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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

Education

Home Education: Delays and missed opportunities risk further tragedy

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THE TOPIC of Home Education has again hit the headlines.

The brutal murder of Sara Sharif in London exposes the glaring gaps in child protection for home-educated children over those in mainstream education, says the Independent Group on Pembrokeshire County Council in a detailed proposal on tackling safeguarding concerns and a call for the Welsh Government to act.

The Group’s statement is below.

No one denies that parents have the choice of home education. However, this shouldn’t be allowed if the risk to children is increased by a lack of a register by Local Authorities that confirms how many children are receiving home education, where they are receiving it, and from whom. The rights of the child should always be a priority, but the legislation surrounding home education is not strong enough to support this.

Pleas to the Welsh Government from local authorities across Wales to create and maintain a register of home-schooled children have fallen on deaf ears.

COUNCILLORS HAVE A FUNDAMENTAL SAFEGUARDING DUTY

Pembrokeshire has had its share of tragic outcomes regarding home education, and Councillors and employees of the authority have continually raised concerns about the matter. However, a time has now arrived when we as a society must demand action, as failure to do so will almost certainly see such tragedies reoccur. Society needs to accept that this is not Big Brother but our fundamental duty to protect its most vulnerable, namely our Children.

Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England, said it was “madness” that the law currently allows parents to take a child out of school, even if concerns had already been raised”.

She added, “Being in school is a safeguard; they are safer under the eyes of teachers.”

We must act. The Prime Minister himself has said that his government will deliver “stronger safeguards” for those educated at home, and the need to act is immediate. And act they have done, making it clear they intend to bring forward legislation (for England) a “landmark” bill where home-schooled children will have to be registered with their local authority.

Wales has procrastinated for far too long and must follow suit and do so without delay.

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNCILLORS’ CONCERNS IGNORED

In Pembrokeshire, the lack of a formal register has been raised on numerous occasions over many years, including on a number of occasions since the last County Council elections in 2022. The Social Care O&S Committee under the Chair of Councillor Dave Bryan on November 10, 2022, heard The Head of Children Services comment that the Council was then “into their third administration of WG where concerns of EHE has not been acted upon following Kirsty Williams’s announcement to shelve the plans.”

A letter sent by Councillor Bryan on this matter drew a negative response from the Welsh Government.

Cllr Phil Kidney and Cllr Huw Murphy raised the matter at Full Council on December 12. The latter commented that action is needed on this matter, as words alone will not suffice, and that he would be failing in his role as Safeguarding Champion if he did not speak out. Politics is about doing right, not being popular.

INCREASED HOME EDUCATION INCREASES RISK

In 2020, there were 210 children in EHE in Pembrokeshire. By early 2023, that number was 325. By Sept 2024, it stood at 463.

Increased numbers equate to increased risk.

Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire have the highest rates of children in EHE across Wales. The Education Act 1996 does not have the framework to allow local authorities to speak to home-schooled children or even see them if parents refuse. Home education works well in most cases, but sadly, not always. The invisibility of these children causes so much concern, as by the time they are seen, it is too late for some.

A CHANGE IN THE LAW

The UK is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Article 2 of the Convention directs that “the state shall take all appropriate measures to ensure the child is protected against all forms of discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities, expressed opinion or beliefs of the child’s parents.”

Article 28 (b) stipulates that governments must make “primary education compulsory & available free for all”, and 28 (e) says governments must “take measures to encourage attendance at schools and the reduction of drop-out rates.”

It could be argued that for Wales and the UK to be more compliant with the UNCRC, the Education Act, 1996 should be amended to confirm the rights of parents to home-educate their children but within a legal setting where every local authority holds a register of every child receiving home education, that every child is seen and spoken to every term and a sample of their work is seen to evidence that they are being educated to a level that will provide them with the necessary tools and skills to succeed on attaining adulthood.

Society gets only one chance to get things right for every child born into it. For too long, the issue of not setting up a formal register for home-educated children has been, at best, overlooked and, at worst, ignored when the majority support the measure. By doing so, PCC concerns for Child safety will be identified earlier, and tragic outcomes will be reduced.

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Education

Are the standards of UK universities declining?

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Attending university is a popular next step for many people in the education system. However, with significant events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and a shift into more online-based learning, it begs the question – is the experience as good as it has ever been? 

In this article we’ll explore the current state of universities in the UK by looking at several factors that offer an insight into whether or not standards are declining or increasing.

Acceptance rates 

The acceptance rate of UK universities has remained in line with what it was 10 years ago. In 2013, 496,000 out of 677,000 applicants were accepted and, in 2023, 554,000 out of 752,000 applicants were accepted. This gives an acceptance rate of 73.3% and 73.7% in 2013 and 2023, respectively. 

Acceptance rates staying relatively similar does indicate that the standards for entry into UK universities has remained consistent over the years. 

Student satisfaction

Student satisfaction rates are typically revealed each year by the NSS (National Student Survey). The figure often varies widely depending on the university, but overall it generally falls in the mid to high 80% range. This statistic was similar in 2016, which had an average satisfaction rate of 86%

The COVID-19 pandemic did affect student satisfaction rates. Just before the pandemic, in 2019, the NSS reported an overall satisfaction rate of 84%. In the midst of the pandemic, this figure dropped to 74% and then increased slightly post-pandemic, rising to 76.3% in 2022. 

By 2023, levels had returned to normal, showing that overall, universities are still providing a good experience for students. 

Undergraduate degree results 

In terms of student performance, the quality of work has improved over the last 10 years. In 2013/14, 20% of undergraduates achieved first-class honours and 6% obtained the lowest grade, a third. In 2022/23, 30% of undergraduates were awarded first-class honours whilst only 3% received a third. These figures indicate that students are performing better in their studies and the standards of learning in UK universities have improved. 

Increased performance from graduates could be down to numerous factors, including more advanced online plagiarism checks from sites like BachelorPrint or more flexible learning models with the addition of remote course elements. 

Current state of UK universities

Overall, there’s limited evidence to suggest that the standards of UK universities have declined in recent years. Acceptance rates and student satisfaction have remained relatively steady, aside from a blip due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and more students are achieving higher honours than ever before. 

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Education

Call for clarity on rural schools policy from Welsh Government

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CYMDEITHAS YR LAITH have called on the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, to use the current review of the School Organization Code to state clearly the presumption against closing rural schools, and that local authorities must start from the point of view of trying to maintain and strengthen them, only considering closing them if all other options fail.

In a message to the secretary today, the movement referred to the words of Ceredigion Council’s Chief Executive, Eifion Evans, during the authority’s Cabinet meeting at the beginning of the month (Tuesday, 3 December), when it was agreed to treat statutory consultations on the proposal to close Ysgol Llangwyryfon, Ysgol Craig-yr-Wylfa, Ysgol Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn, and Ysgol Syr John Rhys in Ponterwyd as informal ones.

Mr Evans told the meeting: “The Code is extremely complex and extremely difficult. And as I’ve said all along, the Code is very vague at the moment. It’s a headache for officials as much as it is for anyone else as to how to interpret it and use it. I hope that the review that is currently taking place down in Cardiff regarding this Code is going to finally try to get some sort of clarity on what needs to be done.”

In response, Ffred Ffransis said on behalf of the Cymdeithas yr Iaith Education Group: “The 2018 edition of the Code states clearly enough that the introduction of a presumption duty against closing rural schools that are on the Government’s official list. But many local authorities such as Ceredigion believe that they can start from the point of view of an intention to close a number of rural schools to save money, and then, just go through the empty steps of naming and ruling out alternative options with the same generic sentence.”

In September 2018, when introducing the Code, Kirsty Williams AM explained its intention on the floor of the Assembly: “Local authorities in those areas, if they have a school that’s on the list, should start on the basis that closure is the last option and they should seek every opportunity through a variety of ways to keep those schools open… Presumption against a closure and the option to seek alternatives to keeping a school open, again, should not be left to the official consultation period, but should be employed by the council before they make any decision to go out to consultation on the future of the school.”

Mr Ffransis added: “It is clear that following a process similar to what we saw with Ceredigion Council did not follow the intention of the Senedd and the Welsh Government when introducing this change in the Code.

“Quite simply, the principle of presumption against closing rural schools needs to be emphasised and made clear in the third edition of the Code that will be published as a result of the consultation. This way, it should be impossible for anyone to mistake that the Senedd or the Welsh Government is serious about the policy.”

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