Learners at one Rhondda Cynon Taf school have been joined for breakfast by a celebrity guest – Welsh actor Michael Sheen.
The star of stage and screen made a surprise appearance to learners at Tonyrefail Community School, via a Zoom call on the large screen, during a breakfast meeting at the school.
Michael Sheen has starred in many stage productions including Romeo and Juliet, Henry V, Amadeus, and Caligula – which earned him his third Olivier Award nomination. His film and television work includes The Deal (2003), The Queen (2006), Fantabulosa! (2006), Frost/Nixon (2008), The Damned United (2009) and The Special Relationship (2010),
Mr Sheen was keen to join the learners at Tonyrefail Community School to talk about their work with the school’s Author in Residence, the inaugural Children’s Laureate for Wales, Eloise Williams.
Born in Cardiff, Eloise Williams, the Children’s Laureate for Wales, spent her childhood in Llantrisant and now lives in Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire. She was educated at Coed yr Esgob Primary School and Y Pant Comprehensive School, before going on to study Drama at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Acting at Guildford School of Acting, and Creative Writing at Swansea University. She worked as a touring actor and creative practitioner for over a decade before becoming a children’s writer.
Gaynor Davies, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Director of Education and Inclusion Services, said: “This was a day that the learners at Tonyrefail Community School will remember for the rest of their lives. Michael Sheen is one of Wales’ most successful stars of the stage and screen and his works are shown around the world. “We thank him for taking the time to inspire the learners at Tonyrefail Community School, providing them with plenty to think about and work with.”
Among the subjects Michael Sheen discussed with the learners was the importance of the Welsh language, the differences between Hollywood and Wales and the resurgence of the film and television industry in Wales.
Heather Nicholas, headteacher at Tonyrefail Community School, said: “All at our school are grateful to Michael Sheen for giving up his time to speak to our young learners about their work with the Children’s Laureate for Wales. “He spent time chatting to them and gave thoughtful, inspirational responses to their questions. He then left our students with a very powerful message about us all having a story to tell and how important it is that we tell it.”
