A Coleg Sir Gâr agricultural lecturer who was awarded CollegesWales Teacher of the Year 2015, has been interviewed on television about her work as an educator and agricultural practitioner.

Mary Richards, assistant head of landbased studies, is well-known at the college for her enthusiasm and passion for teaching agriculture and promoting bilingualism.

She was recently interviewed on Welsh-medium television programme Ffermio, where she was filmed at the college and at her family farm at Fferm y Llandre, Llangyndeyrn, Carmarthen. “I’m lucky that my interests and my work team-up,” said Mary.  “I love animals, I love farming and I love teaching and that’s what I do at Gelli Aur – for me, every day is a privilege to go to work.”

As a former secondary school teacher and current college and university level lecturer, Mary works with a range of learners of all ages and abilities including school children who access landbased studies through school links at the college farm.  “Learners come to us at 16, some even at 14,” she said. “They are the future, they come to us full of ideas, full of enthusiasm it’s a happy place, and we all love farming, that’s what Gelli Aur is about.”

The college’s Facebook post regarding Mary’s interview has proved her popularity by generating over 130 likes and interactions include Delyth Jones’s comment of “Top lecturer!!!! Best ever! Da iawn Mary,” and Lisa Jones, who said: “Not surprised but delighted for you!”

To watch the interview, scroll to 13:30 via the video link http://ow.ly/Xgoq1 

Jordan Prileszky is a young Carmarthen-based designer who is in his second year of studying BA (hons) Fashion at Carmarthen School of Art.

The ambitious former Queen Elizabeth High School pupil recently launched his own online street-wear company Deathcru, which he has been pursuing alongside his studies since September. 

Since launching his brand online he has quickly gained traction, gaining almost 900 followers on Instagram, and has been receiving an average of one to two orders per week – amazing progress for so early on in his career.

Jordan said: “I came up with an initial design whilst studying fashion at Jobs Well and was really happy with it, and seeing as it was always my aim to design street-wear, I thought that I’d launch my own company. While the content of my course and study of high-fashion definitely informs my designs, I am more interested in ultimately designing everyday street-wear. My aim in the next couple of years is to branch into creating sweatshirts and jackets, in addition to the t-shirts and hats I’m selling online now”. 

Jamie Lousie Hawkins, the programme director of the fashion course, commented: “It's great that Jordan has been entrepreneurial whilst studying for his degree putting him in great stead for his future career direction. Fashion is a competitive industry and it's amazing that he is starting his business now and finding his own niche market.”

Jordan likes to engage customers and admirers of the brand through his Instagram page @deathcruclothing. He keeps his followers in the loop and creates a lot of hype by posting design ideas and asking for feedback, in addition to reposting photos of customers wearing and promoting the Deathcru brand. He also engages and promotes his brand by creating online competitions. 

He added: “My biggest achievement to date has been receiving my first international order in my online shop. It was a major thing. The customer was from New York and they ordered two t-shirts and a hat!”

Visit his website: deathcru.com and follow him on Instagram@deathcruclothing

About the BA Dance Course

The UWTSD BA Dance degree is a fairly new programme delivered by Coleg Sir Gâr staff that aims to prepare students for a career in the dance and performing arts industry. 

The course ensures the progress of technical, choreographic and performance skills, in addition to preparing the students for a rewarding career in the industry. It involves an intensive albeit rare 18 hours per week of contact time, consisting of both dance practice and dance theory. The course boasts a broad range of specialist expertise and partners with professional and award-winning dance company, Earthfall.

The programme is designed to respond to the specific requirements of every learner. Each student is considered individually, and aspects of the course are tweaked thereon to ensure that the best possible experience is given. This is a unique quality and means that course tutors are able to inspire personal interests, style and flare. 

The dance teaching staff are also very accommodating in health and wellbeing classes, an important part of the curriculum. If you have a specific weakness in your fitness or your style, classes are honed in order to target and improve that weakness. 

The course will thoroughly prepare you for life beyond your degree. It places a considerable amount of emphasis on technique, as you’d expect, but then teaches how to translate that to a professional setting with lessons on how to perfect a dancer’s CV, interview technique, and how to conduct yourself in dance auditions.

The course also recognises that as a dance graduate, you will inevitably end up teaching dance in one way or another. The tutors ensure that you know how to confidently teach dance by introducing it as a fundamental part of the course in the ‘Leadership in Dance’ module. In summary, BA Dance thoroughly prepares you for real life and doesn’t, like a lot of other university-level qualifications, leave you guessing and feeling a little lost after you graduate.  

Auditions

Auditions for the course began recently, and continue in the next few months in Y Ffwrness in Llanelli. The hopeful students are told to warm up, and soon undergo a challenging audition led by Coleg Sir Gar staff Stacey Panico, Claire Mackerras and Christy Anson-Harries. During their audition, the students are encouraged to focus on their technical abilities, their abilities to learn choreography, their performance skills, and the creativity of their own choreography. They are then taken to UWTSD Carmarthen, where they will meet head of school, Mark Kelley, who alongside the course teaching staff will answer any questions the students might have.

Daniella and Robyn, two students who recently auditioned from a college in Neath, were impressed by the format of the course. Robyn said: “I loved how the teaching staff were very supportive. They can change the direction of the course to suit everybody’s individual needs, depending on what you’re more interested in.” She also enjoyed the possibility of meeting some industry experts including contacts in aerial dance, who are sometimes brought in to teach. 

Daniella was impressed by both the teaching and practical facilities of the university: “The course is catered to your own needs. There are amazing spaces available to learn and rehearse in and the teaching staff on the course provide a lot of support.”

To find out more about studying dance contact 01554 748179 or admissions@colegsirgar.ac.uk 

5x30 is an activity scheme which aims to get students and staff active throughout the whole college.  The team, which is student-led but overseen by project staff, work hard to engage learners into healthy, fun or sporting activities.  Jack is a degree student who is enhancing his degree studies by volunteering for the project. 

NAME: Jack Thomas James Parry

COURSE: BSc Sports Science and Performance

I've done a lot of rugby coaching and I also play for the Carmarthen Quins and Newcastle Emlyn, but I wanted a broader experience in my placement which is why I applied to work with the college’s 5x30 team.

I work at both Ammanford and Graig campuses delivering all kinds of sessions such as badminton and fitness and generally we change the activities every three weeks.  Working with different groups such as travel and tourism students, agricultural students and entry level learners, offers me a wide range of experiences.  I’ve also learned so many leadership, communication and organisational skills, organising fixtures and getting teams together.  Getting people involved in non-competitive activities has also helped those who don’t like sport, to get fit and active.

Although we have support, the ethos of the 5x30 development officers is to give us experience by planning and doing things ourselves which gives us more experience and confidence and employability skills.

I definitely wouldn’t have had my disability football coaching certificate to teach pre-entry level if it wasn’t for the placement and we also gain from being involved with the Swans Trust where we can get additional certificates in many sports.

A lecturer at Carmarthen School of Art at Coleg Sir Gâr is curating an exhibition of drawing books in memory of artist and art educator, Osi Rys Osmond, who died last year.

Fine art lecturer, Cath Fairgrieve, is organising the exhibition to commemorate one of Wales’ most respected artists, authors, broadcasters and commentators on arts and culture through the medium of Welsh and English.  Osi was instrumental in the development and on-going success of the art school’s long-established foundation course in art and design, which he ran between 1988 and 1996.

This exhibition brings together over 100 books from professional artists and students across South Wales. These books are intended for the public to handle in order to share insight into how artists think and work. They are wonderfully diverse; many are intense visual records of everyday life, whilst others capture fleeting thoughts with doodles and notes, some are resolved artists books, and others are objects that challenge what a drawing book can be. Collectively they represent an enormous amount of observation, endeavour, creativity, and individuality. It is a rare privilege to be allowed to touch artworks, and these are both modest and profound because they reveal the intimate and vulnerable world of how artists work.

Cath Fairgrieve said: “This show commemorates Osi’s legacy at Carmarthen School of Art. 

“He was a huge force of energy and inspiration when I started working here in 1994. Throughout his career Osi drew and painted captivating visual records in drawing books, which reveal his everyday life, passions and travels abroad – over 20 are on exhibit here and they are extraordinary. 

“Most importantly I hope that my art students will be as excited to experience his scrutiny of looking at the world and unwavering optimism. I am also very proud that my students have submitted wonderful books themselves and raised prize money for the competition to celebrate the modest and often overlooked use of drawing books.” 

The Welsh Drawing Book Exhibition, which takes place at the Oriel Henry Gallery at Carmarthen School of Art, opens on January 26 from 4.30pm with speeches and prize giving from 6pm.  It will remain open until Thursday, February 18, from 9.30am – 4.30pm during week days with late openings on Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays until 8pm.

Six Coleg Sir Gâr students were invited to an event last weekend (January 22) to prepare them for their competitor Journey to WorldSkills Abu Dhabi, following their successful selection into Squad UK.

Competitors were selected as a result of their performance at Birmingham’s national Skills Show as well as previous competitions held across the UK.

The teambuilding event will include adventure but also engagement with sector skills champions who are experts in their fields and help nurture competitor progress to the international competitive arena.

Within the squad, Coleg Sir Gâr will be representing the areas of carpentry, manufacturing team challenge, restaurant services and web design.  Also attending is inclusive skills competitor Simon Davies, who has been selected to compete at Abilympics as part of Team UK in the basic cabinetmaking category.

The event is being organised by the Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales project which is led by Coleg Sir Gâr and funded by the Welsh Government.  It offers a supportive infrastructure for skills competitors in Wales.

Coleg Sir Gâr principal Barry Liles, also undertakes the role of Skills Champion for Wales driven by a passion for Wales to be represented in the UK and international skills arena and contribute to a long-term global economy.

A Coleg Sir Gâr A-level student and aspiring engineer has been recognised for his design and manufacturing skills at the Innovation Awards which took place in Cardiff.

Duncan Purves, 18, is studying design technology at the Graig campus where he has designed and manufactured a multipurpose trolley for automotive engineers. His career aspirations are to go to university eventually to become a design engineer.

The awards, which are run by the WJEC and Welsh Government, highlight the technological innovation amongst 14-19 year-olds in Wales and Duncan won third prize in the A-level category of the competition where he was awarded a trophy and money prize for himself and the college.

Duncan’s design was recognised from 80 shortlisted entries from a total of 1600 students and pupils.

Kevin Lewis, lecturer in engineering at Coleg Sir Gâr, said: “Automotive engineers need several pieces of equipment to carry out their work, often in a garage with limited space.  

“Duncan has manufactured a creeper and stool design which allows the device to be manoeuvred as a flatbed trolley which can be altered to a seated position with storage.”

The panel of judges included Gary Clayton, operations manager and David Wooldridge, intellectual property manager from Airbus Group Endeavr Wales.

Former Glan y Mor pupil and current mechanical engineering student Annie Williams was also shortlisted for the GCSE category where she gained a first place.

A student at Coleg Sir Gâr is the only Welsh competitor representing the UK at the Abilympics in France where he will be demonstrating his skills in basic cabinet making.

16 year-old Simon Davies, from Carmarthen, is studying Skills for Independence and Work at the college’s Ammanford campus and is one of two competitors to be representing the UK at the event which takes place in March.  

This is the first time the UK has participated in the Abilympics, which is an international skills Olympics which takes place every four years for those with additional needs.

He began his competition journey at Birmingham’s Skills Show last year, where he received a gold in the level one cabinet making competition.  His college course involves producing a timber product and Simon has been learning to cut a range of woodworking joints.  “He has proved to be very good at them,” said his tutor, Andrew Easton.  “As part of the Skills Show competition, he had to cut a dovetail halving joint and a mitred corner bridle joint, which are two quite complex procedures.” 

Simon is being supported by the Inspiring Skills Excellence (ISE) project, which consists of a small team, funded by the Welsh Government, to support Welsh competitors in a range of skills competitions.

Andrew Easton added: “The Abilympics is a big deal with over 40 skills contents, 665 registered candidates and 264 French and international judges and we are delighted with Simon’s success and being involved in a competition which promotes the importance of high level skills within students with additional needs.”

Rhiannon Morgan and Lewys Herbert are both studying BTEC Production Arts at the Graig campus. Here they share with us their experiences of the course and industry:

Rhiannon Morgan, Coedcae Comprehensive 

Rhiannon has been studying at Coleg Sir Gar for four years. She studied A-levels in humanities subjects before deciding that this was not the right career path for her. After completing these courses, she reapplied for the BTEC Production Arts programme, which she has thoroughly enjoyed ever since. She is currently awaiting an interview at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama next week, where she hopes to get onto the BA (hons) Stage Management and Technical Theatre course. 

Lewys Herbert, Bryngwyn Comprehensive

Lewys has known from the get-go that he wants a career in production, focusing on stage lighting and sound, and has thrived on the college’s BTEC course. He is working tirelessly alongside his studies in order to gain as much industry experience as possible, and hopes to get a job in the industry or an apprenticeship after he leaves college. 

What does the BTEC Production Arts course have to offer?

Rhiannon: The course offers a broad range of training for the industry, including training in stage lighting, sound, animation, design, set construction and stage management. There’s a lot of things that come under the ‘production umbrella’, and the course allows you to explore a bit of everything so that you get a feel for what you like.

Lewys: It gives you full production training. Alongside the course itself, you get to work on shows back-to-back so that you have a well-rounded knowledge and experience of the industry. Most of the work is practical, including the assessments, which is good. When I’m being assessed I tend to forget that there’s an examiner watching me because I become so engrossed in the job at hand.

Rhiannon: The course also offers a lot of practical opportunities and placements beyond the college. Some people have shadowed the BBC team, for example. Our next production is ‘Blue Remembered Hills’ in Y Ffwrnes. I am the stage manager and Lewys will be in charge of lighting. Because our year group is quite small, it gives us the opportunity to gel really well as a team, which is nice. 

Lewys: The teaching staff are also brilliant. There’s a good balance of being able to put your own creative spin on things, but also having a great support system that’s provided by the college. You get the impression that they view us more as colleagues than students. The course is quite hard-core and very hands-on, so it’s important that we all pull together as a team.

The programme leader for production arts, Simon Davies said: “The production arts course is designed to operate as a production company. The students work on live performances with almost full creative control so that by the end of the two years, each student will have experience in stage management, technical elements and design.”

For more information, follow the link to our courses

Kayleigh Watts

Performing Arts (level 3)

I got into performing arts a little later than most because although I loved drama at school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. 

I joined two drama groups outside of school and this slowly increased my confidence and I began thinking, ‘I can do this’. This made me look into studying performing arts full time.

I thought about studying drama at A-level but this meant I’d have to take other subjects I didn’t particularly enjoy, so I opted for the diploma, which means I’m studying performance every day.

I chose to perform a monologue for my college audition, or we could perform a dance piece. I chose a funny piece as I like to use humour in my acting. 

We study acting, singing and dancing to give us an all-round experience but you can choose what to specialise in.  I’m part of the Coleg Sir Gâr Acting Academy where we learn different techniques and the teachers are really supportive and really explain things well.

We’re learning the style of acapella at the moment but singing was always a daunting thing for me so I wanted to get over the fear and the singing coach at college has helped a lot.

I was also really worried about learning ballet, and although my teacher is strict because ballet is a discipline, Claire is very supportive and always respectfully corrects dancers and is always willing to help.  In fact, I’ve surprised myself as ballet has really helped me with my acting by making me aware of my body, it improves your professional presence. 

My favourite subject is acting and in the acting academy, we’re learning the principles of acting looking particularly at the differences between Brecht and Stanislavsky.  Mike is one of those teachers you can really work with.  You can stand in a space and he’ll let you do what inspires you, I like that freedom in a creative environment as I don’t feel as I have to do it someone else’s way.

It’s a great course and I would definitely recommend to anyone as you can feel safe and be creative at the same time.

You can find out more by visiting the college open evening on February 9, from 5pm to 7.30pm or by calling 01554 748179.

Coleg Sir Gâr sports development and coaching student, Nathan James, has been nominated in the Young Sportsman category of the Carmarthenshire Sports Personality of the Year Awards.

Nathan is a Welsh javelin athlete who trains with Welsh Athletics coach John Davies and competes with Swansea Harriers.  This year he has kept his first place position in Wales and is currently fourth in the UK for the U17s age group.  

He has an impressive competition repertoire and amongst his successes include the SIAB schools international where he came sixth and the Celtic Games where he came first in throwing 61 metres which broke a stadium record. 

Sports lecturer Kayley John, said: “I’m really impressed by Nathan’s sporting record where he’s gained first place in many events he’s competed in.

“I wish him the best of luck at the awards evening.” 

The awards take place at the Ffwrnes in Llanelli on February 12.

Carmarthen School of Art at Coleg Sir Gâr will soon be running short courses and workshops in a range of art and design areas.

One of the courses being offered is Pattern Cutting for a Perfect Fit (Skirts), which is being delivered by Nicola Ridd-Davies, who has over 20 years’ experience in the fashion industry.

For the past 10 years, Nicola worked at Toast as a Garment Technologist, Pattern Cutter and Technical Coordinator, before becoming self-employed in 2014.  

She now runs her own business offering a full technical design package from initial block-making, patterns, sampling, tech packs and consultancy, managing the development process from concept to marketplace.

Nicola is ideally placed to teach the course as she specialises in perfect fit blocks.  “On the course, I will be guiding people through the process of designing and constructing a basic skirt in a fun, friendly, informal and relaxed environment,” she said.

The course is suitable for those with basic sewing machine skills and is aimed at people who either want to develop their home dressmaking skills or career opportunities. “In my experience, the most successful designers are those with a knowledge of pattern cutting and garment construction,” added Nicola Ridd-Davies.  “Designers benefit from a technical grounding because these skills allow them to communicate their ideas to the technical department more effectively, with a clear understanding of their construction and with such fierce competition in the fashion industry, only the most well-equipped succeed.”

Pattern Cutting for a Perfect Fit (Skirts) is a four day course being run from February 16 from 9.30am to 4.30pm at Coleg Sir Gâr’s Carmarthen School of Art at Jobs Well campus, Carmarthen.  It costs £175 

For further details and a list of materials please contact susan.hayward@colegsirgar.ac.uk or 01554 748201.

Students in their first year of study are being supported by sports lecturers at Coleg Sir Gâr to develop their sports performance.

Carys Lloyd who plays for the Carmarthen Quins and Scarlets Academy, has recently been selected for the Welsh Colleges squad. At the beginning of the academic year she was one of the youngest players invited to try for the U18s Wales Pathway team to complete in the European Sevens but was too young to be eligible. Carys is hoping to be selected this year with her being of selectable age.   

Steffan James is studying sport in Welsh and was selected for the extended U18 Wales camp.  Although injured, he currently plays for Scarlets U18s and plays for college’s X1st team . Ryan Conbeer, is part of the college’s rugby academy’s X1st team, he also plays for Scarlets u18s and in the extended Wales U18 camp. 

Daniel Davis plays for the X1st in the college’s rugby academy and plays for Scarlets U18s team.  He was selected for the U18 Wales camp but injuries have prevented his progress.

Zack Edwards plays roller hockey for Llanelli Phoenix and has represented Wales in his sport.

Chris Brown, who plays for Narberth Football Club and the college’s football academy has played for Welsh Colleges and is due to trial for a place this year.

Nathan James is a Welsh javelin athlete who trains with Welsh Athletics coach John Davies. He recently won the Celtic Games and set a new stadium record of 61m. 

The students are all following an extended diploma in sports development at the Graig campus and are taught by lecturer Kayley John. “Our academy structure allows students to develop their game and are supported to perform at the best of their ability,” she said.

Liam Jones is a former Queen Elizabeth High School pupil studying BTEC Leisure and Tourism at Coleg Sir Gar. He shares with us his experiences of his first year so far:

Why did you choose to study Leisure and Tourism at the college?

The leisure and tourism industry has always been an interest of mine. When I saw that the BTEC course was being offered at Coleg Sir Gar, I jumped at the opportunity to study it more closely. I never really took to typical GCSE level subjects, so this course sounded perfect for me, combining something that I’m very interested in with a practical way of learning.

What does the BTEC Leisure and Tourism course have to offer?

I highly recommend studying this course - it is extremely accessible and highly rewarding. The teaching staff are really great, and make a big effort to engage you in a hands-on way. The course is very practical, focusing quite heavily on volunteer work alongside assignments, so commitment and enthusiasm is important. My classmates and I are often found providing support at college events and conferences, which is a pivotal part of the industry and an invaluable experience for me. 

It is a pleasure to be surrounded by such wonderful, like-minded people, who have the same mind for business as me. Although the level 2 class is quite big, my class as a first year student is much smaller, so we all know and get on with each other very well. It’s a great learning environment.

How are you looking to use this qualification in the future?

I would love to continue with my study of Leisure and Tourism for as long as possible after college. At the moment, I am considering both the ‘university route’ and the option of becoming an apprentice in the travel industry. The hands-on nature of the BTEC course allows me to meet lots of people who already work in the industry, which will undoubtedly open doors for me in the future.

Liam recently won a Young Achiever Award in the Outstanding Progress in Sixth Form or College category for his determination and hard work since starting college last year. He was nominated by his sister and received high praise for the achievement. He said: “I was so surprised to have won the award. I’m very, very proud of it.”

For more information on our courses, see our online prospectus or email enquiries@colegsirgar.ac.uk

Dr Peter Stacey is a significantly talented lecturer, musician and composer with a long-established and current repertoire in the music industry.

His work has been shortlisted for the British Composer Awards, which make contemporary music, jazz and sonic art the focus of their annual celebration.  He is also the published author of Boulez and Modern Concept and Contemporary Tendencies in the Relationship of Music and Text.

Peter Stacey has worked extensively in music theatre, working as a composer and musical director for Made in Wales, Pauper’s Carnival, Theatre Taliesin Wales and India Dance Wales.  

Following a Radio three commission, he wrote Concerto for Bansuri for Indian flutist Hariprasad Chaurasia and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.  In a later commission, he worked with Radio One DJ Bobby Friction and Viva, the Orchestra of the East Midlands.  More recently, he’s worked with one of India’s leading sitarists, Nishat Khan, on a concerto that was commissioned by Radio Three and received its premiere at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the Proms season.

As well working on commissions for choirs, bands, percussion and orchestra, Peter Stacey uses his experience to present workshops and outreach projects for the Welsh National Opera, the National Dance Company Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Opera North. He also runs his own music production and recording studio and is currently working on music for an animation and puppet show for a Welsh theatre.

Dr Stacey was educated at Liverpool University with a first class honours degree and later studied a PhD in music before qualifying with a music therapy diploma and a post-graduate certificate in education.

To find out more about studying music or music technology, contact enquiries@colegsirgar.ac.uk

Coleg Sir Gâr’s 5x30 team is working with Swansea City AFC’s Premier League 4 Sport (PL4S) project to help encourage more young people into fitness activities.

Craig Richards, who is a former Coleg Sir Gâr sports degree student, is currently project coordinator for PL4S which aims to involve young people who don’t normally engage with sport, to play basketball, tennis, hockey and table tennis.  “At Swansea City AFC, it’s important we engage with as many young people as we can, we don’t just focus on football,” he said.  “There’s an array of other sports that we target which have been successful in the local community so we want to create as many partnerships as we can in the community and offer opportunities to local young people to take part of volunteer.”

With a premier league club connection, the scheme is able to offer incentives such as match shirts for event prizes such as a recent cross-campus table tennis tournament.

Natalie Allen, 5x30 development officer added: “We are pleased to work with PL4S and have as a result, engaged over 25 new learners into our weekly basketball sessions which are run by sports degree students who have also benefitted from the partnership by gaining experience and coaching qualifications.”

Pic From left, Mostyn Lewis from Table Tennis Wales delivering a leaders award session, Craig Richards and Lloyd Thomas from Swansea City’s PL4S project and (back) sports degree students and 5x30 volunteers Catrin Stonemand and Martyn Bowles

An entry level lecturer at Coleg Sir Gâr has commended students and staff for their participation in the Welsh Colleges pan-disability sports football tournament.

Nine students from the college’s Ammanford campus who are studying an entry level course, took part in the seven-a-aside tournament in Llanelli which was organised by the college’s 5x30 team.

The entry level team started well with a 2-0 win over Pembrokeshire College.  They then played Gower College Swansea and won 4-0.  The third game against Cardiff and Vale was a hard thought match which saw both teams stretching each other’s defence.  Both teams had shots on target with some excellent saves from both goal keepers.  Sir Gâr took a late chance to finally win by 1-0. 

The entry level team won all their matches until the final game against the Gower side lost them the title with a 1-0 score. 

Lecturer Matthew Jones said: “The team was disappointed with their near miss but considering the team had been put together at short notice with little practice, they did brilliantly to get that far in the tournament.

“Thanks to support staff Karen Flint and Richard James who were an integral part of their success.”

Entry level students at Coleg Sir Gâr have been presented with their Duke of Edinburgh bronze awards at an event which inspired young people to set themselves challenges.

Fifteen students from the college’s Ammanford campus completed their expeditions to qualify for their awards, under the guidance of course lecturer Matthew Jones. “The bronze award is flexible,” he said.  “It can be tailored to meet individual needs and also promotes personal growth which inspires qualities such as leadership and team building which can be beneficial in motivating a student to access further study or enter the workplace.”

Guest speaker Tori James, the first woman to climb Mount Everest, inspired young people with accounts of her explorations which include walking the magnetic North Pole and a recent expedition which raised over £40,000 for charity.

Matthew Jones added: “Ms James’ speech was inspirational and she encouraged all ages to get out and set challenges to prove to themselves that with the right attitude you can achieve things that you thought you could never do.”

The event, which was held at Queen Elizabeth High School, was supported by the county’s youth services and welcomed the director of Duke of Edinburgh Wales.

Entry level students from Coleg Sir Gâr’s Ammanford campus receiving their Duke of Edinburgh bronze awards

Coleg Sir Gâr’s Sports Academy will be celebrating their historic success with an alumni dinner which will reunite players from the last 20 years.

Current staff at the academy are encouraging former academy members who played a range of sports across the college’s various academies, to reacquaint and to celebrate the current academy’s success.

Assistant curriculum head, Stephen Williams, said:  “This is the first time we’ve hosted an alumni event which we can promise will be a memorable evening of sport and entertainment, compered by Welsh actor, writer and director, Ioan Hefin.”

The special guest for the evening is former Wales, British and Irish Lions international Martyn Williams, MBE.

The event will take place on Friday, April 29 from 7pm at the Quinnell Lounge, Parc y Scarlets.  Non-sports alumni are also welcome to attend. 

Tickets can be bought at the Graig campus, Llanelli for £35 or by telephone on 01554 748051.

To donate an auction prize for the event to help fundraise for the current academies, please contact Stephen.williams@colegsirgar.ac.uk

Coleg Sir Gar’s Carmarthen School of Art is going from strength to strength since its re-launch in 2014 and will open a second site in Carmarthen this September, to accommodate demand from young creatives in the county.  

BTEC diplomas in art, design and fashion, up to level three, will soon be delivered at the college’s Pibwrlwyd campus, preparing students for progression into work, apprenticeships and higher education - including the nine degree pathways offered by the school at its Job’s Well campus, which are validated by University of Wales Trinity Saint David. 

Head of Carmarthen School of Art, Paula Phillips Davies said: “We’re really excited by this development which will provide fantastic opportunities for young students to specialise in art, design and fashion in Carmarthenshire.   

“We’re bringing together all of our vocational BTEC provision under one roof, to create a vibrant, specialist facility for our students.  

“There’s such a longstanding tradition of creativity in Carmarthenshire that we hope to build on and this site will now give us the opportunity to provide for students from 16 years of age through to graduation.”    

The historic name of Carmarthen School of Art dates back to 1854 and there is a direct lineage through to the school that currently occupies the Job’s Well road campus, Carmarthen which is focused primarily on post-18 provision.

An image sent in by former student and singer and songwriter David Gray

A photo from the Foundation archives