A CALL to end the ‘fad’ of permanent ‘school dogs’ in Pembrokeshire for their benefit and the befit of the schools, instead using visiting ‘therapy dogs’ is to be further discussed by councillors.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of November 28 considered a public submission by Robert Thomas – who works with therapy dogs through Cariad Pet Therapy – on the subject of school dogs.

The submission read: “My definition of a school dog is one that spends long periods in the school and is managed and owned by school employees not outside assessed and insured visiting therapy dogs who stay for an hour with a competent handler.

“The welfare of many dogs in schools in Pembrokeshire has been compromised over the last few years and we are concerned that the rise in the popularity of school-owned or teacher-owned dogs is an animal welfare issue.

“I can think of several school dogs in Pembrokeshire where it has gone wrong for the animal.”

He cited examples of ‘school dogs’ the county, where he says they have had to be removed, with the animals being unsettled, barking and even nipping on occasions, showing “a lack of understanding of animal welfare”.

His submission added: “We have done some work with the Animal Welfare team at the Welsh Government around licensing this field, a consultation was completed in March 2023, currently awaiting the outcome.

“It has become a fad across the country and many dogs spend all day in schools supported by staff members who have another job to do. It feels like PCC does not have a policy overarching animal welfare policy in schools to protect dogs from being seen as staff members and there purely for human benefit, not the dogs.

“Dogs need to rest and sleep during the day and not in school. The visiting therapy dog model works best as the impact is greatest and the welfare of the dog is managed externally. If the dog is there all the time that can diminish the impact, and the novelty can wear off for the pupils.

“In my experience schools should concentrate on teaching and leave the therapy dog introduction to those that have the expertise in animal welfare.”

At the November 28 meeting, Mr Thomas said both the Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club were against full-time school dogs due to welfare concerns, adding, in Pembrokeshire’s case, there had been animal and pupil welfare issues.

Calling for either a halt to school dogs, or the creation of a special welfare officer post, he said there was a “real concern the dog is there for the school and not the school there for the dog,” adding: “Animal welfare is not just about basic need but about emotional needs too.”

Members were told by officers that all such dogs in Pembrokeshire’s case were “safe and well,” and decisions on having school dogs came under the schools, and was “not the case the local authority has encouraged them to get dogs,” but “lessons had been learned” about a possible “too hard and too fast” move to having them in schools.

Following a proposal by Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall members agreed to hold a special seminar to look at the issue in more depth before any recommendation was made.

MORE than 400 secondary age musicians took part in a variety of individual and ensemble competitions at the Pembrokeshire Valero Secondary Schools’ Music Festival held at Ysgol Caer Elen.

Musicians from the County’s Secondary Schools, Pembrokeshire College and further afield took part at the event on November 16th.

Head of Pembrokeshire Music Service Philippa Roberts said: “Heartfelt congratulations to all the pupils who participated in the festival. It has been truly inspiring to see students enthusiastically sharing their musical talents in a supportive and encouraging environment.”

Mared Phillips from Ysgol Bro Preseli, was announced as overall winner of this year’s festival.

Earlier in the day Mared had sung ‘Le Colibri’ by Ernest Chausson. She was also the winner of the Open Woodwind competition, performing the Second movement of Saint-Saens oboe sonata.

The Open String competition winner was cellist Seren Barrett from Greenhill. She performed ‘Tarantella’ by WH Squire.

Open Jazz was won by pianist Iestyn Barellie, also from Greenhill. He performed ‘Sturdy build’ by Christopher Norton. Another double winner, Iestyn also won the Open Guitar competition, performing ‘Sir Duke’ by Stevie Wonder.

Libby Phillips of Haverfordwest High VC School was the winner of the Open percussion class, performing ‘Toccata’ by David Glynne.

Trombonist Ianto Evans of Ysgol Bro Gwaun won the Open Brass competition, playing ‘Thoughts of Love’ by Arthur Prior.

The Open Piano competition was won by Loti Makepeace of Ysgol Bro Preseli. She performed ‘Jingo’ by Christopher Norton.

The Open Vocal Ensemble class winners were a vocal trio from Haverfordwest High VC School – Mia Burnett, Honey Johnston and Briana Havard – who performed ‘Close to you’ by Burt Bacharach.

A piano and harp duo from Jenifer Rees and Eliza Bradbury, Pembrokeshire College, won the open Ensemble category. They performed ‘Preseli Skies’ by Monica Stadler.

The final performers of the afternoon were the Haverfordwest High VC expressive arts band, who performed ‘I’m still standing’ by Elton John. They were winners of the Rock and Pop ensemble competition.

The invited professional adjudicators – Timothy Angel, vocal; Matthew Jenkins, ensemble; Catherine Hare, woodwind; Robin Hackett, brass; Karin Jenkins, strings; Bethan Harkin, piano/harp and jazz; Ben Richards, instrumental; Philip Davies, percussion and rock and pop – were greatly impressed with the high standard and strength of schools’ music on show from across the County.

Timothy Angel, vocal adjudicator, expressed his admiration for the day: “The wealth of musical talent within Pembrokeshire Music Service is evident to see and made my job both very rewarding and difficult.”

The results of the competitions held during the day were as follows:

WOODWIND

Grade 3 flute

1st – Imogen Holloway, YPD

2nd – Ruby Bunston, YBG

3^rd – Saphire Cook, MHS

HC – Angharad Chin & Caitlyn Sanders-Swales, MHS

Grade 3 clarinet & sax

1^st – Holly Smith, HHVC

2^nd – Katherine Jones, Henry Tudor

3^rd – Jed Cox, Greenhill

HC – Felicity Betteridge, MHS; Sasha Aulehla-Atkin, Caer Elen

Grade 4 woodwind

1^st – Catrin Jones, Caer Elen

2^nd – Erin Dando, MHS

3^rd – Mali Jones-Hughes, HHVC

Grade 5 woodwind

1^st – Ela-Gwennon Jones, Bro Preseli

2^nd – Tom Pounder, MHS

3^rd – Emily Dickinson, Greenhill

Grade 6 woodwind

1^st – Eryn Howlett, MHS

2^nd – Teri Aulehla-Atkin, HHVC

3^rd – Eva Rees, MHS

Open Woodwind

1^st – Mared Phillips, Bro Preseli

2^nd – Libby Phillips, HHVC

3^rd – Gemma Armstrong, Bro Preseli & Harry Armstrong, Pembrokeshire College

BRASS

Grade 3 Brass

1^st – Eliza Wood, Greenhill

2^nd – Tristan George, HHVC

3^rd – Logan Rowe-Davies, HHVC

Grade 4 brass

1^st – Eilidh Frazer, Greenhill

2^nd – Teilo Corp, Bro Preseli

3^rd – Bronwen Corp, Bro Preseli

HC – Luca Talbot-English, YBG

Grade 5 Brass

1^st – Harry Thomas, YPD

2^nd – Owain Williams, HHVC

3^rd – Idris Leeming-Hicks, Caer Elen & Cornelia Harries, Bro Preseli

Grade 6 Brass

1^st – Eliza Wood, Greenhill

2^nd – Archie Noyce, Greenhill

3^rd – Jaap Harries, Bro Preseli

HC – Gwilym Jones, Bro Preseli

Open Brass

1^st – Ianto Evans, YBG

2^nd – Marilla Evans, Bro Preseli

3^rd – Carys Rycroft, Bro Preseli

HC – Ifan Evans, Bro Preseli & Morgan Price, Pembrokeshire College

STRINGS

Grade 3 strings

1^st – Sybilla Couzens

2^nd – Chloe Jenkins-Sims, Bro Preseli

3^rd – Benny Brett, HHVC

HC – Nel Freeman, Henry Tudor & Lily Kingaby, YBG

Grade 4 strings

1^st – Eloise Barry, HHVC

2^nd – Janelle Cabral, HHVC & Brooke Paterson, YBG

3^rd – Rosie Basford-Leslie, HHVC

HC – Izaac Frazer, Greenhill & Eira Kaill-Franks, YPD

Grade 5 strings

1^st – Ruby Rapi, Bro Preseli

2^nd – Nina Powell & Elena Gould

3^rd – Cosmo Karenin, HHVC

HC – Claudia Couzens, Redhill

Grade 6 strings

1^st – Annabel John, YPD

2^nd – Gwenna Kennerley, HHVC

Open strings

1^st – Seren Barrett, Greenhill

2^nd – Mia Burnett, HHVC

3^rd – Maria Cabral, HHVC

HC – Tom Bridger, YPD, Esyllt Corp, Bro Preseli & Sebastian Semaani, YPD

PIANO & HARP

Grade 3 & 4 piano & harp

1^st – Hywel Davies, Bro Preseli

2^nd – Dev Saini, Bro Preseli & Eva Corr, Redhill

3^rd – Elizabeth Evans, HHVC

HC – Toby Slowgrove

Grade 5 piano & harp

1^st – Ruby Kleinjans

2^nd – Roberta Gale, YPD & Elena Gould

3^rd – Amber O’Connor, Bro Preseli & Mischa Orford

Grade 6 piano & harp

1^st – Tom Bridger, YPD

2^nd – Toby Hounsell, Henry Tudor

3^rd – Siddha Saini, Bro Preseli

HC – Gabriel Blackwell & Nikita Vajrala

Open piano & harp

1^st – Loti Makepeace, Bro Preseli

2^nd – Cosmo Karenin, HHVC

3^rd – Ianto Evans, YBG & Sebastian Semaani, YPD

HC – Iestyn Barrellie, Greenhill

PERCUSSION

Drum kit grade 3-6

1^st – Poppy Delaney, HHVC

2^nd – Teilo Kite, YPD

3^rd – Regan Phillips, MHS

HC – Haydon Straviniders, MHS

Overall Open percussion

Libby Phillips, xylophone, HHVC

Open tuned percussion

1^st Libby Phillips, HHVC

Open drum kit

1^st – Osian Ridgway, Henry Tudor

2^nd – Libby Phillips, HHVC

3^rd – Ryan Block, Bro Preseli

HC – Sam Berry, YBG & Will Rowe, HHVC

JAZZ

Jazz grade 3-5

1^st – Matthew Picton, MHS

Open Jazz

1^st – Iestyn Barrellie, Greenhill

2^nd – Matthew Shaw, Greenhill

3^rd – Harry Armstrong, MHS

HC – Tom Pounder, MHS

GUITAR

Open guitar

1^st – Iestyn Barrellie, Greenhill

2^nd – George Penney, MHS

3^rd – Willis Riley, Greenhill

HC – Lewis Murray, YBG, Steffan James, Caer Elen & Leo Argent, Henry Tudor

VOCALS

Musical Theatre & classical vocals years 7-9

1^st – Pixie Coast, HHVC

2^nd – Toby Armstrong, Bro Preseli

3^rd – Hollie Draper, YPD

HC – Ruby Sunderland, HHVC & Benny Brett, HHVC

Pop vocals years 7-9

1^st – Sophia Jones, Henry Tudor

2^nd – Brodie Chalmers, HHVC

3^rd – Izzy Roberts, MHS & Caitlyn Sanders-Swales, MHS

HC – Martha Bhari, Henry Tudor

Musical Theatre & classical vocals years 10-13

1^st – Sara Gwilliam, HHVC

2^nd – Lily Davies, HHVC

3^rd – Saoirse Whitehead, HHVC

HC – Esyllt Corp, Bro Preseli & Arianna Lister, Caer Elen

Pop vocals years 10-13

1^st – Beca Phillips, Greenhill

2^nd – Maisie Tennick, Caer Elen

3^rd – Lacey Mattsen, HHVC

HC – Gwenna Kennerley, HHVC & Mia Young, Greenhill

Open vocals

1^st – Mared Phillips, Bro Preseli

2^nd – Corey Hooper-Rees, HHVC

3^rd – Micah Bealby, Pembrokeshire College

HC – Ruby Panesar, HHVC & Nyah McKee, HHVC

ENSEMBLES

Instrumental ensembles grade 5-

1^st – Roberta Gale, YPD & Eva Corr, Redhill – piano duet

2^nd – Gemma Armstrong, Ollie Towe & Anna Dafydd – Bro Preseli flute trio

3^rd – Toby Hounsell & Isla Hounsell – Henry Tudor piano duet

Open instrumental ensemble

1^st – Pembrokeshire College harp & piano duet

2^nd – HHVC flute ensemble

3^rd – HHVC String quartet

Open vocal ensemble

1^st – HHVC vocal trio

2^nd – Pembrokeshire College vocal ensemble

3^rd – Haverfordwest High Six

Open rock and pop ensemble

1^st – HHVC Expressive arts band

2^nd – YBG folk band

3^rd – The Monarchs, MHS

HC – Caer Elen “Band 2” & MHS Rock Band

Photos: 1. Overall winner Mared Phillips, Ysgol Bro Preseli 2. Open solo class winners l-r Mared Phillips, Loti Makepeace, Ianto Evans, Seren Barrett, Iestyn Barrellie, Libby Phillips with Head of Pembrokeshire Music Service Philippa Roberts, Stephen Thornton of Valero, Miranda Morgan, Music coordinator. 3. Winners of the open ensemble classes – harp & piano duo, HHVC Expressive Arts Band, HHVC vocal trio).

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL, in collaboration with Pembrokeshire College, has launched a new campaign to inspire school leavers to pursue a rewarding career in teaching.

The initiative, supported by local schools, community partners, and current educators, aims to highlight the profound impact teachers can have on future generations and encourage school leavers to consider teaching as a career path.

With over 60 schools in the county, there is a growing demand for passionate and skilled educators to foster a bilingual and forward-thinking education system in Pembrokeshire. The campaign aims to nurture the next generation of teachers by sharing real-life stories from current educators in Pembrokeshire, providing insight into the career and encouraging young people to explore teaching as a fulfilling option.

Two local educators, Braint Llewellyn and Alisha John, have shared their personal teaching journeys to help inspire school leavers across Pembrokeshire.

Braint, 25, a primary school teacher at Ysgol Caer Elen, grew up in the Preseli Mountains in north Pembrokeshire. Braint’s passion for teaching is deeply rooted in her Welsh heritage and her desire to help children to embrace Welsh culture and language.

“Being able to teach through the medium of Welsh is an honour,” says Braint. “It’s rewarding to know I’m helping to shape the future of the Welsh language and culture.”

After completing a History degree at Cardiff University, Braint spent nearly two years as a teaching assistant before deciding to take on more responsibility in the classroom. She then completed her Primary PGCE at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Now in her second year of teaching, she cherishes the relationships she builds with her students and the variety of her role.

Braint’s message to young people considering teaching is simple: “Go for it! Teaching is tough at times, but the reward of helping shape young minds and being a constant source of support for your students makes it all worth it.”

Similarly, Alisha, a 23-year-old PE teacher at Ysgol Greenhill School in Tenby, has had a non-traditional path into teaching. Originally from Llanelli, she initially planned to become a physiotherapist after leaving school, but decided to pursue teaching after seeing the impact her PE teachers had on her life during her GCSEs and A-Levels.

Alisha completed her degree in Physical Education at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and her Secondary PGCE at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Now in her second year of teaching, she is passionate about helping students engage with physical education and break down barriers to learning. She said, “Seeing students who were previously disengaged now bringing their kit to class and attending after-school clubs is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.”

Alisha’s advice to anyone thinking about a career in teaching is to embrace the opportunity. “Teaching is incredibly rewarding. You get to make a difference in the lives of young people and watch them grow in confidence and ability. Every day is an opportunity to inspire.”

Steven Richards-Downes, director of education at Pembrokeshire Council said, “Teachers have a unique power to shape young minds, inspiring creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning. We’re committed to attracting and retaining talented educators, with initiatives like our Coaching & Mentoring program to support NQTs in their first year.

“Pembrokeshire’s diverse range of Welsh and English medium, as well as faith-based schools, aims to inspire students not just to fill roles, but to ensure our schools continue providing top-quality education for the future.”

For more information on how to begin your journey towards a teaching career, visit https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning.

To find out more about the campaign, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJINeUhKRBM