Climate change and community at heart of School Report

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• YSGOL BRYN ALYN, Wrexham

Ysgol Bryn Alyn headteacher Adele Slinn, with students and some of the gardening equipment donated by the Prince's Trust.

The Prince's Trust programme and qualification has been running for more than 10 years at the school.

It is a GCSE option for KS4 pupils and focuses on a range of skills and projects.

The Level 2 course develops ICT, literacy and numeracy, alongside a range of projects such as, teamwork, community studies, healthy lifestyle, career choices and undertaking enterprises.

Each year the Prince's Trust offers workshops and enrichment sessions to our young people. However, due to the current situation this has not been an option this year.

Instead, they have kindly bought a range of gardening equipment to be used at the school. Along with Mrs Evans-Lea, pupils have been developing the outside spaces at school to provide an environment they are proud of.

As well as enhancing skills it develops confidence, a pride in their community and communication skills which are vital in school and later life.

Headteacher Adele Slinn added: "Staff and pupils would like to thank the Prince's Trust for their ongoing support."

• RHOSDDU PRIMARY SCHOOL, Wrexham

Pupils at Rhosddu Primary School, taking part in some of the virtual sessions from groups and people across the community.

The school had a busy term, working with agencies throughout the community.

With trips being put on hold, they have reached out to the wider community to see which agencies could deliver sessions virtually.

Virtual sessions have since been delivered by:

• Dwr Cymru

• Welsh Fire Service

• Techniquest - Technocamps

• Local PCSO

• Welsh Commissioner for Wales

• Year 5 - Climate Change Week

• Alzheimer's Society

Techniquest – Technocamps: Over the past four weeks each class in the juniors has had four workshops which has included the following topics: Computational Thinking; Introduction to Scratch; Machine Learning;Technology, Ethics, and the future

Climate Change Week: Class G took part in the Eco Schools Wales 'Climate Change Workshop Week', where they looked at:

• The impact our choices are having on climate change.

• The impact of climate change and deforestation on different species, making placards and giving the species a voice by performing a plea for help.

• The they have also looked at the distance clothes travel, turned an old t-shirt into bow ties, masks and headbands, and planted cotton seeds.

The whole school enjoyed a virtual session from the fire service, and were lucky enough to get hold of some of the firefighter clothing.

With the Alzheimer's Society, the school took part in a virtual session making them 'Dementia Friends', and also raised £500 for the charity.

There was a virtual session from the Children's Commissioner for Wales focussing on identity, and the children will be feeding back to Sally Holland next half term.

• YSGOL RHIWABON, Wrexham

Mark Davies, Ysgol Rhiwabon chef.

It was a case of five-star dining at the school recently, as they gained the highest Food Standards Agency hygiene rating.

The highest rating means the standard of hygiene is classed as ‘very good’ and received five out five, with the food hygiene rating sticker to be displayed at the entrance to the dining hall and main reception.

School chef, Mark Davies, said: "I was delighted to be awarded the highest rating that the Food Standards Agency could award following their inspection.

"It is a reflection of the level of work that our catering team provides here at the school. We always strive to provide the best food and standards to the pupils and staff here."

• YSGOL CEFN MAWR, Wrexham

Winners of the Wrexham St David's Day Menter Iaith Eisteddfod, from Ysgol Cefn Mawr.

During lockdown and learning from home, pupils took part in many of the competitions for Wrexham St David's Day Menter Iaith Eisteddfod event between March 1-5.

Mrs Ellis, Welsh Coordinator, was proud of the number and standard of the entries received.

The pupils entered competitions to design a Welsh flag, write a poem entitled Cymru, and complete an art project based on the poem Pethau Bychain.

Winners included Harrison Williams, who received first prize in the art competition and poetry competition, Freya Richards who came second in the poetry competition, Jake Morris who came third in the poetry competition.

The school is really proud to be the overall winners, gaining first place in the Arts and Crafts 'Fy Maner i/My Flag' competition.

• ALL SAINTS SCHOOL, Gresford

Pupils at All Saints School, in Gresford, work towards becoming Climate Heroes.

Year 1 and 2 pupils have been working hard to protect their planet, become Climate Heroes and earn their Green Blue Peter Badge.

The pupils had to carry out a series of pledges at home for two weeks linked to 'Power, Plastic and Plant'.

These pledges ranged from switching half an hour of screen time for 30 minutes of outdoor time, sorting the recycling out and saving water by turning off the taps when brushing their teeth.

In school, the children also ensured class lights and computers were switched off when the classroom was empty. They planted sunflower seeds to encourage butterflies and bees to thrive and supported the local community by carrying out a litter pick around the village.

The children have taken this challenge very seriously and, even though they have completed their timescales for the pledges, are continuing to look at different ways they can help protect the environment around them.

Their evidence will be sent to Blue Peter shortly and they will then have a 12 week wait to see if they are all lucky enough to gain their badge and receive a Blue Peter Climate Heroes Certificate.

Headteacher Richard Hatwood said: 'This project is central to the work at school, ensuring our pupils understand their environmental responsibility as well as promoting this literacy and numeracy skills.

"There has been a real buzz in school during this project and it has been fantastic to celebrate the work at All Saints' Church in a display for parishioners."