Latest news with #LauraWright
South Wales Argus
12-07-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
£70m net-zero carbon school officially opens in Abergavenny
King Henry VIII 3-19 School in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, is the first operationally net-zero carbon all-through school in Wales. Funded by Monmouthshire County Council and the Welsh Government through the Sustainable Communities for Learning programme, the project marks a major investment in sustainable education. Cllr Laura Wright, Monmouthshire County Council's cabinet member for education, said: "This building is more than bricks and mortar. "It's a beacon for a modern education system in Wales, designed to inspire, to nurture, and to empower our young people." An official opening took place on July 10 and was attended by Welsh Government cabinet secretary for education Lynne Neagle. Ms Neagle said: "As our first operationally net-zero carbon all-through school, not only will our learners benefit from high-quality facilities, but they will also benefit from learning in a sustainable school environment. "What has been achieved here is truly inspiring for our learners." The school's through-school strategy was showcased with performances from pupils of all ages. Monmouthshire County Council was also named Client of the Year at the Constructing Excellence in Wales Awards for its leadership on the project. The council will now represent Wales at the UK National Awards later this year.
South Wales Argus
10-07-2025
- Science
- South Wales Argus
New Monmouthshire STEM programme to boost learning
The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programme is being launched by Monmouthshire County Council with support from the Welsh Government. The project aims to strengthen links between schools and businesses, promote engaging STEM education, and create clear pathways into further study or employment in STEM fields. Councillor Laura Wright, Monmouthshire County Council's cabinet member for education, said: "As a council, we are focused not only on helping students pass their exams but also on equipping them with skills that will benefit them in their future careers. "It is essential that our schools provide learners with the knowledge and abilities they need to thrive in the future." The programme was officially launched on Wednesday, June 2, at the new King Henry VIII 3-19 School in Abergavenny. The event showcased available resources and generated enthusiasm among attendees. Goytre Fawr Primary School pupils presented their modified Goblin G2 car, the 'Cheddar Chariot,' which competed in the Miskin Greenpower Goblin event. Chris Fall, design lead at Peter Jones ILG, a local STEM business, highlighted the importance of STEM skills for career development and encouraged students to continue studying STEM subjects beyond age 16. Attendees also toured the school's technology department, including its Plastics Lab recycling project. The programme is being delivered in partnership with the Welsh Government, Education Achievement Service, Coleg Gwent, schools, and businesses across Monmouthshire. It includes training and support for educators, as well as equipment such as coding kits, robotics tools, engineering materials, and 3D printers. Schools will also benefit from workshops, business engagement activities, and collaborative networks. The programme aims to increase the number of students choosing STEM subjects at key stages 4 and 5, broaden available STEM qualifications, and raise awareness of career and training options in STEM fields. Resources will begin rolling out during the summer term, with full training and support planned for the upcoming academic year. Councillor Wright said: "This is the start of the new STEM programme in Monmouthshire, and I look forward to visiting schools across the next academic year, seeing the programme embedded in everyday learning."
Business News Wales
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business News Wales
Monmouthshire Council Launches STEM Programme
Goytre Fawr Primary School Goblin G2 car 32 Monmouthshire County Council has launched its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Programme. The programme, supported by the Welsh Government, aims to attract new businesses to Monmouthshire and establish strong links between businesses and schools, promoting inspirational STEM learning and expanding pathways at Post-16. The programme also explores the feasibility of establishing an apprenticeship centre in Monmouthshire. The launch event, held at the new King Henry VIII 3-19 School in Abergavenny, showcased the resources and inspired excitement about the project. At the event, Goytre Fawr Primary School shared their achievements with their modified Goblin G2 car, the 'Cheddar Chariot,' which they raced at the Miskin Greenpower Goblin event. Chris Fall, Design Lead for local STEM business Peter Jones ILG, emphasised the importance of STEM skills for careers in local industries, inspiring learners to engage in STEM subjects Post-16. The event also featured a tour of the school's technology department, highlighting the Plastics Lab recycling project. Through collaboration with the Welsh Government, The Education Achievement Service, Coleg Gwent, local businesses and schools across Monmouthshire, a comprehensive programme of training and support has been developed. Plastics Lab recycling project with Jonathan Hughes WG Resources for each school include coding, robotics, engineering, and 3D printing equipment, complemented by school-to-school networks, class workshops, and business engagement. Monmouthshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Laura Wright, said: 'As a council, we are focused not only on helping students pass their exams but also on equipping them with skills that will benefit them in their future careers. It is essential that our schools provide learners with the knowledge and abilities they need to thrive in the future.' The programme aims to increase the number of learners choosing STEM subjects in key stages 4 and 5, expand the range of STEM qualifications and pathways available, and raise awareness of STEM employment and training opportunities. The initiative is set to roll out resources to schools during the summer term, with training and support in place for the next academic year. Cllr Laura Wright continued: 'This is the start of the new STEM programme in Monmouthshire, and I look forward to visiting schools across the next academic year, seeing the programme embedded in everyday learning.'
South Wales Argus
24-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby on reaction to mosque
This is planned for the former Carnegie Library building on Baker Street in the town centre. The Grade II listed building has been owned and used by the council for some years but is now empty and we agreed to lease or sell the building. The local councillor, Laura Wright, and I spent some time talking to residents in the area and have been reassured by the local reaction, which has been almost entirely positive. This appears to be in contrast to some of the less well-informed manoeuvres which have perhaps presented a more un-wholesome face of Monmouthshire, much of it on social media. On the doorstep, we were able to provide more information for those who had initial worries. We listened to concerns, mostly arising from mis-information about what the development could entail. In fact, residents were pleased to learn of the big plusses: the building will be open to wider community use for events, celebrations and classes. What has reassured me is that underneath some very unhelpful moves, almost all local people have shown a warm, positive response to multi-culturalism, to inclusion, friendship and tolerance. There is currently too little provision locally for the Monmouthshire Muslims who have diverse racial and cultural backgrounds. Actually, this chimes well with the overall approach in our county, which is well on its way to becoming an official county of sanctuary. In fact, only last week, Abergavenny's own Town of Sanctuary group (AToS) won a Welsh national award for their outstanding work. The voluntary group supports sanctuary seekers and refugees with a range of services - from English language cafés and sewing circles, to job clubs, mentoring, sports, coach trips, and practical resettlement support. Their work exemplifies the best of Monmouthshire - kindness, action, and community spirit. We actively support refugees through various schemes, including the Refugee Resettlement Scheme, Asylum dispersal, and the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy. The county has been involved in resettling refugees since 2016, many of them Afghans who assisted the British Army. We are also involved in the "Homes for Ukraine" scheme, with a significant number of Ukrainian refugees hosted in Monmouthshire. And the crucial role of local communities has been so impressive and reassuring. Those who try to present a different face to our tolerant and welcoming people do themselves, and us, no service. Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby is leader of Monmouthshire County Council.
South Wales Argus
15-06-2025
- South Wales Argus
Banner of support draped over Abergavenny mosque graffiti
On June 10, anti-Muslim propaganda was painted overnight on the old Abergavenny library. Plans to turn the library into a mosque were announced in May and since then local opinion has been divided. Written in Arabic the word 'masjid' meaning mosque appeared next to the word 'no.' Also graffitied were crosses symbolic of the Christian faith. Racist graffiti on a potential mosque in Abergavenny (Image: NQ) Now, residents against the racism and in favour of the mosque have taken a stand. A banner with a poignant message was draped over the graffiti. Reading: 'What unites us is big and beautiful what divides us is small and MEAN.' Commenting on the graffiti Grofield Ward Councillor Laura Wright said: 'The graffiti on the building and some of the vile, racist comments on social media in the wake of this call-in have been absolutely shameful. "We will never let hatred and division win here." banner in support of an Abergavenny Mosque draped over racist graffiti (Image: Laura Wright) Police are currently investigating the matter. A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: 'We received a call at about 8.45am on Tuesday 10 June, reporting criminal damage after graffiti had been sprayed on the old library in Abergavenny overnight. 'This has now been cleaned off and we are treating it as a hate crime.' Inspector Emma Sowrey said: 'We have been carrying out enquiries to identify those responsible, including house to house and reviewing CCTV. So far, we've been able to establish that the damage happened at about 3am on 10 June. "I understand the concern that may be felt amongst our communities following this appalling incident which we are treating as a hate crime. "We will not tolerate any such behaviour and are determined to identify the offenders and bring them to justice."
