Schoolchildren who have learned about the environment, history and heritage and safety as part of the wider community commitment of the Church Village Bypass have been rewarded for their efforts.
They were given certificates and tickets to see JLS at Ponty’s Big Weekend as part of a presentation event recently held at the Church Village Bypass project offices in Cross Inn.
Over the last year, the Church Village Bypass scheme has played host to pupils from the schools that are located near the construction works.
Led by contractors Costain and the Mid Glamorgan Education Business Partnership, the scheme was launched with a briefing of the primary school teachers at the Cross Inn Project offices, where the learning opportunities associated with the construction of the Church Village bypass were outlined.
This then led to a series of visits to the project offices and construction site by children, where they learned about health and safety, history and development of the area, the environment and ecology, protected species and the different job roles associated with the construction of Church Village Bypass.
This significant partnership culminated in a presentation event at the end of last month, comprising local councillors and the senior officials from Costain, Capita Symonds and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council that make up the construction team.
Pupils from St Michael’s RC Primary, YG Llantilltud Faerdref, YG Maesybryn, YG Penygawsi and YG Gwaunmeisgyn attended the presentation evening to show what they had learned.
It was hosted by Andrea Meyrick, Chief Executive of the Education Business Partnership and also welcomed Cllr Andrew Morgan, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Transport and Cllr Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning.
Cllr Andrew Morgan said: “We were keen for the Church Village Bypass to be a scheme that benefited the whole community and it opened up many opportunities for local school children to learn more about the world around them.
“Thanks to their commitment and that of the teachers, they have learned so much about construction, the employment associated it, the history of the area and also the ecology and environment that we are striving to protect.”
Cllr Eudine Hanagan added: “Well done to all the pupils involved! I know they have thrown themselves into this important partnership and have learned so much as a result. I am so pleased the primary aim of keeping them safe in their environment was not only met, but also exceeded as young people left the partnership with a new-found knowledge!”
Andrea Meyrick said: “This partnership deserves ten out of ten for being an excellent example of what can be done when education and businesses work together in partnership.
“This was a superb way for children to use the construction context for learning. Well done to everyone involved, especially the pupils whose presentations at the final event were outstanding.”
Dan Powrie, Project Manager for Costain, concluded: “A primary objective for us was to make contact with local schools to warn children of the risks associated with going onto construction sites.
“But we were also conscious of the learning opportunities the bypass presented to the local schools. We had tremendous support from all the Head teachers and it was evident from the presentations given that not only have the children heeded the advice given about personal safety, but also learned a great deal about the wider impact of such a major project.”
