Minister praise for pupil projects during virtual visit

Kirsty Williams chatted remotely with classes from different year groups at Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn along with the school’s Headteacher Gethin Sutton.

Pupils have been working on three enterprise projects – a Minecraft project, a Stargate Film skills project and a WWE wrestling project – all of which support the Curriculum for Wales and cover different areas of learning and experience over a series of lessons.

They culminated in the production of a digital book, a trailer for the school’s forthcoming ‘Pen Y Bryn Films’film production and a digital magazine.

Mr Sutton said: “The Minister visited our school in February before the coronavirus pandemic to find out about how we are implementing the new curriculum and this week we were delighted to host a virtual return visit to update her on the great work the pupils are doing.

“The three enterprise projects were developed from ideas and suggestions from our learners and they were all supported by blended learning activities that can be undertaken remotely.

“The pupils have worked very hard and really enjoyed the experience, especially interviewing the Canadian actor Amanda Tapping for the Stargate project and Welsh wrestler Flash Morgan Webster for the WWE project.

“The projects were designed to cover a range of skills from each area of learning and experience and culminate with the production of an industry standard product to showcase the different skills the learners have acquired.

“We have shared the projects with some of our partner primary schools and St Mary’s in Llanelli, St Joseph’s and Cwmrhydyceirw Primary are all trialing activities for us.

“The minister was most impressed and engaged really well with our learners who enjoyed talking to her.”