EDUCATION NEWS

Rydal Penrhos sporting star shines

Year 9 pupil Lily Copeland has added her name to the long list of Rydal Penrhos School pupils who have made a huge impression across multiple sports during their time at the independent Colwyn Bay day school. In the ten years since she joined Rydal Penrhos at the age of three, Lily’s sporting talent has flourished and is now being recognised at a national level. In recent weeks, the sports scholar was capped for North West Wales in the Inter County Netball Tournament. Competing against some of Wales’ top netball prospects, Lily impressed with some excellent performances. A few days later, Lily travelled to Bangor University’s Treborth Field and secured a second-place finish at the Eryri Cross Country Championships. As a result, Lily was chosen to represent Eryri at the national championships on Wednesday 15th February. There she registered a fine performance, finishing strongly in a field comprising over 70 competitors. Rydal Penrhos is delighted to support Lily in her endeavours, and expects that she will one day prove a decisive contributor to the success of the school’s first teams, much in the style of her older brother, current Head Boy and First XV rugby captain James Copeland.

Health and Education Innovation Quarter officially opened at Wrexham Glyndwr University

Healthcare education provision in North Wales has taken a remarkable leap forward after Wrexham Glyndwr University (WGU) officially opened its state-of-the-art Health and Education Innovation Quarter (HEIQ).

A ribbon-cutting event took place at the University to mark the opening of the Health Simulation Centre, which is housed within the HEIQ at WGU. The HEIQ will transform healthcare education provision in the region by ensuring WGU is at the forefront of technology-led learning experiences and training the region’s future workforce to be experts in their chosen profession. The facility will provide a physical home for the delivery of a range of Nursing and Allied Health Professions courses – including Physiotherapy, Paramedic Science, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Nutrition and Dietetics and Operating Department Practice. “The official opening of the HEIQ was a proud day for all at WGU,” commented Maria Hinfelaar, WGU Vice-Chancellor. “It was also a big moment for the community as we are being entrusted to train the next generation of healthcare professionals.”

Oliver Pearce Wins ISA Young Musician of the Year

Huge congratulations to St David’s College student Oliver Pearce for winning the Independent Schools Association (ISA) Young Musician of the Year award. Oliver, from Old Colwyn, faced stiff competition from 38 pupils from across the UK. He delivered a virtuoso performance that impressed the judges and took home the top prize. The incredibly talented cellist beat a raft of other young, gifted musicians at the finals on February 8th in Warwick, in front of an invited audience and a panel of judges. Oliver, a student in Year 8, performed a four-minute modern piece called Juli-O by the composer Mark Summer. “I love the musicality of the piece,” said Oliver, who is working towards his Grade 8 cello examination. “I was the only cellist in my age category, I was up against lots of pianists, a violinist, and a clarinet player. I’m very proud to win this award. I have been practicing the piece before I go to school and in the evenings.” The 12-year-old also enjoys acting and has a big part in the school’s eagerly anticipated production of Matilda. When he grows up, he says he’d like to be either a doctor or a solo cellist in an orchestra travelling the world.

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai announces March Open Events

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s colleges are delighted to announce their latest suite of on-site Open Events across their campuses for March 2023. Open Events are the perfect opportunity to explore their campuses, discover the outstanding facilities, meet the tutors and find out about the wide range of courses available. Coleg Llandrillo, Coleg Menai and Coleg MeirionDwyfor have thousands of options to suit your needs and to help you fulfil your potential, including the widest choice of Full-Time, Part-Time, Apprenticeships & Degree courses in North Wales. They offer over 30 AS/A Level courses, delivered by highly qualified and experienced tutors. With such a wide range of choice available, you can be sure to find the right subjects for you. In 2022, their A Level subject area recorded fantastic results, with 84% of learners achieving A* to C grades and over a third of our learners achieving the coveted A* and A grades. They also offer a wide range of vocational and subjects in more than 35 subject areas, making it easy for you to find your match. Many of our vocational courses are developed in consultation with employers, to equip you with the skills and knowledge that companies require in the modern workplace. At the Open Events, visitors will also be able to glean information on degrees and higher-level programmes: Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has one of the largest selection of degrees and university-level courses in Wales. So, whether you’ve made the wrong choice after your GCSEs, lack the qualifications needed to get a better job or to go to university, are unemployed, or just looking for a new start, college staff will be on-hand to answer all your questions at the open events.

Upcoming open events:

Coleg Llandrillo:

J Rhos-on-Sea Campus:

Monday 27 March, 5.30pm – 7.00pm

J Abergele:

Monday 27 March, 5.30pm – 7.00pm

J Rhyl Campus:

Tuesday 28 March, 5.30pm – 7.00pm

Coleg Menai:

J Llangefni Campus:

Wednesday 22 March, 4.30pm – 7pm

J Parc Menai Campus:

Thursday 23 March, 4.30pm – 7pm

J Bangor:

Tuesday 28 March, 4.30pm – 7pm

Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor:

J Dolgellau Campus:

Tuesday 21 March, 5.30pm – 7pm

J Pwllheli Campus:

Wednesday 29 March, 5.30pm – 7pm

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Celebrate St David’s Day with Clogau jewellery

St David’s Day has long been the best time for people around the world to celebrate all things Welsh. And what better way to celebrate the best of Wales than to highlight precious Welsh gold – which is said to be the rarest in the world. Welsh jewellery brand Clogau has used Welsh gold sourced from the same mine as many of the Royal Family’s wedding rings, including that of Queen Elizabeth II and Meghan Markle, for over 100 years — the Clogau St David’s Gold Mine in Wales. Every piece contains rare Welsh gold, straight from North West Wales – identifiable by the Welsh dragon and “Clogau” stamp, forever linking the wearer with a personal and cultural connection to their celtic homeland.

www.clogau.co.uk

Abbeyfield – a home from home

Many people move to the beautiful North Wales coast for various reasons. Some of Abbeyfield’s residents move to be near family, while some have previously retired to the coast and moved to Abbeyfield when they are no longer able to live in their own home. In fact, only four of Abbeyfield’s current residents are born and bred in the area. The Society has four new residents moving in to Alexandra Road in the next few weeks, it will be a very full house and the current residents are excited to meet the new people. All four of the new residents are from outside the area, two of them moving to be close to their children. All of the residents are happy and content to be part of the Abbeyfield family, enjoying a life without worry for the rising cost of living, utility bills or concern about a leaky roof or finding a company to maintain their garden. This seems all the more pertinent when we such sad images are shown the national news of Ukraine and Turkey. The consensus from both staff and residents is that we are all lucky to live where we live.

www.abbeyfield.com

Get Mother’s Day all wrapped up with Penderyn

Mother’s Day is fast approaching on Sunday 19th March! Penderyn has a range of whiskies and other spirits – like Brecon Gin, Brecon Flavoured Gins (pictured), Vodka, Rum and their own Merlyn cream liqueur – available at their distillery shops which make for the perfect Mother’s Day gift . They also have hampers filled with a range of goodies as well! Alternatively you could book your mum a tour which Penderyn run seven days a week, and have been rated ‘5-star’ on Trip Advisor and has recently been awarded a Visit Wales Gold Award.

www.penderyn.wales

All aboard the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways! Spring is such a positive time – the daffodils are out, lambs are playing –and steam trains are tooting! There is plenty going on around the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways this spring with a new train service and some family fun. There are footplate rides and activities at Y Stesion in Caernarfon. The Tea Rooms at Tan y Bwlch will be offering afternoon teas, seasonal treats and activities for kids. There are some great family woodland walks around Tan y Bwlch station which can be accessed by car as well as by train. Theirnew service, The Quarryman, launches Easter Saturday and gives passengers chance to join the train at Blaenau Ffestiniog, following the journey of the old slate trains down to the coast at Porthmadog. This joins family favourites such as the Woodland Wanderer and Mountain Spirit from Porthmadog and the Gelert Explorer from Caernarfon. www.festrail.co.uk

Superheroes supported by North Wales law firm

Superheroes and their trusty sidekicks are being invited to take part in the ultimate inclusive triathlon – and raise money for a good cause at the same time. North Wales law firm Lanyon Bowdler is supporting The Movement Centre, which provides life-changing physiotherapy for children, to enter teams in the Superhero Tri, powered by Marvel. The Movement Centre, based at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital in Oswestry, is an official charity friend of the Superhero Series and is calling for people to join their fundraising teams at the event. The Superhero Tri is designed specifically for people with disabilities to take part, alongside their “sidekicks”, to complete the challenge at their own pace and with whatever support they need. Edward Nutting, head of Lanyon Bowdler’s Conwy office, said the firm was excited about being involved. “The Superhero Series is a truly inspiring project, and even has its own highlights programme on Channel 4 presented by Clare Balding, so is extremely popular,” he said. “As a firm, we are providing financial assistance to cover the entry fees for The Movement Centre, and we are also offering staff members to take part if any entrants need a sidekick!” www.the-movement-centre.co.uk/superhero-series-saturday-12th-august

Foster Bear – a social media super bear!

Primary schools and families across Flintshire are welcoming Foster Bear into their homes and sharing their adventures on social media. In January 2023, Foster Wales Flintshire launched their Foster Bear campaign to raise awareness of local authority fostering in Flintshire. Primary schools across Flintshire have welcomed the campaign and are sharing Foster Bear’s adventures on social media using the hashtag ‘#fosterbear’. Foster bear has been busy with children taking turns to care for the bear over the weekends. Foster Bear has visited local playing parks, cinemas, hobby clubs and has even been to see the Strictly Come Dancing tour show! Foster Bear also went shopping in Aldi with a ride in a trolley resulting in a re-tweet on Twitter by Aldi, generating 41.7 thousand views. Foster Wales Flintshire is one of 22 notfor-profit local fostering service teams in Wales. www.fosterwales.flintshire.gov.uk

Local Soroptimists help those in need

The Llandudno and District Soroptimist Club is one of six Clubs in North Wales. They enjoy social events as well as working to support women and children locally, nationally and internationally. Their current project involves establishing and running a clothing bank for Ukrainian refugees as well as local families in need, and they have recently sent warm clothes to victims of the Turkish earthquake as well as nappies, baby food and bottles. They are an active Club who enjoy social events as well as various projects e.g. supporting the local Women’s Refuge, raising awareness of Modern Day Slavery and sending help to the children of Chernobyl. They are also environmentally aware and recycle many items, such as bottle tops and blister packs. They also assist the Friends of Happy Valley and Haulfre Gardens in maintaining the environment in these local attractions.

sigbi.org/llandudno-and-district

Abbeyfield Colwyn Bay

Abbeyfield offer a fully inclusive life, including all your heating and food bills in a sheltered housing setting

Why not try our guest/respite room to see if you would enjoy staying in an Abbeyfield House

Ring Anna on 01492 533724 for more information

Your family are welcome to visit you in your accommodation at any time, all flats and bedsits have door entry systems.

Let Abbeyfield take the strain of every day living; a life of no food shopping, cooking and household bills

• Home Cooked Lunch and High Tea

• All Bills included

• Community Alarm Service

• Weekly room clean and your washing and ironing done

If you would like to view any of our three properties please contact Anna by telephone or email

For more information contact General Manager Anna Hamblett on 01492 533724 or email abbeyfieldcolwynbay@gmail.com

Search @ abbeyfield colwyn bay society on facebook Abbeyfield.com

Hi Victoria, thanks for agreeing to talk to for us. Firstly, please can you tell us what the National Day of Reflection is?

For the third year, end-of-life charity Marie Curie is uniting the nation on 23rd March to remember those who’ve died, and support everyone who is grieving. Many of us feel unsupported in our grief or unable to talk about the person who has died. This was particularly felt during the pandemic when we were forced to grieve alone. The National Day of Reflection unites us all in grief and provides much needed connection and emotional support.

That’s great, how can we join in with the National Day of Reflection?

Organisations and individuals can join in by marking a minute’s silence at midday on 23rd March.

You can also create a Wall of Reflection in your school, workplace or community space to share names and remember those who have died. Marie Curie is also hosting an online events programme to help people in their grief. Toolkits and information are available at: www.mariecurie.org.uk/ dayofreflection

And finally, how does Marie Curie support those who have been bereaved?

Marie Curie’s Wales Bereavement Information and Support Service offers a range of bereavement support to help with grief. Whether your bereavement was expected, happened recently or was some time ago, we can help. We can als o support you before your loved one dies.

Our free Support Line can offer a listening ear, a safe space to talk as well as practical information around bereavement. The Marie Curie Bereavement Service is for people who might want to have ongoing support, from the same volunteer, on the phone. You can access up to six sessions. This is not a counselling service, but provides a safe, confidential space to talk.