Barry Comprehensive School

The Army Shield presented to representatives of the undefeated U16 Rugby Team presented by Cardiff Blues Rhys Williams

Barry Comprehensive pupils were joined by their families, teachers and guests last week to celebrate their many successes and achievements in the school’s Annual Presentation Evening.

The event began with an introduction from Dr Matthew Griffiths, Chair of Governors, followed by an address from the Headteacher, David Swallow OBE.

Guest speaker David Melding AM, the Shadow Minister for Economic Development and Welsh Conservative’s Director of Policy, delivered a thoughtful and entertaining speech on the nature of success which engaged pupils and adults alike. He emphasised the positive feeling that prevailed in the Welsh Assembly on the success the school has enjoyed over recent years.

Christopher Jones receiving the Year 9 PTA Prize	Shaun Ledbetter receiving the Year 7 PTA Prize	Daniel Saunders receiving the Evelyn Careless Award for service to lower school, presented by Mrs Evelyn Careless	Ryan Lloyd receiving the John Carter Trophy for Performing Arts, presented by his widow Mrs Marie Carter

The venue for the event was the school’s Sports Hall which had been transformed during the day to provide seating for 900 people, along with a stage, sound system and two large screens. A multimedia Review of the Year played In between the award presentations, reminding everyone in the audience of the highlights of the last twelve months.

Teachers from each Faculty nominated students who had excelled in their subject areas to receive prizes, as well as one outstanding individual who received a Faculty Student of the Year Award.

Joining David Melding in presenting prizes was special guest Rhys Williams. Rhys has enjoyed countless sporting successes, from representing Wales at Cricket, Athletics and Rugby as a schoolboy to his more recent achievements with Cardiff RFC, Cardiff Blues and earning an amazing 44 caps for Wales.

Joseph Murphy receiving the Anne Williams Shield for success in A Level Music	James Lewis receiving his Faculty of Science Prize	Matthew Sullivan receiving the Ford Shield for his outstanding contribution to Year 7 Rugby	James Matthias receiving the Governors’ Shield for outstanding commitment to all aspects of school life

Robert Thompson receiving the Chair of Governors’ Plate for outstanding attitude and effort throughout the year, presented by Dr Matthew Griffiths and David Melding AM	Faculty of Modern Language Prize Winners	Timothy Woodward and Mark Porter receiving the John Wanser Thorne Prize for outstanding achievement in Science, presented by Mrs Lloyd Hughes

Additional Awards for individuals and groups displaying outstanding attitude and effort, contributing to school and community life, and for sporting success concluded the presentations.

David Melding and Rhys Williams stayed on to chat to pupils and parents after the event and the school would like to thank them both for their generosity in joining us to help celebrate the many successes of the pupils of Barry Comprehensive School.