A new school which will become Merthyr Tydfil’s third Welsh medium school. has opened. Safle’r Gurnos, or Campus Gurnos, is currently a satellite of Santes Tudful Primary School but it will grow into a third Welsh medium school for the county borough. Officials say the new school is part of plans to boost the use of Wales' mother tongue among children in the area.
Campus Gurnos was opened on Monday, June 13. The event attended by newly elected mayor Councillor Declan Salmon, the mayor’s consort Councillor Paula Layton, education cabinet member Michelle Jones and councillor Michelle Symonds - who is now the official Welsh champion for the council.
Headteacher of Santes Tudful, Gwyndaf Jones, said : “Today is a very important day for Welsh medium education in Merthyr Tydfil. We are very grateful to the local authority for their support in ensuring that we meet the demand for Welsh medium education in Merthyr. We look forward to welcoming more families to the Gurnos site in the months and years to come. Today is a major step towards realizing the Welsh Government’s desire to reach one million Welsh speakers by 2050.”
Director of education at the council Sue Walker said “The opening of this seedling third Welsh medium school in Merthyr Tydfil is a landmark occasion and comes as the first Welsh medium school – Ysgol Santes Tudful goes into its 50th year. The growth of Welsh medium education in Merthyr Tydfil is a priority for the council and we are really pleased to see this provision on the map .”
Cllr Symonds, who has championed for Welsh schools in the borough, said she was very excited for the event adding : ’ This new Welsh medium school in Merthyr is testament to the local authority’s desire to extend its provision of Welsh medium education and provide the best possible facilities for learners in the area. It will be a huge benefit to the children and young people within the community it serves .’’ Cllr Michelle Jones said: “ What a delight it was to attend the opening of Campus Gurnos this morning.
“Seeing this happen is another step forward in our committed support for Welsh Medium education across the borough, and an important factor in nurturing children with a first class Welsh language experience. The council have a clear vision to support the Welsh Government’s ambition of a million Welsh speakers by 2050, and this is one way in which Merthyr Tydfil are contributing to achieving that.
“Ultimately, what I would like to also see in the future is a secondary Welsh language school being established in the borough”
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