A CAERPHILLY school has celebrated their diverse and inclusive curriculum with a festival.

Pupils of Ysgol Gymraeg Gilfach Fargod, Caerphilly celebrated Holi, a Hindu festival which honours the start of spring and new life.

The school has been nominated in this year’s fifth annual South Wales Schools & Education Awards for the above and beyond award.

The awards recognise the hard work and dedication of schools across Gwent.

Entries are now open for the  South Wales Schools & Education Awards, which launched on Monday, March 6. See the full list of 2022 winners here

Mirain Sellick year one and two teacher said: “As part of our diverse and inclusive school curriculum it’s important to us that the pupils experience different cultures and about the world around them. 

South Wales Argus: Pupils celebrate the festival of HoliPupils celebrate the festival of Holi (Image: Ysgol Gymraeg Gilfach Fargod)

Pupils celebrate the festival of Holi. Picture: Ysgol Gymraeg Gilfach Fargod

“The children thoroughly enjoyed learning about Holi traditions before taking to the school yard to take part in different activities to earn their paint colour.

“Both children and staff were covered in different colours by the end and made for a very unforgettable and memorable experience for all.

“The children all left with huge smile on their faces and a lot of parents commented how much fun their children had.”

The primary school in Caerphilly recently came together to support a six-year-old pupil diagnosed with leukaemia.

Dylan Williams, six, a pupil at Ysgol Gymraeg Gilfach Fargod, was diagnosed in October and is not able to currently attend school due to his treatment.

Dylan’s treatment is estimated to take up to three years.

South Wales Argus: Dylan WilliamsDylan Williams (Image: Ysgol Gymraeg Gilfach Fargod)

Dylan Williams. Picture: Ysgol Gymraeg Gilfach Fargod

Staff at the primary school climbed the equivalent of the world’s tallest mountain between them to raise money for the year 2 pupil.

Speaking to the Argus in February deputy headteacher Aled Hopton said: “Our school is a family – this is what we refer to as.

“Us teachers pushed ourselves out of our comfort zones and it was a personal challenge for all of us.

“Between the 12 of us we climbed Pen y Fan enough times to match the equivalent of Mount Everest, which took 20 climbs all together.”

Last year St Martin's school in Caerphilly won school of the year at the school awards, and headmaster Lee Jarvis said it has helped the schools confidence.

South Wales Argus: South Wales Schools and Education Awards School of the yearSouth Wales Schools and Education Awards School of the year (Image: Newsquest)

Full list of categories for the South Wales Schools and Education Awards

  • School of the year
  • Above and Beyond Award
  • Private or Independent School of the Year
  • Teaching Assistant of the Year
  • Class of the Year
  • College or University of the Year
  • Early Years Education Award
  • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Head Teacher of the Year
  • Primary Teacher of the Year
  • Secondary Teacher of the Year
  • Support Worker of the Year
  • Secondary School of the Year
  • Primary School of the Year