THE COLIN BABER ESSAY COMPETITION 2008

The Grand Final was held at the Thornhill Community Centre on Friday 14th March 2008. An enthusistic audience of Year 6 pupils, parents, teachers and friends ensured a successful evening.
 
Roger Williams,Chair of Youth Activities Committee presided,supported by Mr John Wright of Messrs. Thomas Carroll(Brokers) Caerphilly who sponsored the competition.
 
12 Primary Schools from N Cardiff & Caerphilly had competed and the three top prize winners from each school came forward to receive a participation certificate presented by Mr Wright and our President Mr Mike Davies.
 
We were then treated to a masterly report back by Mrs. Anne Williams as Adjudicator.Anne carefully identified the key factors she considered in making her decisions.Her involvement with the pupils present added to our understanding of her choice of winners. Her subsequent reading of the two top essays captivated her audience.
 
Prize winners were:-
 

1st Joanna Cooney - Lisvane
2nd Bethan Gray - Thornhill
3rd Alice Howell - Lakeside
4th Bethan Williams - St James
5th Christopher Board - Coed Glas
 

President Mike Davies concluded the evening with special thanks to all the pupils who had competed,the teaching staff,and Mr Wright as representative of our Sponsors Messrs. Thomas Carroll(Brokers) Ltd. Caerphilly.
 
The photo above (left to right) Mr Wright,J oanna Cooney, Bethan Gray, Mr Mike Davies.

Overview : Over recent years, we have developed a strong relationship with schools in North Cardiff at Secondary and especially at Junior level. During the past year, we have extended this to include some of the Caerphilly junior schools. This was, in part, made possible by sponsorship. The strong relationship will, yet again, form the platform for an extensive range of projects. These have been designed to maximise the number of pupils participating in activities and will provide opportunities to strengthen their confidence and communication skills, both verbal and written. We will continue our efforts to involve all schools in the locality by attempting to gear our activities to National Curriculum requirements wherever possible

Chess competition

For a number of years we have encouraged pupils at Rhydypenau Junior School to participate in the game of chess. A competition within the school is organised by staff towards the end of the academic year at which around 40 youngsters compete. Sponsorship is provided through certificates and prizes and the presentation of these is one of the first duties of the incoming President.

‘Youthspeaks’ Public Speaking Competition

In the wake of the huge success achieved by our sponsored Intermediate team in winning the National Final this year, we will again organise a club competition for schools in North Cardiff. This will take place in late January to fit in with Zone and District competition timetables.

Internal School competitions

We will continue to encourage a wider participation in public speaking by supporting the organisation of internal competitions in Secondary Schools in North Cardiff.

Public Speaking Competition for the under 11’s

With similar objectives to ‘Youthspeaks’, this has proved to be a very successful addition to the programme. During this year, with the help of outside sponsorship, the competition has been widened to include some of the Caerphilly schools. We aim to continue with this success in the coming year. All participating schools organise an internal competition and select the two best individual speakers from Year Six to compete in a final hosted by Rotary. The usual (and valued ) prizes and certificates will be provided.

Essay Competition for Junior Schools

This competition continues in popularity with schools in North Cardiff and this year was extended to include the Caerphilly schools. We will follow the established format and ask teachers to select the best three from their school to go forward to a ‘Grand Final’ which is very popular with staff, parents and pupils, as it provides an opportunity to measure up against other schools in the area. Prizes are awarded to the winners, plus a shield which the winning school keeps for the year. Every participant receives a certificate with presentations normally made by Rotarians attending the school assemblies.

RYLA

We will continue to support the Rotary Youth Leadership Award and hope to nominate three candidates for the 2008 course. Sponsorship of one of these places has again been generously provided.  Transport to and from Dolygaer will be made available where necessary and club is usually represented at the final barbecue.

Best Gardening Class at Christ the King school

A trophy will be awarded to the class judged to have taken the greatest care of the planters positioned around the school.

North Cardiff Junior School Athletics

This is staged annually at Llanishen Fach Junior School; local junior schools are invited to compete for a trophy and individual medals. All competitors receive a Rotary certificate to congratulate them on representing their school.

Llanishen HS Merit Award

This is designed to support the school’s Merit Awards, which recognise pupils who have made an outstanding contribution to school life by charity work, community activities, sport etc. Book tokens and certificates will be presented.

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