
Empathetic Powys pupils highlight plight of refugees
Austin A'Hern, Logan Taylor-Saunders, Finn Morgan, Sophie Elverson, Jacob Wall, and Charlie Couzens were all recognised in the Safe Passage competition, organised by the Hay, Brecon and Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees.
The initiative aims to raise awareness and promote compassion through education and community engagement.
This year's competition invited local pupils to interpret the theme of Safe Passage through a range of creative formats, including poetry, visual art, journalism, and short film.
With more than 520 entries submitted from schools across the area, it is a notable accomplishment that every entrant from the New Start Centre received recognition.
This outcome reflects both the high standard of work produced by the pupils and the supportive educational environment in which their creativity is encouraged to flourish.
Austin and Logan impressed judges with their powerful and thought-provoking artwork, while Finn, Sophie, Jacob, and Charlie collaborated on a moving and imaginative poem.
Their poem has earned them a special invitation to perform at the competition's prestigious presentation evening.
Their entries will also be featured in an exhibition of prize-winning work at Hay Castle until June 30.
Cllr Pete Roberts, Powys County Council's Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: 'This is a truly inspiring accomplishment by the pupils of the New Start Centre. Their success in the 'Safe Passage' competition is a testament not only to their creativity and empathy, but also to the nurturing environment fostered by the school.
'It's heartening to see young people engaging so thoughtfully with such an important theme, and I congratulate each and every one of them.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Powys County Times
5 days ago
- Powys County Times
Powys school pupils take part in National Music Plan
Thousands of pupils are picking up instruments and finding their voices through a national music programme. Powys is among the regions seeing a surge in musical engagement thanks to the National Music Plan for Education in Wales, a Welsh Government initiative aimed at providing high-quality musical experiences to all children and young people. In the current academic year, nearly 1,500 primary pupils in Powys have taken part in eight-week 'First Experience' sessions led by professional musicians. These sessions introduced pupils to a variety of instruments, including the ukulele, pbuzz, violin, cello, toots, and voice. Cllr Pete Roberts, Powys County Council's cabinet member for a learning Powys, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to see the positive impact the National Music Plan is having across Powys. "It's so important to recognise the valued hard work, dedication, and commitment of our music tutors and charities, who have worked tirelessly for years to bring music into the lives of children. "This is about more than just music – it's about confidence, creativity, and community." In addition to the First Experience sessions, more than 600 pupils have taken part in funded taster sessions using instruments provided by the National Music Service for Wales' Instrument Repository. Since September 2024, nearly 8,000 pupils have attended live music events at schools, community spaces, and music venues. The National Music Plan has also supported the creation of lunchtime and after-school music clubs across Powys. Pupils have joined brass ensembles, ukulele and guitar groups, male voice choirs, string groups, recorder ensembles, and piano choirs. The Welsh Government recently confirmed three more years of funding for the plan. This will allow the council to expand First Experience sessions to all primary schools in Powys and increase ensemble opportunities for young musicians. The council also plans to strengthen its work with Music Ambassadors in high schools to ensure pupil voices help shape future projects. Cllr Roberts said the programme is helping to keep Wales' musical heritage alive. He said: "Crucially, the National Music Plan will also play a vital role in ensuring that traditional Welsh music continues to thrive.


Powys County Times
23-06-2025
- Powys County Times
Empathetic Powys pupils highlight plight of refugees
SIX pupils from the New Start Centre in Brecon are celebrating a remarkable achievement after receiving prizes and certificates in a regional creative competition marking Refugee Week. Austin A'Hern, Logan Taylor-Saunders, Finn Morgan, Sophie Elverson, Jacob Wall, and Charlie Couzens were all recognised in the Safe Passage competition, organised by the Hay, Brecon and Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees. The initiative aims to raise awareness and promote compassion through education and community engagement. This year's competition invited local pupils to interpret the theme of Safe Passage through a range of creative formats, including poetry, visual art, journalism, and short film. With more than 520 entries submitted from schools across the area, it is a notable accomplishment that every entrant from the New Start Centre received recognition. This outcome reflects both the high standard of work produced by the pupils and the supportive educational environment in which their creativity is encouraged to flourish. Austin and Logan impressed judges with their powerful and thought-provoking artwork, while Finn, Sophie, Jacob, and Charlie collaborated on a moving and imaginative poem. Their poem has earned them a special invitation to perform at the competition's prestigious presentation evening. Their entries will also be featured in an exhibition of prize-winning work at Hay Castle until June 30. Cllr Pete Roberts, Powys County Council's Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: 'This is a truly inspiring accomplishment by the pupils of the New Start Centre. Their success in the 'Safe Passage' competition is a testament not only to their creativity and empathy, but also to the nurturing environment fostered by the school. 'It's heartening to see young people engaging so thoughtfully with such an important theme, and I congratulate each and every one of them.'


North Wales Live
18-06-2025
- North Wales Live
Broken teaset mended with gold tells the story of refugees
This Refugee Week, UK for UNHCR has collaborated with renowned sculptor and artist, Billie Bond, to create a one-of-a-kind tea set to give form to the experiences of refugees through the art of Kintsugi. 'Fragments of Hope', the latest campaign from the UN Refugee Agency's national charity for the UK, is a celebration of the creativity, resilience and contribution of people who have rebuilt their lives in the UK after being forced to flee conflict and persecution. There are now more than 122 million people displaced by conflict and persecution worldwide. The Japanese art of Kintsugi, meaning to mend with gold, repairs pottery by acknowledging its fractures and transforming them into something beautiful. The artwork has been created by bringing together fragments of traditional tea sets from Ukraine, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sudan, including personal contributions by people who were forced to flee their countries. The fragments reflect the diverse journeys of Viktoriia from Ukraine, a dedicated community development coordinator; Ayman from Syria, a self-taught filmmaker and storyteller; Sadia from Pakistan, an award-winning artist and advocate; Bashir from Sudan, a renowned poet and musician; and mother and daughter duo, Frozan and Victoria from Afghanistan, who support their community as an interpreter and an aspiring business leader. Billie Bond said: 'Kintsugi is a centuries-old Japanese art of repairing with gold. It has long been recognised as a powerful symbol of resilience, and a reminder that beauty can be found in imperfection. This Refugee Week, Kintsugi once again serves as a meaningful metaphor, celebrating the strength and resilience of refugees and the ritual of healing – it's been an honour to play a small part in bringing these stories to life.' Emma Cherniavsky, Chief Executive of UK for UNHCR, said: 'Fragments of Hope is a moving representation of how, even after the deepest fractures, refugees can rebuild their lives and futures with strength, dignity and hope."