17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Powys village school wins Welsh language gold award
A village primary school that is in walking distance of the English border is celebrating after becoming the third school in Powys to win a prestigious Welsh language award.
Carreghofa Primary School on the outskirts of Llanymynech is now the proud owners of the Cymraeg Campus Gold Award after working hard to achieve several targets that not only look to improve Welsh within the school, but within the local community too.
The award is part of the Cymraeg Campus Language Charter which was specifically created to develop Welsh in English-medium schools.
The school's Welsh committee, 'Y Criw Cymraeg', with the support of Welsh co-ordinator Rachel Hill, create initiatives and displays to promote the use of Welsh, and helped staff develop their Welsh language skills.
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A big part of promoting Welsh in school is meeting Welsh-speaking visitors to the school and taking part in activities and workshops. During the past few months, the school have welcomed many visitors, including Wrexham AFC footballer Rebecca Pritchard, triathlete Deri McCluskey, singer Mr Phormula and actor Llion Williams.
Pupils also held a cake sale to raise money to buy recordable teddy bears. Local care homes received the bears which pupils had recorded familiar Welsh phrases and questions for residents.
Year 5 and 6 helped organise a digital 'Guide to Llanymynech ' which can be accessed through QR codes around the village in Welsh and English.
A book containing stories written by Years 3,4,5 and 6 pupils about the Welsh Not was delivered to a local café, and a Welsh language display board was created for the village hall.
The school also organised Welsh games for nursery-age pupils who attend Owlets, Border Preschool and Julie's Family Daycare.
A group of Year 5 and 6 pupils also won the local 'Cwis Dim Clem' competition, which was organised by Menter Maldwyn across Montgomeryshire, with Carreghofa finishing in first place.
The school has been invited to an awards evening in July after winning a Welsh Heritage Award, recognising their efforts to promote Welsh language and culture in the area.
Welsh co-ordinator Rachel Hill, who was proud of the children, said: 'It has been hugely rewarding to see our children become so passionate about the Welsh language and culture. Receiving the gold award is like the icing on the cake.'
Headteacher Claire Pritchard was also very pleased with the gold award.
'I am proud of all the children's efforts to achieve this award,' she said.
'Mrs Hill alongside her Criw have ensured all of our children enjoy learning Welsh and are proud to be part of a school in Wales.'
