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Argus Lite


target to open ANEWgym at aNewport school is due to be finished by September. Plans are afoot to namethe new


St Julian’s School gym after for- mer pupil andWales international ChrisGunter. Aproject to repaint corridors


and display inspirational quotes by pupils and staff is due to be completed by the end of summer. Newclass signs will be in English


andWelsh and the school’s house system will be represented through their colours and logos.


Coleg honours


COLEGGwent has been given the Learner Voiceaward at ColegauCymru’s annualawards . The winners included for teach-


ing and learning, Coleg Sir Gâr; technology aiding learning, Coleg Cambria;Welsh and bilin- gualism, Coleg Ceredigion; learn- er voice, ColegGwent; and entre- preneurship andemployability, Gr p LlandrilloMenai. Theawards also recognised


learner of the year,won by Victoria Brand of Bridgend College, and a teacher of the year, Dr GrahamHall of Coleg Meirion Dwyfor.


NEWS IN BRIEF Newgymon


southwalesargus.co.uk


Friday, May 23, 2014 Fun and games high on agenda at club


IT’S A HIT: Pictured are the children and the organisers having fun at the Pill Millennium Centre.


CHILDREN in Pill have flocked to a new club where they can dance, sing, act and play games. The Christian club aims to showkids from five to 11 “just


how special they are” at Pill Millennium Centre and has proved a hit so far with fun at the top of the agenda. Alison Stewart, who set up the club, said: “Children need


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to belong to their community. They need somewhere to be- long that’s safe and with good morals. There are already plenty of children’s activities going on in and around Pill


but none that focus on the spiritual needs of children which we feel is integral to a fulfilled childhood and life.” Equipped with a stage and a projector she says children


can put on puppet shows and live productions as well as lis- ten to animated films. There is a 50p charge per child which includes snacks, from 5-7pm each Thursday.


Ministertotakeon inconsistencies inprimaryclasses


INCONSISTENCIES in how Wales’ youngest pupils are taught “must stop”, the educa- tion minister has said in re- sponse to an independent re- view into Welsh Government’s flagship education policy. The policy - the foundation phase - was launched four years ago, teaching children through play and outdoor learning. An independent review, headed


by Professor Iram Siraj, was commissioned by education minister Huw Lewis as a “stock- take” of implementation. It involved a task-and-finish group with experts and stake-


ByEmmaMackintosh 01633 777206 ema@gwent-wales.co.uk


holders; visits to schools; focus groups; and questionnaires. Mr Lewis said evidence sug- gested that although the founda- tion phase is “undoubtedly an extremely valuable and effective way of teaching” the youngest of pupils, there are “issues” with the consistency in delivery across schools, leading to the re- view and yesterday’s report.


“Professor Siraj’s report points


out that we’re still in the early stages of the implementation and education reformstake time to embed and deliver improve- ments,” said the AM. “However, the inconsistency in delivery must stop.” The report recommended a 10-


year plan to toughen up imple- mentation across Wales. Owen Hathway, NUT Wales policy officer said the union has concerns the ethos of the foun- dation phase has been “under- mined” in recent years, follow- ing thenew standardised tests in primary schools.


Will you vote for the velodrome?


THE hunt is on to discoverWales’ most popularNational Lottery funded project – andNewport’s Velodrome has been selected to compete for the honour. The search is part of the Lottery’s 20th anniversary celebrations.


TheWhat’s YourNational Treasure


campaign asks people to choose the best froma range of iconic venues, landmarks and facilities that are vying for the title ofNational Treasure. Atotal of £7.5 million ofNational Lottery funding helped create The


WalesNational Velodrome in Newport. The venue is hometo Welsh Cycling and hosts national and international competitions. Votes can be cast on Facebook.


com/LotteryGoodCauses until mid- night on Tuesday,May 27.


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