Welsh Children’s Poet Laureate Collaborates On Ysgol Bro Idris

Welsh Children’s Poet Laureate, Anni Llŷn has been busy working with primary and secondary school children in the Dolgellau catchment area over recent weeks to create a motto for Ysgol Bro Idris. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

As part of work to create a brand for the 3-16 All-Through Catchment-area School that opens in September 2017, Anni Llŷn has been collaborating with children in years 5 and 6 at Ysgol Gynradd Dolgellau, Dinas Mawddwy, Ieuan Gwynedd Rhydymain, Llanelltyd, Brithdir, Friog, and Ganllwyd as well as years 7, 8, 9 and 10 in Ysgol Uwchradd Y Gader. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A series of creative workshops were held with children at different sites looking at developing a new motto for the school. This was an opportunity for the children to work on an important part of the formation and establishment of their new school. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The work is being funded as part of Gwynedd Council’s Welsh Language Charter and is an opportunity for children to meet and learn from the Children’s Poet Laureate. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Anni Llŷn said: “It’s always a pleasure to work with motivated young people and be able to spend time working on a motto, that will stay on in memory for a long time, and which adds to the sense of occasion.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Jano Owen, Headteacher of the new school added: “It’s important to be able to expand on the experiences which children receive through education. We wanted to ensure that the commission with the Children’s Poet Laureate was an opportunity to spark the imagination of the children and enhance their creativity.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

This work is part of the opportunity for children in the schools to come up with a logo for Ysgol Bro Idris. It is expected that the school motto and logo will be in place by the end of the summer term. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Helen Jones, Chair of the Shadow Governing Body of Ysgol Bro Idris added: “Developing a strong brand for the new school is a very important task, and the shadow governing body was very keen that it was a role for pupils and the community. Having a name, slogan and logo is a historic milestone in the creation of this innovative school.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​