: “The safeguarding and education team has been actively involved in develop age-appropriate content for schools,” adding: “In faith schools work has been done with each diocese for RSE”.

“Each school has developed a plan for RSE and shared it with parents and learners at their school, parents have been provided with information by their school on how to raise their concerns about the RSE curriculum following the decision to make RSE mandatory for all learners.

“Schools are working with families through the challenges that this brings; each school community has provided sessions for parents on the curriculum, parents are being informed and they have the opportunity to discuss this with the school.”

Cllr Woodham advised parents to raise concerns through the schools’ complaints policy should they have any concerns.

Education

Senedd told of families’ struggles with new ALN system

Published

7 days ago

May 10, 2024

Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter

FAR TOO many children and young people are unable to access support under Wales’ new additional learning needs system, leaving families at breaking point, the Senedd heard.

Jack Sargeant led a debate on a 15,000-name petition, submitted by Victoria Lightbown, raising concerns about implementation of the additional learning needs (ALN) system.

He said the ALN reforms have triggered more petitions in recent months than any other subject aside from 20mph, with five being considered by the petitions committee.

Mr Sargeant raised Estyn’s concerns about inconsistent application of reforms under the ALN Act, which is replacing the previous special educational needs (SEN) system.

The Labour MS, who chairs the petitions committee, said he has heard harrowing stories of parents having to fight against a system that sometimes feels inflexible and unsympathetic.

Buffy Williams, the newly elected chair of the Senedd’s education committee, said there is enthusiasm for the reform’s core principles but too much inconsistency on the ground.

She cautioned that a new category of pupils, with lower level additional needs, is emerging.

“They were on schools’ old SEN registers,” said the Labour backbencher.

“But for various reasons – which include funding, workload and perhaps the flexibility offered by the new curriculum – they are not being recognised as having ALN.”

Ms Williams, who represents Rhondda, said 32% fewer children were recorded as having SEN or ALN in the 2022/23 school year compared with 2020/21.

She raised concerns from the president of the education tribunal about “universal provision” being wrongly used as a reason not to give a child an individual development plan.

Saying the Act needs time to bed in, Ms Williams added that schools’ ALN co-ordinators need more dedicated non-teaching time to do their roles justice.

Sam Rowlands, for the Conservatives, raised concerns about far too many children falling through the gaps amid a massive overhaul of the system.

Mr Rowlands, the former Conwy Council leader, who represents North Wales in the Senedd, said parents also report issues with accountability.

Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru’s shadow education secretary, warned that too many children and young people are unable to access the support they need.

She told the chamber she was moved to tears by stories of families at breaking point.

Ms Fychan recalled one parent telling her how they contemplated suicide due to the strain of constantly trying to fight for the support their child deserves.

“This is the level of concern in our community – support is desperately needed,” she said.

The South Wales Central MS raised concerns about “incredible” inconsistencies for learners who need additional support in Welsh.

She warned that disabled and neurodivergent children are being excluded from many of the things that make school fun, from school trips to Christmas concerts.

Peredur Owen Griffiths, her Plaid Cymru colleague, highlighted a sense of frustration and anger among parents stemming from dismay at substandard provision.

He quoted a letter from Blaenau Gwent Council to parents which warned schools “can no longer afford to recruit the required number of staff to support our most vulnerable learners”.

Hefin David, whose daughter is autistic, reflected on his own family’s experiences.

He said: “One of the things that happens when you have a child with additional learning needs, or ALN in your family, is that it isn’t a moment of revelation – it’s a slow discovery.”

The Labour MS for Caerphilly stressed the importance of educational and clinical support, warning that all too often the two are disconnected.

Dr David likened the system to a pinball machine that passes parents from pillar to post.

He said his daughter is clearly diagnosable and in the right place in the system, but: “The problem you’ve got is where the children have more grey-area diagnoses….

“It’s much harder for them to find their place in the system as well, and I know others have had that experience. That’s where we really need to pick up.”

Vikki Howells, a fellow Labour backbencher, stressed that the transition to the new ALN system is not yet complete, with phased implementation allowing lessons to be learned.

She said casework in her Cynon Valley constituency shows ALN must be a priority.

Ms Howells, a former teacher and assistant head of sixth form at Caerphilly’s St Cenydd Comprehensive, highlighted a Welsh Government announcement of a further £20m for ALN.

Mabon ap Gwynfor, the Plaid Cymru MS for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, called for educational support to be based more on need rather than a diagnosis.

The shadow health secretary raised examples of children aged six not getting a diagnosis until they are 12 or 13, leading to a delay in support at school.

Lynne Neagle, Wales’ new education secretary, said ALN reform was always going to be an ambitious, systemic programme of change and it remains early days.

Vowing action to improve implementation, she told the chamber her priorities are twofold: improving oversight and increasing consistency.

Responding to the debate on May 8, she said the Welsh Government has protected more than £50m this year for ALN reforms.

Ms Neagle said there are examples of excellent practice in Wales’ schools, with the sector embedding a new person-centred approach while running the SEN system in parallel.

But she recognised the challenges, telling MSs: “We do hear too often that the families of children with ALN have to fight for the right support and education – and this must change.”

Education

Young people dive into My River project to learn about Cleddau

Published

1 week ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DURING the Easter Holidays, young people from The Edge Youth Centre and the Army Welfare Service took part in a two-day environmental project in Haverfordwest in partnership with the Cleddau Project.

The ‘My River’ project enabled young people to connect with the River Cleddau, learn about the importance of looking after rivers and discuss what their river means to them as young people.

At the start of the project, the young people linked up with the West Wales Rivers Trust for the Big River Clean Up in Haverfordwest.

The young people helped clean up a stretch of the Western Cleddau River that runs alongside Bridge Meadow Park and Morrisons.

In the afternoon, they enjoyed an engaging session delivered by the Darwin Centre looking at the mini-beasts that live in our rivers under microscopes.

On day two the young people reflected on their findings creating a story with illustrator Fran Evans.

The young people created a piece of art telling the story of their river and the importance of looking after the river.

The story is called the ‘adventures of the trash trio’ and will be exhibited to the public at the ‘My River’ Art Exhibition at HaverHub, Quay Street, Haverfordwest at the end of June.

The young people will be coming back together in May Half-Term to explore the river in Haverfordwest by canoeing up the Western River Cleddau.

Steve Lewis, Senior Youth Worker said: “This project educated young people on the importance of our rivers and how they support wildlife, ecosystems and recreation activities. It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm from the young people and to see them connecting with their river.”

This project has been made possible by funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.