Magor CiW Primary School has just under 350 pupils, including in its nursery, with a diverse range of abilities and skills. LEAH POWELL reports

SUZANNE Hamer, who is also substantive headteacher at The Archbishop Rowan Williams CiW Primary School, has been executive headteacher at Magor CiW Primary School since January 2018.

From April 1, she will be substantive headteacher at Magor CiW Primary School and she is excited about the future.

Mrs Hamer said: “We had our Estyn inspection two weeks before Christmas, during our Christmas concert time and it went extremely well.

“We’re absolutely delighted that Estyn recognised the hard work of the staff and we’re really looking forward to the future and moving forward with the new curriculum which is going to be excellent.

“We have big plans and are looking forward to embracing the new areas of learning and involving children even more in planning what they learn.

“We already gave hook days where children can talk about what they want to learn. We involve them planning and making choices about what they’re learning.”

The school has a huge range of activities and groups for youngsters, including Criw Cymraeg which is pupil led and focuses on the Welsh language, recently achieving an award.

Assistant headteacher, Nadine Phillips, said: “We were thrilled to achieve our bronze award for Cymraeg Campus with ‘flying colours.’ Criw Cymraeg led the initiative very successfully and it was truly a team effort with all staff and children developing a strong Welsh ethos across the school.”

This year they’re hoping to win silver. Ms Hamer said: “Our Criw Cymraeg will play Welsh games with children at lunch. We embrace the Welsh language and culture in all aspects at our school.”

Magor CiW Primary School also has a hugely successful eco council, which has platinum status.

Mrs Helen John, who leads the eco warriors, said: “They have weekly meeting to discuss all things eco and they host events and assemblies.

“Recently we had an eco-day, which was all about healthy eating and debates about the motorway and water consumption, compared with Third World access.

“Days such as this really brings the learning to life and gives the children ownership.”

The school is also focused on creating digital leaders who learn how to use modern technology, such as iPads and coding, and internet safety. They host assemblies and create PowerPoint presentations, so they can share their knowledge with the rest of the school.

Isabella Godsall, in Year 3, is a digital leader and said: “We make PowerPoints about ICT. We learn new skills and about password security. Some weeks we find educational apps.”

Religion and ethics are huge components at the school, as suggested by their motto: “Together with Jesus we nurture, believe, encourage, achieve.”

R.E teacher, Kate Wilding, said: “We have a WAVE [worship and values encouragement] team, which is a group of pupils who work to promote our Christian values across the school. Each half term we focus on one of 12 values that underpin our school ethos. This half term we are looking at courage.”

“We are lucky, as the church is about a minute walk from us,” added Mrs Hamer.

“We have weekly services led by someone from the church and visit throughout the year. Our WAVE team lead collective worship for us as well

“It is about making children ethically aware. The values we portray through the year flows through everything we learn, how we react with children and how we expect them to react with us.”

Magor CiW Primary School is a hugely active, collaborative school which is thriving in various aspects. They have an active PTA who recently bought the school new playground equipment and have had three extensions over the years, allowing them to expand their sports teams and clubs.

Ms Hamer said: “This school strives to help children be their best and not put a ceiling on their abilities.

“We are delighted Estyn recognised the hard work and dedication of staff and are looking forward to continuing the journey and excited for what the future holds.”