Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

The man who made Dai Green “reluctantly” jump a hurdle at the age of 11 at Coedcae School will be at the Olympic 400-metre hurdle final cheering his protégé on in the event dubbed the “man killer”. Former school PE teacher Mike Walters, now retired, said: “I can hardly believe I will be there to see the culmination of all Dai’s hard work after all these years.” Mike said he had always, because of his passion for sport, visited championships the world over and made many friends along the way. “Amazingly, some months ago some American friends I met on my travels called me up at my Scotland home and offered me a ticket for the games. I asked what event and when they told me the 400-metres hurdle final I nearly fell over in shock.” Mike has arranged to meet up with Dai’s parents and brothers at the post-event Red Bull hospitality tent to celebrate what Mike is convinced will be golden celebration for Dai. He said: “I have never met anyone more single minded than Dai. He is so focused and...

A Llanelli school is working with the Carmarthenshire Youth Offending and Prevention Service (YOPS) as a way of resolving conflict between pupils. Coedcae Comprehensive School is using peer mediation to sort out problems amongst pupils – from arguments in the playground to unkind behaviour. A number of pupils have been trained as peer mediators by YOPS officers receiving the necessary skills and diplomacy needed for the role. They have learned to listen, not to make matters worse, and to help those in conflict to reach a mutual solution using a structured process. YOPS Restorative Justice Co-ordinator James Perdue said: “With the right guidance and support, properly trained young people are capable of managing conflict and reaching solutions without direct input from adults. The peer mediators will be continually supported by school staff to ensure that all issues are being dealt in an appropriate way.” The YOPS works with young people across the county with the aim of preventing of...

A Llanelli school has become the first in the county to trial a mobile takeaway unit in the playground. Carmarthenshire County Council’s Catering Service has introduced the innovative fast-food van at Coedcae School to re-introduce healthy food to children who have shunned the school canteen in favour of nearby food outlets. It has proved a big hit with pupils, with as many as 400 school meals now being served every day. The van is open from 8am to serve breakfast snacks including takeaway porridge, toast and cereal together with tea, coffee and cold drinks, for those that have left home without breakfast. During lunch, children can choose from a range of snacks including baguettes, wraps, paninis, sandwiches, salads, soups, and jacket potatoes all with a variety of fillings. And for those with a sweet tooth there are healthier alternatives, including yogurts and homemade cakes made with reduced fat and sugar, pure fruit juice lollies and local Franks ice-cream. Each meal and snack ...

Members of Llanelli Rotary Club lent a hand at the Careers Wales mock interview sessions staged at Coedcae School, Llanelli. The mock interviews gave pupils the chance to gain some experience of doing job and further education interviews. Pictured with some of the Coedcae pupils are Rotarians Alan Owen, Alison Evans, Ken Abban and Roger Stephens. Also pictured is Gareth Price of Careers Wales.

Off to join the team from Llanelli Rotary Club to lend a hand at the Careers Wales mock interview sessions at Coedcae School in Llanelli.

BBC News - Jeffrey Gravell guilty in 400,000 indecent child images case A school IT manager has been found guilty of possessing and making nearly 400,000 indecent images of children. Jeffrey Gravell, 54, had denied the charges after the images were found on computers at his home belonging to his employers Coedcae School in Llanelli. Gravell, of Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, was told by the judge he faces an inevitable custodial term.