Cynffig Comprehensive School receives gold award for championing the Welsh language

Cynffig Comprehensive School has claimed the lead position of being the first English-medium secondary school in the county borough to receive the much sought-after Siarter Iaith Cymraeg Campus Gold Award.  This recognises the school’s outstanding efforts in following the Siarter Iaith Gymraeg Charter - a Welsh Government programme designed to promote the Welsh language and culture.

Portraying a rich and colourful language that expands beyond the classroom, the diversity of Welsh activities offered by the school aligns with its ethos, ‘Cenedl heb iaith, cenedl heb galon’, meaning ‘A nation without a language is a nation without a heart’.  The passionate lead for the initiative, Welsh teacher Claire Arnold, states that this is the sentiment that inspired her when first taking on the role in 2021.

Claire said: “As a school, we value and celebrate the Welsh language and culture, and we want to play our part in helping the Welsh Government achieve their goal of one million Welsh speakers by 2050.”

There is a whole-school reward system in place which ensures that pupils are praised and recognised for using their Welsh across the school, and staff are also nominated by pupils for their use of Welsh!  The Criw Cymraeg, pupils leading the scheme, aim to promote the Welsh culture and language in a fun and engaging way through a range of events or activities, from delivering gifts for acts of kindness on Santes Dwynwen Day to organising Welsh treasure hunts for fellow pupils.

Claire continued: “We run theatre trips for pupils to experience Welsh language shows and have had external visitors run workshops. Providing these experiences shows our pupils that Welsh is not just for the classroom, but a living language they can use in their everyday life both socially and in the workplace.”

As well as a whole-school approach, the initiative is also firmly weaved into the local community.  The Criw Cymraeg entered a Dragon’s Den competition and succeeded in winning funding for a business venture, designing ‘Cynffig Chwech’ pens, and now sell them to staff, pupils, and parents/carers, through the medium of Welsh - funds raised are donated to the local food bank in Pyle.

Elderly residents of the local residential home, Ty Gwyn, in Mawdlam, also benefit from the creative efforts of the Criw Cymraeg.  Each year, the residents receive Welsh Christmas and Easter cards that have been produced by the pupils, forging relationships that positively impact all involved.

A member of the Criw Cymraeg, Nerys, said: “I’m proud to be Welsh and enjoy promoting activities across the school. I love making people happy to use their Welsh by including them in the activities we do.”

Finally, Welsh lead, Claire added: “We are thrilled to be the first English-medium secondary school in Bridgend County Borough to have received the Gold Award. We couldn’t have done this without the support of the Head of Welsh, Leanne Geddes, all school staff, pupils, and key partners, such as our governors, parents and carers.

“I’m very proud of what we have achieved here at Cynffig to date. The Gold Award belongs to all of us who make up Team Cynffig and is testament to what can be achieved when everyone, no matter what their role in the school, supports one another.” 

Headteacher, Hannah Castle, commented: “This achievement really is a great source of pride for the school. Through commitment and a collective approach, we are authentically promoting the Welsh language. A big 'diolch yn fawr' to our inspirational Criw Cymraeg.”

Cllr Martyn Jones, Education and Youth Services, said: “What a fantastic achievement!  Well done to all at Cynffig Comprehensive School! The commitment to the Welsh language and culture demonstrated by staff and pupils is phenomenal.

“Working collaboratively across the school, you have succeeded in highlighting that Welsh is not just for the classroom, but is for communicating in the wider world.  I’m so glad that already you’re reaping the benefits of immersing yourselves in the Welsh culture and language!”

Image: Criw Cymraeg reward trip to Cardiff Bay, which included a visit to the Senedd.