Robs Weekly Round Up 

15 September 2023

Dear colleagues,

I hope this message finds you well. 

While our schools have only returned back for a couple of weeks after the summer break, it’s fair to say that they are most definitely back with a bang.  There is already so much happening and a great deal of really positive news to report.

Firstly, A Special School, the BBC documentary that charts the fantastic work taking place at Ysgol y Deri, has been nominated for a BAFTA Cymru award.

Those working for the Council already had a pretty good idea just what an inspirational place Ysgol y Deri is, and that was really brought home in an emotional and uplifting piece of film making.

Headteacher Chris Britten and his team do an incredible job helping children with specialist needs and have created a school that is setting the standards in its field.

Very well done to all who play their part in making the school the brilliant place it is and best of luck for October 15 when the winners are announced.

On Wednesday it was announced that Cadoxton Primary School was still in the running for a prestigious global prize.

The school has been shortlisted for World School of the Year in the category of Overcoming Adversity for a string of community-based initiatives.

They are up against a school from Palestine and another from India for the chance to win $50,000.

During the pandemic, Cadoxton linked up with Fare Share to provide a food delivery service to vulnerable members of the community, a venture that many other members of staff were also involved with.

The school also set up a ‘pay as you feel’ food shop and a community laundrette, which operates on a similar basis.

There have also been innovative projects to teach pupils and the community about healthy eating, staying active and to encourage learning.

I attended a presentation yesterday at the school to learn all about how Cadoxton has embraced Welsh Government’s Community Focused School model.

That is an initiative that aims for schools to form close links with families, their localities and other services.

Cadoxton Primary’s community schemes have had a significant impact on a large number of residents, many of whom have been struggling, particularly during the cost-of-living crisis.

Headteacher Janet Hayward and Community Manager Hannah Cogbill-Davies have been inspirational in these activities as have all school staff.

A huge well done to all involved.

I’m told, should Cadoxton triumph, they will put the money towards improving the community sports hall.

Very best of luck, everyone in the Council is rooting for you.

But, whatever the outcome, there is no doubt as to the significant and lasting impact the school’s community initiatives have had on those living locally.

During the coronavirus crisis and the challenging times that followed, Cadoxton Primary staff and pupils have been there to support those that needed it most.

That is a huge victory in my book, regardless of what the future holds.

I know what a difference those efforts continue to make and how appreciated they are.

Well done to all involved. As an organisation, we could not be prouder of your achievements. Please show your support by logging on and voting for Cadoxton Primary. 

Diolch yn fawr iawn, llongyfarchiadau a pob lwc.

Sticking with Education, yesterday we were pleased to welcome Jeremy Miles, Minister for Education and Welsh Language, to Barry to visit two recently-completed state-of-the-art school buildings.

The day started with a visit to the newly-completed Derw Newydd school site at the former Court Road Depot in Barry, where we were joined by Chris Britten and his team of dedicated staff, colleagues from Learning and Skills that have successfully delivered the scheme and Councillor Rhiannon Birch, Cabinet Member for Education, Arts and the Welsh Language.

This specialist school will offer bespoke provision for pupils that require support for complex social, emotional and mental health needs.

Managed by Ysgol y Deri, it replaces Y Daith Cowbridge and Y Daith Amelia Farm Trust, increasing overall pupil capacity.

The building has a number of innovative features to help pupils gain the most from their time there.

These include:

• A full catering kitchen.
• Dining hall with floor to ceiling glazing and a folding wall that can be retracted to create a larger space.
• Food technology room where pupils can learn to prepare meals and gain independence.
• Fitness suite
• Large common room for pupils to have their own designated space.
• One-to-one rooms

On site, there are also three distinct units that provide specialist teaching in Design and Technology, Construction and Mechanics.

The school has a Multiuse Games Area (MUGA) and habitat areas that allow pupils to learn about biodiversity. 

I understand that the facility is the first of its kind in Wales and the facilities on offer are truly inspiring.

Derw Newydd is also the latest Council development to be Net Zero Carbon in Operation through the building design, making it extremely environmentally friendly.

It uses solar panels with battery storage; air source heat pumps that extract heat from the atmosphere; has enhanced insulation; and Electric Vehicle charging points.

This is the most recent piece of work in our Sustainable Communities for Learning programme, which continues to transform school facilities across the Vale.

It was then onto the new site for the Ysgol St Baruc school building on Barry Waterfront, another to boast ultra-modern facilities, where we were also joined by Mrs Rhian Andrew and the School Council – Cyngor yr Ysgol for a tour of the new school.

A lot of hard work has gone into such an extensive and complicated piece of work as the Sustainable Communities for Learning programme.

Trevor Baker and Kelly Williams are at the forefront of those efforts, which give Vale children the best platform for success.

This is important work that has a hugely positive impact on such an important section of our communities. It is important to promote the Welsh language within existing communities and the new community of Barry Waterfront.  Dioilch i Mrs Andrew a diolch hefyd i Cyngor yr Ysgol am y croeso cynnes. Thank you Mrs Andrew and thanks also to the School Council for their warm welcome.

Well done to all involved – your efforts are very much appreciated.

St Baruc’s previous premises is now being used by Ysgol y Deri Barry on a temporary basis while a new building in Cosmeston is constructed.

There was a lot of work required to get the building ready for its new intake and just six weeks to complete it.

A new entrance with ramp access needed to be created, a CCTV system installed and kitchen fitted.

Radiators and low-level pipework also had to be boxed off, the toilets replaced, an access control installed, fencing erected, guttering replaced, extensive decorating, not to mention the creation of six classrooms, a breakout room and food technology room!

That may sound a tall order, but needless to say the staff involved rose to the challenge to deliver the new-look school in double quick time.

Big thanks to colleagues from ICT, Ysgol y Deri, Building Services and Big Fresh for playing their part in that rapid makeover.

Neil Stokes, Mark Slocombe, Simon Jones and team went above and beyond, working tirelessly to meet the deadline and provide around 60 children with a great learning environment to use while their long-term base is finished.

Next some sad news as Phil Southard’s funeral took place on Wednesday.

Phil was a very popular member of staff whose sudden death shocked us all. It was therefore no surprise to see so many colleagues at the funeral and the wake, held at Penarth Pavilion. That turnout was a fitting testament to the impact Phil had on the lives of others.

We have already named a room at the Pavilion in Phil’s honour, a building he was so fond of having played a major role in its recent revival. The classroom is now, from 13 September, named the Southard Classroom – Dosbarth Southard.

Again, I would encourage anyone who needs support to contact our counselling service, Care First.

They can be reached by calling 0800 174 319, while Occupational Health colleagues are also on hand to assist.

As the summer season nears its end, the Council’s tourism department is working with Welsh Government to understand how Vale residents view tourism.

Our County, along with Gwynedd and Pembrokeshire, has partnered with Visit Wales and wants to hear from local residents on this subject and its impact on particular areas.

A survey has been launched to establish people’s views on both the advantages and drawbacks of tourism to make sure it is managed sustainably.

Findings will be used to inform future policy to best meet the needs of the communities involved.

The survey is aimed at Vale residents, and that includes members of staff who live here.

If you have some spare time, please share your opinions, which can be given anonymously.

This week also saw the launch of this year’s Speak Out campaign.

The Speak Out Hub was launched in 2022 to raise awareness of the Council’s whistleblowing policy and make it quick and easy for staff to report concerns via an online form, phone line or email (confidentially if preferred).

We also asked staff to suggest what would help them better understand the policy in the Speak Out Survey, information that has been used to update it.

This year’s promotional campaign also includes a ‘policy on a page’ and summary animation, while the development of an iDev module is also in the pipeline.

Speaking out or 'whistleblowing' has a positive impact on the organisation, protecting the Council's finances and reputation while keeping colleagues and customers safe.

All our staff, permanent and temporary, Councillors, partners, agency workers and contractors have an important role to play in ensuring we deliver excellent services to residents.

We expect everyone to be committed to our high standards which are based on the principles of honesty, openness, and accountability.

The Council's whistleblowing policy welcomes all genuine concerns about malpractice within the organisation and treats reported issues seriously. You can find a full list of Whistleblowing matters on the Speak Out hub.

I’ll end, as always, by thanking each and every one of you for your efforts this week.

They are very much appreciated.

Have an enjoyable and relaxing weekend.

Diolch yn fawr iawn,

Rob