The Best in Welsh Education Revealed at National Awards

Skills and Training , 13th July 2022

Ten of the most inspiring, talented, and dedicated education professionals from across Wales have been revealed as winners of the fifth annual Professional Teaching Awards Cymru.

29 finalists from all four corners of Wales, were invited to celebrate excellence in education at the awards on Sunday 10 July. The Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, revealed the winners of the ten categories at a special ceremony held at The Coal Exchange in Cardiff. After last year’s ceremony was postponed due to Covid-19, the awards provided some much-needed positivity for those involved.

The Professional Teaching Awards Cymru recognise the brilliant work that our education professionals do across Wales to go above and beyond for our young people. This year saw the introduction of the new Betty Campbell MBE Award for promoting the contributions and perspectives of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities.

This award, won for the first time by Llanwern High School, is given to an individual, team or school that has demonstrated an outstanding awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion in the classroom, Llanwern were nominated for this new award for working with great care to instil a culture that ensures all members of the school community feel a sense of belonging. The judges were particularly impressed with the school’s whole-school approach to the promotion of diversity.

Tracey Jarvis, Headteacher from Llanwern High School in Newport, part of the team who won this very special award for 2022, said :

“We are incredibly proud to gain recognition for the work we are doing to make an inclusive school. It is thanks to our staff, governors, learners, parents and carers for their commitment to celebrate diversity that it is now intrinsically embedded in our day-to-day culture.”

Meurig Jones from Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd in Maesteg, won the Headteacher of the Year award for his exceptional energy, enthusiasm and determination to promote Welsh-medium education and to make a difference to current and future learners. Meurig said:

“My parents fought for a Welsh language education for me so this award proves dreams really can come true. It is a privilege to be a headteacher and I share this recognition with everyone that contributes to the success of our school, from our learners, parents and carers to our governors and amazing staff. I will continue to promote Welsh-medium education and do all I can to ensure every child has both access and choice when it comes to their education journey.”

The Minister also presented the winner of the Welsh Government Special Recognition Award in memory of Mr Gareth Pierce, WJEC’s former Chief Executive, for his contribution to education in Wales, in particular, Welsh language education.

The Professional Teaching Awards Cymru 2022 winners:

Teacher of the Year in a Primary school – Charmaine Riley, Radyr Primary School, Radyr
Outstanding New Teacher – Holly Gordon, Ysgol Bryn Derw ASD Special School, Newport
Inspirational Use of the Welsh Language – Iona Llŷr, Education and Childrens’ Services – Carmarthenshire County Council
Supporting Teachers and Learners – Carolyn Platt, Ysgol Bryn Elian, Colwyn Bay
Youth Work in Schools and the Community – Christian Williams, Heolddu Comprehensive School, Caerphilly
Teacher of the Year in a Secondary school – Mark Morgan, Pen y Dre High School, Merthyr Tydfil
School Business Manager/Bursar – Claire Coakley, St Martin’s School, Caerphilly
Headteacher of the Year – Meurig Jones, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd, Maesteg
Pupil (or Pupils’) Award for Best Teacher – Laura Buffee, Haverfordwest High VC School, Haverfordwest
The Betty Campbell MBE award for promoting the contributions and perspectives of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities’ – new for 2022 – Llanwern High School, Newport

The Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, said:

“The calibre of this year’s nominations has, as ever, been outstanding and demonstrates the abundance of teaching talent we have here in Wales. It's been particularly pleasing to see the first Betty Campbell MBE Award being presented, ahead of the new Curriculum being taught from September.

“There have been so many excellent examples of ingenuity, leadership, kindness and passion for teaching – just some of the many qualities I see when I meet staff at schools across Wales.

“Congratulations to all of the finalists and especially to the winners on your achievements.”

All winners were presented with bespoke, handcrafted Griffith Jones trophies at the ceremony.

To view the full list of finalists and winners, visit: www.gov.wales/teachingawards. Join in the conversation with #TeachingAwardsCymru2022 or follow @WG_Education. You can watch the ceremony from 6pm on the Welsh Government Education Facebook channel.

Mae deg o’r gweithwyr addysg proffesiynol mwyaf ysbrydoledig, dawnus ac ymroddedig o bob rhan o Gymru wedi’u datgelu fel enillwyr pumed Gwobrau Addysgu Proffesiynol Cymru.

Gwahoddwyd 29 a gyrhaeddodd y rownd derfynol o bob cwr o Gymru, i ddathlu rhagoriaeth mewn addysg yn y gwobrau ddydd Sul 10 Gorffennaf. Datgelodd y Gweinidog dros Addysg a’r Gymraeg, Jeremy Miles, enillwyr y deg categori mewn seremoni arbennig a gynhaliwyd yn Y Gyfnewidfa Lo yng Nghaerdydd. Ar ôl i’r seremoni ddiwethaf gael ei gohirio oherwydd Covid-19, rhoddodd y gwobrau rywfaint o bositifrwydd y mae mawr ei angen i’r rhai a gymerodd ran.

Mae Gwobrau Addysgu Proffesiynol Cymru yn cydnabod y gwaith gwych y mae ein gweithwyr addysg proffesiynol yn ei wneud ym mhob cwr o Gymru i fynd yr ail filltir i’n pobl ifanc. Eleni, cyflwynwyd Gwobr newydd Betty Campbell MBE am hyrwyddo cyfraniadau a safbwyntiau Cymunedau Du, Asiaidd a Lleiafrifoedd Ethnig.

Mae’r wobr hon, a enillwyd am y tro cyntaf gan Ysgol Uwchradd Llanwern, yn cael ei rhoi i unigolyn, tîm neu ysgol sydd wedi dangos ymwybyddiaeth ragorol o bwysigrwydd amrywiaeth a chynhwysiant yn yr ystafell ddosbarth, enwebwyd Llanwern ar gyfer y wobr newydd hon am weithio’n ofalus iawn i feithrin diwylliant sy’n sicrhau bod pob aelod o gymuned yr ysgol yn teimlo ymdeimlad o berthyn. Roedd y beirniaid wedi’u plesio’n arbennig gan ddull ysgol gyfan yr ysgol o hyrwyddo amrywiaeth.

Dywedodd Tracey Jarvis o Ysgol Uwchradd Llanwern yng Nghasnewydd, rhan o’r tîm a enillodd y wobr

"Rydym yn hynod falch o fod yr ysgol gyntaf i dderbyn y wobr hon i gydnabod y gwaith rydym yn ei wneud i greu ysgol gynhwysol. Diolch i'n staff, llywodraethwyr, dysgwyr, rhieni a gofalwyr am eu hymrwymiad i ddathlu amrywiaeth, sydd wedi'i wreiddio'n yn ein diwylliant o ddydd i ddydd."

Dywedodd Meurig Jones, Pennaeth Ysgol Uwchradd Llangynwyd, Maesteg a enillodd y wobr ar gyfer Pennaeth y Flwyddyn:

“Brwydrodd fy rhieni dros addysg Gymraeg i mi, ac mae'r wobr hon yn profi y gall breuddwydion ddod yn wir. Mae'n fraint bod yn bennaeth ac mae'r wobr hon i bawb sy'n cyfrannu at lwyddiant ein hysgol, o'n dysgwyr, rhieni a gofalwyr i'n llywodraethwyr a'n staff anhygoel. Byddaf yn parhau i hyrwyddo addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg ac yn gwneud popeth o fewn fy ngallu i sicrhau bod pob plentyn yn cael mynediad a dewis o ran eu taith addysg.”

Cyflwynodd y Gweinidog hefyd enillydd Gwobr Cydnabyddiaeth Arbennig Llywodraeth Cymru er cof am Mr Gareth Pierce, cyn Brif Weithredwr CBAC, am ei gyfraniad i addysg yng Nghymru, yn enwedig addysg Gymraeg.

Enillwyr Gwobrau Addysgu Proffesiynol Cymru 2022:

Athro’r Flwyddyn mewn Ysgol Gynradd - Charmaine Riley, Ysgol Gynradd Radyr, Radyr
Athro Newydd Eithriadol - Holly Gordon, Ysgol Bryn Derw ASD Special School, Casnewydd
Defnydd Ysbrydoledig o'r Gymraeg - Iona Llŷr, Addysg a Gwasanaethau Plant - Cyngor Sir Caerfyrddin
Cefnogi Athrawon a Dysgwyr - Carolyn Platt, Ysgol Bryn Elian, Bae Colwyn
Gwaith Ieuenctid mewn Ysgolion a’r Gymuned - Christian Williams, Ysgol Gyfun Heolddu, Caerffili
Athro’r Flwyddyn mewn Ysgol Uwchradd - Mark Morgan, Ysgol Uwchradd Pen y Dre, Merthyr Tudful
Rheolwr Busnes/Bwrsar Ysgol - Claire Coakley, Ysgol Martin Sant, Caerffili
Pennaeth y Flwyddyn - Meurig Jones, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd, Maesteg
Gwobr Disgybl (neu Ddisgyblion) am yr Athro Gorau - Laura Buffee, Ysgol Uwchradd WRh Hwlffordd, Hwlffordd
Gwobr Betty Campbell MBE am hyrwyddo cyfraniadau a safbwyntiau Cymunedau Du, Asiaidd a Lleiafrifoedd Ethnig – newydd ar gyfer 2022 - Ysgol Uwchradd Llanwern, Casnewydd

Dywedodd y Gweinidog dros Addysg a’r Gymraeg, Jeremy Miles:

"Mae safon yr enwebiadau eleni, fel erioed, wedi bod yn rhagorol ac yn dangos y doreth o dalent addysgu sydd gennym yma yng Nghymru. Mae wedi bod yn arbennig o braf gweld Gwobr gyntaf Betty Campbell MBE yn cael ei chyflwyno, cyn i'r Cwricwlwm newydd gael ei addysgu o fis Medi.

“Mae cymaint o enghreifftiau gwych wedi bod o ddyfeisgarwch, arweinyddiaeth, caredigrwydd ac angerdd am addysgu - dim ond rhai o’r rhinweddau niferus a welaf wrth gwrdd â staff mewn ysgolion ym mhob cwr o Gymru.

"Llongyfarchiadau i bawb a gyrhaeddodd y rownd derfynol ac yn enwedig i'r enillwyr ar eich llwyddiannau."

Cyflwynwyd tlysau Griffith Jones wedi'u gwneud â llaw yn arbennig i'r holl enillwyr yn y seremoni.

I weld y rhestr lawn o’r rhai sydd wedi cyrraedd y rownd derfynol a’r enillwyr, ewch i: www.llyw.cymru/gwobrauaddysgu. Ymunwch yn y sgwrs gyda #GwobrauAddysguCymru2022 neu dilynwch @LlC_Addysg. Gallwch wylio’r seremoni o 6pm ar sianel Facebook Addysg Llywodraeth Cymru.