Posted on: Tuesday 20 June 2023
Pupils at a secondary school in Cwmbran have devised a new motto and badge for their school.
Children from every year group at Cwmbran High School were asked to submit their suggestions, which were then shortlisted by form representatives, the student leadership team and the headteacher, Mr Matthew Sims.
The winning motto "Strive, Believe, Achieve" will now be displayed across the school, with the final badge design featuring a dragon being incorporated into a new uniform from September 2023.
Georgie, Year 11, who is Head Girl and part of the Student Leadership Team, said: “I really love the new school badge, I believe that the dragon not only represents Wales, but also represents the strength and confidence within our school to grow. As a leadership team we consulted with all stakeholders, including our school Governing Body, parents and most importantly pupils across all school years. We are incredibly proud of the final design and everyone within the school will wear it with pride from September 2023.”
Head Boy Lewis, also a Year 11 pupil, added: “I feel that the new badge marks a new era for Cwmbran High School, along with the new school motto ‘Strive, Believe, Achieve’ being embedded across the school. This reflects our values of positivity, kindness, resilience, respect and creativity."
The rebrand is part of a number of changes being introduced for September 2023, alongside a new school website, plans for an expansion to the canteen area and creation of a new outdoor dining area, as well several new staffing appointments.
Headteacher, Mr Matthew Sims, who was appointed in September 2022, said: "Pupils and parents are critical to the success of any school, and I wanted to make sure our community was at the heart of shaping a new culture at Cwmbran High School, which recognises and values the importance of education. I have spent a lot of valuable time listening and speaking with pupils. They thought the idea of rebranding the school along with the new values were very important and key to school improvement. We will retain the school colours because pupils associate with them and we will be introducing a new uniform policy from September. Every pupil will be provided with a tie featuring the new school logo.”
Mr Sims, also discussed with the pupils the school buildings and in particular their concerns with the size of the canteen, as a result of this, the school will be constructing a two covered canopy and outdoor seating area, enabling more pupils to sit and eat lunch with their friends.
Mr Sims added: "Increasing school attendance to an average of 95% is one of our objectives. If pupils are not in school, we cannot provide them with a first class education.’ To help achieve this, the school have made several new staff appointments including the introduction of a school attendance officer to work with and support pupils and families to improve their school attendance. The council's #NotInMissOut campaign is helping to highlight the wealth of experiences children miss out on if they do not attend school on a regular basis."
(Pictured left to right: Eirys, Georgie, Matthew Sims, Imogen, Lewis)