Latest news with #CwmbranHighSchool
South Wales Argus
13-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Cwmbran High School bans 30 from year 11 leavers prom
The students at Cwmbran High School have been excluded from their year 11 leavers prom because they did not accumulate enough 'prom points' to attend. Many parents received an email from the school, which stated: 'Good afternoon parent/carer, as you are aware we have been waiting as long as possible leading up to May half term to make a final decision on students who are invited to attend Prom 2025. 'We have left it until this point to allow every student the opportunity to accumulate the necessary Prom points and meet the criteria to attend. 'Unfortunately, your child will not be invited to prom as a result of not meeting multiple set criteria that was outlined at the beginning of the year.' Cwmbran Highschool where 30 pupils have been banned from attending prom (Image: NQ) Upset mum Cheryl Berry, aged 46, said that her son 15-year-old son Dylan was one of the pupils to miss out. Posting in online group Cwmbran Community, Cheryl wrote: 'Really questionable decisions from Cwmbran High advising 30 kids during exam season that they are not allowed to attend prom? 'What a way to crush their spirit during the most stressful time of their childhood.' She told the Argus: 'We moved from London in August, medication was hard to get hold of, so Dylan struggled in the beginning. 'I requested a meeting with the head as they kept excluding Dylan for ADHD behaviour. 'I sent multiple emails to the head, all ignored, once support was in place Dylan settled better. He has been doing so well in his exams and was so looking forward to prom. 'For two days after Dylan was told he could not go, he was upset, deflated and depressed, said there was nothing to look forward to.' 'I'm so angry as they seemed to have picked 30 kids out from nowhere.' Cheryl Berry mother of 15-year-old Dylan who has been banned from his leaver's prom (Image: Cheryl Berry) Head teacher Matthew Sims said: 'Our Year 11 Prom is a long-standing tradition and a highlight of the school year. It's an opportunity for our school community to get together to celebrate the pupils' hard work, positive attitude, and commitment to our shared values. 'All pupils are invited to attend the prom at the start of Year 11, on the basis of good attendance, punctuality and behaviour throughout the year. The criteria is explained to pupils and parents throughout the year. 'Unfortunately, if a pupil's behaviour and attendance consistently falls below acceptable levels, they are no longer able to attend. We understand this can be very disappointing for those pupils and their families, but maintaining standards is an important part of our commitment to fostering a respectful and responsible school culture.' The decision has promoted a reaction on social media, with some locals are even calling for a rival community prom. Keri Bates said: 'Everyone else should refuse to go too. Start standing together against the powers that be at a young age. 'Someone should arrange an alternative prom where everyone is invited.' Jeanette Marilyn Finch wrote: 'Rotters let these teenagers have some fun.'
South Wales Argus
09-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Praise for Cwmbran High for reaching Welsh Cup final
Cwmbran High School's year nine football team are due to play in the Welsh Cup final this Saturday, May 10 when they will take on northern rivals Flint High School at Park Hall, in Oswestry, the home ground of Cymru Premier league champions TNS. The team of 13 and 14-year-olds got through to the final after elimanting various Gwent rivals in the earlier rounds and then defeating Cardiff's St Teilo's Church in Wales High School, 4-3, in the semi-final played in Bridgend last month. Their achievement in reaching the final has been praised by Torfaen Borough Council education official Andrew Rothwell who said such activities help sell the benefits of school attendance. The council's head of learning and achievement had been asked, at the council's education scrutiny committee, whether it is confident its 'Not In Miss Out campaign' to promote the benefits of school attendance is working. Mr Rothwell said he believed the campaign is one of the factors contributing to increased school attendance in Torfaen and highlighted how sharing experiences, such as sporting success is part of that. He said: 'Cwmbran High's football team has got to the year nine Welsh Cup final and stuff like that is really exciting and targeting a specific group, boys, who are often really hard to engage with. 'Pushing messages like that out on why it's good to be in school has got to be a good thing.' Cwmbran High School's Year 9 football team pictured with fellow pupils who cheered them on during the semi-final played at Cymru Premier side Penybont's home ground in Bridgend Labour councillor for Cwmbran's Fairwater ward, Rose Seabourne, added: 'It is history repeating itself. Cwmbran High, or Fairwater High as it used to be, had a football academy at one time that kept students in school.' READ MORE: Planning for Cwmbran High 3G sports pitch submitted The 'Not In Miss Out' campaign shares case studies and content from schools, including some videos produced by students, on social media to highlight the benefits of attendance and banners promoting it are also placed outside schools. Mr Rothwell described the campaign, launched three years ago, as Torfaen council's 'single longest running campaign' and praised support from schools in contributing to it. He also said from September it will also focus on the transition from nursery to primary schools to encourage 'good habits from an early stage'. The council's director for children and families, Jason O'Brien, said the 'Not In Miss Out Campaign' had also promoted new developments such as the 3G football pitch at Ysgol Gwynllyw in Pontypool.
