Pencoed Comprehensive School

It was another great sporting week, with a first for the school, as well as a lot of pupils!

Pencoed Comp welcomed Ysgol Bro Morgannwg for our Yr7 teams’ inaugural matches – including fielding our first ever boys team! Both boys and girls displayed excellent skills and awareness, and Miss Nicholas is looking forward to seeing both teams develop as the year continues!

Our Yr8 and Yr9 boys football teams were in action, in the second round of the Welsh Schools FA competition. Both faced competitive teams from CCYD, and demonstrated excellent sportsmanship. Despite some impressive goals from Pencoed, CCYD clinched the win in both games.

Finally, Yr7 showed that the future of rugby is in safe hands at Pencoed! In their first match the team played visitors CCYD, and stormed to victory. From fancy footwork to crunching tackles, these players have a LOT of potential. We can’t wait to see how they develop over the next 5 years!

This week looks to be just as action packed, with our Yr10 boys and U15 girls football teams playing away to Olchfa and Dwr Y Felin, and Yr7 and Senior rugby teams take a trip to Bryntirion – who then pay us a visit to play our Yr9 and Yr10 netballers.

We were delighted to welcome former Mayor of Bridgend Cllr Stuart Baldwin, and current Mayor of Bridgend Cllr John Spanswick, to Pencoed Comprehensive today to present out Young Carers with the Mayor’s Citizenship Award.

Bridgend Council sites the awards as being “the most prestigious annual community awards, celebrating exceptional citizens within Bridgend County Borough”.

Individuals and groups can be nominated for their contribution to the community, either through volunteering, charity fundraising, committing an act of bravery, an outstanding achievement, or helping to put their community on the map in a positive way.

Our Young Carers group were due to be presented the award at a ceremony in March 2020, which was unfortunately cancelled due to lockdown. Despite the delay, staff are absolutely thrilled for our Young Carers to receive the award today.

Ms Zara Clarkson, who leads our Young Carers group, was especially proud of the pupils. “As well as the support and care they provide at home on a daily basis, these pupils have done so much to raise the profile of Young Carers within our school – including providing input to Health and Wellbeing lessons, to educate their peers about what it means to be a Young Carer. To watch them grow in confidence through our Young Carers group has been fantastic.”

“These pupils are an inspiration,” said Deputy Head, Mrs Natasha Charles, “balancing the challenges and responsibilities of being young carers, whilst maintaining consistent standards in their academic studies and attendance. For their efforts to be recognised with this award is outstanding.”

Pupils took the opportunity to tell Mayor Spanswick about what their roles as Young Carers entailed, and the impact it has on their lives. They were also quick to praise Ms Clarkson, describing her as “just the nicest person, she’s always there to listen, and really understands what we go through.”

Congratulations to all of our Young Carers.