Keith's Blog

Archive for the ‘School Visit’ Category

School nickname

Monday, September 6th, 2010

When I was younger my nickname at school was KT. One infamous day we were playing football in the school yard. I remember it well. This lad came pelting down the wing with the ball at his feet. As he was about to shoot I put my foot in for a tackle. I still contend I got the ball first but I might also have given his ankle a glancing blow!  As he flew through the air the chant “Towler fowler” was ringing in my ears!

So, when I was in Ysgol Gyfyn Bro Morgannwg the other day to watch a participation rap DVD made by young people it really made me laugh when the line “we have all heard about Robbie Fowler but how many of you know Keith Towler” was performed.

The DVD was made by a great group of young people in the Vale of Glamorgan who were asked to create a bi-lingual rap to help highlight young people’s rights in Wales.  The aim of the rap is to promote the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and to raise awareness of the National Children and Young Peoples Participation Standards for Wales. With a little help from some tutors and youth workers the group wrote, recorded and produced a music video within four days. It is really good so please do take the trouble to watch it.

Raising awareness about the Convention amongst children and young people is so important. The great thing about this DVD is it is fun, informative and really accessible. The fact that it is made by young people for young people gives it a freshness that is great to watch. I hope that it gets played right across Wales.

It was an honour for me to watch the premier showing and to present achievement certificates to the young people who made it. They might have to get used to their new celebrity status but I’m sure they will cope. Year 9 students were in the audience and they clearly loved it. It was almost as much fun watching those who made the film squirm as they saw themselves singing and dancing. But they have done a great job and they should be proud of what they have achieved.

Many congratulations to all involved.

Posted in Participation, School Visit | Comments Off

Pretend Headteacher

Friday, March 19th, 2010

Elaine described herself as a “pretend Head teacher” but as I was soon to discover that is anything but true. Elaine is the Acting Headteacher at Twynyrodyn Community School in Merthyr Tydfil and I was there to present them with their Investors in Families Award and their Green Flag.

First up it was into the school hall to meet all 300 of the pupils who were gathered together in silence as I entered with Elaine and Mark one of our CCfW volunteers. Two of the children introduced me and I recognised them straight away having met them a little while ago in the Senedd. I remember them well because on that occasion they asked for my autograph - not something that happens to me everyday of the week - so it was great to see them again. After a short speech from me the children sang us songs and then it was photo time as I presented both awards to the children.

Bob from Media Wales was the photographer. He ominously asked me how good my knees were. They were fine before he made me kneel down on a hard floor for photos with all the children! All the children were great and are clearly looking forward to seeing their picture in the local paper.

As part of my input I asked the pupils if they would like to join the Children’s Commissioner for Wales as an Ambassador School. The biggest cheer of the afternoon signaled to me that they were very keen indeed to maintain a link with me and in discussion with some of them it was also obvious that they knew about children’s rights. Indeed the Investors in Families Award signals that the school takes an inclusive approach that fosters respect between children, young people and adults. I felt very pleased and honored that such a welcoming school that has already achieved so much wanted to become an Ambassador School. Mark has taken on the job of liaising with Elaine further about how to get the Ambassador programme up and running in Twynyrodyn.

You know it never fails to amaze me how much enthusiasm there is in children. Even the really little ones today, sitting very neatly in a row in the front of the hall, joined in with the songs and clapped and cheered in all the right places. Some found the excitement too much and struggled to stay awake. The capacity small children have to fall asleep on a sixpence is great but so too is the capacity of some very attentive staff who spotted the sleepy heads and sprang into action.

As we left the sun was shining and the children all ran outside for some extended play time. Reward indeed.

What a great school!

Posted in Ambassadors, School Visit | Comments Off