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Powys County Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Headteacher celebrates 'rollercoaster' 15 years at school
PUPILS at a Powys primary school have thrown their departing headteacher a special rollercoaster-themed farewell, to honour his love of theme parks. Adam Shearman has been the headteacher of Llanelwedd Church in Wales Primary School, near Builth Wells, for 15 years, but is heading to another school in the county in September. Llanelwedd deputy head Satu Haikala said staff and pupils 'brought Disneyworld to Llanelwedd' as a way of giving Mr Shearman a fitting send-off at the end of term. Members of staff planned a special surprise to honour Mr Shearman's love of theme parks with a surprise roller coaster ride around the school grounds. The playground was decorated as a theme park and a special cart had been designed as a 'rollercoaster', where children in Year 6 pushed Mr Shearman through specially decorated theme lands that included references to his favourite theme parks; as well as to the other schools that he has supported over the last 15 years. All the pupils wore Disney-themed outfits and lined up in rows for Mr Shearman to be pushed through. They waved, cheered, threw streamers and joined in the fun. Mr Shearman had no idea that staff and pupils had conspired to organise the leaving party. 'I didn't have a clue,' he said. 'Bearing in mind we have 113 children, not one of them said a word. They knew it was a secret. 'When I walked into school I was met by our deputy headteacher, dressed as one of Snow White's dwarves. 'I then walked into assembly to see the whole school dressed as Disney characters. The staff were dressed as Snow White and her dwarves.' Another teacher, Paul Walby, who is also leaving this term, was dressed as Snow White herself. Ms Haikala, the school's deputy head, said: 'We had a collection and didn't make enough to send Mr Shearman to Disneyworld, so we brought Disneyworld to Llanelwedd.' The children also sang songs from their recent production of the Wizard of Oz. Mr Shearman joined the school in 2010, when it had just 43 children; he now leaves the school with 94 pupils, with a further 19 in the school-based pre-school setting. On the school's Facebook page he said: 'I find myself reflecting on the journey we've shared. 'Llanelwedd school has never been just a place of learning, it has been a living, breathing community where curiosity is encouraged, resilience is built and compassion is celebrated. 'Together, we've weathered challenges (and flooding), embraced change and created a culture that values both academic achievements and empathy. 'Over the years the school has grown and developed, but at its heart is the children. The children at Llanelwedd are like family.' The was described as 'thriving' by Church in Wales inspectors who visited just before Easter. 'The true legacy of a school lies not in its buildings or measured by the awards it wins but is in the hearts and minds of those who pass through its doors,' added Mr Shearman. 'As I move on to new adventures, I leave with immense pride and unwavering hope for the future of this remarkable school. 'I know the school is in very safe hands with the new headteacher, Ms Haikala, and the wonderful staff team here. 'I would like to thank the whole school community for their support, good wishes and contributions. It has truly been an honour to serve as the headteacher of this very special place.'
Powys County Times
5 days ago
- General
- Powys County Times
St Andrew's grass to be spread at Coed Llanandras reserve
A churchyard described as a time capsule is to be scythed to nourish a new nature reserve. St Andrew's, in Norton, will contribute to a project led by the Marches-based charity Caring for God's Acre (CfGA), whose volunteers will scythe wildflower-rich grass from the churchyard and spread it at the newly established Coed Llanandras reserve in Presteigne. Leigh Harling Bowen, a Presteigne town councillor and one of the volunteers, said: "A well-managed churchyard represents a time when all meadows were full of wildflowers. "The churchyard at Norton is one of the most bio-diverse that CfGA manages." The cutting and transfer will take place on August 5, with cuttings transported just a few miles to the reserve near to the Primary School in Presteigne. Local volunteers will join the CfGA team to spread the material in the hope of establishing new meadowland. Mr Bowen said: "Churchyards are wonderful seedbanks for rewilding 21st century countryside with local wildflower species. "They are a snapshot in time stretching back a thousand years, as they've never had fertilisers or pesticides applied to them." The project in Norton is being led by Alex Logan, who co-ordinates CfGA volunteers who manage churchyards across Shropshire, Herefordshire, and Powys. Mr Logan said: "Churchyards are very special places for nature. "They're home to not just wildflowers and grasses but insects, butterflies, bats, birds, small mammals including dormice, and even slow worms. Three farm-led businesses to be merged at Wynnstay Group Wrexham Eisteddfod musical star Cadi Glwys from Powys "Each week our teams are busy making sure our ancient burial grounds are looked after in a way which means they remain important places for biodiversity in their local communities." The Coed Llanandras reserve opened in June 2023 with the goal of introducing a range of habitats, including ponds, scrub, and native woodland, as well as meadow.
Daily Express
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Express
Singapore honours Kinabalu guides
Published on: Friday, July 25, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 25, 2025 Text Size: Vanu (centre) with members of the Persatuan Malim Gunung Kinabalu Kundasang: Ten years after the devastating 2015 earthquake in Ranau, Singapore is still grateful to the courageous guides of Mount Kinabalu, who helped rescue its citizens and retrieve the bodies of those killed in the incident. Its High Commissioner to Malaysia, Vanu Gopala Menon, returned to Kundasang on Tuesday to honour the mountain guides. He met members of the Persatuan Malim Gunung Kinabalu and presented 30 pairs of shoes as a symbolic token of appreciation to the guides who had risked their lives to protect and rescue climbers. 'The tragic Sabah earthquake in 2015 affected many lives, including Singaporeans. My team and I came to honour the mountain guides who played a very important role in rescuing climbers and retrieving the bodies of the deceased,' he said. Vanu recalled that in 2016, the High Commission had hosted a reception to thank the guides and has maintained contact with them since. 'Ten years after the earthquake, we continue to express our gratitude. Their courage will not be forgotten.' The 6.0-magnitude earthquake on June 5 killed 18 people, including 10 students and teachers from Singapore's Tanjong Katong Primary School. Vanu also expressed appreciation to the Malaysian Government and the State Government for the critical assistance extended during the tragedy. 'Singapore and Malaysia are close neighbours. As neighbours, we help one another, especially during difficult situations. 'In times of tragedy, we have looked beyond our nationalities and treated each other as people first,' Vanu said. Meanwhile, Vanu said the collaboration between Sabah and Singapore in the tourism sector is expected to bring significant benefits to the people. According to him, in addition to generating a more sustainable economy, the collaboration will also strengthen the good relations between both parties. 'For me, Sabah holds great potential for tourism and economic cooperation. The people of Singapore have some knowledge about Sabah, and they can learn much more about the State. 'They come to swim and to climb Mount Kinabalu, but Sabah is more than that as there are various business opportunities available in Sabah,' he said during an interview after paying a courtesy visit to Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Musa Aman, at Istana Seri Kinabalu, Thursday. Vanu emphasised that the cooperation opportunities between Singapore and Sabah, which enjoy strong support from the State Government, should be fully utilised. He hopes more entrepreneurs from Singapore will come and conduct business in the State. 'I will return to Singapore and inform the entrepreneurs there about the opportunities and support provided by the State Government here, and I am confident that our government will also support the collaboration between both parties,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Father who wore gorilla outfit to pick up daughter at 'woke' school is reprimanded for 'serious safeguarding issue'
A father who wore a gorilla costume for his daughter on her last day of term was left stunned to be told by her ' woke ' school his actions were 'a serious safeguarding concern'. Chris Napthine donned the ape outfit to meet his daughter, Addie, on Friday July 18, but was shocked when he later received a 'snotty' text message. The 47-year-old went to Hertford Vale C Of E Primary School in the village of Staxton, North Yorkshire, has since branded the school's response 'ridiculous'. It was seven-year-old Addie's last day of Year 2 when Mr Napthine decided to don the gorilla suit as a bit of fun. The dad-of-two, a self-employed horse dentist and farmer, said: 'It's a little village school and I live just opposite it. 'I went there, my son went there and now my little girl does. 'I was just trying to embarrass her. She's always saying, 'Dad, please don't embarrass me'. 'The other day I put a horse's head on, so on the last day of school I put on a gorilla outfit. 'Then, I got this snotty text off the school, saying it's a 'serious safeguarding issue'.' The text, shared by Mr Napthine, read: 'Please do not come into school in a costume or mask. 'This is a serious safeguarding issue. It has also upset some of the children & caused concern for adults.' But Mr Napthine said he sees nothing wrong with his prank - labelling the school 'woke' for its stance. However the school argued that staff need to be aware of who is on premises at all times and a costume would not allow them to be sure who was walking in. He added: 'How is that a safeguarding issue? Where is it going to end? Are the kids not going to be allowed to dress up? 'I really didn't like the way they worded it. 'I was just trying to have a bit of a laugh, but the school have taken it dead serious. 'I messaged them back, but they didn't reply. 'I just thought it was ridiculous. Safeguarding is about the safety of the kids. 'A dad in a gorilla outfit is not a safeguarding issue - let alone a 'serious' one. 'It's taking the p**s. I've had lots of messages of support, saying: 'What on Earth is this country coming to? A kid can identify as a cat but a dad can't dress up as a gorilla'. 'That's what dads do: embarrass their daughters. I'm always playing jokes and messing about. 'It's just a bit woke.' Paul Bradbury, chairman of the board of governors at the school, told The Telegraph: 'Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our pupils is not only our commitment but is a statutory responsibility for all schools. A key part of this is knowing who is on the school premises at all times. 'Parents and carers place their trust in us to safeguard their children, and it is essential that we uphold that trust by ensuring all visitors are clearly identifiable and behave in a way that supports a calm and safe learning environment. We are sure people will agree that's not possible when someone is wearing a full gorilla suit. 'That's why we have asked the parent involved not to do this again and been clear that while some children may have been entertained, some were frightened, and our staff could not identify an adult on site looking through windows. 'We remain committed to creating a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all pupils, staff, and visitors.'
Telegraph
21-07-2025
- Telegraph
Father who wore fancy dress on school run given ‘safeguarding' warning
A father who dressed up in a gorilla costume for his daughter's last day of term was told by her 'woke' school his actions were 'a serious safeguarding concern'. Chris Napthine, 47, wore the ape outfit to collect his seven-year-old daughter on Friday but said he later received the 'ridiculous' text from the school. Mr Napthine's daughter was on her last day of Year 2 at Hertford Vale C of E Primary School in the village of Staxton, North Yorkshire, when he decided to dress up to 'embarrass her' for a bit of fun. He said: 'That's what dads do: embarrass their daughters. I'm always playing jokes and messing about. 'The other day I put a horse's head on, so on the last day of school I put on a gorilla outfit. Then, I got this snotty text off the school, saying it's a 'serious safeguarding issue'.' The text, shared by Mr Napthine, read: 'Please do not come into school in a costume or mask. 'This is a serious safeguarding issue. It has also upset some of the children & caused concern for adults.' But Mr Napthine said he sees nothing wrong with his prank – labelling the school 'woke' for its stance. He added: 'How is that a safeguarding issue? Where is it going to end? Are the kids not going to be allowed to dress up? 'I was just trying to have a bit of a laugh, but the school have taken it dead serious. 'Ridiculous' 'I just thought it was ridiculous. Safeguarding is about the safety of the kids. A dad in a gorilla outfit is not a safeguarding issue, let alone a 'serious' one. 'I've had lots of messages of support, saying: 'What on Earth is this country coming to? A kid can identify as a cat but a dad can't dress up as a gorilla'. Paul Bradbury, chairman of the board of governors at the school, said: 'Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our pupils is not only our commitment but is a statutory responsibility for all schools. A key part of this is knowing who is on the school premises at all times. 'Parents and carers place their trust in us to safeguard their children, and it is essential that we uphold that trust by ensuring all visitors are clearly identifiable and behave in a way that supports a calm and safe learning environment. We are sure people will agree that's not possible when someone is wearing a full gorilla suit. 'Some children frightened' 'That's why we have asked the parent involved not to do this again and been clear that while some children may have been entertained, some were frightened, and our staff could not identify an adult on site looking through windows. 'We remain committed to creating a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all pupils, staff, and visitors.' Responding to the school's statement, Mr Napthine claimed he had taken his gorilla mask off at the school – meaning both staff and his daughter were 'well aware' it was him. He added: 'I get it would be a safeguarding issue if I'd have gone and not taken it off, but I took the mask off. 'They were very well aware it was me and they knew it was me regardless of that.'
