Graduation Tales: Bethan Follows In Her Dad’s Footsteps
A new graduate is following in her father’s footsteps after doing her degree at the same college he attended more than 30 years ago.
Bethan Jones, 21, from Ponthir, has just completed her BA Primary Studies with QTS at the University of South Wales (USW), from where her father Wayne also graduated in the mid-1980s, and then went on to do postgraduate study soon after the Millennium.
Bethan’s graduation has further cemented the family’s relationship with USW. Wayne, 58, is involved in training the next generation of teachers as a mentor for current undergraduates at USW through his position as head teacher at Llanyrafon Primary School – which is one of the university’s partner schools – and is also involved in interviewing prospective students.
“I went to Caerleon and completed my B.Ed in 1984, and then completed my Masters in Teaching in 2002,” explained Wayne.
“When Bethan decided to USW to study I was delighted, and was a proud dad when she graduated.
“It was wonderful to see how she had developed during her three years there. When she first started she was complete novice and needed a lot of support to get going.
“Over her time at USW she has been wonderfully supported by the staff at USW – the job the lecturers have done has been phenomenal.
“When I speak to her now it’s like I’m talking to a member of my staff. She is so knowledgeable about the role and what is needed to be able to engage with school children – it’s been an amazing transformation.”
Bethan, a former pupil of Caerleon Comprehensive, added: “The course at USW was great, and I’m now doing supply teaching to build up my skills in the hope of securing a full-time role.
“It was great to follow in dad’s footsteps, and go into a job that I really enjoy.”
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