Author: Rhys Gregory

SMOOTHING the transition from primary to secondary school is more vital than ever given the pressures faced by learners post-pandemic. Which is why Ysgol Eirias in Colwyn Bay unveiled a new strategy in partnership with local Headteachers to ensure the wellbeing of young pupils is paramount as they make the pivotal switch from Year 6 to Year 7. Jess Ramsden is Transition Coordinator at Eirias – named among the Top 10 Sunday Times ‘Parent Power’ high-performing schools in Wales – and has led on developments in partnership with teachers and staff in their local ‘cluster’. Inspired by Bridges’ Transition Model,…

Employees at Cardiff Bus have successfully raised a grand total of £4,150 for Wales Air Ambulance. Wales Air Ambulance are the only air ambulance charity based in and dedicated to the people of Wales and rely entirely on charitable donations. The bus company dedicated a year of support for the lifesaving charity and hosted a number of fundraising events during the 12 months which included dress down days, raffles, collection tubs onsite, and a depot open day. The generous donation from Cardiff Bus will help the Charity to deliver lifesaving, advanced medical care to people across Wales, whenever and wherever…

As part of its ongoing 100th anniversary celebrations, Swansea Building Society has donated £2,500 to Dr Mz, a Carmarthen-based youth project that provides a safe and stimulating environment for young people aged 6 to 25. Dr Mz is a drop-in centre run by Carmarthen Youth Project where young people can meet and participate in a range of activities, including volunteering and learning new skills. The Society’s donation will assist Dr Mz in purchasing essential resources for the centre, including musical instruments, art supplies, sensory lighting, IT equipment, and a new freezer and microwave. This equipment will further enhance the range…

International tennis will return to Wrexham next week (22-26 May 2023) as the Junior International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour serves up some excitement. Completing a trifecta of high-level competitions at Wrexham Tennis Centre this spring — including the Tennis Europe Championships and the Junior Welsh Open — the event will allow Welsh players to make their mark on an international stage. As part of a wider international series — featuring more than 750 tournaments in 140 countries — the Welsh leg of the competition will see the best under-18 players from around the world descend on the city…

A leading college in South Wales is calling on girls aged between 14 and 18 who have a passion for sports to attend free taster sessions designed to give them an insight into what it could be like to study them full-time at a specialist female academy. Coleg y Cymoedd is hosting eight two-hour taster sessions in rugby and netball throughout July and August ahead of the launch of its dedicated female sports academy in September, which will provide professional training and tutoring alongside academic qualifications. The new Female Academy, which will run in partnership with the University of South…

South Caernarfon Creameries (SCC) has won the prestigious ‘Food Producer of the Year’ award at the 2023 Wales Food and Drink Awards. The awards ceremony, which took place at Venue Cymru, Llandudno, on the 18 May, celebrated the dedication and talent of some of Wales’s best food and drink producers and suppliers. Shining a light on the success stories of food and drink companies that are scaling up, creating employment and becoming an inspiration to others, the awards also highlight the diversity of the food and drink sector in Wales. Standing out from the competition, with over 60 years of…

In another positive step towards the establishment of the independent North Wales Medical School, Bangor University has announce that the first cohort of medical students under its current partnership with Cardiff University will complete their studies this month. This milestone marks a significant achievement as they are the first to complete their comprehensive medical education entirely in North Wales. In honour of their accomplishments, a special celebration will be held to recognise their pioneering role, their dedication and hard work. Established as a partnership between Bangor University, the Welsh Government, Cardiff University, and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the North Wales Medical…

A Chester landscape architect has been appointed as the new Chair of Landscape Institute Wales. Kate Richards, Associate Landscape Architect at Land Studio, officially takes up her post this month. Land Studio’s Sian Rossiter, an Assistant Landscape Architect, has also been appointed to run the organisation’s social media platforms. The Landscape Institute was founded in 1929 and is a professional organisation which works to improve the planning and design of the urban and rural landscape. It also accredits university courses and promotes the professional development of landscape architects. Its aim is to work with its members to protect, conserve and…

Autonomous wheelchairs and companion animals will be among the technology trialled at a new state of the art smart home at Aberystwyth University, which is aiming to improve quality of life for the elderly or people with health conditions. The Smart Home Lab will resemble an everyday home, with a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms, but will also be equipped with sensors, robotic assistants, and full connectivity. Researchers will be able to test the likes of assisted living technology for those with mobility problems, voice activated devices, carry out remote check-ups by GPs and other healthcare professionals, and explore…

With no prior experience of a public speaking competition, four pupils from Porthcawl Comprehensive School navigated their way through unchartered territory all the way to the finals of a national public speaking competition. In the final 12 out of 425 schools, the pupils were not just representing the only Welsh school, but also the only comprehensive school at the national finals, held in Churchill College, Cambridge. They found themselves before a range of judges, including the great grandson of Winston Churchill, Randolph Churchill! Ella, one of the Porthcawl team, said: “It was so incredible to be a part of something…