Youngsters from Hawthorn, Heol-y-Celyn, Ffynnon Taf, Parc Lewis and Coedpenmaen Primary schools took part in an after-school film club and made a movie entitled ‘How to Build a Time Machine’.

Cluster worker for Hawthorn High School, Nadine Reeves, co-ordinated the club along with Lily Pad Film Company as part of the Zoom Film Festival. The annual young people’s film festival featured workshops, screenings and special events held across Rhondda Cynon Taf.

‘How to Build a Time Machine’ was entered into the Zoom Young Film-makers Awards held at Valleys Kids in Penygraig and pupils and staff were overjoyed when they won their category.

Pupils from Coedpenmaen Primary School were presented with the award, which they accepted on behalf of the group of schools.

Cllr Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said: “The youngsters were given the opportunity to learn new skills and thoroughly enjoyed their time as film-makers.

“The Hawthorn cluster schools are fortunate to now have filming equipment including a DVD camera, microphones and a computer so that they can make their own films relevant to their schools and to the communities in which they live.”

Maybe yourself or someone you know has been thinking of learning Welsh but are either too shy to register on a course or don’t want to commit to a college course.

For further information call the Welsh for Adults Centre on 01443 483600 or visit the website for full prospectus of courses.

iTunes U is a dedicated area of the iTunes Store that offers free audio and video content from leading education institutions. Users can download content that interests them onto their personal computers, iPod or iPhone.

Launched today, March 9th, The University of Glamorgan on iTunes U will be packed with recordings of lectures, examples of students’ work, interviews with lecturers and fascinating facts about the University. All will be accessible across the globe.

The University is joining other educational and cultural organisations and museums across the world in providing audio and video content which can be downloaded free of charge.

The teaching impact of this project for students will include: delivering easy 24 hour access to educational material; distance learning; prerecording lectures to make them available at any time and supplementing lectures given during core contact hours. The site will include content from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, which is part of the Glamorgan Group.

Prof Clive Mulholland, Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University, is pioneering the project at Glamorgan. He said, “For the first time, the specialist work and expertise of those working and studying at Glamorgan will be available to the world. This means that no matter where you are, you will be able to listen to a Glamorgan lecture, which raises our academic profile on a worldwide scale.

“Some of the world’s best known and most highly respected universities have a presence on iTunes U and we are thrilled to be the first in Wales to make our mark.”

Mrs Lydon will replace Professor David Halton who retires next year after 5 highly successful years in the role during which time he led the University through a period of rapid growth including opening a new £35m campus in the heart of Cardiff, merging Merthyr Tydfil FE College and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with the University to form the Glamorgan Group, as well as achieving the University’s best ever outcome in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Taking over responsibility next spring, Mrs Lydon currently holds the post of Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University.

Pupils, parents and other volunteers from the community were involved in the design of the garden, which will now enhance the local environment. The garden will make a lasting improvement to the local environment by supporting activities that create and sustain a collaborative commitment to caring for the environment.

Various workshops were held during the week which saw the children make their own willow arbour, create wildlife homes and build an eco-greenhouse out of plastic bottles. The children also planted sunflowers so that the seeds can be used to feed the wildlife during the winter months.

The Community Garden, which is the second phase of the school’s Tidy Towns initiative was brought to light when the school and the community it serves adopted a neglected allotment area adjacent to the school grounds. The project has developed a community garden, which includes an orchard, fruit bushes, vegetable patch, quiet seated area, a small pond, recycled greenhouse, willow arbour and a polytunnel.

The first phase of the project involved litter picking the public footpath, developing a log circle in the woodlands and a commitment from the school to maintain this area.

Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, Councillor Eudine Hanagan, said: “The project has been an extremely successful vehicle for strengthening partnership and collaborative working with the school, RCT Environmental Services Street Care Team, Brynna Allotment Society, the Youth Club and the community. It is hoped that the garden will be fully used by the community.”

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has angered parents and pupils alike, who want the name to remain the same.

Speaking from the Senedd today, Bethan Jenkins AM a former pupil of the school said:

“It is unacceptable for the council to ignore the wishes of those people who the school truly belongs to: the pupils, parents and teachers. Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen is a widely recognised name throughout Wales and has particular connotations for community spirit and educational excellence. The school, which was the first Welsh-medium secondary school to be opened in south Wales, has a special place in the hearts of those in the community.”

Leanne Wood AM for South Wales Central, who presented evidence to the Assembly’s petitions committee on the issue last year, added:

“I reaffirm my support for the parents, teachers and pupils at the school who have fought a hard and determined campaign on this over many years. It is unacceptable that a decision like this is not in the hands of the school itself but is a matter for the council to impose. I’d like to congratulate the pupils and parents at the school who have led the campaign and vow to continue supporting them until plans for the name change are dropped.”

As of 11am, the following venues were closed or are preparing to close:

Primary Schools

• Abercynon Infs

• Aberdare Town CIW Primary

• Aberllechau Primary

• Abernant Primary

• Abertaf Primary

• Alaw Primary

• Blaengwawr Primary

• Brynna Primary

• Caegarw Primary

• Capcoch Primary

• Caradog Primary

• Carnetown Primary

• Cefn Primary

• Cilfynydd Primary

• Coedpenmaen Primary

• Coedylan Primary

• Comin Infs

• Comin Jnr

• Craig yr Hesg Primary

• Cwmaman infants

• Cwmbach CIW Primary

• Cwmbach Infs

• Cwmbach Jnr

• Cwmbach Nursery

• Cwmclydach Primary

• Cwmdare Primary

• Cwmlai Primary

• Cymmer Infants

• Cymmer Jnr

• Darran Park Primary

• Darranlas Primary

• Dolau Primary

• Ferndale Infs

• Ffynnon Taf Primary

• Gelli Primary

• Glanffrwd Infs

• Glantaf Infants

• Glenboi Primary

• Glynhafod Jnr

• Gwauncelyn Primary

• Gwaunmeisgyn Primary

• Hafod Primary

• Hawthorn Primary

• Hendreforgan Primary

• Heolycelyn Primary

• Hirwaun Primary

• Llanharan Primary

• Llanhari Primary

• Llanilltud Faerdref Primary

• Llantrisant Primary

• Llwydcoed Primary

• Llwyncelyn Infs

• Llwyncrwn Primary

• Maerdy Infs

• Maerdy Jnr

• Maesybryn Primary

• Maesycoed Primary

• Miskin Primary

• Oaklands Primary

• Our Ladys RC Primary

• Parc Primary

• Parclewis Primary

• Penderyn Primary

• Penrhiwfer Infs

• Penrhys Primary

• Pentre Primary

• Penygawsi Primary

• Penygraig Jnr

• Penyrenglyn Primary

• Penywaun Primary

• Perthcelyn Primary

• Pontrhondda Primary

• Pontyclun Primary

• Porth Infs

• Porth Junior

• Rhigos Primary

• Rhiwgarn Infs

• St Margarets RC Primary

• St Michaels RC Primary

• Ton Infs

• Ton Junior

• Tonypandy Primary

• Tonysguboriau Primary

• Trallwng Infants

• Trealaw Primary

• Trefyrhyg Primary

• Trehopcyn Primary

• Treorchy Primary

• Trerobart Primary

• Ty Gwyn Primary SEN Centre

• Tylorstown Primary

• Tylorstown Primary

• Williamstown Primary

• YGG Abercynon

• YGG Aberdar

• YGG Bodringallt

• YGG Bronllwyn

• YGG Castellau

• YGG Evan James

• YGG Garth Olwg

• YGG Llantrisant

• YGG Llwyncelyn

• YGG Llyn y Forwyn

• YGG Pontsionnorton

• YGG Tonyrefail

• YGG Ynyswen

• Ynysboeth Infants

• Ynysboeth Junior

• Ynyshir Primary

• Ynyswen Infs

• Ysgol yr Eos

Secondary and Other establishments

• Aberdare Boys Comp

• Aberdare Girls Comp

• Blaengwawr Comp

• Bryncelynnog Comp

• Ferndale Comp

• Hawthorn High

• Maesgwyn Special

• Mountain Ash Comp

• Newman RC Comp

• Park Lane Special

• Pontypridd High

• Porth Comp

• St John Baptist CIW High

• Tai Centre

• Tonypandy Comp

• Tonyrefail Comp

• Treorchy Comp

• Ty Gwyn Secondary SEN Centre

• Y Pant Comp

• YG Garth Olwg

• YG Llanhari

• YG Rhydywaun

• YG y Cymer

• Ysgol Hen Felin

• Ysgol Ty Coch

The decision on whether or not to close a school is made by the individual head teacher and governing body of that school. Any queries should, therefore, be directed to the individual schools.

As of 11am, the following venues were closed or are preparing to close:

Primary Schools

• Penygraig Infants
• Pentre Primary
• Penygraig Junior
• Maesycoed Primary
• Penrhys Primary
• Cwmclydach Primary ?
• Caegarw Primary
• Gelli Primary
• Llwynypia Primary
• Coedpenmaen Primary
• Cwmbach CIW Primary
• Darran Park Primary (closing 12.30pm)
• Ferndale Infants (closing 12.30pm)
• Maerdy Infants (closing 12.30pm)
• Maerdy Junior (closing 12.30pm)
• Penyrenglyn Primary
• Perthcelyn Primary
• Pontrhondda Primary ?
• SS Gabriel and Raphael RC Primary
• Tonypandy Primary
• Treorchy Primary
• YGG Bodringallt ?
• YGG Llyn y Forwyn
• YGG Ynyswen
• Ynyswen Infants
• Trallwn Infants (closing 12 noon)
• Tylorstown Primary (closing 12.30pm)
• YGG Bronllwyn (closed 10.30am)
• YGG Aberdar
• YGG Abercynon
• Ty Gwyn SEN Centre
• Cwmbach Infants (closing 12.30pm)
• Abercynon Infants (closing 12.30pm)
• Cwmbach Junior (closing 12.30pm)
• Cwmbach Nursery (closing 12.30pm)
• Blaengwawr Primary (closing 1pm)
• Caradog Primary
• Carnetown Primary (closing 1pm)
• Glantaf Infants (closing 12.30pm)
• Llwydcoed Primary (closing 1pm)
• Parclewis Primary (closing 12.30pm)
• Penderyn Primary
• Penygraig Infants
• Penywaun Primary (closing 12.30pm)
• Pontygwaith Primary (closing 12.30pm)
• St Margarets RC Primary (closing 12.30pm)
• Ton Infants (closing 1pm)
• Abernant Primary
• Abertaf Primary (closed 1pm)
• Darranlas Primary (closed 1pm)
• Glynhafod Junior (closed 1pm)
• Rhiwgarn Infants
• St Michaels RC Primary (closed 1pm)
• Ton Junior

Secondary and Other establishments

• Aberdare Boys Comp (closing 11.05am)
• Aberdare Girls Comp (closing 11.05am)
• Blaengwawr Comp (closing 11.05am)
• Maesgwyn Special
• Mountain Ash Comp (closing 11.15am)
• Tonypandy Comp
• Treorchy Comp
• YG y Cymer
• Ysgol Hen Felin
• Ysgol Ty Coch (closing 12 noon)
• Ferndale Comprehensive (Closing at 10.30am)
• St John Baptist CIW High (closed 10.30am
• YG Rhydywaun (closing 11.30am)
• Hawthorn High (closing 12.30pm)
• Ysgol Ty Coch (closing 12 noon)
• Tonyrefail Comprehensive School
• Newman RC Comp (closing 2pm)
• YG Garth Olwg (closed 1pm)

The decision on whether or not to close a school is made by the individual head teacher and governing body of that school. Any queries should, therefore, be directed to the individual schools.

More than £70,000 has been allocated to projects at the University of Glamorgan and Cardiff University by the Beacon – the all-Welsh partnership which aims to help universities in Wales engage more with the communities of which they are part. The Beacon also encourages people to play a more active role in the work of higher education institutions.

Part of the UK-wide Beacons for Public Engagement scheme, the Beacon for Wales-funded projects will draw on the experience of university experts in astronomy, maths, music, archaeology, genetics and social sciences. The projects will explore innovative approaches which will feed back into academic research, and develop closer links in local communities around issues that affect people’s daily lives.

Seven projects, ranging in value from £6,000 to £17,000, will benefit from the first wave funding of £73,000, which is part of a total £1.2M secured by the Beacon for Wales.

The projects are:

* Cardiff University School of History and Archaeology – The chance for young people to take part in the dig at Cosmeston Medieval Village.

* University of Glamorgan Faculty of Advanced Technology – Helping young people explore the role mathematics plays in understanding the world around us.

* University of Glamorgan Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries – A project to create a Junior Music Academy for Wales.

* Cardiff University Graduate Centre – Developing dialogue between researchers and young people about contemporary research.

* Cardiff University School of Physics and Astronomy – The chance to investigate the impact of comets and asteroids which collide with our Earth.

* Cardiff University School of Social Sciences – Exploring cross-disciplinary ways of solving problems by linking researchers and students through storytelling.

* University of Glamorgan Faculty of Health, Sport and Science – An internet project to explore young people’s views on genetics and ethics.

Bruce Etherington, Beacon for Wales Manager, said: “The great thing about the successful projects is that they are designed from the start to be a partnership between young people and university staff so that they can work and learn together to increase knowledge and understanding.

“The Beacon for Wales is working to help institutions reach out even further into their communities and share their knowledge, helping both the wider community and the academic communities make more informed decisions that are relevant to the 21st century.”

Colin Johnson OBE, Chair of the Project Advisory Group, was enthusiastic about the response to the first call for funding. He said: “We’ve had a fascinating range of project ideas submitted already. The quality and creativity we’ve seen so far will get the Beacon for Wales off to a flying start.”

Applications for the second round of Beacon for Wales funding will open soon to people from all over Wales who are involved in or who have plans for partnerships between universities and their communities. Projects will be considered under any of the four themes below:

* Our Place In The Future – 14–19 year olds

* Climate and Sustainability – Rural Communities

* Health and Wellbeing – Communities First

* The Welsh identity in the 21st Century – Cultural Minorities

The Beacon for Wales will be running sessions across Wales to help strengthen links between the public and their universities. For further details, please contact the Beacon for Wales team at beacon@cardiff.ac.uk

The Partnership Overseas Networking Trust (PONT) was set up in 2000 and aspires to link as many professionals and organisations in Pontypridd with their counterparts in Mbale.

Assembly Ministers Jane Hutt and Jane Davidson attended the event and took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of PONT’s work.

The purpose of PONT is to build direct personal relationships between interested individuals and organisations with intention of increasing the capacity and governance of individuals and organisations in Mbale.

The event at the University also saw the launch of a scheme which will allow University employees the opportunity to donate money to PONT through their salaries.

The Mbale region has 760,000 inhabitants and covers 2466 square kilometres; it is roughly the same size as the Rhondda Cynon Taf area.

Dr Jim Richardson, Head of Division of Family Care at the University of Glamorgan is one of the conference organisers. He said, “The PONT team believe the Ugandans have much to teach us about family and community values along with a rich cultural heritage, so the partnership is very much a two way link. This conference was a significant milestone with the introduction of pay roll giving for University staff.”

To date over 50 visits have been made by teams from Pontypridd in 6 groups, and 23 people have visited Pontypridd from Mbale.

The PONT team set out to identify a town in a third world country where English was widely spoken, it was relatively safe to travel, and where we would be welcomed by both government and non-governmental sectors. In 2002 the first visit was made to Mbale, where we felt we had found exactly what we were looking for. Mbale town is of a similar size to Pontypridd, but serves a region of 760.000 people, most of who live in poor rural villages.

Welsh Water has been working around the clock to resolve the problems and have indicated that all Schools should reopen tomorrow (Thursday 8th January).

Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, Councillor, Eudine Hanagan, said: “The Council has been liasing with Welsh Water to ensure that this matter is resolved. It is hoped that all schools will reopen tomorrow and services affected will resume. However this is a problem relating to the issues in the Maerdy Water Treatment Plant and is out of the Council’s control.”

If you have any questions or concerns about school closures please contact your child’s school. If your concern is related to your water supply please contact Welsh Water directly 0800 052 0130.

The schools closed are:

Ferndale Community (Comprehensive) /  Maerdy Junior and Infants /Ferndale Infants

Darran Park Primary / YGG Llyn y Forwyn / Pontygwaith Primary

Aberllechau Primary / Ynyshir Primary / Tylorstown Primary

Please be advised that other schools in neighbouring areas are experiencing problems and may be forced to close throughout the day. At present all other schools have water supplies but some schools have been advised to obtain bottled water for drinking.

This matter is currently being looked in to and dealt with by Welsh Water who are trying to resolve the problems as soon as possible.

Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, Councillor, Eudine Hanagan, said: “The Council is working with Welsh Water to ensure that this matter is resolved as soon as possible. However this is a problem relating to the issues in the Maerdy Water Treatment Plant and is out of the Council’s control.”

If you have any questions or concerns about school closures please contact your child’s school. If your concern is related to your water supply please contact Welsh Water directly.

Pirate parties involving stories, rhymes & crafts will be held on Friday October 10th at Pontypridd Library from 11am to 11.45am and at Aberdare Library from 2pm to 2.45pm. A prize will also be given for the “best dressed pirate”!

Bookstart is run by Booktrust, an independent national charity that encourages people of all ages and cultures to discover and enjoy reading.

In conjunction with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Libraries and Museums Service, plenty of people step foot in their local library and get involved in the many fun events on offer.

Working through local authorities and primary care trusts, Bookstart gives the gift of free books to children at their eight and 18 months health checks, along with guidance materials. Parents wishing to receive a pack should speak to their Health Visitor or contact their local library.

Carys Webster from Gilfach Goch competed at the West London Under 13 Girls Table Tennis Championship and came an admirable fourth from throughout the country.

The youngster is a member of Table Tennis For Kids (TTK) Greenhouse that is run at Tonyrefail Comprehensive School under Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s E3+ initiative.

The Governing Body will need to convene a meeting in order to discuss the decision of the General Teaching Council for Wales.

At this time, official confirmation of its decision has not been received from the GTCW.

In the meantime, Mr Davies will not be in school. Any management arrangements will be made by the Governing Body.

Under delegated powers granted by law, Governing Bodies, including the one at Cwmdare Primary School, are responsible for all decisions relating to the appointment, discipline or dismissal of all teaching staff.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, as Local Education Authority, continues to monitor the situation and provide advice and support where appropriate.

The main priority and concern for the LEA remains, as always, the welfare of pupils, staff and the wider community of Cwmdare Primary School and the continued delivery of excellence in teaching.

Until any decision has been made by the Governing Body in relation to the implications of yesterday’s ruling, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

This week Welsh poet and playwright Menna Elfyn visited Pontypridd High School and held workshops with teenagers to develop an inscription to appear on new art work planned for the town centre.

One of the many ongoing schemes to re-establish the town as major shopping destination in the South Wales Valleys, is the introduction of a selection of art-works.

Following funding by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and the Welsh Assembly Government artist Howard Bowcott, has been commissioned to erect two arched sculptures inspired by the links made at the famous Brown Lenox Chainworks..

The works will be placed at the opening of the traffic-management scheme area on the junction of Crossbrook Street with Taff Street during the next few months.

This area will undergo a major refurbishment so shoppers, residents and visitors to the town can visualize how these designs could be introduced throughout the entire town centre as part of the ongoing regeneration strategy.

Menna Elfyn, an established poet and playwright who travels the world for readings or television work and theatre productions, held classes with 13 and 14-year-olds at the school to inspire pupils to consider what words they would like to see appear on the new art work.

Significant work continues across the county’s schools in a bid to provide healthy, nutritious and tasty options for younger generations.

One of the latest schemes is at the Garth Olwg Community Campus where a monthly “theme” is introduced to attract and educate pupils.

With January being the month of National Breakfast Week, the obvious theme is a healthy start to the day.

The event on Wednesday (Jan 16) proved to be a huge success and the themed months will continue, building on achievements from previous events such as reducing salt in the diet and calcium-awareness.

February’s theme will by Hydration Happiness, in terms of the need for water and fruit drinks for hydration of the body, especially if you are involved in sport, exams or theatrical performances.

In today’s “grab and go” culture, it can often be hard to provide healthy food for pupils, who need to be aware of their diet and nutrition as they continue to grow and develop.

As a result, Catering Direct, which provides school meal services on behalf of Rhondda Cynon Taf, has worked with schools to remove fizzy, sugary drinks and unhealthy chocolate bars and crisps, replacing them with fruit, pasta and grain bars.

Pupils and teachers from Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn y Forwyn and Darran Park Primary School planted 4,000 bulbs in Darran Park with help from staff from Rhondda Cynon Taf Parks and Countryside department and local councillor Annette Davies (pictured above).

“The children had two very busy days of bulb planting and despite the grey and – at times – wet weather, a good time was had by all,” said Cllr Davies, ward member for Ferndale.

“I’m sure the pupils will be delighted to see the results of their hard work in a few months when the daffodils bloom.”

Bulb planting is part of a programme of works being undertaken in Darran Park this winter following a successful bid made by the Council’s Leisure, Parks and Countryside and Development and Regeneration sections.

A grant of £80,000 for environmental improvements has been obtained through the Heads of the Valleys initiative. Improvements being carried out include:

· Bulb planting

· Tree and shrub planting

· Resurfacing footpaths, opening links to the woodland and wider countryside

· Provision of bird and bat boxes

· Removal of silt from edge of lake

· Dry stone wall repairs

· Pruning of trees

The Heads of the Valleys initiative was launched by the Welsh Assembly Government in September 2004. The 15 year regeneration strategy has been developed in full partnership with five local authorities – Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen, and other local stakeholders. The initiative is tackling the root causes of economic inactivity and other key issues in the area.

The £140million programme aims to create:

· An attractive and well-used natural, historic and built environment

· A vibrant economic landscape offering new opportunities

· A well educated, skilled and healthier population

· An appealing and coherent tourism and leisure experience

· Public confidence in a shared bright future

Adult Education is holding an information evening for people who are interested in being tutors in a wide range of services.

The event in Pontypridd will enable people to find out more about how they can share their skills with a wide range of adult learners.

The event takes place at Ty Catrin, Maritime Industrial Estate, Pontypridd from 5pm to 6.30pm on Wednesday, January 23. Contact Elaine on 01443 743692 for more information.

Launch events were held at each of the four centres, which will be the first to offer childcare settings as part of the ongoing Flying Start initiative.

The launches enabled children, parents and staff at the centres to enjoy activities such as face painting, arts and crafts and the planting of daffodils.

Officially launched by Carol Daniel, Head of Early Years and Family Support Services at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, the settings demonstrated just how much of a positive impact quality childcare can have to young children and their families.

It is hoped many more free childcare settings will be launched across the county in the coming months as the Fframwaith Partnership continues to make best use of the opportunities offered by Flying Start, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The first four settings were opened last week in:

· The Growing Together Centre, Bryncynon for the Ynysboeth area

· Clych Meithrin, Ynysybwl for the Glyncoch area.

· Little Inspirations Day Nursery Ltd and Clych Meithrin Y Draennen Wen at Rhydyfelin Children’s Centre.

Cllr Annette Davies, Cabinet member for Children and Equality, said: “Flying Start enables us to work in the areas that have the greatest need.

“We have 14 areas across Rhondda Cynon Taf that offer an innovative range of measures that aim to make a difference to the life chances of children under the age of four and their families.

“One of these initiatives is the provision of free, part-time childcare for two-and-a-half hours a day, five days a week for up to 42 days of the year.

“We are delighted to launch the first four of these settings and look forward to introducing even more to the communities that need it the most in the coming months.”

Flying Start childcare providers range from playgroups, day nurseries and childminders and all providers are approved and committed to ensuring children are provided with opportunities that are appropriate for their age and stage of development, learning through first-hand play experiences in a high quality environment.

For more information on Flying Start, contact your Flying Start health visitor or contact the Children’s Information Service on 0800 180 4151.