Latest news with #VictoriaSchool
Business News Wales
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Young People Help Shape £20m Vision for Wrexham's Future
Youngsters in Wrexham have shared 3,600 ideas as part of a £20 million plan to revitalise and shape the future of the city. Hundreds of young people from across the city have had their voices and suggestions heard in a consultation as part of a project being masterminded by Wrexham City Board. The board, which is chaired by Rachel Clacher CBE, the founder of Wrexham-based Moneypenny, was formed after the UK Government announced in 2023 that Wrexham was one of 55 places across the country to receive £20 million of funding under a 'Long-Term Plan for Towns programme', which will invest in local people's priorities over a 10-year period. Following the announcement, the board has carried out a number of consultations including one called Just One Thing, where they asked people to tell them one thing they'd like to see improved in Wrexham. The findings from the consultation will help the board to decide where to focus its energy and attention in the coming months and years. Rachel met a group of Year 6 pupils at Victoria CP School in Wrexham where they discussed ideas around areas such as parking, tourism, shopping and activities for young people. Headteacher of Victoria School Debbie Eccles told the youngsters involved in the consultation: 'Your voice matters.' She added: 'This project is an authentic experience for the children to have their voices heard. 'They have some fantastic ideas and it is important that these form part of plans for Wrexham's future. We are thrilled to be involved and for our children to have the opportunity to influence the future of Wrexham. 'They have all been so excited and have a range of views not just on things like local attractions and shopping, but a lot are worried about issues such as homelessness and healthcare provision which has been really eye-opening. 'Their suggestions are heartfelt and it's clear that the city's children can see areas where it is struggling.' Across Wrexham over 35 schools and community groups took part in the Just One Thing consultation, resulting in more than 1,500 people sharing ideas and more than 3,600 unique insights gathered. The ideas were analysed by experts at Wrexham University and organised into key themes. Natalie Edwards from the Civic Mission at Wrexham University has been heavily involved in the project and joined the group discussion at Victoria School. She said: 'Initially we asked children to put their ideas on postcards to send back to us. We had an amazing response with over 3,000 lines of ideas. 'The influence of our young people is so important; engagement with young people is truthful, heartfelt and completely authentic. 'Children are very empathetic and have real concern for others and want to help those who are struggling. I have been really impressed with their maturity. It is young people who can help give us the answers we need.' One Year 6 pupil involved in the consultation said she felt immensely proud to have had the opportunity to have her voice heard. Sophia, 11, said: 'I feel really privileged to be involved and have a say on our community. It has also been a great opportunity to meet people from different walks of life in Wrexham. 'I think we need more homeless shelters in the city centre to give those who are struggling a better chance of getting help and work. It makes me sad seeing people suffer, and more shelters could help stop people having to live on the streets. It could make a lot of people a lot happier. 'I love theatre and I have known since the age of three that I want to be an actress and there are some great opportunities for me here. But I think more sports halls and wellbeing centres could be beneficial for other youngsters.' Wrexham City Board is independent and brings together a range of elected leaders, business and community representatives from all over the area. Its vision is a 'thriving, playful and vibrant city centre' and the board says that it is committed to ensuring that its plan reflects the voices of the community, and places the wellbeing of future generations at its heart. Rachel added: 'We've been inspired by the energy, creativity and hope that people have brought to the process. 'This work is just the beginning. As we develop our long-term plan, we are committed to deepening our listening, involving even more voices, and building a plan that truly reflects our community – while putting the needs of future generations at its core. 'As a board we want to make sure that everything we do is informed by the young people of Wrexham. 'The Just One Thing project gave us a loud and clear message that there are key areas that matter to our young people. They want the city centre to feel safer for everyone, they want to see improved transport links and they want more to do in the city centre. 'Thanks to our consultations the board now has a clear direction of travel on how to spend the £20million funding. 'We want to create a long-term meaningful and sustainable legacy which has been shaped by young people in the city – a vision by the people for the people of the city. 'The board is representative of the city, and for them to hear the voices of our youngsters is very powerful. We are all really excited about how this is building around everything else amazing that is happening in Wrexham.'
Montreal Gazette
24-04-2025
- Montreal Gazette
Former FACE principal dies, abruptly ending his sexual assault trial
CORNWALL, Ont. — The sexual assault trial of Phillip Baugniet came to an abrupt halt Thursday morning when it was announced that the FACE school co-founder and former principal has died at the age of 82. Crown attorney Elaine Evans told the court her office received an email from Baugniet's daughter Wednesday night with information that 'Mr. Baugniet passed away (Wednesday) evening.' Evans confirmed to The Gazette that the email was received Thursday at 1:02 a.m., adding, 'We are awaiting the death certificate for confirmation.' In court, she asked that the trial be adjourned for one week in order for her office to verify the death certificate, following which the matter against Baugniet will be withdrawn. The trial, which began Jan. 27, had been set to resume Thursday morning after being on pause since mid-February, and was to conclude on May 7. Thursday's schedule had included the testimony of an eighth and final alleged victim. Reached Thursday, the man (whose identity along with that of other complainants is protected by a publication ban) said he was at home waiting to testify via Zoom Thursday morning when he received a call from the court informing him of Baugniet's death. 'I was flabbergasted,' he said. 'I didn't really know how to react. I've never been through a criminal trial: What happens when there's a death? ... I was just numb, not really processing exactly what it means. I wasn't mad, I wasn't happy — just, like, OK.' Having been informed that the court proceedings would end once the death is confirmed, the man was disappointed he and other alleged victims would be robbed of the opportunity to see Baugniet convicted. 'For me, it was always about a conviction,' he said. 'I didn't really care about the sentencing. I'm really just hoping that at least (Baugniet's) legacy could have a mention of the accusations, even though they can never be confirmed — ... (so) when people look him up, he's not listed as a great educator but that he was accused of (sexual assault against children). That's about the best we can hope for.' The man, who attended FACE in the 1980s, said he never thought the matter would one day end up in court. 'I never expected any of this to become public record,' he explained. 'I thought that ship had sailed years ago. At least (the criminal charges brought) some closure — not the full closure I would have liked, but it's there. I dealt with expecting there never to be anything. Now there's something, so it's an improvement.' Baugniet was facing 17 sexual offence charges in Ontario Court involving eight former students at Victoria and FACE schools between 1973 and 1991. Baugniet was a teacher and principal at both schools; he co-founded the fine arts school FACE in 1975 out of the former Victoria School building, before FACE moved to its current location on University St. FACE has been in the news recently since Quebec Education Minister Bernard Drainville announced the government had renounced the plans for long-awaited renovations to the University St. building, and said the building will be sold and the primary and high school sectors permanently separated. The case against Baugniet originally comprised 20 charges and nine complainants, but some charges were dropped following the death of one of the complainants last year. Baugniet had pleaded not guilty to all charges, which relate to events said to have occurred mostly at his farm in Lunenburg, Ont. He was self-represented in the case. Filed according to the Criminal Code at the time of the alleged events, the charges include multiple counts of indecent assault on a male; intimidation — use of threats or violence; sexual assault on a person under 16 years of age; sexual assault of a person under the age of 14; sexual assault; and sexual interference. Baugniet resided in Victoria, B.C., and had been appearing at the trial by Zoom because of high blood pressure that prevented him from travelling. Baugniet was also facing two criminal charges in Quebec and was a co-defendant in a $16-million class action lawsuit along with the English Montreal School Board (EMSB). Lawyer Pierre Boivin of Kugler Kandestin, which is representing complainants in the class action suit, said his firm heard from several alleged victims Thursday morning who were also complainants in the criminal proceedings. 'It's sad for the victims who testified in the criminal trial of Mr. Baugniet and won't have the opportunity to obtain justice on the criminal side because of the death of the person. ... It takes enormous courage and resilience to come forward,' Boivin said. 'They took time to denounce and testify against their aggressor, and to see all that end suddenly (with no resolution) — it's extremely difficult for the victims. They're hurt, disappointed, angry about the situation.' The class action lawsuit against the EMSB will proceed, according to Boivin, who hopes the case may provide Baugniet's alleged victims with another avenue for justice. 'The civil procedure is independent from the criminal proceedings, and has a different goal,' he noted. 'The criminal proceedings are there to punish a person who has committed criminal acts. The civil proceeding is for people to be indemnified for damages caused by a person.' Though Baugniet can no longer be pursued directly, his estate may be, according to Boivin. 'It's one possibility among others' under consideration, he said. 'It's too early to determine in that regard.'
