Experiences to remember for Ysgol Penybryn pupils

Date: 08/11/2022
Penybryn (1)

 

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF YSGOL PENYBRYN, BETHESDA

Pupils at Ysgol Penybryn in Bethesda have been very busy recently planning and enjoying a week of activities that enabled them to use the learning powers of the New Curriculum.

 

The idea behind the week-long "Wythnos 3P" was to offer school pupils the opportunity to make the most of their experiences, learning powers and the four purposes of the new Welsh education curriculum.

 

Headteacher, Gethin Thomas, said: "This is the first time ever that we at Penybryn have held this kind of week, and it certainly won't be the last.

 

"The first seed was sown by the School Council back in September when they were asked to create a brand-new vision for the school.

 

"The children were clear that they wanted a range of new and unique experiences and had opportunities to use the learning powers - working hard, concentrating, persevering, solving problems, striving, imagining, taking risks and improving themselves.

 

"It was important to ensure that everything met the requirements of the four purposes which are the foundation of the New Curriculum for Wales. Two heads are better than one they say, and that's what happened."

 

As a result, the School Council – which is a group of pupils who have been chosen by their classmates – set out to organise a series of activities which met all the pupils’ needs. Quite the job!

 

Experts came in to hold workshops with the children at the school, from Kick-boxing to Yoga and music sessions. The Urdd came in to hold fitness sessions, and the pupils went on visits to the High Ropes Centre in Llanberis, Plas Menai and Paint-ball in Deiniolen. First aid sessions were held for the children and many mindfulness activities.

 

There was also an opportunity to prepare smoothies and cook healthy meals at the school which gave opportunities to develop numeracy skills. Then, there was 'Robin risk' homework, to try something new and challenge themselves.

 

Mr Thomas added: "We went on a sponsored walk in the local area along Lôn Las Ogwen, and the highlight was undoubtedly being able to watch a film in Neuadd Ogwen on the last Friday morning.

 

"It was great to be able to present a gift to each child in the school at the end of the week, a picture of them on a slate as a reminder of their courage and hard work.

 

"There’s no doubt, the children gained new, unique experiences and skills, which will be with them throughout their lives in order to develop into healthy and confident, enterprising and creative, principled and informed individuals as well as being ambitious and capable.

 

"We look forward to continuing with Wythnos 3P at Ysgol Penybryn!"

 

But the older children are not the only ones to enjoy what the New Curriculum has to offer. With the football world cup close by, Bethesda's younger pupils at the Abercaseg site will soon be hosting a Cymru Cŵl week too. There is much anticipation to a host of activities that have been prepared which will offer the pupils an opportunity to learn more about Wales through a variety of fun sessions.