AS one of Torfaen’s three Welsh medium primary schools, the focus at Ysgol Bryn Onnen is its pupils' Welsh heritage. JESSICA BEST reports.
WHETHER its ensuring that all its pupils are bilingual by the end of their first year, teaching them about the life of Owain Glyndwr, or making them familiar with Welsh rock heroes such as the Manic Street Preachers, Ysgol Bryn Onnen makes sure pupils are proud of their national background.
Established in 1995, the Varteg school currently has 239 pupils from ages three to 11.
Pupils are taught in Welsh up until the age of seven, and headteacher Ryan Parry said pupils normally begin to show signs of bilingualism by the end of their first term.
Most of the school’s pupils do not come from Welsh speaking backgrounds, so Mr Parry explained the benefits of teaching a new language at an early stage.
He said: "The sooner you immerse children in the Welsh language all the better. This year the school has introduced a nursery class for the first time, with 22 pupils starting in September.
“This will get the children speaking Welsh earlier still, and it will help raise standards in the school over all."
Mr Parry said that by the time the teachers begin giving lessons in English in year three, the two tongues are developed side by side giving each pupil vital language skills.
But it’s not just through the Welsh language that children are encouraged to be proud of their heritage.
The school celebrates Owain Glyndwr day each year, teaching the children who he was and how he shaped Wales.
Mr Parry said: "We celebrate the day as a school. The older pupils will speak to the little ones about the importance of that part of Wales’ history, and it helps them learn from one another about their heritage."
Music lessons are also linked to regional heroes, with pupils learning about Welsh rockers including The Blackout, Manic Street Preachers and the Stereophonics.
When it comes to sport, pupils are encouraged to keep active in any way that will keep them healthy.
In November the school will hold its first healthy living week, with special a breakfast club, and Mr Parry said classes will talk about Welsh sporting stars such as Jamie Roberts and Craig Bellamy.
Where pupils do excel at a particular sport, the school is there to support them.
Year six pupil Callum Lewis is currently the under-10s British kick boxing champion, and is currently ranked second in the world for his age group.
Mr Parry said: "We speak with the children and the parents so if there are any out-of-school activities where they are doing well, the children can bring in their certificates, badges or cups and we share their achievements as a school in assembly."
The school is also keen to connect with charitable causes that the pupils feel strongly about.
Each year pupils and teachers select a charity of the year that they will fundraise for with events such as non-uniform days.
This year they have chosen the League of Friends at the Heath Hospital in Cardiff after year six pupil Sam Potter-Reed was knocked over by a car a year ago and treated at the hospital.
Mr Parry said: "After all the things the hospital did for him, the children thought it was a great cause for our charity of the year."
The school also helps others further afield. Staff and pupils recently helped to fund a water pump for a school in Zimbabwe by working with AquaAid, and Mr Parry said they hoped to establish further links with the African school.
But pupils are also given opportunities to engage with their own environment.
The schoolyard has recently been given a revamp with board games and a new climbing frame, and the school now plans to build a Celtic roundhouse in its grounds.
With funds from Communities First in Blaenavon, Cleaner Greener Wales and Keep Wales Tidy, the school will use the £12,000 roundhouse as an outside classroom.
The school has already raised around £9,000, and Mr Parry said they hope to get started on the building as soon as possible.
Mr Parry said: "The roundhouse will be used for things like drama activities, live history lessons looking at how the Celts lived, as well as things like arts and crafts.
The children will help design the walls and murals, so we hope it’s something the whole school can be involved in."
Mr Parry said the most important thing about the school was making the children understand their part in the community and the wider world.
He said: "It’s important for the children to realise that the school is a community in itself, but it also serves our local area. We want them to be aware of what’s going on around them, but also to care about the whole of Wales and the rest of the world."
Factfile
Ysgol Bryn Onnen, Varteg Road, The Varteg, Pontypool, NP4 7RT
Number of pupils: 239
Ages: Three to 11
Head teacher: Ryan Parry
Chair of governors: Hugh Knight
During the school's last Estyn inspection in June this year, inspector Rhiannon Harris said: "Ysgol Bryn Onnen is a school which has many good features. Staff work diligently to ensure that pupils benefit from rich experiences.
The care of adults for pupils is good and learning resources are used effectively. A sense of happiness and fun permeate throughout the school."
