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Hello Subscriber,
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd has become the first Welsh-medium secondary school to receive no formal recommendations following an exceptional Estyn inspection.
The inspection was held in March 2023 and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd now joins only a small group of schools in Wales to have achieved a report of this quality.
The report highlights that the quality of teaching is consistently high across the school whilst also praising the close and supportive working relationships between pupils and teachers.
The school’s headteacher Meurig Jones was named ‘Headteacher of the year’ at the most recent Welsh Teaching Awards and also received the silver award at the Pearson UK Teaching Awards. Inspectors described Meurig as an “inspiring and modest leader who is very well respected among the staff and wider school community.”
The inspectors were also impressed with the wide range of courses available at Key Stage 4 and in the school’s sixth form which provide many opportunities for pupils to take part in cultural and physical activities.
The school was also praised for the excellent support it provides for pupils with additional learning needs. The report states that staff know their pupils very well and tailor their provision carefully to ensure that they achieve to the best of their ability.
Meurig Jones, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd Headteacher said: It’s a real honour to become the first Welsh-medium secondary school to achieve an Estyn report with no specific recommendations.
“Everyone at the school is really passionate about Welsh language and culture so it’s really rewarding to see this reflected in the report.
“An inspection of this standard would not have been possible without the support of our staff, pupils, governors and parents/carers.”
Councillor Jon-Paul Blundell, Cabinet Member for Education added: “It’s really important to celebrate the success of Welsh-medium education in the county borough and it’s clear that the school provides a very positive environment for pupils to both thrive academically and develop as well-rounded individuals.
“The high level of ambition in the school really shines through and I’m sure that the school will continue to build on its already fantastic work which will play a key part in helping to increase the amount of Welsh speakers in Bridgend County Borough and Wales as a whole.”
Please visit our website to read more about this fantastic inspection.
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 Funding supports new 20mph speed limit on roads across the county borough
We are set to receive almost £1m from Welsh Government to assist with the implementation of the new 20mph speed limit on roads across Wales.
New legislation from Welsh Government means that from 17 September 2023, the national speed limit will fall from 30mph to 20mph on restricted roads.
Restricted roads are usually located in residential and built-up areas, where there are lots of people. They often have street lights on them, which are placed no more than 200 yards apart.
The move aims to reduce road injuries, offer a safer environment to encourage cycling or walking, as well as lower noise pollution.
Not all roads currently at the 30mph limit will be suitable to change to 20mph - these roads will be known as exceptions. Consultation with communities will determine which roads should remain at 30mph and there will be speed limit signs to highlight this.
Please visit our website to read more about Welsh Government’s new speed limit changes.
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 Bridgend Carers Wellbeing Event held as part of National Carers Week
Unpaid carers in Bridgend were invited to a free event which showcased the range of support available to carers in the area as part of National Carers Week.
The event brought together charities and organisations providing support to carers and people with care needs across Bridgend County Borough as a whole.
There are further sessions planned in the near future at:
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Pyle Library- 9 June, between 10am and 12 noon
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The Mem Community Centre, Nantymoel (Parkinson’s Cymru Group) - 13 June, between 10am and 12 noon
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Pyle Life Centre- 13 June, between 11am and 1pm
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Employability Hub Porthcawl, Old Portway Surgery, 15 June between 10 am and 12 noon.
The sessions are being hosted by TuVida, who run the Bridgend Carers Wellbeing service in partnership with Bridgend County Borough Council.
Please visit our website for information about support for carers.
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 School Essentials Grant available for eligible families
Parents of children who are eligible for free school meals are reminded that they could be entitled to further help for school essentials.
The Welsh Government grant is designed to help with the costs of school essentials like uniforms and equipment, to make sure your child is ready for the school day.
Parents/carers could be entitled to support for:
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School uniform: including sports kit and footwear
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School activities: this could include learning a musical instrument, sports equipment and other items needed for after school clubs
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Classroom essentials: this could include pens, pencils and school bags
Please visit Welsh Government’s website for more information.
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 Consultation events to be held on Y Bryn wind farm proposals
A new draft application for a wind farm on the border of Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend has been announced by developers this month.
The proposed site which would be named Y Bryn wind farm, sits on two blocks of Welsh Government woodland estate managed by Natural Resources Wales, and would fall largely within Neath Port Talbot County Borough, stretching in parts to Bridgend County Borough.
The developers say: “Coriolis Energy and ESB are proposing to develop a new onshore wind farm in South Wales that could deliver enough renewable energy to power over 85,700 homes.”
A series of public events are planned by the developers so residents can join in the discussions on the Y Bryn Wind farm. The sessions will be held at:
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Bryn Community Centre, Maesteg Road, Bryn, Neath Port Talbot, SA13 2RY on Monday 12 June, between 2pm and 7pm
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Taibach Community Centre, Duke Street, Taibach, Neath Port Talbot, SA13 1NA on Tuesday 13 June, between 2pm and 7pm
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Cefn Cribwr Athletic Club, Cae Gof, Bridgend, CF32 0BA on Wednesday 14 June ,between 2pm and 7pm
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Maesteg Sports Centre, Old Forge Site, Nant-y-Crynwydd, Maesteg, CF34 9EB on Friday 16 June, between 2pm and 7pm
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Cwmafan Community Centre, Depot Road, Port Talbot SA12 9BA on Saturday 17 June, between 2pm-7pm
For more information, please visit the Y Bryn windfarm project website.
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 Final chance to have your say: Annual Director of Social Services Report
To help us evaluate our social care services, we have created four short questionnaires and are asking residents to complete the one which is most relevant to them.
Every year the Corporate Director of Social Services and Wellbeing must complete and publish their Annual Report which evaluates the performance of the local authority in relation to the delivery of its social services functions over the past year.
It is important we receive regular feedback to help us improve the services and support we are able to provide.
The questionnaires include the following:
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Adult Social Care - for those aged 18+ that have experience of adult social care in Bridgend.
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Children and Young People - for those children and young people aged 8 to 17 that have experience of children’s social care in Bridgend.
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Carers - for the unpaid carers of adults, children or young people that have experience of adult or children’s social care services in Bridgend.
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Parents - for the parents of children and young people who have experience of children’s social care in Bridgend.
The consultation is due to close tomorrow on 9 June 2023.
Please visit our website for more information and to share your thoughts.
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 Corneli Primary School claims first place in the ‘Big Walk and Wheel 2023’!
For the second time running, Corneli Primary School was crowned first out of schools from across the county borough, as well as fifth in the whole of Wales, in the Sustrans ‘Big Walk and Wheel’ competition.
The contest encourages pupils to choose active ways to travel to school over a two-week period.
From Monday 20 to Friday 31 March 2023, the pupils of Corneli Primary School walked, scooted, rode and sang their way to school! Parents saw staff meeting children by the community crossing patrol officer and arriving at school singing, ‘We’re walking, we’re wheeling, Corneli’s got the feeling!’
In spite of 9 out of ten rainy days, the weather failed to dampen the community spirit of the school, with numbers of children participating increasing with each day of the event!
Mrs Amanda Lewis, the co-ordinator for the school’s ‘Walk & Wheel’ events, said: “We are so proud of the enthusiasm of all the children and their families who turned up every day in the pouring rain. It is such a critical life skill to understand the importance of an active life.”
Activities and lessons were planned around active learning, competitions were held, as well as a final celebration assembly. The whole school, including the staff, dressed up for ‘Dress to be Seen’ and ‘Bling your Wheels’ competitions, with the generous Parents and Friends Association donating money for prizes and treats.
Please visit our website to read more about this fantastic achievement for Corneli Primary School.
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 Give blood and save lives!
The need for blood has never been more important. Can you help? Welsh Blood Service need more people from the Bridgend area to sign up as donors to help patients across Wales.
Appointments are available at:
Tesco Extra Bridgend on:
Please be advised that if you have recently had a Covid-19 vaccination, then you must wait two days before making a blood donation.
Book your appointment to help save lives today.
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 We are recruiting!
We have several exciting job opportunities available and are currently recruiting for the following positions:
- Family Engagement Officer - Garth Primary School
- Flying Start - Senior Childcare Worker
- Adult Safeguarding Co-Ordinator - Adult Social Care
- Strategic Asset Management and Investment Manager
- Business Administrative Apprentice – Level 3
- Software Developer - ICT Department
Find out more about current vacancies and apply online today.
Sign up to our new weekly jobs bulletin to be the first to know about our latest job opportunities.
The bulletin will be sent straight to your inbox, all you need to do is sign up online.
Find out more and sign up online today!
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Emergency support is available
We would also like to remind residents that a range of emergency support continues to be available:
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